Roland followed Rosuc out of the bar to the abandoned house. He kept vigilant however, and as Rosuc slipped through the boards into the house he shot Ian a message. Meeting out back. Will meet you out front afterward. Roland nodded as Rosuc spoke. Sea cliffs, eh? Right then. But you say somebody else asked you the same question 10 years ago. Who was that? After resolving the conversation with Rosuc he added, Looks like Gavin's proven himself unreliable, so you might be seein' me again. Cheers. With a tip of his hat, Roland departed the scene to rendezvous back with Ian in front of the bar. Seeing the ex-guardsman, Roland let him catch a glimpse as the aasimar-in-disguise strolled off towards a shadowy alleyway. There he waited for Ian to find him before morphing his disguise again to that of a nondescript human guard. Rosuc was quite helpful! It seems the cliffs overlooking the bay was a favorite haunt, at least some time ago. Perhaps we should check with the others and pay these cliffs a visit, yes?
"Everything is fine Spellworthy." Ukalo says tersely. "I have some things I need to prepare for Master Hast, so if you will excuse me."
"It was a halfling, said his name was Tribin. Such a common name among halflings though..." Rosuc shrugs. "I doubt Gavin has ever done anything useful in his life if you want my opinion."
Unable to focus on the shadows at the edge of your vision you target the spell on several of the larger flowers.
The spell obliterates the flowers, the stems disintegrating into fine dust as they are stuck, and the petals flying into the air in a burst like hard corn kernels thrown into an open fire.
Master Hast smiles from where he watches outside the circle. "I've seen that spell knock a charging bull on its haunches when enhanced by a magically rich area." He walks towards the dials at the side of the room. "I'm going to make a slight adjustment, sit tight for a moment."
He turns one of the dials just slightly and the image beyond the open gateway blurs and is replaced by a darkened forest with huge trees blocking out the sky. Only a dim light filters through the canopy and the air grows thick and heavy, causing some discomfort in your ears. The temperature rises a dozen degrees and what was pleasantly cool before is now uncomfortably warm.
"I think you can appreciate the possibilities for study this... room offers?"
Ian meets Roland out front, following him into the alley. "Yeah. Let's go."
"Sure... Sure..." Leo says, worried. "Well, if you ever..." he opens his hands impotently, understanding that Leo has nothing to offer Ukalo's stresses. He lets the man go without further interruption.
Strange... What's go him so bothered? I just killed a bunch of people and HE'S the one looking out of it... Protector's side... I really did kill all of those men...
Leo covers his mouth with his hand, the realization of his actions finally setting in on him. The corpses of the thieves that he had questioned the previous day had no effect on him, corpses generally don't, but the thought of questioning men that he had killed, even if justified...
See that, mother? Maybe you were right about me after all... I thought Nethys had chosen me as a protector, but maybe I am just fooling myself once again.
He removes the glamor from his eyes and starts walking through the compound, seeking he knows not what. Leo torments himself with the barely remembered faces of the men that he didn't have enough time to observe in detail, but who he had used his magic against in a moment's notice. He tries to think of who they were, what they looked like, but just doesn't remember them clearly to satisfy his guilt in any way.
Leo walks the Tower compound until his feet take him somewhere he is needed, or to bed. When passing by reflective surfaces, he'd stare back into his own mismatched eyes within the mirror, or water basin.
Roland frowned a moment when he mentioned the Halfling from 10 years ago. Tribin you say? Don't suppose he told you why this Tribin wanted to know Radgar's location, or what group he was askin' for, did he?
, Roland marched along with the ex-guardsman, looking the part of a guardsman himself for any but the keenest observer. Right then! Let us go meet back up with our companions and plot the next move.
Roland slipped back into a dark corner after entering the Tower grounds and morphed back into his true appearance. Entering the Tower compound, he catches sight of Leo wandering while deep in thought. Leo! Look lively my good man; we come with oh-so-good information! Have you seen Rilumin or Ms. Sunshine around?
"No. Generally when asked someone's whereabouts, it's better to not know to many details. Some information is valuable, some just gets marked for death."
"Divinations tend to behave unexpectedly. A scrying spell for example often shows something of the targets past, or rarely something of their future."
"Your see invisibility spell? You see things at the edge of your vision? The theory is that you are seeing into the edge of the dreams in the ethereal realm... but that one has never been proven."
"And I should warn you, divination magic designed to forsee the future can be dangerous. In the histories are two instances of a Master doing so. Both were driven mad."
"If you could please step out of the circle now Miss Bellafini." He waits for you to do so, then begins adjusting the wheels, the scene becomes a blur of colors. "With the troubles plaguing our city these days I felt it important that our elite have access to better tools to help unravel the abundance of plots."
He pauses for a moment as the colors settle on a barren and rocky landscape, red glowing fissures casting light upon the scene. "And we also have a vacancy in the council with Master Torenest gone. I mean to nominate you to the position."
At that moment a horrifying creature appears from around the side of the gateway. A huge corpulent being floating several feet off the ground, sitting atop of throne of iron skulls. Trappings cut in mockery of holy vestments do little to cover the thing’s pallid, leaking rolls of blister-pocked girth. Worthless, club-like hands waggle like maggots, directing a cloud of weathered scrolls and blasphemous tomes that orbit its bulk. Barely distinguishable amid its mound of chins squints a pair of glassy black eyes, riding above a disproportionately wide mouth curled into a lecherous grin.
You recognize the creature as an ayngavhaul, or a heresy devil.
It gives a sort of bow, "Master Hast. She is the one you spoke of I presume?"
Ignoring the devil for the moment Master Hast continues, "There are also other advantages to this gateway. We may commune with the inhabitants to accelerate our learning and knowledge of things beyond the material - beyond what our own studies can unravel."
"This is Vyrdikyll." he gestures to the disgusting looking creature. "He and I periodically exchange knowledge with one another to our mutual benefit."
"Vyrdikyll may prove useful to your own ambitions and goals."
Moving from guard house to guard house within the city, while traversing a darkened street, you hear a womens scream from within a nearby house.
"Oh?" Leo responds to Roland with a strange lack of enthusiasm. "Not sure... Haven't seen either of them since I went to question that beggar woman. Serelina, though, I think is in her room working on finishing that teleportation spell."
Expressionless, Leo looks between Roland and Leo. "What did you find? I was thinking about retiring..."
Retiring?! Nonsense, the night is still young my good man! Roland's smile and energy shined through, though one could expect he might act the same after 48 hours of hard combat. As it turns out Rosuc was quite helpful. Radgar had a little get way up on the cliffs above the bay that might be helpful to check out. Could be nothing, but why think negatively.
Roland glanced around for a moment, then squinting seemed to eye the desk at the entry way to the Tower grounds. Walking over, he picked up a note left there. Hmm...seems that Rilumin went for a little jaunt. Not sure when he'll be back, and sadly no way to get a hold of him. Well, no matter. Let's go see what Bellafini has gotten up to.
Heading up to the wizardess' room , Roland spied Ukalo up ahead. The fact that the man purposely tried to avoid Roland was seemingly lost on the summoner. Oh Ukalo! Since you are wandering around here doing...something....I'm sure important, let me unburdern myself with a piece of information you can pass on to the almighty Masters. You know that Inn up by the city walls? Turns out there's a hole in the wall that can be used by the Thieves' to sneak people into and out of the city. How about you brick that up. Yes? Yes. Also, Firyin wants to bring a bunch more drow into the city. That probably doesn't fit Coran's larger immigration plans. So, how about you look into that. Good? Great! Well, it's been a delight taking with you, we must be going. Good day! Roland launched his words at Ukalo without giving the man a word in edgewise before taking off down the hallway towards Serelina's room. Upon reaching it, Roland knocked at the door and announced, Did you miss me? I know you've been waiting for this moment. Sadly for you I brought company.
To Hast "I am honored by the prospective nomination Master Hast, and I look forward to continuing to prove my worth as a member of the Council."
With a small bow of greeting, Serelina turns a small smile upon the devil. "Greetings Vyrdikyll, I would also be interested in a periodic exchange of information. Perhaps we can reach a similar relationship to that you have with Master Hast."
Leo hesitates for a moment, before nodding and quietly following Roland.
Ukalo stammers for a moment at Roland's request. Already heading down the hall Roland misses the look Ukalo gives him, though Leo sees it. A look of anger, on the verge of spilling forth, but Ukalo reigns it in.
Upon reaching Serelina's room there is no answer to Roland's knock.
Vyrdikyll gives a simpering smile. "Of course. Of course. What is it you specialize in Miss Bellafini? I am an expert in helping uncover hidden lore and mysteries."
Peering in through a window you see a woman holding a candle in one hand, or hands shaking nearly causing the meager light source of extinguish itself.
Shadows leap back and forth upon the walls, but they do not seem to be shadows from the candle alone, they seem... alive, and moving of their own volition.
"Conjuration, specifically the transportive aspects. In a more mundane area, I would also be interested in any knowledge you might have about the fallen Paladin known as Radgar."
Oh come now, no need to be like that! Very well, on the count of three I come in...one...two..., Roland throws open the door to Serelina's room quite before he reaches the three count, assuming it is not locked.
Leo shies away from the door as he notices Roland go to throw it open, making it clear that he was in no way encouraging this entry into her rooms.
You easily disable the lock and are able to crack the door slightly to look within.
A shadowy form rises up from the floor, great bat like wings almost completely blocking out the candle. A clawed hand strikes down at the woman, her chest bursting open with a spray of blood. The candle strikes the floor and the room goes dark.
Vyrdikyll's head bobs up and down. "Interesting, interesting. This gate should be most intriguing to you then, yes. It allows travel among the planes for one strong enough to take such risks."
"Tell me all you know of this fallen paladin. The more details you can provide, the more I will be able to discern."
Bursting into the room you find it empty, save for a stack of research notes on a desk sitting next to Ellen's book on conjuration magic.
Too late. Time to get the mages in here to investigate.
Rilumin closes the door quietly, and heads back to the tower to give a report, leaving the scene so as not to disturb the evidence.
As Roland doesn't fall to the ground, screaming, Leo peaks around the corner and into the empty room. "Huh, guess she went out."
Unless the others turn to leave, Leo tentatively enters to check the notes to see how far she had gotten with the teleportation spell.
Roland look around the room, an initial look of mild surprise replaced by a wry smile. Shirking our duties are we, Bellafini? he said to no one in particular. The aasimar quickly loses interest though when it becomes clear the wizardess was not present. Glancing briefly at Leo thumbing through Serelina's notes, Roland clapped his hands once, well, let's see if Ukalo knows her whereabouts and if not we can check out this cliff face on our own. Waiting a moment for Leo to check the notes, Roland then heads with the priest and Ian back into the hallway where Ukalo was last seen.
Ian nods as Roland leaves Seralina's room. Not what you'd call a chatty person, but seems especially grim and quiet today.
It takes only a moment to find Ukalo, he sighs wearily upon seeing Roland. "Master Hast had need of her. You may wait for him if you like." he states tersely.
Whatever was bothering Ukalo earlier, it seems related to whatever Serelina and Master Hast are up to.
The devil listens attentively, taking notes on a scroll it produces from its throne like chair. "I will find out what I can, but it may take a couple of days time. Come speak with me each day."
"Yeah, we'll do just that Ukalo. Thanks. Well, if we've got some time to kill we might as well find some wine to kill, eh?" he says, turning to Roland and Ian.
He begins walking away from Ukalo, expecting the others to follow him. Once out of ear shot he speaks again, concern in his voice. "Something has been bothering Ukalo all night, and I'd bet my name that is has something to do with Serelina. Either of you know any reason why Master Hast would need Wizard Serelina in a way that would upset Ukalo so much?"
Rilumin runs up, stealthily as ever, into the light of the room as one who swam miles to reach the shore of an island.
"I just witnessed a murder. Victim seemed to be a common woman, the perpetrator a creature of shadow. I came here, assuming guards could not handle such. I left the place as it was, hopefully the creature did not erase all evidence. You may need magic to divine the truth."
Roland's eyes narrowed at Ukalo as he offered the explanation for Serelina's absence. Ah, silly me, I wasn't aware that Hast had a thing for icy, ball-breaking blondes. Well, to each his own! The aasimar turned and departed from Ukalo with Leo and Ian, considering Leo's words as they walked. That is an outstanding idea! I knew from the start you were a good addition, Roland said in response to his fellow aasimar's wine-killing idea. As for Hast and Bellafini...well, she has been angling for a spot at the Master's table for some time. Bit of a climber, that one. Has been ever since we went through training. He shakes his head. Can you believe I slept with her?! What was I thinking?? Well, I know what I was thinking: lots of wine, good looking if too tense, it all.....
Roland's line of thinking was cut off abruptly as Rilumin suddenly bounced out of the shadows. Not used to many being able to surprise him so, the aasimar was caught speechless for one of the very few times in his life. Hearing out the archer, he paused for a moment, and frowned. He looked at Leo with a resigned expression. Alas it seems the wine will need to wait. Motioning towards the front door he added, Well Rilumin, show us the way!
"Very well, it was good to meet you Vyrdikyll and I look forward to expanding our acquaintance."
"Again I wish to thank you Master Hast. The trust you continue to place in me is appreciated and will continue to yield dividends."
"I am quite confident you will not disappoint in this matter Miss Bellafini."
Striding into the room as Roland gestures at the door with a grim look on her face, Serelina glares at Roland before addressing the group. "I'm terribly sorry if my meeting with Master Hast and contacting other planes to help us with our quest has interrupted your wine-drinking and tale-spinning Roland.. Some of set our duties to the tower somewhere above our duties to keep the rabble of tavern whores in luxury. And I'd thank you to keep my name dissociated with your paltry exploits, or at least keep your voice down so it doesn't carry through the entire tower."
Turning to Rilumin, "You at least are keeping to the business at hand. Let us proceed to investigate this supernatural killing."
Ian looks from one face to the other, barely moving his head, expressionless. He waits patiently then nods.
Leo looks a bit hesitantly at the change of plans, his eyes uncertain and mismatched. He takes a moment, a breath, and then his eyes change again to a uniform blue as the magic of his hat takes shape. He gives one resolved nod, and follows.
Roland didn't attempt to hide his wince as Serelina abruptly entered the scene. Looking up at the ceiling he said to no one in particular, and it was shaping up to be such a pleasant evening. Shaking his head as the group headed out the door, he waited just a brief period of time before speaking up again. So..Bellafini, what did you and your boyfriend Hast come up with that actually helps our quest? Looking over at the wizardess with a raised eyebrow, he paused to let her answer the question. As for Leo, Ian and myself, we discovered a rather interesting tidbit. Apparently Radgar loved his seaside vista views back in his halcyon, non-guard-murdering days. After we check out Rilumin's crime scene we plan to give the cliff face a look-see. Care to join?
Serelina full on slaps Roland in the face.
"You will treat me with the respect I am due, or we will settle this in the most final of manners."
As for Leo, Ia... Roland was cut off mid-sentence by Serelina's strike. Caught completely unawares for the second time this day, the aaismar put a hand up to his mouth to check for blood. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the wizardess, but a sly smile crept across his mouth. I do remember you liked it rough, he said softly. Just as quickly he began laughing and turned back to the rest of the group. Sometimes one gets slapped unjustly and other times one very much earns it! Let's move on shall we? We have a murder scene and a serial killer on the dance card tonight! Bounding ahead of the group for a moment he gave a loud, laughing shout. Now I feel alive!
Rilumin nods, and begins to lead the way to the murder-house.
Ian laughs when Roland gets smacked, then gives Rilumin a look.
The tension between Roland and Serelina pass Leo with little reaction, almost as if he is too absorbed within his own thoughts to care much about the drama around him. He absently follows the others, thinking deeply as he does so.
Rilumin leads the way to a narrow street in which numerous small two room homes are situated close to one another. He points out a darkened home in the cluster.
Those with dark vision can see an overturned chair through the window while still standing back in the street.
Roland was still smiling as the group approached the house, ducking into an abandoned side alley. En route he had cast Message on Leo, and sent a brief I'll be just a minute along the spell as he disappeared. He emerged not looking as if a nondescript guardsman but as the four-armed celestial in full armor and hooded void face that had battled the Thieves previously. When the group was ready, Roland opened the door to the house and looked inside.
Impudent fool.
Serelina's icy mask is back in place as the party proceeds, staying close to Ian as the door opens.
While heading up to the house, Leo would finally crack his silence by asking for more information. "What are we expecting? What are we looking for or trying to accomplish? Just investigating a scene somewhat related to Ragdar, or actually finding the man at the site?"
"I heard a commotion, I couldn't get a good look through the windows so I cracked the door, which was locked. Unfortunately for the woman, it was too late. The figure appeared to be made of shadow, the only light was a candle which was snuffed about the time she died. I know better than to enter a dark house with at least one assailant, and figured there were some magic goings-on that needed investigation."
"I didn't want to involve the guards, since they're in the pocket of the thieves."
Ian grunts at the mention of the bribed guards, but doesn't say anything. He pats Roland's shoulder as he passes, going in first and looking around.
"Got a light?"
Leo casts light on his shield as he follows Ian into the building. Afterward, he'll start Detect Magic concentrate rounds to find anything anomalous, moving the cone of detection generally forward in the direction the group moves.
The scene inside is grisly.
Blood is spattered on the walls and floor, the woman Rilumin saw murdered, torn to shreds.
A simple table sits against one wall with several dirty dishes on it. The overturned chair seen from the small front window rests in the middle of the room.
A single closed door to the left presumably leads to a bedroom.
Ian tries the bedroom door handle, and kicks it in if it's locked. He doesn't seem bothered by the gruesome scene.
