"Agreed. As it stands we have no allies here but perhaps the Thranes." Shagraat shakes his furry head, then remembering himself, stops and casts a guilty glance at Andrei.
"We need to find out what kind of place this restaurant is and figure out who among us best matches the clientele." He looks back at Ben. "I'm guessing you and I are the least likely candidates there."
"Maybe this sell-sword you met knows something of the black market trade in this town? Certainly the necromancer is going to know something about that as well. Perhaps we should take an interest in him?"
Mirra points out a possible lead she has: that the main place in town for Thranes with intrigue on their mind is the Candlelight, a restaurant in the Embers district of Oldgate. It is likely that Alidaber might have gone there to pick up rumours and meet contacts.
Mirra points out a possible lead she has: that the main place in town for Thranes with intrigue on their mind is the Candlelight, a restaurant in the Embers district of Oldgate. It is likely that Alidaber might have gone there to pick up rumours and meet contacts.
"Well, I could do with a nice meal, what about everyone else? Find somewhere to clean up, and book a table?"
"Sounds good lets see what we can find and get this thing moving."
Mirra quickly looks around and turns back to the group "Ok lets go to Candlelight and see if we can find Alidaber. If we strike out there we can always try to find Varen."
Benedetto sighs dramatically and follows the rest of the group out of the perfectly good pub that they've already paid to another restaurant.
Benedetto sighs dramatically and follows the rest of the group out of the perfectly good pub that they've already paid to another restaurant.
"Cheer up Benny, this next one sounds like it should be even more decadent and expensive. Right up your street no?" Colvare grins.
He also makes sure to find somewhere to have a wash and brush up before leaving, since he no doubt stinks after weeks on a boat, and a day wandering through the scummyness of the town.
He also makes sure to find somewhere to have a wash and brush up before leaving, since he no doubt stinks after weeks on a boat, and a day wandering through the scummyness of the town.
Benedetto shows Colvare to the perfectly good rooms he rented as well, for just such reasons.
Benedetto shows Colvare to the perfectly good rooms he rented as well, for just such reasons.
"You really do think of everything don't you? Thanks."
Now that Colvare is harder to track by scent, we head to the Candlelight.
The party head to Oldgate, smelling delicately of soap and cologne. The brief tropical sunset is rapidly turning day to night as they walk in to the Candlelight and ask for a table. It is in a relatively recent building, in that it seems to have been purpose built rather than adapted from the Giant Age ruin, and shows the typically orderly Thranish mind at work with its orderly stone exterior, symetrical frontage and rather bland stylings. That said, after weeks on a ship, the prospect of a genuinely decent meal is enticing - Thranish deserts are known across Khorvaire, though the drinks selection is likely to be meagre.
Inside, the main restaurant comprises a long, narrow room with rectangular tables covered with cloths and is, of course, spotlessly clean. A number of private rooms have their doors along one side, and the kitchen is at the far end. As it is still relatively early, there are only a few diners. The head waiter smiles ingratiatingly as the party enters and walks over.
"Table for five?" He looks slightly strangely at Benedetto.
"Table for five?" He looks slightly strangely at Benedetto.
Colvare steps forwards, and speaks in a lauder than necessary voice, "For five indeed my good man. Your best table, we have little time in your fair city and would spend it well."
Mirra takes a quick look around to see if she notices anyone and to also see if anyone it taking notice of them more than they should.
The maitre d' raises his eyebrows at Colvare's words and says, "Certainly, please come this way," and leads them to a table. He then passes round the menus and pours some cups of refreshing cordial before departing.
Lacking any knowledge (nobility) skill to help him through this, Benedetto relies on his natural charisma to keep from committing a faux pas.
He slurps his refreshing cordial.
The staff cast odd looks at the party, especially Benedetto. They confer quietly for a second or two, and then one of them heads out the back.
The head waiter returns. "Mada, Sirs, have you decided on your order?"
Mirra looks at the waiter, "Yeah could I have some Aundairian wine and where can I go and freshen up?"
Benedetto rolls his eyes and looks at Mirra in exasperation. He refrains from reminding her about the rooms they were just in, but it's obvious that he really wants to grow some telepathic lobes.
Through gritted teeth, he'll order the house special.
Benedetto rolls his eyes and looks at Mirra in exasperation. He refrains from reminding her about the rooms they were just in, but it's obvious that he really wants to grow some telepathic lobes.
Through gritted teeth, he'll order the house special.
Colvare will also order the house special, once the waiter has gone he also will whisper quietly to the rest "May want to eat up quick, looks like someone just recognised Ben here and wandered off out back..."
After a few minutes, three men come into the restaurant. They are lightly armoured and long swords hang from their belts. They quickly scan the room and, spying the party, walk straight over to them. The leader, a human man with light brown hair, tanned skin and blue eyes, asks, "Mind if we join you?" He asks politely enough, but he clearly doesn't expect a "No" as an answer.
"Please and be welcome. Don't need to clean up or nothin' first, do you?"
Rayne does her level best to distract the men, smiling coyly and leaning forward. "Yes, please, have a seat gentlemen. Are ya'll locals or just looking for a good time here in Xen'drik?" She winks suggestively at the last statement.
Rayne does her level best to distract the men, smiling coyly and leaning forward. "Yes, please, have a seat gentlemen. Are ya'll locals or just looking for a good time here in Xen'drik?" She winks suggestively at the last statement.
Colvare will subtly kick ben under the table. "Excuse my fiend, he is a little touchy today. Also, please excuse my blutness, weeks on a ship will do that for you. You look like you are set for business, armour and swords, in this class of establishment? What about us has been brought to your atention? or in other words, How can we help?"
Benedetto gives Colvaire a dirty look. "'Cause if they do need a place to wash up, I'd suggest one, since none of none of us seem to want to use it."
Then Colvare's comments to the men actually register with Benedetto. "Apologies. You was sayin?"
.
Thw leader's two cohorts look at Rayne with distaste. The leader sits down, and the head waiter comes and pours him a drink without being asked.
"Thing is, I was looking for someone meeting your description," he says to Benedetto, "I'm sure you will agree, you are somewhat.... Distinctive. A friend suggested you might be coming by. So I guess, based on that intelligence, I'm curious to know why you have come to Stormreach, and to the Candlelight in particular."
He smiles. "But I've been remiss. Let me introduce myself - I am Valen Vanatar, leader of the Knights of Thrane. We keep the piece in this part of Stormreach."
Benedetto looks honestly confused, refusing to react to what must be a common first name. Sense Motive: 25
"Beggin' yer pardon, but I'm afraid there might indeed be a mix-up, Officer. Yer right, I am distinctive, but the purply greasy skin: that's new as of the middle of the sea voyage ta git here, shortly past when we faced down a telepathic kraken, and we only lit into town early this mornin'. And while it ain't [i]common[i] in the Marches where I grew up, I ain't the only one in town.
"As fer a ruckus, I'm a bodyguard with House Thrashk, currently 'tween clients. We certainly ain't lookin' to start trouble. Mostly we're tryin' to prevent it."
He turns to his companions to take up the conversation.
Mirra drinks some of her wine and looks at the knight. "I am curious where you got this description at. You don't seem to be the type that would be hanging out with the crew we came in with and they are about the only people we have had a lot of contact with. So I would say you have the wrong person."
Mirra sits back in her chair, "Anyway what exactly are you suppose to do if you find this person you are looking for?"
"Please forgive my friends" Colvare's saying that a lot recently...."we have had a testing time just getting to this city, and we are all a little on edge.
"I am Colvare, and we are in the city looking for a friend, and this is just the sort of place she would frequent."
Benedetto looks honestly confused, refusing to react to what must be a common first name. Sense Motive: 25
"Beggin' yer pardon, but I'm afraid there might indeed be a mix-up, Officer. Yer right, I am distinctive, but the purply greasy skin: that's new as of the middle of the sea voyage ta git here, shortly past when we faced down a telepathic kraken, and we only lit into town early this mornin'. And while it ain't [i]common[i] in the Marches where I grew up, I ain't the only one in town.
"As fer a ruckus, I'm a bodyguard with House Thrashk, currently 'tween clients. We certainly ain't lookin' to start trouble. Mostly we're tryin' to prevent it."
He turns to his companions to take up the conversation.
Valen smiles politely. "Hmm, it was more the strange eyes and the overly bendy neck. And the company with a shifter, a tall, bald guy, a half-elf woman and a hobgoblin." He looks at the pert Rayne, and his tone hardens somewhat. "And the changeling, of course."
He grins at Andrei. "You, sir, seem quite ordinary by comparison. And a co-religionist - may the Flame keep you. What happened to your elven friend - did the telepathic kraken get him?" The men with him chuckle.
"So anyway, back to business," he says, turning to Colvare. "Who is this friend you are here to see? I have lot's of friends - maybe I know them?"
"And the changeling, of course."
Rayne visibly wilts and scowls darkly at the man, leaning away from the table and crossing her arms in petulant huffiness. She remains silent, looking away from the congregation at the general goings-on in her vicinity.
"So anyway, back to business," he says, turning to Colvare. "Who is this friend you are here to see? I have lot's of friends - maybe I know them?"
Throwing caution to the wind, and arrogantly figuring we can take these fops if we need to, and that the restaurant needs redecorating anyway.....Colvare replies "Her name is Alidaber ir’Krone, and we are not sure if she came here of her own accord, or was brought here by force. Either way, we have unfinished business with her, on behalf of the church of the Silver Flame.
"There is also a man named Varren involved, a dealer of antiquities, who will have arrived here much before us. If nothing else, he will lead us to ir’Krone.
Now, can you help us? Or can we get on with our rather expensive, and rapidly cooling meal?"
The man blinks, and looks thoughtful for a moment. Then he smiles.
"OK, well, since you have ordered, I don't want to disturb your meal. However, I think we might need to get a private room to discuss these matters. Gevin," he says, turning to one of his associates, "Go and get Taris and Arrun. Tell them it looks like Alidaber's friends have arrived."
The man gets up and leaves. Valen nods to the maitre d' who opens the door to a side room. The Knight of Thrane stands and waves in it's direction. "If you would be so kind."
The man gets up and leaves. Valen nods to the maitre d' who opens the door to a side room. The Knight of Thrane stands and waves in it's direction. "If you would be so kind."
"Of course" Colvare nods. And moves to follow.
** spoiler omitted **
Mirra grabs her glass and plate and stands. She kicks Ben's chair as she passes, "Come on grumpy let see what they have to say."
"T'ain't my fault I'm out o' sorts. See how you like it when people call attention to your 'overly-bendy neck'."
He takes his plate into the other room, trying to manifest a sullen mood.
"T'ain't my fault I'm out o' sorts. See how you like it when people call attention to your 'overly-bendy neck'."
He takes his plate into the other room, trying to manifest a sullen mood.
Mirra laughs midway through drinking her wine and once she finishes coughing up her wine she adds, "Oh come now bending necks can come in handle I am sure."
"Oh come now bending necks can come in handle I am sure."
"It isn't bendy enough for that....Yet" Colvare laughs, picturing Mirra carrying ben round by his neck....
The adventurers go into the private room. A few minutes later, the door opens and Gevin returns, together with two newcomers - a blonde half-elven woman, and a white-haired dwarf male with a face like pitted granite and hands like gnarled tree roots. Valen introduces them.
"This is Taris Irvallo, who acts as the spiritual guide to the Knights," he says, indicating the woman who nods and smiles warmly. "And this is Arrun Stone, our most distinguished member," continues Valen.
The dwarf snorts derisively, though his eyes twinkle. "The oldest member, you mean," he rumbles.
"That too," laughs the woman. "I thank you for seeing us," she says, turning to the party. "I understand you are friends of Alidaber, who is also a friend of ours. Forgive my prying, but I was wondering if you could explain how you met her, and what you are doing here in Stormwind?"
Stormwind?
"I understand you are friends of Alidaber, who is also a friend of ours. Forgive my prying, but I was wondering if you could explain how you met her, and what you are doing here in Stormwind?"
"Well, I first met her when my father took me to trade with her father's Church. But I will assume you mean how we found ourselves in our current situation?
"Alidaber called us together, some of us with cash, and others, with a cry for help. Shortly after, we were violently separated, and she disappeared. Our only lead, has led us here, and to you.
"May I ask when last you saw her?"
Shagraat savors the beer and stares at the comely wenches.
Stormwind?
Shagraat savors the beer and stares at the comely wenches.
"Forgive us if we press you for details," says the dwarf, eyes hooded. "We are checking up your story to see if it matches. We last saw Alidaber a couple of days ago - but more on that later."
"Forgive us if we press you for details," says the dwarf, eyes hooded. "We are checking up your story to see if it matches. We last saw Alidaber a couple of days ago - but more on that later."
"Our whole story would take days, but the short of it is this. At our arranged meeting we were attacked by Drow, who seemed to have killed a professor and friend of Alidaber's. At Alidaber's prompting we went to the professors house to see if we could locate some notes of interest, and instead found we were too late, and the man I mentioned earlier had taken thm. Since then we have been framed and interrogated by the police, and made our way here...Still attempting to track Veren. Alidaber dispeared whilst we were detained, and so we have had a two pronged search. Neither being overly fruitful."
"So, do you know of Alidaber's current whereabouts?"
The Thranes all exchange looks, and then the half-elf woman nods.
“Very well,” she says, “You have been straight with us, so we will be straight with you. Alidaber was here a couple of days ago. We knew her from the previous expeditions she was part of, and she has always been welcome here.”
“Indeed,” says Arrun, tugging thoughtfully on his beard “I knew her grandfather in Thrane – a capital fellow.”
“She came to us about three days ago,” continues Taris, “And explained what had happened, and how she was attacked in the museum, and how you helped her. She also told us about how you had offered to help her. She had to leave Sharn as you disappeared and she was worried about being picked up as well, but she asked us to look out for you if you should arrive here.”
“Hmmm, terrible place Sharn, full of liars and thieves,” murmurs Arrun, still pulling on his beard and gazing into space.
“Yes, anyway,” says Taris, shooting the reminiscing dwarf a slightly exasperated look, “Alidaber said she was looking for someone called Varen. We put out the word, and it seems an airship arrived at Lyrandar Tower about a week ago, carrying an Aundairean merchant and his entourage, and it seems someone answering this Varen’s description was with them. This merchant went to stay in Whitewash, a district in town which has a lot of Aundaireans, at the headquarters of the Ninth Wands.”
“And that’s bad,” interjects Valen. “The Ninth Wands are the local Aundairean militia, a bit like our counterparts in Whitewash. They are the remains of a disbanded infantry unit from the Last War. But, being from Aundair, they have a lot of wizards and a lot of magical firepower. Most of them can use a wand.”
“Indeed,” says Taris gravely, “Alidaber went to investigate two days ago, and disappeared. And yesterday, the airship took off again with the merchant and his crew, headed inland, destination unknown. We have no idea if Alidaber was with them, if she is still at the Ninth Wands, or even if she is alive or dead.”
“So there you have it,” says Arrun, fixing the group with a beady look in turn, “You’ve got to go and rescue Alidaber. Honour demands it! All we need to do now is work out how.”
“I suspect, either way, the answer is probably with the Ninth Wands. Like I said, it’s bad.”
“Hmmm, terrible place Sharn, full of liars and thieves,” murmurs Arrun, still pulling on his beard and gazing into space.
Mirra glares at the old dwarf but manages to keep her mouth shut and not make any comments on his country run by a bunch of over zealot nuts listening to a flame for guidance.