"Good point, it might be best if we stayed close tonight. Better safe then dead," Dharakk agreed with the half elf.
"Well, we might as well sleep here then."
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - the Ninth Day of Dravago -
The group awakens in the morning at the Drunken Dragon, prepared the night before, the group is ready to head into the depths of the Dorasharn Tower.
Following directions from locals you make your way past the inhabited middle towers into the sparsely populated lower levels. The light of the upper levels is non-existent here, though some window slits and sputtering torches give off pallid pools of light these winding halls are dark in many spots. The darkness seems to attract locals who seek to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world above.
As you work your way lower and lower you find out that the rumors of the dangers of these levels was either overblown, the fear of the other, or a problem you simply have yet to face as the locals here are friendly enough though they lack any information on the quarry you seek. In exchange for rations or torches or sometimes simply a few minutes of conversation, all of the residents say the same thing - keep heading down.
As the party worked its way lower and lower Dharakk kept his ears open. Little by little he was able to piece together that they needed to go to a place called the rat market.
He pulled his companions aside and suggested with a grin, "The best place to get information might be a place called the Rat Market. You might want to hold your breath or plug your nose because its on the lowest level."
it feels so... confined down here... I suppose after spending months on an airship many places would, but there's just something so oppressive about being underneath so many layers, and so many people... and there's so little light down here...
"Just how much further down is that?" Taryn asks with some clear displeasure. "Your city is a marvel, to be sure, but it might have been nice if at some point they'd built outwards instead of only ever upwards..."
Very Well then, lets head toward that place Dharakk she says taking the group toward the tower
The further down they go, the more at ease Carduus begins to feel. These people are too worried about finding their next meal to bother about a wretch like me. "This Rat Market sounds fine." Probably smells fine, too. Carduus takes a deep breath in through his nose and flinches despite himself.
Fine enough for a city, that is.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - the Eighth Day of Dravago - The Two Year Anniversary of the Treaty of Thronehold -
Finally, after hours of back and forth gathering information from the locals and a deep descent one tunnel opens onto a large chamber, where a mix of goblins, humans, and shifters gather around several small piles of garbage spread across three rotting blankets. One of the goblins shouts, "No pushing! No pushing! There's always enough for everyone at the Rat's Market!"
Dharakk gazed around the chaotic market, " Hey that's Ama the librarian, over there." He shakes his head, "What's her angle in this?" Aloud he asks, "Should we talk to her or follow her?"
"If the talking bull is with her, best not tail her lest they get the wrong idea. Or even the right one." Blasted competition. 'Oh, my dear me, I'm just interested in getting those poor little books returned to their shelves.' Bollochs.
Trusting the half-orc "sometimes bounty hunter" to keep tabs on the wayward librarian for the moment, Carduus joins the jostle to peer at the goblins' wares. Catching the eye of the purveyor, he motions for him to lean closer so they may share a semi-private exchange.
lets get close enough to hear what they are saying and act should anything go south
Dharakk shrugs his shoulders at Beylinda's suggestion, "Better than anything I can think of." He begins to inch his way closer to the other group.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - the Eighth Day of Dravago - The Two Year Anniversary of the Treaty of Thronehold -
As your group steps out of the tunnel and towards the blanket with Carduus getting the closest to the Goblin hawker you all casually observe the Minotaur and the Warforged among their group speaking to one another. They have yet to move out of the tunnel that they came here through.
As your group moves a bit closer it is obvious that there will be no sneaking up on or near them to get close enough to hear them, at least one among their numbers are looking in your direction at the same time.
They number seven to your six.
Rission turns to Taryn, "It can't hurt to look for your brother here can it cousin?"
Carduus, you are too distracted by the crowd and by the thought of a rival group to determine the value of anything on the blanket, the most interesting items appear to be: an unused sunrod, a bell made of pure silver, a scratched steel mirror which seems to mist at the edges, and 50' of strong silk rope.
The Goblin looks at you Carduus though he does wrinkle his nose st your appearance and starts into a sales pitch,
There is a thick crowd of beings here, well over a hundred in all.
"My brother is not here..." Taryn answers looking around.
ah, were that it was that simple...
"and, I have worse news," he continues more softly, "not only do we have a rival in Ama, but we've attracted the attention of someone else as well... there was a shifter marking us until I spotted him; then he vanished into the crowd and I lost him..."
When he realized he couldn't approach the other group without being spotted dharrak stopped in his tracks, "Can't do it without being spotted."
"and, I have worse news," he continues more softly, "not only do we have a rival in Ama, but we've attracted the attention of someone else as well... there was a shifter marking us until I spotted him; then he vanished into the crowd and I lost him..."
Dharakk looks around nonchalantly, "We'll probably get a lot of unwanted attention around these parts."
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - the Eighth Day of Dravago - The Two Year Anniversary of the Treaty of Thronehold -
Rission who has been keeping an eye on the Librarian and her crew interjects, "One of their number is heading back up the tunnel and they are looking directly at us.
They don't appear to be hostile but I think they are about to come this way..."
Dharakk lowers his head and mutters, "Get ready this could be trouble." He places his callused hand on the haft of his great axe and waits for the group to approach.
I will be camping and out of contact this weekend. Back Monday!
Taryn tightens his grip on his hammer at Dharakk's words. Stepping up next to the large man he counsels, "there are more of them, and we have no idea what consequences might arise from getting into a fight in here... I think, perhaps, we should try diplomacy first."
Looking at Ama he lowers his weapon and gives an almost friendly nod.
Taryn tightens his grip on his hammer at Dharakk's words. Stepping up next to the large man he counsels, "there are more of them, and we have no idea what consequences might arise from getting into a fight in here... I think, perhaps, we should try diplomacy first."
Looking at Ama he lowers his weapon and gives an almost friendly nod.
Dharakk looked doubtful and spit on the ground as he replied, "We'll see but I make no promises."
I'll be out of town this weekend, back Monday! Please bot as needed!
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago
The three of you and Pierce all sit at a table in the dingy bar known as the Drunken Dragon where Pierce claims that a man who employs mercenaries frequents.
A long stretch of awkward silence fills the table as Pierce introduces you all to one another. He being the lynch pin for you all to even be here.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago -
Pierce breaks the silence, "It has been two years since the Last War ended. From what I understand a group of Heroes of the War were here that night celebrating. Sal, my contact, got that group a high paying job with House Cannith.
I tell you this because all of you appear to be, shall I say, less than convinced that a reputable employer would frequent this place..."
"If pierce asks Toolbox for aid, Toolbox will help. Makes Toolbox feel needed. Say what and I will do!"
The warforged sits perfectly still and looks at the people around him.
Picture of Toolbox
Dev laughs a bit and nods in agreement with the Warforged who has identified itself as Tool-box.
"I'd be lying if I said this was the nicest tavern I've ever been in, but hey, where's the fun without a little risk? I'm in."
Dev flashes a brilliant smile, then adds
"Probably worth asking what the job is though, huh?"
It had been somewhat of an initial awkward moment for Xetovia as she was formally introduced to both Tool-box and Dev by Pierce (and vice versa).
Still, Pierce never steered me... us, wrong- even if he does worship one of the Sovereign Host, the dark haired (with the occasional streak of either blue or green highlights interspersed throughout), golden-eyed woman thought to herself as she gives the briefest of glances down to her left hand.
Her left hand had been surreptitiously active between meandering aimlessly upon the tabletop and touching along her prominently displayed Holy Symbol of her Thranish faith, the Silver Flame- this very much in contrast to the rest of her body, which had been sitting attentive but relatively still and composed. One could almost write her actions off as somebody, a veteran of the Last War perhaps, with a nervous tic of sorts... though the "tic" seemed a bit more deliberately controlled than not.
Dol Durand seems unconcerned by our meeting here- this is a good sign, the Silver Flame willing. The young artisan, Dev, looks fairly sharp and Tool-box seems very earnest in his devotion to Pierce.
Giving a quiet smile as Dev and Tool-box say their peace, Xetovia adds in with "Although my country has somewhat limited dealings with the Dragonmarked houses, House Cannith did suffer the most out of all them from the Great War, as I understand it. Perhaps it wouldn't be so far-fetched that they would meet in a place such as this". The thought of an impoverished Dragonmark House did seem unlikely but it would explain their surroundings.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - The Drunken Dragon
Before Pierce can respond the door to the tavern opens and a human steps in. He is aged about 40 and rather unremarkable except for the dichotomy between is scruffy unkempt face and the newest fashionable clothes that adorn him.
He waves at Pierce who nods in response. He makes his way to your table.
"So Pierce, these are the folks that you think would be right for my most recent job? Tell me a little about yourselves and why you think that security work is right for you?"
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - The Drunken Dragon
"Security? Sal I thought it was retrieval mission?"
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - The Drunken Dragon
The man shrugs, "I thought so too but the Lady believes that the group already sent was sufficient and now she wants a few blades near her. Seems like she has made a few enemies since coming into Sharn that she did not anticipate. Why her House is not attaching a security attache to her I don't know and my coin pouch doesn't care.
How about it folks? Can you turn away 3 gold a head per day with a 10 gold upfront payment for the work?" He regards you all with a grin.
Moving his head in a miniscule way, Toolbox speaks."Work has been slow lately. And I need a mission!"
"Ugh, Security?" Dev groans, pushing his chair back but not standing up quite yet.
"That's...not so interesting."
'Still though, that's either a lot of coin for nothing, or it'll be interesting...'
"Eh, why not. I've already cleared my schedule anyway. Now, which House exactly are you talking about? And who's the Lady?" Dev seemed to have some around to the idea pretty quickly.
"Although my country has somewhat limited dealings with the Dragonmarked houses, House Cannith did suffer the most out of all them from the Great War, as I understand it. Perhaps it wouldn't be so far-fetched that they would meet in a place such as this".
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - The Drunken Dragon
Before Pierce can respond the door to the tavern opens and a human steps in. He is aged about 40 and rather unremarkable except for the dichotomy between is scruffy unkempt face and the newest fashionable clothes that adorn him.
He waves at Pierce who nods in response. He makes his way to your table.
As the fashionably dressed middle-aged man makes his way towards our table, Xetovia's left hand immediately ceases its' erratic activity of tracing around the contours of her Holy Symbol. With a subtle glance, Xetovia reaches over with her right hand to give a brief, comforting pat atop her still left hand; it immediately starts to resume its' previous activity as Xetovia resumes giving her attention to our new arrival.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago -
Sal looks at Xetovia's hand for a moment and almost ask about it but shakes his head slightly and instead looks at Dev and answers his question, "Lady Elaydren d'Vown of House Cannith is the client. She would like a group to start as early as today. I told her that I could have at least one person as early as this afternoon. You are to meet her up on Mason Tower at an Inn named the Broken Anvil, only slightly nicer than this place". He chuckles at the comment.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago -
Pierce responds, "I am sure these three will do just fine they all have differing but complimentary skill sets.
I am afraid I have a prior engagement with a new group of Inquisitives I think I may be working with.
Any idea what she needs protection from?"
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago -
Sal shakes his head no, "Sorry. She did not say so if you wish to know, and I imagine you would, you will need to ask her".
In dire state or no, one could never accuse any of the Dragonmarked Houses of not being generous enough to those that serve them well.
"By the grace of the Silver Flame, I myself...", Xetovia carefully replies to Sal while sparing a glance or two over at both Dev and Tool-Box, "...also find your terms for the protection of Lady d'Vown of House Cannith, as it were, to be acceptable, Sal."
Giving a nod over to Pierce, Xetovia hastily adds in, "I'm certain Pierce would not have gathered any of us here if he didn't believe that we were up to the task."
It should be fine for you to stay unrevealed for now, Dol Durand. Xetovia thinks to herself while giving her still active left hand yet another reassuring tap with her right hand again- though this time, the young woman doesn't bother to spare another glance towards her left hand as it meanders down to rest atop of the table.
With a slight grin on her face, Xetovia looks over to her fellow would-be guards, Tool-box and Dev, and says to them, "Shall we formally introduce ourselves to our newly appointed employer agent for Lady d'Vown?"
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - Mason's Tower - The Broken Anvil
The group finds works their way up to the Mason's Tower from the lower levels of the Drunken Dragon. Indeed, the Broken Anvil is a much more upscale place. You see a sign above the door indicating that the establishment belongs to House Ghallanda.
As you enter a halfling asks for your names, once delivered she nods and walks you through the large foyer, the common room and into a meeting room at the back of the establishment, "My Lady, your guests have arrived".
The Lady is a human woman in her mid-30’s. Raven black hair bound with silver and turquoise ornaments and piercing blue eyes, she must have been quite a beauty in her youth, but years of stress of have begun to show their effect at the corners of her eyes. She prominently displays a clasp holding her cloak together with the symbol of House Cannith.
"Please, sit down. I am Lady Elaydren d'Vown of House Cannith. The last group that I hired with Sal the Broker appears to have already begun the work I hired them for. I hope that you three are equal to the task that I lay before you".
After making the trek to the Broken Anvil, Dev follows the halfling assistant back to meet their new employer.
As he looks Lady Elaydren up and down, he notices her clasp.
'Lovely piece of work, that is...'
Dev offers a sweeping bow while not breaking eye contact, determined to impress the woman. If he did well, maybe she'd commission a piece...
"Dev Blake, my lady. Very pleased to meet your acquaintance, and more than happy to be providing your security services today. I'm a psionicst myself, when I'm not busy crafting some of Sharn's prettiest sparkles, that is. Lovely clasp, by the way." He smiles a devilish grin, before stepping aside and allowing his colleagues a chance to introduce themselves.
Bowing deeply as he was taught Toolbox waits till it´s his time to speak.
"Mylady, my desire is to fulfill my task!"
When it is her turn to introduce herself to the Lady d'Vown, Xetovia does a standing curtsy to her new employer but instead of having her arms kept to her side, the Thranish Vampire Hunter has both of her hands clasped firm in a half prayer hand gesture (only her finger length are pressed close together, her palms are separated into the upper half of a triangular shape) instead.
"May the Silver Flame bestow its' blessings upon you and your house, Lady d'Vown. I am Xetovia Phlogiston of Thrane, formerly in service to the Argent Anthracites. My talents are oriented towards the eradication of the scourge of the living dead, most especially those who would deem themselves as the Children of the Night; such creatures are better known to most as Vampires.". The emphasized intonation upon that last word does little to conceal her apparent contempt for such beings.
Having completed her curtsy, Xetovia will give a nod to Lady d'Vown and continue on with, "My skill-set includes the use of arms as well as the ability and discretion towards circumspection, if the situation requires such" as she straightens herself. She then gives a small blush as she adds in with a small disclaimer of "My own Spiritual strength might not be as... solid as my own skill at arms but know that I am no stranger to the blessings that the Silver Flame imparts to all its' faithful."
Xetovia's left hand, in the meantime, has gone back to her side, staying mostly still- apart from making small scratching motions with her left fingertips, one at a time in brief intervals thereof.
Sharn - City of Towers - 998 YK - Ninth Day of Dravago - Mason's Tower - The Broken Anvil
Lady Elaydren listens as each of you introduce yourselves. She smiles, "It is good that each of you have a unique skill set. Tell me Tool Box, from where do you hail? Were you in the Last War? Have you spent all of your time here in Sharn since the end of the War?"