For some reason Maeve seems irritated as she almost whispers in a low tone after Talon stormed away. ""Not all humans are reasonable" is something else than "Humans are stupid"".
She then looks at Suny and Elorin with a smile once she calmed down. "Well then girls, where to now?"
The one-armed man approaches Maeve. "They call me Lefty. What is your story? Maybe prayers to the gods are answered? But prayers for beautiful ladies from the sky were so long ago."
Spider nods in approval at Talon's words and follows him away for a quiet word.
Now that the vigil is over, rooms at the inn at are easily available.
"Hello Lefty." Maeve smiles and steps closer to him. "Maybe, if you were a good customer to the priestesses of the Witch Queen, and donated enough, then it could be true." She takes a few light steps to circle around him and allow a good look at her while she also watches Lefty and looks for hidden weapons behind his back, or in the belt at the moment where she is behind him. "I am here to join the elven group I find in this city upon the request of my goddess. I am not against helping others to find and share pleasures of life while at it however, so what exactly did you pray for?"
"We of her most devout followers are known for sharing, and helping with various things."
She continues to smile bewitchingly at Lefty once before him again.
Lefty smiles back, "I am a bad man young lady and have seen many bad things. I have prayed for a few beautiful moments and respites from what for many here is a tough life. You do not want your life complicated with the likes of me."
"Perhaps that is true." She smirks. "Then again, my life is also more complicated than you can imagine, not everywhere are the followers of Queen Flameheart welcome either, and I know how to get into trouble myself. So the question remains, what were you praying for? Is there some problem I could help with? As I just arrived I have no idea what is going on in the city."
Seeing that none of them bare any ill will or fouler habits Wil's warm smile broadens at their simple request. "Yes in fact you may look around, one moment."
He unlocks the door and allows them to enter first, then fills them in on how the shrine was created. Chuckling at their disbelieving looks. "When a god wishes to make a statement. The world literally changes to match that divine will."
Suny does giggle in appreciation of Maeve's attention, though she seems completely comfortable with such interactions.
As the others move in and conversations flow thick and fast Suny waits for some other time for explanations of origins and distant lands.
Elorin watches the exchange between Talon and Maeve and the way she deals with Lefty and Sunny. Seems she has a way with peoples desires. She reminded her of her sister.
"Perhaps a change of venue may be a good idea and I do not like that we are spread around town. Together we are strong and able. Apart we are quieter..she giggles at that. ...but less skilled as a group."
"I do not mind if we are together here or together at the shrine. Perhaps we can catch you up as a group, Maeve. You are not the first person to be with us because a God wished it. The gods seem to enjoy playing with their toys at their own whim. This game feels like it may be leading somewhere but where? well that is the question. Though you are the first fayborn I have met who declared it so matter of factually, pride is sadly amiss in this era."
Turning to Lefty, "Besides it is the lady in the box that peaks my curiosity at the moment."
Spider and Lefty agree and everyone heads to the new shrine (party + Spider + Lefty). By now six visitors walk around asking Wil questions. Luckily Thalas is arriving, as most of them are about the mysterious new god who raised a sanctuary over the nastier part of the town.
Both Talon and Spider notice two humans in nondescript clothes have tailed the group from the tavern to the shrine.
Maeve listens to Elorin then joins up as the group begins to move. "My goddess requested something from me, and I happened to not decline the request." She smiles at Elorin and looks at the nearby Suny tagging along. "She can be quite demanding if she wants to, but usually it is different. The Seeker does not use her priestesses like toys, considering how she was once also kept similarly to one, she gives a great freedom to her followers."
Maeve waits for a moment and continues to walk once she gets in between Elorin and Suny. "Though I admit I would like to actually KNOW what she wants from me, she didn't say anything else than to join up with the elven group I will meet here, I guess to decide myself what to do is also part of this freedom of hers."
Once Elorin talks to Lefty she gets curious. "Lady in a box? Did someone have a birthday party? Who ordered her? Also, what shrine did you speak of earlier?"
You arrive at the newly constructed shrine. It is hard to believe this large granite building is where a deserted lot used to be days ago. A huge mural of a large androgynous elf with a quarterstaff and book dominate the side of the temple. The double doors, which are designed to appear like the leaves of a book being opened, lead to a beautiful upper gallery separated from a lower grotto and altar area by wide staircases and huge balconies. Skylights reflect the sunlight as the air seems to circulate constantly due to an efficient design. The shrine fells bright and airy.
A large, empty library dominates the upper level. Talon feels a longing to put books on the many empty shelves of the bookcases there.
"This is the shrine. Another piece moved by a Gods will. Yes the lady in the box?" Elorin said, both acknowledging Maeve's question and redirecting it back to Lefty and Spider. Elorin says as they approach the entrance to the shrine.
When she enters the shrine, she turns to Maeve once more, "I hear rumors of a 'Dark Citadel' and seems from what you have hinted at you may be from, at least, near those parts. You spoke of your goddess and 'witch queen'. whom may be one and the same asking you find a group of elves here."
"I hope we are those elves."
"Are you doing ok, being far from home and what you know? forgive me but from your attire and entrance, you do not seem to have traveled much if at all." There is no judgement in Elorin's voice, simply curiosity and caring.
At the mention of the 'Lady in a box' Suny skips over/along and looks intently at either said box or whom ever is carrying said item.
Arriving at the newest temple of his chosen god, Thalas is awed by everything about the site.
"Yes, Talon, it shall be our duty to fill these shelves with books. Ours is the god of knowledge, and there is no more holy a place for such a god than a library."
Seeing the visitors, he heads off to answer any questions they may have.
Spider gets anxious at the words about the lady in the box and seems to make chopping hand gestures as you enter the shrine. When the double doors are closed, the sounds from the streets fade away.
Spider explains as soon as you gain the sanctuary, "Talon and I noticed we were being followed here as we hung back. Our followers hung on our every word."
As you close the doors to the shrine and throw the latch, there is a polite knock on the door. Looking out through the one way peephole, one of the nondescript men Talon and Spider noticed following the group is waiting patiently on the threshold to the temple.
Wil allows the others to answer questions for the new visitors and looks at Thalas with a look of silent relief as his appearance saved the Paladin from looking like a boob. "None show ill will Thalas and they are genuinely interested in the site, it is a good thing I gave you those keys. Looks as though they will be needed. Often." Giving Thalas a firm slap on the shoulder Wil goes to answer the door.
He looks to Spider and Talon. "Make yourselves scarce if you need to." He hands Talon another set of keys. "But leaving them out there will invite questions we don't need." He said this in a hushed voice and called loud enough he hoped for those outside to hear. "One Moment!" Waiting a few moments for those who wanted to disappear to do so he fidgeted with the latch and opened the door. Greeting the men with a warm open smile and looking at them with his one good eye, Wil searched their souls for any darkness as he spoke. He did however blocked the door quite effectively in his full armor, pack and hanging medicinal supplies. "Apologies, new door, are you interested in the new shrine as well? Priest Thalas is here and can give you a wonderful sermon for that I am sure or if your time is short he can answer your questions." If they both appeared to be free of evil Wil steps aside and waves for them to enter.
Elorin will not hide. she will remain quiet and watch the gentlemen.
The nondescript man enters. He is wearing a leather working man's tunic and some cloth pants reinforced at the seat. He does not detect evil and takes a great interest in those inside. His gaze lingers on Thalas for a second before looking at those in the upper gallery.
"Who might you be, you are a well equipped gatekeeper?"
Wil gives the man an innocent smile and shrugs. "I am a Hospitlar and this isn't the safest part of town. I did however just arrive and these six gentlemen." He indicates the humans. "They were here and had many questions as well. Please though why not both of you enter and be welcomed in this shrine. Didn't mean to be intimidating."
Maeve replies to Elorin with a grin. "Never been better, always wanted to go on proper adventures and to explore the world! It is so exciting!" She sighs. "I did sneak out of the citadel now and then, but past the mountains is hard to go if you hate flying so its no wonder my gear isn't worn out. The name is the Black Citadel by the way, and yes, the Witch Queen is my goddess, the two are the same." Maeve seems surprised her goddess isn't known better, but keeps as much attention that is needed to notice Suny walking towards someone when the talk about the box is on topic.
"My name is Thalas Lebarath, and I am a cleric of Labelas Enorath - one of the gods of our people. This is his temple, where all who find a love of learning and knowledge may come in peace. May I have the courtesy of your name, sir?"
Having followed every one back into the shrine Suny drifts about for the moment it takes for Spider to fade into the shadows even as there comes a rapping, gently tapping, upon our chamber door.
With the entrance of this new person Suny watches folks introduce themselves before she skips forwards and,
"Hey-YA there!" She exclaims to the fellow. (^_^)
The plain fellow replies, "They call me Simon. Who are all you? I didn't know elves were allowed to gather this far north."
Simon points to Wil, "Who is this heavily armed elf? I did not catch his name or the names of the beautiful ladies here. I always make it a point to learn the names of the beautiful ladies."
In the grotto area close to the bubbling stream, Spider and Talon move to the sanctuary room. A large 30' by 20' room with a large door.
Wil bows apologetically, despite feeling the sting of the bureaucratic comment about elves and he didn't quite like this man's attentions. His smile however remained, unbroken and more amused then anything. Twice he mentioned how heavily armed he was, he must be blind having not seen the Mighty Azlain. His voice was warm and friendly as he politely responded to Simon. "Greetings Simon, I am Wilaml of house Fmelvam former Hospitlar of the Companions and member of the Foxes. If I've broken a law then I will see that my weapons are peacebonded immediately. We applied for and were granted a commission to clean up the sewers beneath the city and have done a fair job of cleaning out some of the rats, while discovering gnolls beneath the streets. As for our fine sisters I will let them introduce themselves." He stepped outside the shrine, it was getting fairly crowded with so many inside.
Standing outside he gives the second man a nod in greeting and stood beside the door.
Standing at six feet and eight inches tall, Wilaml Fmelvam is a very tall, thin elf, towering over most humans with ease. He appears to be wearing a clean, well maintained cleric vestments underneath his armored duster and sports a heavy steel shield depicting the symbol of the Father of Elvenkind, along multiple medicinal supplies slung from a worn leather belt. He has lightly tanned skin with short cropped blond hair, akin to what Human soldiers, his left eye is a cloudy grey while his right is covered by an eye patch. Which appears to be covering a cruel looking scar that runs from the right part of his forhead, down through his right eye and ends in the middle of his cheek. He radiates a open and friendly aura, but his face easily betrays how worn out he is.
Suny continues to smile happily to Simon as Wilaml explains himself to said man. Upon Wil taking a step outside Suny exuberantly fills the gap.
"M'name be 'Suny' -an' I be jus' new in'a town -an' I done seen horses! -an' there were this rilly nice place -an' I gots meat on'a stick! -an..." She continues to rambles and reel off rather randomly what seems like all of the things that have happened to her during her time in the town...Though for those who have known Suny the longest might notice a few things that might not have happened to her also slip into her stream of descriptions and events.
After a rather long amount of time, or until some one else interjects/distracts Suny, her stream of words, hops, giggles and bounces does come to an end.
(^_^)
The man pulls out a sketch pad and begins sketching the inside of the sanctuary on a pad half-listening to Suny's story. He nods at some of the high points. "So three beautiful elven ladies, a surly hospitaler, a human rogue, an elven bowman (I think noticed the hand callouses), an elven wizard....did I miss anyone in your traveling group?"
In the sanctuary downstairs, Talon, Seltyn and Spider discuss things. Spider weighs in, "I think these two men need to disappear. Their bodies can be found in the sewers; everyone knows it is a dangerous place. If I slip out the sewer entrance I think I can arrange it."
Sense Motive
Maeve finds it a bit suspicious that the man just comes in, asks others to introduce themselves, but meanwhile sketches the shrine and maybe those who stand inside.
Elorin is feeling a little uncomfortable with these two men, especially the one with the note pad. 'It is always the quiet ones.' she thinks to herself and she should know, she is a quiet one.
She walks towards the man with the note book. "Do you seek prayer or information?either can be exchanged here, both require honesty and openness, handsome stranger." She smiles and acts as sensual(not sexual) as possible towards this guy.
Thalas continues speaking quietly with some of the other visitors, but frequently glaces towards Wil, Maeve, Elesandriel, and the other visitor who seems to be behaving most unusually.
Suny keeps close and leans over the fellows shoulder obviously very intrigued by his skill at sketching.
"Gee? Do I rilly look like that?"
The man looks up from his sketching. "Sorry, I am only sketching this wonderful shrine."
A quick look at his sketches reveal rough floor plans.
He adds, "I am also recording the names of the wonderful people I am meeting here. Well, there is always time to visit more tomorrow."
The nondescript man makes his exit provided no one tries to stop him.
Azlain, having no desire to introduce himself, or to speak with the strange man, says nothing. As soon as the man leaves, he follows him out, watches which direction he goes, calls over any two young passerbys he can and says. "This coin is to get your attention. There will be 5 more like it if you can follow that man back to wherever he goes, and then come back to tell me."
Coming back inside he says "That man was gathering information on us and this place. We need to add defenses, rearrange things and prepare for burglary or assault."
Wil shakes his head at Azlain. "If hewas a common thief he'd have show signs of a dark aura. He didn't show any thing though." At the strange looks he raises his hand in self defense. "I can just sense these things, had he been an evil man... He'd never have entered the temple. Now depending on their crimes the darker their their aura is the more... Noticeable, like say a murderer, they would be bathed in a foul aura. I do however agree that defenses should be added, not because of that man but because of where this temple sits and how little we will actually be here to protect it."
"You don't have to be evil to be a thief. Even if he is simply gathering information on us, that is still a reason to change the things he has seen."
Suny goes and looks at/chats with the cute little lady in the box now that the stranger Human has left the building.
"Hey-YA there!"(^_^)
Finished conversing with the other visitors, and seeing that the other one had left as well, Thalas convenes with Elesandriel over the magic box.
"It is unwise to seek this creature out, Elesandriel: no one would do such a thing as put her in there unless she was a creature of power, and that the binder possessed even greater power to accomplish the binding. Without knowing her or the reasons for her entrapment, we must assume she that she is potentially dangerous. Even if she herself poses no threat to us, there is no telling what effect the dissolution of the spells binding her would produce."
Thalas will cast Dectect Magic on the box.
Spider explains, "Britt, the gnome, has the box. He provided our magic backup inside and led us to the vault with the best stuff. Believe me, it detects as strong magic of the abjucation domain and has a medium evil aura, whatever that means. As soon as the nobles arrive, we skedaddled and Britt wanted to take the box. Anyway, he came highly recommended from the Ferret."
"So, do you want me to invite Britt and the Ferret over here and have them bring the box? The Ferret has his bodyguard with him. He proved a cool and capable creature to have around; he will probably come too."
Seltyn remembers the library he visited with Spider earlier and goes to do some research. He leaves his capable deputy and consigliere Talon in charge to make the decisions and preparations.
Spider looks at Talon expectantly. He reminds Talon that he has the two bows to trade for the Swirling Shadows items too. Talon has first crack at them before he trades them to someone else.
SUny nods at Thalas' word, though she does cross her arms.
"It jus' don't sit right with me. Leavin' some one in'a box, even a nasty some one..." She says.