Silian's best guess is that it is an adult human male.
Akasha nods to the Bugbear as he leads them to their new patron's meeting chamber.
As the Elven noblewoman introduces herself, she takes in the surroundings.
"It is indeed an honor My Lady. You have a truly beautiful home"
"Yes, yes of course. Where to begin? Ah, well as you can see I find great joy in collecting and studying curiosities of ages past. Last night, my home was broken into and one of these curiosities was stolen. In particular, it was a delicate carved hand from a statue that was found in the ruins of Fallen after the collapse of the Glass Tower. What is most odd, is that the thieves touched nothing else even though there are much more valuable things here to have been taken. They did, however, leave something behind."
Kaelys motions to the covered mass on the floor before pulling the cover back to reveal a corpse. The dead human laying before you died while still young. He wears filthy rags, his skin is covered with dirt, scabs, and abstract tattoos. "I recently installed some magical traps in my home, and it would seem that this thief managed to trigger one of them. They did not even bother to take him with them when they left. I called in a cleric to question the man, we were able to learn where they were from and that they came for the hand because they seek to reassemble the statue."
She stands over the body in quiet contemplation for a moment before covering the corpse again.
"They are from Fallen, and have surely returned there. I do not know how familiar any of you are with Sharn, but there are few places more wretched and dangerous than Fallen. I would never go there myself. Which brings me to why I have asked you to come."
Kaelys pours herself a drink and sits down in one of the wingback chairs next to the fireplace. "I would ask for you to venture into Fallen and recover my stolen property before it is lost to me for good. I will pay you 600 galifars for the safe return of my property. Of course, whatever other items of interest you happen to come across will be yours to do with as you wish. If you are able to recover the entire statue... I will make that 600 dragons instead. Are you interested?"
Aeyra crouches by the body, examining it.
"No pun intended, but did you have a hand in this?" Aeyra continues to look around the room. "You just installed some traps, that seems very convenient timing. And that agent." She motions to the elven woman they met at the bar. "Simple nobles do not have such people working for them. What is it you're not telling us?"
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"Aeyra, this lady is obviously a collector who prefers that her collection remains hers and she wishes to hire us to reacquire something for her, past that her life is none of our business." Lianna says without missing a beat, placing herself between Aerya and the noblewoman "You must forgive her, she gets completely absorbed in her work, I'm new to the area, exactly how far away is Fallen from here?."
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Silian pauses from pouring himself a drink to cock an eyebrow at Aeyra blatantly insinuating our new employer has a hidden agenda. He takes a drink. "For those of us that have agreed to take on this endeavor, we have just become such people you deny that work for nobility. I suppose not all of us were blessed with a point of view from being raised in gutters."
Platinum dragons
Gold galifars
Silver sovereigns
Copper crowns
Kaelys begins to answer Silian's questions when Aeyra speaks. She instead turns to Aeyra and frowns. "You must be Tessara. Neris spoke of how... conversational you are. Do not presume to know what relationship I have with Neris, it is of no concern to you. I did not use the word 'just' my dear, but 'recently', and yes, as it so happens it was rather convenient. However, these are not the first traps that have been set, merely the most recent. I like to change them up from time to time. You would do well to know that we 'simple nobles' often employ a variety of staff to carry out a variety of tasks. As for what I am not telling you, quite a lot I should think. Would you like to know what I ate for breakfast? Or perhaps it would please you to know what time I retired last night?"
Kaeyls turns back to Silian, an apologetic look on her face, "My extensive studies have shown me that the statue is a depiction of the radiant idol known as Sythrael.I cannot speak as to what purpose the Ravers have for wanting to reassemble the statue, when questioned he said only that they believed they were being guided by the 'wisdom of the past'. I myself only ever had possession of the one hand. I have long wished to be able to see the statue in its entirety. To have it in my possession would be the epitome of my collection. So much could be learned from it, and I would share that knowledge, as I do with all of my curiosities, with Morgrave University."
Kaelys smiles warmly at Lianna, "Please, allow me to show you my maps of Dura?"
Upper Wards
Middle Wards
Lower Wards
She shows you how the maps layer atop each other to represent the vertical aspects of Dura. She shows you where Highwater is on the map of the Upper Wards, and where Fallen is on the map of the Lower Wards.
Kaelys seems a bit taken aback at the crudeness of Silian's response to Aeyra. She doesn't seem to be bothered by it for long, however.
"I suppose not all of us were blessed with a point of view from being raised in gutters."
"You are excused for that." She listens to Kaelys, still looking around the room. "I do not wish nor care to know any of the tedium's of your life, only those that would place us in ignorance and therefore danger. If there is none than you are a rare sight for sore eyes that are too used to the political squabbles of nobles engrossed in subterfuge." She finishes, and after a moment you realize it almost sounded like an apology. Almost.
Blaze makes his way over to the table where Kaelys has spread out the maps and studies them quite intently.
"I assure you that the only dangers that you face are that of the ravers barbaric nature, they are a dangerous people, and whatever monstrous beasts you might find roaming the area... as far as I know. As I have said, I have not entered that district since it became so overrun. After the fall of the Glass Tower, I went to aid those who managed to survive. It was a terrible day, so many lives were lost. That is when I found the statue's hand."
"If you are all in agreement, and my terms are satisfactory, let us adjourn and enjoy the meal my servants have prepared. I have had rooms prepared for you for the night. It would be unwise to enter Fallen in the dark of night. You can depart at first light, and of course, I shall give you use of my personal Skycoach. I assure you it is quite more accommodating than the rented one in which you were brought."
Blaze looks up from the maps and to Kaelys, "I am at your service, My Lady."
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"Just ignore her, the rest of us do. If we do find the whole statue how large is it? Because if it's too heavy there'll be no way to get it here on our own so if you could give us some form of contacting you instantly if we find it so we don't have to just leave it wherever we find it, that'd be appreciated. And if not one of us will come and let you know. Lianna says with a smile predicting the next question "No it won't be her,"
Aeyra smiles then, ignoring Lianna. "Indeed, let us repast and rest and set out in the morn."
"It would seem that the statue would be life sized. The hand was of a size in comparison with any man's I have seen. It is quite likely, however, that the statue is in several pieces. Should you require assistance moving it, however, you can leave word for me at any Sivis station and I will bring assistance right away."
Lady Kaeyls accepts Silian's hand without hesitation or second thought, it is clear that she is accustomed to such gestures.
"The Glass Tower fell on Olarune 9th in the 918th year since the founding of the Kingdom. No one is quite certain what caused the tower to fall. This was, of course, during the war so many believe that it must have been an attack made of war. It was never claimed as a victory, however, and if it had been an attack of war it was too devastating of an attack to have not been repeated on any of the other towers." She seems quite pleased to have the chance to educate you on the history of the Glass Tower.
Akasha nods, having quietly taken in all the pertinent information and avoided the bickering. "Well My Lady, this is a truly formidable task you wish to have completed. I think you have selected the right group of people, with the appropriate set of disparate skills to succeed at this." she says taking another sip of wine.
"I remember hearing word of the fall of the tower when I was on the frontlines, it never quite made sense as a tactical attack for the same reasons you mention."
Aeyra watches Kaeyls in her peripheral, feeling more at ease by the minute. "And the statue is stone, I presume? I'm sure we can figure something out if we are fortunate enough to find the entire piece."
"Indeed, it is greatly mysterious. I hope to someday uncover the truth of what happened."
Kaelys leads you all to a dining hall. The table is set with enough food to feed twice your number easily. She takes a seat at the head of the table and motions for you to join her. Neris enters and takes the seat to Kaelys' right. Servants pour drinks for you and then stand nearby, silently, waiting to serve you.
Kaelys turns to Vannevar, "I actually knew your father, Lord Davamros d'Thuranni, before his passing. He was a good man. Although years late, I am sorry for you loss."
"Stone, yes. So it will be heavy."
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Vannevar lifts a bite of food to his mouth. At the mention of his father, his face freezes in mid-chew, and he stares blankly at Lady Tela for a moment before regaining his composure.
"I see. Thank you. How well did you know him, if I may ask?"
His other hand drifts to a bauble hanging from a delicate silver chain on his neck and rests there for a long moment.
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Silian nearly chokes on his glass of brandy when the lady speaks to Vannevar, and tries to pass it off as merely drinking too quickly.
Silian listens, and casts a glance to Neris and Kaelys, looking for any familial resemblance or gauging their attitudes towards each other.
Silian attempts to keep his observations casual.
Aeyra continues eating quietly, but inside she is thoroughly amused and interested at the speak of the d'Thuranni house.
Kaeyls' eyes flicker to Silian as he chokes but return to watch Vannevar's face. Her eyes follow his hand up to rest on his necklace. She takes a sip of wine, and dabs at the corner of her mouth with a napkin before responding, "I did not know him well, I met him in passing on a couple of occasions while on business with my father. Admittedly, most of what I know of him came from word of mouth from others."
Silian is fairly certain that there is a familial resemblance between the two elven women, but it is a weak one. While Kaelys does appear to hold Neris in high regard, it is quite obvious that Neris is submissive to Kaelys. There is as much age difference between the two women as there is between Vannevar and Silian himself. He believes that Kaelys is of a comparable age to Vannevar, perhaps a bit older.
"Indeed." Kaelys becomes quiet at this point, she seems contemplative as she pushes food around on her plate taking the occasional bite.
"Oh, thank you, you are too kind. It was created for me by a wonderful dwarven seamstress in Highhold. I can write down directions to her shop for you if you would like. I think that a similar gown would look quite stunning on you, perhaps something in a green to compliment that gorgeous red hair of yours?"
Kaelys seems to relax with the change of topic.
Aeyra opens her mouth as if to speak, but appears to think better of it as she stuffs in a piece of bread instead.
Akasha smiles at the shift of topic and quietly enjoys the meal, studying her new allies as they all become better acquainted, occasionally engaging Blaze in conversation as the Warforged remaines quiet enough to almost be forgotten, sitting still at the table while the others all eat.
In the morning, Kaelys has prepared a package of rations, enough to last you for two days. She sees you well fed before you leave.
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"I was actually thinking a very light ice blue to go with my eyes."
"I believe that would look rather stunning, I do find it fetching when ensembles accent lovely features." He smiles warmly, indicating his own dark violet garb with a wink and a flourish.
***
Silian watches the sun rise over the towers of Sharn as he readies himself for the day. He checks the string on his bow, brushes out the fur trim of his armor, and tucks his dagger beside his left leg in the cuff of his boot. He pulls his hair back into a tight braid and dons his cloak. Stepping out in the foyer he greets the others as he looks over the rations their hostess has provided for them.
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Aeyra mumbles to the others while she is examining the body. "From calluses, muscle, and scars, it is clear that the man lived an active life and had engaged in many fights in the past. He had horrible hygiene and rotting teeth."
As she is seeing you out, Kaeyls suggests, "It would be best for you to seek out the Priestess Faela. She is a missionary of the Silver Flame and lives at the Blackstone Church in Fallen. I think that she might be able to help you track down the thieves, and at the very least provide a safe haven for you while you are there should you need to rest or become injured."
You get yourself settled into the Skycoach and head for Fallen. It is almost depressing as you leave the cleaner, brighter, more decorative areas of Upper Dura and make your way back down to the darker, dingy, plain areas of Lower Dura. You make your way to the very bottom of Sharn, surrounded to the south by cliffs leading down the Dagger River. Fallen looks like the ruin it is at first glance, devastated and abandoned. It's hard to imagine anyone living there. Huge chunks of stone are scattered around the outer streets. Statues of the gods look down upon passersby, but they have shattered features or missing limbs. Many buildings and bridges have collapsed, and the surviving buildings are marred and damaged in various ways. As you get closer you see feral children chase rats int he alleys while filthy men huddle around open fires in the middle of the streets.
Aeyra keeps an eye out for the most church-going individual she can find, then has the coach stop. "Excuse me, could you point us to the Blackstone Church?"
No one looks particularly like a church-going individual, they all look more like rob-you-while-you're-sleeping types. Nevertheless, Aeyra is able to settle on an older woman sitting by a fire all by her lonesome. She is filthy and her clothing is beyond tattered, she looks at you rather suspiciously. "What you want to go to Blackstone Church for?"
"To repent for my sins and to help the needy." Aeyra steps down, clasping the woman's hand in her own. "You can understand me, can you not?" She says with a curious smile as she leaves 5 silvers in the woman's hand.
The woman smiles at the sudden unexpected weight in her hand and begins to speak but then seems to think better of it for a moment, "Somebody send you? You ain't with one of them other churches, are ya? Them ones that like to come around every so often and try to convince people to change they faith?"