I don't want anyone to feel rushed to post their response if they have questions which is why the discussion was up first. This is simply to have the first post up.
The assumption should be that the other party members are outside the gate save for Lyra herself. You may talk up to the maid coming out or assume you all stood around quiet until she came out.
The gates of the Highsmith manor rattle as the wind blows against them, the manor appears to be fairly run down though still occupied. There is not much land to speak of around the house, sitting at the edge of the city, the tall stone wall around it doesn't help reveal anything more then looking through the gate would... which is that there is only just feet between the space for the gate to be opened and the manors front door. Stepping out of the front door is a female human, a little taller then average. She wears drab grey clothing, long black hair is tied back away from her face and her complexion is unusually pale. It is clear that she is a servant of the house.
She walks up to the gates and unlocks them, offering the group a low bow as she steps out of the way.
"Greetings, Master Highsmith has been expecting all of you, please come in."
Hope you all don't mind a little Prologue:
“I suppose it had to happen,” Naiethua mused. “Someone was bound to notice me no matter how hard I tried to stick to the shadows.” A few days had passed since she woke up in the city of Hazuk. She had no idea why her older brother Ridazair had drugged her food and arranged to have her carted off to the heart of Bazareene. There would have been easier ways to kill her if that was his intent, so her brother’s plans must require her far from home and unable to return for a very long time. Not that she wanted to have any part of the little worm’s plans.
Naiethua had taken a couple of days trying to get oriented in the city. The longer she looked at the high city walls and the well guarded gates and check points, the more she came to one conclusion: Hazuk was a prison. Sure you could come and go if the guard liked the look of your papers, but someone without papers, like a misplaced druid, was good and stuck. The walls were too high and too well patrolled to climb without being noticed. So Naiethua’s choices for escaping were figuring out some way to obtain a pass or learn to fly. Until the messenger found her this morning, she figured flying was the most likely option.
The messenger had surprised her. Naiethua had noticed the man’s careful approach, but she was surprised that his approach didn’t cause her to jump over the nearest fence or run down some dark alley way to escape him. She just stood on the road and watched the man in the oversized gray cloak walk up, hand her the note, and leave. Well, the note did offer to get her out of this fancy, overpopulated jail, so Naiethua decided to find Highsmith Manor and find out what its master had in mind.
***
After the tall, pale servant opens the gate, the elf enters the manor’s meager grounds. She looks about noticing others approaching the manor gate. Then she turns to the servant and asks, “Are we to meet Master Highsmith inside?”
Perception Roll:
Naiethua is puzzled by what she's just noticed, but doesn't want to mention it where the pale woman can hear.
"."
Sylthain cringed a little as he approached the house. When his father had called him into his study, he knew it wouldn't be a good thing for him. Sylthain was quickly becoming an adept study of his martial tradition, a fact which should have pleased any noble father. To see his son taking so quickly to the martial ways, as all noble sons strove to accomplish. Sylthain couldn't help that his particular studies and teachings led him to follow a more esoteric and natural path.
The lands of Bazareene held arcane studies in high regard, female sorceresses highest among them. Other forms of magic were looked down upon, with the natural magics of druids seen as the most pitiable. So when Sylthain's training began to focus on the natural path of the warrior, it was only too easy for his peers and eventually his family to associate him in the same light. Ever since it had become an uphill struggle to try to earn his family's respect and maintain some sense of honor amongst the other nobles.
Gazing back at the delapitated house, Sylthain wondered if his father had finally given up on him completely. Assigning him to guard the last cursed daughter of a cursed House, there seemed little hope of success or even survival in his immediate future.
As the doors opened and they were invited in, Sylthain looked at the other visitor as they walked in. I wonder who she upset to end up at this similar point with me.
The servant nods to the elf as leads the group into the entrance way of the house, gently shutting the door behind them. The entrance has a surprisingly well kept appearance despite the outside of the house, it seems the servants of the house do their job on the interior.
To your left and right are hallways leading to those sides of the house
and several yards before you are stairs leading up to a balcony on second level of the house, it is hard to see where the second level leads from this position on the bottom floor though.
Bowing to the group again as she speaks, "Master Highsmith is with another guest, however I will inform him you have arrived.
The servant quickly walks out of the room down the east hall, not bothering to stay around any longer for a response. Within moments of her departure a clear female voice is heard from the second level balcony.
"Who are YOU?"
Dressed in an expensive appearing robe, a young female looks down at the group with a slight frown. She has fiery red hair falling just past her shoulders in curls and clear green eyes.
Sylthain clenched a fist behind his back, already dreading the decision his father had made for him. I am Sylthain Hilstrum of House Ranketh, sent here to meet with Master Highsmith as well.
Please let this petulant child not be the man's daughter.
Thaddeus's eyes narrow, as he peers at the rude woman on the balcony.
Perception
Hmm! Interesting!
He holds his tongue, to see what happens next.
The young girl spends a long moment looking down at the group with judgmental eyes, her gaze actually lingers on Sylthian for a moment before finally answering.
"I am Lyra."
Lyra walks towards the stairs of the balcony, her intentions seeming to come down them as the servant actually returns. She pauses at the stairs, looking to the servant with a frown.
The servant bows to the group as she speaks, "Master Highsmith is ready to see you all now." The servant seems to disregard Lyra's presence in the room, attempting to lead the group down the east hall.
(for those who actually follow, because I do not want to dictate that you follow this is for you.)
You are lead to what appears to be a sitting room, several seating arrangements are set up around a small table, the table contains a teapot, one cup sits on the tray about half full. A man dressed in regal cloths sits casually across from another one, a half-elf who clearly doesn't appear like he belongs here even as he holds tightly on to a teacup.
The regally dressed man looks up at the group as you walk in,
"All welcome, so glad you all arrived. I am Warden Highsmith."
(cue rogue now!)
Victor was still staring blindly at the man across. His hands were clutching the teacup to conceal that they were shaking. His mind was occupied with thoughts about his imminent future, while body was coping with overwhelming nausea and pain in back of the head.
He glanced at the newcomers with an empty yet sharp look in his eyes, and that was enough for him to know that this could be his last adventure.
Victor looked back at his hands, put the teacup down at the table, took a deep breath and decided to face his new destiny. He waited until the old man finished talking and introduced himself.
"My name is Victor.." - he paused while looking at the pointy ears of an elf. "I guess we'll be working together.."
The elfin woman notices Victor looking at her ears. She brushes a hand past her ear and mutters, "What, have I got something in my hair?" Then she notices that she's drawn the attention of the others in the room.
"Sorry, about that. Hello, Victor, my name is Naiethua," she starts pacing around the room as she talks. "I suppose the answer to whether or not we'll be working together rests with Master Highsmith. You are the same Highsmith that sent this note?" Naiethua waves the letter at Warden.
Sylthain hangs his head briefly as the girl announces herself. Of course she is.
As the servant comes to lead them away, Sylthain is torn for a moment. Finally he turns and quickly catches up to the group with a last look over his shoulder at Lyra. Her face is expressionless as she watches him go. Catching the tail end of Highsmith's words, he almost doesn't notice the quiet fellow with him until he speaks up.
Working with us? I thought I was simply guarding an albatross of a daughter. What do all these others have to do with Highsmith and his daughter?
Warden stands from his chair, nodding to the guests, "That would be me... I wanted to be sure I had the most help available to my daughter where she must go."
His gaze settles on Sylthain.
"Not that I doubt your ability to serve as her protector... she is my only daughter so of course I want as many people in her service as I can afford."
He explains, gesturing to the empty seats, "Please have a seat and I will further explain the task a set for her... and why some of you were specifically requested."
Looking to the servant he adds, "...bring more drinks for our guests Eve."
The servant wordless bows before walking out of the room.
When rogue leaned back against the chair his face had discreetly covered in shadows. It was merely a manifestation of his nature that spontaneously occurred without his thought. Even though he was completely unaware of this - it allowed him to silently observe the group and focus on the upcoming conversation.
Sylthain took his seat although he found little comfort in it. Back straight, he discreetly tried to observe the other individuals around him. If he were to be working with them, it was best to gauge a sense of their characters as quickly as he could.
Thaddeus still considering his glimpse of the woman in the foyer, brings himself back to the conversation abruptly. "Yes". "More details would be good". "Then we can negotiate payment".
Warden smirks slightly, returning to his chair. He leans forward picking up his tea and taking a sip from it before speaking.
"The elf was easy enough as a choice... the place I was going borders Sura-Khiri, it is always good to have a local in that regard." He smiles politely at Naiethua, turning his gaze to Sylthain, "You were obviously chosen to be her monk guardian... I can see it in your eyes.[b]"
His gaze drifts to Thaddeus, "[b]...I can only assume from process of elimination that you must be the cleric I sent for... I would like one present should harm come to her."
He gestures to the half-elf, "This one I just hired on the spot... I expect he might be useful as a more... common guide in our own region." He brings a hand to his chin, scratching it lightly as he ponders the thought, almost as if he is unsure about the last addition.
"I know it can be dangerous for a human child to travel to the Forest Home," Naiethua paused. "And of course a loving father wants his only child to be safe, but I wonder why she needs a small warband as her escort. Could it have anything to do with the ummm... markings on her face and arms? It was probably a trick of the light, but I thought I saw scales."
As long as I'm insulting his house, I may as well ask about the other thing. "And while I'm thinking of tricks of the light, in the yard I noticed that the sun's rays pass through Miss Eve. We need to know how these facts may endanger Lyra if we're to see her, and ourselves, to safety."
The attitude that the old man showed towards Victor was not very pleasant to say the least, but he could not care less at this moment.
During his lifetime he met many nobles who also patronized him in similar ways. Many of them left from such meeting with lighter purses.
Having this thought in mind Victor slightly nodded and smiled courteously, waiting to hear the rest of the details.
Warden frowns slightly, "Unfortunately that is part of the reason for her extra protection, you see, Highsmiths are known for having a strong magical bloodline... it's the red dragons you see... and Lyra has exceptional talent even beyond that... I worry every day she will fall victim to whatever claimed her cousin... the scales... are a sign of that heritage that are obviously not easily hidden." He frowns as he glances towards the doorway in to the room. "As for Eve... perhaps your eyes deceived you... I have never seen any such event with her, she has been a loyal servant in the house for years."
Almost as if announced Eve returns to the room with a tray of cups, she smiles faintly as she walks in to the room and sets the tray on the table along side the other cups and teapot. Once she has filled each cup she bows to the room before quietly leaving.
Sense Motive:
Why is it always like that.. daughters with scales, heritage, dragons, bloodlines, ghosts everywhere.. always so complex.. thinking about all of this gives me another headache - thought Victor while scratching his head.
Naiethua pours herself a cup of tea and takes a moment to savor the aroma. Her face appears to relax for a moment before she turns her attention back to Highsmith. "As I said, I thought it was merely a trick of the light. Anyways, she makes good tea."
She sips some of her tea before continuing. "I appreciate you candor, so I'll be candid with you. Guiding a noble Bazareene sorceress to the Sura-Khiri feels like an insult to the Forest itself. If I could think of any other way to get out of this over grown cage you call a city, I would not help you. But as your letter says, you can help me get home."
As Naiethua speaks, her tea cup clatters on the saucer. She drinks the rest of the tea and sets the empty cup and saucer on the table. Then the elf slowly leans towards Highsmith. "You've baited a clever trap for me, Highsmith. My grandfather said the best traps are the ones the prey steps into knowing it's a trap. Congratulations, you've caught your elf guide. I'll guide your girl to her destination. I don't know why she needs to travel so far from home or what fate befell her cousin. Though knowing these things would help me see our way safely, I feel you won't share this knowledge with us. Lyra has done me no harm, so I'll do everything I can to make sure no harm comes to her."
Thaddeus clears his throat. "Uhhh...ummm...There is still the matter of developing a reason I should put my life at risk...beyond my sense of adventure that is".
Sylthain listens as the others speak, helping himself to a cup of tea when offered. As the others discuss their reasons for taking on this foolhardy task, Sylthain can't help his thoughts from drifting back to the girl at the top of the stairs. There's something about her. I've met other noble daughters, even ones gifted in the arts, but she sticks in mind like none before.
Master Highsmith, you already knew my answer and motivations the moment I walked in. And as such, dangerous as it could be, I will be your daughter's guardian for as long as you or she require.
Warden narrows his eyes, "100 gold... for those of you who need incentive. Strong rumors that her cousin was spotted in the edge of the forest... nobody else will help confirm or deny this rumor so it must my daughter who investigates. All you need to do is go with her, search the area for her cousin, find her or not and return."
Moves his hands to rest in his lap, "I hope I don't need to stress to most of you the importance of finding her cousin however I will, without her cousin, Lyra is the last sorceress of her generation. Finding the cousin will help the family greatly."
Naiethua stands up and starts pacing again. How can they do it? How can they all sit calmly in this stone box? Even Victor, it's obvious he has elven blood, but he must have been raised among humans to sit there like this is normal. I wish I knew how Highsmith was able to force him on this mission. Sylthain, on the other hand, is acting like a volunteer. As much as Highsmith has manipulated us, I wonder if Lyra even knows about her quest? After all she...
Suddenly Naiethua stops and looks at Highsmith. "Lyra's the last of her generation, yet you're sending her into the wild? Can you really take that risk?"
Victor did not understood the motive for Naiethua's question why is it wrong for someone to endanger his own child. His growing regret about taking upon this quest made him feel uneasy and anxious. He straightened up in his chair, the shadows left his face, showing the others that he was eager to end this conversation. "Is this all what we need to know?"
Warden sighs loudly, "Lyra wants to find her cousin and we could not get authorities to take interest in the case given the families history. This is why I sought out help elsewhere, if I do not hire anyone she will end up going alone even without my permission to do so. She is a stubborn girl. This is not a matter of wanting to take the risk now, its a matter of providing her with what protection I can manage to pay for or aquire. He moves his hand down to the armrest to drum his fingers against it, seeming quite agitated. "What I need to know before explaining in any more detail is if you are all in agreement to my offer."
Chastised, Naiethua sits back down. I really am being mouthy today. What's gotten into me? "I accept, Warden." She concentrates on maintaining her composure while waiting for the others' answers.
"100 gold is enough incentive for me".
"I... already... agreed..." - said Victor measuring each word while trying not to look directly a at Highsmith, afraid it would again nauseate his stomach.
Sylthain simply nods, his thoughts elsewhere.
Warden nods slightly, leaning back in his seat. "Very well, I will explain the situation now... you see a couple years ago Lyra had a cousin who was barely a few years old... her cousin was traveling from the city to a home my brother had that borders the forest... they fell under attack by the undead and the cousin was thought to be dead, most of the time my brother will often claim seeing the child and it is false but in the last few months there have been several reports of a human child being spotted in the forest that match what she looked like... if it is her cousin then it means that Lyra isn't the last and we still have some hope yet... so you can understand the importance of confirming this I hope?"
He takes another drink from his tea as he waits for your responses.
Sylthain sets his cup down on the table. That would be news indeed given your family's troubles Master Highsmith. What exactly has your brother claimed to have seen?
Naiethua poured herself another cup of tea then settled back to listen to Highsmith's reply. Maybe the young Bazareene will have better luck getting answers from him, she thought.
Warden smiles slightly, " Apparently she was spotting being carried by an orc... it could have been a half-orc but they were together in the forest and clearly alive."
He sighs, "[b]It wasn't just my brother but locals in his employ in the area.[b]"
"For your niece's sake, I hope it was a half-orc," Naiethua says. "Have there been any other sightings?"
Warden nods, "A few and almost every time the orc was spotted with her... which leads me to believe it isn't trying to kill her or doesn't want her dead yet... but that is only speculation." He frowns slightly at the thought. "Any other questions?"
I have no further questions regarding the task at hand. About the logistics, are we to head to your brother's home, will he be providing us with the resources to investigate these sightings? Sylthain glances in Naiethua's direction. The good lady here seems to have some knowledge of getting along in the wild, are we to be self-sufficient in our duties?
"I appreciate your confidence in my skills," Naiethua quietly says to Sylthain. Then she waits for Warden's reply to the monk's questions.
Warden nods slightly, "I asked for the elf to be present because the village my brother usually remains in is Khiras which borders the forest it is known her people reside in the forest so I expect she will be a suitable guide to get in get my niece and get out with minimal casualties." He stands from his chair pulling a bag from his pocket. The sound of jingling suggest its coins, "I will provide money and my brother can give you more information then I possibly could... any other questions?"
Highsmith won't speak my name, fine! No need to bother with his. "The elf has one last question, human: When do we leave?" Naiethua realized her little tantrum wasn't the smartest thing she'd ever done, but she felt relaxed for the first time since meeting her new employer.
Victor raised his head and looked into the old man's eyes. Hundreds of questions crowded his mind yet his lips didn't move. The sudden sound of coins calmed his thoughts and he quietly said "None.."
Sylthain rises with Highsmith and bows his head slightly. No questions here. We will gather your daughter and head out shortly it seems. Seeing the half-elf's eyes go to the pouch of coins, Sylthain didn't reach for it. To each their own motivations.
"Lyra -should- be packing her things right now in preparation..." Warden explains as he passes out 50 gold to each person present. "This is half the funds I said would be paid, my brother will pay the other half after the investigation is over, do not worry he is aware of his duties in this matter... Eve can show you all back to the entrance if you are ready and Lyra shouldn't be much longer.
Naitheua considered leaving her portion of the coins on the table, then remembered a long road through Bazareene territory lay between Hazuk and Khiras. She took her coins and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Master Highsmith. Hopefully Lyra will return from our quest with good news for your house."
"50 gold"/ - echoed in Victor's head when he stared at his hand that grasp the gold. It's weight reminded him of times when he had to do much worse things for much less. His mind was clear again as the felling of certain purpose took over his thoughts. Victor stood up ready to leave the mansion.
You're all lead back to the entrance where Lyra awaits, surprisingly only carrying a pack over her shoulders and a small pouch hanging at her waist.
Up close, any of you who did not notice before will see now, there are light red scales framing her face and down her arms.