Early Thursday morning Melaphi rides up to the keep on a horse. Dressed in his usual gear, a shining breastplate, a shield strapped to his back, and a light crossbow bouncing against the horses ribs on one side.
He looks around for a messenger to speak with, pulling a folded sheet of paper from a saddlebag and holding it aloft.
A shrouded figure, clad in an all-encompassing black robe strolls in a brisk pace towards the keep. The mask he wears hiding his facial features; the same grim visage granting him a rather revolting appearance. Victor's eyes falls on the well-dressed Melaphi and he pauses for a moment, contemplating his options.
After a moment, he decides that this little social encounter might be worth a moment of pause and paces around. Appearing in Melaphi's view. With his usual, hoarse voice, he utters the following: "A guest near our quarters, I see. Can I, mayhaps, be of service to you?"
"Ah, excellent, I was hoping there might be a servant about." Melaphis eyes twinkle. "Could you be so good as to deliver this to the Lady Crystal?"
The implication that Victor is merely a servant is quite intentional. He is intentionally goading the wizard, not so much to cause problems per se, but to see how Victor reacts.
Dearest Crystal,
My companions have agreed to attend the dinner you are hosting tomorrow evening, I trust it will be a splendid affair.
I hope all is well with you, of which I have some concern and a word of warning. Last night after we parted I was assaulted by a creature of undeath that claimed to be seeking you - to steal your breath. While the creature was destroyed with ease, I fear where there is one, there may be more. I ask that you keep your bodyguard close by until we should meet up again tomorrow night.
All my love,
Melaphi
Payet goes to his new job, and during his off hours goes to the library to researche what h can about the variety of vampire that attacked them.
Victor merely nods his hooded head, reaching a gloved hand out to accept the letter. After swiping it off Melaphi's hands, he deposits it within the many, nearly countless folds of his robe.
"A minor objection, if I may?" He doesn't pause to actually receive permission but rather continues"Lady Crystal, has currently made a bit of a disappearance act. By which I mean, she has been kidnapped by a vampiric creature.
Now, I know that you might find this next thing rather dubious, however, I have grown rather concerned with her well-being." Victor pauses for a moment, his gaze running over their surroundings as if he searching for someone or something, seemingly drifting off into thought for a moment. Giving Melaphi time to reply.
Melaphi's face darkens, "When and where did this happen? Do you have any leads or clues to her whereabouts?" He adds, frowning slightly, "I suspect we have our differences, but why would I doubt your concern for your friend? Have you organized a search for her? I'm no diviner, but I do have a certain stubborn persistence. Where can I help?"
As Sarcon drops from the wall nearby Melaphi is startled slightly. He looks up at the height of the keep wall in slight wonder. He gives the half-orc a nod, "Good morning Sarcon." he gives a wry smile, "breakfast was an hour ago, your late." His face darkening again he adds, "And I'm afraid there is no time for it now."
"Quite, we might have our differences, however, I suspect that it would be in both parties' interest if our lovely High Priestess was rescued. We are willing to agree to a non-aggression deal in return for your aid in her retrieval. And possibly, if things are handled in a proper manner, we would be willing to accept a member of your party in our political council, to ensure that your opinions are represented."
Victor pauses momentarily, the mask flowing from Sarcon to Melaphi, his gloved hand ruffling through unseen pockets in his robe. He draws out a small map, crude and primitively painted, and runs his hand over it, muttering a phrases in an ancient, groveling language. A small cross appears on one of the city's streets.
"As said, we would be most grateful for your aid in this case, and you will be rewarded for said task. With your share of the political power, without having to shed our blood to acquire it. This map-" Victor extends the map out towards Melaphi."-denotes the last location we observed the High Priestess.
"Oh, and if we are to work together then I say it might be required that we keep Sarcon here and your own half-orc apart. While I share no ill-will towards your group, it seems that Sarcon and he has breed some manner of rivalry."
Melaphi raises an eyebrow at Sarcon's comments, "No I don't. So your usual one will be fine."
He turns back to Victor and jokingly adds, "Here you've been in power for nearly a full week now and haven't eliminated the need for prisons yet?"
Taking the offered map Melaphi memorizes the important details. "How soon do you plan to leave? It will take me a little time to locate my companions and see if they are available to help search, and to gather a few specific items."
"When you say this is where you last observed her" he taps the map, "were you with her then? But left unharmed?" Melaphi drums his fingers on his thigh. "You should read that note I'd brought for Crystal."
Then back to Sarcon, "Is that true? And here I thought it was your friend Marcello who didn't like Garroth."
Flashing a grin, he adds, "Well Victor, tell you what, if they go after each other, you can tackle Garroth and wrestle him to the ground, and I'll tackle Sarcon to do the same."
Victor's begloved hands folds nicely over his sickly thin chest; he stands pondering for a moment before replying: "I was not there in person, however, the information was relied to me by a secure and reliable source. The truthful nature of the claim was later confirmed by me in nature. You can gather your companions and begin an investigation of your own or attempt to aid us."
While the mask remains as emotionless and dreadfilled as ever, a deep, amused chuckle resounds from within in."I will do my best, although Marcello ensures me that he was merely defending himself from a direct charge from your own orc. I doubt my thin, fleshy arms would have much of an effect on him, that is to be certain. Now, any additional questions or may I resume my work? Oh, and a bit of a follow up question, what kind of meal would you like at the dinner?"
"Enjoy your breakfast." Melaphi says to the departing half-orc.
"How soon do you plan to leave to search the wilderness for the priestess?"
"As to dinner? Rice and something." he grins at some inner joke. "Though probably better go with fruits and vegetables. The Lady Crystal did not seem to approve of my choice in food last night."
"As far as we are aware, the High Priestess is still to be found within the city. My calculations could be wrong, as far as I am aware, there is a minor margin of error." The figure makes a dramatic pause, his left hand scratching(-bone) at his leg passively.
"And even if we were to depart, which we will most likely be forced to do by saturday if we have not found her prior to that, we would be forced to take a majority of the guards with us to ensure that we can examine the entire area. Efficiency is a must."
"I will be at the cross streets as soon as I can." With that Melaphi kicks his horse into a gallop.
Melaphi, Garroth, Feth, Victor, Marcello, and Fate all converge on the point marked by Victor on the map. While some mystery remains as to whether any other mysterious heroes or unpredictable villains might arrive, for the moment at least the company numbers six.
|
Marcello was dressed as usual. His big bulky armor, though with a slightly darker tone than last time they met.
Stating the obvious, Marcello started the talk. "So, you all know why we are here. Because I will not waste time explaining what we are doing here." The blackened helmet covered his features well, but the raised brow was well converted through body language.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Of course, of course. Unfortunately finding missing persons isn't a talent of mine, but Garroth here may be able to provide some aid in that."
Melaphi looks around the area.
The ever-masked-and-armored Fate stands with her allies, not making any effort to look, as though the others are merely her escort. Her cloak today has regal furs attached around the collar, a nod to her new status.
Her arms are folded in her typical pose.
Fate nods as Melaphi speaks, and she then turns to Garroth, looking over him. "I look forvard to seeing your skills in action, Half-orc." Each inflection of her words carries a poke, a tentative prod, searching for a reaction.
|
|
Noticing the look Melaphi makes Marcello points out certain things.
"The abduction happened here," pointing out the slightly burned cobblestone and frantic cuts. "She was then grabbed and dragged that way." leading the eyes past a bruised up, passed out man.
Walking to the first couple of splotches of blood, he gestured what way it went. "Our skilled woodsman applied his skills and have so far tracked the Priestess that direction." Unlike Fate, there was no emotion, no searching for a reaction... Only the gruff regular voice from Marcello.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Victor springs into view besides Marcello, dressed in his usual dark robe and face-clamping mask. The strange, covered creatures seems to peer at the cobblestone and searches for evidence. As it whims around the square, it addresses Melaphi.
"We appreciate your presence and that of your companions. We are glad that we are capable of setting aside our minor differences for a moment."
The wild girl and her bear approach quickly, and when she sees her friends she looks like she's about to say something, but then only says, "Hello everyone, tracking is it?" She puts her nose almost on the cobblestone, and then looks out along the road from there.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Garroth had spent most of the short time the two groups had been together, eying the other group with obvious suspicion. Stood with his arms crossed, he only moved when Mel suggested he start trying to track the woman. He had only just started looking around when Patricie arrived. "Hey, yeah, trackin' I was thinkin' we would..." He trailed of with a dumbfounded look at the woods woman started sniffing around. He then burst into laughter, unable to restrain his mirth even in the presence of the others. "Thats mighty fine trackin' there, I think ill leave this too you!" As he continued to chuckle, he nonetheless continued to can the surroundings for clues.
Fate lets out a single chuckle at the sight of Patricie with her nose to the cobblestone. She casually looks to each of the other heroes, marking their reactions.
Interesting. They do not fully understand the capabilities of their compatriates yet.
The sorcerer nods at Victor's statement of thanks. "These attacks concern us both. We'll all be much happier when we can walk down the street without being attacked." She gestures at the passed out man. "Speaking of being attacked, who is that? A witness?
With Patry's arrival, Melaphi adds to the conversation, "So glad you could join us Patry for the pre-dinner get together. Here I thought I was going to have to endure an afternoon of stuffy high society etiquette."
Leaning over his horse slightly to speak to Victor, "Did Crystal get a chance to tell you I was going to run for the office of the kings wit?"
He pushes his horse forward to the unconscious man, "Let's rouse him, and see what he knows. He certainly looks to have been in a fight." A thin tendril of golden light springs from Melaphi's hand and snakes its way downward, encircling the mans chest before fading from view.
Noticing the look Melaphi makes Marcello points out certain things.
"The abduction happened here," pointing out the slightly burned cobblestone and frantic cuts. "She was then grabbed and dragged that way." leading the eyes past a bruised up, passed out man.
Patricie looks up at the laughing half-orc with a quizzical look, "What's funny? I was just getting a scent and looking for tracks, just like my wolf friends do!" She perks up at the memory of the pack that she followed and watched as a young runaway. She continues on, completely oblivious to her humorous effect. Elsewhere, Trilby can be seen rolling his enormous bear eyes as he does a bit of a roll to sit on his hind quarters.
As she reaches the unconscious man, she looks to confirm her suspicions that his position was afforded by a roughly ridden mount.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
As the golden tendril touches the unconscious man, Marcello makes a throaty sound to get Melaphis attention.
"No need to bother with him. He saw nothing and knows nothing worth noting." adding as an afterthought, "I am sure I didn't hit him even once."
If there was any suspicion among the group, who didn't believe Marcello, he wouldn't stop them from continuing what they were doing, but at this time and place, they needed to follow the splotches of blood that he had already pointed out for them. It was after all quite the obvious trail... There was no reason to start sniffing the ground like some kind of animal.
If everyone believed Marcello and saw no reason to rouse the man, then he would again point out the trail of blood so they could move on.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Patry notices that the man looks generally unharmed. She also notices the trail of blood, easily still fresh enough to follow for someone of her expertise.
Melaphi attempts to heal the unconscious man, but finds himself unharmed when linking his own health to the fallen man's own.
Garroth put up his hands and shook his head, though he kept smiling. "Oh, no no, its really a good idea, just not..." He paused, searching for the right words. "...Well its not usually how us city folk go about it is all. Not used to seein' people sniffin' around like wolves."
"Well, I think it's perfectly.... she searches for a word to describe her friend's behavior. "...charming. Yes. Wolves are excellent trackers, you know they can smell things over a mile and a half away in the right conditions, not that that's particularly, uh, relevant but I'm sure Patry's learned how to be a wonderful tracker by example." Fethryth clears her throat. "So, ah, yes, we'll follow you Patry, lead the way!"
|
|
Shaking his helmet slightly, Marcello whispers to Fate, "Sarcon already showed us the blood trail, no need to act like a savage."
Sighing he started walking to the east gate where Sarcon already had shown him where the trail stopped being obvious. Looking over the shoulder, he shouts a quick "The trail seem to continue here!" and then keep going without looking down once.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Seeing that the man is unharmed, she calls Trilby over and touches the man's cheek repeatedly, "Give him kisses little brother." The bear opens his gaping maw and licks the man straight up the side of his face from chin to hair, leaving that bit of it sticking out like he'd slept on it funny. The man wakes with a start, takes one look at the openmouthed toothy bear and shoots off screaming as if fired from a cannon. After a brief staring pause and a couple blinks, Patricie jumps up, arms raised in triumph and says, "He's okay!"
She proceeds to where the metal man called them, and follows the trail as far as she can. She looks over her shoulder at the metal golem and asks quite innocently, "What's a savage?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"If you'd told as that at the beginning, we could have saved a couple minutes. Anything else you already know?" While his words contain sarcasm, Melaphi says it with a friendly smile.
"Lead the way." He nudges his horse into a walk to follow the warrior.
|
|
Walking at a moderate pace, it didn't take long for Melaphi on his horse to catch up to Marcello.
[b]"Had you not been too busy whispering to Mister Ravenport, you would probably have heard me earlier.[b]" Keeping the helmet pointing forward, Marcello kept track of people they might be walking past.
He knew the chance was less than, him spotting a chest filled with treasure, but if he spotted Crystal or the lamp merchant, he wanted to jump at it.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Victor's form quickly follows behind Marcello, nearly gliding to his side. Paying no form or measure of heed to Melaphi's attempt of a harassment, he merely ponders over the nature of their current issue and peers at the assembled individuals. A quaint chuckle is emitted from him, as he peers curiously at Patricie and her actions, finding some manner of unaccountable beguilement from it.
"Wintrish, let your wit and lashing tongue remain idle for a spell, a split between our two groups would be less than stellar at the moment. Melaphi, could you possibly attempt to illuminate us with your knowledge of the town? The task might seem daunting, however, if you were to put yourself into the place of these violent and ravenous creature, where would you lead your latest victim? The mask's glassed-over mocking depictions of eyes falls upon Melaphi, awaiting his reaction.
Garroth trailed behind the group, bringing up the rear a good 15 feet behind, keeping the entire group easily in view. "Yer no sleuth Garroth, better just do what you are good at."
Still, he spared some glances at their surroundings, looking for anything that might be out of place.
The group of adventurers follows the trail of blood as far as it goes, but soon all sight and smell is lost to the boots and bakeries of the City. The party finds themselves amidst a market of leathers, hides, furs, and related products, with all its customers and vendors. Coppers and silvers trade hands freely, gruff men and harsh women bicker over prices, shoppers examine goods against their own figures, and children dash about whipping each other with leather scraps or making games of discarded animal teeth.
Garroth looks around, but doesn't see anything unusual.