You recieve a letter from a messanger, it comes with a wax sealed scroll tube. The letter itself bares a wax seal but no insignia. Upon opening the letter it instructs you to take the scroll tube home and open it there in private. It clearly states to stop reading until you are home at this point as well. On a whim or with purpose you follow the instructions. Once in your home you begin to read the letter once more, the author states that the Solrath Consortium is interested in you. Is even willing to extend membership should you be found worthy. Should you refuse, burn the letter and scroll tube. Should you accept, unseal the scroll tube and read it's contents. Then head to the Blue Velevet at midnight and order a Orc's Tear for the private second floor table.
You have a choice to make.
Upon opening and reading the contents, you find them to be a set of exercises. A teaching scroll of an unknown martial form. Once complete both the letter and scroll burst into unnatural flames that consume them. Not even ash remains but you find no difficulty in remembering what you have read. As well as a sense of new understanding.
Upon opening and reading the contents, you find an advanced guide to alchemy crafting techniques. Ways to make use of ingredients and tricks of the trade honed from someone with vast experience who did more then learn from their mistakes. Once complete both the letter and scroll burst into unnatural flames that consume them. Not even ash remains but you find no difficulty in remembering what you have read. With this knowledge you gain a sliver of skill from a master, making your crafting skills better then before.
Upon opening and reading the contents, you find them to be arcane formula's and mastery tips. A way to make better more efficient use of the arcane energy that one so trained can call upon. Once complete both the letter and scroll burst into unnatural flames that consume them. Not even ash remains but you find no difficulty in remembering what you have read. This advanced knowledge now enhances your spellcasting techniques.
Upon opening and reading the contents, you find them to be extensive and detailed studies of inherent weaknesses in vital points shared by most life forms. A in depth study of the weaknesses with in weak points to cause even more precise damage. Once complete both the letter and scroll burst into unnatural flames that consume them. Not even ash remains but you find no difficulty in remembering what you have read. This detailed knowledge of vital points now makes your strikes more devastating.
Upon opening and reading the contents, you find them to be a largely forgotten and holy text of your god. One that was once reserved for the most faithful of worshipers but was thought to be lost. For few were thought worthy of reading it, among them few were blessed by them in turn. Once complete both the letter and scroll burst into unnatural flames that consume them. Not even ash remains but you find no difficulty in remembering what you have read. The holy text of Korada has blessed you with empowered healing ability.
Marckus reads the scroll, deciding he can always burn it later if needed. However, as that decision resolves itself, he decides to wait until that evening to arrive punctually and follow the instructions in the letter. In the meantime, he meditates on the teachings of Korada and practices his unarmed fighting style.
Elvis puts the letter and the scroll aside and finishes his cocktail before heading home to read both. A deliberate exercise in patience, but also he is determined to savor that drink he paid 1gp for.
Once home, he reads the letter and unseals the scroll.
He spends a few hours practicing the techniques he learned from the scroll. At quarter to midnight he leaves for the Blue Velvet.
He goes straight to the bar and places his order.
"Hello again, Mutt. I'll have an orc's tear. At the private table upstairs."
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concluding her business with the locksmith, Ty receives the message and waits till home to even read the note.
interesting indeed, It would seem my investigations have brought what I seek to me.
as the scroll burns up, she tries to recall who else received the scroll. remembering that the locksmith she was talking to did as well, It would seem to, that my friend has most likely been given the same offer, I can only assume
at the required time Ty slips into the tavern she was visiting only hours before.
making her way to the bar. Ty places her order I think I will be daring tonight, an Orc's tear, for the private table, upstairs
"This should be quite interesting," Bastion says to himself just before the scroll bursts into flame. He grins to himself. "Quite interesting indeed."
When the time arrives, so does Bastion. He approaches the bar in the tavern at exactly midnight and says, "Excuse me sir. I'd like to order an Orc's Tear for the private table on the second floor please."
Bastion takes a seat as he says this, bar stool creaking under his bodies large frame. He then waits briefly for a response.
Xavi is intrigued by the contents of the scroll he received. His only regret is that it burned up as he was eager to figure out how the thing was constructed.
He arrives at the right time back at the Blue Velvet. He had to run, he had had to deal with the last client of the day. Once that was done he closed up and made his way here as fast as he could, and in time it seemed, "Evening Mutt, could I get an Orc's Tear? I'll have it upstairs, privately."
Mutt looks like he could kill when he receives each order for the Orc's Tear, the grey elf ever at his seat has a bemused smile on his face. The big man nearly shoves a clear glass drink at you and gives a thumb to the stairs to his left with a grunt. The entrance of the narrow stairs happen to be close to where the grey elf favors to sit. He speaks not a word at your passing or responds to any attempts to speak.
Once you make your way upstairs and to the private table, you notice an absence of sound. An oddity as the second floor is open to the first, with nothing to muffle sound. Just as the moments drag by dark blue curtains encircle the table, cutting off your view of anything but fabric. The lone candle holder on the table is your only source of light, it cast your shadows in long relief as they play against the curtains. Giving off the strange expression of more people in the space then their should be. Which is only confirmed later when a child climbs up on the chair to stand. The human boy, with the look of a street urchin no more then a dozen years old, is at eye level with everyone else sitting.
"I take it you accept the Solrath Consortium's offer. If that is the case do tell me what is your interest in them, your goal, and reason for seeking membership?"
His voice is that of any other boy yet with authority born of being obeyed. His arms move slightly back and forth as is often the case with active children that stand still with more energy then they know what to do with.
Elvis watches the boy intently while he replies:
"Yes, I accept. I seek wisdom and knowledge. I seek to understand the secrets which are hidden in the shadows. The Solrath Consotrium seems to keep a lot of secrets - and enough shadow to hide them in. For this reason I've been trying to learn more about you for some time now. But all I could find out was that you are admirably efficient and thorough at everything you do - including covering your tracks. " In fact, I've come to believe that even the few traces of you I could find were only breadcrumbs you intentionally laid out for me.
"Your invitation implied you would be willing to share some of your secrets - in return for service or membership. That is why I am here. But you knew all that already, I am sure."
He takes a smell at the drink Mutt has given him.
"What is this, by the way?"
"Well young fellow, I believed I was coming to meet a businessman with an offer of employment. Things at the temple have been a bit dull lately and I'm simply too restless for priesthood." Marckus says smiling, then leans back and looks around a bit. "When will we meet our host?"
Bastion smirks at the boys question. It was obvious the boy wasn't just an ordinary kid if he's allowed to speak for the Solrath Consortium. After a brief moment of thinking things through and allowing the half-elf and half-orc to speak their peace, Bastion speaks up.
"I indeed accept. I seek membership for the freedom of further exploring an experiment that must otherwise go unused in the "normal" world. I also hope to gather generally unknown knowledge in alchemy, in order to amplify said experiment," Bastion says before briefly looking to some of the others, "And I suppose that eventually gaining some trustworthy contacts, in and of itself, could prove to be useful some day. In return for services rendered of course."
Bastion pauses, "Nifty trick with the scroll by the way."
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"I haven't heard any offers yet, beyond the offer for this meeting. I received a writ and I responded, intrigued." He shifted on his chair. There was no way this child was what it pretended to be, though he didn't know what actually was happening, "I came here to hear an offer. As for my goals, I have a need for certain information. Both for personal use and to help further other pursuits. That and I'm simply curious."
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As Ty sits at the table, the shadows dance around her almost in defiance of the light that creates them.
she quietly whispers some words lets see what the shadows have to hide she whispers. then some words in the tongue of the shadows.
as she examines the auras (if any), I agree with my friend here, we have been given but one offer, to be here, thus by our presence the offer has been accepted.[/b]
However I have been investigating the presence of a new organization. it would seem you are it.
As far as you can tell he simply came by pushing his way through the curtains. His small size, dark clothes, and your distracted state simply made it seem as if he appeared from nowhere. As for other people, you can not see any.
As far as you can tell the boy is fully aware of his actions and words. He is paying attention and studying you as much as you are him. Only he is better at it and he knows it.
As far as you can tell their is no magic at play here. The boy before you seems just that.
The boy smiles wide as if he was just presented a great deal of his favorite candy. Starting with Elvis, he fixes him with his gaze.
"Drink it and find out. As for our secrets and willingness to share. You seem to be confused, we collect knowledge. If others lack the ability to gain knowledge or keep it. Well that hardly makes it a secret. We are simply very good at keeping our knowledge. We share nothing, members may request knowledge based on their standing. They must earn this right. Non members do not even have the right to ask us. Simple huh."
He brings up a finger to accent his point before moving on to Marckus.
"I am your host, you will be dealing with me. Life is rarely what you expect it to be."
His smile wavers slightly at Bastion. A slight droop to his shoulders.
"As long as we are of an understanding that said experiment will be kept under control at all times. Bash was it, we do not generally associate or appreciate uncontrollable projects."
The boy's demeanor shifts back into high gear as he turns to Xaviandrin.
"Maybe you did not read it right. We offer the chance at membership. If you misunderstood and do not know what that entails I suggest you leave buddy. Half hearted attempts will only fail, so will trying to learn anything from us we do not wish you to know. We tend to be a very with us or not group, a bit demanding to be honest. But then again we offer much as well for such loyalty."
Doing a little spin he stops on Tynan.
"Pretty lady your wrong. That's the first step you know. I already told your friend as much. There is nothing new about us, just cause you found something does not mean it was not already there. Just means you didn't know. So you should be wondering how did you know hmmmm. Maybe cause we let you."
Jumping up from the top of the chair to the table.
"So anymore questions or would you like to start proving yourselves?"
Marckus looks incredulously at the boy before simply asking "How?"
Bastion nods in reply to the boy's statement aimed at him, "Fair enough. Outside of this particular group, I doubt I'd even be given that chance. I'll make sure to keep the experiment in check. Even if it and I need to come to an... understanding."
Bastion then inclines his head towards the half-orc while maintaining relaxed eye contact with the boy, "...What he asked."
"Drink it and find out. As for our secrets and willingness to share. You seem to be confused, we collect knowledge. If others lack the ability to gain knowledge or keep it. Well that hardly makes it a secret. We are simply very good at keeping our knowledge. We share nothing, members may request knowledge based on their standing. They must earn this right. Non members do not even have the right to ask us. Simple huh."
"Simple, but a lie: you already shared some knowledge with me, without me asking for it, and despite me having no standing whatsoever in your organization."
"So anymore questions or would you like to start proving yourselves?"
"Just one: what is it that you want us to do? Aside from sampling exotic drinks?"
He sniffs at his drink again.
"So far all you did was make demands and say how you basically don't offer anything except to your own inner circle, not very enticing don't you agree?" He smiles at the boy, annoying child, "But like I said I'm intrigued, interested even and I'm nothing if not curious. As such I'll add my voice to theirs: How do you intend for us to prove ourselves?"
The boy looks disinterested for a moment, as if you lost his attention. He picks his nose, flicking the small treasures at Elvis then another at Xaviandrin.
"We don't recall telling you of our system. By opening the scroll tube you agreed to join or rather attempt. Had you failed to come here after opening it, you would be dead and gone come sunrise. You see we do not take kindly to thieves or liars. At least among ourselves that is. Assumptions without knowledge or understanding are the tools of a fool."
Wiping a hand on his shirt to clean it.
"There is a ship arriving in two days, docking in one of Underbridges more discreet piers if you catch my meaning. There are certain crates we desire from that ship. You are to get them, the method does not matter so long as they are retrieved undamaged. You will receive minimum aid from us. That is your first task."
As far as you can tell it is not poisoned. As to what makes up the drink you are unable to discern as it is clear with only a faint aroma you can't seem to place.
"Will the people on the ship be expecting us? And will they be willing to give us the crates?"
The boy's jaw drops and his mouth forms a big O. He runs his clean hand down his face.
"Did you really just ask me if I am sending you to an illegally docked ship to pick up a delivery."
He shakes his head in the way a parent normally does to a difficult child.
"Maybe I was unclear, they are smugglers. If we wanted something from them we would simply buy it, then again that would mean exposing the very thing we want. The crates are sealed, I do mean sealed, as in can not be opened without the proper means or key. Even the smugglers do not know what is inside, we do and wish to keep it that way. As the ship has not arrived yet we can not very well know if they are marked in some way. In my experience the crates will be no different then any other cargo in appearance, best way to hide something special is by making it look benign. As to their willingness to part with their ill gotten gains, I would plan for resistance on that front."
He reaches into a pocket and fishes out wooden orb wrapped with string, placing a finger in a loop. He lets it drop, it spins out of the string then back up it. He repeats the motion with self delight.
Bastion nods, thinking things over, before asking, "Where are we to deliver said crates? Here?"
"We're all to work together then. So what's the purse for this job?" Marckus asks while counting how many ways the pay would be divided.
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"I assume half-orc," Bastion starts not knowing anyone's name,"that the intended pay would simply be further consideration for membership. Or at least a more serious consideration."
Still focusing on his toy he speaks without looking at them.
"If you need payment how about one hundred gold pieces each. As to where your to take the crates, here is fine. But I rather doubt you'll make it that far. Anything else?"
"What do you mean you doubt we'll 'make it that far'?" Marckus inquires skeptically.
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"Our chances of success would increase dramatically if you didn't speak in riddles to us. Under normal circumstances, it would be prudent to let us know what merchandise we are stealing, and from whom. But I assume in this case our success is less important to you than watching us struggle in a situation we don't fully understand. Lets get this over with. Do you mind if we use this room in the next two days, to plan the heist?"
With a snap of his wrist the toy jumps back into his hand. Rolling his head on his shoulders in a childish motion of over exertion.
"What's the point of having that thing on top of your shoulders if you don't use it. You have been given advance notice of the date, you will have a location, and you have an objective. That is more then second story men get when they go to work. Trick them, kill them, or take the entire ship out from under them for all I care. We are only concerned with the crates."
He pockets the toy, straightens up, and fixes Elvis with a look better suited to a fully grown killer then a child.
"Every time you pester me with your sideline attempts my expectations decrease, not only of your worth but your survival. If your no different then pawns that need everything done for them. Then you'll be treated as such."
He takes a great yawn, his expression returning to it's former state.
"I don't own the Blue Velvet, take up any such arrangements with Mutt. Now if you don't mind it is way past my bed time."
He jumps off the table landing on the floor his knee's bending from the impact then springing up with a hop.
"See you on the night of the second day. I'll have the location then. Bye bye."
He gives a big wave and wide smile before quickly disappearing into the folds of the curtain. No doubt gone with his light foot steps disappearing moments after his entrance into the dark fabric.
"Right then," Bastion says after watching the kid disappear, "I suppose we should begin figuring something out. I don't know the area, but I suppose it's quite possible that there may be other organizations searching for the crates as well. If that's the case, we best be prepared for more resistance than just a ship crew. As for the ship crew themselves, if they're as apt to keep the crates as we've been told, considering our target delivery location is here, there's a very good chance that they'll chase us all of the way here if we don't suppress the entire crew or thoroughly confuse them.
Bastion thinks a little more before offering the beginning's of an idea,"Just an idea, but I'll throw it out there. What if we use simple diversionary tactics. Obviously, size wise, I'm not the easiest being to hide. I could provide a distraction alongside someone else while the others clear the ship and manage the crates somehow. Maybe even take the ship and deal with the crates later."
Bastion then tilts his head, "Or, perhaps if there are other organizations, ones more brazen, flamboyant and well known, we could somehow procure their uniform and just straight up raid the ship. The crew would hopefully think that we belonged to the the other organization and would proceed to hound them instead of us."
Bastion sighs, "Of course there are other ways to handle this I'm sure. I'm open to other ideas."
"My idea is breakfast tomorrow at a different place. It's late. We can discuss things then, like how to get the crates or if we're insane." Marckus stands and pushes his chair back, stretching and trying to suppress a yawn.
"All I know is that that brat is in need of better parenting." Xavi was thoroughly annoyed by the brat and not sure he wanted any dealing with this supposed consortium if he had to deal with the nuisance every single time.
"It might benefit us to figure out where the smugglers intend to bring their cargo or who they procured it for. That and of course who the smugglers are." He yawned, "Beyond that I agree with our green friend here, we should meet tomorrow and elsewhere. We could meet at my shop, a few streets away, at the edge of the Bazaar of Sails. We can discuss things privately in the backroom there."
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Tye has been listening taking in everyone's suggestions.
I do agree, we will need to learn more of our target. and tomorrow will do well to have clear heads and good plans.
Ty stands since we are now assumed to be working together AI think it best that introductions be in order. I am Tynan, I guess you could call me Tye if you prefer.
as she moves her shadow continues to seem almost alive moving about of its own in defiance to where the shadow should be cast.
she wears the ring of house Kaddren in the Alabaster district. if legit this would make her a lesser noble of that house.
"I agree with Marckus. Lets meet again tomorrow - shall we say ten o clock in the morning? In the meantime, we can try to find out more about our target."
Early next morning, Elvis goes to the docks and tries to find out more details: is there a ship expected the next day? If so, for what purpose and where is it from? Have other people been asking similar questions lately? Anyone else sneaking around who doesn't look like they belong there?
"This fellow's shop tomorrow morning then. See you there. I'll save my introduction for then." Marckus says as he strolls downstairs and out into the darkness.
in the morning...
Marckus enters Xavi's shop and knocks on the doorframe. "Hello sir. Glad I was able to find your shop. Have the others arrived?"
"You'll find me in Salhaziri's Locksmithy, just don't enter all at once my neighbours might think I'm getting robbed then." And if anything they wouldn't want to draw the attention of a whole street of gossiping merchants.
Bastion shrugs at Tye, "It seems everyone else wishes the introductions be made tomorrow. Until then..." Bastion says with a polite nod.
Not yet tired himself, Bastion moves to the lower half of the bar area and orders a non-alcoholic beverage, drinking it while reading from a book.
Bastion arrives later in morning, aiming to be one of the last to arrive well enough spaced from the others, sauntering into the shop, inclining his head in a gesture indicating "good morning" to Xaviandrin.
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You get no where with your information gathering besides drawing attention to yourself, more then a few eyes watch you with ill intent. No one strikes you as overly important, simply people who value their privacy.
Before leaving the tavern for the night and preparing for the next meeting in the morning, Bastion attempts to talk up a few drunks, mainly the ones who look to be sailors, seeing if he can discern any useful information about the groups target and other such details, without giving anything away himself.
The only "sailors" you find are not the kind your looking for. What you do manage to find out is that no sea faring types hang around in Underbridge, they mostly stick to Dockway.
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The next day about an hour and a half or so before everyone was expected to arrive to the shop.
I elderly lady enters the shoplooking for some assistance with obtaining a lock box for some valuables.
excuse me please.. she says with that sweet grand-motherly voice, I need some help with finding a good lockbox for some valuables. something easy to use yet a good deterent for thieves.
the woman seems to be overly observant of the store constantly looking as as many details. checking out windows she fiddles with the doorknob to to main entrance seeming to check it's cleanliness.
when the person that assists her is getting items she is looking for she checks out other items avaialable for sale.
After finishing his investigation at the docks unsuccessfully, Elvis heads to the bazaar, looking for Xavi's shop. He makes a few detours through crowded areas along the way, just to be sure to loose any pursuers whose unwanted attention he might have drawn at the docks.
Once at the shop, he enters and starts looking for Xavi.
After Bastion enters Xaviandrin's shop, attempting to space his entrance apart from that of others, he looks around, scanning the environment, searching for anyone that looks familiar from the last night, specifically Xaviandrin.
As the other enter Xavi moves towards them, treating them as regular customers before directing them to the back room.
A table stands in the centre of the room with five chairs around it. On the table stands a jug filled with water, five clay mugs next to it. The room itself also hold a work station and several cabinets filled with all kinds of odds and ends, from spare parts to unfinished projects.
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yes, that will do nicely. tell me young man, is this secure from thieves? I hear there are more thugs than usual these days
the lady keep trying to see areas she probably shouldn't see. but politely moves on when confronted.
after a bit she seems content but chooses not to purchase the box.
you have a nice shop here sir, It seems safe. I'll return later for the box and pay at that time
with that she takes her leave of the shop.
You see an old woman leaving the shop before you enter she looks around nervously then heads off down an ally.
if you pursue you only run into Tynan heading to the shop.
Tynan arrives around the same time as Elvis does.
Bastion takes a seat at whatever open chair is left and sits back, arms crossed before suggesting, "Perhaps we should make up some sort of passphrase in the odd event that a skilled illusionist or master of disguise attempts something. Just a thought really, nothing to worry about now I suppose. On to the business at hand then?"
Elvis asks Xavi with a questioning look at the jug: "Plain water? Or another mystery drink?"
He takes a seat opposite to Bastion and musters him carefully.
"Perhaps we should have done that last night, as there is now way of knowing you are the real - sorry, what was your name again?" " - as there is no way of knowing you are the real Bastion, and not a doppelganger who wants to make sure we will mistrust the real Bastion once he shows up."
"But maybe not. So, yes, on to the business at hand. Did anyone manage to find out any details about the ship or its cargo? I went to the docks this morning, but I didn't get any information."
"Plain water, unless you want tea? I can make some." Xavi already moved to get a kettle from his work table. "As for the pass phrase, lets wait till we're complete." Without waiting for an answer on whether or not people want tea Xavi starts heating up the small hearth next to his work table, one intended to be used heat up the metal that is used for the locks.
"Well I'm Marckus, cleric of Korada. I don't mind lifting smuggled goods, but I don't think we need to kill anyone. Maybe deception or intimidation will work instead." Marckus proposes while pouring himself a glass of water.
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