As you all take seats around the good, solid old oak table in the corner of Pyotr's Coffeeshop, Cassandra stares sort of blankly into the middle-distance. She is a small child, very slim, and her eyes are a strange amber color, though they seem sort of...milky, or glazed over. You find it difficult to define. Clearly something is wrong, or at least different about them, but you don't know what off the top of your head.
Cleaned up thanks to Karthan, you now see that Cassandra's hair is a sandy brown, and there is a band of freckles that goes across the bridge of her nose. She is always very still, which is eerie in a child, though as she sits she is singing a strange little song. It is sing-songy in the way of children's songs, but the melody is like metal down your spine and the lyrics are "death deathdeath deathdeathdeath...power death deathdeath deathdeathdeath...powER!" She is singing this quietly, to herself.
Perception check:
Kelne had opted to humour the paranoid ones among them. The way he figured it, not everybody was going to be able to slip away from any stalkers. If they were out there, somebody was bound to be followed. He did opt for a somewhat roundabout route, pausing at a couple of storefronts to see if anybody exhibited any suspicious behaviour, but his counter-espionage tactics were perfunctory.
He cocked an eyebow at Karthan as the message spell took effect, You may be overthinking this. Invisible or not, if they're close enough to listen in, they're close enough for us to stab them.
"I'm Kelne Narikos," he said aloud, "I'm a bit of a wanderer, truth be told. I've been in town doing a bit of research. I'm in between jobs at the moment, so nothing tying me down."
He still found the girl rather unsettling, but was doing his best not to dwell on it.
@Kelne: You easily spot a couple more Wolfguards on your way, "easily" because they don't appear to be taking any sort of stealthy precautions. In fact, the only reason you even find their presence noteworthy is that they keep appearing, always as a pair, and you count at least 3 different pairs. They are always studiously not looking at you as you walk by. They make no apparent move to follow.
But they are there.
For her part, Cassandra seems to be unnerved by you as well, only glancing up at you when she thinks you're not looking, then quickly pretending to be studying the ceiling when you happen to turn your head in her direction.
@Jorzan: You do not appear to be followed, but there is something different about the shadows in Stormfare all of a sudden. They are deeper, darker, as if there is a space behind them that was not there before. You find their embrace even more welcoming than normal, their eagerness for you to wrap them about yourself for cover borders on the unsettling. Twice you swear you see eyes, sick and red and hungry and hateful, deep in the dark, but both times it appears to have been an illusion.
But you of all people know appearances can be deceiving.
Tanel can't quite peg what is wrong with her eyes, but he leans a little closer when he hears the girls humming. He's more shocked than anyone when he hears the song 'death deathdeath deathdeathdeath poWER!', the words uttered in repition by winged nasties that he thought only he saw at the place of Cassandra's almost sacrifice.
She saw them. More than that she saw visions of things to come, things that might be... Of course its only natural that a childs mind would solve the riddle of analogy and metaphor quicker... Is she like me?[i]
Tanel moves his chair to sit beside Cassandra, as he sits back down he looks momentarily at Kelne and smiles a wide Benneladi smile [i]Always welcome strangers his mother had said, a smile doesn't cost a thing.
'Greetings Kelne, I suppose I'm in much the same position as you. Tanel Eppun, in case you didn't hear it in the panic of the alley. A pleasure to meet you.'
When the others resume their conversation aloud he leans in closer to Cassandra, but with a brotherly smile, as if he were telling the strange child a joke so she won't be bored with adult conversation.
In truth however he asks the girl in quiet tones: 'Cassandra, honey. Can you see something behind me?'
@Tanel: Cassandra looks up at you as you lean in. "Hi, haunted man!"
In truth however he asks the girl in quiet tones: 'Cassandra, honey. Can you see something behind me?'
"Sure! That's your ghost. But I don't know its name. Isn't it great always having a friend? Like me with Snowy." She waves out the window in the general direction of the owl, still perched on the roof across the street.
As the six of you are sitting and discussing what to do next, your minds energized by Pyotr's apocalyptic coffee and klah, other patrons are filtering in and out, doffing hats and shaking off their greatcoats and slickers as they enter, tucking in pants legs and putting up hoods as they leave. The rain has switched now to a miserable spattering drizzle as the thick late afternoon/evening fog begins to roll in off the bay.
Two armed and fierce-looking men, clad under their topcoats in armor and furs, enter the coffee shop and sit up front by the window after they order, looking outside and shaking their heads. You cannot hear their conversation, but you hear their barking guffaws as they share a laugh.
Another customer comes in who has rather stiff manners and a difficult time understanding Pyotr. He is clad as a resident from further down the coast, who always have a tough time communicating in Stormfare due to incompatible accents.
As the small dirty missle in the shape of young gril launches and attaches itself to Jorzan’s leg the shadowdancer is momentarily taken aback. Suddenly though, as she transmits her love and affection to him through her embrace, a deep and profound eruption takes place in the young man’s heart. It is if the flood gates to a dam he had previously not even known existed all at once burst free and a glowing, molten radiance spreads throughout his entire form. As he looks down in wonder upon the small figure before him he knows, absolutely and completely in the deepest part of himself, that there is nothing he would not do, no thing he would not risk, to ensure that this little being remain safe and secure ’This is what it must be like to have a sister’ he marvels silently to himself ‘ This is what it must be like to have a Family!’
Then, before he can properly react, she is gone, spreading her affection to the others. As she then plops down on the ground and begins to sob Jorzan, not understanding all of her ramble but his heart going out to her pain, sorrow and fear immediately goes to her, kneeling down on one knee and wrapping the still filthy girl in his arms. His head pressed into her dirty hair, Jorzan hugs her as tight as he can as he mummers “Cassandra, please, do not cry! Listen to me, hear my words, for I swear to you on this day, with everything that is in me, and with every last ounce of life I possess, I shall do anything and everything to keep you from harm. I promise you that as long as I draw breath no harm shall come to you. Come demons or the dead or any other menace, they shall have to get through me before than can ever get to you. And if this Golden Lady is important to you we shall try and protect her too. Do you hear me Cassandra? Do you understand?”
Then releasing her from his embrace but still holding on to her he leans back to look at her and awaits her reply. As Karthan then cleans them all and reveals a pretty little girl in place of the filthy street-urchin she had looked to be before Jorzan looks up to the Sorcerer and smiles in thanks. When the half-orc then sweeps the child up onto his shoulders and suggests his plan to head to the coffee shop alone with her Jorzan stands up quickly as well and open his mouth to protest but then closes it as he sees how happy she is up there. Instead he simply nods his head silently and leaves immediately to ensure he arrives at the place first. Once he does, he remains hidden in the shadows and observes the others arrive; only entering the place after he observes closely to see if the others were followed.
Once inside the Shadowdancer puts away his discomfort and worry from the subtle change and threat felt from the Shadows and greets Pytor warmly. First taking care that all his new comrades will be served as they wish, on his personal tab, Jorzan finally takes his seat, making sure Cassandra is beside him. He nods almost imperceptibly to Karthan's whispered message and then sits quietly, letting all the others have a chance to speak before he shares his own thoughts.
Heal:
Looking closely at the little girl, Jorzan does not comment on her eyes, but does ask her quietly “Cassandra, what is that song you are singing? It has dark undertones, are you sure it is wise to sing it?”
Jorzan makes notice of the new comers but does not pay them overmuch attention for the moment.
Jorzan: Cassandra hugs you again when you sit down, though she says nothing, just keeps singing. The song is unearthly and eerie and hideous and unlike anything you have ever encountered coming from a human tongue.
“Cassandra, what is that song you are singing? It has dark undertones, are you sure it is wise to sing it?”
"Song? Did I sing? Yah, I do that. Sometimes I see things with my eyes and I don't hear what they say but I hear the songs. Like Haunted Man!" She turns to look at Tanel, then back at you. "I can't sing the song around him, it's too low." She drops her voice comically on the word 'low.'
Startled from the vision he suddenly gets around the little girl Jorzan sits back. Shaking his head, not knowing what to make of what he saw, he simply peers concernedly at her again.
In response to her reply he says
"Ah, well, maybe it would be best not to sing That particular song anymore though, ok? Now Cassandra, tell us more about yourself. How did you come to be here? Why did those creatures take you? Do you have any idea what's going on here?"
"I don't know what the dog-men wanted, or why they hurt me." She rubs at her now-healed arms. "But I saw the face of an elf-lady they wanted to bring here, and she scared me. I saw her with my eyes, and she saw me with hers. I didn't like it. Her eyes were the color of the old green pond at home." Cassandra stops and looks at the table. "So, you're going to take me now, right? To the Wall? I have to go there so it can all end. I hope it doesn't hurt too much." She glances at Kelne as she says this last, rubbing her shoulder. "So how do we get there?"
"Just so that everybody's aware," Kelne said softly, "We don't want that pair over by the window listening in or following us. They'll be up to no good whatever they're doing in town, and I don't like the coincidence of them turning up so close to Cassandra."
Uncomfortable with his ignorance, Sir Justahl asks;"We obey at once of course, but can anyone here tell me of this Wall? What it is and where it is?"
Karthan is noting arrivals and departures, and keeping one ear on the conversation.
"So, introductions all around, hmm? This is Jorzan; I've known him off and on since mid-summer." He nods to the disguised Justahl, "Your reputation precedes you. And Tenel, you made a short introduction earlier." He looks at the tall and silent man with the bow, and at the armed man from the library. "Knowing your names would make conversation simpler." He smiles, faintly.
Through the message spell: "If we're going to be leaving, I'll want to make some preparations. I don't normally run around dressed to kill people when I'm at home."
Tanel is silent for a while, dwelling, brooding in truth.
My ghost? I wonder which one. I've got alot chains with the dead at the end. And one day, they'll drag me all down. The ones I killed, the ones I couldn't save.
His reverie breaks however, when Kelne points out the newcomers.
'The big man is Agon, in truth I only met him and Justahl this morning,' he looks at Cassandra for a moment, clearly troubled by something.
I have the majority of my possessions with me, though we need to know where we're going? Where is this Wall? What is it?
@Jorzan:
Knowledge (local) Stormfare
Obviously, since you're in a university town, information about The Wall can readily be had. But if you're looking for a quick bit of info before hitting up a library, Pyotr, the proprietor of this establishment, is from the area around the Despair of Vestrille, in the middle of the Land, and as such it is not out of the question he might have a few tidbits to share about the Wall.
Will Save:
K (Stormfare):
Pretending to be scratching his face, Jorzan sends the
'To answer your question, Sir Justhal, ‘The Wall’ is a Citadel of Gorum. I do not know much about it but I have heard it is well known for producing lethal, barbaric warriors. Why the girl would want to go there, only she knows. This does seem to match somewhat though with another bit of information we found in a ring on the finger of the wizard we slew in the Library. It translated to "She Awaits You In The Cold Steppes". I am not sure exactly where this may be either but my first guesses are either the White Dragonhold, The Frost Kingdom or Enhathlad. Someone we can ask more about all of this though is the Patron here, my friend Pytor. Karthan, can you perhaps include him in this message and I shall ask him myself?’
'Pytor, this is Jorzan. Do not jump or look my way. I am speaking to you now by means of a simple spell, nothing more. However strange things are going on and caution is needed. If you reply in a whisper, I shall be able to hear. My friend, tell me all you can about a place called "The Wall"'
Pyotr looks startled at first, but then a conspiratorial look comes over his face and he twirls his long moustache with a flourish. "Ah! I understand zis. Yes, I have aunt who did zis type of thing, would very much annoy my uncle." He pauses to count a customer's change. "Anyway, ze Wall? Is no place for nice young man like you, Jorrrzan. You stay away. Is all crazy giant women there with big muscles and swords. They fight all the time, their leader, she is crazy redheaded woman, she is cursed. Dragons, the woods creatures, the giants, always they fight. Always! In the MidLand, in Rrrrassnynyankh, we had local boy, he worships Gorrrum, he goes to Wall because he is strong and tough, he will become big cleric of Gorum! He says. One year and one day he is gone, into the far north, into Allemagh, he comes back, his right arm is chopped off. He tells no one what happened, and now he just drinks all day at the inn." Pyotr, looking out the window, shrugs. "Is not good place, my friend. Is just a giant piece of metal the Lord In Iron cleaved a mountain with, they say. 1001 feet tall, they say, and clerics must climb it to prove their worth before they can live inside it. Much war, much craziness, so much danger is there. Good people don't go there."
Jorzan ponders Pytor's message and warning and is about to reply when suddenly his attention snaps back to the stranger with the odd, Coastal mannerisms. His face pales for a moment but then he shakes his head and seems to shake off whatever it was.
Perception or Sense Motive DC 16:
You notice Jorzan staring at a man and mark the profound affect he seems to have on the shadowdancer. It seems that only with great difficulty is he able to tear his eyes away and get himself back under control. You notice him paying much more attention now to the man and hear the shakiness in his voice as he says...
'Ah...yes, thank you Pytor. Your information is very valuable and we shall take note of your warnings. One more thing I ask, have you heard of a place called 'The Cold Steppes'. And does anyone else have any more questions?'
While whispering Jorzan's eyes and the majority of his attention are focused on one of the customers Pytor has been speaking to.
DM DRA
Coooool! Is there anything Jorzan can d0/roll to further explore these memories? Other Perception roll? Can he try and hear what they were talking about?
You overheard what the man said; he simply ordered a specific, steamed coffee beverage, nothing out of the ordinary. You've noticed since then, though, that he has not consumed it. Rather, he has slowly been soaking up bits of it with a cloth in his sleeve, to make it look like he's drinking. He also never blinks.
Your memories of him are vague and foggy, but they are not good. You do not remember him being your friend.
Pyotr hisses and reaches for the necklace of Sarenrae he wears around his neck. "You ask me. The Dawnflower should have Sundered Enhathlad, not my land. Those bastards. Those filthy nomads. All they care about is war, zo they can make a profit. They are unclean and ancient, tied to the filthy roots of the tanglereeds in the cold swamps." He pauses and sniffs. He is clearly upset. "Ze Cold Steppes, zis is what we call Enhathlad. Always war is their fault, always they breed the bad ones, the worst elves. Zey say this Black Dragonflight we have now, it is Enhathlad's fault. I believe it! The Wall, The Cold Steppes, eh, Jorrrrzan, why you want to know about zese places. Surely you don't go there? Better to stay here, where is quiet, and nice, and is good coffee and powerful klah. Maybe you take some classes, read about these places. Is better."
Tanel's frown turns into a grimace that he does a poor job of hiding. He keeps his eyes on his coffee though, as the accented baristo reveals more about the Wall and its location.
'Enthalad,' he chips into the message, 'is on the opposite side of the warzone. Getting there will not be easy, especially not when Black Dragonflight gnolls are involved. We'd either have to sail around the southern cape, or try go north through lands the foul armies have already destroyed. Please tell me someone knows a better way to the Cold Steppes?'
Jorzan seems to be paying less and less attention to the magically whispered conversation and more and more to the man he grimly stares at. It it not hard now to notice that he is upset as waves of various emotions wash across his features.
'Blast his eyes! Who IS that? Dead and buried have I thought my dark past these many years. Gone into the dust with the bones of the cursed evil mage who raised me these memories were supposed to be. Look at me damn you! If you have connection to the atrocities of my youth I will make you Pay for them! WHO ARE YOU!'
You overheard what the man said; he simply ordered a specific, steamed coffee beverage, nothing out of the ordinary. You've noticed since then, though, that he has not consumed it. Rather, he has slowly been soaking up bits of it with a cloth in his sleeve, to make it look like he's drinking. He also never blinks.
Short of powerful magic, no, Kelne remarked, This is going to be a long haul, whichever way we go about it.
Sir Justahl muses then return messages:
"Well then, to the Wall we shall take you my lady. Do all here have proper mounts? Bear in mind I don't think proper roads extend more than halfway there. While we could start out with a carriage, we won't be able to take it all the way there."
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
'We'll be going north. I suggest we all get plenty of warm travel gear and equipment for mountain climbing, and camping. I think Cassandra's uncle here should fetch her plenty of warm clothing, I'm happy to contribute money towards it, but we should leave the city before the sun sets and get some distance in before dawn.'
Tanel announces aloud 'This coffee is great, just what I needed to refresh myself!'
Karthan says, via message, "I've got Crispy stabled at the ostlery. We should spend a day checking out routes, roads and map conditions, plus there may be a need for shopping for supplies. We'll make better time if we're not hunting for the pot. We'll also make better time if we have remounts, though they're likelier to attract attention."
The two men in the corner, the ones Kelne pointed out earlier, both throw back the last of their beverages, then get up. They place their empty cups in the bus table and leave what sounds like a rather generous tip in the tip jar. They intone friendly-sounding farewells to Pyotr and walk out the door, pulling up hoods as they step out into the evening mist and drizzle.
[ooc]Sense motive:
Perception:
Sense Motive:
Sir Justahl glances from the men back to Kelne.
"Know ye those gentlemen who just left?"
His rage building, his emotions boiling out of control Jorzan feels nothing like his usual self. His vision has narrowed until all he can see is the odd man before him mixed with the vague but disturbning memories of his childhood. Then, just as he has reached the eruption point and begins to stand to confront this being the Shadowdancer suddenly feels a tiny hand on his arm. Looking down he sees the strange little girl looking up at him with her very odd eyes. Seeming to see into the very depths of his soul she simply smiles at him in a sad way and shakes her head, quietly mouthing the word 'No'.
Instantly, like water from a broken urn, Jorzan's anger pours out of him, leaving him in his normal calm and controled state. Smiling tenderly at his little 'sister' the young man mouths 'Thank you' in return.
Finally himself again, Jorzan uses the message spell to say: 'It seems the strange series of events are not yet done for this day. Look you carefully to that man there. See, he does not blink, and is only pretending to drink his klah. In reality he is soaking it into his sleeve. While those things in themselves are odd, what is more, I am sure I know him..from...my past. I cannot recall now, but I am sure he has some connection with the evil mage who...made me.'
1d20+5
1d20+5
Oh no worries! I actually meant from my fellow Players.
Sir Justahl looks over at the man indicated by Jorzan and opens his senses to the Divine...
Sir Justahl looks over at the man indicated by Jorzan and opens his senses to the Divine...
Sir Justahl flinches a little and turns back to the others.
"That man radiates intense... white hot evil. I think there were two more, lesser auras outside the door; one left and one right."
Justahl received an odd look for his troubles. Kelne had, after all, issued a warning about the pair a short while ago. Then again, he couldn't blame the man for being distracted.
"Old enemies," he said now that they were definitely out of earshot, "Or rather minions of an old enemy. It wouldn't surprise me if their souls were stained enough for you to spot. You don't work for a vampire and stay on the side of the angels."
The news that there was somebody actively radiating evil with some sinister link to Jorzan's past wasn't exactly welcome either. That made three dstinct groups that they knew about.
So, who needs to gather belongings? Do we have time to avail ourselves of the library to look at maps and choose routes? How are we set for supplies and liquid cash?
Who owns a mount besides myself and Justahl? Tenel, while your sack is moving, I somehow doubt you have a horse in it.
Karthan sips his coffee, and pointedly does not look at the non-blinking man-thing.
Nearer at hand, how likely is it that we'll be able to get out of here without a fight? My options are limited in here if I want to leave Pyotr with a business establishment when we're done.
If we do need to make a break for it, who can carry Cassandra farthest away and fastest? She's not going to be able to keep up with us without being carried.
"I will need to write a letter to my Embassy; but otherwise I can go with what I have now. My order can store my belongings until I return. Going up to the Library and getting a look at the maps of the route there and possible alternates would be prudent as well."
He stops and looks embarrassed.
"I, ah, also won't be able to summon Nouhves again until tomorrow."