Aurelain is a complete gentleman and seems clueless to the advances of Penelope. He has switched to water after his first drink and lectures the young lady on the virtues of getting a good night's sleep. When Amed rises to leave Aurelain says his goodbys and follows to make sure his drunken friend makes it to his own bed.
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Swen sticks around to watch the show, out of curiousity. She snort-laughs as Amed stumbles out of the bar before the tiefling returns to perform. But, she watches her drink and doesn’t let herself or Nicenzia take it too far. This is a rowdy crowd, as far as she can tell.
She makes it back to the compound late at night, expecting a scolding from their paladin employer, and so sneaks in the back door.
She’s up later than she expects, rolling her eyes at Colewin’s lecture. Surprisingly, he’s not angry at her truancy, only that she got caught.
During the next few days, she makes several purchases and prepares herself for their next mission.
It was two days later when one of the young runners left handed you a note from your boss. You had a mission briefing after breakfast. The compound was abuzz as well, the other group, the one that had been sent to the north to the capital was supposed to return today, not that a group returning was a big deal. It was interesting in a way, since they had taken losses, and had part of the team from the first mission where they were ambused by a small army of Hobgoblins with them.
Breakfast was hearty and plentyful, fresh made biscuits, honey, heaps of eggs scrambled up, some strange sweet tasting green fruit added to boiled oats. Hunks of bread and in a rare treat hot coffee from the jungles of Mwangi.
We should have a chance to talk to some who have faced the hobgoblins. This is good. Aurelain says.
Amed stands next to the bloodrager, eating a breakfast biscuit.
"Indeed, any foreknowledge will be very helpful. Shame about the other team,", the magus munched, flakes of biscuits falling from the edges of his mouth, "but it will be good to get some new blood in the team."
Ramona joins the others for breakfast, her clothing cleaned, her gun well polished and seeming far less battered than before. "Should be interesting to see what happened and get more on the hobgoblins," she says taking a sip of her coffee before going back to her plate of eggs.
Nicenzia chimes in after having sat in her own thoughts for a while. "I wonder if the hobgoblins are coordinating all those attacks, or it's just random groups on a pillage. They are certainly more organized for war than normal goblins, so they could be trying something large scale if they wanted to."
"You women are strange and fickle creatures", the magus concedes. "Madam Illuevie didn't keep me company, yet directly asked me to return after this mission. Perhaps she enjoys the chase as much as I do." Amed shrugs, "We'll see."
"Or perhaps she wanted to see how much you really wanted her company? If I'd had any interrest in men, I would certainly see if they just would agree to anything or fight for it here and now. You may have dropped the ball on this one." Nicenzia says joining Swen and Ahmed's chat.
It was right then that three figures managed to get into the hallway. Two men, heavily bandaged across their chests. The taller of the two had a bandage tightly wound over half his head and covering his left eye and that side of his face. The female figure with them was easily recognized as Kalisa, the dark skinned elven scout with the pet panther. He loped in behind her itself having a large bandage wrapped about its side.That group had left with seven shields. She looked non the worse for wear, though exhausted,an odd look for an elf. None of them were armed really, it was clear the moment they made it to the gates, most of their gear was helpfully taken care of by others. She said something in a harsh whisper to the cat and it followed the other two to one of the tables. She didnt even have to make motions for someone to attend them, though she was making the motions with her hand despite one of the younger folk heading to their table quickly with food and drink.
She glanced about the room for a moment, caught a few of your eyes, nodded and then made her way torwards the stairs of Colewin's office. If anyone watched her it was clear she did indeed have a limp that she was doing her best to hide.
The magus gives the dark-skinned elf a nod of acknowledgement and a quick wink as she passed toward Colewin's office.
"It would appear so, Shadow Lady."
"I can't say that Ibknew them, but it's always tragic when fellow shields looses their life. May their souls be jugded fairly on Pharasma's scale." Nicenzia says.
"Well damn!" Ramona mutters, seeing the toll the other team's mission took on the survivors.
Aurelain gets up and approaches the two bandaged men. you've had a hard go, that much is clear my shield brothers. he says as he approaches. If we can do anything to help you, you've only to ask. [b]I a Aurelain. Do you mind if I sit with you? I'd have your story if you will share it. I've a feeling that what you ran into will become all of our problems soon enough. He waits for the ok to sit.
The magus gives the dark-skinned elf a nod of acknowledgement and a quick wink as she passed toward Colewin's office.
"It would appear so, Shadow Lady."
The dark skinned elf looked at you very strangely for a moment, no doubt wondering if you had something in your eye. After a moment's pause she continued to head up to the office.
Aurelain gets up and approaches the two bandaged men. you've had a hard go, that much is clear my shield brothers. he says as he approaches. If we can do anything to help you, you've only to ask. [b]I a Aurelain. Do you mind if I sit with you? I'd have your story if you will share it. I've a feeling that what you ran into will become all of our problems soon enough. He waits for the ok to sit.
"Go ahead mate take a seat.I'm Olmer, this here is Chand."
The man with the bandage over his eye and face began nodding to his partner when he said his name. His voice was deep and a bit gruff, but it didnt seem like he meant any particular harm to you.
"We we traveling with a caravan transporting a magical loom to a festival of Shelyn up in Detmer. I didnt pay too much attention to anything about that really. It was just some sort of expensive magic thing in a wagon you know. Our job was to get it to Detmer, and when they were done using it for the festival, we were to travel with it back to some Pharasman Monastery where it came from."
He paused as hot food was put in front of him and for a moment he didnt speak as he slathered butter on a hot biscuit quickly eating it like a man whom had been without decent food for some time.
"Sorry, been living on dried rations for a week we have. Anyhow."
He began cutting into the slab of ham on his plate. He continued to cut into it into bite size peices as he spoke though.
"The trip there went fine, a pack of wolves one night thought to harry the horses, nothing we couldnt handle easily enough, and when we got to the festival, well we were told we wouldnt be needed for the three days it was taking place. All part of the contract, so we had fun, we saw the sights, listened to the singers and dancers you know had a right good time. Thought it was gonna be a milk run, you know. I mean it made sense then wanting extra hands guarding that loom on the roads and all, but in the middle of a festival in a city, nothing was going to happen to it. On the second night well.."
He shuddered for a moment and took the chance to put a few of the cut meat into his mouth chewing. Taking a long swallow of water before he continued.
"The city, it was attacked in the middle of the night, Half the festival was still awake i think, though deep into their cups. At first we had no clue what was going on besides screaming, sounds of desperate battle, then a whole squad of damned Hobgoblins in phalanx marched into the square across from where Chand, Gretchen and Myself were drinking..."
His features sank for a moment when he said the woman's name. It was clear from the look on his face that the dark elf's name wasnt Gretchen that was for sure.
"All hell broke loose then, It seemed everywhere we turned we ran into ten hobgoblins here, a dozen there. Hanz and the ifrit Inil fell near the inn we were staying at, damned if that stone headed Hanz didnt hold the front door while we made it out back when they attacked in force."
A glass of hot tea was placed in front of the man now, by one of the senior members of the order. The dwarf master Stoneshield. He was the one whom had provided the mission for the team. There was a deep sadness in his eyes.
"Go on lad. It'll help to get it all out."
He said somberly as the man took the day and took a good long drink from it.
"He was a bit soft in the head if you will recall that one, or maybe it was the hill giant blood, Inil always liked the boy, liked how he overcame his heritage you know. They held while we got out, with everyone we could there."
He suddenly yawned really wide mouthed, as did Chand. Master Stoneshield just nodded patting him on the shoulder He glanced to you Aurelain and made a shushing motion and motioned for you to slip away. You could see his mouth open and it looked like he said the word "Later" silently.
"I have a name, you know."
"You have something against 'pet names', Swen?"
"Just say the word Swen. Then I'll command him to do something fun for us to watch." Nicenzia says to Swen with a smile towards Amed.
Ramona snickers at the exchange as she gets another cup o coffee.
Aurelain nods in understanding at Master Stoneshield and moves away quietly. Joining the group again he looks confused about the ongoing conversation. I hope you all heard that conversation. Valuable intel.I think it likely that we will play a role in dealing with this invasion.
"You have something against 'pet names', Swen?"
"Uh, yeah, I'm not your 'pet'"
Swen emphasizes her disdain with air quotes. Grateful for the distraction of Aurelain's report, she returns to her breakfast of coffee and a cigarette.
As the rogue walks away to return to her smoking, a small curl of a grin forms on the magus's lips. I should have a list at the ready.
'Anyhow..Aurelain! You gleamed some knowledge, yes? Please, my friend, tell us! What have you learned!"
You two should have been listening instead of flirting. Aurelain chides lightly and with a wink at Swen. Detmer was attacked by what seems like an army of hobgoblins. Our guys were waiting there to escort a caravan back. There were unlucky enough to be there and to be caught by surprise, with the entire town it sounds like, buy this army. The lost Hanz and Inil in the initial skirmish. Shoulds like they went down fighting so the others could get away.
Your conversations were interupted by the sudden appearance of a figure sitting at your table. Despite his armor being dyed in patterns of greens and greys he had somehow slipped by your notice as he sat down and reached over taking a slice of bacon from your plate Amed. The elven ranger smirked at you all and one of the founding members of the Silver Shields merely winked at you all.
"I would not worry about the hobgoblins just yet, there is another mission that will take your concerns for now...besides were are just now getting a scouting party set up to see what we can learn about them."
He smiled and placed a scroll on the table in front of the group.
"Here my young friends is your next job. The owner of a local supply store Bwirse Delvoun has inquired about hiring skilled investigators who can keep quiet. Your group was successful in helping out Mr. Bredingund so Master Colewin thought you would be a good choice for this mission as well."
He pulled out a piece of platinum and as he spoke he shuffled it along the back of his clearly dexterous fingers. After a moment his finger moved and the coin disappeared practically in thin air. He smiled that weird smile of his his eyes widening in amusement.
"That coin was with many like it, and will be part of your payment when the job is finished. He wants to meet you over lunch at the Black dragon Inn here in Macridi. Bwirse is a round fellow, not much hair left on top. I dont know much more about what he wants but the word on the street is that he recently bought an old chest that was destroyed marked with strange old elven runes. There are no old elven ruins anywhere near here so you may be traveling far afield, perhaps to my home in Kyonin eh?"
He rose and offered a shallow little bow.
"Do remember the meeting is after high noon, at the Inn. Do not be late it looks bad on us all."
He chuckled as he made his way to one of the other tables that had a few other members of the shields sitting at it. Both notably elven and apparently feminine.
Amed nods to himself as the high-ranking elf walked over to the elven ladies. "Hmm. Perhaps I have found a kindred spirit among the Silver Shields at last?" The magus whispered to himself.
Turning to his teammates, Amed spoke with enthusiasm. "So! Elven intrigues and possible black market dealings! Wonderful! Out of curiosity, do any of us speak Elven? I only know the swear words and 'Would you like to send the night with me'."
"Of course." Ramona says rolling her eyes. "Yeah I speak Elven."
I had hoped to help against the hobgoblins. Aurelain says a little disappointed. But it's good to have a mission. Sorry, I do not speak elven. I find that many of that fair race prejudge me and do not give a chance for my personality to shine through. he adds with a golden smile.
"I for one, would love this more. It's a very rare chance to get a mission to travel to Kyonin, on the other hand we might be denied access at the border or only be allowed to visit the town of the half elves. Besides I'd rather we led the scouts figure out about the hobgoblins and we can find more magical treasures to helo fight them." Nicenzia says exicted about the job possibility.
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Swen’s eyes widen at the sight of the platinum coin, and she scrutinizes the elven ranger when he performs his sleight of hand trick.
After he leaves, she stands, licking her lips slightly.
“Ok, we gotta job to do. High noon lunch. Good, I’m hungry...” she says, although they are currently sitting down to breakfast, not that she ate much of anything at all.
“I’ll meet you all there. First I’m gonna do some scouting of my own.”
Seeing the coin disappear, Nicenzia finds the one she and Swen pocketed the other night. Hmm wonder if I have more luck dicerning it today.
The city streets were rather busy for the time of the morning, though it was easy enough to see why. Two large riverboats were docked along side wooden docks along the riverfront, both seemed to be hurrying to unload their goods. You could see several shopkeepers, if their aprons were anything to go by, hustling to the wooden docks eager to negotiate deals with two ships.
You can glean nothing else really from the coin, other than its powerful magic. How that man had come to own it, you will likely never know. At a loss you find yourself making your way up Allura's tower to see the experienced magic support of The Shields. She had two young wizards in the room and she was lecturing them on the natures of transmutation magics and the arcane sigils required to bring forth their true energies...clearly something you never had to bother with since your power came from within. She did pause and give you a slight head nod as she finished up, sending the two youngsters to their chores and duties.
"What brings you up this way today my dear?"
She asked pleasantly motioning torwards a small table near a window that overlooked the grounds. With a mutter a small tray with tea on it began to hover over to the table brought by the unseen servant she had just summoned.
Nicenzia bows slightly greeting Allura and takes a seat. "I have need of an experinced wizard. I've come across this strange coin which radiates a strong divination aura, and I fail to be able to tell it's function and abilities." She says taking the coin out of her pocket and places it on the table before her. "I was hoping that you could help me and together we could figure this out."
Ramona heads back to her room, taking stock of her weapons and ammunition and assembling her gear for the coming mission. Once done she heads for Colewin's office, hoping to grab a few minutes of the commander's time.
Aurelain gathers his meager gear and makes sure he is ready to depart as soon as he has direction. He then heads to the place of the meeting, believing it is always good to be early.
Nicenzia bows slightly greeting Allura and takes a seat. "I have need of an experienced wizard. I've come across this strange coin which radiates a strong divination aura, and I fail to be able to tell it's function and abilities." She says taking the coin out of her pocket and places it on the table before her. "I was hoping that you could help me and together we could figure this out."
"Hmm interesting."
She began as she pulled out a small clear crystal. It was about an inch thick and hexagonal. She said a few words and it began to glow slightly. Setting the coin down on the table in front of her she ran the crystal along the top of it. A few moments later the crystal started to glow a much brighter yellow, almost to the point you had to cover your eyes. Finally it died down and she took the crystal and held it in front of her.
"Oh my... you have stumbled across something remarkable.."
She said lowly clearly still lost staring into the now yellow crystal.
"That coin absorbs skeins of 'fate' that occur around it. Once it's full something miraculous is bound to happen, though without testing im not entirely sure what that miraculous thing will be."
She pratically smirked as the next words came out of her mouth.
"Dont suppose you want to sell it?"
Seeing all the commotion, Swen lingers around the docks, trying to see if any of the merchants or goods are of Elven origin.
[Perception]1d20+7 12
[Appraise]1d20+4 10
[Kn. Local]1d20+5 10If she sees any Elven traders, or Elven goods, she'll approach. If not, she moves on to the Black Dragon Inn.
Swen you do not see anything that screams elven make to you, mostly the goods seem to be fresh fruits and and spices. You do hear someone hawking elven furs and silks all the way from Kyonin just as you are about to leave.
Ramona heads back to her room, taking stock of her weapons and ammunition and assembling her gear for the coming mission. Once done she heads for Colewin's office, hoping to grab a few minutes of the commander's time.
You do see a couple of other shield members in the office, well junior members from their armbands sitting down across from Colewin's desk. Their is a small map in front of them. He pauses what he was saying when he sees you in the door.
"One moment boys."
He said as he made a waving motion for you to come inside.
"Miss Blackhawk right?"
He began disapearing behind the desk for a moment as he slid out of the really tall chair and came from around his desk. He met you at the door.
"Anything you need help with miss?"
He began with a big beaming smile.
Aurelain gathers his meager gear and makes sure he is ready to depart as soon as he has direction. He then heads to the place of the meeting, believing it is always good to be early.
Much like Swen Aurelain as you near the inn you can see quite the commotion of folks heading torwards the docks as two competing riverboats slide up to the docks. Merchants and the like already heading that way to try and get the best deals.
"Yes sir, Ramona Blackhawk. Thank you for taking a moment, I'm sure you're plenty busy." Ramona replies, returning the smile.
"Getting ready for the next mission, and I thought to mention something you might find of interest. We've had a bit o' downtime recently and gotten around a bit, getting a feel for what the town has to offer. Anyways I encountered a delightful lady named Tessalane……Tessalane Faircoin, runs The River's Mint. Anyways she seemed pretty interested in any information that she could round up about you in particular. Asked about you by name….by first name actually, considering I never mentioned who I worked for before it was brought up, I thought you might have an interest in that.” she explains.
After his breakfast, Amed gathers his belonging for his meeting at The Black Dragon. On his way there, if the magus passes by The River Mint, he looks up at the windows as he passes, thinking about what might have been. Otherwise, Amed waits outside The Black Dragon for the rest of Team Grey.
"Yes sir, Ramona Blackhawk. Thank you for taking a moment, I'm sure you're plenty busy." Ramona replies, returning the smile.
"Getting ready for the next mission, and I thought to mention something you might find of interest. We've had a bit o' downtime recently and gotten around a bit, getting a feel for what the town has to offer. Anyways I encountered a delightful lady named Tessalane……Tessalane Faircoin, runs The River's Mint. Anyways she seemed pretty interested in any information that she could round up about you in particular. Asked about you by name….by first name actually, considering I never mentioned who I worked for before it was brought up, I thought you might have an interest in that.” she explains.
He froze and his eyes widened slightly at the sound of the halfling woman's name. It took him a moment then he grinnned his charming grin still shaking his head slightly.
"Tenacious should be her name by the light."
He muttered and reached up running his hands through his curly mop of hair.
"Long ago when I was just a useful slip belonging to a Tomb robber in Katapesh, we met at an inn in Katapesh. She worked there, we hit it off I thought. Turns out she is an accomplished pick pocket. My master discovered that out on a dig that got him killed. I fled north and eventually found myself in Absolom where i met most of the senior members of the Shields. Four years after that at an inn in Totra down Osirion way ran across her again working in a tavern."
He paused and ran his hand through his hair again taking a deep breath.
"I didnt hold her stealing from my old master against her but I'll be damned if she didnt steal a bunch of things from my friends. Ran across her again in Absolom where she was working for a trading company. Same story different place. That lass is like a bad copper piece always showing back up."
You get there is something more behind his consternation, but he wasnt saying anything about it.
"She was running a place? All her own? Perhaps she has seen the error of her ways... perhaps not, I watch my purse in her place all the same if I were. Thanks for the heads up she's in town. If you don't mind I need to finish up with two folks, good luck on your next mission."
He finished giving you a polite nod to return to his desk and the briefing he was giving to the two rugged lads there.
Swen turns back to the vendor selling furs and silks. She peruses the selection, somewhat interested as schemes begin to formulate in her mind.
“Excuse me, can you tell me more about this?” she addresses the vendor, holding up a silken robe of bright green and blue.
[dice=Appraise the goods]1d20+4
The half elven woman beside the cart tilted her head and smiled sweetly at you. She set down a swath of silk rolled up along a wooden dowel in a small push cart and stepped closer.
"That robe was made in Greengold by a family of weavers with the name of Thúl nathr.... Ah Windweave?"
She began her voice had the very familiar elven lilt to it. She spoke slowly but clearly, though it was also clear that the common tongue was something she was either still learning or struggling with.
"It's a day robe? Meant to be worn about the home on lazy days. Some here wear it out because its elven. Interested in buying?"
Nicenzia bows slightly greeting Allura and takes a seat. "I have need of an experienced wizard. I've come across this strange coin which radiates a strong divination aura, and I fail to be able to tell it's function and abilities." She says taking the coin out of her pocket and places it on the table before her. "I was hoping that you could help me and together we could figure this out.""Hmm interesting."
She began as she pulled out a small clear crystal. It was about an inch thick and hexagonal. She said a few words and it began to glow slightly. Setting the coin down on the table in front of her she ran the crystal along the top of it. A few moments later the crystal started to glow a much brighter yellow, almost to the point you had to cover your eyes. Finally it died down and she took the crystal and held it in front of her.
"Oh my... you have stumbled across something remarkable.."
She said lowly clearly still lost staring into the now yellow crystal.
"That coin absorbs skeins of 'fate' that occur around it. Once it's full something miraculous is bound to happen, though without testing im not entirely sure what that miraculous thing will be."
She pratically smirked as the next words came out of her mouth.
"Dont suppose you want to sell it?"
Nicenzia is facsinated by how Allura identifies the item with that crystal I should get one of these when I can afford it. she thinks to herself.
Once Allura tells her what it does she is amazed by the amount of power in such a small item. "I don't think I should be selling it without asking the others I found it with. Since I've got another mission and leaving for it soon, what do you see we put it up for a field test and she if it does anything? Than we can return with it once the mission is over and talk about selling it?" she asks the wizard.
The older woman chuckled and shook her head.
"I was joking, keep that around, or pass it around to your friends, If it works like I believe it does, it will be quite a boon to someone in your line of work. Im past my field agent days for the most part it will be more useful in your hands. But yes please tell me if it feels like its working for you."
She answered taking a sip of her tea and smiling.