Aurelain happily eats the simple but well prepared fair with relish. He is no small man and it takes a reasonable amount of food to fill him. But the plate is more than sufficient and he does not quite finish it all. With his hunger sated he sips the hot and bitter kaf and begins to wonder about his companions. Surely they would be joining him soon.
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"Well I guess we have to go and meet him. By the way you will pay me back for the food you took of my plate Swen." Nicenzia says as she gets up giving her a wink before changing her focus on the man they are going to meet.
Amed quickly finishes up his stew, and leaves the table with Swen and Nicenzia to meet the contact.
You all arrive into the room where you see Aurelain peacefully waiting sitting in a nice chair before a long table. The weasily looking man offers you all a smile that makes you feel like he is sizing you up and indeed seems pleased at what he sees.
"Afternoon my soon to be friends, I see Master Brendingund was not wrong in steering me to call on your guild. I am Mr. Bwirse humble merchant and businessman located here in Macridi. Thank you for coming."
He started pausing in his speech as the older woman poked her head in the door.
"A tea if you would M'am."
He said waiting till she closed the door to continue, then he paused almost as if he heard someone still outside the door. A knock once, then two times came upon the door and he called out
"Enter"
Two men, large armed in chainshirts with shortswords at their hips opened the door and enterend the room with something large, covered in a heavy burlap. The set it on the end of the table and then with a nod stepped outside.
"A few weeks ago, the Burnweigh Caravan company came upon this chest in a most unusual way. It seems they were headed up to Storm keep when they were beset by an orc raiding party. One of the orcs was carrying this chest. As the orcs fled the caravan's guards the one carrying this chest through it down, another smashed it with its warhammer and they took the contents of the chest and ran off. After the battle, the caravan master interogated a few of the orcs before they were put to sword. He learned that the item inside the chest had been an old map. They also found the symbol of the mother of monsters, Lamashtu. We purchased the chest, and sent the letter to your boss to find out what this chest might be all about,. That's of course where you come in. I need you to uncover the mysterie about this chest here and see if there is anything of value to be gleaned from it."
He paused as the the knock occured on the door again and one of the guards men brought in his cup of tea. He stood at the end of the table near the chest and took a sip.
"By all means come forward and take a closer look will you?"
He offered with another of those smarmy smiles.
"By all means come forward and take a closer look will you?"
He offered with another of those smarmy smiles.
With a simply nod, Amed walks over to the chest, picking it up and giving it a good lookover, spinning it around in his hands, with a eye for any arcane knowledge.
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"By all means come forward and take a closer look will you?"
He offered with another of those smarmy smiles.
With a simply nod, Amed walks over to the chest, picking it up and giving it a good lookover, spinning it around in his hands, with a eye for any arcane knowledge.
[dice=Perception]1d20 - 1
[dice=Knowledge (arcana)]1d20 + 4
Its a chest, maybe about a short swords length wide and about 3/4 of that high and deep. Its obviously very fine craftmanship but there is a hole in the bottom and a smaller one along the lid and side.The edges of the chest are trimmed in gold, and there is some sort of inscription along the trim that repeats itself.
The chest doesnt appear to be any sort of magical creation that you know of, (I am assuming you are casting detect magic) but there is the faintest hint of a magic aura. Studying that for a long time leads you to believe some has/had preserved it... perhaps an Unguent of timelessness?
Amed pontificates his information to the group, and sets the chest down. "Can anyone identify this repeating script?"
Thorn takes a look at the inscription to see f she can identify the language.
"Your friend Ramona got called back by the commander to assist with something. Tamrinil commissioned me to the Shields and sent me to join you all. He said you might need someone with knowledge of elves and elven culture." Thorn answers. "My name is Thorn, Thorn Blackleaf"
Aurelain joins Amed in looking over the chest. He will check to see if it is empty. Perhaps secret compartments?
Turning to the newcomer Aurelain bows slightly, offers his hand and introduces himself. Well met Thorn Blackleaf. I am Aurelain the golden. If Ramona is your friend then I would also be your friend.
"Uhm...I don't know her really....I haven't actually met her." Thorn replies awkwardly. "Nice to meet you Aurelain the golden."
"Your friend Ramona got called back by the commander to assist with something. Tamrinil commissioned me to the Shields and sent me to join you all. He said you might need someone with knowledge of elves and elven culture." Thorn answers. "My name is Thorn, Thorn Blackleaf"
Amed's eyes widen, impressed by the young half-elf. "Excellent! An expert! I am Amed Alsaakhib-Alraed. Most just call me Amed. It's easier." Hmm. Perhaps she can help me finally master Elven!
The inscription appears to be an older form of elven, easily read though by any who speak the language. it says
"I've had a few things translated for myself. Mr. Brendingund and myself have a cleric friend he repaired what he could of the chest with magic. He talked to a few associates of his, one of whom is an elf. They informed him that in some parts of the elven kingdom. Those elves call the moon Celene. The full cycle of the moon is known as the Handmaiden's departure (when Celene is waining) The Handmaiden's Journey (When Celene is new) and the Handmaiden's Return (when Celene is waxing).
Tinklingice is the elvish name for the city of Ready'reat, a once abandoned now reclaimed city at the edge of the Tanglebriar home to the demon Treerazer. I've personally done a bit of research, "Home of the Shandareth" refers to an elven clan that once fully inhabited the blight, but now survives on the edge of it. I assume the "keeper" might have been the possessor of the chest But there is a lot I dont know about this thing. I dont know what "Man's Stone Scar" is nor what "the Word" is. Alos the final two lines confuse me.
"Nice to meet you Amed." Thorn replies with a nod. Turning back to the chest, she translates the inscription as the smarmy little man explains the significance.
""when the handmaiden has strayed its furthest from the Celene's sight, The Keeper speaks the Word near Man's Great Stone Scar in the Tinklingice mist of the home of Shandereth. That which has been forgotten will be revealed May the makers protect us."
Simple. We travel to this Tinklingice and search for a scar in the stone. It sounds like the ritual can be attempted each month. Can any of you come up with a specific date from that inscription?
If you left right now, there is no way you would reach the general area in time, but that also gives you time to get there and search for this scarred stone. At your suggestion Swen the man continues.
"Right then I've had talked to other knowledgeable individuals about this, why the very owner of this inn informed me of an old adventuring mate of his who might help. He used to adventure with a man named Hamdan the cunning, , apparently he's a font of knowledge about old legends and myths. He lives in Riverspire which is near the forest and probably the fastest way there skipping around the mountains. He owns a tavern there called Hero's Rest.
I would like for you to take that chest with you to Riverspire and speak with this man. Find out what you can about the cryptic writings on it, It seems as though you may have the opportunity to unravel the mystery as well, since you will be close enough to the probably site at by the next time its mentioned in the inscription. Do all that you can to unravel this bizarre puzzle. If you bring something back from it worth something you will be duly compensated. If not, I'm certain we can make payment arrangements based on what you have learned and the time-- In either case, return back when you are finished. Its not much but I do have some small amount of coin to aid your way there."
He produces a small pouch of coin 80 gp in total, as a start to fund your expedition... if you accept.
"Well, damn", the magus grumbled. "So much for seeing the 'good side' of Kyonin."
Nicenzia got a little lost in studying the chest she only listened with half an ear to what was being said. Sadly I never learnt elven from the many servants I used to work with. She looks up and sees a new face among the group. "Welcome Thorn, I am Nicenzia the sorcerer and necromancer of this little party."
As the man produces the coin pouch Nicenzia asks a question. "I've heard that in Kyonin, most non elven arr not allowed within the border. If we have to go beyond Riverspire do we have a permission to go further in or are we to appropriate that ourselves? Can our contact at the inn help us in such a case? she says walking away from the chest and places herself next to Swen.
"I think that may be part of why I'm here actually, Nicenza." Thorn chimes in. "My father was from Kyonin, Though I've never met him, it seems my uncle, Tamrinil believes hat having me with you will help in dealing with Kyonin's borders. I suppose we'll find out for sure when we get there."
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"I have a trick up my sleeve," Swen informs the group, "If we run into trouble. But I'll follow Thorn's lead, sure."
She then turns to Mr Bwirse, "Obviously we are a capable group. The last guy we worked for reclaimed an entire fortune thanks to us. He payed us more than twice your offer, and he wasn't sending us into demon infested forests. That amount of gold won't go far outfitting this expedition. All I'm sayin' is, you get out what you put in."
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He looked at you for a moment Swen with a very stern look like you were offending him...then he broke into a genuine smile and gave you a wink and a nod.
"Woman after my heart. I understand your...hesitation in this matter. You will be paid for your time and efforts of course. I'm a business, roots in the community and all that. It wouldn't be wise for me to take a well known outfit such as yours and let word get out that I cheated you. Nor would you choose to do the same. I haven't put a number down, because its a bit of mystery what this will all be worth.
The elves up there are prickly. Would you give back the coin i offer if you get to the border and get turned away? Wouldn't be smart of you, or likewise, what if you get up there, and discover my chest and the mystery is worth thousands of gold coins, but we agreed on 400? Consider the offer like this. You are incentive to find out the mystery to earn more coin."
He smiled and offered her a little shrug.
While the food is good here I long for adventure and the road. Lets be off.
Thorn turns to look at the other two members of the company, to see what their opinions are on the matter.
"A job's a job. Have to earn gold to spend it, and I could get used the bathhouses in this city." Nicenzia says mentally preparing for a long trip with the others again.
"It's the reason I'm here, so I'm all for it." Thorn chimes in, still not quite comfortable with her new companions.
"How accustomed are the rest of you to horseback? It looks to be a long hard ride if we select that option." Thorn asks the others after the meeting concludes.
"I've honestly never been allowed on horseback, I was only allowed in the carrigde because the mistress or master needed someone to attend them on long travels." Nicenzia says with a slight shudder at remembering it.
The little shudder from Nicenzia as she considers riding a horse makes it clear to Thorn that going by horse would be nothing but suffering for the sorceress.
"Then I would definitely recommend we go by boat....unless you'd prefer being unable to sit for about a week." she says with a rye smile.
I too recommend travel by boat. It should be an enjoyable trip.
"Sensible decision. Your boss I believe put a word out about Hobgoblins along the riverpath. But you folk know that I bet already. I bet if one of you tries you might get a secondary job on a ship heading up the river as guards if you play your cards right. "
Mr. Bwirse began with a bit of a cocksure grin.
"Might be in fact i know a fellow who would take you in. Ask for the River runner near dockside... or ask to see Captain Sukeban. Tell her your friends of mine. I'm sure she will have work for you."
He began his eyes seemed to light up and he nodded to the chest.
"feel free to take that with you, if you think it will help. I do want it back though. preferably in the same shape at the least."
A boat and some coin for riding it. I am likin the sound of this already. Its the River Runner for us I think, if they'll have us. Aurelains offers to carry one side of the chest with Swen as the group sets out. You don't seem as happy as I am with the start of this quest Swen. What's bugging you?
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Swen scoffs and rolls her eyes. As they make their way out of the inn, she replies, "Here we go again, risking our necks for some other fool's fortune. 80 gold to post an elven trunk on a rock in the moonlight in a demon infested forest? Yeah, like, I really hope the bastard strikes it rich."[/sarcasm]
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"At least we get to travel the world together, and even if the final destination isn't to our liking we can take comfort in the time spent getting there instead." Nicenzia says as she gets next ti Swen and puffing her shoulder into her.