Information related to and about The Forgeway Company
(overland cargo carriers) permanently contracted to their needs. They employee more than 5000 people directly and thousands of over people in companies that at first glance have little or nothing to do with Forgeway. Their two major Divisions are the Passenger Service and the Freight Hauling Service but they have many smaller interests including credit services and banking. Hiram Forge is a good looking human male 39 years old, with blue eyes, and curly black hair. He has many powerful friends among the noble families and Imperial Officials. Terrance Forge is a tall human male, 37 years old, dark skinned and strikingly handsome man. Just as involved with the business as his brother he prefers a more hands on approach. A noted hunter and outdoorsman he is strong, athletic, and a dangerous warrior.
Hmm... the Forgeway company is pretty large, and all self-made. They do passenger transport & cargo hauling. It'd be a pretty good idea to befriend them.
Kariel's request catches her attention. The idea of going shopping sounded pretty appealing; she had money to spend, and she was curious as to what she could find here.
"Mind if I tag along?" She asks.
"Careful that you don't buy too much. We still need to buy horses. In fact, we should arrange for those sooner rather than later. I'll go to arrange for those and our rooms."
Forgeway...nasty business model, but it works..
Vigar while guarding the still depressed Hiriako keeps a lookout for Agents.
"I don't mean to make this more important than what we're doing but is it possible that Hiriako and myself join you both? It may do her good to be shopping with you two and also maybe get to a temple and file some paperwork making her a blood sibling of mine or something. I'd rather not have those agents get their hands on her."
[spoiler=Vigar]You don't notice anyone watching you look like Imperial Agents, you do see people take the occassional second look at Kariel. Even in a city as cosmopolitian and diverse as Varde a winged aasimar is unusal.[spoiler]
Cerene says to Rowan "I'll go with you, getting the rooms will be easy, but seeing Terrance Forge can be hard to do, fortunately he's expecting me today, my father sent him a letter telling him I would be needing a horse. Horses are Mr. Forge's hobby. He enjoys not just riding them but breeding, raising and training them as well."
Tassira takes a look around before pausing next to Kariel.
"Did you have a specific thing you're looking for while shopping?"
"You should be careful when dealing with the Forge Brothers, they do not have the best reputation. I am not one for rumours, but the ones about them seem to hold some truth. If it is ok with you I will come along to the meeting."
"The men at the Outpost have often talked about Forgeway - I will trust them, for now, but we must be cautious."
Kraig, Rowan and Cerene check into the Inn, while Vigar sits in the lobby comforting Hirako. An attractive woman in her in her tweenties, who calls the manager over, checks you in. They were expecting Cerene but the manager quickly comps a set of connecting suites when he sees the collection of Great House rings you all are wearing. He sends a messager accross the street to see if "Mr Forgeway" is ready to see you yet and suggests you all have some complimentary drinks while you wait.
Tassira, Kariel, Marrovak and his wolf go shopping together.... A reciepe for diaster that no one sees comming. Shy self doubting, and sheltered Tassira; unworldly and inexperienced Kariel; fierce, savage,and baffled by civilians Marrovak; and a rather large wolf who seems to be silently laughing about something.
The frist part of the trips starts off okay as Tassira almost like a homing pidgeon leads the group to the bookseller's street, but the patrons (and some of the owners) seem to disappear for some reason whenever the four of you are gathered together. Tassira finds it just about impossilbe to buy anthing becuse the booksellers are too nervous of Marrovak and Chalimer or too fasinated by Kariel to get more than 2 coheirent words stung together.
Well their was that one store and Tassira was sure that the those weren't the real prices ...
The sign in the window of the the store read No book may be opened on store property. Simply hold book parallel to ground and a small display light will display the title, a brief description of the contents, the cost, and any warnings..
Intrigued they had ventured inside.
The Alcaister usefull for wizrads and travelers, travel to alternative planes of existance made simple, cost your first born child, warning store not respondsilbe for random and unwanted trips to alternative planes of existance
The Red Book of War The art of war made simple, conquer you friends and enemies, and let blood flow like water, cost your first born child, and the souls of a thousand dead slain at your hands (payment plans available)
The Nathlum Contains various receipes and formulas that make good use of various parts of magical valuable creatures like female virgins, unicorns, angels, gold and silver dragons, etc., cost 1/2 of your soul.
The third book actual burned Tassira's hand when she held it . Kariel drags them out of the store after that.
Tassira's still waving her hands, trying to stop them from burning when they leave the bookstore.
"Remind me: who's bright idea was it to look in the joke shop for books?" She asks.
She looks back to the bookstore, this time reading the shop's name in its entirety: Percival's Books & Formulas for Practical Jokes Of All Ages.
That'll teach me to read the entire shop name.
"This is why I do not like civilization..." Marrovak mutters.
Tassira breathes a sigh of relief as she feels Kariel's hand on her shoulder, channeling healing energy into her burned hands.
She gives Kariel an embarrassed smile, at once apologetic for needing her to do that and embarrassed at herself for wandering into the wrong shop for their needs.
"Thanks." She stops waving her hands about.
"You know, there are spells that exist that allows one to disguise another person's true form... I should really look into learning one that will help you talk with shopkeepers without them getting so distracted." She says, a blush on her face.
Not that I can really blame them, but it's only appropriate to help your customers without staring at them, no matter how outlandish they look.
She looks over at Marrovak & his wolf. "Thanks for coming with us. I know it's not exactly what either of you are used to, but it means a lot to me."
"This is why I do not like civilization..." Marrovak mutters.
Meanwhile back in the lobby, Vigar tries to get Hirako to open up more.
"Hirako, take a deep breath and think back to happy times with your parents, they wouldn't want you to grieve them while you are still in possible danger now isn't it? Tell me your dreams or your favourite things. Tell me of times that you loved spending with your parents in honor of them. Here let me show you a skill my grandfather tried to teach me. He tried to teach me to dance with some rather bad results."
"heh, family must endure hardships together, correct?"
Tassira nods. "Fair enough. Maybe I should go in alone and take a look around in the next shop we find."
Rowan orders a simple drink and turns to Cerene.
"How much do you know of the Forgeway Inns? I have heard dark rumors about them."
Cerene responds to Rowan ”Well, I know that they while they are ruthless to business rivals they also give a lot a money to good causes such as food programs and housing for the urban poor. They’re very well thought of by a lot of very important people inside and outside the government.”
Kariel your detect magic shows the things you and your companions have, but magic is pretty rare in this day and age unless you are in the vincity of the bookstore* you left you won't see any magic anywhere without a lot of searching. Now eventually with lot of repeated use of your prayer, some sweet talking from Tassira, and a misadventure involing three blueberry pies, a bowel of whipped cream, a string of sausages, Marrovak, Chalimar, two ladies of questionable virtue on their day off, and an almost wolf sized female french poodle you do find a small store called Granny Odd's Oddities. In the window are a pair of potion vials that glow in your sight sitting amoung the other items on display.
*(If you go back to the bookstore, you can't find it altough there is an afterimage of extremely powerful magic fading away in the spot you thik it was at.)
"That was extremely bad," she says once she's stopped laughing. "You clearly have some skill, but luck was against you, now watch." Hirako manages to perform a compentant dance.
"Bravo Hikaro, I clearly meant to do that as you can see." Shifting his weight for some relief on his aching behind.
Glad no one else saw that. My poor behind, back and dignity really took a fall there. Vigar thinks to himself but puts all further thoughts to himself aside to concentrate on Hirako.
"It's good to hear you laugh. That sweetness will bring joy to others in time. Now it's your turn to tell me more about yourself. Until the others get back, allow me the pleasure to know more about Hirako," voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper and a grin and maybe your thoughts on being adopted by the two in there?"
Tassira is blushing furiously by the time the shoppers reach Granny Odd's Oddities.
"That... could've gone better I think." She finally offers.
I'm not entirely certain how Chalimar's going to react to me trying to clean him up, but I think it'll be something along the lines of: 'CHOMP!'
Seriously, the gods only know how he's going to get all that whipped cream out of his fur.
Tassira pauses. "If you want me to stick around, Kariel, I don't mind."
Vigar smiles as Hirako speaks.
"That's what I wanted to hear. Your Opinions matter much in this and it heartens me to know that you have put some thoughts into this. Have you decided who among our rather august family do you want to be blood bonded too?
There's Rowan, intelligent, brave and strong with the greatest potential to get married now among us.
Sweet Tassira, though you might have to end up taking care of her as she doesn't seem to have spent much time outdoors.
Gentle Kairel, maybe the oldest amongs us though her appearance stands out due to her own life, but I'll let her have the pleaseure of telling it.
Protective Marrovak, my brother. He's had a hard life but with Chalimar to guide him, I should think they might give you a different perspective on things.
Krag, I admit I know the least among all of us but he's complicated to put it simply.
Somehow we're all related by blood so no matter who you bonded with, you'll find yourself with a really large and diverse family."
Pausing a while, Vigar thinks about everything that lead to all this and can't help but give a self-deprecating chuckle.
And finally there's me, who goes insane if I'm left in my trance unchecked.
"Hirako." Vigar asks hesitantly.
"Did you know you have a gift of magic? If so, how long did you know?"
Tassira bows to the elderly lady.
She then looks to Kariel & Marrovak. "What do you think?"
"I have heard much worse. They have a ten year contract with most of whom they employ. Low wages that force them to buy things from their own stores, or borrow from them. It's barely above slavery. Not to mention the rumors of certain officials and business owners that oppose them mysteriously disappearing.
Tassira eyes the old lady briefly before stepping into the shop.
She looks back at Kariel & Marrovak.
"Well? You two coming in?"
Something itches in the back of Rowan's mind.
First the cousin. Now the parents. How did they know that a unconscripted mage was on the boat? It could have been a random spot check, but somehow I doubt it...No that's just paranoia talking. I doubt the cousin had anything to do with Forge. Still doesn't hurt to check though. We need to settle Hirako's inheritance anyways
We should also settle her parent's estate, selling them or setting them up to run themselves until Hirako becomes of age and decides what to do with them
Overhearing what Cerene said, Vigar couldn't help but agree. At Hirako's words though, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Indeed, I would have thought so too. In fact I'm surprised that wizard let you read his spellbook. What few wizards I have met tend to be very close lipped about their personal spellbooks."
Standing up and dusting himself, Vigar continues.
"If you're feeling up to it, let us join Rowan, Cerene and I think Krag in the bar and let them know of your decision. The sooner We get those rituals done the better. Filing the paperwork might take longer, but at least you'll have better protection."
"You are a great deal of trouble, but I suppose babies usually are.” She walks behind a counter as she keeps talking. ” Miss Wings, you are simply not ready yet to walk around displaying yourself wily nilly, you're a temptation to the weak willed and the evil minded. That goes for you too, Miss Bookworm, although for slightly different reasons.” She keeps talking as she seems to be looking for something behind the counter. ” As for the wild boys here, they actually didn't do too bad a job of keeping away some of the treasure hunters, but one of the busiest merchant ports in the Empire was just too far out of their experience to handle everything.”
”Ah, here it is” she stands up and puts a rather old and dusty knit hat on the counter top. “There put that your head Miss Wings it will make my life easier.” She stretches a moment then says “I’m sure you have a lot of questions, good it means you thinking, go ahead and ask what’s most on your minds.”
AT THE INN
Vigar and Hirako join Rowan and Cerene and Kraig at the bar. They are not long there before a messenger arrives telling them that Mr. Forge is waiting to see them at the corral behind the building across the street.
Vigar looks around,
"Shall we go? I don't think we should keep this Mr Forge waiting."
"I imagine he wouldn't like that, yes."
Rowan leaves his things in his room, save a dagger, and leaves.
Tassira is surprised to learn that the wrong sort of people are looking for her and Kariel. Her bloodline was a guarded secret... wasn't it?
"May I ask how you know us? It's a bit disconcerting for me to learn that we aren't as anonymous as we thought." She says, clasping her hands together.
Her signet ring is visible on her hand.
"I'm ready when you are"
Kariel the hat has a faint aura
Granny grins a little and says "Vors Crispin told me in general who to look out for and when, and warned me away from the normal magical methods of detection. You can relex your still fairly unknown. It wasn't your identiy that attracted most of the attention that you did. It was your beauty Miss Bookworm and your beauty and uniqueness Miss Wings. Less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the human women in the world can match you in looks young lady, and you Miss Wings have even fewer equels." She shakes her head "No, the way Crispin talked I expected to have to deal with assassins and evil masterminds, not slavers and pimps. Altough to be fair your status as knew scions of the Alenkine family is what set the foreign agents after you, and the scum who wanted to cut Miss Wings up for parts, could have cared less about her beauty. The fact that you are Tassira and Kariel mattered very little to most of them and none of them have aquired those names yet."
The rest of the party (those not shopping) along with Cerene and Hirako go accross the street and then behind the building to see quite a large stable and corral. There standing by the railing is a tall good looking man with the dark tanned skin of an outdoors man. He is watching several horses moving about the corral. As you approach he turns and looks over your group his dark blue eyes look cold for a moment and then they seem to warm up.
"Cerene of House Avergnon," he steps forward and shakes Cerene's hand, "and friends." He looks at Cerene, "Your father wrote that you would be needing a horse, does that hold true for your friends of House Trin and House Alenkine as well?". He flashes a charming smaile.
Tassira pales. Already she and Kariel were attracting the wrong sort of attention.
She looks over to the two potion bottles Kariel pointed out before they went in.
"May I ask what those potions over there are?" She asks, pointing the bottles out.
Vigar answer keeping close enough to Hirako but not to close.
"Yes. We would like horses for ourselves."
Don't really like the look of him. Those eyes.
"At least 6 for our party, and another for Cerene."