Stilgar pulls out a knife and carves a juicy side of roast beef. "Yum!"
"Me swore off alcohol so me just stick to water. Got any?"
Jeorik catches the attention of a waiter and sends him off for water.
"Very sensible of you," says Jeorik.
Jeorik catches the attention of a waiter and sends him off for water.
"Very sensible of you," says Jeorik.
"Me think so too."
"Rarely do the words sense and the descendants of orcs come up in the same sentence," Istas mutters, but concedes this half-orc seems more restrained than most she's met. Trusting to Keliwyn, she puts away the dagger for now, frowning at how Stilgar continues to look her way.
She then turns to Keliwyn, hoping to occupy her mind with something more pleasant to ponder. "Can you explain more about your intentions for gaining an audience with this Devargo character?" she asks, "I'd like to understand the specifics before I take my leave."
The entry of the massively built half orc doesn't seem to faze Heather too much..she merely raises an eyebrow at the fact that the refined elf and such a brutal warrior should be friends.
She reaches out and touches Kel's hand gently
"It appears you move in circles we never suspected love. Welcome Stilgar..I'm sure you will be a most..interesting addition to our little band"
"It appears you move in circles we never suspected love. Welcome Stilgar..I'm sure you will be a most..interesting addition to our little band"
"Band? What instrument do you play?"
"Band? What instrument do you play?"
"Usually the instruments of death," Istas quips.
"Band? What instrument do you play?""Usually the instruments of death," Istas quips.
"Ooooooo, spooky."
"So Keliwyn, when do you want us to make this journey for you?"
Keliwyn can't help but grin at the interaction between half-orc and shoanti.
"So Keliwyn, when do you want us to make this journey for you?"
"How about tomorrow afternoon?"
"Where do we gather?" Istas adds.
Darthen demurs. "I am sorry, but I can't come. I have other work to do for the Guard for the next few days. I can't say anything now, but in a few days or a week I may have a story for you all."
"Barvarsi is very dangerous. I urge you all to be well prepared for trouble and very careful indeed."
"Barvarsi is very dangerous. I urge you all to be well prepared for trouble and very careful indeed."
"When swimming in the waters of Pharasma, there is nothing to fear for one who follows in her faith," Istas states, "Not man, nor beast..." She hesitates and glances in Stilgar's direction. "Nor disease," she finishes.
"I would imagine Devargo Barvasi falls somewhere between a man and a disease," she tells Darthen, "As frightened as he may have made others of him, there is nothing more frightening than when the Lady of Graves comes calling for the unprepared."
"If it's Pharasma's will that we lay him low, I trust it will be done. His fate is already written. As is ours. All that remains is to carry it out. It appears that, through us, Pharasma will offer Barvasi one last choice. He'll either give us these documents or suffer the consequences of that choice. My Lady will have written both outcomes."
... It appears that, through us, Pharasma will offer Barvasi one last choice. He'll either give us these documents or suffer the consequences of that choice. My Lady will have written both outcomes."
"Then pray she gives you the right script. " Darthen rises. "I have to leave now. Good luck. I will see you in a few days."
"So Barvasi is quarry, eh? What he look like?"
Although she has been working closely with Istas and has come to admire the priestess Heather still finds her absolute conviction in Phrasmaa sometimnes chillingly scary.
"I don't think we need to go prepared to kill Istas..your lady surely does not condone wanton slaughter..thats the province of Rovagog and Urgotha is it not
"I don't think we need to go prepared to kill Istas..your lady surely does not condone wanton slaughter..thats the province of Rovagog and Urgotha is it not
"Nothing is wanton if we are merely carrying out the fate that Pharasma has already written," Istas explains, "What will be done, will be done. We are but the instruments of her hand in this matter. Nevertheless, you're quite right. I do nothing to push bloodshed unless absolutely clear it is the wish of the Lady of Graves. Take the walking dead, for instance. It is well-known my Lady views such horrors as an aberration of the very cycle of life and death. As such, they receive no quarter. There is no troubling of the mind or faith in dealing with them."
"The same cannot be said of people, of course," the priestess continues, "We're all given choices. The fate Pharasma pours for us usually includes a conjoining of possibilities...like a river that splits before us. We choose one tributary and it may lead to calm waters and assurances of safe travel. We choose another and it may take us into the rapids or even a deadly waterfall. But the choice is still ours. It would seem Devargo Barvasi is about to be presented with such a choice. But it will still be his to make. I'll not force either upon him. And nor should anyone else."
"so where are we going to meet?" Jeorik repeats the question already asked, "Shall we meet at one of the bridges?"
"I suggest we just cross by the main bridge on Mainshore Boulevard.. it's the easiest way across and not too far from Eels End"
Points at Heather, "Um, me agree with what she say."
"Tomorrow afternoon, then," Istas agrees, "I'll see you there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I should be getting back to the walls of the Grey District. It's been some time since I reported back to Stannus and Father Corvus."
She nods her head with a slight bow towards Jeorik. "Thank you again for dinner."
The priestess slips past Stilgar on her way out, making sure to avoid the half-orc.
"I look forward to hearing your story, Darthen," Keliwyn says as raises to shake his hand when he leaves. Once he's again, he turns back to those in the room. "Well, thank you all for agreeing to accompany me. As I said," he continues with a look at Istas, "I'm not looking for a fight with Barvasi and his men, and I have no interest in taking anything like a threatening posture with them. A business transaction offered from a position of strength, is how I see it."
"Again, my thanks, and see you on the 'morrow."
Seeing as how we are there to present an image, not attack a dungeon, Jeorik leaves Pax at home, with most of his supplies and his long spear. He does buy a small sledgehammer that he can attach to his belt and takes that with him, along with the everburning lantern, covered in a heavy black cloth.
On the bridge:
It's raining a fine drizzle that despite its light volume finds a way inside the edges and seams of your clothes if you stay out too long. It's been falling since dawn. The sky is a heavy grey which blends well with the stone of the bridge.
Looking east and west you can see the the numerous other bridges which cross the straight. They are all made out of wood; their construction varies from ramshackle jury-rigged affairs to solidly trussed arches.
One of Keliwyn's contacts, Tralo Aderinn, has been posted to the bridge checkpoint. He grins at the elf, "So, you working for us now I hear?"
Jeorik arrives at the bridge on time, wearing his water-proof traveler's cloak because of the rain. He is content to let Keliwyn do the talking at the bridge.
The Shoanti priestess stands completely drenched by the rain, her hair and dark robe clinging to her as she leans upon her spear. Istas nods with a smile when the others arrive. "It's a cleansing rain tonight," she remarks, "A good sign for this city, I believe. My Lady favors us already. Let's see what else she has in store."
Stilgar sharpens his axe in anticipation of another bloody encounter, whistling all the while.
Heather wakens and looks out on the grey wet day..she dresses accordingly...A fine wollen dress in grey and a blue cloak lined with soft goatskin with a large hood..Slipping on stout boots she leaves home and makes her way to the bridge.
"Good Morning all..a truely lovely dy isn't it"
Stilgar arrives at the bridge.
"Hello."
"Good morning all, and it does appear to be a good day," says Jeorik, and he quotes Erastil's teachings, "Without rain there is no food, without struggle there is no growth."
On the bridge:
It's raining a fine drizzle that despite its light volume finds a way inside the edges and seams of your clothes if you stay out too long. It's been falling since dawn. The sky is a heavy grey which blends well with the stone of the bridge.
Looking east and west you can see the the numerous other bridges which cross the straight. They are all made out of wood; their construction varies from ramshackle jury-rigged affairs to solidly trussed arches.
One of Keliwyn's contacts, Tralo Aderinn, has been posted to the bridge checkpoint. He grins at the elf, "So, you working for us now I hear?"
"It is good to see you all, and again, my thanks for assisting with this little matter . . . and hello to you, Tralo! Keeping in the riff raff, I hope? No, no work today. We're off for a bit of fun at Eel's End," Keliwyn says with a wink as he leads the others over the bridge.
As they traverse the bridge, Istas looks sidelong at Keliwyn and his new armor. "I thought we weren't looking for an armed confrontation?" she says with a smile, "But you seem well-prepared for one, nonetheless."
Then she gestures ahead at their intended destination. "So how do wish you us to proceed?" she asks, "I expect I'll draw attention wherever I go. For a priestess of Pharasma does not venture from the Gray District very often...much less to an area with such an ill reputation. And I doubt Barvasi's men will believe I'm one of your bodyguards."
"You could say that there is noo such thing as bad weather..only different kinds off good weather..but then I would have to charm you to never speak again" Heather comments jokingly to Jeorik.
When Istas speaks she nods.."Aye and no one will mistake you for his doxy either..me on the other hand..." She winks at the Elf and smiles
As they traverse the bridge, Istas looks sidelong at Keliwyn and his new armor. "I thought we weren't looking for an armed confrontation?" she says with a smile, "But you seem well-prepared for one, nonetheless."
Then she gestures ahead at their intended destination. "So how do wish you us to proceed?" she asks, "I expect I'll draw attention wherever I go. For a priestess of Pharasma does not venture from the Gray District very often...much less to an area with such an ill reputation. And I doubt Barvasi's men will believe I'm one of your bodyguards."
"Me do not know. Death priests very intimidating. So may be they believe."
Immediately after crossing the bridge Keliwyn leads the party to the right along the waterfront of the Strait of Alika. After a short walk he turns right again to face a dock which runs out into the straight.
About 40 feet of lantern lined dock leads out to a square platform surrounded by a ship and four barges. Perhaps of more immediate concern are the two guards standing at the shore end of the dock carefully inspecting anyone who wishes to pass.
As they traverse the bridge, Istas looks sidelong at Keliwyn and his new armor. "I thought we weren't looking for an armed confrontation?" she says with a smile, "But you seem well-prepared for one, nonetheless."
Keliwyn looks down at his new chain shirt, and then up at the priestess, and says with a smile, "A wise alchemist once said, 'Fortune favors the prepared mind,' and after our recent dealings, I thought a little . . . upgrade was in order." It's clear that the elf, as always, has paid particular attention to his dress. His clothes are clean and well groomed, if not a little soggy, and clearly worth a pretty copper.
Then she gestures ahead at their intended destination. "So how do wish you us to proceed?" she asks, "I expect I'll draw attention wherever I go. For a priestess of Pharasma does not venture from the Gray District very often...much less to an area with such an ill reputation. And I doubt Barvasi's men will believe I'm one of your bodyguards."
When Istas speaks she nods.."Aye and no one will mistake you for his doxy either..me on the other hand..." She winks at the Elf and smiles
Keliwyn smiles and winks back, and then joins arms with her. "Remember, my dear, your to play the part of a powerful sorceress. Not too much of a stretch for you, I think . . . ."
Stopping to look over the priestess, Keliwyn pauses, and the says, respectfully, "I know better than to ask you to hide any symbols of your faith, but I would ask you to not be so . . how do I say . . . obvious about them. Anyway, your spear & shield, and Shoanti heritage are more likely to catch the eyes of these people. I'd suggest maybe keeping your cloak pulled about you, leaving them to guess what else you may have underneath."
His voice raises and he turns to the others. "As for how to proceed, I simply ask that you all follow my lead. I'm simply going to ask to speak with Barvasi regarding a very significant business matter," he says with a shrug. "From there, I'll simply feel things out."
"No one," Keliwyn says as he turns to look at Stilgar in particular, "Should initiate any physical confrontation. Bervasi doesn't want a fight. He's not shy about throwing around a little muscle, but we are hardly a bunch of dock workers who've never wielded steel. So, no insulting, please, and no preaching either," he finishes as his gaze shifts to Istas.
"...and no preaching either," he finishes as his gaze shifts to Istas.
The priestess smiles innocently at the elf.
"I promise I will follow the fated script for Barvasi," she replies, "The appropriate words and actions will come when they're called for...no more, no less. We all have our part to play, after all. But I doubt mine calls for evangelizing to the clientele of Eel's End this evening. So, worry not..."
Jeorik considers his weaponry and decides to leave his bow on his back, instead choosing to keep his hand on his sword hilt, with his shield at the ready. As they approach the boats, Jeorik keeps his eyes open, unsure of what they are getting themselves into.
The guards at the foot of the dock are well-equipped: Chainmail, large wooden shields, longswords, and spears. They are big and alert.
As the party approaches one calls out, "What's your business here?"
Among the people, presumably customers, loitering down by the boats, you can see at least three other similarly clad warriors.
Jeorik moves to a little behind and to the right of Keliwyn, trying his best to play up the role of a bodyguard.
Heather keeps her arm linked with Kel's..showing that they are no threat to the guards..she waits for him to answer
The guards at the foot of the dock are well-equipped: Chainmail, large wooden shields, longswords, and spears. They are big and alert.
As the party approaches one calls out, "What's your business here?"
Among the people, presumably customers, loitering down by the boats, you can see at least three other similarly clad warriors.
"Business as usual. Drink, food, fun."
Stilgar flexes his massive arms.
"So stand aside. Ladies not used to waiting."
"Gentlemen," Keliwyn says addressing the guards with a formal bow, "I'm here on behalf of . . . Well, I'm here to speak with Mr. Bevarsi regarding a very important matter. Could you be so kind as to point me in his direction?"
The guards nod, if not good naturedly, at least understandingly at Stilgar; look long and appreciatively at Heather and Istas; size up Jeorik, and seem to speculate on Keliwyn, before answering, "Mr. Bavarsi is on the Eel's End. Just ask one of the other guards when you get on deck." They wave you through.
Despite the drizzle and recent social upheaval, business seems to be good here. There is a middling crowd on the decks of the five ships and the central platform of the dock. Roughnecks, day laboroers, sailors, and the occasional noble, mostly males, make up the crowd. A good portion of them are feeling no pain.
To your left are signs proclaiming the ships as “The Twin Tigers—Take the Tiger by the Tail and Try Your Luck!” (a casino) and “Dragon’s Breath Corridor —Dream the Dragon’s Dreams at Affordable Prices!” (A drug den). Opposite them are “Welcome to the Goldenhawk—No SaferStay in Old Korvosa!” (a flop house) and the “House of Clouds—The Caress of Our Lovelies Will Take You Straight to Heaven!”.(men and women for rent) Dead ahead is the largest ship, the "Eel's End."
Suddenly a group of three people, two guards and a customer burst out of the Twin Tigers. The customer's arms are pinned to his side and one is twisted up behind his back. He futilely struggles, curses and swears as they take a short walk to the bow of the boat. One two three and he is heaved into the river. The guards don't give him a second look as he swims toward the riverbank.
The Eel's End is tied up with her bow to the dock. You climb the gangplank past the fiurehead, a coiled eel with the upper torso and head of a beautiful blond woman. Several drunks and revelers dance and drink on the spacious open deck. At the far end of the deck, a pair of large double doors open into the stern castle. The doors are graced with a detailed paintings of black and gold spiders. Looking at the doors you realize that Eel's End is home to an unusually large number of spiders, even for the waterfront, where spiders are likely to set webs in any unoccupied corner for the numerous insects breeding there.
As Keliwyn leads the way aft one of the three guards on deck drifts over. "Can I help you?"
Heathers eyes take in the sights of the notorious establishments..
"Well it seems every vice is catered for..and you get a place to sleep it off too" she remarks..."business seems to be be booming"
"And.." she comments as the man takes his impromptu plunge.."it looks as if they don't brook any complaints.."
Stilgar picks his nose, as he disdainfully ignores the guards' brutal display.
"So many choices," Istas notes as she looks around, "So many interwoven fates. Now ours will intersect this place, as well."