Lian will try and find out the VIPs in town- be they live-in or visiting
[dice=Knowledge Local]1d20+9 (via familiar Lem)
Lian, or rather Lem, knows of a retired captain in the Foreign Quarter that might have the connections they are looking for.
There are rumors of a Mendevian expatriate right here in the Puddles, but nobody knows who or where such a person might be.
We don't know much about what goes on behind enemy lines in the north, unfortunately. It's hard to spy when your foe is mainly undead or demons. That's our best guess as of last week though. Sorry I couldn't do more. Penshi is a good man and I'll help any of his who need it, save the creepy one. So if you need anything more I'll help if it's within my power.
"He certainly seems to be. Do you know anyone who has recently returned from either the lands of the undead or the lands of the demons that I might talk to? Irori would turn his face away from me if I were not to try to gather as much information as possible before undertaking a trip like this."
The man thinks for a moment. His face is hesitant and a little sad. By the time most people make it here it's been a while since the front. There aren't many wounded on either of those fronts... and the ones that do make it back. Well it usually takes them a while.
"Do you know a place where they tend to gather?"
He gives you directions to a few local taverns. They tend to gather around these places. Be careful. Some of them are scarred pretty bad.
"Well, I'll be off to the foreign quarter," Lian tells the others as a little bird whispers in her ear what it's picked up.
"I've got a captain to talk to."
Lian Brook decides to go for the known-target first, and shifts into her human form as she departs, to be more inconspicuous, but making a B-line for her target.
Karen will pay the man for both his information and the best maps he has of the inner sea region and then make her way back to the group, satchel filled with maps and the makings of a plan.
Matsuoka stands up at Lian's announcement. "Foreign quarter? Could I come along?" The samurai may not be inconspicuous, given his beautiful (and large) armor and swords, but he seems eager to join the woman--either in hopes of meeting other Tien, or just for something to do.
Karen arrives back at the Blessed Cup just as Lian and company are heading out.
Karen nods toward the satchel on her hip and says "I brought all the maps I could find. Where are you two headed?"
Lian turns just her head back to Matsuoka, "Of course. Hurry up, now!"
She doesn't know *how* she'll use the samurai in negotiations yet, but she'll think of something...
"We're going to the Foreign Quarter. Lian knows someone there, I think?" Matsuoka turns to the woman for confirmation.
"Very well. See if you can find any survivors of the wars with either the undead or the demons. I am starting to put a plan together, but more knowledge is better."
Moving into the Inn, Karen will say to the group "So, I'm starting to get things together, but I will need all of assistance."
As she speaks, she pushes two tables together and then unloads the maps from her satchel onto them and maneuvers them into a flat world map.
To the rest of the patrons, she will say "I know that you all feel that you don't want to talk about what has happened to you, but if we all just stick our heads in the sand and hide someplace that is sort of safe, we have truly lost."
Karen pauses to look each of them in the eyes, then says "I don't think anyone here cares nothing about anyone or anything else, and I honestly believe that there is some part of you all that want to help us."
Again, Karen pauses then says "I'm not asking you to risk your bodies, minds, or souls staring into the abyss or battling it's forces. All I'm asking you for is knowledge."
Karen pulls down her collar to show the bite marks on her neck, then finishes with "Part of this situation I am to blame. Maybe if I had survived the vampire attack, I would have been in the position to stop the rise of the whispering tyrant. I can't say that for certain, but all I can do is ask for your assistance in making up for my mistake."
Karen releases the collar of her robes and bows low to the room. "Please"
That same grumpy veteran is the one who objects to your passionate plea.
You want knowledge, girl? Here's some knowledge. Sod off. I spent to long at the front watching my friends die just to bear your whining.
Her turns away from you and drains his mug as if the liquor might just drown that haunted look in his eye.
You suddenly notice the Stable Boy standing in the corner behind the man with his arms crossed and an amused smile on his face. You're sure he wasn't there just a second ago...
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Loc will stand up and gently pat Karen on the shoulder. "That was a great speech. Just not the right crowd for it I'm afraid. Just keep that in mind when we meet some soldiers ready to go back into the fray of it all. In the mean time lets start planning out our path to Cheliax. We were thinking of starting by stabilizing the country before we move on to bigger fish. Just excuse me for one second though. I have to go take care of a little something."
Loc will walk over to the corner and raise a eye brow. "Aren't you a little young to be hanging around all this alcohol? I think maybe we should take a walk so I can teach you about the dangers of drinking." His intent was clear, he wanted to have a private conversation.
The grin doesn't leave the Stable Boy's face. He shrugs off the wall and leads the way back to the stables without a word.
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Once they are alone for the walk he will pull out a pipe and some tobacco. "Ok, I'll bite. You're no average stable boy. That much is obvious. I don't know if you have anything to do with those people and I coming back, and I do not enjoy being in the dark. Why don't we do away with all this subterfuge and get right to the point. You know I fully intent to rally a undead army to assist my fellows. Anyone with a brain can deduce a necromancer will use that tactic. Now why don't you tell me what you seem to have planned?"
The boy clicks his tongue in that way that involuntarily reminds everyone of an old grandmother. My plan is to help Penshi. I keep his stalls and his groceries and his broken pets and make his beds and clean his house. I though you were more observant, Master Necromancer.
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"You say that, but for some reason I am a bit worried about your broken pets. I'm more concerned about one thing. You seemed to greet all of us as we woke up in your stables. Yet you were not surprised to see us or even as how we got there. That smirk of yours is beginning to grind my bones as well. Now, what do you know that we don't?"
I know a lot that you don't, Mr. Skeleton Man. I'm just not allowed to share. My smug demeanor is my only recourse. That and you haven't asked very nicely yet...
We all have secrets. Most consider it rude and uncivilized to inquire of the secrets of another. Maybe you spend too much time with the dead?
The barmaid slides a small glass in front of Loc with fog rolling off the bubbling green liquid in it. Something I think will be more to your liking.
The stable boy winks as the maid. The pair shared a talent of showing up in places where they were least expected. Her ability to slide a drink to anyone no matter the situation or the actual presence of a bar was also a trait he seemed to admire.
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Loc will nearly jump into the air before turning at the terrifying bar maid. " By Urgathoa's bony ankles don't do that! You'll give a guy a heart attack." He will take the drink with a dry thank you before nodding. "I suppose I did forget my manners. I don't think I ever got your name stable boy. If you have any information you could share to help me out I would greatly appreciate it." With that he would down the strange drink.
The Boy smiles more warmly. Now that's more like it. I'm the Stable Boy. I can't give you anything, sorry, but if I were you I'd probably seek out the minions of the Hellknight's Master of Blades. He's a frustrating individual, and his minions have giant golden rods up their hindsides, but if you're careful to keep yourself on the straight and narrow they could help the most. After all, when darkness descends, even a candle burns bright.
Mugmuff wants to look at the pretty pictures on the map, but cringes away at the writing, even though it is all or mostly just place names... He seems torn between liking the maps and wanting to burn them. "'Splain pictures, please?" he asks Karen.
She winks at the stable boy at what can only be considered a very scary attempt at flirtation.
Karen nods at Mugmuff's request, then remembers the bit about goblins not liking writing. She quickly pulls out some coins to cover the writing and then winks at Mugmoff before beginning: "These maps show where each country is in relation to each other country. Currently, we are here" Karen points out Koltos Isle, "and apparently we're looking to travel to Cheliax, which is here" Karen points out Egorian. "These pictures give us an idea of how far we have to travel, and with a bit of knowledge about an area, what we can expect when travelling through those areas. Lian and Matsuoka have gone to gather some information and see about finding out where we can get a boat that will take us to the main continent, and what we can expect when we get there. This helps us plan supplies, and places where we can stop and rest, although those will probably be in short demand once we leave Absalom."
"Do you have any questions?"
Mugmuff puzzles out what Karen is saying, his mind wrapping itself around the concept of a map and what the lines and shapes mean. "How far from here," he points to Kortos, "to where we going." he points to Cheliax. "How long it take?"
"That's a good question. It depends on how fast you move. Most humans can move about 24 miles a day, assuming they aren't carrying so big a load as to slow them down. This part here" she indicates the water around kortos, "is water, so we'll need to know where we want to land. Landing over here" she points at the far side of the island, then traces her finger to the land on the far side "would take us longer to get to Cheliax than landing here" she points at the closest side of the map towards Cheliax.
Lian with Matsuoka in tow looks for the Captain with the information she's gotten, asking around if need be.
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Loc will quickly remove himself from the awkward situation, leaving the bartender and the stable boy alone. After heading back into the tavern he will sit down with the rest as they begin to go over the landing plans. "I've got some good news at least. I have a lead on who to approach once we get there. It sounds like the Hellknights master of blades will be our best bet in getting some one on our side. Once we arrive in a city we should look into getting into contact with his minions. I hope we can get a nice boat to ride in as well. Might as well enjoy worldly comfort as long as we can."
"Me never ride in boat... boats be nice?" he pauses a moment. "Who be this master of blades? How we know what city he be in?"
"How nice a boat ride is depends entirely on how long you're on the boat."
After asking a few questions, Lian and her wandering samurai buddy, find their way to a small tea room. It's very pleasantly decorated, with a sense of calm permeating the room.
It's easy to spot the captain among the small clientele, as she has the look of a hardened warrior, despite wearing a pretty pale blue sundress, and sipping her tea quietly in a corner.
Lian gives a small smile.
Rather than directly approaching, she looks to the proprietor or host of the tea room, and lacing her words with honey, asks, "May I inquire the name of that patron? And if you could inform her she has two guests who would like to join her."
The host smiles warmly at Lian "Oh her? That's Anevia Tirabade, though if you decide to join her table, tread softly. She's still grieving that her wife has gone missing up in the Worldwound."
"Thank you, I appreciate the advice."
Walking up, "Captain Anevia Tirabade? I am Lian Brook, this is Matsuoka Ken'ichi. I believe we have things to discuss."
The captain looks at you with cold, hard eyes. "Unless you have news about the whereabouts of my wife, I believe we don't"
"News? No," Lian adapts a more casual, River Kingdoms-esque tone, "A desire to go to a place where we can get news, yes. I have several friends interested in going North, and all could be informed to seek out news. I myself would seek, and I can be very persuasive. Would that interest you?"
Lem tweets in Lian's ears what it picks up on the area.
Matsuoka had perked up slightly at the discovery of the tea house--something he was somewhat familiar with--but he stuck with Lian. When it came to discussing matters, the samurai didn't tend to have a silver tongue, but he knew the ways of courts and nobles, and those followed similar patterns the world over.
Matsuoka, you have heard stories of the legendary Captains Tirabade, even in Tian Xia. The two woman fought countless battles against the hordes of the Worldwound, and while they could not turn the demonic armies back, they're heroic actions saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives.
However, two years ago, the two lovers and a few other allies, fought a doomed last stand in Nerosyan, the capital of Mendev.
Irabeth, a holy warrior of Iomadae, took the fight to Abyssal legions, yet their endless numbers were too much for even her to overcome. Then, suddenly, there was blinding flash of light and when all could see, the demons had been temporarily routed. However, Irabeth was nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, the grief stricken captain look sharply at Lian. "You desire to venture up into the Worldwound? That's sheer madness, it's the heart of the demonic empire that has carved out quite a kingdom." Her tone is still hard, but the Kitsune can detect a definite softening to it. Slight, but noticeable.
"We want to change that," Matsuoka says. His voice starts soft, but he grows bolder soon. "I have heard of you, Anevia Tirablade, and your wife. She is a great warrior, as are you. I have heard of how you fought the Abyss, and we would do the same." The samurai takes a seat and stares the woman in the eyes. "Your wife has disappeared, but there are two possibilities. First, she died a death in battle, with honor and glory. Her soul now rests in light and wonder. Or..." He shrugs. "I heard there was a great flash of light, and your wife was gone. Perhaps she still lives. Perhaps we might find her."
Lian tilts her head a little at that last bit, "We promise no guarantees, only that we will try, and in our attempts to gather forces, see if any knows what happened." Not wanting to give any promises of false hope, the nature of their own revival so unknown.
Upon the two strangers willingly offering to possibly brave the demon controlled lands to the north, and perhaps finding something, anything regarding her beloved wife, Anevia's face softens and she invites the two to sit.
"It is not every day you find people willing to trek up to the Worldwound. Why would risk your very souls by traveling up there?"