Laara sits quietly observing everyone in the tavern, waiting for her allies to show up and using her supernaturally enhanced senses to listen in on others and discern their motives.
Its nice being so good at reading people that you can almost detect their thoughts.
Being able to easily read the simple minded in the tavern and detecting no hostilities, she breaks her stealth and enters properly. A small, apparently halfling woman, with red hair and an oval face goes to the bar and orders a pint of whatever is on tap.
It is good enough for the people drinking in here, it should be good enough for me. The half orc and the human in the booth look to be on a first date... Too bad, I doubt they’ll have a second with such different streams of thought... Well, the consensus is the roast duck.
She asks the tavern operator for an order of the duck to go with her beer and goes and sits at a table big enough for 6, human sized, occupants.
Damon walks into the inn, his dueling sword at his side. His arcane silver chainmail, worn under his clothes, is not noticeable. He looks around and smiles. He was so glad to leave his administrative duties as Captain of the Guard behind and focus on the flow of combat, the challenge of facing an enemy on the field, the excitement of discovering the weakness in an opponent's guard....how he missed that feeling! The feeling that reminded him that he was alive. Nothing matched it...not love, physical pleasure, nothing. He smiled at the innkeeper and found himself a table and ordered an ale. He was not as paranoid as his fellow adventurers. He wanted danger, he thirsted for it.
As he waited for his fellows, his fingers tapped the table in rhythm, his eyes scanning the crowd for any dangers.
Good to see you Damon. From what I can tell, people seem to like the duck. Although they haven't brought it yet. This isn't too bad though" Laara says gesturing at the beer.
She continues, keeping with her loquacious halfling guise," Its been too long since I last dropped you behind that nalfeshnee and let you show him how an Aldori master works... In the meantime I dealt with some more mundane business in Oppara for my former employer... I think for now I don't have to worry about them coming after me, so thats good. I'd tell you about it, but so many ears here and I just went through all that trouble clearing my good name with the Brotherhood... Anyways, how's the family? Any interesting news from court? She asks, knowing full well that Damon would much rather be dueling than talking of court.
Laara very quietly adds," The woman over there seems like our sort of folk. Fresh out of a helmet, wearing armor and carrying a weapon. Not to mention, I couldn't passively read her"
Hey Laara! You always appearing from the shadows, never will get used to that. Damon looks at the serving girl, I'll have the duck then. I always trust your opinion in battle and elsewhere. Always so wise. The family is well, I can't complain about the single ladies in court. The Captain of the Guard title has some benefits. He arches his eyebrows with a smile. But seriously, I need some action. Always fearful that my martial skills will erode if I don't keep them honed. Any idea what's up on the agenda? Dragon hunting? Demon hunting? Killing that pig-headed demon was fun...good times. Join a war effort against a Githyanki lich? Anything to keep me from filling out more paperwork! Damon's boisterous laugh fills the room.
Tazwell glides into the bar as if he owns the place.
These were his people, his fans after all.
He bows as a few people cry out and applaud, but as he straightens up to look for his companions he grimaces for just a moment. There just wasn't as much applause as there used to be.
Laara greets Tazwell by giving him a hug, using her broom rather than hugging his leg or something similarly awkward.
" At least some clap and applaud you. Worry not, you're better than you've ever been, even if the crowds aren't as big. Anyways, we chose to meet here, it isn't as though this in the Chelish Operahouse in Egorian... Looks like we're still waiting for two more."
He once again passes a secret message, but to Tazwell this time, " We've got a non-civilian over there with the rapier and breast plate. I couldn't get a passive read on her"
"It is good to see you my friend. It has been too long." Tazwell replies to Laara.
He scans the bar to find the stranger Laara mentioned.
When he sees the woman in the breastplate he nods and heads toward the stranger.
As he nears her table, he doffs his ridiculously plumed floppy hat and bows.
"Good evening my lady." he begins.
"Allow me to introduce myself." he continues in a manner that suggests he expects everyone to already know who he is.
"My name is Tazwell Bladenkurst. I wonder if I might have the pleasure of your company for a time this evening."
Damon chuckles to Laara, "Ah, Taz, always so discreet."
And here I thought we should wait for all of our allies to arrive first, well, thats what I get for telling Taz.
Laara intently listens intently to Taz's interaction with the woman, but decides its far less intimidating for one person to meander over to her rather than all of them.
Laara "Yup, well, adventurers, " she says geasturing to the two of them ," have been known to frequent this tavern. But its always good to be friendly, and no one has ever accused Taz of not being friendly towards women he just met.
As Othniel walks up to the tavern again, he is more worried than normal. I wish Lauren would give me more details before she goes off to Mendev on her crusades. I suppose that's what I gt for not going with her. But...I'm so close to a breakthrough on a new form of black powder, I can almost taste it. Oh well, maybe this time we'll face some real evil, and I'll be able to tell her when I get back about how we slayed a pit fiend or whatever. I wonder if pit fiend blood could be used as a binder....is devil blood flammable? he takes out his note pad and jots that down to check out later. Then he walks in, his silken robe shimmering like flame as he enters. Glancing around, he sees Tazwell romancing some warrior woman, and his friends sitting at a table off to the side. He nods to them as he approaches. He sits down with his back to as few people or entrances as possible, and nods to the others before taking a long look around the room. Satisfied, he asks "What have we got?"
Laara sighs,” well she is about as sweet as a jar of snakes, I guess she doesn’t share my concerns about have to listen to Taz complain about the sting of a rude rejection. I’ll wait for our final companion to join us before I give her a try. She seems all business, so maybe a more genuine approach. ”.
Laara warmly greets Othniel,” We’ve got a swing and a miss. I understand being dismissive, but that was downright mean. The servers were prompt with the beer, and we just ordered some roast duck if you want to join us. Any fun discoveries over the last month? Hows Lauren doing?”
"Very well, m'lady. I will leave you to your drink." Tazwell answers the rude lady.
He returns across the bar to his companions and sits down.
"That used to be easier...." he complains.
"I agree, Taz, that was just rude. Plenty of fish in the sea, don't dwell on it."
Tazwell puts his boots up on the table, orders a flagon of red wine, and starts drinking an overfull cup.
"Here's something for you lass." he says as he tips the barmaid.
"and if you're lucky, later I'll sing you a song...." he says with a wink.
Laara sighs,” well she is about as sweet as a jar of snakes, I guess she doesn’t share my concerns about have to listen to Taz complain about the sting of a rude rejection. I’ll wait for our final companion to join us before I give her a try. She seems all business, so maybe a more genuine approach. ”.
Laara warmly greets Othniel,” We’ve got a swing and a miss. I understand being dismissive, but that was downright mean. The servers were prompt with the beer, and we just ordered some roast duck if you want to join us. Any fun discoveries over the last month? Hows Lauren doing?”
”She’s off on another of her crusades in Mendev. I keep meaning to go with her one of these times, but research takes time, and she doesn’t care to wait for me to finish. It would only be a matter of a few weeks, perhaps a couple of months. You know how it is with humans better than I, I suppose.” he shrugs. ”Research is research. Major breakthroughs are rarer than people think, but if you take enough notes for long enough, eventually you can put things together and push knowledge forward. Presently I’ve been working on a more efficient black powder. I’m trying to use Alchemist’s fire as a binding agent, but I can’t seem to get the proportions quite right. Perhaps I’ll drop by old Benark’s shop in Alkenstar and see if he has any ideas.”[b] he flags down a passing waiter and orders whatever the rest are having. Must be good if it’s good enough for them he thinks. Turning to Damon, he says [b]“How are things in old Telvurin?”
All of your characters have known Telye Sin for many years. When you first meet her she was jovial and merry, as it corresponds to a follower of Desna, the goddess of dreams and travel. But after many battles and adventures, you have seen her become less so. These last months you could even say she seems sad.
But you aren't ready to see her like this. She seems disheveled, haunted and very stressed. For an elf, she almost seems unkempt.
She goes directly towards you and starts talking, without caring who might be hearing them, without saying hello, without apologizing for her tardiness.
"I'm going to the moon to save my nephew. Will you help me?"
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After your characters press her for answers, she finally gives in and tells you everything she knows.
"My sister is a high priestess of Desna at Kyonin. Well, she was anyway. She was fiendishly murdered a couple of days ago. It was a cruel and bloody affair. And they took my small nephew. I think I know who did it. It is suspected that in the moon there is an "intrusion", a putrid wound of Abyss in our reality. An evil and cursed jungle referred to as "The Moonscar". It is the domain of a succubus, a cruel and evil demoness known as "The Insatiable Queen". She has spent millennia occasionally kidnapping and murdering people for her own amusement and whatever passes for her evil designs, together with her minions. Some of those taken become her playthings, thralls and even agents here on Golarion. Or food. And..."
She is unable to continue, as she sobs, trying to control her tears and feelings.
"I have to save my nephew. Before... My sister only son. I won't allow them to... it is so horrible. I will die to save him. I don't care, I will try no matter what. But I might be able to save him with your help. But I will go even without it. She is old and powerful. The Moonscar is alien and evil. I will probably die there, as well as anyone that comes with me. But I can't let them have my nephew. I beg from you, will you help me save my nephew, and kill the Insatiable Queen once and for all?"
"It seems she, or one of her succubus minions, have been seen in the town of Skelt, halfway between Korvosa in Varisia and Tamran in Nirmarthas, next to the Southern Fagnwood, and then seen heading south from there. Usually with at least one different man in their company when she is sighted. I plan to find more information there first."
At first Tazwell grins at Telye's declaration as if waiting for a punchline.
As it becomes apparent she's serious about her nephew's troubles he pulls his feet down off the table to listen to her story with his full concentration.
"We've gone out on the road for less important reasons than family. Of course I'm with you."
"We'll need to try to gather some information on how to track these agents of this queen in order to find a way to reach this place."
Laara is taken aback by the tale," As if you have to ask hun, after all you've done for me. In the words of the man who raised me, they've made a 'little' mistake, and it'll be a problem. Excuse me a brief moment before we leave."
Laara walks up to the woman who dismissed Tazwell, Well, I intended to be a little more subtle than this, but you've been waiting here for two hours, and I have just learned we don't much time. Who are you, and do you have any business with me or any of my friends? Do you mean us harm?
"Yes of course, we'll certainly help. But...did you say that this on the *moon*? That's fascinating. I didn't realize it was habitable...." Othniel trails off, though whether because he realizes that one of his logorrheic tangents is inappropriate at the moment or if he's just lost in thought is anyone's guess.
Damon puts his hand on the cleric’s shoulder. ”Of course dear, no need to even ask. I’m here to help. Just one obvious question: how do we get to the moon? Must be some powerful magic involved I’d wager.”
"We've gone out on the road for less important reasons than family. Of course I'm with you."
"We'll need to try to gather some information on how to track these agents of this queen in order to find a way to reach this place."
A tear in her eye, Telye smiles to the bard, thanking him with her eyes.
"That is why we go to Skelt.""Yes, of course, we'll certainly help. But...did you say that this on the *moon*? That's fascinating. I didn't realize it was habitable...."
Telye turns towards Othniel, and smiles sadly at him.
"It is not. For us, at least. It will be difficult. But with your help, it won't be impossible."Damon puts his hand on the cleric’s shoulder. ”Of course dear, no need to even ask. I’m here to help. Just one obvious question: how do we get to the moon? Must be some powerful magic involved I’d wager.”
Telye puts her smaller hand on Damon's one, and press gently on it.
"Thank you all. Normal Teleport spells won't do it. And to fly there would take years of time we don't have. I don't know how, but we must find a way."Laara walks up to the woman who dismissed Tazwell, Well, I intended to be a little more subtle than this, but you've been waiting here for two hours, and I have just learned we don't much time. Who are you, and do you have any business with me or any of my friends? Do you mean us harm?
Normally Telye is diplomatic and always trying to avoid a fight. But she is under a lot of stress, and you notice it as she stands next to Laara, backing her up, ready to attack.
"No problem, Tel. Will follow your lead then. Let us know when we leave."
Damon grips the hilt of his sword as he looks seriously at the stranger. "You threaten one of my friends, you threaten me. You might not like what happens if you do that."
Othniel rises, one hand on his pistol. He inclines his head toward Damon. "What he said."
Telye surprise you one more as she moves with an extended arm to stop you from attacking the woman.
"Let her go. After we save my nephew, Maiden. When I come back... If I come back. Then we will face off and resolve this."
Telye face seems ashen, discomposed. You had never seen her like this.
Tazwell tenses for a moment and then relaxes.
"This doesn't look like it's going to turn violent." he says to no one in particular.
Maybe he was just reassuring himself.
After the woman leaves, Telye seems to relax a little.
"Thank you for your help. I will never be able to thank you properly. Now, unless you have anything else to do, let me Teleport us all to Skelt."
"Anything I don't have that I might need I can pick up just as easily in Skelt."
Indeed, no time to waste. Its your business, so I won’t question your decision to leave that woman be...
Telye turns towards Laara and nods to her, thanking her with her eyes.
Damon looks a little disappointed that Tel didn't let him slice that woman in 8 parts....but alas, it's her issue. He comforts her shoulder, "You are never alone, you've saved my life too many times to count in our adventures together. I've got your back." He quickly finishes a piece of duck and gulps down some ale, wiping his hands on his tunic. "Okay, ready to go!", he says with a sheepish grin.
"I brought what I need. Let's go."
"You are never alone, you've saved my life too many times to count in our adventures together. I've got your back."
Telye's face drops down and seems about to cry.
"We are always alone with our conscience. Thank you, but that sin I will have to face it alone."She takes his arm, and he feels like she is haling herself stand with his strength.
"I don't deserve such good friends as you all. Let's go then."
"Ah Skelt. It has been a few years since I visited last." Taz says.
"Seems a bit busier than when I visited last."
"I know an Inn though. It's called the 'Three Dancing Bears'. Great place to grab a meal, a drink, and a soft bed."
"If I recall correctly, Harvey Millerson is the name of the Publican at the 'Bears."
"Shall we..." he asks, gesturing down the street.
Telye Sin, still tense, don't say a word but follows Tazwell.
Laara trusts Taz and follows his lead. She does however slip into the shadows. Its always good to be an unseen, even if one is diguised as a sunny halfling incapable of extreme violence.
With a shrug and a nod, Othniel follows Taz. He does, however, slow a little, letting the others pull ahead of him. He subtly glances around for anything unusual.
"Greetings, good sir. It's good to be back visiting your fine establishment." Tazwell says.
"Lodging and supper I think." he answers the man's question.
Telye Sin looks away, ignoring the innkeeper rude comment.