Volcano's Land - Unknown Depths (Inactive)

Game Master Miner Cotren

Chapter Three. A Rude Awakening.

Freya sighed, "You scared him away! How am I supposed to make friends with you guys around?" She sighs again as the server returns with the two drinks she ordered. Taking them both in her hands, the ifrit swivels her chair to face the others. "Well, what's so important then?"

When she sees Nempura, a dozen different thoughts flow through her mind. Great, it's her again. What's she doing here? Hope Illiya's ok. This better be good. I'm kinda hungry. But as the watersinger hesitates, a particularly evil thought sticks in her mind. She hands one of the mugs of beer to timid ele. "Take this, better than me drinking them both." Let's see how Princess handles her liquor.

"Why would you need any other friend than myself? I'm offended. Hrmph." she says with a big fake pout on her face. The years of worry, fear, and guilt have begun falling away and she's gaining a bit of a silly side that's never quite shown before.

When the drinks arrive, she'll raise hers, "Cheers!"

Given Novalie's reaction to Freya, it seems more likely to Nempura that Freya is of the type of those who like to give a hard time to people to provoke them to give her sass back. Such behavior was common among sailors and such, not so much among the nobles. Their jabs were meant to tear you down. Realizing this, Nempura relaxes down into her seat after a thank you to the fisher-el and a bow in return.

"You'll just have to settle for less," she replies jokingly after Novalie's comment.

"It is about Ky La," she leads. When Freya slides the drink over, she will gladly take it in hand. Being a bard from an entertainment town, even as a noble she has definitely drunk a number of drinks in her past.

"Cheers, thanks."

As she drinks, no surprise, she drinks respectably with elegance the mug in her hand had never experienced before, but despite the strength of the beer, she is used to hard liquor and highly refined beers with a great deal more alcohol content than the village beer she was handed. Upon setting down the mug, she continues:

"So I tended to the Maelstrom Mother and you went your ways. I went after to check on my hostess at the inn who was under the sleeping effects many others were. Upon entering the doorway to the inn, I found myself at swordpoint...by an Ifrit from Hearth. His name is Kapelo v'Adril...do you know him by chance or know of him?

Freya stuck her tongue out at Novalie's pouting. "I just thought I could use help keeping you out of trouble!" She clinks her glasss with her friend and continues. "And what would I do without you? Probably die of boredom." Laughter shook free of the Ifrit before she drowned it in beer.

Freya was disappointed as Nempura drinks her beverage without trouble. Aww, I was looking for a good laugh. Well anyone who can hold their liquor can't be all bad.

The paladin thought on Nempura's words.
Has she heard of Kapelo before? Was he a famous swordsman or something? We come from the same city, but that's certainly no guarantee we've even heard of him. Freya would be rather disdainful of Condottieri.

Novalie smiles all around, hoping a bit of her good mood can lighten the group up a bit. She just wants people to be happy and get along, except the bad people who need to be destroyed. Her outlook is very black and white, she's not very good at grey, which is why she keeps trying to fit Ky La into a box, he's giving off both vibes and it annoys her.

Bah! You keeping me out of trouble? More like I keep you out of trouble!" she raises her glass again, "Cheers! Drink to spouting such a horrible lie!"

When Nempura mentions Ky La, she starts to pay more attention and at the mention of sword point she asks, "Did you run him through for daring to take out a sword at you? Or were you polite and noble and merely give him a sound thrashing?" She smiles, suspecting the second but she also considers that Nempura is far more diplomatic than she is and probably turned him into a friend.

I'm assuming Novalie has never heard of him. She'd probably say the exact same thing even if she had. Again, she's feeling happy and a bit silly, especially with the added alcohol.

Freya, you've heard the v'Adril name before. Anyone with the v' honorific is essentially nobility in Hearth, exceedingly wealthy. You think they were in textiles or clothing, something like that. You do not recall 'Kapelo' specifically though

Novalie, you have not heard of him, as the politics and nobility games of ifrits held no interest for you, and never really came into your circle as an undine and a warpriest

Freya tries to gather her vague memories. "You said v'Adril, right? He's from a wealthy family of clothes designers or somesuch, I'm not quite sure. What's his beef with Ky La? Upset that the Temple levies are too high or something?" She sips from her drink, slowing her pace as the conversation turns towards the more serious.

"Well...you know me," she replies to Novalie with a sly and somewhat bashful smile on her face.

To Freya, she answers to them both in a lower voice just loud enough by continuing her story, "Upon first meeting me, with his sword at my neck, he asked me what my relation to Ky La was, and given that I don't necessarily trust the man yet, I said as much. This relaxed Kapelo who clearly is an enemy of Ky La. This Kapelo was once in the service of our inquisitor. According to Kapelo's testimony, when he disagreed with Ky La on how to handle a situation, Ky La had Kapelo's whole family destroyed. Killed. Every last one of them. Kapelo is here to kill Ky La if he can, and to be honest, he has had reason to believe your whole temple to be part of the plot."

Freya crosses her arms. "While I don't approve of some of the inquisitor's methods, I don't believe he'd put the man's family to the sword. Unless they were connected to the Dark in some way. Inquisitors often have to do... unsavory things in the face of the corruption, but I don't believe it's for no reason. I've never wanted to walk that path though."

She'd been meaning to write a letter back home for some time, but now she definitely needed to. Mother would know Ky La better than anyone she knew. I wonder how she's doing. Has she ever done something like what Nempura's suggesting? I just can't imagine it.

Novalie listens with great interest, Ky La is warming up to be the person she thought he might be, "I think that anyone who held Nempura at sword point is not the most trustworthy source of information. We must be careful at this point though, it is possible her attacker is right. I haven't had a good feeling about the inquisitor all along."

Shaking her head and taking a drink, she continues, "Either way we should tread lightly, this is a fight between powerful forces and when giants fight, ants are liable to be stepped on."

Another drink, draining her cup, "I would like more corroboration than the word of someone who would threaten our august Nempura. Until there is more, I intend to keep pressing Ky La to solve this riddle of the dark and the ailment afflicting our families."

She motions to a server for another drink.

Nempura nods with Novalie "I agree...I think Ky La is a strange man. The circumstances of our meeting him were strange and in our talks with him, he hasn't helped his position much in my eyes at least. Perhaps you have experienced differently than me. That doesn't mean I believe him capable of such a thing, but I am absolutely certain that Kapelo believes he is. He has an unhealthy, violent, unwavering belief that Ky La needs to die for what he clearly has done, with no mistake in judgment. He warns that there is more than meets the eye and although my initial experience with Mr. v'Adril was offensive, after I ...negotiated with him... he seemed civil and kind."

With that, she will look toward Novalie with a slight grin. Yes, she was a diplomat through and through. Why fight when you could talk?

"My purpose for coming here is to warn you, or at the least, put us all on the same page. I can't be sure of who to trust, but I recognize in the two of you a desire to fight the Dark and evil."

She will reach out and finish the rest of her drink a bit more quickly than she drank it before. Then she will state, "Kapelo will be meeting me in the morning at the inn. If you two could be within earshot, I'd feel much safer. Or, all three of us could be there when he comes in. He may become violent though. What do you think?" "If they are there, it might keep him from hitting on me again. I'm hoping he will be more attracted to an Ifrit. Although she's crass, Freya is quite beautiful."

Freya pursed her lips. "If he has conflicts with the Temple, I think my presence would make things more dangerous, not less. But if you'd feel safer with us there, I'm not going to turn a blind eye. What do you think, Novi?"

She tilts her head in thought, "I am a paladin, though, not an inquisitor. Our duties are very different. If he knows the difference, then things might be okay."

Iryani looks overwhelmed. "I just know how to shoot arrows and track things in the mud. I didn't really sign on for inquisitors and...what, angry ifrits swinging swords at people for no reason?"

A moment passes, and she looks over at Freya. "Present company excluded of course. You point yours at the right things at least."

It's a late hour at the bar. I'll plan on moving to the next IC day tomorrow, so let me know if you have any plans or just going to sleep

Freya smiled softly at Iryanyi's bewilderment, "Neither did I. I was expecting to face the dark on the front lines with my order, rooting out domestic corruption is an inquisitor's job. But if the Temple requires my aid, I'll answer the call."

The ifrit shuffled through her silken clothes, producing a cigarette. With a snap of her fingers, she lights it. The paladin takes a quiet moment to think, slowly burning through her cigarette. Once she's halfway through, Freya pipes up again. "This Kapelo's grudge against Ky La is a private matter, and one that doesn't really concern us. If both of them are willing, I can act as the Temple's arbitrator for a duel. It would be the proper thing to do. I could also watch them for corruption as they fought."

Freya would collapse into bed and wake up the next morning to write a letter to her Mom.

"It's no surprise that I too feel a sense of nervousness about all of this. It is not my daily routine either. None of this is. That doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing though."

There was a moment there of quiet contemplation as Freya smoked her cigarette, Novalie got her additional drink, and Nempura just sat and thought of what to do. As Freya speaks up again, Nempura takes in a sharp breath with some hesitancy.

"I am not sure by the way he acted that he intends on it being a fair fight...Anyways...I just wanted to let you all know. I suppose I'll be off now," she sleepily says with a hand covered yawn following shortly after. "If you want to be there in the morning, either to be nearby to help in case something happens, or to simply listen in, come to room three in the inn and I'll let you in. I will be up early as ever."

She will stand up and before she goes, she looks to Freya and comments, "You look cute in that outfit." Clearly the silks were not the Ifrit's standard clothing of choice, and if she had taken Nempura up on the offer to clean and mend her clothes, she could have kept everything on, but nope. If they are done, Nempura will head back to the inn and get some much-needed rest. Once again, she will be up before the dawn to begin her morning ritual of getting ready.

Nempura will not stay to a very late hour in the bar. She's just there for a short period and will head back to bed asap as she's always up early. She'll simply brush her hair, braid it and go to sleep.

It is Coalday, Giantrites the 19th.

narrate yourselves awake, and going to the inn

Iryani said she would come a little later to show you all around town - she didn't like the sound of Kapelo

for those who check on family members, etc, they seem to be more active in their sleep now, tossing, turning) but still will not awake

Nempura:

You find a small potted plant with luscious orange fruit on your table in the morning, surrounded by cards of soothing green and blue, each with covered with symbols for luck and fortune.

Bian knocks timidly on your door.

Bowing twice, she says, "Mang Sông. You are the one who cooked yesterday yes? I must thank you, and apologize. I was tired, worried about my Binh, and I did not mean to place such a burden on you, ca sĩ."

"singer", a respectful title for watersingers

Freya:

You hear a single winter bird chirping outside, the sound both lonely and hopeful. Intent on your letter, you don't hear your aunt enter the room. "Morning dear- sorry! I didn't mean to startle you. What's got you so jumpy?"

Novalie:

It is strange to wake up in your old room - the small trinkets in their same spaces, the subtle blue walls unchanged, the second-story view of palm trees and other luxuries in the gardens. As if time has stood still while you were away in Hearth.

At breakfast, your mother is properly attired, as always, but cannot hide her weariness. "Your father said something disturbing last night, in his sleep. He said, 'my son.' But, we only have you, and I've known him since we were children. There was..." she clear her throat, "a lost child before you, only a few months into my pregnancy..." She shakes her head and looks over at you. "Of all the things to say in his sleep, why would he say that?"

"Oh, umm, it's nothing auntie. I was just up late and didn't notice you come in." She has her hands full caring for Illiya, I shouldn't add to her worries. Freya swivels around to face her. "I'm writing a letter to mom, do you have anything you want me to add?"

Freya was pleased to find most of her clothes had been cleaned by her aunt, switching back to her civilian clothing.

Novalie goes and wraps her mother in her arms to console her, "I'm very sorry you lost a child mother, I had no idea, and I cannot imagine what you went through."

"The Dark are causing his dreams, his mind may be on any number of strange paths including futures that never were or entirely different lives." she holds her mother close and puts a positive note in her voice, "On the bright side, he's still in there and his mind is still working, I had far worse ideas of what it might have done to him. If we can wake him, he'll probably be just fine."

She'll hold her mother as long as she needs while thinking, "I hope the dark isn't torturing him in nightmares with visions of a baby that never was."

It was dark in her room when she arrived last night, but there was a lovely smell of something. She assumed it was Bihn who had mopped or something, but as she wakes early in the morning before sunrise and lights her candle, she sees the potted plant and cards. Rising from the bed she moves to them and plays her fingers over each one with a soft smile on her face as if recording them in her memory. Even the plant itself she touches caringly. It is a sweet gift and there is definitely appreciation there.
Knowledge Nature (Identification): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
She begins her morning ritual of sponge bathing shortly after and thinking of the previous day. Thinking of what is to be done that morning about Kapelo. Will the others show up? She doesn't know. As she is slipping on her new noble's outfit, there is a knock on the door. She had not done her hair yet but is dressed and presentable by that point and therefore will answer it.

In response, she bows kindly and nods to answer Bihn.

"You did nothing wrong. It can be hard seeing a loved one suffer. It was my pleasure to do it, and this morning, I believe I and another will cook breakfast for you and your patrons as well. So please, relax and spend some time in prayers for your wife. I too shall offer them."

She reaches back behind her and around her neck to pull all her hair forward to one side with a hooked finger.

"Did you place this plant here? It's lovely."

Nempura:

it is a variety of persimmon

Binh nods. "Yes, ca sĩ. We keep a small room of fledgling trees inside during the winter months, to provide nutrition for our patrons for breakfasts. It also sweetens the air, and I can think of no one else who deserves sweet air and pleasant dreams as much as you and your kindness."

"Forgive me for saying so, but that is a lovely dress, ca sĩ. It befits your inner and outer beauty."

Novalie and Freya: confirm that you are heading to the inn, and state whether you are out in the open or trying to "hide" your presence from Kapelo

freya: your aunt adds a few pleasantires about herself and your sister, and asks for advice in helping guide your sister (in terms of life path. she does not mention the sleeping)

Nempura asked us to go to a specific room in the inn and she'd let us in. Novalie is going to do that. Novalie will let Nempura determine what she wants us to do.

Novalie tells her mother where she is off to and wanders over to meet Nempura in room three of the inn.

Freya takes her time going to the inn, she makes sure she's properly equipped, sharpens her sword on her whetstone, eats breakfast and send off her completed letter to her mother. Once she finally arrives, the paladin makes no effort to hide her presence, sitting out in the open with her arms folded.

Whetstone adds +1 damage to her next attack

Nempura will smile warmly at the kindness of Bihn.

"You are too kind, sir. I will make sure to pay your compliments to its maker. It was a recent gift and I do love it. I shall inquire, when all this is over, about having one made for your beautiful wife." The thoughts of Madam Hao enters her mind and her smile falters a bit for a second before returning.

"If you will excuse me, I must get ready for the day. Thank you once more for the kind accents to my room and your attentiveness. I will treasure them greatly during my stay here, which may be a few more days longer than I expected. I do hope that is alright?"

It was her way of subtly saying she was going to stay and make sure Bian and him were alright, as well as Tien; though he didn't know what happened with her most likely.

Nempura would depart from him and close her door to finish doing up her outfit. By the time the sun began to rise, and the knock of Novalie comes on her door, she is finished, and her fellow Undine would see her in full noble regalia and her hair done up and pinned with beautiful adornments. Nempura will bow to her and welcome Novalie in.

"Good morning. How did you sleep? Did you already have breakfast?"

+1 HP for rest. Full bardic rounds unless GM has a different result.

Freya is making it clear she will be out in the open, so...

Kapelo strides into the room, smiling, carefree, until he notices the paladin sitting at one of the tables.

His smile disappears, and his hand reaches for his blade, though he keeps it sheathed for the moment. Not taking his eyes off Freya, he says, "Nempura, is this 'holy' warrior threatening you?"

"I should say the same, being held at swordpoint certainly made a strong impression. Enough that she came to me." Freya said cooly, matching the ele's gaze. She does not rise, but focuses intently upon him. Detect Evil

How fitting, a prince for a princess. He's certainly taken care of his appearance, so I doubt he so ill off. Prideful, I'd bet, not going to attack unless I do first.

he does not register as evil

"What is it about holy training that makes one so rude? Is it the altitude of the Great Temple, bad for the brain? Is it believing one is closer to the gods than commoners? I don't think I've ever met a polite priest in my whole life. Again I ask, Nempura, are you in danger from this person?"

The ifrit rolls her eyes, "I'm sure you're going to break out the tea and biscotti before planning a murder. Again, I'm not certain the man who holds women at sword's length is worth the niceties."

There wasn't an answer at first because she was not downstairs yet. Kapelo assumed she was in the kitchen or whatever else his animated mind imagined, but the call out definitely got her moving. In gorgeous regalia befitting one of a noble household, she descends the stairwell gracefully only to hear the two going at it. As she sees Freya there, it is no wonder.

"Of course not," she answers from the stairs. Her regality alone hopefully would disarm him in his heart. To Freya, it may aggravate her. She had not planned on her sitting down there. "I am not anymore in danger from her than you with your sword sheathed. Remember, I do not have a reason to trust you yet either. Freya has shown me that she has a heart to fight evil and the dark, not a heart of politics and backstabbing dealings to which you take offense, so I don't believe her to be your enemy either. In any case, it was me who invited her this morning, so if anyone is at fault, you must find fault in me. At the very least, you can fulfill your promise to me by starting breakfast for us and the patrons as you promised, and I do hope you would feel secure sharing what you know. After all, I could have gone to Ky La instead, and I did not, but I'm also not stupid to keep myself without security."

Nempura, when you mention that Freya is here at your invitation, his face darkens in anger. "Yes, you could have gone to Ky La, but you went to one of his legions of lap dogs instead. I hope for your sake this does not results in both of our deaths."

Petulantly, he begins making breakfast, banging pots louder than necessary. "So you want to know my story, paladin? I was born with a gift the Temple found useful. I did not know this until I was a full grown el, and out of nowhere this Inquisitor Ky La comes and starts demanding services, for the good of 'the people'. And then, the one time I question him? The one time I refuse, when things do not seem right? He kills my family to try and control me."

The breakfast is cooked by the time he finishes his tale. He slams down plates of scrambled eggs done in the village style: seasoned with fish sauce, a bit of sugar, and a garnish of green onions. "That is the truth of your beloved Temple, oh holy one. They see us as eggs to crack and devour, discarding us when the marrow is gone. You'll see it first hand if you are foolish enough to stay with them."

Novalie has not revealed herself yet

Kapelo's brow furrows for a moment. He looks over at Nempura, deep red eyes intense. "Nempura, did you bring any other Volcano-worshippers with you? Are you trying to ambush me?"

Novalie comes in all smiles and nice, she's unarmed and unarmored as usual and the Volcano birthmark on her shoulder is uncovered by her top.

She sits down all relaxed and chuckles as she says, "Ah, are you the miscreant who threatened our Nempura with a sword? How badly did she thrash you?"

Her voice grows very serious and lowers for a moment, "If you ever do that again, I will personally ring the life out of you and feed the remains to the fish."

She brightens up again and her voice becomes all cheerful and relaxed again, "I grew up in this village and trained with Freya for years, she's a trouble-maker," looking over slyly at Freya, "But I trust her with my life. She's in cahoots with no one but myself and will do the honorable thing."

"If what you say is true, that is very troubling. How do we know you are telling the truth? How do we ascertain if you aren't really undercover trying to catch us in blasphemes?" she raises her eyebrows quizzically.

With what little ability she had before he was finished, she would help him to cook, yet would keep her distance as he spoke to not incite his rage.

Cooking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Let me be clear Mr. v'Adril," she replies to him as he begins to cook, "I'm inclined to think of you as a friend. I see in you a man of noble heritage in a desperate position in life. I too would wish to seek vengeance on the man who I would come to believe struck down my family. I wouldn't care what anyone else would think, and naturally would be suspicious of anyone even affiliated with those aligned with my enemy. I apologize for telling my friends here about you, and you have the right to feel 'set up', but for the sake of transparency, I thought it best you, being an intelligent man accustomed to civility and understanding the character of others, that you should meet with these present here before pronouncing judgment on them."

She smiles at Novalie's words as she enters and gestures to her.

"See Kapelo? Allegiance. Trust. Defending those whom they see as in need of saving. Are these of the ilk that you distrust? Not I. So please, have a seat. Enjoy some breakfast with us. We all clearly are intended to hear you out, and you may never get another chance to explain and potentially gain true friends and allies."

Diplomacy (Improve Attitude): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Freya speaks calmly, but fire is obvious in her voice. "Just yesterday, I fought against two Darklings, right here in this quiet village. It's presence even now is holding our families in slumber. The threat the Temple and I stand against is very real, v'Adril. You want to take down the entire Temple for the sake of your personal revenge? I don't think I will ever be willing to help you do that."

The paladin, having already eaten, does not take a bite of the food before her. Instead, she continues to speak. "What happened to your family is terrible, I have no doubts about that. But that is between you and Inquisitor Ky La. Don't bring down the world for your personal satisfaction."

You don't know anything, do you? Ky La is a High Inquisitor, one of the most powerful els in the whole Temple hierarchy. Do you think that he would be able to get away with such things, right in Hearth, if the other High Inquisitors did not approve? I'm not fighting against one el - I'm fighting against a way of life that is rotten to the core."

A grin touches his features. "Unless you are implying the rest of the Temple is too stupid and incompetent to see what the rest is doing? Strange way to defend them."

Binh, the elderly proprietor of the inn, comes into the kitchen. "Ca sĩ, I wanted to thank you again for cooking. I can take them-"

The old undine squints, wrinkles crinkling around his eyes. He switches to Common. "You, Ca Pelo? You have left this place, yes? You paid for your last night days ago!" He looks at the rest of you, seeking an explanation.

"Well, never has an opportunity to exit stage presented itself so fortuitously. Sorry for the confusion, old el."

As he speaks, he has already stood, casually flipped several coins on the table, and walked out of the kitchen. "Addio!"

feel free to follow, or ignore him

Freya really aggravated her sometimes. The fact that the request was to be in hiding and here she was plain as day, lingering right where he would see her really pissed off Nempura. It set Kapelo on edge as she intended from the beginning and no amount of diplomacy could revert him. Freya's snapping behavior at her during their first fight and treating her like a child afterward and since rings in Nempuras mind. She deserves the same treatment, except worse, as Nempura's actions were done out of the concern and perhaps lack of knowledge. Freya's were done out of pride and rudeness in her perceptions. Still, Nempura is not the sort to express her anger and so she sits in silence simply watching the Ifrits' interactions with each other.

As it all crashes down and Kapelo leaves the inn, Nempura doesn't seem to bother discussing what just happened with Freya and will only give one last silent look to her before moving to Bihn. With a charming, disarming disposition, she moves to help him with the delivery of the dishes.

"Nonsense. Let me help you. More hands will make this easier and we can go about our mornings a bit easier. Tell me, did you know that Ifrit?"

Nempura:

"Oh, he just stayed here a few days. A few more days than I knew, apparently. A polite enough el, but he always seemed...restrained to me, holding back anger or something else."

Should Freya know who these High Inquisitors are? While the Order of Swords is probably different, I think she'd have some idea of who the brass are. At the very least, the Blessed of her order.

With Kapelo leaving, Freya slams a few gold coins on the table and storms after him, leaving her food untouched. She doesn't even notice the others as she leaves, her mind focused on pursuing Kapelo.

They are part of the Inquisition, so the rough analogy would be you are in the Army and the Inquisitors are Secret Service: you know who your Blessed are, a probably a few other Orders, too, but you only know OF the High Inquisitors, not WHO they are. They operate from the High Temple, and you only know they deal with heretics, darkspawn invaders, and the like.

You catch up with him easily enough

As you are making no effort to hide yourself, Kapelo hears you coming. He sees a paladin stalking toward him angrily. There is real fear in his eyes as he reflexively grabs for her rapier, fumbling the draw in his haste.

Got it. Makes me more excited to see what Freya's mom has to say, though the return letter is probably a few in-game days out even if things go smoothly.

Freya doesn't attempt to draw her own weapon. "So, is this how you fight your little revolution? Running away whenever talking gets tough? Tch. You've got a long way to go. But, you're right about one thing, I don't know anything. I've graduated little over a week ago." The urge to light a cigarette starts to grow in her mind, but she pushes such thoughts away. "I don't know if anything you've said is the truth, but I intend to find out. The destruction of the Temple is not something I will ever work towards, but if things need to change, I WILL be part of it."