Zartas Town house is in the Ivy district and has a butler who will show you to the waiting room for Pathfinders
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Lady Lyra, ties off her mount and enters the house, and takes off her riding long coat and hat as she enters, handing it to the butler.
"Could you have one of the maids give this a bush down and clean if possible, it been a long ride"
She asks with a smile and hands the butler some coppers.
"For the maid work, and could you tell the master of the house that Lady Alya De Qill has come as requested"
She added, When the butler offers to show her to a room, she follows.
Entering you see a tall Elf.Her white hair is tied back and held by a silver pin. Her clothing is a fine Black and silver uniform. On her hip is a fine-curved Stileto-long-blade, in her boot a similar dagger. Here is someone who knows wealth, if not herself, then someone spends time around it. It looks like the Noble house uniform, probably from a trading noble Elf family's hereabouts.
She stood for a moment taking in the others and then, nodded at those in the room. Takes a seat next to Beleg, and greets him in formal Elvish,
"Beannachtaí deartháir an Dúlra"
"Greetings Brother of nature"
Then added in a half-whisper.
"Aon smaoineamh cad atá i gceist leis seo?"
"Any idea what this is about?"
On her breast is the insignia of the De Qill Family.
The De Qill Family are Elf traders, who are famed for Caravan trade to far-off places. This is probably Alya the younger of 5 known legitimate daughters to the late head of the house. Her uncle now running the family. Gossip has it that once her uncle took over she was given the options of being married to some ner-do-well farmer's son or taking a lesser Title and a trade that would help the family. She had taken the latter root. Joining the house guard and an officer.
Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District—one of several homes the noblewoman keeps around Absalom—You come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the you, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting the Pathfinders as if expected. If questioned, the servant remains quiet, only responding when pressed, and then with only a few simple words: “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.” Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, you finally (after a brief pause to gather the early arrivals from the waiting room) arrive on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, beyond which lies her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door. A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table. . Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen greets you with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address you.
Beannachtai Lady Alya, Beleg, Curie she greets each of you by name. and a smile which is a touch broader for those of the dark archive
Sorry to drag you away from the Grand lodge. It suits my purpose that those pathfinders on this little errand should be under something of a cloud. I entrusted my notes on Delvehaven and westcrown to a researcher by the name of Ezren. He has taken it upon himself to gain further information from Westcrown itself! Taking my notes with him. I need you to go to Westcrown and retrieve him and my notes. He's probably staying at Vizios Inn as that was indicated as a inn of some safety. Since Egorian became the capital of Cheliax Westcrown as been run tby the five families and is quite crime ridden. Also there is some beasts that roam the streets at night so it is usually wise to observe the curfew. One of the Desmire cousins is in charge at Citadel Rivad the Hell Knight Fortress a half days ride from the town. I'd love to tell you more but without my notes that will be all I can tell you
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Curie turns to the newcomer in the black uniform.
Beannachtaí leat chomh maith. An raibh tú ag iarraidh a bheith drochbhéasach, nó díreach aineolach?
Greetings to you as well. Were you trying to be rude, or just ignorant?
Greetings Paracountess, Do you have a description of Ezren? Do you have any idea what he might be trying to research? And what is the significance of the Desmire cousin being in charge at Citadel Rivad?
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The tall cloaked figure nods to the tall human as the man quietly sits down…
Upon seeing the dapper Elf lady enter in uniform, he arches an eyebrow and his eyes are drawn to the insignia upon her breast…
"Beannachtaí deartháir an Dúlra"
He pulls back the hood from his cloak to reveal long hair, almost as white as hers, to go with his sharp ears and warm smile.
”Mae govannen, mime héri De Qill. Beleg ie núro.”
"Aon smaoineamh cad atá i gceist leis seo?"
Beleg shakes his head and shrugs as he whispers back, ”Nô tenna; herdir ceiria…”
Beannachtaí leat chomh maith. An raibh tú ag iarraidh a bheith drochbhéasach, nó díreach aineolach?
Beleg turns to the man. ”I’m sure the lady meant no offense, my friend; we don’t run across many Elves here in Absalom so we like to catch up. Greetings to you, I am Beleg…”
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She smiles at Beleg happy that he had explained she had not been rude to the human alchemist by the looks of him. Humans were so easy to anger and take offense, no wonder they were always fighting each other in pointless wars.
"Well meet, Beleg I can tell we will get along'
Before she could say anything more, She had to greet the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen formally. They had met before more than once. The last time was briefly at one of last season's events.
Alya got up and greeted Yulau as she came in. Someone she had fought side by side with before. Please to see a known face should could not help but wonder what dark cloud she was under.
As Paracountess Zarta Dralneen tells them what she wants of them. Alya knew full well what she meant by 'Under a cloud' her's was not of the Pathfinder's making but her not doing what the current head of her family wanted. Alya kept quiet and let the others talk. She herself was wondering if she knew of anything related to this mission. Alya is an Investigator, if the Paracountess does not know much. Alya with somewhat of an encyclopedic academic knowledge may. Knowledge gained from the best schooling her family could offer such a lesser daughter. If not from that then from the local gossip and rummer mills she liked so much to keep an ear to. She could tell now why she had been asked here. She smiled at the Paracountess a knowing smile. So be it, the investigation was on and it would be good to have this woman own her a favor. So Alya said nothing yet, as she mentally entered her mind palace to receive what information she had.
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Beleg nods to what he assumes is a Tien lady, in addition to the Tengu, when they enter…
She smiles at Beleg happy that he had explained she had not been rude to the human alchemist by the looks of him.
"Well met, Beleg I can tell we will get along'
Beleg returns her smile. ”Aye, m’Lady, I believe we will…”
Curie turns to the newcomer in the black uniform.
Greetings Paracountess, Do you have a description of Ezren? Do you have any idea what he might be trying to research? And what is the significance of the Desmire cousin being in charge at Citadel Rivad?
{b]Ezren old taldane merchant who has some skill in bookkeeping and wizardry. A perfect choice for collating my papers on Westcrown - or so I thought. He left a cryptic note having made a major breakthorough leaving for the Vizio;s Inn. An inn of some significance in Westcrown. As for the Desmires At one point there were negotiations between the Dralneens and the Desmires about me marrying one of them. I chose Absalom and the pathfinder society instead and the Desmire now hold a grudge against me and the pathfinder society. They are a very proud and powerful family and not used to being slighted[/b]
Beleg rises and bows to the Paracountess. ”No worries, m’Lady…but might I ask just what kind of beasts roam these streets at night?”
Shadowy beasts only attack at night and strong light sources they avoid but they have been known to lay waste to entire guard patrols that stray from the lights. Some say they originate from Delvehaven the lodge that has been sealed by both the pathfinders and House Thrune Signifiers but that link is unproven but is another reason pathfinders are not particularly welcome in Westcorwn or Cheliax
In any case I have booked you passage on the Swiftsure a trader heading to Westcrown this evening Any more questions?
The Swiftsure is an excellent ship Lady Alya will be hard pressed to come up with a better conveyance at such short notice but it soon transports you to Westcrown
You learn today in Westcrown with the dying of every day’s light, businesses hurriedly close and respectable homes light lanterns outside their doors. Members of the dotarri light pyrahjes, man-sized torches, throughout the Parego Regicona and in the major plazas of the Parego Spera, patrolling between such islands of light in groups of seven. Taverns, festhalls, and similar establishments maintain sleeping rolls for those who stay after dark, collecting a customary 2 sp fee for boarders soon after twilight. Those forced onto the street after dark typically carry halorans, 7-foot-tall hooked staves hung with bright lanterns, made publicly available along the city’s most traveled avenues.
You make your way to Vizios Inn to find Vizio complaining bitterly about that fool Ezren What kind of Idiot wrecks his own room at an Inn
You soon learn Ezren has been found guilty of vandalism and as a pathfinder he is to be collected by a prisoner wagon to be dispatched from Citadel Rivad in the morning.
A human woman looks you over quizzically and cryptically says The rooms at the fiddlers dram are idiotproof and heads out
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I agree we need to check out the scene. I'm not sure Vizio will let us up without some compensation. He is in business to make money, so I suspect if we can give him the right amount of money. . . Curie says as he looks around, starting to think about what "The rooms at the fiddlers dram are idiotproof" might mean.
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Lady Alya is quiet and inobtrusive, happy to let others do the talking asking only now and then questions on a point or bit of information. She is a listener more than a talker. But as they travel she tells the others what little she knows of the events for where they are going.
It all began in Rova of 4676 ar. What started as stories of strange creatures slinking through the shadows became a citywide panic as Wiscrani began disappearing off the darkened streets. Rumors spread quickly of a return of the White Plague or a resurrection of the infamous Council of Thieves, but these tales were soon replaced by reports of a shadowy calamity at Delvehaven, the local Pathfinder lodge, and sightings of dark and insubstantial beings hunting the streets. After months of ignoring or dismissing the problem, the government eventually launched a campaign to seek out and put an end to what they downplayed as an infestation of giant rats, goblins, and goblin dogs. Yet the dottari proved ill equipped for these midnight hunts, and the office of the mayor offered only empty promises. Growing fear and anger led to scapegoating and suspicions of insurrectionists from Nidal, which culminated in a mob’s daylight burning of twin Nidalese coasters. Finally, for the populace’s protection, a curfew was enacted throughout the city while a small army of dottari and experienced mercenaries were commissioned to deal with the shadowy curse that had afflicted the Wiscrani night. Numerous raids and hunts were conducted in the Dospera and ancient city sewers, only to result in the loss of many hunters with little apparent gain. Thus, the nightly curfew remained in place in effect for more than 30 years, with the unwary risking their very lives.
Lady Alya takes in the town as they get there, and once at the Inn, just smiles at Vizio. She waits as the others work to get them access to the wrecked room. As she does she takes her time studying the place and those there.
No the rooms already taken Senor Iglesias jumped at the chance to sleep in the room with the new bed
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Lady Alya was like many elves, mostly self-contained, even a little aloof. But on the trip there she had grown close to him, Swoping the tails of their lives. Her a lesser child of a noble family, trained as a house guard investigations officer over being married off. He had told her some of his life. after she had noted the fine Evilen curved blade he carried, rear to see outside of Evilsh conclaves. She herself had been trained with a slimmer blade. They both seemed to understand the ways of war and battle. She had seen her far share, She was older than she looked and he had seen things in his time was well. She had her strengths but to have an experienced blade by her side. That put her at ease. Dark things were afoot here and she was more than glad of the company. She said as much to him.
In Elvish, she said to him.
"Thank you Beleg for coming with me. This is not the town to take risks in. and I am glad I have you by my side"
Once talking to the city guard, she felt him behind her, giving weight to her words.