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Eland tries to hide his glee at the revelation of the conntents of the scrolls. He eats his fill and makes a display of leaving a couple gold coins on the table to pay for the meal. "I think the overland route may prove the wiser. Asking around for a boat may arouse too much suspicion." He looks around the table to see if his companions are in agreement.
Monty, Anyssa, Garrett, and Ivan: Spoiler: Eland returns the maids smile, but then approaches another as they make their way to the back of the Rose. "Could you bring us whatever the cooks are preparing for this evening and a couple bottles of the house wine." He drops a gold coin onto the tray the maid is carrying. "There will be more if you keep us well provisioned"
As they settle into the back room Eland begins to unload his pack. "Master Ashwyn, these are my friends Anyssa, Garret, and Ivan," He says with a nod to each in turn. "I am afraid we do not bring good news. Antius is dead, someone got to him before we could. And it appears that he was slain in a ritualistic fashion." Eland then describes the symbols that were left in Antius' library. "While we were at Antius' manse, we ran into the same group of toughs that had delivered the cargo to us the night before. We bested them and in sparing some of them I think we may have earned a new ally." "we found the keys to the crate and returned to the warehouse and opened it. These are some of the things we found inside," Eland then indicates the scrolls, letters, and the metal bar. "I am hoping that you can help indentify them." Eland sits back and lets Ashwyn examine the pieces.
Eland stashes the letters, the scrolls, and the metal bar in his pack. With a glint in his eye, he leads his companions out the back of the warehouse. The thought of a warm meal and wine in the back of his mind. Unlike Damandor, Eland is lost in thought about the letters and scrolls. As is usual for him, he is blissfully unaware of his surroundings. Without thinking, he begins to hum a tune.
Eland will bring the odd metal bar also. "If any of you fellows would like to accompany me to the Wilted Rose, The first round is on me. A warm meal might be just the thing after a couple of days eating dried meat and bread."
"I usually just have a few more glasses of wine until the voices get bored and go away," Eland says with a rye smile. More to the point, though, I would like to bring the letters back to the wilted rose and have Ashwyn look at it. Maybe Damandor could have the high priest of his temple examine the book."
Eland racks his brain for any snippet he can remember about Kellian.
"So we are supposed to delve the dungeons of C'erat Mour and deliver a outlawed holy relic to a band of would be insurgents. This sounds like fun!"
"well, the sword is obviously magical and would best be used by one of our warriors. These scrolls contain wizard spells. Unfotunately, I do not have a 'read magic' prepared today so it will have to wait until tomorrow to determine which spells each contains." He then scans the book some more. "This will need to be studied by a more learned eye than we possess, my master may be able to decipher its meaning."
Eland examines the items thoroughly and compares notes with Damandor, hoping to reach some agreement on their purposes. Spoiler:
knowledge(arcana) check
Scroll 1: 1d20+8= 22 Scroll 2: 1d20+8= 16 Scroll 3: 1d20+8= 14 Potion 1: 1d20+8= 13 Potion 2: 1d20+8= 28 Large Book: 1d20+8= 27 Silver Shortsword: 1d20+8= 19 Metal Bar: 1d20+8= 21 "These items may have a deeper meaning than their physical properties." Eland wracks his brain to try and remember if he has heard any tidbits of tales from his days in the tavern that may relate to what is in the crate. Spoiler: knowledge (local) check: 1d20+8= 23
"Damandor, we should combine our magical talents to study these items and determine their uses." Eland gazes longingly at the tome and silently curses himself for not having the foresight to prepare any 'identify' spells.
Eland opens the letter and reads it aloud to the group.
Eland finds a place to rest after having Damandor tend to his wounds. He tries to sleep and reorganize his mind and replenish his spells.
After awakening and studying spellbook, he rejoins his companions and examines the crate.
"Garrett is right, I do not mean to burn the place down. I will strike out alone andset a fire of to the east. You will then find it easier to make your way out to the west. If you get my meaning." To the captive, "I have a business proposition for you my dear. If you stay here, tend to your companions and bury the dead. I will allow you the valuables from the main level, but none of the furniture. The upper floors are not to be touched, on pain of death. You know this to be no idle threat. If you are to follow through, though, you will be considered a 'friend' and we may be able to do business together again."
"If we are going to leave, we should do it now. We will have to help Grunther along as best we can." Eland then says in hushed tones, "Do we trust the survivor of the bandits to hold down the manor. She could stay with her companions and keep a watch on the estate. She could act as a servant if anyone comes to call, and we would have a semi-secure base in the royal quarter. I do not think the authorities are going to come to investigate. If whoever did this to Antius was doing it in an official capacity the place would be swarming in barbarians and probably burnt to the ground." "If we decide to go now, I will create some diversions of a more mundane nature to cover Grunther's escape." Eland looks around for some lamp oil and jars/clay pots. He takes some linens from the dining room and proceeds to make some improvised explosives. "I will plan on meeting you at the warehouse this evening. I must visit my master and gain some rest."
Elandlooks around for anything that could tie him to Antius in a familial way, or at least to the manor. He also searches for anything that could be Antius' spellbook. perception 1d20= 15 "I am beginning to think you are right about leaving. On our way back to the warehouse, I will stop and apprise my master of what has happened. I will see if he can have someone come and bury the dead and clean the manor." As they leave, Eland lingers a bit looking for keys to the manor amongst the servents quarters.
Eland examines the runes left in blood on the floor. Knowledge (Arcana) 1d20+8= 22 "I think that we are actually quite safe here. The assassins apparently have gotten what they came for, and are unlikely to return to the scene of the crime. The high walls of the compound will keep us safe from casual scrutiny. We can then bury the dead in the garden, let or wounds heal, and carefully examine the contents of the library. We may not get another chance to exmaine this room if we hurry off."
Eland casts a 'detect magic', scanning the room for any aura's. "Be careful, whoever did this had acces to teleportation magic or dimension door to gain access to the locked room, they are obviously very potent." As Eland scans the room, his thoughts wander to the tomes and what treasure's they might contain. He wonder's if he could find a good enough forgery expert to make some birth documents that would show him to be Antius' long lost son. He could get used to living in a place such as this, and think of the mischief he could get to with his new station.
Eland unclinches his cheeks as he thankfully detects no magical auras at the same time that Ivan strikes the door. "Maybe we should check Antius' room for a key, whatever is behind this door, we may want to lock it up again once we have exmained it." Eland begins looking through drawers and on tables. "Although I also suspect we might want to bring whatwe find with us."
Eland approaches the door and casts his light spell on his lantern. He looks for any arcane symbols and then casts 'detect magic'.
After Garrett gets blasted, "We must be on the right track. Whatever is up there, Antius didn't want anyone getting at it easily." "Garrett, take your time on the rest of the wires. We are relatively safe here as I don't think anyone would be arriving until morning."
"I agree we need to check the third floor. Let us be done with it and leave this place." Eland heads for the stairs, casting a 'light' spell on another copper and throwing it up to the landing at the top of the stairs. He readies his crossbow and starts to ascend.
Eland feels the warm rush of the healing energy of Damandor. The bolt falls from his chest and his breathing becomes easier. "Thank you, brother elf." He then looks to the other burglers lying about. "Do we stabilize the other burglers. Saving them may turn them into allies, and be a valuable resource in the days to come." Eland approaches the prisoner, "it is your lucky day, You get to give us a tour of the second floor. I wish to see everywhere your troupe explored. Ivan, can you help our guide to her feet and make sure she doesn't use them to run. I will keep her covered with my crossbow." "A couple of our group should stay on the landing to keep watch." Eland will cast his light spell on his lantern before leaving to search the rooms around the staircase.
Eland wheels, hearing the thud of a body hitting the marble. He is amazed that the burgler is still concious. Looking to remedy that, he approaches and casts 'sleep'. If successful, he does a coup de grace with his short sword. If unsuccessful, he reloads crossbow and tries to get a shot off against the barbarian.
Eland glances at the boltin his chest and yells to the red haired woman, "right, I'll do you for that one." he raises his crossbow and fires.
Eland thinks that that last bolt was a little close, he takes his next action to cast 'shield' and prepares to put his crossbow to work.
Eland lowers his ring hand and unloads his magic missile at the red haired woman. "You have mmade the wrong choice, it is too bad you will not live to learn from it."
Seeing the red haired woman from the night before, Eland never forgets a pretty face, he calls out to her. "Hold, call your men off, we are Antius' men come to find what has happened to our patron." As a show of good faith he steps out into the center of the room, arms raised, yet ready to lower his ring hand and fire off a magic missle.
Eland readies his crossbow and keeps a watch on the doorways above on the landing.
"I could cast a spell of light that will help us navigate but also give away our position." Eland thinks on this for a moment, "or I could cast my light spell on something in the room, doing so in each room we enter, thus avoiding the target problem." To show the others what he is thinking, Eland casts light on a copper piece and flips it into the empty (?) kitchen.
"That would be the more prudent move, we should send the scout and warriors over first in case there is trouble. This sword I carry is mainly for show." Eland makes his way to the narrow passage between the two estates.
perception: 1d20= 4 Eland looks about the street. His first instinct is relief at arriving and a desire to get off the street. "There is the manor we are seeking, should we knock at the door and see if Antius is home."
Knowledge local check: 1d20+8= 27 "I recognize this intersection, I courted a young maid in the area for a while (until she found out I wasn't a prince from the south). Left will get us to Power's Way quickly, however it is a main thoroughfare and is likely to be both heavily patrolled and well lit. The intersection of Power's Way and Noble Boulevard, where Ashwyn said Antius's house is, lies at the end of an alley off the road which is straight ahead of us. Following this route will be quicker, plus we'll be less likely to run into a patrol." Elend moves to go straight and heads for the alleyway that will give us access to Antius' compound.
I think our best option is to run. The guard that noticed us is not going to come by himself and we won't stand much of a chance against them all. We should make for the first set of shadows and keep moving and turning and try to stay out of the guards line of sight. Should that fail we will need to try and pick them off a few at a time. In the short term, Eland willrun past his companions and make for the next intersection where he can get some cover and se if he s followed.
Eland appproaches the area and sets his plan into motion.
Turning to the others Eland says, "I can work some magic that will distract the guards. Should it work we can slip past." If everyone agrees, Eland will try and sneak into position and cast his Ghost Sound off to the side. He will make the sound of someone 3 men stumbling and toppling some boxes in a alley or alcove that the guards can't readily see without moving to investigate.
"I remember Ashwyn, my master, saying something about where Antius' home was." Eland taps his forefinger against his forehead as if trying to beat the knowledge out of his skull. "Thats's it, it's a walled villa on the corner of Power’s Way and the Noble Boulevard. He also warned that traveling there during the day would be treacherous unless we had a goosd cover story." "I like Garret's idea. If we could get him inside sometime today and then Garret could open the gate for the rest of us tonight." "Before we go anywhere, though, we should do something to hide this crate."
Eland takes a long draught from the wine bottle he purloined from the Wilted Rose, and listens to Damandor tell his tale. His eyes bulge as Damandor relays the alternative history of Bastion and again at the mention of the prophecy. "I cannot speak to the history of our fair city, but I can confirm the part about the prophecy. Apparently, Antius is a sorceror of some ability and an expert in ancient writings and history. Apparently, We are all considered to have been named or described in what my master called 'the most inportant prophecy of them all'. It was noaccident that we were all contacted for this job, in fact I think that whatever is in the crate is meant to aid us in fulfilling it. I have also been assured however, that opening it would be unwise as it is more than likely warded. Antius would not want it falling into the wrong hands, and would most likely rather see it destroyed." The morale of te story is, that we need to find Antius, and the best palce to start would be his home in the Royal Quarter. My master is also doing some research and has asked me to return tommorow for the results." "Unfortuantely, I was so taken aback by the news of the prophecy that I forgot to mention our assailants."
Spoiler: Eland partakes greedily of the offered food, then nearly chokes when he hears Ashwyn's claim that he is prophecied to be the savior of the people of Bastion. He quickly regains his usual bravado, "Well, I always knew I was destined for greatness." The words ring hollow as the scope of this news settles on him.
He shifts uneasily in his seat, "Seriously, master, this news hits me like a bolt from the sky. I am no hero, I doubt that I have the constitution for leading a rebelion. I had thought I would spend my days learning at your knee and, quite honestly, using my gifts to make a profit." He stands and paces about the room, girding himself to his new reality. "I will search out Antius. After all, who am I to deny the will of the ancient prophets. Though I still doubt, I will work until my last to make this prophecy so." "I should return to my comrades. We will find antius and set whatever plan he has in motion." Eland tries to slip a bottle of wine under his cloak as he leaves, saying, "I shall return tomorrow around noon, Boccob willing you will have answers and I will have found Antius."
Spoiler: "The task itself whent about as well as could be expected, Ashwyn, but Antius is several hours late for our appointed meeting. We have been holed up in a warehouse with a large crate that eminates magic. We are unable to tell what kind of magic and were instructed not to open the crate without the proper key, I fear it is warded." Eland looks around at his immediate surroundings for something to eat, trying not to look disrespedtful to his mentor. "We have not eaten since last night, and empty stomachs do not make for sound decisions. I was hoping to get some guidance or news of Antius ,and some bread and wine would great also."
In a rare moment of clarity, Eland says, "The fact that Antius said it would be dangerous to open the crate without the proper key suggests that the crate is warded somehow. I would hate to bring attention and pain to all of us by having some explosive ward meet our atempts to see what is in the crate." I looks at everyone with a look of surprised satisfaction on his face. "I would be willing to find some food but would appreciate some assistance. Plus, I could make a few inquiries about our benefactor while out." Eland's plan would be to head back to the Wilted Rose and get some food, and then ask his superiors to try and find out what has happened to Antius.
Eland shepishly watches as Damandor casts his detect magic, wondering why it never occured to him.
Eland dreams of sweet honeyed mead and various female aquantinces. When he wakes, he pulls out his spellbook and refreshes his spells. He steps back out into the warehouse and looks around to see whether anyone has stuck around.
"I for one need to rest and replenish my spells. I had not thought that we would be still involved past noon, and I suddenly feel ill prepared to give anyone aid. Plus, if we are to leave this place during daylight hours, it may draw undue attention." If no one has any objections, Eland rtires to the cot in the office and drifts off to sleep.
Eland thanks the gods for a warm, dry resting place. He informs demandor that he has luckily escaped the events of the evening unscathed. It does not take long for curiosity to get the better of him and he climbs up to the mezzanine and out onto a few rafters. After cavorting for a half hour, Eland comes back down to the group, removes his flute from his pack and starts to play a slow, melancholy melody that seems to fit his mood. After playing a short time, he asks if anyone has any requests and offers to stay awake for the first shift if others would like to get some sleep.
Being releived that they made it to the warehouse unscathed, and not possessing the common sense to know better, Eland makes for the door. "Who has got the key, lets get in out of this gods forsaken rain."
Hearing the howl, Eland blanchs, "Of all the nights for a hunt to occur. We must use care, we do not want to run into that." Eland quitely wishes he were in a taproom somewhere rather than carrying contraband down a street in the rain.
"I'll stay close to the crate, and keep our carriers covered." Eland takes up a position next to Gunther and scans the scene with his crossbow ready as the travel.
Eland, seeing that the others are swarming the remaining cultists and fearing to fire into the melee, stands with his back to the crate and reloads his crossbow. He scans the docks for any sign that the melee has attracted attention.
Eland steps up and uses crate for cover. He fires crossbow at cultist at T7.
Eland casts Daze on the cultist at J8. He then moves to F6 to get a line of sight on the cultist firing from behind the customs building.
Eland points his ring at the cultist nearest the crate and fires his magic missile. "This was not our doing, woman" he shouts at the red headed woman.
"It is my sincere hope that everything is in order," Eland says to the red headed wowan.
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