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Vilya reads the letter to the group:
Well met and welcome to the grand city of Waterdeep adventurers! One of my mage's has informed me you are new to the city and new to this world. Its his job to keep track of any new persons coming to our city and find out their intent. I and a small group of others try to keep Waterdeep safe from outside forces. The portal you came through was a new one to our world and I am very interested to find out where you came from and to see if you are here on purpose or by mistake!
Either way I have an offer for you that will help both of us out. I seek a certain item and don't have the resources at hand to get it and I am tied up with other more pressing projects at this time. If you retrive this item for me I will direct you to a portal that will get you home or if you are here on purpose then you will walk away with many riches during the course of you mission. Think it over, I will be at the Elfstone tavern later tonight so we can meet and I can explain what the mission intails. I will answer any questions you have at that time also. I hope to see you there!
And so the letter ends....
Dron:
You were so busy being hungry, tired and lost that you didn't relize you have not heard from your god in days. This is the first time that your god has spoken directly to you and it must have taken alot just to get his little message through. You know this but you are having a hard time mentally figuring it out. You have a slight headache now.
"Hmph."
Triska grunts noncommittally and looks at the rest of the group for their reactions. Her hand continues to nervously stroke her braid.
"Maybe it's custom in this land to make sure no one knows your name. Maybe they think it gives others power over you if they know your name."
Kraeg removes the bolt from his crossbow and returns it to its case. He releases the weapons trigger and eases the string forward.
"So, do we go to this Elfstone tavern, or do we look for our own way back?"
"Got nothing better to do at the moment. Let's go to this place. And if it turns out to be an ambush, then the rude person who wrote that letter will just have to die."
Toranaga raises his mug, "A toast. To us, in whatever world we may be, may our names stand the test of time." Then Toranaga drains his mug.
Dron stands up, "I think so. Elfstone."
"I say we go. If it's some sort of ... ambush, we're equipped. At least, I am."
"It seems we have no choice if we wish to find our way back to our homeland, yet we must use caution in this strange place where they already know of us."
Dron's jaw juts out, "Elfstone. Gorum tell me now. Show me way, please."
In response to Toronaga's toast, Triska stands up. "May our names indeed live forever in the songs of our descendants!" Raising her own mug, she throws back her head and lets out a bloodcurdling war cry. She drains the mug and throws it to the floor, shattering it.
In the stunned silence that follows, she sits down, her face burning with embarrassment.
Triska nods her assent to the group's decision to go to the Elfstone tavern. She strings her bow, testing its pull, and begins waxing the bowstring.
"Well, then. If we're going to visit this tavern, and likely end up in some sort of trouble, I'll get what rest I can now."
With that, Kraeg leans back in his chair, closes his eyes, and begins to snore, softly at first, but with growing volume.
"Onward then I say to this Elfstone Tavern!"
"Barkeep, directions to this Elfstone Tavern would be most helpful! The sooner we know where, the sooner we are outta here and trouble with us!"
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Your group finishes the amazing meal and drinks and some of you doze off for a little while. Now that you are all refreshed you take your leave of the tavern, as you try to pay the barkeep said your bill has already been taken care of for you. He also give you directions to the Elfstone tavern and wishes you blessings of Tymora, lady luck.
It is dusk when you step out into the crowded street. It does not take long for your group to reach its destination, The Elfstone tavern. This old narrow building has two stories but has the look of being taken care of in its old age. At the top of the stairs by the enterance is a familiar person, the dark cloaked man who gave you the letter. He has that small grin on his face again. He is not really looking at you though, you can see him scanning the street for something but he is very alert even though he has a casual stance as he leans against the porch column. He nods and bids you to enter the tavern without saying anything. The enterance is a single door that opens inward revealing a small curtained in foyer. You can hear noises coming from behind the curtain. Mostly soft spoken talk, the clank of glasses and a few high pitched laughs. To your left are stairs leading up to the second level of the building and at the bottom stands one of the most beautiful elven ladies you have ever seen. Her stance is one of regal air and perched on her shoulder is a grinning little faerie dragon. Her silvery eyes shine bright and her smile makes your heart flutter(even Vilya and suprisingly Triska). The little dragons eyes gleam with mirth and seem to never leave Kraeg. Well met and welcome to my tavern fair children, my name is Yaereene, you are expected, please take the stairs and go to the last door on your left.....
Kaldren hesitates at the foot of the stairs as the group starts to assend and places a hand on his sisters shoulder and whispers to her.
For Triska
Vilya speaks her mind. As usual.
"She's not normal. I don't like her."
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For Kaldren:
Triska shrugs Kaldren's hand off her shoulder.
"I'll take the rear again." Triska's eyes dart back and forth, taking in the surroundings, studiously avoiding looking at the striking elven woman.
The little dragons eyes gleam with mirth and seem to never leave Kraeg.
Kraeg stares right back at the odd little dragon.
Vilya speaks her mind. As usual.
"She's not normal. I don't like her."
The dwarf snorts. "If we used 'normal' as a bench-mark, you'd still be back in Varisia," he says in a light-hearted and playful tone, he seems to enjoy giving Vilya a hard time.
The dwarf snorts. "If we used 'normal' as a bench-mark, you'd still be back in Varisia," he says in a light-hearted and playful tone, he seems to enjoy giving Vilya a hard time.Vilya speaks her mind. As usual.
"She's not normal. I don't like her."
"What are you insinuating, stubby?"
Sarcasm works both ways.
Kraeg's mouth stretches in a wide, toothy smile.
"You must be slippin', lass. My insinuation was quite clear."
Kraeg's mouth stretches in a wide, toothy smile.
"You must be slippin', lass. My insinuation was quite clear."
"It was a rhetorical question. And right now, I could insinuate that your height is directly proportional to another of your physical attributes, but I won't. Because I'm a nice lady."
"It was a rhetorical question. And right now, I could insinuate that your height is directly proportional to another of your physical attributes, but I won't. Because I'm a nice lady."
"You've got me there. Certain physical attributes of mine are nearly as long as I am tall."
"It was a rhetorical question. And right now, I could insinuate that your height is directly proportional to another of your physical attributes, but I won't. Because I'm a nice lady.""You've got me there. Certain physical attributes of mine are nearly as long as I am tall."
"You're impossible."
Vilya scowls, cracking her knuckles.
"What's the fun of arguing when you don't win?"
"Ok. That that's been settled. Shall we go in? Wouldn't want to keep our 'host' waiting... that would just be plain bad manners."
"Ok. That that's been settled. Shall we go in? Wouldn't want to keep our 'host' waiting... that would just be plain bad manners."
"Fine then. Let's go."
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Your group goes up the stairs and enters a long dark hall way, the only light source is a faint illumination from the window at your destination. In front of the door you can see two well built figures, to Kraeg he can see they are very muscular elven warriors, not the slim elves you are used to seeing. As you approach the doorway one of the goons opens the door for you and bids you to enter. The room is well lit but candles lining the walls and a cozy fireplace blazing away on the left wall. Directly in front of you behind a very large organized desk stands a handsome pale with blue tings skinned elf who is very well dressed. He greets you... Well met and welcome to Waterdeep fellow travellers. Please come in and make yourself comfortable. My name is Rollo Ashenflame. The one who I work for had to leave the city unfortunatly to help out some dwarven friend fight off an Orc attack on their city. He regrets not being able to be here and has asked me to help him out and take this meeting. So please take a seat and I will have some beverages brought to us because we have a lot to discuss and I know you have many questions needing to be answered.
He walks around the desk and walks over to the door, opens it slightly and whispers to one of the goons to bring the drinks. He closes the door and takes his place behind the desk again in his seat.
"Rollo Ashenflame, greetings. I am Yoshi Toranaga. These are my companions. Do you have some of that honeybeer I have been hearing so much about?" Toranaga takes a seat, feeling confident that this short fellow has heard of his achievements, his legend. A fan.
Dron tightens his headscarf as he enters and steps to the left of the doorway, leaning against the wall.
He smiles at the host.
Kraeg flops down into a chair and puts his feet up on the desk.
"So then, Mister Ashenflame, where are we?"
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"Rollo Ashenflame, greetings. I am Yoshi Toranaga. These are my companions. Do you have some of that honeybeer I have been hearing so much about?" Toranaga takes a seat, feeling confident that this short fellow has heard of his achievements, his legend. A fan.
Greeting mister Toranaga and companions, hopefully we do have some honeybeer for you!
Vilya stands in the shadows, sulking.
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Kraeg flops down into a chair and puts his feet up on the desk.
"So then, Mister Ashenflame, where are we?"
Your attempt to put your feet up on the desk falls short so to speak.
Rollo turns to you after greeting Toranaga and says..You are in the City of Waterdeep which is on the continent of Faerun which is located on the world we call Toril, master dwarf...
Your attempt to put your feet up on the desk falls short so to speak.
Rollo turns to you after greeting Toranaga and says..You are in the City of Waterdeep which is on the continent of Faerun which is located on the world we call Toril, master dwarf...
Vilya steps from the shadows, moving around to the side of Rollo's desk. She leans forward, placing her hands on the desk's surface, her face close to that of the pale elf.
"Ha. Is a funny joke, really. But now, Vilya is playing serious. Where in Golarion are we, and how do we get back home?"
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Rollo turns to Vilya and says to her but addressing all at the same time Well my pretty lady, if you'd like to get home we can lead you to a portal that will send you back to your own world but first you must retrive an item for us and it is located in the same area as the portal to your homeworld. Recently we had an earthquake which shook most of this side of the world. It also took away a very powerful mad wizard who has shaped Waterdeep in many ways. He lived most of his life below us in an ancient dwarven stronghold long buried by years. He had in place many wards to protect his home but they are now starting to fail. A rune stone of great power is the item we seek, it will help us protect the city and keep it out of the hands of the many factions trying to gain money or power using it for evil purposes, by keeping in place the many wards the mad wizard created. So we are asking you for your help in protecting our city which is the same path that will lead you home....
Drinks arrive carried by a beautiful elven waitress on an tray. She stops by each person in the group offering them a drink. Each drink she offers seems to be what each of you wanted without ever saying except for Toranaga who gets his honeybeer!
Rollo takes a sip of some wine and watches the group mull over what he just said.....
After taking a long swallow of honey beer, Toranaga asks, "What is the name of this mad, powerful wizard?"
"Was? You speak of this Halaster Blackcloak in the past tense. You believe he is dead, yes?" Shaking his head, Toranaga mutters, "Figures. When I find a worthy challenge, they find a way to thwart my destiny by dying." Toranaga drains the last of the honeybeer, "You don't mind if I have another, Rollo?"
"Thanks."
"Oi, you tell me what Gorum want here. Where fight?" Dron stares at Rollo hard. "This place is good, but wizards weak. Who dis fation?"
Kaldren stands next to Dron keeping a careful eye out for anything out of the ordinary
Then he asks, "Why do you need us, what prevents you from getting this Runestone yourself?"
Vilya takes a thin crystal flute of water from the tray, not daring to drink it.
"Vorov a manedny... Why do all of these magic people have to give themselves big names? They are not important as they say. ... He is dead, yes?"
Kraeg scoops up a large mug of stout ale from the tray and downs half with a gulp.
"So, how is it that you know where we came from and how we can get back? For that matter, how'd you know we where here?"
The dwarf takes another, smaller drink from his mug.
"And what makes you think we'd be able to retrieve this runestone, which you can't, given the fact that we've no idea where we are or how we got here, two things you obviously know?"
"I don't think so. Where fight? What things we fight? You tell me." The half-orc stops leaning against the back wall and starts wagging one fat finger at the host.
Triska takes up position on the other side of the door from Dron. She warily takes a glass of dark red wine from the tray and sniffs it suspiciously. After a moment's hesitation, she bends down and places the goblet on the floor, untouched, her eyes never leaving Rollo.
As usual, Triska doesn't say anything, but listens carefully to her companions. She shifts her weight from foot to foot restlessly.
Too much magic here, she murmurs under her breath.
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Rollo takes another sip of his wine seeming very relaxed as if its been along time since the last time he got to sit for a bit and enjoy some wine. He nods to the waitress for more drinks if any want them. Turning to Toranaga he says Yes we believe he is dead, but not for sure of course since he was a very powerful mage. He presence is diffinatly not in this world anymore, that we know for sure!
Rollo then turns his attention to Dron trying to figure out the question. He hopes he answers correctly to the question posed by Dron. The fight will take place in the dungeons below the city known as Undermountain. The mad mage gathered all kinds of monsters to guard his reasearch and treasure from the world above. You will most likely have to fight your way to the destination or not depends on whats going on down there. We can only speculate at this point. As to the factions who have interests in this might be the Shadow Thieves guild who are trying to establish there former glory. Agents of the Eye is another thieves guild who controls some of the lower levels. Various drow "dark elves", duergar "dark dwarves", The Iron Ring, a slaver consortium that works out of Skullport which is a small city somewhere beneath the city and the Church of Shar, she is the an evil goddess who controls the shadows. These are just a few who might or might not be involved.
He takes another sip of wine and addresses Kaldren next.. We have many causes that need our attention at this time, we not only protect this city but we protect all of faerun from evil. Our numbers are small but very powerful, we are stretched very thin right now and saw a chance to achieve our goal and help a few lost travellers get back to there home.
As to your questions good dwarf, like I said we are a powerful lot. To protect the city at all times we have wards and alarms in place to warn us of potential threats. When you arrived one of these alarms went off, an instant investigation began to see if this was a threat or not. We have to keep an eye on random appearances because they might be evil entities trying to gain access such as demons or devil. We did not know where you came from until a moment ago when the pretty lady told us your worlds name. When you travel thru a portal there is a residual of magic on each of you. Each portal leaves its own mark of magic which we were able to determine you were indeed not of this world. We watched for a while and deduced you posed no threat to this world and most likly were here not by your own will.
He finishes the rest of his wine in a long swig and asks for another. He smiles to the group..Any other questions I might answer before I go, I have a long journey tonight and most likely battle in the morning....
"Let's cut to the chase. This stone thing is very valuable to you. And this is a job you can't do for yourself at this time. We would like to know what you can give us by way of support to ensure that the job get's done. Weapons. Potions. Equipment. All will be appreciated."
"Aye, and food. If we're to be wanderin' through caverns and tunnels for the gods' know how long, we'll need food."
Kraeg finishes off his drink, a bit disappointed that it is gone so quickly. Seeing the waitress return with refills, he grabs another mug.
"And a map. I assume you have a map that shows the location of this runestone?"
"Yes, I am a pretty lady. I like you. That doesn't mean I trust you."
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Rollo smiles and says Of course we have things that will aid you in this quest which will be given to you in the morning after you all have gotten a bath and a good nights rest. I will leave you with a guide to escort you to a nice inn for the night. In the morning your contact will show up and distrubute any equipment you are going to need and he will show you the enterance to Undermountain. We do not expect you complete the mission in one day or even two so don't feel rushed to get this done. If you need more information, healing and rest or reequipted just come back to the surface anytime. There are groups in the mountain who might also help you out but be weary of their motives. Any other questions before I go?
"I have a question. How do we know we can trust you? You say you can get us home, but we don't know you. Why should we believe you?"
Dron interrupts the question.
"Gorum say come here good battles. I trust."
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Good question little lady and simply answered, No you can't trust us yet. Trust is something that is gained over time and both parties have proven themselves, just like your group here you all trust one another because of the time you have spent together. Unfortunatly we do not have that time on our hands right now for you to gain our trust. You will just have to take my word for it right now.
Rollo gets up, grabs an object off his desk and hands it to the dwarf and states It is time for me to leave, use this pouch to put the rune stone into when you aquire it. Its an nondimensional space inside that we can access so you will not have to travel all the way back to give us the stone. In return we will place the coded sequence, a key so to speak, that will activate the portal and send you home. Your dwarven wizard will have to be the one do this. Good luck and I hope you get home safe and sound. Well met!
With that the elf leaves the room. A few minutes pass and the dark cloaked man enters. He bids you to follow....