Bank job spoilers - it's huge. Be warned.
Bank Job spoilers
I'm afraid, the matter is sensitive enough that I cannot divulge it completely, until you agree to undertake it. I can tell you that it will require some travel, and some discretion. You may also need to establish a team or group of individuals you can trust, as the affair has proven to require more than one set of hands. The church is also prepared to offer a reward of to 20,000gp for your assistance.
"The bank....your talents...it will all become clear in time. The flame lights our way, but a roaring blaze always starts as a spark. Let me start at the beginning."
Solinthas moves behind his large oak desk and pulls out three large glasses. He sets one in front of each of them, and makes a small hand motion over his own. His lips barely seem to move, but the glass steadily fills with water. He takes a large mouthful, and begins his story.
"Almost 40,000 years ago, a powerful Rakshasa named Tyrankalis offered to assist the giants of Xen'drik in fighting the Quori invaders. In exchange, he asked the giants to construct a magic talisman that would open the seals imprisoning another Rakshasa, the great Rajahs. Suspecting that the giants intended to betray him, Tyrankalis stole the talisman as soon as it was complete, only to discover that the giants had indeed tricked him; the talisman carried a trap the soul spell, and Tyrankalis was bound into it instantly. The giants then locked the amulet in a vault below one of their great temples, so that no one could free the fiend."
Solinthas reaches again for his water, taking a large sip.
"Thirty years ago, a Wayfinder Foundation expedition uncovered an unusual amulet in an anceint ruin in Xen'drik. They brought the amulet back to Khorvaire and auctioned it off, after which it changed hands several time before eventually coming to rest with a wizard named Delphis. After careful testing, Delphis discovered the amulet's true nature, and realized that he was in over his head. He decided to put it in the safest place he knew: a strongbox in a House Kundarak bank.
Four months ago, a cultist named Jaarisan seeking to free Tyrankalis tracked the amulet to Delphis. Under excruciating torture, Delphis revealed the amulet's location, but managed to hold back one important secret--he himself had put a trap on the keycharm needed to open the strongbox. When Jaarisan picked it up, it exploded, injuring him severely and killing Delphis.
Two weeks ago, one of our holy warriors tracked down and defeated the madman, Jaarisan. Through our investigations, both mundane and magical, we learned of his intentions to release this powerful, but presently contained, fiend. The amulet must be recovered, and taken to Flamekeep. It's the only way to ensure it's safe holding.
The amulet is currently being held in a strongbox in the heavily fortified House Kundarak bank, in the Aundarian town of Passage. I myself tried to access the strongbox, but I did not know there was an additional password attached to unlocking the item. Delphis was a paranoid man, but for good reason. I managed to bluster my way out of there without causing too much of a scene, and I did pocket the keycharm again before they could confiscate it. Those Dwarves warned me that they would be on the lookout if I ever came back. I went as an envoy of the Silver Flame, and that didn't work.
So, naturally, I need someone that I can still trust, but is not immediately associated with the Flame. You are a junior priestess, but your skills and your ability to serve the Church are worthy. In addition, you won't be instantly recognizable as a member of the Church.
Do you have any questions? You may speak freely. I need to know all of your concerns, fully and honestly."
"Excellent questions, all. I will do my best to answer them. You will soon see that your enquiries are more interconnected than they may first appear.
As for who owns the amulet now? Well. Delphis owns the amulet. Legally and fully. He has no heir, and they do not even know that he is dead. Nor would they care, or believe us. The amulet will never be claimed, legitimately. Which leads me to my second point.
Jaarisan did have associates. We do not know their strength, or their number, but we do know that they are more in the dark about this whole affair than we are. Jaariasan's capture and execution set their group back, for sure, but their type rarely stays still.
As for your question, Mr. Benex, about Jaarisan's activities during the interim; we are fairly certain that he did try to retrieve the contents of the storage box. We know that he was unsuccessful, so chances are that he simply tried to waltz in there, as I did. It would also explain the curious looks I got when I, myself, tried to access the strongbox, later. And it would explain why I was chased out of there so thoroughly. Dwarves are a few things, but they are not forgetful.
As for how we know about Delphis..., suffice to say that we try to keep an eye on all matters such as this. The Flame seeks to burn away corruption wherever it may hide. The murder of Delphis, however, was unexpected and escalated the matter in our reviews of it. We could no longer let it sit quietly in the Kundarak bank, if it was clear that some sinister force was moving to collect it as well."
He closes his eyes, trying to find the words, as the next part seems almost painful to him. He puts one hand over his heart, and the other over a small flickering candle on his desk.
"Priestess, know fully from my heart, that all of this clandestine activity does not sit well with me. Know that we are in no legal position to demand or request the amulet from House Kundarak. They are a neutral entity, and as such do not conform to any laws but their own.
Simply walking up to them, even if we explain everything, and even if they do believe us fully, will not open the vaults to us. That would undermine the very thing that makes Kundarak the impenetrable vault that it is.
Know, then, that we must act as the same. We must rise above the legality of the affair here. With the knowledge that some cult is moving against us, we must take action, or else we end up undermining ourselves as defenders and destroyers of corruption.
Solinthas takes a deep breath, and puts his hands back flat against the table.
I could wave this offer of gold at pretty much any thief and cut-throat in the city. Some would be successful, some wouldn't. I have no way of knowing. My heart tells me however, that convincing them to bring the amulet back here would be a task in itself. I needed someone that I could trust.
Trust is a theme." Solinthas now turns to Starlan, and makes a strong eye connection. Without moving his eyes from the Halfling, he continues;
"There are a number of concerns to be taken into account here, and you may need to gather a number of individuals to meet them. What is the phrase, Mr. Benex? Oh. A crass one. There is more than one way to skin a cat. There are a number of ways to retrieve the amulet. If you manage to retrieve the password, then using the key in combination with it should be enough; even if they suspect that you are not Delphis, they will still be obliged to open the strongbox. Getting the password is a feat altogether in itself.
There are other ways, however. Certainly there are more secretive ways, but you would need someone who knew how to move quietly, and disable any trapping or locking mechanisms. And someone to watch your back in case you encountered any...physical, resistance.
Do you have any individuals in mind? Where do your talents lie, Mr. Benex?"
"Very well, Irirangi. Take as long as you need to assemble your team, but do not go throwing around Church secrets at passersby; only contact other individuals that you know, and trust, for this affair.
Of course the Church will support you; I can give some of the reward upfront for your potential expenses, and I can arrange transportation in any manner you prefer, at no fee to you.
Trust, Iri, that your next assignment was to be assisting the Church in investigating this cult. Ever vigilant, you are. I suppose it does not hurt to share what little information we have now. This is a new cult. Or perhaps a revival of a very old one; that's usually how these things go. They seem scattered and disorganized, as a whole, but they also appear to be focusing all their energies toward obtaining this amulet. Why? Who knows.
Perhaps they are a bunch of wealthy and bored nobles, who somehow heard about Tyrankalis' imprisonment in the amulet, and blew all of their savings on divinations to find the object, seeking to free the Rakshasa for some mysterious purpose? Or, perhaps they are only a minor sliver of a bigger threat, being directed with more purpose by a larger cult?
Either way, the last thing we should do is underestimate their resources, devotion, or resolve.
I would like to know, myself, what we are up against, but now is not the time. I understand your concerns, Mr. Benex, but you should have no altercation with the cult in Aundair. They shouldn't even know that you were there; they will have no reason to be.....pissed with you. If they go to retrieve the amulet after you have already taken it, they will certainly have a lot of explaining to do to the Kundarak guards."
Solinthas takes a deep breath and continues again, focusing on Starlan.
"Speaking of those guards, I'm afraid that I don't know very much about the inner workings of the bank; I probably wouldn't have got into so much trouble if I knew the protocol better.
That knowledge should be invaluable to you, which is why I have arranged for a contact to meet with you in Passage, whenever you can manage to get there. He approached me, shortly after my blustered failure at retrieving the amulet. He offered to help me get into the compound after dark, for a nominal fee, of course. He works there, and by the professional manner in which he conducted himself, I can tell that he has done this before.
Of course, it pains me to have to resort to deal with such characters, but he is the only one that can give you the proper details regarding layout, guard structure, passwords, and all that nonsense. He mentioned something about bears as well. You would do well to meet with him; I will contact him whenever you decide you are ready to go.
While this is an important matter, we still hold the keycharm for the strongbox. I do not anticipate Jaarisan's associates to try anything, without first mustering some force."
Solinthas turns again to Starlan, trying to answer a few more of his questions. "In regards to Delphis' murder...No, it did not happen in Sharn, and no, members of the Church of the Silver Flame were not present. Mr. Benex, I surely hope you are not insinuating what your tone suggests. We are holy men and women, and we are trying to correct a terrible wrong that was committed. The task at hand, when completed successfully, will ensure that no more innocent people are harmed over this thing. Is that clear enough?"
"Well then, Mr. Benex. Know this: We were not following the movements of Jaarisan, for before Delphis' murder we didn't even know he existed. We were indeed, keeping an eye and an ear on Delphis. We kept a watch on him ever since he first revealed he had found this amulet.
Regarding the divine power to speak with the dead, there are a number of things to take into consideration. First, the magic of that particular ritual animates the corpse, giving it a semblance of intelligence and articulation. It does not touch the soul of the creature, but instead relies on a bodily knowledge. The interrogation of the corpse can only reveal things the person would have already known; it can't work with new information. Furthermore, since the spell animates the body in order to communicate, the body must be intact. Or mostly intact. Suffice to say that the manner in which Delphis left this world did not leave us with enough...pieces to work with.
However, we do still have Jaarisan's body. I have interrogated it myself, and will do so again when the time permits. The corpse can sometimes resist being called to answer, so it is a delicate process that I can not repeat very often.
Don't mistake my brevity on the matters of the cult as me purposefully withholding information. I appreciate your fervour and interest in wanting to get to the bottom of the matter; my only concern is dragging you in over your heads. As it stands right now, the cult, in whatever form it is in, does not know you have anything to do with this whole affair. I'd like to keep it that way, personally. In fact, the retrieval of the amulet should be done in such a way that nobody knows of your involvement. You should be like a whisper, in all ways.
Regardless, I can give you directions to Delphis' home in Passage, if you so desire. My utmost preference, however, is that you do not enter or investigate it in any manner, until the amulet is safely retrieved. Searching his home may be a dangerous business, as they could have any number of individuals on the lookout. My advice is to not mention Delphis at all. To anyone. Including Rurin, your contact in Passage. He should not know of Delphis' death.
That will prove to be an important component of the secrecy of the affair. House Kundarak would never openly admit that they were robbed, unless the owner of the item made a big affair out of it; but we all know Delphis is in no position to ever report it stolen. That is a point of light for you. House Kundarak will likely not move against you any more than they have to; they would never openly advertise their failures.
"Wingy you do remember we can hear those thoughts don't you?
Could you please not refer to my sister and myself in our minds as if we are not there."
Excuse me, then. I was just surprised to hear from Iri of the possibility your Uncle is listening in on us all, which I hadn't heard you or your sister mention. It'd probably help if you two were more forthcoming about stuff like this. Anyway, it's probably better to discuss the situation in person, hm?
Vraxeris Manor:I don't even understand why they can't just leave it in the vault...
But what do you think? I was thinking yesterday, that finding the password somehow-or-another would be preferable,
because I wouldn't know how to proceed otherwise, House Kundarak and all...
The only thing I could think of was looking more into this fellow who had bought the item,
maybe finding family or associates of his he might have shared the password with, or inquiring at the auction house itself.
It's all pretty crazy, but I actually feel like I'd like to help as much as I can."
Vraxeris Manor
'Knocking over a Khundarak bank; that'd be a feather in my cap. And its not even really crime. He's dead and we're doing this to help the Church save everyone from a demonic lord. Besides, a holiday and some excitement might do me good.'
"I'm in. Getting the password would be the most legal way. Of course, getting it might be a nigh impossible task, depending on whether or not he shared it with anyone. We should try that, but maybe also consider alternatives."
'Yes, let us meet and discuss everything in person.'
Vraxeris Manor
"Raising and reanimating the dead are big no nos for the church. Not that I could do it anyway, but if I could and it was remotely OK to do it at all, that's what I'd do. Get Delphis or rather his body to walk in and pick the amulet up."
Iri sighs. "I have no experience at all with this kind of thing. It's very flattering that Solinthas has put so much faith in me, but I can't help thinking he's picked the wrong priestess. Thank you both for offering to help."
"Yeah. Good call girlfriend. There's no possible way anyone can tell the difference between a zombie and a living person. Jeez. You're supposed to have a brain under that hair."
"FINE! You make the plan. I'll just wander around and accidentally knock people out. I'm good at that."
"Yes, do that. Could you please start with yourself?"
"Yes, do that. Could you please start with yourself?"
"It's comments like that that make me wish you were out of my head and in a body of your own Dahl. You already tried to knock me out remember? It didn't work. You're lumbered with me. And it looks like I'm lumbered with you.
Now, I don't know what is going on with you, but you've been acting really strange and I've had enough. I want some answers, because cupcake, if you don't give them to me, I am shutting you down. I will sedate myself if I have to, but I will not have you wafting in and and out being morbidly creepifying for no good reason.
What in the name of the planes are you up to Dahl?"
"I'm not up to a thing. Trust me. I would if I could. I'm not so fond of you myself, either. But we're stuck with each other. And I'm not fully convinced that if you die, I don't get trapped in the afterlife with you. And eternity, like this, is a doom I have never seen. And I have seen plenty, of course. So do try and behave. Don't go rushing off to danger unprepared. Damn...I'm starting to sound like Benefor."
"Hate to say it, kid, but Dahl's right. You need a plan. Maybe do some recon first. Solinthas mentioned a contact. Meeting with him should be top list priority."
'All of you lacking an actual body, please shut up unless you have something useful to add.'
Vraxeris Manor
"Raising and reanimating the dead are big no nos for the church. Not that I could do it anyway, but if I could and it was remotely OK to do it at all, that's what I'd do. Get Delphis or rather his body to walk in and pick the amulet up."
"We may not be able get Delphis' body to get it for us, but we could make one of us look like Delphis for a time. Of course, that would fall apart if House Khundarak knows he's dead."
Iri sighs. "I have no experience at all with this kind of thing. It's very flattering that Solinthas has put so much faith in me, but I can't help thinking he's picked the wrong priestess. Thank you both for offering to help."
"I don't think his faith was misplaced. You're smart, you're not so unthinkingly moral and zealous to screw up, yet you're a follower of the church and not the kind of cold mercenary he'd have to rely on normally. Plus, when I look at you, the first thing that goes through my mind isn't 'She's a priestess'. And that wasn't meant as an insult."
Sillas shrugs "That makes you a good candidate for the job, in my book.""Hate to say it, kid, but Dahl's right. You need a plan. Maybe do some recon first. Solinthas mentioned a contact. Meeting with him should be top list priority."
'Yes, we need to speak with this contact, see what he can do for us and how dangerous working with him might be.'
'All of you lacking an actual body, please shut up unless you have something useful to add.'
"Thank you Sillas. Hear and obey folks. Hear and obey."
Grumpy silence follows.
Vraxeris Manor
"I don't know if the dwarves are aware of Delphis's death, but he was a recluse I think. It's at least possible. Illusion against dwarves - I'm not sure. They tend to be able to see through that. Some kind of good disguise? Plastic surgery? And who would go through that? Ohhhh. I have no idea."
Iri looks increasingly frustrated. Then Sillas's words sink in and she smiles.
"I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but when I look at you I don't think "effete noble". Solinthas may have got it right about me, but I know I've got it right with you and Wingy. I only hope the twins feel the same way about this."
Vraxeris Manor
"I don't know if the dwarves are aware of Delphis's death, but he was a recluse I think. It's at least possible. Illusion against dwarves - I'm not sure. They tend to be able to see through that. Some kind of good disguise? Plastic surgery? And who would go through that? Ohhhh. I have no idea."
"Maybe a combination of illusions, enchantments, and mundane disguises. First we shoul find out who knows he's dead."
"I try not to be."
"Oh, they'll help." Sillas says confidently "Even if they don't feel inclined to help stop this demonic lord from being freed, they do want our help tracking this uncle of theirs down."
Sim wrote: "Maybe a combination of illusions, enchantments, and mundane disguises. First we should find out who knows he's dead."
"Solinthas may be able to help us there. I do think that if we're going to use that ploy we need to act fast. Time is against us if we've going to revive Delphis convincingly. Changelings can do that can't they? I wonder if I've ever met one I could ask."
"Oh, they'll help." Sillas says confidently "Even if they don't feel inclined to help stop this demonic lord from being freed, they do want our help tracking this uncle of theirs down."
"That's certainly their main concern, but they're good people. They're not going to want to see the only world any of us know turned upside down by a demonic lord. Mind you, I have a feeling that they want to put their House affairs to rights first, so that might be a bit of a conflict. Where is the Khundarak vault anyway? Not on a blank bit of map wherever it is."
She smiles again. "I'm talking too much. Duty first."
Vraxeris Manor
"Solinthas may be able to help us there. I do think that if we're going to use that ploy we need to act fast. Time is against us if we've going to revive Delphis convincingly. Changelings can do that can't they? I wonder if I've ever met one I could ask."
"Yes. Yes they can." Sillas says, not quite looking at her.
"That's certainly their main concern, but they're good people. They're not going to want to see the only world any of us know turned upside down by a demonic lord. Mind you, I have a feeling that they want to put their House affairs to rights first, so that might be a bit of a conflict. Where is the Khundarak vault anyway?
"We can try to convince them to do both at the same time. I don't know where the vault is, but we can find out."
"...Not on a blank bit of map wherever it is."
She smiles again. "I'm talking too much. Duty first."
Sillas smiles slightly at her "We can hope. A blank space wouldn't be a bad place to keep something safe."
Listening to the mental conversation Deerian takes a seat to allow him to concentrate on the talk and on Flash's riddle. All he could think of was the House's holdings but would Flash really run there? It didn't seem too likely but then they didn't know much of the man anyway. "So Elli.. Do you think we meet the others and see if any of them are riddlers? This is all beyond me really. You know i was never good at riddles."
"It sounds like the right thing to do. Someone unbiased may be best to listen to the rhyme. All I can think of right now is StormHome and I'm unsure of how likely that would be. Then again the amount of magic he's happy to throw around Fleskar could be anywhere and doing anything" '..like our mother' She silently and bitterly adds. Stretching her arms overhead she looks thoughtful for a moment "'Wingy' is going to have a field day with this, isn't he?"
"Possibly.. I don't see we have much choice to be at least reasonably open though. But we shall have to see how it goes i guess. Do you think we'll be invited over to the planning session?" As he speaks his hand finds it's way to the hilt of his sword. Would he be good enough to stop Flash when they found him?
"Twins - would you care to join us? We may be able to help each other and it's likely to be easier face to face. It's fine with Sillas. He said so."
Vraxeris Manor
Catching sight of Sillas's expression, Iri explains.
"You see, I did just wonder if Switch might be a changeling. He's so good with illusion. But I have no idea how to ask him. It seems rude for a start and very intrusive. But if he is, he'd be so useful. If he felt that he could get involved."
She pauses. "That must sound really offensive. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to think of things and it's all coming out strange."
Vraxeris Manor
"And don't worry. I imagine all of us are going to say a few strange things by the time this is over."
'Would you rather we met at the Hideaway? Merreck and I had talked about going there later.'
Vraxeris Manor:
"...You two had some interesting ideas about impersonating this fellow...
...Though maybe we should ask somebody who knows more about banking and laws, and see what the situation would be if this fellow was declared deceased, who would then own his lock-box, and if the Dwarves would open the box for them in that situation.
We might want to contact any kin of his, if that's the case, they may be persuadable to help us..."
"Do either of you have any ideas where to look first about this...?
...Or, It sounds like the Twins have some revelations to share, if you'd prefer to meet them first. Either way, my day's free!"
Vraxeris Manor
"Meeting the twins makes sense anyway. They're both likely to know more about the legalities than us. Dragonmarked heirs probably have to. What about Merreck, Sillas? He's travelled so much, he might know something."
Luckily, the same waitress who served you the day before is not working at the Hideaway, saving you from any embarassing recollection of your fiasco in the backroom. Simply mentioning that you are meeting the Lyrandar twins there gets you escorted into the back. The waitress rubs her ring and chills the glasses of your complimentary wine before leaving you to chat among yourselves.
Hideaways brings back a few interesting memories for Iri. Not even 24 hours have passed and already the world seems very different. Suddenly, she just feels impatient as well as anxious.
She sighs, turns to Sillas and Wingy and asks,
"Can I be rude and pushy here? It's not like we can't contact the twins, and they can find us if they want to, but Solinthas is relying on me. I'd really like to get over to the Temple, see him, ask him for some of that money in advance and go and talk to this contact.
There's someone else I want to see as well. Joseph ir'Fraunhofer is one of my teachers. I don't know if he can help us, but he taught me to ask lots of questions. You could call this payback time.
Sillas, I have to ask you how trustworthy you think Merreck is. It's an awful question to ask about a friend, but his knowledge could really help us. I just don't want to rope in too many people without having good reasons to trust them. Solinthas is expecting my best work and we're going to have to share a lot of information that needs to stay strictly confidential."
"Finally you break out of love's young dream and engage your brain. It's about time. Go see the Super Priest and get the cash."
"Yes. Meeting this contact should be the first step in whatever plan we use."
Sillas considers for a moment before looking up at Irirangi. "I would trust Merreck with my life. However, I can understand that you, having only just met both of us, you might not be ready to trust him with something as important as this. He'll understand and help us even if we don't give him all of the details, I think."
"Who is this Fraunhofer fellow? Is he with the Silver Flame, as well?
I agree, though, we shouldn't reveal what this is about to anyone we don't need to,
it wouldn't be safe for either us or them...
...Actually, if I'm now remembering correctly, I asked Solinthas about the matter of any family who could claim the contents of the strong box, and it sounded like that wasn't possible, though they may know some clue as to the password... Other than that, Solinthas just suggested trying to bypass the magical and mundane security locks on the box itself. I never tried THAT trick during my younger years, but I suppose with enough magical support, it's possible. We may soon find quite enough uses for that advance he mentioned to us, Iri.
But, Sillas, you asked a bit ago: I beleive the actual bank vault is in a smaller town in Aundair... named Passage, if I recall. I'm not sure if it's on the lightening rail, or what . Solinthas mentioned his "contact" he "met" in Passage, though perhaps learning as much as possible from a more "neutral" party might be advised. It doesn't sound like Solinthas really knows much about his "contact". I think we should either talk with someone very familiar with Kundarak banking, to learn more of their operating procedures, or make a visit ourselves to a branch here in Sharn, act like we want to rent a box ourselves, find out what they do when a password has been lost, that sort of thing...
Ahh...
...Empty Spaces, hm, Sillas?"
"That all makes sense Wingy."
Irirangi looks thoughtful, as she pieces together the suggestions and finally she speaks.
"Alright. How about this as a plan?
Everyone in Sharn knows I'm due to get married. Suppose I ask about renting a storage box for some jewelery I don't want to become part of my dowry? That makes sense and doesn't arouse suspicion. We ask at the same time if the same security precautions apply to all Khundarak branches in case I ever have to move with my husband.
We get what information we can, we go and see Solinthas, ask him to advance us some of the money and head out to see the contact. We do all this quickly. Delphis's death needs to stay secret - even from Merreck, Sillas.
This isn't about not trusting him. It's about keeping him out of danger. I'm sorry to have embroiled you all as well, but the way we're linked doesn't give us a lot of choice. Merreck doesn't need to be that involved. Not yet anyway.
What do you think?"
We get what information we can, we go and see Solinthas, ask him to advance us some of the money and head out to see the contact. We do all this quickly. Delphis's death needs to stay secret - even from Merreck, Sillas.
"Agreed. He'll help anyway, I think."
This isn't about not trusting him. It's about keeping him out of danger. I'm sorry to have embroiled you all as well, but the way we're linked doesn't give us a lot of choice. Merreck doesn't need to be that involved. Not yet anyway.
What do you think?"
"No, I understand, and agree. With anything like this, the fewer people involved, the better for everyone."
"Okay then, so do you two want to pay a visit to a Kundarak Bank here this morning, to get a general idea of their procedures, and so forth? We could go in like you said, Iri, and check out the arrangement of things, if we are escorted the entire time, if other boxes are in the same room, and so forth. I don't even know how much it costs for a box like this, maybe we could back out at the last minute, say we'll come back later, or something..."
Iri beams.
"Benefor will be so proud. I made a plan. We made a plan. Next stop the nearest Khundarak bank, picking up Merreck on the way. Wingy, do you want to come with us or do you want to meet us at the University?
After we've talked to Solinthas, I should find Joseph. If I know him, something like that plane appearing in the sky means he'll be wanting to see me. I'd rather find him first, he's tetchy. Very, very learned though with a fantastic library. Even if he doesn't know about Khundarak bank practices, he'll know about something useful. Guaranteed."
She pauses. "If Solinthas gives us a big enough advance, we might even need that storage box ourselves. I'm not keen on carrying that much money on me. It's a bit of an open invitation to be mugged."
Tired and stressed Ellirayne does her best to hide the worst of the ill effects of her current situaion on her appearance with makeup and donning some clothing that will hopefully distract from her dull eyes before agreeing to meet the others at the hideaway. Taking her brothers arm she makes her way to the tavern with her best attempt at a smile on her lips, all the while worrying what the rest of the group were planning with a bank.
Making an effort to match his sister Deerian dresses almost formally and makes sure his hair is bound back in a warrior's tail. Still one of the things he took the most care over was his sword. Something he was sure he would need sooner or later.
Still there was nothing left to do but meet the others. Hopefully this would go better than he expected it would. Escorting Elli into the tavern the twins approach the plotting group. Stopping a polite distance away he waits for them to be invited to join the group.
"Girlfriend, look who showed up. The long lost heirs. Cassio - wake up, Green Eyes II and Thumper are back."
Iri spins at Aphra's words.
"Just stop it. Go and ... manicure your head or something, if you can't be polite."
"Ellirayne, Deerian. It's good to see you. The plan is changing as we speak."
Swiftly she fills the Lyranders in on the latest suggestions, in her excitement overlooking any awkwardness the recent arrivals may be feeling.
"So, is there anything you can add to our pool of knowledge?" she concludes.
Noting the twins entrance, Sillas waves them over to their table where two empty chairs await. "Good day to both of you, Ellirayne and Deerian."
I pull out some chairs for the Twins,
feeling that protocol and politeness would help to make them comfortable.
Ellirayne sits in the offered seat and gives Sillas a brief smile "Good day, I hope all is well with you" She replies politely as she folds her hands in her lap and listens to Iri's brief rushed explaination of her situation, obviously feeling lost in it all and seeming hard pressed to focus.
After a while she gives a sigh and decides honesty is the best policy. "I'm sorry, usually I'm sure I could help with suggestions, but right now the welfare of my family is really preying on my mind.. Have any of you heard of events with our parents?" She asks, wondering if the topic has become gossip yet.
"I'm sorry, usually I'm sure I could help with suggestions, but right now the welfare of my family is really preying on my mind.. Have any of you heard of events with our parents?"
"No. Well, apart from knowing something terrible happened to you yesterday and we only know that because of the rings. And the party. You were both very tense then."
She pauses for second. "Can we help at all? It would be really in all our interests if we can - and this sounds a lot more selfish than it's meant to - but we really do need you functional."
Politely refusing the offered seat the young man took up his accustomed positioned slightly behind his sister's chair. Formality was his friend today and going through the standard routines was a comfort. Listening to all that was discussed Deerian couldn't help but feel a little lost.
Still things needed to be done. With a gentle touch to let his sister know all was well Deerian collects some water, and some wine, for them both. They would probably need it soon.
After a while she gives a sigh and decides honesty is the best policy. "I'm sorry, usually I'm sure I could help with suggestions, but right now the welfare of my family is really preying on my mind.. Have any of you heard of events with our parents?" She asks, wondering if the topic has become gossip yet.
"Not to my knowledge. Please, fill us and we'll help if we can."
Ellirayne gives a brief nod before starting her explaination. "You'll have to forgive me for telling you this way, explaining aloud may just lead to somebody overhearing and more problems ensuing." She begins with an apologetic smile. "Our uncle, Fleskar, also known as 'Flash' reappeared in our lives, surrounded by magic and claiming that he's our father. Whilst this is wholeheartedly possible in my heart Lord Byron is our father regardless of whether he was the one who got our mother pregnant or not"
She closes her eyes to hold back tears as she continues. "When we parted ways after our last meeting here Deerian and I returned to find our father in a frenzied state, he'd had a magical compulsion placed upon him, something involving dragon blood that caused him to want to protect his 'hoard'. He slaughtered his elite guard whilst under the enchantment, some of those men had been with us years, they were a comforting sight and we returned home to see them all dead."
"We eventually got father calmed, it was a risk as he seemed set to kill us as well. Turns out that the compulsion was on some of the things Fleskar brought with him and now not only is our 'uncle' missing, apparently he took our mother with him. Upstairs is empty, scared beyond belief the staff left and it's just us and another member of the House be brought in to help rebuild whilst father is investigated and healed."
"We went through Fleskar's affairs, he left a message for us:
'Where passion's quenched
and the sea can't sleep
with gilded bough
and all my fleet
o'erturn the earth
to find the storm
we call our home'
I think immediately of stormhome but perhaps my logic is obscured by too many emotions so I would very much like to hear your insight into it, especially as the rings we all wear are because of the gifts Fleskar brought with him. His magical knowledge may help us work out more about them."
Oh... I'm so sorry this has happened...
This must have been going on yesterday when you couldn't respond to our questions...
But, truly, this is the first I've heard of this,
so I don't think you two need to worry that everyone in Sharn is party to your family... tragedy.
...So this Uncle Fleskar/ Flash, you said he left a note for you, it sounded like a riddle...
Like he wanted you to figure it out, and maybe then be able to find him...?
And he has disappeared with his... airship?
Dahn:
"I'm so sorry. That explains a lot."
She pauses.
"I don't want to worry you more than you are already worried, but one of the reasons we were talking out loud was in case we could be overheard. In our heads. I had this nasty thought that perhaps your uncle had a ring. From what you're saying, he's completely the wrong person to know anything at all about a top secret bank job designed to prevent a demon lord taking over the world."
Irirangi gently takes one of Ellirayne's hands. "There's no reason for Stormhome to be the wrong guess. Just because you're upset doesn't make you stupid."
"Sorry, sorry, sorry. That came out really wrong."
After a moment Sillas quietly says "I am truly sorry to hear that, and I will be happy to help you find him."
"This man, Fleskar, sounds like a talented artist. Skilled at manipulation and enchantment. I agree with Wingy; it sounds like he wants you to find him. I'm guessing that this incident isn't the end goal of his plan; just a single step in something greater. The rings are probably another step in that plan. I wonder if there's a way to reveal the identities of everyone in the mental link."
I think immediately of stormhome but perhaps my logic is obscured by too many emotions so I would very much like to hear your insight into it, especially as the rings we all wear are because of the gifts Fleskar brought with him. His magical knowledge may help us work out more about them."
"Yes, it is possible that your not thinking clearly. It's also possible that, well, Fleskar sounds like a talented con artist. That means he's good at analyzing and then predicting people. It's possible that he predicted that would be your first thought, and choose the riddle for just that reason."