I see...
Please elaborate
What kind of pets was the merchant contracted to bring? What is the interest of your group in this matter ? How was this robbery enacted ?
"I am a priest of Abadar," Adjunta says, trying to his his surprise, "the roads are the lifeblood of the empire. As to the investigation I'd rather keep those details private. But forgive me, you haven't answered our questions yet."
My apprentice is indeed away . Now allow me to correct you on one point. I consider this conservations as a free exchange of information and not as an interrogation ? Am I wrong ?
"You are not wrong," Adjunta says, "we wish to get to the bottom of this mystery and we would like your help in this matter. There are many things we can share with you but certain details must be kept private for the time being. These are details that could hinder our investigation should they become public knowledge. We hope you can understand and would very much appreciate your assistance."
"In truth Magus, we are somewhat baffled by this whole affair...we do not call your probity into question but the fact remains that your apprentice seems to have been practicing some sort of deception and we only wish to get to the bottom off this mystery"
Very well . I will admit that I never gave instructions to my apprentice to pass as myself but rather to be frank and say I was unavailable . Knowing this , his reasons for being absent today seem to be a lie .
"Would he have known you'd be indisposed well in advanced of yesterday? There was some deal of planning involved in this crime. Perhaps he was only protecting you from annoying solicitors but then again we could be dealing with something more. As I am a stranger in town I can only speculate based on limited experience but you can obviously speak a little to the young man's character."
"Would he have known you'd be indisposed well in advanced of yesterday? There was some deal of planning involved in this crime. Perhaps he was only protecting you from annoying solicitors but then again we could be dealing with something more. As I am a stranger in town I can only speculate based on limited experience but you can obviously speak a little to the young man's character."
Yes, he would have.
In fact his character is the reason I asked what type of familiar you were speaking of . would they have been Ravens or Snakes ?
It was only a logical deduction . I'm afraid I did not succeed in reeducating my apprentice to the duties one have towards the common people . He is arrogant and believe his birth and profession enable him to take from 'his' lessers . Well , it seems his latest plot has been discovered by you and he has done a runner. I must thank you for the service you have done me . Now , the first step would be to compensate the ones wronged . I'll deal with my errant student and his father later ? What can you tell me of the reparations I gave to make ?
With this , the mage reappear ... he looks like the one you saw yesterday but his mien convinces you he is not . this a a man confident in his power and situation but not overproud.
Adjunta wouldn't want to step on the sheriff's toes. He's not a lawyer or a law official but rather a priest of law and commerce. Adjunta will offer his advice and expertise if asked.
"I'm very interested in where this lad is headed," Adjunta says, "I don't imagine he will abandon his ways. He needs to be brought to justice before he does something truly horrible."
A discussion happens between the mage and the sheriff . The mage aggree to compensate Ned for his troubles and to pay for all the animals even the ones missing . As , for the apprentice , they both aggree it must have gone to the capital and that now it will be a matter of lawyers...
Otherwise , the mage thanks you for all your troubles and asks you whether you would be interested in missions . He explains that form time to time , he is approached by people for missions he thinks are not cognisant of his powers . would you be interested in such ?
Please consider yourselves 2nd level (2000xp) . Now, I am ready to continue with the ones still there . I think we would need to recruit however . so who is game ? The next adventure should be more traditional ...
Meanwhile, back at the inn, Halsanna is being greatly amused by having to take care of her sister. Even in her rather.. "depleted" state, she is having trouble keeping a straight face at her sister's plight. Nonetheless, she is still at her side, frequently getting water for her and soothing her back to rest. She did wonder how the others were doing, but her attention would keep getting pulled back to her sister apparently attempting a recital in her sleep.
I'm willing to go on but as my main story hook seems to have vanished with Val I'm not sure Ewald has any real reason to hang around..maybe you should just marry the pair of them off..that at least would make it a family obligation..or maybe I should elope with 'Sanna?
Ewald returns to the Inn to inform the sisters of what has occured.
It would take a bit of checking around, since neither of the sisters had informed Ewald of which room was theirs, but eventually he would be able to spot Halsanna coming back down for another mug of water. Her face was a bit flushed for all the restrained laughter she was finally letting free, what looked suspiciously like tears in her eyes as she caught her breath. Her shoulders shook occasionally with a quiet giggle, but stopped when she saw Ewald, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Still, it is a grudge that she can at least put away, enough to hear of what happened, giving a brief nod as he finishes the recital. "No idea why he did it, though?"
Resurrected the OOC thread {~>HERE<~}. Let's move our discussion that way.
Ewald shrugs..."some scion of a noble family who is more concerned with position than honour..more interested in privilege than service...but then I suspect we both know too many off those already"
"Well I greatly respect Estorian's knowledge," the priest of Abadar says, "I believe I am infinitely more qualified to answer your questions concerning the keeper of the great vault."
The priestly garb of Abadar seems to particularly fit Adjunta. The veil he wears today is almost sheer allowing the hint of a face and a smile to peek through the fabric. As always his purple eyes and meticulously groomed eyebrows peek over the veil like a bureaucrat over a counter. He looks more like a foreign king then a priest.
"I believe it is not a task for the church itself but rather we are asked to preform a boon for another church. I could go into more detail but I shall bow to Estorian's experience, knowledge, and leadership for further elaboration."
Malgasir never knows exactly what to expect when visiting the more “civilized” cities in Taldor. His gruff look and draw to the wild nets him plenty of foul looks while making his way down the dirt road toward the church of Iomedae. Having scouted for many caravans, Malgasir never turned down a request from the church because they treated you with respect and good will no matter what title you held.
Entering the sturdy wood doors, Malgasir looks to the nearest clergyman. ”Good day, my name is Malgasir. I was summoned as a guide by your church. Do you know who I must speak to concerning this?”
Malgasir straightens up and removes his dusty hood from his head.
Estorian replies :
"As I understand it , the mission implied travelling to a remote spot in the near border of the verduran forest and recovers some losts items there . But it would be best if you could travel to Oppara and seek there one Devred Himnoth in the offices of Abadar's temples . Here is a letter of recommendation from me and another sealed letter I would like you to give Devred. "
With this , Estorion will escort you to his door . I will assume you to travel to Oppara but are you doing anything special with the sealed letter ?
For the moment , please replies should be in spoilers and if you can't resist peaking at others characters spoilers , just differentiate player and character knowledge. I usually like to give different backgrounds and reasons to characters. And , for information , some characters have been killed in some of my backgrounds ... The adventure has begun even if you are still not all together . So feel free to ask for any information .
Adjunta
For the moment , you have not met anyone of the new group.
Hasim and Adjunta
Spoiler:
Sorry, Hasim , I forgot to precise you were already in Oppara . You are given directions to the offices of Devred Gimnoth near the temple of Abadar where you can schedule an appointment for two hours later . When you present yourself to the meeting , you encounter Devred , a middle-aged man well dressed and a little on the portly side vested in Abadar's priestly robes . He is accompanied by a young man of Azlanti descent which I will let describe himself (Adjunta) and which he will present as ADjunta Paul , priest of Abadar. Turning to Adjunta : " Adjunta , here is Hasim bin Omar min Katheer , a merchant and spellworker I believe could be of help in your endeavours. To resume briefly , we of the temple of Abadar have been asked to insure and document the transferral of old items of Aroden's faith to those of Iomedae . Your task would be to travel with a group of Iomedans to appraise the value of such items and make a list of those items . I would also like you while travelling to this place to note if the taxes , duties and laws of Taldor are respected in places where our master's presence has grown faint . To help you with this , I will also send with you a bodyguard . Any questions ? "
Malgasir
Spoiler:
You are quickly directed to one Ethan Betaw which indicates to you that your mission would be to escort a group of person to a village named Brandon's bridge in the Between Cassomir and the ruins of Nazilli in the distant Verduran Forest and there to help them recover some items from an old temple of Aroden. He precises he is waiting for word of the different people and will contact you as soon as possible for you to meet them
Malgasir nods at Ethan. "Where is the nearest tavern? I will be there until summoned. Thank you Ethan." After learning of the nearest tavern, Malgasir will leave the church and get a meal and a drink until summoned.
"And... I would not be so uncouth as to ask such a tactless question, were it not for my great need at the moment... but what recompense could you provide for my humble services?"
They are in an old temple in the Verduran Forest which has fallen into disuse since the deatch of Aroden . As for rewards , the church of Iomedae is paying us and your part of this reward will be 300 gp on completion of this mission. Otherwise , they will pay the expenses of the travel to and from this site .
Heren thanks Estorian and travels directly to Oppara to seek out Devred Himnoth, arriving at the temple in the city and enquiring as to the man's location.
Having some experience travelling with caravans across the desert, Hasim's first thought, after hearing about making a long journey, is how much food to pack. He continues asking questions. "Where in the Verduran forest is this old temple? Will we be travelling on foot or by horse? How far is it to the first village or town on our way there?"
Hasim continues: "Also, what's Taldor's weather like this time of year? Will we need tents? Since I'm accustomed to desert travel, my main concern is water... so do you see much rain here? Will we be passing creeks or rivers with drinkable water? Will we have a guide who can better answer these questions?"
"Tents are always advisable," Adjunta says, "they're probably not absolutely necessary, but why live like an animal? Traveling without the proper necessities is a fine way of establishing yourself as a vagrant."
"Oh, you might be surprised why," Hasim mutters, stroking his beard with mock thoughtfulness. Then his face grows more grave. "But in all seriousness, tents are heavy. Assuming that we are traveling on foot and not on horseback, you may regret weighing yourself down."
Hasim rambles on. And if you don't want to read further, then that means your character doesn't want to listen.
rambling:
"I'll never forget the time I was with a caravan whose water supply was stolen. We had to leave behind all unnecessary supplies... and we STILL couldn't have made it to the nearest oasis in time before dying of thirst. Fate decreed that none of us would die on that leg of the journey, and so a wondrous, unlikely event occurred to save us. But it's still an experience I don't intend to repeat."
In game terms, I'm basically saying that a tent, weighing 20 pounds, would give me (or you) a Medium load and slow me (or you) down. And... can a tent accommodate more than one person? The rulebook doesn't say.
"That my friend is why the gods gave us beasts of burden," Adjunta says, "Traveling expenses will be paid so we will need to keep accurate records. A mule, a tent, food, perhaps rope, and a lamp and some oil, that should cover our basic needs."
Looking rather surprised and bemused that she would get an offer for work upon returning home, Ianthé took the message to her correspondent, intent on giving them a solid piece of her mind if the first words out of their mouths were anything related to "filing" or "copying". That was all well and good while she was under contract, but to pull her off of vacation was something entirely different.
Her lean face was set in the warnings of a scowl as she stepped loudly up onto the porch of the dispatch house, rapping her staff of carved willow on the floor heavily before she entered.
"So what's this about a 'job'?", she began without preamble.
Female (posing as male) Human Swashbuckler Rogue 2 (favoured class)/Urban Ranger 2
Robin
Spoiler:
Lif had been easy for Mel in Oppara, these Taldans thought the young Varisian 'lad' an easy mark but had soon learnt to their dismay that 'he' wasn't as green as he looked..so it was, with a full belly, and a new set of clothes that Mel presented 'himself' at the doors of the Temple of Adabar.
"Wotcher Guv" he greeted the acolyte who approched him "I'm looking for a Priest goes by the name of Adjunta..'ave you seen 'im?"
Mel couldn't have cared less which particular bunch of god botherers he was working for they were all alike a bunch of stuck up over fed asses with their heads in the clouds when they weren't stuck up the backside of a higher ranking priest
You had no difficulty to secure a meeting with Devred leaving the sealed letter for him at the same time. It seems there has been a delay since you are informed at your inn the meeting is rescheduled for a day after .when you do present yourself , there are three people in the room you are entering . One present himself as Devred Gimnoth
Hasim and Adjunta :
Spoiler:
Devred smiles a little "Can I just reply yes to your last question ? More seriously , I understand Iomedae's people will furnish us with a guide and that for the most part you'll be in civilized country . Now if you ve no further questions , we'll be able to interview the person I thought of as your bodyguard . Adjunta , i'll let you see if he is please you . Just know he comes with a recommendation of Estorion and that he does not know much details about this mission. With this , if you want to ask some questions , we'll backtrack there , he rings a little bell on his desk and after a short time Devred will enter"
Hasim, Adjunta and Heren
Spoiler:
You are free to talk
Ianthe
Spoiler:
The man there rises his head and after a moment says "Ah, you must be Miss Ianthe Jack. I'm Corrin Fliss. I am an agent for your company but others groups and individual and try to match wants with capacities . Now the church of Iomedae would have need of a person to take charge of an expedition to an old temple and there to identify and recover objects of faith of Aroden . To do so , they need someone not only able to detect magic and identify magic items but also someone able to lead. Now understand there is no obligation but I thought that given your background , you would fit. And frankly I do not have that much of spellworkers with a tactical bend ... Now, I negotiated a 500 gp contract for you which would make it 450gp for you after my commission of course. A reasonable sum will also be given for expenses " He sat back a little to judge your reaction.
Melissa
Spoiler:
Just some precisions . Adjunta is a priest of Abadar but you have been given papers identifying you as a representative of the temple of Aroden for one Julas Heris at the temple of Iomedae. The offical mission is organised by them because they have bought the rights to recover some old proprieties of the church of Aroden situated in an old temple in the Verduran Forest abandoned at the time of the troubles followong the death of Aroden. your real mission is not known by anyone not even by the priest of Aroden who just send you as a favor to your patron . you will be the only representative of Aroden there . Now , do you want to change your actions since you did not have these informations ?
Heren shakes Devred's hand and turns to the other two men, one Keleshite, one a veiled preist of Abadar.
'Hello, I'm Heren Andercrote, have you also been called for this little task, if so I look forward to working with you,' he profers his hand to both men in turn.
Well, the man had manners, she would give him that, and the fact that he seemed to want her particularly for this job of "leading", was a large compliment that pleased her, but the contract's price alone was something that narrowed her eyes. That much being given to her --even after a commission-- for the recovery of relics told her that they expected some danger, and with expense fees being thrown in made this too good to pass up. It was still sounding like it was worth taking, and would likely help her advance her studies, undoubtedly.
Standing where she was once she had entered, Ianthé came to some sort of decision, because the narrow-eyed look left her face, and she looked directly at Corrin. "Lose the miss, please. 'Jack' works just fine." Shifting her weight, she continued. "Now, I mean this as no insult to your procurement skills, but I'd bet money that there is more information that you are not telling me yet. Do you have any maps, reports, history about the temple, or is that something that will have to come out of 'expenses' you've mentioned? I've heard enough stories about 'abandoned' temples being home to rather hostile beings."
"Nice to meet you Heren," Adjunta says, "this will be quite an endeavor I suspect. I wonder if we will have access to someone capable of dealing with traps or will the church supply us with maps of their temple?"
Female (posing as male) Human Swashbuckler Rogue 2 (favoured class)/Urban Ranger 2
Robin
Spoiler:
Not really..I'm supposed to be liasing with the Church of Adabar on this..that's my cover ad I'm sticking with it...the papers establishing my bona-fides being genuine are a big help:)
To all, my apologies , my computer crashed on me forcing me to install new components
Heren , Adjunta , Hasim
Spoiler:
I expect your questions would be better asked at the temple of Iomedae. They are after all the instigators of this scheme. We have only been asked to provide them with witnesses to the tranfer of belongings. I must say this is allways good to see another church doing things properly .
Now , If you are all in agreement , I'll notify the iomedeans our part of the expedition is ready to meet them and there should be a meeting soon
Bureaucracy has allways been a big part of Taldoran civilization ...
Ianthe
Spoiler:
Corrin smiles at your question and replies : 'Well I understand that the temple is in Verduran Forest and that it has been abandoned since shortly after Aroden's death. It is indeed possible it is being home to other's people now . My understanding is that the iomedeans themselves do not know . What I can tell you is the decision of closing seem to gave been only to help Aroden's church cut its expenses in a part of Taldor which was sparsely populated and even in a process of being abandoned at the time . Now , what I can insure you is that the Iomedeans are not the sort of people to keep for themselves information which could help you
Melissa
Spoiler:
I'm afraid there is no priest of this name actually in duty at the bank , madam . Would Adjunta be his first or last name ? Might I also suggest you try asking at the offices
It was a moment or two as Ianthé considered Corrin's response, nodding thoughtfully. "They cannot inform what they do not know, however", she murmured to herself, mentally laying out the number of things that she would need to do to ensure that she had as much information as she could get before she set foot in a long-abandoned temple. This was not something that she could blindly rush into, and was not something that she intended on rushing into.
"I'll take the assignment", she stated evenly, approaching Corrin's table. The pale staff she carried made a 'thump' as she set it on the floor as punctuation. "Provided there is not a time frame within which to get this done, which would require haste, It can be accomplished safely. Where is our closest outpost to the location in question? I fully intend on acquiring the services of someone familiar with the location. It would be an added bonus if they are attached to our organization."
"Perhaps we can get some answers there," he says with a nod.
"I hope so," mutters Hasim, not looking content at all. HIS experience with bureaucracies in Katheer generally involved bribes. And never having traveled nearly as far north as the Verduran Forest before, Hasim feared that getting information about the area might be important.
remember robin Melissa poses as male most off the time and will take 20 on her disguise in situations where she can manage it..I'll just assume that was an especially perceptive acolyte
Spoiler:
"The offices you say...very well"..
Mel makes HIS way to the offices and enquires about the whereabouts off one Adjunta Paul..."tell him the representative of the Church of Aroden is here to see him"
you are a little ahead of the others . feel free to roleplay among yourselves
Ianthe
Spoiler:
"You can contact Veris Jocquelin in Cassomir " With this Corrin directs to go the chapterhouse of Iomedae and ask for Makill Gershn"
Melissa
Spoiler:
my mistake You surprise a quick look of commiseration at your presentation . With this the deskman consult a diary and declares
"He is not actually in the premises. We can notify him of your visit. I assume he will know the purpose of your visit . Where can he contact you ? "
'Cassomir. Jocquelin.', she thought to herself, committing the names to memory, giving Corrin a polite nod before taking her leave. "Gershn" was the name she was looking for at the chapterhouse, and as she walked, she considered a good many things, revising the list she had in her head of the main points that would need to be covered to her satisfaction. The first chance she got, she would have to sit down with a quill and some paper to make a proper list.
Shaking her head, she instead let go of her preoccupation despite the thrum of nerves at being chosen to lead this expedition, and wondered who else had been contacted to come along. The term "expedition" on its own, made it sound like a large undertaking, and she hoped to Grandmother that it was not. Ideally, she was hoping on perhaps no more than seven, all told. Still, she was fretting. This was doing her no good without information.
Again, she stilled her mind, and instead enjoyed the morning. The wind against her face and in her hair, the smells of the land. Nothing more about the potential job crossed her mind until she reached the chapterhouse of Iomedae.
Female (posing as male) Human Swashbuckler Rogue 2 (favoured class)/Urban Ranger 2
Robin
Spoiler:
Tell him I'm lodging at the Inn of the Weathered Oak..he'll find me there in the evening" and with that Mel leaves the building to while away the afternoon in the libraries and museums of Oppara
You receive notice one representative of the church of Aroden would like to talk to him this evening at the inn of the Weathered Oak.
You are of course free to take Hasim and/or Heren with you
Ianthe
Spoiler:
Without much ado , you are introcduced to Makill Gershn. Despite the heat , he is dressed in a half plate armor which seems to be as much ceremonial as practical. He welcomes you speaking with a slight non taldoran accent. "Hello and well come. If you please , could you please wait for half an hour at most . I have just sent for the guide I plan for your group and it would be better for both of you to be here at once so as not to repeat myself
Malgasir
Spoiler:
You are asked to come to the chapterhouse of Iomedae as soon as possible . Rushing there , you are introduced to the presence of one Makill Gershn
Ianthe and Malgasir
Spoiler:
Makill introduces you by name to each other . At an aside to Malgasir "Greetings , Ethan is not there for the moment but we wanted you to meet your colleague before having the other party from Abadar. Note that I expect them to be troublesome but I think important for the people most battlewise and travelwise to speak before . Now , What do you know of the situation and what are your questions ? "
