Game Thread Part 1: Riddle of the Kings - Page 2

masternate · #16 11-04-2008, 05:14 AM

Richard had spent too much time on the road recently, when the city of Savarilo a sigh of relief passed through the caravan. There had been much uncertainty since the king disappeared, and this meeting would have been seen with much distrust if it wasn't for Elratore's king also disappearing. Richard himself had been personally chosen to go to Savarilo although he wasn't really sure what he could add to the proceedings, but he had to admit he was a little excited to be involved in something big.

The excitement wore off quickly enough as the snow began to melt and turn into green forests, the most obvious signs of entering another kingdom. Luckily for Richard, he hadn't been told what it was that he was going to be doing until the gates of Savarilo stood in the distance, else he probably would have forgotten by now, Richard didn't really have the patience to keep to a particular course of action for a considerable amount of time.

After the caravan came to a stop and everyone was settling into the city, Richard went off for a walk to see if he could find a place to get a drink. He found the Wagon Wheel pretty easily, the noise coming from it helped guide him there. Walking along the shadows of the buildings, the cover of night aiding him, Richard slipped into the inn and headed over to the counter to grab himself a drink. Standing atop a chair, Richards chest barely stood over the top of the counter top, but that didn't stop him from grabbing the attention of the barkeep and ordering himself a 'big person' sized drink.

Richard sat down to take in the view of the room, the counter top offering a good backrest for the Halfling, it didn't take long for him to realise that he wasn't the only non Elratorean in here. His keen ears listened in on several conversations, gaining little tidbits of information here and there. When Richard finished his mug of ale, he turned around and placed it on the counter, which by this time of night had thinned of patronage a bit. Richard was able to get a moment of time with the barkeep to ask him some questions.

Good ale, barkeep. Richard began quietly so that the barkeep would have to lean in to hear him properly, he also spoke slowly to hide the fact that the big person ale had hit him harder than he expected. Is business usually this good? Or are the caravans from the other kingdoms helping? He looked around at the other men of nationality. What do you suppose they are all here for?

Halcyon · #17 11-04-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedJester

The two glass blowers look up grimly from their work at Cymbelis and only one speaks. His tone is disinterested and curt. I'm afraid I'm too busy for such frivolous talk and if you would excuse me, I'd like to finish before the morrow.

Cymbelis nods his head and says somewhat disappointedly, "Of course, please forgive the interruption." His inquisitive nature is such that he can't help but take a sweeping glance over the contents of the shop before backing out of the doorway, looking for anything out of place... he seemed to remember this town being somewhat friendlier and wondered if there was another reason he was being ushered out so quickly.

Assuming nothing was out of place:

With nothing left to do but window shop, Cymbelis turns to slowly make his way back to the Red Prince Inn. Maybe there would be some interesting people there to idle away the time with. He is in no rush though. He removes his pipe and packs it, then waves his hand and speaks an easy incantation (prestidigitation). Waving his hand at a street lamp, a small flicker of flame seperates from the main body and floats out of it's enclosure and down to Cymbelis's waiting pipe. Once lit, Cymbelis waves his hand again and the little flame extinguishes. Happily puffing on his pipe, the elf now begins his casual walk toward the inn, keeping one eye on the street and one eye on the shadows out of habit. He projects his thoughts out to his flying rodent to sheppard the bat along in his general direction. Though his link with Junco would one day evolve to allow for real communication, for now Cymbelis could direct the bat's actions with telepathic feelings to keep it close by. He sensed Junco was content... a sure sign that it's little belly was full and that it had 'done it's duty'. The last thing Cymbelis wanted to explain to the waitstaff at the Red Prince Inn was how bat guanno manifested on their carpeted floors!

Currently Cymbelis walks by a dumpy little inn called the Wagon Wheel. There seems to be some life in that little dive and Cymbelis considers going in... but prudence wins out and he strolls by without stopping (unless of course he sees something worth checking out).

Neko · #18 11-04-2008, 11:18 AM

"My thanks."

Vrishnak nodded her head to the guard and turned to make her way through the streets. She was careful to try and blend in as best she could, even though she knew it would be hard for her to avoid notice. She was bigger and taller than most humans, and she was bound to run into trouble somewhere.
As she walked, she tried to listen for information that would serve her purposes here in the city. Most people bear her would be talking about her, but it was worth it to try if she gleaned even the smallest morsel of information.

KevinFipps · #19 11-04-2008, 11:37 AM

Garrick leaned toward the barmaid his smile broad and genuine. I am certain that one in your line of work hears all manner of interesting things. I, myself, have found that even the most seemingly trivial of facts can turn the tides of history. I prithee, milady, whatever whispers you overhear, whatever boasts you see proclaimed, no matter ho minute, please pass them along to me. I will check back regularly. He slides another pair of gold coins across the table. My name is Garrick.

With that the swashbuckler rises from his seat, kisses the barmaid lightly on the cheek and whispers, First, I need to know where I can find the Order of the Wild Flame.

dirkoth · #20 11-04-2008, 08:56 PM

Not pleased with the lack of results for his spell use, Brokk stretches slowly, and eyes the inn across the street. If the locals' won't tell me how to get it, I will just have to think like a rat, he thinks.

He spies for an area of the inn out of the way, perhaps off to the side, near the alley or kitchen, where he can hunker down without attracting attention. If he finds such a place, perhaps near a trash pile or discard area near the kitchens, he will move across the street, and settle himself down nearby, quietly.

Carefully removing his familiar, a common wood weasel, from his secure pouch at his waist, Brokk gives her a silent command to explore, and sends her off to search for a rat hole or other way into the inn. Be careful! Brokk sends along their link. Just watch, do not be seen. Brokk settles back to see what his familiar, Martine, can observe and send back to him through their link.

RedJester · #21 11-07-2008, 12:29 AM

masternate:

Halcyon: Cymbelis sees nothing out of place and just figures that these glassblowers are just hard at work.

Neko:

KevinFipps: "Well...the Order can be found on the opposite side of town, down the way from the temple side. Its a large building with a tower and an azure dome. There is a large flag on top of the dome with a flame on it." She blushes. Thankyou kindly Garrick. I hope to be seeing you again. She walks away, but looks back at him and smiles widely.

dirkoth:

LordJecks: Tristan walks into the temple to be greeted by fifty priests in a ceremony. The door booms and they all look back, anger evident on some faces, curiosity on others. The temple is sparsely furnished even though it is enormous, but it is still nicer than most temples to the Wandering God. "Who are you who disturbs our prayers in this dire of times?"

LordJecks · #22 11-07-2008, 01:50 AM

"Sorry to interrupt but I was summoned from the country to help in these dire times. My name is Tristan Triade, a priest of Fharlaghn from Tarian Temple." said a tired Tristan having spent a long day traveling to arrive at the city. This hadn't been the welcoming he had been expecting but oh well everyone was edgy lately with all the strange things happening. "Is there somewhere I could put my things and clean up before meeting with the high priest?"

Halcyon · #23 11-07-2008, 09:04 AM

....'slow night...', sighs Cymbelis as he continues down the road. Up ahead, across the road, the elf notices a memorial built to comemorate one of Elrator's heroes... perhaps it's king. His elven vision serving him well, Cymbelis discerns in the darkness a fountain in the middle of the memorial with a large marble statue of a nobleman seated on a warhorse. Surrounding the fountain is a small maze of juniper bushes, trimmed to create a wandering path to the center of the memorial. Four small ornamental pear trees shade the fountain during the day and are currently in bloom, no doubt perfuming the air with soft, sweet fragrances.

'When in doubt... ask!' thinks the elf as he veers to cross the road and enter the small grove. "Come, Junco," Cymbelis calls out in elven as he taps on his left shoulder. A moment later, with a rustling of leathery wings, the bat perches softly on his master's shoulder and peers curiously into the memorial.

Cymbelis navigates the maze until he comes to the fountain. He tamps out his pipe and puts it away then sits down cross-logged on a bench facing one of the pear trees, appearing to fall into a trance. While the elf is focussed on his meditation, Junco continues to turn and chitter on his shoulder, using his large ears to detect the presense of any intruders.

RedJester · #24 11-07-2008, 10:21 AM

Our apologies Tristan. We didn't realize who you were. We have been expecting you. Please find any of the empty rooms down the right-hand corridor and make yourself at home. You will find a water basin and fresh robes of the order, so please come back and pray with us. Then you shall meet with father Pyerno. The priests all made the sign of Fharlanghn with their hands, welcoming their fellow warmly.

KevinFipps · #25 11-07-2008, 01:53 PM

Garrick departs at once, but no before casting a few glances at the barmaid. Perhaps she could be more than just a font of information. But first, he needed to check in.

Making all haste for the far side of town, Garrick notices little of his surroundings. As he draws closer to the indicated location he slows his pace and takes a careful look around. He tosses open his jacket to reveal the excellent craftsmanship of his rapier and the ease with which he carries it. He is no doubt already under the scrutiny of the Order, and should one rise to challenge his right to enter, he will not shy away.

LordJecks · #26 11-07-2008, 04:03 PM

"No offense taken. These have been testing times for us all" says Tristan skillfully before bowing and taking his leave to find one of the empty room. Dumping his gear at the foot of the bed he headed to the wash basin to remove the dirt of the road from his face before changing.

A clean and robed Tristan left the room, his gear secured within, and returned to the gather priests and takes his place in the ceremony. While it all seemed a little too ornate Tristan found himself a little more than excited to be taking part in a ceremony with so many of his fellow priests.

dirkoth · #27 11-07-2008, 09:07 PM

Brokk sits quietly, and unobtrusively, in the alley next to the inn. Being on this side of the street, he is closer to the cloaked strangers entering the inn, and listens carefully to them as they come and go. the hair on the back of his neck rises, but he remains quiet, and carefully pulls a piece o scrap closer to him for more cover.

Should he be confronted, he will appear to wake up from a nap, and happily move elsewhere in a slow, shuffling stumble. At the moment, however, his focus is on what his familiar is seeing as she winds her way through the walls and rafters of the inn.

Neko · #28 11-09-2008, 11:20 AM

Vrishnak frowned at the knowledge she had gathered, and made her way absent-mindedly closer to the temple of St. Cuthbert. Perhaps she would be able to gather more information there.

Halcyon · #29 11-10-2008, 09:19 AM

After only a few minutes of concentration on the bough of the pear tree, Cymbelis snaps back to reality and stands up from the bench. "Right then Junco, looks like we'll be visiting the royal gardens.. the moon is high already, we better hurry... though I suspect our friend might not mind a late caller. We shall see!"

As he exits the memorial, Cymbelis passes a few pedestrians who regard the elf oddly, but pays them no mind as he hustles along to the next main street heading to the north side of town. He arrives at the royal gardens a little while later and strolls along the eastern perimeter until he comes to a manor bordering the gardens.

"I think this is it, Junco.." Cymbelis speaks aloud. He cautiously approaches the gated entrance to call on the nobleman residing within. With Junco on his shoulder, he scans his surroundings as he approaches.

masternate · #30 11-12-2008, 03:16 PM

Richard stayed in conversation with the barkeep for a little bit longer, but he seemed to have no information of use. Finally the Halfling slipped off his seat and began to head back to where his caravan was staying. His short legs covering less ground than usual as he tried to keep his balance, but he eventually made it back no worse the wear.

Richard was up at the crack of dawn, doing his morning rituals, by the time the sun was rising above the gates of the city Richard was already scouting the city for anything that he might find useful. Slowly, and inconspicuously he made several circuits of the city, trying to get a good view of the palace as he went along.

After assessing the situation, Richard heads off to look for supplies that he might require for the plan he was formulating. After several hours and much haggling the halfling leaves the bazaar quite satisfied with himself, and was heading back to his caravan for a little afternoon nap.