The Silent Tide - Continuation

[doggius]

Under the Library "Bah!" Pogar barks, "Are, ye both daft?!?" Pogar growls as he looks at you both. 'Ye dinnae wanna bite off more than ye can stomach, ya see? We got a bit o news. We go doon there, we may no come back fer a long while. Ye dinnae know what'd be doon there. We jus' me some nasties. Might'n be a horde more." he says looking at the elf and cleric. "Best ta get tha news out afore tha news dies wi' ye." he says, his voice dropping into a somber tone. His eyes glaze over in a far away look. A lesson learned from a time past that is still a fresh wound. "Aye, grab wha' ye came fer, lass. But be quick about it an' lets head back." he says quietly.

[Storm]

Inside the Crimson Coin And so....the party split in two, Skurvin staying upon the balcony in company of Kria, Naum and Reyd and Morton and Molrim meeting with the Hydra Fang's ship Captain Du'Moire. In essence, splitting the party again into thirds, the commotion of the round of drinks bought for all in attendance filtered through the Crimson Coin as tall mugs flowed with the soothing amber liquid and plates caste with wild boar and artisan bread and gravy circulate through the taproom. The serving maidens, quickly reach the patrons, as men begin to make out with single woman and the lavish dominant features of Cheliax showed this day. Known for it's lustful and seedy arrangements, a lone stage of a dancing Tiefling woman with full bosoms, pasties and a thong began to gyrate her hips to the sounds of flutes and chimes from a small choir of musicians who melodically played a courtship song of expression. The scene was not your usual rowdy experience. It was more of eloquent men, bearing the lineage of aristocrat with powdered faces and curly white wigs, who bore burgundy crested shirts and long sleeve off white cotton fluted shirts. Hushed conversation and the admiration of the dancing woman, among the camaraderie of fellow countrymen and woman began the next scene. Enter Nessian, curly brown hair at the sides of his head and a long pony tail, with smooth skin and tanner complexion to most. His blue eyes set him apart from most of the brown eyed men and woman of these parts as his white fluted long sleeve shirt and curly chest hair showed a singular piece of gold rope and a medallion dangling from it. The men gather at his side as the Leader Rogue enters the room and makes his way from where Nab has pointed out Skurvin and the others. He makes his way up the balcony through all the chaos happening and stands there with hand on his hilt of his rapier. Then he says this, "You got a lot of balls coming here! Better explain yourself quickly!" Molrim and Morton see what appears to be Nessian enter the Crimson Coin around the same time as Du'Moire begins to entertain your company. Du'Moire begins to say," Fine friends of the Coin, thank you for the compliment although I have not seen the likes of your entourage around these parts. Come let us drink and be merry!"

Under the Old Library Attaching the rope found in Belro's satchel, the Wizard begins to tie the rope around the central black onyx figure standing in the middle of the room, in a moments notice, the mummified hand around Pogar's neck begins to glow a hue of purple. Then almost immediate, Faunra pulls the rope hard and strong. The ball is pulled backwards, and the lever is released revealing a secret passage that opens up. The passage that opens is near the opposite side from whence the Heroes entered and the stone passage that Pogar found was different in comparison. It seemed from his stone cunning with Faunra's knowledge of dungeons and Belro's insight that the passage opens revealing musty air that shows a illuminated passage opening up with torches lit to each side. The passage begins to move towards a stone stairs as water begins to drip from the ceiling. A few rodents and vermin begin to scurry as Amolas begins to hiss. The smell of Troglodytes and the undead reak in this part. As if the battle was continuing and there was more to be revealed. The haunting wisp of wind blows through the passage as the complex has opened up to another passage. Now having a light source, Tham takes a torch to inspect the original room. Inside is the room is full of blood, guts and carnage. Locked in fierce battle, Troglodytes and Lacedons lay sprawling dead over the ground. Whatever happened, it seemed as if the Troglodytes were trying to get through this room and escape from something in haste. Leaving their coin purses and belongings behind.

[doggius]

Under the Library He spoke too late, but his anger and frustration is enveloped by the purple hue that came from under his cloak. He holds up the black, mummified hand that had elvish like features. "Wha was tha?" he stammers and drops it, as if it were hot, for a moment. The foul stench overcomes his senses and his focus drifts from the war trophy to the carnage displayed in front of him. "By tha gods." Pogar hisses as raises his great axe in a defensive position. "Thi' were a massacre." he says. "An'..." he says, letting his voice drift, his attention focused on the coin purses left on the ground. Within his mind he imagines the dark elfs mummified hand that hangs around his neck, magically drift outwards and pick up one of the coin purses and bring it to hims hand. The purple hue flashes a moment, then, a dark elf hand floats forward, Pogar having found himself pointing at the purse, and grabs the particular coin purse. Drifting back it drops the purse into his open hand. A stunned look appears on Pogar's face, that turns into confusion. He looks up at Belros, then back towards Faunra, confusion etched all across his face, the look in his eyes is as if he is saying "What the heck just happened?"

[Togot]

Inside the Crimson Coin Skurvin remains stone-faced as his guest finally arrives. He glances calmly down at the rapier, registering the threat and then back up to the Dice Sense motive: d20+4 (11)+4 Total = 15 man’s face. More hostility than expected, that’s discouraging. But he hasn’t drawn on me yet, so it’s just a threat, a show for his lackeys. Let him beat his chest to show what an alpha male he is, let him feel secure. Best not to smile, that might come off as condescending. Don’t match his aggression either, he’ll likely take it as a challenge and feel the need to meet it. Be assertive but not confrontational. Make it clear you don’t want to fight. In a Dice Diplomacy: d20+7 (5)+7 Total = 12 calm and controlled voice, Skurvin responds, “The explanation is simple: your people and mine butted heads the other night, and I don’t want that happening again. I don’t think you do either. So far there hasn’t been any blood shed over this matter, and I’d like to keep it that way.” Skurvin gestures to the seat across from him. “So let us see if we can come to an understanding to avoid stepping on each others toes again, shall we?”

[Totentanzen]

"Ah Our friend Du'Moire we are but travelers of the city, it is quite big enough for people to go unseen! But we are here looking to have a good time and to just gather a bit of information amongst drinks with a friend!" Upon saying that Molrim had the feeling that he was not quite welcome in the conversation and so grabbed his drink and quickly faded into the crowd hoping instead to watch both conversations from the shadows….

Ooc Diplomacy: Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (1)+5 Total = 6 Stealth: Dice Roll: 1d20+11 (9)+11 Total = 20 (20) Perception: Dice Roll: 1d20+8 (1)+8 Total = 9 (9)

[Belros]

Belros looks at Pogar and from the expression on his face he can tell that something strange is going on with the dwarf but to the priest of Torag all appears normal. Pushing it aside as something to do with their newfound options or dilemma, Belros focuses sorry, no pun intended...on the matter at hand

"I hate leaving things unfinished or where others can fall in to danger, especially," begins the priest, "but I'd hate for us to bite off more than we can chew. I will do what you all think is best." Belros really has no strong opinion either way and is willing to go with what Faunra and Pogar think is best.

[Geldar]

Under the Old Library Faunra is naturally skeptical of Pogar's reaction. But, not as skeptical as one might think. When she sees the Drow hand turning purple, she begins wondering if perhaps she's familiar with the magical presence in question. Upon seeing the trophy hand turn purple, given the full context of the situation, Dice Knowledge, Arcane: 1d20+10 (16)+10 Total = 26 she thinks for a moment. After some brief speculation on the trophy, Faunra speaks about the now not-so-secret passage. Pogar, I believe you're correct. Better to tackle this avenue with the rest of our troops. Unfortunately, we've no indication when they'll return from their own mission. I propose we move on through, see what this passageway holds and hopefully save others from its dangers within. But let us venture only so far as we might travel over a brief period. Hemstrem waits on our library back at the Lodge. Before preparing to head down the passageway, Faunra attempts to use her knowledge of underground realms to guess about how far the passage might actually go. Dice Knowledge, Dungeoneering: 1d20+10 (2)+10 Total = 12

 

Know: Arcane check regarding the purple trophy hand.
Speaks with party.
I know we just did a Knowledge: Dungeoneering check, but I want one just to see if she can judge distance ahead. If not no biggie.

[Captain K]

Crimson Coin, downstairs bar "Ah. Captain Du'Moire. My friend, Molrim. I'm Morton Juniper. Itinerant, as Molrim says. Anyway. What news from Cheliax? Been tallying up pirates and ne'er do wells? There's always someone kicking against the power, isn't there? You'd expect it in Absolom, this place is what one would charitably call 'cosmopolitan'. Actually, what my friend was alluding to is that yet again someone else is trying to take this town. We hear its the Taldorans this time. Would you believe it? Bloody Taldor. Ran their own place into the ground, now they want to come and trash somewhere else. Anyway. Very kind about the drinks. My round." Morton waves a waitress over. "Get something nice, ladies. The Galtish claret is meant to be good. Oh, and enchanté, ladies." OOC Totentanzen, this guy is Cheliax military. He might be a laugh, but he's still Cheliax military. He is never going to back us about fighting for the people here, but Cheliax would rather support the status quo than let Taldor score points. Besides, we may as well have some fun. A few drinks, a few hints. Maybe get a fairweather ally out of it. Morton has no love for Cheliax, he's served in the Andoran guards, but we don't have to talk about that and we should play the cards we are dealt with. One of those girls might like Molrim anyway, some go for that rugged outdoorsy type.

[doggius]

Under the Library Pogar merely shrugs his shoulders and grunts, although his mind seems elsewhere. He shakes his head and looks around. It seemed so real, he thought something magical happened. It didn't, he muses to himself. Stepping forward, he Dice perception: 1d20+2 (15)+2 Total = 17 begins to go through the corpses on the ground, grabbing what he can, of any value. Whether it be a well made weapon or armor, to the leather coin purse that litters the floor.

[Belros]

Belros will stand guard for the moment and let Pogar and Faunra, if she wishes, collect what they can from the bodies in the room. He stays alert and ready in case of trouble. Once they have finished, he looks to the others. "So which will it be? Head further in as Faunra suggests or complete our task here and get help from the others?

What say you, Pogar? That axe still sharp enough for any trouble that might be ahead?"

[doggius]

Under the Library "Aye, a wee further'd be fine." he acquiesces,the fear and shock at what had happened within his mind lost, overcome by the twinkle of the thoughts of gold. After a moment a shiver runs down his spine. "A pox on 'ere, say's me." he thinks to himself. Though he imagines he hears the whispers of the fallen, he strides forward confidently but cautiously.

[Geldar]

Under the Library Faunra contemplates for a moment on her dwarven companion's trophy hand, and what it means. It causes Pogar to behave very mysteriously...must be mindful of this. After a search of the immediate area and Post #84, Pogar searched bodies for stuff; I don’t want to jump-ahead too muchgathering of any valuable things, Faunra and her faithful familiar Amolas step on through the passageway with Belros and Pogar. Cautious of time, Faunra has her wand at the ready just in case she needs more magical armor protection again soon.

 

After we’ve searched the immediate area and looted whatever we find in terms of value, the dynamic trio (well “quartro” with the cat lol) make their way down the passage.

 

Drama: Does my Know:Arcane check from Post #82 pick-up anything useful about Pogar and his trophy elf-hand thingy? Secondly - In as much as she can, Faunra is counting time from when they first came through the stairway and she wanded herself (Post #42). Mage Armor is good for an hour. When she can best-determine that an hour has elapsed, she’ll wand herself again, maintaining AC 17 the whole merry way.

[Belros]

Belros takes the cat as if he's holding a fragile vase or crystal. He holds it out at arms length unsure of what to do before the cat wriggles free and he has to pull it closer to him. As it snuggles against him he lets out a quick sneeze. "Well what do you know?" he says before quickly sneezing again. "I'll be ok though, The cleric takes the cat as it settles into his arms and against his chest. He smiles a weak smile to Pogar and begins to move toward the stairs.

[Storm]

Inside the Crimson Coin As the two different scenes unfold in the Crimson Coin, Nessian lowers his hand from his thin cavalier sword and places both hands on his hips in waiting to hear more." You have intrigued me Noble!" , walking over to an empty seat, the Rogue lightly offers his hand outward as if asking if this seat is taken. When given the nod, Nessian sit's down and begins to speak again. "This understanding you speak of, We can make it so! We only sought the book and Mr. Gill because of an arrangement with our benefactor. There is a great debt owed by Mr. Gill and she needs to know what happened to Gill. We do not have confirmation, only speculation that he has met his fate. This fate by the hands of your Society. Blasted man, we wanted him captured not killed. My informers tell me, you found him, only to let the waters of ocean's tide carry him away. This is most unpleasing. Gill alive could only help in us acquiring some information about Gills connections. We were trying to find out who is secretly funding his research. Our sources tell us of a Baron of undecided liege that holds allegiance to both Cheliax and Andoran decent. A most problematic concern, as Paracountess Zarta and the Chellish Embassy would like to find out about this Last Baron of interest. It is said that Baron Vendikon holds influence among Absalom, Cheliax and Andoran. We know where the Baron resides. He is located in Diobel. Chimera Cove to be exact. The Baron is wanted for crimes against Cheliax and holding sway with Andoran sympathizers'. Can you find Vendikon for us? Can you travel to Chimera Cove to un mask this Noble who is severely influencing Nobles alike in Absalom? We can call truce and come to more of an understanding! We can come to an agreement to benefit both your allies and ours." Talking with Du'Moire is a different story. He smiles and raises both arms and hands and extends them outward. Leaving the ladies to make their way to the both of you. " Well my friends, seem the both of us have been busy. I'am having a problem of sorts myself! But I shouldn't bother you with the details! Well, maybe I should. I have been having a problem with the Andoran Navy. Seems their Captain Alidane wants my hide. His ship the Trident is in port here with my ship the Hydra Fang!. We are vying for merchant business right now since there is relative peace between the two countries. We both are trying our best to win over a local merchant who is willing to ship to either country in order for him to make the most gold crest. It seems Alidane is winning the bid for the Trident to make passage to the open sea and I would like to be frank! I'm looking for someone to sabotage the Trident so that the Merchant will not have any other recourse but to use the Hydra Fang for his needs."

Underneath the Old Library Your knowledge of the purple color coming from the mummified hand is intriguing at best. Something near by has activated the magic of the drow hand. Whether the heirloom and war trophy detects magic or something similar, the hand seems to faintly glow and then loose it's glow after several minutes. Something near by has activated the hand whether a lone magical source or an ability of it's own. The Dwarf looks dismayed at first and then is seen rummaging through coin purses. There is plenty of coin left rummaging through several coin purses you find roughly two hundred and some gold pieces and a potion of blue liquid. The potion will need to be appraised before consuming the elixir. Testing this potion and their is no way of knowing the effects it will have on you. Continuing, the three make passage down the moist stone stairs. The condensation and scurrying vermin run away from your passage as the silhouette of the torches lights your shadowy outlines. Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, there are several more scattered figures of lacedons, ghouls and troglodytes locked into fierce battle. They have slain each other and there is a huddled figure terribly frightened and shaken from the gory combat. It appears to be Gill who looks up and starts to cower away from you. "No, no...please let me be! I don't want any problems with you. Just let me be! Leave me, you have what you want so there is no need to take me in! I'm sorry for sending my acquaintances to kill you. It was only a last resort. I usually do not weigh on the side of violence. Please, can we talk about this! Please!"

 

Gold Pieces	Potion
95	1 Vial
85
45

[Togot]

Inside the Crimson Coin Skurvin listens to the man talk while maintaining a faint friendly smile. It wasn’t cocky or condescending, but vaguely pleasant, just enough to keep the other man comfortable, keep him talking, let him know that Skurvin liked what he was hearing. It was important in business to have a good smile. It helped put others at ease, and make it much easier to bend them over. The smile also helped him hide his surprise at just how readily this man was providing him with information. Honestly, one simple offer of alliance, and Skurvin had learned that the man was indeed after the book. Skurvin had expected to dance around the issue of why his group wanted Gill, but Nessian just blurted it out. Not only that, but the identity of his benefactor as well? Amateur! At least make me work for it, you insufferable simpleton, Skurvin thinks contemptuously. The game isn’t any fun if there’s no challenge. Then again, so much information given so freely should not be trusted. Never believe anything you hear, and never tell the truth when a lie will do. They were after Gill and the book; he’d revealed that, Dice sense motive: d20+4 (20)+4 Total = 24 but perhaps that was a trap. Give Skurvin a bit of bait that they both already knew to be true so that he would swallow the lie as well? In any event, Skurvin already had the answer he was originally seeking, the War Hounds had been seeking Gill and the book for paracountess Zarta…or was that not the ‘she’ he meant when referring to his benefactor? The information about this baron was also interesting. Why would the War Hounds want to hand over such a contract, unless it was too dangerous for them? Well, it might be a trap, but it wasn’t something Skurvin could ignore. “I suppose we can oblige you,” Skurvin said graciously. When you agree to something, always make it sound like you’re doing the other person a favor, even if it‘s what you want to do most in the world. “It’s the least we can do after that trouble with Gill.” Skurvin lifts his glass to the man, and smiles widely. “To a healthy working relationship.”