[Private] What's in a Name?

[Corwyn]

Wanted

Ranep

Grandor

Jan

Anarachim

Cain

[Corwyn]

Tumbling throught the air, the three men plummet towards what must be certain death. The man known only as Wanted recats calmly, thinking on his life as it draws to a close. The tall rogue does not find himself filled with regret, only interest in what may come. The other two men scream out, the thief flailing and kicking as they fall.
Suddenly, they each notice that the others have vanished. Closer scrutiny shows that no one can see themselves either. They seem to have become invisible. Seconds later the fall ends abruptly, a mere forty or fifty feet below the towering rooftop. They land in some unseen substance that is yielding, yet stringy, almost like a sticky netting that stretches out over the vast space between the tall building and the massive cliff face. The substance is so yielding, slowly springing back into place as it takes the weight of the falling men, that there is almost no injury, but only a mild discomfort. Accompanied by the invigortating sensation of realizing you have not died when there seems no other conclusion. Before the momentum completely subsides and the men settle into the invisible material, there is a rush of sound not unlike that of deafening silence. A flash of color, or rather darkness attracts all attention and the silence becomes so loud as to drown out the incessant wind that buffets these heights, whistling against the building. Far below, on the mighty river, business continues unaware of the dramatic scene above. Large and small vessels circumvent the docks, being loaded and unloaded by ant-sized workers. The men suspended high in the air are no oonger aware of their surroundings, anymore than the longshoremen below can see the heart-pounding pursuit become resolved above.
Then, without warning, the sound of silence and the flares of dark vanish, only to be replaced once again by the sensation of falling. Only this time, the men strike solid ground in the same heartbeat as they realize where they are. The land upon wooden floorboards inside a warm, well-lit room. Bookshelves cover the walls, adorned with hundreds upon hundreds of books of every shape and size. A large wood desk looms over them, a small man leaning over the desk to gaze down at the three men, who are no longer invisible. The man is slightly balding and with unkempt gray hair, a few weeks beyond the need of a haircut. He wears a tuft of beard on his chin, just as unkempt as his hair, but still retaining some of its original jet black. Flowing robes and the scent of herbs mark him as an apothecary or wizard. Another man, a younger man with impressive physical form, stands before the rooms only door. He weilds in one hand, a small weapon. A rare metal ranged weapon, known as a firearm. He holds the weapon with ease, aiming it at the thief's prone form. The large man wears a sword on his hip and his bare chest is crossed with equipment straps under a light cloak of dark green.

Wanted recognizes both men, and apparently so does the bearded young man who had been pursuing the thief and then began calling after Wanted.

**Free actions**

[Grimfan]

Wanted stands and brushes himself off a bit gathering his composure and straightening his hat. He was a little suprised that he survived the fall and ended up in a room with two of his friends but was happy none the less. His things being taken from him had never left his mind though and made a move over to the thief to get his things back and possibly cut the man in two.

[Corwyn]

Slowly, the prone thief returns the pouch he had taken from Wanted. At first, the strange little man appears to have some confusion as to which pouch the tall man wants, but he figures it out soon enough. As he rises, Wanted's hand reaches for his sword, but is stayed by a word from the older man, behind the desk. The small man stands and says to Wanted, sorry, I sometimes don't even know what I am doing, it is a casual response, completely ignoring the death defying chase and near death conclusion, waving off the odd turn of events that all began with his simple act of thievery with a shrug of his small shoulders, I'm Ranep by the way, he says as he looks around at the others in the room, slowly moving away from everyone and putting his back to the wall. Nervous eyes glance from the big man with the gun to Wanted.
The other man, the bearded fellow who had called out after Wanted, stands up, brushing himself off as he catches his breath, okay Anarachim, he says to the older man, I brought your friend, now what? Where's Grandor?

Anarachim looks at Wanted, ignoring the other man, don't kill Ranep. He's a thief. But he is very fast and very nimble. Just the man to help us with our quest. You have already met Cain here, then to the cowering Ranep he adds, Wanted you have met, and I presume you also met Cain as well. I am called Anarachim and my nephew there is Jan, he indicates the big man with a nod of his head. Jan then lowers his weapon, but does not put it away. Another candidate for our mission, Anarachim says to Wanted with all politeness and casualness, has brought to me a potentially valuable item that might help us out. But first we will need some special supplies. I have discovered a way that we can more quickly travel to the site of our goal. In the meanwhile, I need some of you to collect certain items for me. He glances at Ranep first, then Wanted and Cain.
**Free actions.**

[Grimfan]

He gripped his sword tightly but relaxed a bit as Anarchim spoke. "Alright, if you give us a list I am sure we can collect the things you need." Wanted spoke softly but with a much deeper voice than when they met him before. "Also, I brought something for you. I'm not sure if you could use it, but I acquired it recently." The dark figured moved his hand into the bag and pulled out the manual and handed it to Anarchim. He then sat down next to the wizard on the floor and prepared his new weapon for tonight.

Wanted looked at the others and couldn't help but to sigh a little to himself. He removed a couple of important things from his bag. A case that held a dark looking firearm, he checked it, loaded it, cocked it a bit, aimed it at a wall and went through his usual process of testing a new weapon. He then holstered it on the opposite side of his old firearm. He knew it wouldn't see as much use, but it was always good to have a backup.

He also started rummaging through his things.

[Corwyn]

Anarachim smiles as he takes the book from Wanted, thumbing through its pages, impressive and unique. A fine gift. I hope to put its knowledge to good use quite soon. Before I can return the favor, we have some work to do. The older man addresses everyone now, there are some items of magical potency here in the city, and to best complete our goal of securing the everlasting gemstone, we'll need all of them. My family and I have tried and failed many times, to collect the renewing diamond and each time we return in failure it is without some of our loved ones and allies. Anarachim glances at the big man, called Jan, when he mentions his lose, sharing a moment of sorrow before continuing. This time, we will return with unlimited wealth, all of our problems behind us. Cain and Ranep, I have a quest for you to begin immediately. There is a man who lives near Palace Row, named Talierous. He is very powerful in his own right, but he also weilds impressive political sway in this city. His home will be like a fortress. You must find your way into his inner sanctum and collect one of his most powerful artifacts. It is called a cube of force a magical object that can create a powerful sphere, wall or cube of solid energy. Collect the item and escape with your lives. Once you have it, do not lead any pursuers back to your homes or allies. Leave the city and head west and south. Six days along the southwest road there is a small town with only one Inn. I will meet you there in two weeks time. This leaves you only eight days to create your plan and execute it, good luck gentlemen. Anarachim then adds, if you seek my aid or council in the next eight days, before you attempt to rob Talierous, leave a message for me at the Hotel Libris and I will meet you. Do not mention my name or seek aid from me or mine once you have engaged your target.
Anarachim nods at Jan to let them pass. Wanted, I have for you another task, a slightly less subtle task, but covert just the same. You must enter the underground areas of the Red Temple and find for me a certain prize. There is a powerstone there, a stone which I have recently discovered as the key to unlocking the everlasting gemstone. It is a dodehydron-shaped ruby of the finest cut and perfect clarity. A small fortune unto itself, to be sure. It will be well-guarded, in the Red Temple's most secure vault in Tashagang. I believe you might have at least a small advantage on this particular endeavor. There is more, you must also brave the depths of the Blue Temple. There is a Blue Temple Military Training Base near the north wall of the city. You must enter it and make your way inside to the medical labs. Inside there is an officer named General Mclaren. Mclaren has a magical disorder that seems incurable. He cannot stand or move on his own. You must bring him to me, alive if possible. If you must slay him, you must bring him completely intact. Jan will accompany you on either or both missions. If you choose to go alone, let me know as I may have something else for him.

**Free actions....**

[Grimfan]

Wanted nodded and seemed a bit confident about the job untill he remembered some facts about what he had done previously. He hoped that his past wouldn't come back and bite him in the ass. "Jan can come with me, it want to show him my new toy anyway", the dark man smiled at Jan as he spoke, obviously he had changed a bit since they last met.

"Anyway lets go Jan, I think we should hurry, and you know this area better than I do"

[Corwyn]

**Wanted, see the thread, 'Moonlit Mauraders'.**

[Birched]

Still no sign of the old master. I wonder what happened to him. And what I've gotten myself into.

Finn moves towards the door, contemplating leaving with the others, but stops abruptly as his way is barred. No point starting a conflict. These people seem to be capable of great things.

... and the one behind the desk gave sign of being able to see me, and the other at least heard me moving, or took a cue...

Finn backs up and places his back to a wall as he turns to face Anarachim. He stands silent, starting at the man. If he can see me, he'll likely look to me again, and speak. No one likes a stranger in their study.

move silently if warranted

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+8:	(14) + 8	Total = 22

[Corwyn]

Once everyone but Anarachim and Finn have gone, the mage casually moves around the desk and waves his hand towards the monk. Finn feels a tingling sensation and then notices that he is no longer invisible, so what brings a Monk of the Dragon Clan down from his mountainr? What or who are you looking for?

**free actions...**

[Birched]

Finn starts slightly and then pulls himself together again. This man knows who I am and appears to be no mean practioner of magic. Best I keep my wits about me as best I can or this could all go very ill for me.

Finn bows slightly. "As you have not started with introductions, I suppose that it then falls upon me as your guest to do so. My name is Finn Argent, and, as you have correctly stated, I am a monk of the Dragon Clan. It is said that only those without history speak easily to strangers...."

"I don't even know with whom I am speaking," Finn waves his hand to indicate both the mage and the brute, "and I'm not sure that even then I would feel comfortable telling you my life story. I did, after all, arrive here through what appears to have been a carefully conjured trap."

EDIT: Adding rolls, I seem to remember being asked for these a lot
diplomacy, sense motive

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+5:	(3) + 5	Total = 8
d20+5:	(9) + 5	Total = 14

[Corwyn]

Anarachim clears his throat and gazes at Finn for a long moment. He glances casually at the wall of books behind his desk and then as if by accident notes the silver tray on the desk, which holds a glass and pewter carafe, filled with dark red liquid. He waves his hand and causes the bottle to glide through the air and begin to tip over. He holds his hand out as if there were a glass there, which there was not. Before the wine spills out, Anarachim looks up at Finn and then shrugs. Thinking better than to attempt to impress the monk, the mage snatches the bottle from the air and moves back around the desk. He pulls from a drawer an ordinary, but well-made glass and fills it with wine.
Sitting back in his over-stuffed chair, the mage inhales the aroma of the wine, swirling it in his glass and looking up at Finn. Finally he takes a sip, never once offering the monk a glass. You know my name already, but I don't realy care to know yours. I know that you are not Tyren, too young. Besides, you have the innocent, sheltered look in your eyes. You must be fresh from the temple. You have come seeking a man who carries a great and ancient artifact. You were following your latest lead when you were caught in my spell. Then, you chose to remain unnoticed when you found yourself here. Anarachim sighs deeply, leaning back again. Tell me, who were you following? Of the men who left this room, none carried an ancient artifact. You see that it is not here either. I invite you to take yourself through that door and continue your fruitless pursuit. The mage sighs again, placing a small crystal prism on the center of the desk, I am not the type to threaten, nor will I be bothered to try to impress you with tricks and gimmicks. I have come too far and am too close to my goal to allow anyone to distract me. I have neither the time nor the patience to chat with an ignorant monk newly arrived from his cloister. Trust me when I say that you do not want to invoke my anger... He nods towards the door, sitting up in his chair with both hands now flat on the table, the glass of wine left forgotten beside him.

**You get the impression that while he feels that he could kill you where you stand, quite easily, he does not want to if he can avoid it. Also he seems to be either nervous about something, or hiding something - though this is not strange for a practicing mage. Also note, everyone else has gone already. The two smaller men left first, and the large man left with the darkly clad man known as Wanid. You were alone with Anarachim before he banished your invisibility. Your action. The room is 15' on a side with only the one door. There are two plush chairs in front of the big wooden desk.**

[Birched]

Tyren thought that Wanted would lead to Ravanik, and this man appears to give Wanted orders, or at least to be capable of it... I wonder if perhaps he is seeking the same artifact?

Finn bows again. "You have asked me a question, and at the same time begged me to leave. I find myself presented with two opposing requests, and out of politeness I will choose the former. Who was I following? I was, as you surmise, following those you caught in your web. I do not wish to provoke your anger... yet you seem to know much. I will confess that I seek an artifact, as you surmise. And also that I do not see it here.*** But I must ask myself, how do you know what it is that I seek? I am not without resources, the greatest of which is my own self. You obviously have knowledge of this place; knowledge that I lack. If you are so close to your goal, perhaps success is now inevitable, and you could afford a small distraction. Or perhaps I could help in some way, in exchange for information. I have been, for example, to the underground areas of the Red Temple. Perhaps I could be of help with that task. I also have an invitation pending to enter the temple, tomorrow."

Finn bows again. "And if my fair offer angers you, then I do apologize, and will take my leave to continue my fruitless pursuit under my own power, though it be insignificant compared to your own."

***Finn is wearing lenses of magic detection.

diplomacy, sense motive

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+5:	(17) + 5	Total = 22
d20+5:	(5) + 5	Total = 10

[Corwyn]

Originally Posted by Birched

***Finn is wearing lenses of magic detection.

**Make a Will Save...**

[Birched]

will save, a further +2 if it is vs. enchantment

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+16:	(13) + 16	Total = 29