[Game Thread] Chapter 1: Something Wicked

[Cidolfas]

Ugren made a sour face as he took his first sip of the wine. Although he did not drink as much as other dwarves, he still preferred a stout ale to whatever was in his cup. Remembering he was not alone for once, he tried to look as pleasant as possible. Unfortunately he instead appeared to the newcomers as though he was a bit queasy.

When Aymeric spoke up, the dwarf began nodding his head furiously. "Aye, let us hear of why we have been called here." "And leave the confines of this place as soon as possible." He continued to fidget in his chair while trying in vain not to.

[IrishKatt]

"Calm Brother, you know why I am here, as you know how I think." To those that knew what the Kalashtar were capable of they would know that they were able to link minds with another living creature. Due to being twins the two Kalashtar had a constant connection, though the farther apart they were the bond becomes less effective to the point of only being an empathetic link, the closer they were however the more the knew of each others thoughts to the point of speaking the exact same words at the same time. That however had not happened in a long time, as Aliandrah had a MUCH stronger mind than that of her brother.

"Please do not regard my brother as a monster, he merely is protective of his sister. On to Business, Why have we been called here, though I feel I already know based on what I have read, and the thoughts drifting through your minds." Her expression, nonchalant, and seemingly void of emotion, yet her voice other worldly, like that of the echo of a dream.

[ShadowcatX]

Brother Talesin's head hangs low for a moment, then he looks up and gazes at each of you, weighing your determination. Finally he nods.

"Very well. I'm beginning to doubt that dinner shall ever be ready anyways. My tale is about my sister. Like me she served the Silver Flame, and like me she wandered, with no set duties to interfere with her service. However, unlike me she was powerful, a warrior who sought to destroy evil.

Rumors reached my sister that there was a terrible evil being perpetrated by House Vadalis in the village of Redleaf just within the border of the Eldeen Reaches. As you are no doubt aware, House Vadalis's primary hold is in the city of Varna, not far south of Redleaf. My sister went to investigate, neither of us gave much credence to the rumors but the Flame calls us to be vigilant. I begged her to be careful. She swore that she would.

We corresponded a couple of times, she began to believe that there was something to the rumors. I begged her to go to the druids, allow them to take care of it, but she would not. She replied to the request saying that she believed the druids might even be involved. That was the last time I would hear from her alive.

The found her body two weeks ago on the trail between the two cities. A letter found on her body instructed House Orien to bring her personal effects to me. Her body, they burned. They said she had been savaged. . .savaged by a werewolf. And so this is your job, go to the Eldreen Reaches, find the werewolf who slew my sister, and bring it back to me. Alive.

Now what I am about to share with you can not leave this room, I beg that of you. While I was in the seminary, I made some friends, and one of those friends is vastly talented in the magic of the Silver Flame. He believes that if he can cast his magic over a werewolf, even one naturally born, he can destroy the beast within it, leaving only the man or woman behind. I hate the werewolf who slew my sister, and were it just me, I would see her tortured over many days until it finally died, but the Flame calls us to be better people and so I can not turn this opportunity away, if my friend can save this werewolf, we must let him, we will redeem it and strike a great blow against the forces of evil themselves."

The brother's head droops. A bell sounds in the kitchen, and moments later a dwarven female and the two human males begin bringing food and setting it up on the table for you, a large hank of ham, mixed greens, and some of the first fruit of the season soon adorns the table, a meal fit for kings.

Laird carries a lute in from another room and pulling a chair over against the wall begins playing a soft song, careful not to play too loud to inhibit conversation.

[Peter172]

Nalus gasped, Have we not learned from the past? The Lycanthropic purge was a great victory for the Purified. Keeper Jolan Sol has taught the us that the souls of those afflicted are corrupt and they must all be destroyed. Don't get me wrong, if there is a way to save a soul from the evil of the affliction then it would be a great victory for the light, but it seems unlikely that our order was mistaken when they destroyed what they thought was all of the disease ridden lycanthropes. It seems a far better option to just destroy it and cleanse the world of it's corruption. Do you happen to have any silverburn brother? It would be wise to preform the rites properly so that the creature does not return.
Nalus' red eyes seemed to almost glow with intensity as he gave his speech, he was committed to destroying evil, and lycanthropy was very high on his list of evil that needed to be eradicated.

[ShadowcatX]

"Our order was not wrong, but it seems that another way of dealing with it has been uncovered. Do not fear, if my friend's method does not work, the lycanthrope will be dispatched in the proper manner. But, if there is a chance for a greater victory, we must take it. Bringing back the lycanthrope, alive, that the Silver Flame might redeem even it will be dangerous, but it will be a victory that shall live in legend if we succeed."

[Peter172]

Nalus looked amazed, or as close to amazed as a warforged could look anyways. It certainly would be a great victory for the Flame and the order. I only hope that it works, and wish that it would have been discovered before the purging. So many souls could have been saved and so many conversions could have been made. Their deaths were not in vain though, for the purging took us one step closer to purifaction.

Nalus stood, pushing back his chair with the back of his legs, then said. Count me in. The return of lycanthropy to the Eldeen Reaches is a threat that is sure to grow once more into the ambomination it one was. It must be stopped before the darkness returns once more to the region.

[Cidolfas]

The dwarf looked on solemnly as the tale was finished. He was not one used to being sympathetic, but he decided to try anyway. "Your tale is a sad one friend. None deserve such a loss as yours." He thought back to his own family, and the fact that despite everything he would still mourn their loss if such a tragic event took place. He thought of them for a but a moment. He still wondered how they fared even though they were so misguided.

"I have had no dealings with werewolves in my time, but my services be yours. I as well accept this task. Though that beast may make it here alive, it will surely learn the error of its ways." He stood as well, ignoring the delicious fare set before them at the moment. Hefting his crossbow and dwarven made axe Ugren became rigid and focused. He bared his teeth as a feral animal on the hunt would to emphasize his point.

[mad_gondsman]

The red haired woman with the mark sat silently, sipping politely at her wine while Brother Talesin told his unfortunate tale. Loss is something that she could identify with...

Her professionalism kept her from identifying too strongly with the client, however. She turned her mind to the involvement of House Vadalis as a distraction. As the others spoke, she considered their words carefully and watched closely as they let their emotions run their course.

She picked up her silverware as the dwarf stood. This food looked too good to waste and there was no telling when the next time she would have the opportunity to enjoy such a meal would be...

"I am sorry for your loss as well, Brother Talesin. Your compassion towards one who has caused you so much pain is a credit to you and your faith." she said as she began to eat.

She did indeed feel something for the man's loss... but she could not deny the feeling of anticipation she felt. A werewolf? This would be a marvelous hunt.

"I know it is painful for you, but is there anything that you can tell us of this were's human self? Any habits or associates that you are aware of that could lead us to him... or her?"

[IrishKatt]

Aliandrah unlike majority of the others was not taken back in the slightest with this story. "At risk of seeming" The tattooed Kalashtar pauses, seemingly hunting for the word. "Insensitive. I do have a few questions. One, This is the Eldeen Reaches, a vast territory possibly filled with Lycanthropes, not to mention Shifters that could and possibly are harboring and helping this lycanthrope and any other company it may keep. Two, How do you know this Werewolf was a she? And if you were informed then who were you informed by and will we be able to meet this person? Three, In a book I read, it said the Silver Flame's worst enemy was one of afflicted by the lycanthrope curse, and that on sight all who follow the Flames strict code are to purge this evil. There seems to be something that you are not telling us. Taking a look at what the worst case scenario is, and by worst I mean outlandish, your sister became one of these lycanthropes, and this capture you wish us to do is merely a desperate attempt at saving her soul. If I am wrong I'm sorry, However if I am correct please tell me now as I would be able to speak with her should my mind be powerful enough."

Straight to the point, that's how she liked it, but something seemed a little too strange, hence her inquiries. The whole time she speaks, her voice never leaves a calm tone, void of emotion, to the point some warforged find it odd.

[oogoa]

Koralask's shoulders slumped as he heard the young monk's story. Although his own sister was hale and hearty, he struggled every day with his fear of losing her. He could only imagine what the man was going through. He reached out as though to touch Taselin, but faltered, and settled for a muttered I'm sorry., surreptitiously wiping his eyes.

Slowly taking a seat next to his sister, his eyes scan the room once more, taking in the odd assortment of people. Looking at his sister once more, he whispered (he had never liked communicating telepathically) Do you really want to do this? If she answered yes, he was sunk, for he had never been able to refuse her anything.

[ShadowcatX]

Brother Talesin seems to draw strength from the outpouring of support. His gaze shifts to the Kalashtar. His voice is steady as he speaks.

"It is alright, anything you need to ask, please feel free to do so. I understand that this is a dangerous mission and that the Eldeen Reaches are a dangerous and uncivilized place. Yet this must be done. My sister believed that the lycanthrope may have ties to the druids, or perhaps to house Vadalis, so it is possible that it will have friends in high places.

As to the werewolf and its human form, I don't know anything. I was informed of my sister's death by a House Orien courier, as I said, she had left a letter that was found with her corpse, they used her gold to pay for her burial and to pay the cost of the courier, what was left, along with her personal effects, was returned to me. You could likely confirm her death the authorities in Varna, they are the ones who handled her funeral arrangements, even though she was found on the trail."

And as to the Silver Flame's code, I believe I know it better than you, evil, if possible, must be redeemed, if not it must be destroyed. When the code was written, lycanthropes could not be redeemed, now, if this works, they can. It will be a remarkable triumph if it works and nothing will be lost should it fail."

[Saidande]

The last remaining Kalishtar looks up from his food. Having spent most of his time listening.

"Nothing will be lost you say. If it fails there is all likelihood that we will be lost. Let us not forget that point. Lycanthropes are not to be trifled with. They are creatures of instinct ... and their instincts are good. And no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. But I will be prepared regardless" He said, a thin blade of mental energy extending from his joined fingers.

"I suggest you all prepare similarly. Do not expect things to happen as planned. Or even as imagined. Down the road of assumption lies death and worse"

[Peter172]

Yes, redeeming the corrupted souls would be a great victory. A worthy cause indeed. Tell me brother, is there a shop nearby where we might purchase some silvered weapons? Werewolves are notoriously hard to kill, and even harder to subdue. It would be of great aid to us if we were properly equipped...I suppose we should obtain some nets as well. Would it help if the nets were silver?
Nalus still stood in the exact same position through the entire conversation. He hadn't moved an inch, with the exception of his mouth.

[Cherubaddon]

Aymeric sighs at the turn the conversation is taking, setting down the cup of wine and taking up the silverware - the ham looks magnificent, and the young noble has seldom has the money for such luxury during his travels. Listening exasperatedly to the religious platitudes uttered by his soon-to-be companions, the thought that he may in fact have more in common with the dwarf and the dragonmarked than any of the others crosses his dismayed mind. He pays close attention to the questions the various attendants are asking, doing his best to gauge their character and respective usefulness should things go awry. The dwarf is behaving as expected, gruff and laconic. The warforged monk seems a religious fanatic - Aymeric knows their kind from New Galifar: they fight to the death, but never ask their opinion on matters requiring subtlety. The two kalashtar are a little too occupied with their mind games, making the Q'barran wonder if they might not have something to hide; he hopes it is something in their history, and not lack of competence. The third kalashtar and the dragonmarked lady seem to be the sharpest, giving the impression of keen, analytical minds. A boon in a friend, but a terrible threat in an enemy. He will be on his guard until it is clear whom he can trust.

As the conversation turns to the details of the mission, Aymeric leans back, somewhat ill at ease. The brother's tactic has worked - mentioning his loss has prevented anyone from asking the most obvious question of all, for risk of appearing insensitive. Leaving the sour apple to him. Although Aymeric likes to consider himself a good person, and loss of a sister is certainly an argument to galvanize him with, he nonetheless refuses to have made the entire way - not to mention the considerable risk and effort still ahead - for free. He is saving for an academy, after all. My turn to be the orc, I guess. Putting on his most charming facade, he addresses Brother Talesin: "Well, I... umm, realize this is going to be insensitive in the extreme, but before I commit myself to something that may last several weeks, I would like to be assured that I am not to return poorer than I set out. You see, as sympathetic as I am to your loss, as willing as I am to do something to alleviate it and help a man of cloth - " may they all rot in Xoriat - "I nevertheless have to consider my own interests, and be it just as an afterthought. I am a traveller with long-term goals of settling down, and while I am not amoral enough to demand payment for this noble enterprise, I need to be safe in the knowledge undertaking it will not set me back in those goals."

[IrishKatt]

Aliandrah glances to her brother, and nods. "I meant no offense brother Talesin, Making sure all of the bases are covered so to speak." As she finished talking her pupil-less gaze moved to the other Kalashtar. Her great mind reaching out to his.
"Now I only have a question or two more, Will you be providing us passage to the Reaches, or shall we be using our own modes? And once again at risk of sounding insensitive, May we be gifted some coin now, and the rest later? If not for supplies, then for the means in which to hold the beast captive when we find it." Her eyes; though looked around the room at the group of people within it. Three Kalashtar; a rarity indeed, but this would prove to be rather good, it would give herself someone to speak with other than her brother in the native language of Quor, and also her brother someone to spar with. She was content, though her expression unchanged.

Just as she grew content, something else dawned on her. "Sorry, one more thing, you said your sister was out there to rid the evil that was there, or rather looking into rumors. Did your sister know of this procedure your friend knows? The removal of the Lycanthropic curse that is, and are there any special elements we should be using to hunt this thing and combat it? I'm unversed in the ways of hunting and tracking sadly."