| Logs |
2002 January 12
| Inizii |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Inizii Logs |
Moving Day
Derleth sighs and looks at Kyrel. "Mage, why don'che let me handle talking t' me fellows about the....condition o' our bedplaces? Ah recall ye wanted t' look up th' dwarf in the gaming hall anyways, aye?"
Kyrel leans on the door after shutting it on the spiders and the snake. "Okay. And find out if they've got anything to get rid of spiders." He nods. "Might as well. See what he knows about the insect swarm and the landshark, too, while I'm at it."
A few of the spiders seem to have made it to the door, small enough to wiggle beneath it. Derleth quickly steps on them, and then takes off his tabard and stuffs it into the crack of the door. Silniya halts in midmotion with her cloak half off, as the cleric beats her to the idea. Kyrel grins at Derleth's notion for blocking the doorway, but it does seem to work well enough. He heads down the passageway, shaking his head, toward the gambling hall.
Derleth sighs, looking extremely frustrated by the whole situation.
Kyrel arrives in the gambling hall, and while asking about the dwarf is interrupted by the man actually pushing through the door, grumbling. He sees the fellow leaving, and hurries across to catch up to him. "A word with you, if I might?"
"I done paid ye, quit leeching m-" With a glance over his shoulder, he stops. "Oh. It's ye. Fine, step out here." He continues out the front gate of the temple, where he crosses his arms and stares at the half elf. "Yah?"
Kyrel says, "My condolences on your companion, sir. I was wondering if you were related?"
The dwarf gives a wry smile through his beard. "Me brother," he replies.
Kyrel nods. "And a fellow practitioner of the Art, if I'm not mistaken. I think we found something of his at the Bazaar."
His bushy brows rise, before eyes narrow just slightly. "What ye mean?"
Kyrel says, "I found an object marked with dwarven runes. I assumed it was his, since he was wearing mage robes rather than armor. If you're his kinsman, I suppose I should return it to you."
The dwarf seems suspicious, but though more stoic, unreadible. "Aye?" He asks, curious now. "What is it ye found?"
Kyrel says, "A wand, of sorts, I believe. If you can describe it, I'll give it to you."
A look of utter surprise covers the bearded face. "Crystal. Jagged, like the lightning it spat. Had a diamond I dug meself in it's tip."
Kyrel nods. "That's it. I thought it was his. I wasn't sure if you were going to attempt to bring him back, but in any event, it's rightfully yours as his next of kin." The half-elf reaches into his pouch and digs it out. "There we are. Yours, sir."
He nods, before shaking his head at the half-elf's comment. "We dwarves don't do the raisin' thing. If he's dead, he's dead. Nay sense rippin' him from Moradin's grip." He watches, as the wizard returns the wand to him. He seems to stare at it for several moments, before tucking it into his belt. He looks up at the wizard, gruffly nodding. "Thank ye. Ye wanted to speak of something else?"
Kyrel nods. "I wasn't sure... my mother's people feel the same way about such things, though. I did want to ask if you'd noticed anything when the insect cloud hit the bazaar - any odd spell-casters, anything like that. My companions and I are trying to track down the people behind this wave of sickness - we have reason to believe that it's Talona's adherents who are causing it."
The dwarf sneers briefly. "Aye. A human, or methinks it were a man, dressed up like a big ant, standing atop some buildings. Armor looked what like chitin, helmet with faceted insect eyes. He were waving his hands over a pot on stilts. Me and me brother were heading toward the center of town, and seen what the commotion was about. Me brother tossed a ball o' flame at him. Didn't kill the bastard - burnt his pot and armor, though. Anyways, the fella let out a whistle, this bluish portal opened up and somethin' was thrown out. And that big lumbering landshark followed it out. Then it bit me brother before he could get the wand out and in use."
Kyrel looks enlightened. "Ah-hah. So that's where the landshark came from." He sketches a bow to the dwarf. "Thank you. We'll see what we can find out from that description." He starts to leave, then pauses. "Though... we'd be glad of your help if you're interested in a bit of revenge."
The dwarf grins fiercely. "Aye, a bit o' revenge would do well. But first, me needs to meet with the mayor. I and me brother were actually coming, with maps to the caves beneath the city. Water supply business, and all that."
Kyrel looks stunned. "Maps to the caves? There are caves under the city? That's... by the gods. That's how they're contaminating the wells, I'd bet my life on it." He looks startled by his own words for a second. "Heh. I probably will be betting my life on it... I don't suppose you have a spare copy of that map?"
A shake of his head. "Nay. An uncle went down there and mapped the waterways, about two hundred years back. I'm sure there're duplicates in this city, but the clan has the original." He pats his hip. "And aye, that's what the Mayor and the Ilmaterians be thinkin'; they're sickening the water from the limestone caves that the waterways bring to the shore."
Kyrel digs around in his pouch again and pulls up a piece of parchment and a graphite-stick pencil. "Could I see it, at least?"
He eyes the wizard, before removing a scrollcase from a small bag on his hip. "Aye." Unscrewing it, he offers the scroll to the mage.
Kyrel gently unwraps the old map, looking for the salient features - where the entrances are, where the underground rivers are, and how best to get there.
The wizard makes a quick sketch onto his paper. The dwarf pointing out the best entrances, one outside of town, through a small bluff, another underwater, on the edge of the water's shore, and a third which is accessable through the city's sewers. Also pointing out where the Upper city's water supply runs through, or atleast believed to be. "If ye plan on goin' down there, beware. That there's in connection with the sea away from the harbor, and a natural lair for oceanside beasts, and cavern dwellers alike."
Kyrel nods as he quickly sketches. "Looks like it. Not the safest place in the world, is it? But this will help a lot. Thank you. Thank you very much."
He gives a salute. "Aye. If I see ye down there, I'll give me pick to yer cause." He starts off, and then looks back. "Hey, elf?"
Kyrel says, "We'll be around here if you decide you're interested in our assistance with revenge. Just ask for Kyrel and Derleth." He nods as the dwarf starts to leave, and then looks up at the question. "Yes?""
Pulling the wand out of his belt, he tosses it to the illusionist. "Burn a few poison suckin' priests with it, would ye?" A feral grin. "I can't put it t' use, and I'm better with a pick anyhow. The command is Krarden. Means Zap! in common."
Kyrel stands motionless in surprise, only just reacting in time to catch the tossed wand. "I.. " He bows low. "Thank you. I certainly will." He adds an Elven blessing, "May you walk safely in soft night, and the moon and stars light your path before you." before he turns back to the temple.
Derleth stomps off towards the front desk. Well, he's not deliberately stomping. That would be petulant. But his footfalls seem a lot heavier than usual. As if he suddenly grew ten feet taller with mass to match.
"Yes, sir?"
Derleth straightens, and manages to speak civilly. "Who do I speak to about a complaint about our rooms, novice?"
"Maintenance staff, sir. They're down the hall, past the gamers, through the little door - remember to duck, and down the stairs." The novice sketches a wave at the hallway behind him.
Derleth hmmphs. That's not exactly what he was looking for. "How aboot temple security?" he grunts, drumming his gaunlet-clad fingers on the desk. It's not quite giving the effect he wants, as he's a tad too short to pull it off, but he does it anyway.
"Security, sir?" The novice begins to look worried. "Is there a problem I can assist you with, perhaps?"
Derleth smiles kindly. "Yes, actually. Someone was let in to drop off packages in our rooms. Only the delivery-men were Talonites in disguise, and the packages contained fatally poisonous snakes and spiders." he says, an edge in his voice.
The novice begins to sweat. "P-p-poisonous snakes, sir? And sp-sp-spiders? And ... oh. Perhaps you could talk with ... no, he's busy. And he's sick. And she's ... Just a moment sir, please, won't you have a seat?" With that, the novice rushes off into the back room.
Derleth smiles inwardly. Even though he's still angry, he's glad he's able to intimidate someone. He waits.
Long minutes later, the novice comes rushing back, wringing his hands. A senior guard follows at a more sedate pace. "Now then, lad, what can we do for you?"
Derleth stands and cracks his knuckles. "Aye, shieldbrother. Ah have a wee bit o' trouble. Ah assume ye're aware o' the sickness plaguing Selegaunt?"
The senior guard nods, caressing his mace. "Aye. It's been a long week."
Derleth nods. "Well, ah dinnae want t' be bragging on me an' mine, but I and me friends have been working hard at being a thorn in the side of the Talonites...and they be taking notice of us. So much that they came here, disguised as common messengers, to deliver poisonous beasties t' trap our rooms here in th' temple."
The guard sighs, the lines in his face cutting deeper. "And right sorry I am for your troubles, sir. We've been spread so thin, a rank amateur could have planted the trap. Perhaps you would be better off in more secure lodgings?"
Derleth relaxes, becoming more sympathetic to the Lliaran veteran. "We'll be seeing t' more secret resting places later, shieldbrother. But there is the matter of our belongings in the trapped rooms...not t' mention the danger t' yer janitorial staff. If ye'll see t' sending some seasoned folk t' disposing of our unwanted tenants, so we might retrieve our gear at a later time, ah woul' be most appreciative. One room is already littered wi' at least one asp, and a swarm o' spiders...Dinna ken what be in the other, but beware o' any boxes in that room."
The guard half collapses on the novice's desk. "We'll warn the janitors to stay away from your rooms, sir, and we'll send up a few guards to rout out the snakes as soon as we can. Although in all fairness, sir, I'd not send an exhausted guard to deal with an asp, and right now we have no other."
Derleth sighs, placing a hand on the man's forearm, since he's too small to reach his shoulder. "Ah unnerstand, good sir. When ye have the time. Oh, an dinnae worry about the casket in th' lady's room. Tis a service we be doing, returning the body o' a good man t' his kin. Leave it alone." He tells the guard which rooms they are.
The guard nods, nudging the novice. "Make a note of it lad. We should get to it within the week. Hopefully." The novice pulls out a book and, at the bottom of what appears to be a very long list, adds a note about the rooms.
Derleth grimaces. Maybe we should look into speaking to a professional about this. I have nothing I especially need in my room, but I don't know if Ky keeps his spellbooks with him he thinks absently, as he leaves the clerk and warrior to their tasks, and goes looking for Ky and Sil.
Silniya is pacing outside the room. She perks up as Derleth approaches. "I may have a few ideas how to get the spiders out."
Derleth looks wry. "Ah'll love ye t' pieces if ye do, Sil. The clergy protectors apparently be rightly worn t' the bone, and won' get to it soon."
Kyrel turns the corner in time to hear that last. "No surprise, I feel the same way. I'm just glad I've got my books with me. We need to find a place to sleep for a few hours."
She wiggles her fingers at the cleric. "I thought you already did." A grin, before she turns serious. "Spiders don't like being blown on; they flee air moving across their bodies. Maye we could get a mage to summon some wind in the room, draw them into a corner. Or paint adhesive all around the door, open it, and wait for them to crawl out. They'll stick on the adhesive, and then kill them. Smoking them out wouldn't be very good, nor burning anything in the room... Are there any sorts of alchemic materials that'd repel them?"
Derleth scratches the back of his head. "Arachnid studies were an elective course at th' Lliaran seminary, Sil."
Kyrel snorts. "And I'll bet you didn't take it."
The werewoman mirrors Kyrel's amusement. "Let me guess; guest speakers being drow?"
Derleth spreads his hands. "An who says clerics need t' be experts on eight-legged critters? Ah were more worried about baazetu an' Beshaban spellcasters."
Silniya glances to Kyrel. "I agree. We need to find somewhere safer to sleep, anyways. Somewhere a lot more secure."
Derleth chuckles wryly. "Ah vote for the kobold's house. Ain't naewhere more secure than that, ah'll bet. He could get killed jus' by walking in there."
Kyrel chuckles. "A bit longer of a sleep than I had in mind, actually. I don't think he'd be too keen on the idea."
Silniya glances towards Kyrel. "Did the dwarf offer anything useful?"
Derleth sighs. "Nae, ah suppose not. How about Grim's place? Naeone woul' ever suspect us there..." He's not being very serious.
Kyrel nods. "He did, yes. He gave me back the wand, with the request that I use it on the Talonians. He also let me sketch a map he had - were either of you aware that there are caves beneath the city? I suspect that's how they're getting at the water supply. And he described the fellow casting the insect plague spell." He repeats the description of the caster, and of the apparent summoning of the landshark by him.
Derleth whistles. "Talk about a lucky break. Then again, ye were in Lliara's house. Mebbe we don' need t' worry about the guildhouse at all, naew." He grimaces then. "Then again, ah don' think the trapmaster'd take kindly to a 'Thanks, but nae thanks'."
Kyrel says, "Heh. No, and having the map doesn't eliminate the traps. We still need him for that."
Derleth says, "The tunnels be connected t' the guildhouse?"
Silniya shrugs. "I don't know... He said the guild was connected to the sewer. Caves are generally more natural things, rather then human made, yes?"
Derleth says, "Aye. Still, they might be connected...."
Kyrel says, "They connect." He points to the locations on his sketched map. "There, and there... the dwarf's family did the original surveying down there, he said."
Silniya nods, peering at the map. "So, what's the plan? We going spelunking, guild delving, what?"
Kyrel says, "I need to find a bed and sleep until it's time for our midnight meeting with the smugglers. And then we go visiting with the kobold."
The woman considers this. "So, we're dealing with the caves on a later date. Or dragging the kobold down there?"
Kyrel says, "The kobold is leading the way for now. If we don't find anything of interest, we'll go in through the cliffs later."
Derleth frowns. "Ah say we should go there naew, if I was sure that we'd then be on time for our meeting. This be, after all, time-sensitive." He sighs. "But puttin' that aside for a moment, what place could be considered the least bit safe in a city struck by plague-borne chaos?"
Silniya nods, looking from one to the other. "Likely an inn. One with a good reputation."
Derleth shrugs. "No harm in trying."
Kyrel says, "Except to our gold..."
A snap of the werewoman's fingers. "The items we took from Grim. Have we figured out what they do yet?"
Derleth frowns. "Nae. Did ye bother t' memorize a spell o' Identification, Kyrel?"
Kyrel says, "That'd be a bit tough, since I don't know it. No... we'll need to get them looked at by a professional, and I'm not sure here is the place to do it."
Silniya arches a brow. "No mages in the city to pay?"
Kyrel says, "Technically, it is stolen property. What if someone here recognizes it?"
Derleth shrugs. "Iff'n ye be so worried about it, Ky, we get yer chummy infermation broker to suggest someone. Though I'd point out that folk aren't normally concerned with theft from evil folk."
Kyrel holds up a hand. "Hold..."
SIlniya shrugs. "If so, we'd know they're Talonites, or in league, neh?" She peers at Derleth. "Why not ask one of your fellow cleri-" She pauses, looking at the half-elf.
Kyrel closes his eyes, and turns slowly in a circle. Kiri chirrips in confusion.
Derleth is about to respond, but likewise stops talking at Ky's signal.
Kyrel opens his eyes again and stalks to the middle of the hallway, staring at a point near the ceiling. "Give it up, already."
Derleth is confused a moment, and then understands. Uninvited watchers. Damme.
SIlniya looks around, chewing her lip. A hand drops to her sword. Glancing at Derleth, she mouths the words, "Invisible?"
Glancing back to Kyrel, Silniya starts to unsheath her sword. "Kyrel...?"
Kyrel says, "Hmm?" He glances away for a moment, then returns his attention to the viewpoint spot. "Sorry. Someone's trying a scry on us. Don't say anything critical for a few minutes - it'll go away soon."
"Oh." Silniya leans over to Derleth. "Can't you just...dispell it?"
Derleth smiles nastily. And then starts making several unrepeatable comments on the scryer's parentage and sexual practices.
Silniya gawks.
Derleth grins at Sil. "Ah come from a small town. Twas an earthy environment. Educational, though."
She wags a finger at the cleric. "Derleth! An acolyte could've heard that. Tsk. And I thought Kyrel was the one who lived on a ship." Though she's grinning just a little bit. "Now, let's leave the anchored eyeball here and let him stare at the hallway. I want to get out of this city."
Derleth bows floridly. "By yer leave, swordlady."
Kyrel chuckles. "This isn't exactly a cloister, after all... they have sailors downstairs in the gaming hall. Besides, Derleth, you left out the fact....." He's still helping the cleric come up with new insults as they round the corner.
After leaving the ethereal viewer alone, they inquired in the gaming hall about a reputable inn. They were pointed toward the Halfway Inn, a respectable halfling-run establishment off the Bazaar. It's known for its cooks, the halfling minstrels who play their instruments for the evening entertainment, and the discretion of the staff. Halfling guards with billy clubs patrol the halls. It's reputed to be expensive, but worth it. After discussing it for a short time, the trio heads there.
The main room is lively, even at midday. Young halfling lasses, nearly too short to reach the center of the tabletops, handle the patrons' orders. A single dwarf runs the bar, and the kitchen door is always open. The food problems in the city don't seem to have affected the cooks at all; apparently the inn's storerooms were well stocked before the emergency.
One of the barmaids approaches, one hand on a swaying hip, her blouse provocatively draped. "Yes, good sirs?"
Derleth tries not to stare, and fails, his cheeks reddening. "Ah....we be interested in lodging?"
Silniya elbows Derleth lightly.
The lass winks. "Lodging, is it now, fine sir? And nothing more? Well, we do offer lodging, too, both of the warded and the convivial kind ..." Her voice trails off as she looks up suggestively.
Kyrel says, "Lodging and food, lass, but we don't need company at the moment."
Derleth swallows, trying to retain his dignity. "Ah...much as one of those options sounds...most appealing, we be most concerned for rooms that are...ensconced away from prying eyes."
The lass smiles at Kyrel. "Pity. Still, we have, as I said, a few warded rooms still open. Not much call for those, you see."
Kyrel says, "I think today will be an exception. Do you have two open?"
"Oooooh! You're not sharing? Splendid. We have three warded rooms left. Our house mage renewed the spells just last night." The lass's eyes shine, and little wheels begin to turn in her head. "Would you be wanting to see the three rooms now?"
"Considering the circumstances, and how strapped we still all for cash," Silniya interjects, "We can all lodge together."
The lass looks downcast all of a sudden. "Just the one room? Well, if you'll be wanting to follow me? But I must warn you there's little privacy in a single room ..."
Kyrel says, "Well, our budget might stretch to two... depends how much you're asking for them."
The lass perks right back up, smiling broadly. "Only a pittance, sir, at 15 a night. Only a pittance." Her face breaks into a wide grin. "And we include first and second breakfast in that, sir."
Derleth smiles, managing to bring himself back under control. "Ah think that be a fair price, lass. Might we see the rooms, though, afore we settle up?"
The lass bounces up and down happily. "Come along sirs, lady, please, follow me. Mind your heads now. The ceilings are a teensy bit low for such well-built folk as ... Now see, here, m'lady, is the first room. I thought perhaps you'd like it; it has excellent light, and nice lacy bedcovers. And across the hall sir," and here she looks directly at Derleth as she opens the second door, "Here we have a nice manly room. Big wide bed, good to spread out in. And a nice window." Leaving the first two rooms she bounces along a little further. "And here, sir, a nice quiet room. Not as nice a window, but an excellent desk. We do of course supply paper."
Derleth can't help himself. He watches the buxom halfling bounce, though he at least tries not to be obvious about it. In a way it's comforting: he's starting to act more like himself again.
Silniya nudges Derleth. "When we go back down stairs, grab your tongue; you left it down there."
Each of the rooms contains a bed, a simple but nicely made chest, and a desk. The first room is decorated in a nice aqua, with white lacy highlights. The second room is furnished all in brown, with a large but low table designed to carry much food, and four chairs. The last room is done in shades of forest green, with brown highlights provided by desk, bookcase, and bedcovers.
Derleth gives Silniya a glare.
The lass waits expectantly.
Kyrel gives Silniya an amused glance as the halfling prattles. Somehow he doesn't think she's the lace kind.
The mage is right. She returns Kyrel's glance. "Unless you're itching for the last room, I'll take it. Or we could switch, while you need to do any writings."
The lass looks brokenhearted. "You don't like the lace, lady? But ... we spent hours making all the doilies, and crocheting the borders, and ... and aqua looks so nice with your coloring ..."
Kyrel says, "The table will work fine for writing, no worries." He glances at Derleth, and then nods to the halfling girl. "I think those two will work out fine, lassie."
Derleth stifles a laugh.
The werewoman grins, almost ferally. "I'm used to the woods, my dear," she replies in an attempt to be sweet. "I...don't have much use for lace. I do better with leather." She gives Derleth a mock glare, almost expecting a quip.
The lass brightens up. "Thank you sir, lady, and I'm sure if you give us ten minutes we can change the bed covers. So you will be taking all three rooms?" She smiles eagerly at Derleth.
Derleth doesn't make any jokes about Silniya. He's not that stupid, and she still intimidates him, despite their familiarity.
"I think two rooms will do just fine." Silniya slaps Derleth on the back. "If Kyrel is adamant about sleeping in the last room, me and you can double up." She's trying to hold back a laugh. Really.
Kyrel says, "Just two, I think. Our budget won't stretch to three, I'm afraid..."
Derleth blinks, the slap actually sending him stumbling a little forward in his shock. He looks back at Silniya with a look akin to surprise. "Uh?" he says intelligently.
Kyrel says, "... since we'll probably be here for a few days."
The swordswoman tries to appear innocent. It fits about as well as rocks in wineglasses.
The lass looks regretfully at the nice wide bed and then at Derleth. "Two rooms then? Very well, please, make yourselves comfortable while I fetch the master. And would you like anything?"
Derleth gives Silniya another look, and then says, "Apple brandy. Ah think ahm gonnae need it."
Kyrel says, "A mug of ale for me, I think. I've got to do a bit of reading..."
The lass waits for Silniya's order, before bouncing down the hallway with a half skip to fetch the orders.
After resting, Kyrel returns to his books, and the three leave a quarter hour before the apointed time. They arrive at the warehouse nearly at midnight on the dot. Folk seem to be about, even at midnight, mostly sailors, beggers, drunks, and worse.
Kyrel looks around for a break in the traffic, then knocks on the door to the warehouse three times and kicks the bottom of the door, just as the instructions said.
The door opens, and a hand waves you inside. "Quickly, now, quickly," a voice hisses.
Kyrel quickly moves inside, followed by Silniya and Derleth.
Inside the warehouse is shrouded with gloom, lit only by a single lantern. "You were looking for me?" The voice floats out of the darkness.
Derleth stays just behind, and to the side of the mage. It's Kyrel's show for the moment, but now that he's out of the cheery atmosphere of the inn,warmed with his goddess's favor upon his most recent prayers, he's tense and wary once more.
Kyrel says, "Indeed. We're looking for information on black onyx. Anyone who's moved a lot of the stuff in the last couple months, and where it went."
"Step closer, lad. Do. It's awful dark where you're standing, and a man likes to see his ... friends." A dry chuckle. "The onyx? We shipped in a full order of black onyx just a few months back. Went to the manor beyond the walls. A splendid job; paid on time. The Mill chooses good customers for me."
Kyrel steps forward, but he's disappointed. "Lord Grim's place?"
"Yes, indeed, and such a grim name for such a pleasant man. But then, such a grim occupation he had, too. Quite put mine to shame, eh lads? Quite." A loud raucous cackle greets this sally.
Kyrel chuckles. "You could say that. Unfortunately, he used them to generate the skeletons that have been spreading this plague around. We're trying to find out who hired him."
Derleth curses under his breath. Another dead end. And we should have guessed this one. Grim was doing the re-animation, not the Talonites.
The smuggler nods. "Ah. The plague. Tis a ghastly thing, with me sailors falling ill while with a comely lass or two ... You'll be finding out who hired him to do the job then? It's not a job he'd do for his own good; he wasn't fond of skeletons."
Silniya glances from shadow to shadow, her brows creasing. Although she opted to pull her hood up, her wariness is obvious. Fingers twitch, near her swordbelt if need be.
Kyrel says, "So he said..."
A long drawn out sigh. "A pity, really, you doing for him. He was a most excellent customer."
Kyrel says, "And yes, we're working on it. I've got no problem with smuggling, but people who deliberately spread disease..." He chuckles again. "I apologize. But we were just trying to track the disease down, and he started it. A pity, he was a nice fellow." The half-elf continues. "The other thing that might have been required by the folks we're hunting would be poisons of various kinds. Have you heard of anything along those lines being brought in in quantity?"
"Quantity, sirs? Well, I'll tell you, 'tis only a coward who uses poison. So when the shipment's in, best make sure you show up early." Another raucous cackle comes from the shadows. "So aye, we've shipped a fair amount of poison."
A long pause. "There's been a run on poison these last eight months. Gone all over town. Rich man, poor man, beggar man, fool. All of them bought."
Kyrel says, "Huh. Now that's strange. Unless... unless Talona's people are infiltrated all through this town..."
Silniya pauses, before glancing at Kyrel and Greg, before looking into the shadows. "What about thugs? Toughs? Have any been hired recently? Thieves? Or assassins?"
"Thugs, eh? Well, in a town this size there's always call for those. Sometimes even my own sailors freelance a little. But there's few as kill on a contractual basis; there's one though ... Step forward, I can hardly see ye." A looming shape steps forward, lighting a second lantern to cast more light.
"There's one killer, now, mind ye, who gets a little too much of his jollies, they say. Rumor has him killin' a couple of nobles, and him high up in the watch, too. Not the leader, but close by." The looming shape resolves into a half orc, with a fatuous grin pasted on his face. From the shadows, the voice resumes. "Beware of him; he's jealous, rumours say, about his contracts."
Derleth racks his brains, trying to think of something, anything to add.
Kyrel nods. In the Watch, eh? That may be why they all went down sick, then.
Derleth suddenly speaks. "Powdered silver! D'ye know anythin about requests for powdered silver?"
"Now mind me ... powdered silver? Nay, 'tis easy enough to find at any silversmiths. Why would I be smuggling that in?"
Silniya eyes Derleth, flinching at the mention of silver.
Kyrel turns, curious. Powdered silver? What good is that?
Derleth sighs, wilting. He'd forgotten that.
"Though come to think on it ... there's been a brisk trade in silver. I don't dabble in it, for the profit margins are slim, but ... silver smith's been busy, making fancy daggers and the like. And come to think on it, the trade's been brisk in general." A dry rustle. "Aye, even I was minded to buy me this little silver sticker. Isn't it nice?" A hand holding a silver dagger crosses the edge of the light thrown by the lanterns.
SIlniya glares at the dagger. "So." she offers, tersely, "When's the next poison shipment, anyways?"
Kyrel nods. "Very nice..." He nods, backing up Silniya's question.
"Poison, miss? Ah, well. Next shipment's night after tomorrow. There's a big shipment coming in; two of me ships. And most of it sold already, though for a small fee ..."
Derleth steps forward, another thought coming to him. The Talonites are planning on making this area a major staging ground...likely they'd be taking the time to unhallow it to Talona. "What about...." he then goes into a list of commonly known, but expensive herbs and incenses needed to consecrate an area to an evil god.
"And as for incense, and herbs? Why, sir, we've been bringing those in for ... oh, the orders for dried herbs started a good half year ago. The fresh herbs we've been bringing in over the last few days." A pause, as the smuggler thinks about this. "I think I shall be leaving town soon."
Silniya glances to Kyrel and Derleth. "Was there anything else we needed?"
Kyrel nods, and comments drily, "That is probably a very good idea. Who's ordered that stuff?"
Derleth says, "Aye. Just normal orders, e'en for the expensive stuff? Or 'ash there been a specific buyer in quantity?"
"Well, what's a normal order, lad, for a smuggler of such fine repute as I myself flatter myself to have and hold? None of it was exceptionally hard to find, but it all came dearly, and made me a fine profit. As for the customers; they gave no names, of course, and paid in advance. These were herbs I'd not sell if they vanished, so ..." Papers rustle, and they whisper for a moment. "Aye, I remember them well enough. The whip carrier, and the scarred lady, and the one who coughed blood. Though likely he's dead by now."
Derleth blinks. "Can ye describe them, at least?" A whip carrier...that's got to be Talona's get!
"Describe 'em, lad? Well, as I said, there was the whip carrier; always fondling his whip he was, almost as if he was compensating for summat. And the Lady, she was scarred up one side of her body and down the other, leastways the bits you could see, for she wore a cowled cloak. And the cougher of blood? Well, ragged and grimy he was, and a surprise he had so much money on him."
Derleth bites his lip. "Ye have no idea where they might have gone? Or know anyone who would?"
The sound of surprise sounds through in the smuggler's voice. "You're new at this, lad, aren't you? I don't ask my customers who they are, and they don't ask me where I fulfill their orders. After all, I haven't asked you for a name, now have I?"
Kyrel chuckles. "He's not used to this sort of thing, no. He'll learn. We're in a bit of a hurry, is all."
Derleth sighs frustratedly. "Naive ah may be. But twas my thought that nae man that works the dark would be foolish enou' nae to know who his buyers were, nameless or nae." He draws back, slumping onto a crate.
"Tis not naivete, lad, that spikes the curiousity. It's the Smuggler's Code. I sell, they buy. And after that it's in their hands, not mine." A dry chuckle. "We do not bend them about with regulations, or they'd not buy from us."
Kyrel givs Derleth a sharp look. "Don't insult the gentleman. Even if he does know who his customers are, he wouldn't be blabbing their names to anyone."
Derleth would argue further, but he visibly gives up. If they don't know, there's no point in haranguing them about it.
Silniya nods. "We wouldn't want him telling our names to anyone else. It's fair game."
Kyrel says, "It works both ways. He won't blab our names to anyone, either. We do know that they're getting ready to start. The fresh herbs are a clue."
Derleth says, "Aye. But he's nothing t' fear from us. We're nae the ones making him run fer cover."
There's another dry chuckle. "No, but you may well be spiking my customers, lad. Still, can I answer any more questions? My lass grows eager and the night grows late."
Derleth says, "After all, d'ye think the Talonites will care if these folk are dead in the tally? They mean to make this place a wasteland of the good, bad, and neutral alike."
An older man, grey haired, steps forward slightly so you can see him in the shadows. One finger, he points at Derleth. One finger only. "But remember, young lad, the Talonites will still be here. I cannot help you more."
Derleth doesn't reply. He doesn't have it in him.
Kyrel chuckles at the cleric. "We're just as dangerous as some of his other customers, after all." He nods at the last comment. "True - but he's not fool enough to hang around here when it comes down. I don't think there's anything else we need to ask. We thank you for your time... and of course," He hefts a bag with some coins in it. "A bit more substantial thanks."
The three pay their informants, and slip out. There seem to be more uncouth types on the streets, loitering in alleys, coming in and out of taverns and other dark buildings. Then the three spot something... A woman, judging by the figure and hair, wrapped in Ilmater's robes, walking down the road close to the warehouses, a good twenty yards ahead.
Derleth blinks, wondering what an Ilmaterian would be doing out this late at night in this part of town...
Some seedy men off on the other side of the road start making cat-calls to her, along with rather unsavory gestures and comments.
"Hey babe! Wanna worship with me? I've got a bigger one than he does!"
"Lay your magic hands on me!"
Derleth grips his flail. He's angry and frustrated, and more than willing to take it out on the louts.
"Hey babe, come with me and we'll make beeyooootiful prayers together. Or you pray, and I'll give!"
Kyrel looks at his compatriots. "Shall we give her an escort?"
Derleth snarls and strides towards the man, not hearing Kyrel as he bears down upon the offender.
And as the woman, ignoring the jibes, walks by an alley, she lets out a shriek. Dark figures grab her shoulders, and forcibly yank her into the alleyway. The woman begins to scream, for mercy of her god, for mercy of her captors...
Derleth skids, does a quick turn, and then darts towards the alley with all speed....
Silniya kicks into step as well. Even some stranger across the street, a well dressed man slightly astagger, quickens his pace. Derleth makes it to the alley and spots the woman being dragged into a door leading to one of the warehouses the alley flanks. It's a rather wide alley, some ten feet across. A few doors, leading to buildings that look long abandoned, and shuttered windows line the walls.
Kyrel says, "Careful, Derleth! Might be a trap..." He follows more slowly, pulling out the magicked torch and sending Kiri up to check the alley from overhead. "But if it isn't...." Kiri swoops over the top of the warehouses, reporting back to his master no one seems on the roofs...
Silniya yanks her blades out of their scabbards and starts into the alley.
Derleth actually stops to think and casts two quick spells.....one that makes his breastplate glow, and a second that would protect him from paralyzing spells...and then he runs after Silniya, flail spinning in his fist.
Kyrel frowns as he gets to the alley and notices all the doors. And if we go down to the end, and there's thugs behind all those doors? He goes to the first door on the same side as the apparent kidnapping and tries it... with a spell ready in his mind.
The stranger yanks a slender sword from his belt, heading down the alleyway behind the pair.
Derleth wishes momentarily that he were a druid, with the power to shape wood...he charges towards the door the woman disappeared into and hits it dead on with his flail.
Kyrel finds the door locked as does Derleth. Silniya and the stranger flank him. As Ky lets go of the doorknob, the sound of glass shatters behind them. However, no one can see it, because the area, nearly the entire alley, is covered in darkness. Darkness so thick that the magical torch doesn't pierce it, and Derleth's breastplate is dimmed. There's a subtle crunch on the ground behind Kyrel.
Kyrel spins as darkness settles over the alley. I knew it. Kiri! What's happening? The bat swings over and responds, One person right in front of you, boss, and people in the windows with crossbows. The mage takes advantage of the darkness to move across the alley, and fires a blast of flame from his fingertips to hit one of the windows with crossbowmen and the fellow attempting to sneak up on him.
Beside Derleth, Silniya growls. The sounds of leather stretching, then breaking are heard. The woman's breathing changes to a heavy snuffling instead. "I'll get armor later," she snarls, in more gutteral tone than before.
Derleth doesn't even take the time to curse. Gripping his holy symbol, he calls out to his goddess. "Magic used for cause impure, By Lliara's light, I thee, abjure!" he says in a ringing voice...
The fan of flame spills outwards from the illusionist's fingertips, unseen but the heat felt. The form before him rolls out of the way, but the sound of wood catching on fire proves that the spell found some mark.
Derleth's spell proves effective. The tiefling is across the alley, and simply kicks into motion at the wizard as the spell breaks. Outside, on either side of the alley, men are gathering, baring clubs, short swords, small shields. Street toughs, humans, half orcs, and the distinct smell of the sewer greets their noses. Silniya has changed into a werewolf, gribbing both blades. "By the nine hells..." She could be swearing about the crossbowmen on the second floor windows of either building...or the fact that, in the dim light of the moon, the thugs' weapons gleam in silver.
One of the archers, apparently caught in the blaze, is still trying to put out the flames that leap up his arms, his crossbow obviously discarded. He stumbles back into the warehouse's second floor as the battle begins in earnest.
[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]