Tulbas' Vignette

[BishGada]

Tulbas shows some irritation with Nora's action, "I understand you are suspicious of people coming without sponsors, but all you needed do is ask me to pull off my hood. As for your questions... yes, I'm Silvanesti" Tulbas unconsciously straights his back as he mentions his origin, "and yes, I can sense magical auras of items and spells, it would require some preparation though. I'd be glad to help if I can. What do you need me to do?"

[JadedDM]

"There is a woman we're searching for," Nora explains. "Finding her could be the key to getting Darewind released, as well as spreading the word of the Master to all of the city, and beyond. Despite our resources, though, she continues to elude us. But, she is a wizard. She carries magic with her; her book, scrolls, and other such bric-a-brac. If you could help us find her, by searching for magical auras, we could pinpoint her exact location."

She slowly circles Tulbas, her hands behind her back, as she speaks. When she finishes, she is now back in front of him, facing him directly. "If you can do this for us, we would welcome you into our group, and the graces of the Master."

[BishGada]

"I could try, but you need to understand that Magic is complicated and the resources required to apply it are limited. It should be used only when there are no other means to accomplish the task, and even than with great caution. Preparation might be required, sometimes more than one day." Tulbas takes a second to let it sink.

"I need as many details as possible regarding the issue to help me find her. First why are you looking for her? Since you say she eludes you, I figure you are not seeing eye to eye... Second, how is she the key to releasing Darewind? Third, what are you going to do with her? And finally, I can sense the aura only for a short time and in a limited space, we need first to know her whereabouts and only then I could pinpoint her as a specific person, given no other wizard woman will be there..."

[JadedDM]

"The woman in question is a minor noble from another land," Nora explains patiently. "She disappeared from her home one day. Her father is searching for her, and his men eventually tracked her to this city. There is a large reward for her safe return, and we can use that money to bring in more followers and spread our teachings and influence. The last we heard, she was seen here in the harbor district, somewhere. I can send a couple of warriors with you to aid in the search. How soon can you be ready?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas thinks for a moment, "Well, I could start tomorrow, but as I said I can sense magical aura only for a short time and in limited space. If we could create some kind of attraction that will lure her to join the crowd, then trying to sense magic in the crowd will be much more efficient. Otherwise, looking aimlessly at people passing by in the streets might take even several weeks if it will succeed at all. It is also possible to search bars, or other crowded shops."

Before Nora continues Tulbas hurriedly adds, "But before practicalities... I'm still not clear on few things, first if her father is looking for her, you probably have her description. She can't disguise herself forever, therefore it should be easy to narrow down the search. Second, as money is always important, how is it the key to release Darewind? The Seekers are very extreme and they might execute him if something won't change quickly. It won't be the first time they execute someone with different beliefs. Third, what if this woman had a very good reason to run away from her father? If we succeed in finding her will you check it first? If she is a powerful wizard she might be more helpful joining us than the money her father offers."

"Now about the guards," Tulbas glances appreciatively at the two guards at Nora's sides, "I'm sure will feel more safe with guards by my side, but that might prove suspicious, especially in this district, and therefore will scare her off and make her hide better from us. If they could keep distance and show only if I get into trouble then I'd appreciate it alot."

[JadedDM]

"If we could create some kind of attraction that will lure her to join the crowd, then trying to sense magic in the crowd will be much more efficient. Otherwise, looking aimlessly at people passing by in the streets might take even several weeks if it will succeed at all. It is also possible to search bars, or other crowded shops."

"She will not be found in crowded areas like shops or taverns," Nora assures him. "That's how we nearly found her before, she frequented the Haven Arms and someone recognized her. She disappeared shortly after that. We believe she is hiding in someone's house; we just don't know who."

"First if her father is looking for her, you probably have her description.

"We do, yes. It will be provided to you if you accept the job," Nora states.

"Second, as money is always important, how is it the key to release Darewind?

"Money makes the world go 'round. Sad, but true. With more money, we can bribe Seeker officials, feed and clothe our current members, hire protection from those who would seek to harm us, and so on. If our movement grows large enough, they won't dare harm Darewind without a massive backlash," Nora explains.

"What if this woman had a very good reason to run away from her father? If we succeed in finding her will you check it first? If she is a powerful wizard she might be more helpful joining us than the money her father offers."

"Obviously, we cannot acquire the reward if we fail to turn her back in. And we'll have made an enemy of a foreign nation by helping hide her," Nora points out. "Besides, I sincerely doubt her own father would mean her any harm."

"I'm sure will feel more safe with guards by my side, but that might prove suspicious, especially in this district, and therefore will scare her off and make her hide better from us. If they could keep distance and show only if I get into trouble then I'd appreciate it alot."

"The guards are non-negotiable," Nora says. "They are not only for your own safety, but to serve to vouch for you should you complete the mission."

She looks Tulbas in the eye. "Now then, do we have an arrangement? Or is this where we will part ways?"

[BishGada]

"I accept the task. It will be a great honor to help with Darewind's release." Tulbas says humbly, thinking of the bloodshed that might start if Darewind will be excuted.

"Though the current approach is pretty much a long shot, we can give it a few days... If you get more specific info of her location, please let me know."

Tulbas looks around and continue, "I need to get back to my house for my arcane equipment." 'and maybe ask Raetmal if he has some device that might help locating the woman' he thinks to himself, "I could start working on the task tomorrow, unfortunately only for a short while each day."

================================
(OOC: Is it possible to use Cantrip as a weaker version of Detect Magic?
My idea is this:
The wizard can see a small arrow appears in the direction of the magic source (like a compass). It has a limited 15 feet range. When out of range or there is no magic source around the wizard, the arrow is still and points forward in the direction of the wizard gaze. When magic source is in the area the arrow becomes jerky and starts pointing towards the magic source. If there are several magic sources it keeps jumping between them (which might be very confusing since it might never stand still on a true direction). As opposed to Detect Magic, the true source of the magic is never detected, just the direction. It can not detect any properties of the magic, like it's school, ingredients etc.
If this is too powerful I thought of a pretty rough limitation (but it might be an interesting one), that the divination has 50% - 5%*level for errors which means the arrow might stay still when magic source is in range or get jerky even if there is no magic source around.)

[JadedDM]

"Very well," Nora says with a smile. "I'll have my men meet you at pier 6 tomorrow morning."

========

(OOC: You can read about cantrips here. If you look under Divination Cantrips, it already has a weaker version of Detect Magic there: "...divining the presence of magic in a 30' radius (but not type, direction, or strength)")

[BishGada]

"Ok, I'll be here tomorrow. I plan to check the harbor district a little bit now until the sun sets, maybe I'll be able to spot something suspicious or scant remnants of magic that will help me with the search tomorrow. If you want your guards with me, that's fine, otherwise I'll be able to keep myself safe. If that's Ok I'll leave now." Tulbas says officially.

============
(OOC: Thanks for the reference. I've read it before but didn't remember the details. I just remember the "little wish" and try to use Cantrips a lot more than before. )

[JadedDM]

Nora bids him farewell, so Tulbas departs, a large task ahead of him.

[BishGada]

While Tulbas is lead out he considers the huge step he has just made. He feels the weight of responsibility, but also somewhat lightheaded having purpose ahead of him.
'Nora seems to be both reasonable and honorable woman. It is good omen, a positive start...' he thinks to himself.

Tulbas exits the warehouse and decides to check the district a little bit. As he passes along the residence houses, he tries to feel the presence of magic, even as doing so he knows there might be a lot other magic sources around that has nothing to do with the woman The Master followers are seeking. He concentrates his efforts especially on young women visible through opended windows and doors, but only by shooting vague glances around as he passes by and not staring or peepping inside the houses.

================================================================
Tulbas casts Cantrip to be able to detect magic.
Tulbas means to scan some streets in this manner but gives himself time to leave the district before darkness. Then he plans to return to Raetmal's shop.

[JadedDM]

Tulbas spends some time using his remaining cantrips to try and detect the presence of magic in the area. He does get a small hit somewhere on the eastern side of the docks, but isn't able to pinpoint it any further than that. Still, it at least narrows the search down a little more.

[BishGada]

Pleased with getting some results at what seemed like a shot in the darkness, Tulbas quickly heads home, keeps his way on the better roads of this district.

[JadedDM]

Tulbas returns home to his uncle's shop without incident. Inside, he finds his uncle pouring over a heavy tome while drinking some tea.

[BishGada]

Tulbas, knowing the concentration required when dealing with magic, waits silently until he is sure he won't interrupt his uncle.
When he gets Raetmal's attention he says anxiously, "Uncle, I've met Darewind's followers..." Then, almost breathlessly he continues the story, tells him about the woman they look for and about his role in finding her. "There are two things I wanted to ask you," he says after finishing the story, "The first is if you have any suggestion how to make sure this woman won't get hurt by my actions. I've raised the same concern to Nora, but she just dismissed it as if the woman's father wouldn't hurt her. But it is not reassuring enough in my view," he says frowning. "The second is whether you have some knowledge or an object that could help finding the woman they seek, since the current method of looking for her randomly in the streets has high chance of proving ineffective."