CH. 3: Mages, Mages Everywhere

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Erogundali Mageware Shop, 253 Herbalist Street)
"They are quite dangerous," Raetmal assures him. "And I do know of one, somewhat. I don't know his name or where he is staying, but he did visit my shop recently, looking for ingredients. It's possible he may return, and when he does, I can try to arrange a meeting with you, if you like. The fact that he openly walked about in his black robes suggest he is either very powerful or quite foolish. Wearing your colors in public is likely to incense the locals. On more than one occasion has a mage met his death at an angry mob, burning him at the stake."

Darga (Harbor District)

"So many of 'em? An' are all of 'em in there?"

The boy shakes his head. "Prob'ly not all of 'em. Some of 'em are prob'ly out stealin', like me, so we can eat breakfast today."

"Th' name's Darga. What kin I call you, boy?"

"A-Aaron, sir. My name's Aaron."

Aaron.jpg (78.06 KiB) Viewed 5849 times

"If I'm gone too long, they might come lookin' for me," he says. "I should prob'ly get back soon."

Tulbas, Haahqae, and Kynaston (Harbor District, outside of Cult Lair)
"I've no idea where Kendra is. Does anyone know where she lives?" Kynaston asks.

[Haahque]

"Well I mayn't have been paying too much attention, disappointed with the lack of dancing nor really any type of singing, chanting or otherwise, but I got me an impression that when one joins a cult, not going through with the initiation rites fairly post-haste would appear a mite suspicious. An' wasn't it you that said I shouldn't pursue knowledge because that would seem suspicious?"

[djhyland]

Darga shrugs. "Well, then, take care a yerself, Aaron. I wish I had somethin' ta give ya, but I think yer new family cleaned me out already. Don' let me er anyone else catch ya thievin' again, now."

After Darga watches the boy head back into the den of thieves, he makes his way to the mage's shop.

[BishGada]

"Did I? Well, I meant it. Don't worry, we will be back for your initiation. Do you know where Kendra lives or maybe someone who knows of her? If not, can you fetch Darga and Gregeddin and meet us all in my uncle's shop withing an hour?" Tulbas asks the Gnome.

[Haahque]

"Nah, I dunno where she lives nor who would know. 'Cept maybe some of the guards at the seekers. I wonder where they go to drink usually? But if you're sure initiation isn't starting yet, sure I can fetch Darga and Gregeddin. Ya said they're both at the library? Easy, simple, elementary."

[BishGada]

"Good. If you don't find them by any chance, come to my uncle's shop anyway. Kynaston, you can go either with Haaque or me." Tulbas starts to go to his home.

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin and Darga (Erogundali Mageware Shop, 253 Herbalist Street)
Darga makes his way down to the merchant district and where the mageware shop stands. Pushing open the door, a small bell rings. He steps inside and sees Gregeddin speaking with Raetmal.

Tulbas, Haahqae, and Kynaston (Harbor District, outside of Cult Lair)
"Alright, I guess I'll go with you then," Kynaston says to Tulbas.

[BishGada]

Tulbas arrives home with Kynaston, opens the door and to his surprise, sees Gregeddin and Darga, "Oh, you are here! Haaque is on his way to the library to look for you. No matter, he will come here afterwards. Darga, are you allright? You were late to our meeting but it's good to see you." After respectfully greeting his uncle he tells him, "I think I'll invite everyone for a cup of tea. Are you available to join us? There is a development regarding Daxia's matter and we need to act urgently. I'd appriciate your help with our action planning if possible."

[Haahque]

Skipping along on his way to the library, Haahqae plans out his next moves. "Hmm, lemme see. I got 1 hour, so that's 5 minutes walking to the library, 10 minutes walking back to the magic shop, 15 minutes searching for Darga and Gregeddin, which means I have a full half hour I can spend reading something interesting first. That's right, time management, what we gnomes are good at." Confident that his estimates are completely accurate he smiles and starts wondering what books he should read. Perhaps something on Groups of ancient black mages.

[djhyland]

After greeting Gregeddin and Raetmal, Darga approaches the elf. But before he can ask his question, he's interrupted by the arrival of the others. Stepping back with a shake of his head, he nods to Tulbas. "I'm fine. Jus' had a rough night o' it. Sorry I'm late."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin notes the arrival of the others en masse
"Ah good, what word is it that you bring? I have also gathered some thoughts to report."

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin, Darga, Kynaston and Tulbas (Erogundali Mageware Shop, 253 Herbalist Street)
Raetmal nods to his nephew. "I have no customers currently, so I can join you. There's a table in the backroom we can use for additional privacy and to sit down." He pulls back the curtain over the backdoor to let the others enter.

Inside is a simple room that is well lived in. There are two doors on the other side of the room, both closed and a small staircase leading up to the attic. A stone oven is on the north wall with a chimney leading upward to the roof. There's also a small nook that serves as a pantry.

On the south wall are shelves of various books, scrolls and tablets.

In the center of the room is a round table and a few chairs.

Haahqae (Harbor District, Outside the Council Hall)
Haahqae makes his way north to the harbor district, where the council hall of the Highseekers stands. According to his own research, it was once a temple to one of the old gods. Now it serves as a meeting place for the Highseekers. It also holds their library.

When he arrives, he finds the main entrance is guarded by a Holy Guard standing at attention. She moves to block his way when he tries to enter. "Hold there," she says. "What business do you have here?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas goes to the kitchen to boil the tea. After everyone take their seats he joins and says, "Daxia was interrogated and explained Nora the truth. Nora seems to believe her but doesn't want to make the Ergothians her enemies as well. But she told me the time of the exchange and the Ergothians' boat name, and also their force estimation. Assumming we believe Nora, we can ambush them and free Daxia after the exchange, that way the Ergothians can't blame Nora for anything. So first, I think we should check is the 'Salmon' is really the Ergothians boat, second we need to make a plan such as where is the best place to ambush them, and some strategy for the attack, and third, what if Nora had lied to make sure no one interrupts the exchange? Not that I believe so. She seems trustworthy to me."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin listens in to Tulbas, "That is good information to act on. I like you idea to find the Salmon, but will we have time before the exchange? I assume as we are sat here quite calmly it is happening later or tomorrow?"

He also says, "Well with regard to your third point, these details are straight from the horses mouth. Nora is the highest in command, so would know best. Asking any others would be second hand word, so she is our most reliable source. If she is truly cunning and would trap us I see no way for us to detect it, so we may as well trust her word."

"If we find that we cannot take them in a fight, could we sink their boat?"

[JadedDM]

"The exchange takes place at Late Watch," Kynaston says, which is 10:00 PM at night. "So we'll at least have the cover of darkness. What's more, the Ergothians will be led by a cavalier, one of their imperial knights. He will be the greatest challenge, I'm sure. Still, it's not impossible. Remember when we defeated all of those sligs in the mine?" he asks, looking to Gregeddin and Darga. "Well, we don't have a pit this time, but I'm sure we can come up with a good plan."

"Interesting that they would choose to do the exchange at night," Raetmal notes. "Perhaps they wish to avoid a big scene. If that is the case, they may avoid the main roads, sticking to alleys and backroads to reach the riverboat."

"If we find that we cannot take them in a fight, could we sink their boat?"

"There are plenty of other boats they could hire to take them down the river. Sinking the Salmon would likely only delay them, not stop them entirely," Raetmal points out.