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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1801
(6/23/03 8:13 am)
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Searchers
Ulwe, Sangraal, and Madragar scour the town for their lost companions into the early morning hours. Their disappearance seems strangely complete, as even people who likely saw what happened in the crowded plaza are unwilling to talk. Kyethe is unable to locate Atan and Kezib from the air, and the dark alleys of Raven's Gate refuse to reveal their secrets. Exhausted and despondent the three return to the lodge and fall into their beds, fast asleep in moments.
Sangraal, much to his dismay, fails to wake for his morning ritual, which makes the loss of Kezib all the more acute. Normally only the meditative Sekastian rose to share the dawn with Sangraal, but not this morning. Ulwe and Madragar both rise late, and all three find their companions in the common room breaking their fast and having a serious conversation with Savud and two strangers. Both are young, one a dwarf, the other a swarthy human.
Savud introduces them as the three late risers stagger into the room. The dwarf is Echael, son of the goldsmith Rhurvalos. The human is named Sal'el, and is a friend of Echael. Both dwarf and human seem a little disheveled, as if they were awoken and called to the Lodge in great haste. They are wearing simple linen and wool clothing common to just about everyone in the rough and tumble frontier town.
"Good morning gentlemen," Savud beams. "Sit, please. We have just been discussing the particulars of last night's trouble. Normally I would avoid spoiling the morning meal with such talk, but time is our enemy. I have asked Echael and Sal'el here to lend their expertise. They know a thing or two about the streets of Raven's Gate, and I believe will be of great assistance."
Sal'el smiles broadly, despite the groggy look in his eye. Echael simply nods and turns back to Draxim and Ruglan, who have been explaining the situation.
"Let's start again from the beginning," Echael continues. "Tell me everything that happened last night, and describe Atan and Kezib as best you can."
Edited by: Jubilex at: 6/23/03 8:15 am
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Ruglan
Ruglan
Posts: 178
(6/23/03 12:45 pm)
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Re: Searchers
Ruglan pushes the bowls and platters of breakfast fare towards the late risers.
[Um... you're in the Ghurugil Lodge, not some local tavern. There are no barmaids, though your hosts have provided you with an ample breakfast of bread, cider, eggs and cheese. -GM]
Edited by: Ruglan at: 6/23/03 2:41 pm
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 533
(6/23/03 1:15 pm)
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Re: Searchers
"Have we any word of our prodigals?" asks Madragar, looking drawn and tired from having stayed out all night.
"Knowing those two, it is likely that we have turned over the entire city while they are cosseted safely with a pair of comely wenches."
Edited by: Tarondor at: 6/23/03 1:27 pm
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1809
(6/23/03 1:34 pm)
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Re: Searchers
Draxim shakes his head. "I awoke when you and Sangraal returned this morning and walked the town searching for signs of them, to no avail. Savud was in the main hall at dawn and we have been discussing the possibilities since then."
"It is unlike Kezib not to have returned for morning prayer," Sangraal advises. "And I can't imagine him bedding some random wench."
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 534
(6/23/03 2:33 pm)
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Re: Searchers
"Something happened out there, and there must have been a hundred witnesses, yet no one is talking," says Madragar.
"Ulwe tells me of a certain merchant who, upon hearing that I had returned from Old Kurlew, sought to meet me, ostensibly to purchase whatever goods I had presumably ransacked from Koreaus' home. I am suspicious of this 'merchant' and fear that Atan and Kezib may have fallen afoul of the same possibly unhealthy interest."
"However, this morning I shall go to visit the Temple of Humakht, where I may stand in some slight esteem, and there seek the assistance of their truth-tellers. Perhaps some of those who were in the streets can be persuaded to speak of what they witnessed, or Ulwe's merchant may yield up treasure of his own, in the guise of knowledge of our friends' whereabouts."
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scottme123
Registered User
Posts: 1
(6/23/03 9:37 pm)
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Sal'el
Sal’el’s grin busts into rich laughter. “Selectively blind and deaf citizens in raven’s gate?!? They chatter and gossip like old maids… but they do stay their tongues under the right circumstances, Madragar… If an incident involved powerful men... Men who can make other men disappear… Then that would be the exception, wouldn’t it? There are many such powerful men in Raven’s Gate. The information about these men will be quite difficult and dangerous to acquire. How fortunate my friend Echael and I were brought in on this matter."
"This merchant who contacted you, how did he do so? I propose we find this out who this merchant before you meet, lest you find out all too acutely what fate befell you friends."
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 79
(6/24/03 12:50 am)
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Re: Sal'el
Ulwe reaches on to the table and gets a pitcher of water and pours himself a cup. He opens his pouch and produces a small square of blue cloth embroidered with intricate designs.
After placing the cloth on the table in front of him, the tall elf dribbles some water over his left hand. He puts his hands together and then places his wet palms to his forehead. He looks up and opens his hands, palms facing up.
He then abruptly picks up the cloth and dries off his hand and forehead. His ablutions finished, Ulwe replaces the cloth in his bel;t pouch. Satisfied he drinks a large draught of water. And immediately refills his cup.
When the swarthy human Sal'el asks about the previous night's encounter he answers:
"After our present company, excepting of course the newcomers and the missing, departed the Raven's Rest, Naredru and I conversed with a Merchant of the Trading house Ailus named Raega. He approached my fellow Grovewarden and me and quickly cut to the chase: "
"He purported to be a follower of Orlanth and told me he was looking for Madragar here."
Ulwe motions towards the tattoo covered baldman sitting next to him.
He continues:
"Raega said that He had heard Madragar speaking on the 'Slab' and had mentioned Old Kerlew. The trader said he was interested in trade-goods for markets in Thasvara."
Ulwe's weathered countenance creases in a look of concern:
"I cannot now be certain of his true motives. Yet it does seem to be a dark coincidence indeed: his soliciting and the disappearance of Atan and Kezib."
The look of concern is replaced by a growing frustration:
"Now that I think of it, he mentioned two things which now seem queer: He said that an associate of his had followed Madragar to the Raven's Rest and He never asked if I knew Madragar. He immediately assumed I knew him for he must have seen us together or his agent had."
Ulwe takes a swig of water and adds "Presently Raega is the only lead we have. What do you think Sal'el?"
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1815
(6/24/03 7:47 am)
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Re: Sal'el
"I know of Raega," replies Echael. "As does any shopkeeper that wants to sell his goods down river. House Ailus has been trying to control the trade on the Rhevas for as long as I can remember. I don't think Raega would involve himself in this sort of trouble but we can pay him a visit anyway."
"There are still many holes in this story. How were Atan and Kezib seperated from you?"
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Ruglan
Ruglan
Posts: 179
(6/24/03 8:30 am)
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Separated...
"Sangraal detected the taint of chaos on someone who appeared to be following us," says Ruglan. "He can explain it better," he says as he motions towards Sangraal.
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 562
(6/24/03 8:51 am)
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Re: Separated...
Breaking his silence Sangraal disects the events leading upto the dissapperence of Kezib and Atan.
"The intensity of the stench was overwelming, never before had I casually encountered such a thing. At that same moment though Atan recognized gear that he was wearing as ecourtrements of a former woodsmen. Atan called out but the man took off. Atan and Kezib gave chase. Thats were we lost them. I feel responsible for Kezib since it was me who unleashed him like a hound on a scent."
Sangraal straightens in his seat,
" We found signs of a struggle in the alley but with the lawlessness in this town, it could have been anyones blood."
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 535
(6/24/03 4:24 pm)
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Re: Separated...
[It makes no sense for me to post at this point. But, it's been 8.5 hours and everyone's waiting for someone else, so...]
"Let us go pay this merchant a visit. I've questions enough for him. Where may he be found?"
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 80
(6/24/03 7:59 pm)
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Re: Separated...
[why wouldn't it make sense for you to post? it is a conversation]
Ulwe responds
"He said to simply head to the docks and inquire about house Ailus."
Not to be ignored Ulwe prods the newcomer:
"Sal'el, what do you make of all of this?"
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1820
(6/25/03 7:29 am)
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Re: Separated...
Sal'el gives Ulwe a half smile and shrugs his shoulders ever so slightly. The young man has an easy confidence and openess uncommon to the people of Moagara, who have long known hardship and short, brutal lives.
"I have listened, and understood much, but there is more I would like to learn if you have the patience. Folk sometimes disappear, it is true, but within the walls of Raven's Gate such disappearances often have their cause in dark, merciless hands. There was a plan for their capture, I am sure of it. It is for us now to riddle out that plan."
"Yet, tell me about Atan and Kezib. If I am to search for them it would aid me if I knew what they looked like. Also, the circumstances of last night seem odd. Why would Atan chase after a stranger? Does he hate woodsmen, and thus sought this man out after seeing his goose-fletched quiver?"
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 81
(6/25/03 7:39 am)
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Re: Separated...
Ulwe nods to Sal'el [sorry to see you go Cap'n] and says:
"I hardly knew either of them. Perhaps the others could explain their appearances and actions better than I. But can we at least hope they are to be ransomed or ..."
Ulwe looks around at the group and cuts himself off, though the air is heavy with a creeping feeling that they may never see Atan nor Kezib alive again.
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 537
(6/25/03 2:18 pm)
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Re: Separated...
Madragar describes Atan and Kezib, with particular attention to any distinguishing marks.
"As Sagraal said, the reason they followed this man is that the scent of Chaos hung heavy about him. If Atan knew this man before, he did not say so."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1826
(6/25/03 2:25 pm)
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Re: Separated...
Sal'el has a calm demeanor, and even pours himself some cider while Madragar describes his lost companions. It is clear, however, that the young man is listening intently. After Madragar is finished Sal'el asks a few questions regarding aspects of his companions' appearance the wizard did not initially think to include, such as the fullness of their eyebrows, and their manner of speaking.
"Now, do any of you have enemies I should know about? Anyone that may be seeking something you own, or information you possess?"
Edited by: Jubilex at: 6/25/03 2:26 pm
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 538
(6/25/03 7:17 pm)
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Re: Separated...
"I do," says Madragar. "I hope knowledge of the reason is unimportant for our search, for, forgive me, but I am not so quick to share it as all this."
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 82
(6/25/03 11:41 pm)
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Re: Separated...
Ulwe regards Madragar with a suspicious glance:
"You have enemies of a personal nature? It would seem that if your enemies would make us all enemies by association with you: their enemy, then we deserve an explanation. who is this enemy and why would he strike against you through your friends?"
He prods Sal'el again:
"Can we trust in hope that Atan and Kezib may yet breath with a promise of gold to thier captors?"
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 539
(6/26/03 12:03 am)
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Re: Separated...
"I don't believe my enemies would do that," says Madragar. "It is clumsy and inefficient, and they are not. If I felt it relevant, I would speak of it. I do not and shall not."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1831
(6/26/03 7:32 am)
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Re: Separated...
Savud mentions "do not be so intrusive, Ulwe. The Ghurugil have many enemies, as I'm sure you can imagine, yet you sit here safe under our protection. I'm certain the lady Lyssa has a long list of adversaries as well, but she did not feel the need to explain each in detail to her guests. If you are to be a friend of the Ghurugil and these valorous folk then you must begin by trusting us."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1832
(6/26/03 7:33 am)
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Re: Separated...
Sal'el gives Ulwe a quizical smile. "I'm not sure what you mean."
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