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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1864
(7/1/03 11:44 pm)
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Re: Separated...
[You can 'take 10' which is 10 rounds or 1 minute. Either way, Raega's clean.]
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 93
(7/2/03 7:25 am)
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Re: Separated...
After allaying his suspicions, Ulwe heads to the office.
He announces himself with a simple knock on the door.
"Raega, It is Ulwe. May I enter?"
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1865
(7/2/03 7:27 am)
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Re: Separated...
Raega reaches for his crossbow at first, but then recognizing Ulwe withdraws his hand. For once the merchant doesn't smile.
"Leave that pig-sticker outside."
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Ruglan
Ruglan
Posts: 180
(7/2/03 10:00 am)
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Re: Separated...
Ruglan will return to the armorer with his once-again bashed apart shield, to get a new one. He will also inquire about his replacement sword.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1866
(7/2/03 3:05 pm)
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Honoring the fallen.
Ruglan and Sangraal, being the only guests of the Ghurugil currently bumming around the common room, are called by Savud into a small shrine adjacent to the main hall. Sangraal is a little confused as to the purpose of the summons, but Ruglan seems to know what's going on so the fair skinned priest plays along.
Laying across a simple stone altar is a finely crafted warhammer, its twisted leather grip stained nearly black with blood. Laying a pale, wrinkled hand on the weapon, Savud closes his eyes and intones "Harharam gul vurala mnel vastala. Our brotherhood has no dying season."
Then, lifting the weapon, he turns and stands before Ruglan. Sangraal, still a bit perplexed, watches as his companion draws his pitted and notched longsword and hands it hilt-first to the venerable dwarf. Cradling the two weapons, Savud returns to the main hall.
Slowly the old dwarf approaches a place along the wall between two dark oaken pillars, a place without decoration. The hall is dark, illuminated by only the single candle that has been burning there since the night before. In the deep shadows of the place, Savud waits patiently, his eyes again closed, silently praying. There on the wall between the pillars he sets Ruig's battered warhammer, crossed with Ruglan's battle worn blade, taking their place among the weapons of honor in the Ghurugil hall. Without a word he steps to the single candle and extinguishes it, then solemnly carries it back to the shrine.
Ruglan and Sangraal are left in the utter darkness of the hall for only a few seconds before another door opens and the dwarf Madfillin comes in with a pair of lanterns. He sets one down near the door then proceeds to light the dozen or so oil lanterns that light the main hall of the Lodge. In moments the place regains the aura of warmth and ancient majesty to which Ruglan and Sangraal are accustomed.
The Ghurugil have laid Ruig to rest.
...
Later, Sangraal notices a new sword at Ruglan's belt. This blade has all the markings of dwarven craftsmanship, its hilt and scabbard both works of beautiful, but functional, art. Silver and bronze decoration are seemlessly intertwined with the fine steel of the weapon, and stretch along the length of both its leather scabbard and thick, braided belt.
Edited by: Jubilex at: 7/2/03 3:15 pm
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 94
(7/2/03 4:46 pm)
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Re: Separated...
"I'll stay out here then. Raega, has Madragar been hereabouts this morn? "
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1867
(7/2/03 5:08 pm)
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Re: Separated...
Quill hoving over the ledger, Raega gets a funny look on his face and cocks his head to one side. Then, shaking his head, he turns back to his writing.
"Yes," he says without looking up. "He was here not ten minutes ago, asking a lot of questions. I'm done dealing with that man, and I'm done with you. Good bye."
Edited by: Jubilex at: 7/2/03 5:15 pm
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 95
(7/2/03 5:33 pm)
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Re: Separated...
"That's a fine thank you. Your disingenous entreaties to a priest of Orlanth are not without witness. My Lord hears all that is carried upon the wind. In the future do not be so eager to use the name of Orlanth Storm King to glean favors. Your intent was as false as that ledger you pen your forgeries within. I will remember you Raega and House Ailus in my prayers."
Raega begins yelling before Ulwe gets two words out of his mouth.
"Begone you skinny beast! Save your sermon. Orlanth created elves out of fish so their mouths never stop flapping. Begone!" (-GM)
Ulwe turns on his heel after delivering his speech. With his Dwarven companion Ulwe heads back into the city
"Well Draxim, A fine morning this has turned out to be. It is some time before we are to meet at the Green Door Tavern near the Temple of the Ash Lion. I may venture to see about Dunkred and see if I can help his foot."
Ulwe makes his way to the Raven's Rest.
Edited by: Ulwe at: 7/3/03 7:33 pm
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1871
(7/3/03 8:46 am)
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Re: Separated...
[Dunkred will be played by Man not appearing in this film...]
Later that afternoon the group convenes at the small tavern described by Sal'el. It's easy enough to find, being the only establishment with a green door in the small plaza adjacent to the Temple of the Ash Lion. The place has no sign informing the passerby as to its purpose, and is set back away from the main traffic of the busy street.
Sangraal and Ruglan are the first to enter the place. It is a long, narrow tavern with a row of square tables set against the right-hand wall all along its length. Against the left-hand wall are rows of ale casks, and a seperate wooden cabinet stacked with wine bottles.
Only one of the tables is occupied, and that by a single patron. His fine green linen clothing, felt hat and silver jewelry mark him as a fairly affluent merchant of the town. He is chatting with a lone serving wench (a pretty orange haired creature) that leans against one of the ale casks. She smiles at the newcomers as they enter and, giving them the once-over, jerks her thumb toward a closed door at the back of the tavern.
"Out back, m'boys," she giggles. "Then left. He's waiting."
Marching out the back door of the tavern, Sangraal and Ruglan find themselves in a narrow alley, full of shadows cast by the late day sun. Immediately to their left is an open door, and from within they hear laughter.
The room appears to be storage for the tavern as more casks of ale and numerous crates are scattered about. In the center of the mess is a large wooden table surrounded by chairs. There they find Sal'el, Vala and a girl they don't recognize. She is younger than Vala, probably not more than sixteen, but taller and with a more confident air. Her auburn hair tumbles down around her fair, freckled face to meet the shoulders of a simple brown dress. Her features are sharp, almost masculine, but her ready smile and sparkling green eyes make it clear she is the kind of girl the young boys flock to. At the moment she and Vala are being entertained by a story from Sal'el, who is both glib and handsome.
"Ah, welcome, come in," he says. "We've just been passing the time with some cider and a tale of Thasvara."
Vala introduces the girl. "This is Jahla. She works with me at the Temple... and I think we were just leaving." Vala gives the girl a knowing look.
"Oh, yes, there is much to do... somewhere else." Jahla smiles and curtseys before fleeing the dusty room with Vala.
...
One by one the other companions gather in the storeroom. Ulwe and Draxim arrive after an unsuccessful search for Dunkred and his injured foot, and Madragar emerges from places unknown. A fresh pitcher of cider arrives, as well as a modest bottle of wine, and Sal'el closes the door.
"I've had an interesting day," he begins.
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1872
(7/3/03 9:10 am)
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Re: Separated...
"I began at the plaza, and spoke to a few shopkeepers that were still there at the late hour of Atan and Kezib's disappearance. There were women at the brothel who told the same story."
"There was a commotion of some sort, and a group of men standing in front of the brothel became entangled with a man in a mottled green and grey cloak being followed by a swift bald man. This was the stranger you, Sangraal, said smelled of Chaos being followed by Kezib I believe. I'm not sure why, but everyone I spoke to commented on that green and grey cloak. It stood out in their memories for some reason."
"Now as far as I can ascertain, Kezib and the man he was pursuing ran into this group of men. Kezib held the man down while Atan approached, making accusations of the man's guilt in some crime."
"Another group of men appeared then, each wearing mottled green and grey cloaks. So it seems that Atan, the man being held down by Kezib, and this new group were all dressed in the same fashion."
"At this point the information gets a little confused. Atan collapsed, and was taken away by two of these new men. They then demanded Kezib release their 'brother' and then produced clubs and attacked him. There was a running battle, it seems, that ranged from beneath a stairway beside the brothel, where Sangraal I believe you said you found blood, to the center of the plaza."
"The brawl became a spectacle for the drunken masses in the street, as such things often do. Some said Kezib held off a dozen armed men, but others said it wasn't more than four. In any event he seems to have knocked several of them unconscious before succumbing to his attackers."
"On one thing everyone I spoke to could agree. After Kezib went down the whole plaza degenerated into a huge brawl. The battle only whetted the mob's appetite for violence, and they turned on each other for sport. This, I'm afraid, is not such an uncommon thing in Raven's Gate."
"No one seems to know what happened to Atan and Kezib after this. They were taken somewhere, but where I haven't been able to determine, or by whom. I will continue my search tonight. Yet, if there is anything more you can tell me about Atan, or Kezib, or anything in what I've learned that has revived some forgotten memory, please do so."
Edited by: Jubilex at: 7/3/03 9:27 am
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 564
(7/3/03 9:34 am)
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Thugs
Gray and green, gray and green. What are the colors of House Ailus? Those thugs weren't dressed the same by chance. There must be some guild or something that always dresses that way. If we figure that out, we'll find our thugs. Or whoever our thugs are trying to frame." he adds.
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 568
(7/3/03 10:15 am)
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Yelpin' Yelm!
"I don't know if this will help but when we came back to Ravensgate, Madragar and myself were detained briefly by the Humakt swordelders."
[OOC: Sangraal relates everything that happened in the temple]
" I spoke with the Humakt priests and they said that he was caught trying to sell Yimris's holy blade. My question is who did the dwarf try to sell it to? and who turned him in? Because Raegu was inquiring specificly about items recovered from Old Kurlew and he knew Madragars name. Madragar did you publicly announce your name at the dwarfs trial?"
[To learn what Sangraal and Madragar were up to at the Humakt temple, read the "Temple of the Swordelders" thread now available in this forum. -GM]
Edited by: Jubilex at: 7/3/03 10:19 am
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 558
(7/3/03 4:23 pm)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
"I did," replies Madragar. "The Swordelders were about to execute the dwarf for the murder of Ymris. I could not allow such injustice to go unchallenged."
"We have more immediate concerns, however. Atan and Kezib have been missing for the better part of a day."
"I know you were at Raega's just now, and you know I was there previously. I do not believe Raega is a bad man. Indeed, he seems quite brave. However, I have the very distinct impression that he is hiding something. He became quite wary when I mentioned the disappearances of Atan and Kezib, and positively defensive when I asked about his underworld contacts."
"It is not much to go on, but from what I've heard, it is best we have to go on. I believe he is afraid of something, and knows more of Atan and Kezib than he lets on."
"I suggest we return to his shop before nightfall and watch it from a vantage point I know of. The we should follow him and see where he goes."
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 96
(7/3/03 5:39 pm)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
"Raega is a slippery eel. After presenting himself to me under false pretenses last night, he insulted me and my race this morning. If he is responsible for anything untoward I will take pleasure in meteing out justice upon him and the House he represents."
Ulwe goes on
"Though Raega is no servant of the Enemy. I could not smell that stink upon him though unlovely was his scent."
"Madragar that is a good plan though this assortment here would fast become obvious. Besides he knows me and you already. Mayhaps Sal'el and Draxim are a better pair to tail him?"
Edited by: Ulwe at: 7/3/03 5:42 pm
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 569
(7/3/03 9:52 pm)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
Looking to Sal'el Sangraal tries to fill in the blanks to information Sal'el has just divulged.
"Atan was a member of a band of elves known as the Merek Lek. I am certain that the cloaks you mention were a call sign, for every Merek Lek we met wore one. But we also know that the Merek Lek were all but destroyed at Old Kurlew, so that means Atan was beset upon men wearing cloaks stripped from the dead at Old Kurlew. Those men must have been there. Maybe with the dwarf and Legionerre? Which would make sense. Which means the dwarf probably knows who they are and where they hideout. Oh no...... the dwarf was to be exacuted today."
Edited by: yucatanyeti at: 7/3/03 9:53 pm
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Tarondor
Madragar
Posts: 559
(7/4/03 12:29 am)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
"Not necessarily," says Madragar. "After you left, I told Kruanru that I believed the dwarf or the legionnaire somehow knew that Koreaus was to be assaulted. I urged him to investigate that further before carrying out judgment. If we hurry, we may be able to get to the Temple of the Swordelders before he is executed, if that is indeed his fate."
"And Ulwe, I am no footpad, but believe me when I say that Master Raega will not know me if he sees me. But that is for tonight. For now, as Sangraal has pointed out, we may have no time to lose. Let's away to the Swordelders."
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Ulwe
Ulwe Suulosse
Posts: 97
(7/4/03 7:48 am)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
"Well then let's go." Ulwe assents.
[Aside to Madragar: "Though you may have some trick up your sleeve I do not. A tall one such as myself weilding an even taller spear is not an excellent candidate for your idea. And Sangraal is not the most quiet either. As I said before, I do not think this entire group is suited to follow Raega."]
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Kenner
Draxim
Posts: 566
(7/4/03 8:09 am)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
"Dwarves are common in Raven's Gate, but Ulwe and I had a row with him this morning. I think he would know me if he saw me. So, I just won't let him see me!" he says with a mischievous grin.
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yucatanyeti
Sangraal
Posts: 570
(7/4/03 9:27 am)
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Re: Yelpin' Yelm!
"Let us go."
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Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 1878
(7/7/03 8:54 am)
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Qadras
Interlude: the party races across town to the temple of the Swordelders.
The pale, shuddering dwarf is thrown hard onto the stone floor beside the altar, having just been dragged into the chamber by the less than sympathetic Kruanru. The pitiful creature cries out in pain, but stiffles it quickly in a futile act of defiance.
Quite a crowd has gathered in the solemn, shadow-filled temple. Sangraal, Madragar, Ulwe, Draxim, Ruglan and Sal'el all stand in a knot just outside of the dim orange light cascading down from a circular hole in the center of the domed temple roof. Near the altar stand Gudra and Kruanru with their black cloaks, shining chainmail, and long hilted blades at their waists. A number of other, younger Swordelders stand in the shadows around the large chamber.
Qadras, the unfortunate dwarf that most of the group last saw within the depths of Old Kurlew, moves slowly up from his prone position and leans heavily on the side of the altar while Kruanru and Gudra lean over him. The dwarf's clothing is stained and ripped from his confinement, and likely not an inconsiderable amount of abuse at the hands of the Swordelders. Qadras also clutches his right arm to his chest, and it is an arm without a hand. The judgement of Humakt, it seems, has already been carried out.
Kruanru was suspicious of claims that Qadras was involved in the disappearances of Kezib and Atan, but it didn't take much negotiation for the Swordelders to produce their prisoner. The dwarf's attempts to peddle one of their sacred blades has not endeared him to the followers of Humakt.
Gudra savagely kicks the miserable Qadras in the chest, which knocks the prisoner back down to the floor.
"Speak quickly wretch. This one," the barrel chested Gudra stabs a finger at Madragar, "saved your life today. Tell us everything that happened since you left the mountain, and leave nothing out."
Qadras gasps pitifully. "The sword. The cloaks. Bows, arrows... from the dead. I brought them down from the mountain."
Gudra glances at Kruanru who only nods.
The dwarf picks himself up, setting his back again against the altar. He tries to regain a bit of dignity in the act, but fails.
"I walked to Pulyoke," he continues. "Sold the bows and arrows... then a boat here. A trader bought the sword and cloaks... down in Potters Row. That was yesterday."
Gudra turns to the party and tips up his chin at them, welcoming any further questions they might have for the dwarf.
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