Not again! (ADM Jay B) Friday September 24th, 2004 5:58:35 AM
Lucius hitches a ride the the monk's horse, who remains silent for the trip.
The beaten man guides the Talons through town, toward an undisclosed location - a new secret path - to the Tines HQ.
Upon entering the headquarters 'backdoor', its obvious to anyone that some sort of major assault occurred here just recently, by several DIFFERENT groups from the look of things. A tornado must have hit this place.
Lucius leads you through the carnage, by the true meaning of the word, toward where he knows Endrin is to meet the Talons. Reinforced doors are blown in, walls scorched, chairs broken and smoldering fires litter the premises.
Upon passing inspection of the bodies sprawled about, there seems to be three seperate groups, along with Tines, represented among the dead. EK military with the tell-tale uniforms, The Hands of Love with their very distinctive symbol and one other unknown group.
Soon you're standing in front of a very upset looking Endrin. He leans forward, elbows on the arms of a large wooden chair. His head wrapped in bloodied bandages and he's nursing an ale in shaking hands. When you enter the room, he looks down his nose and scowls, face red.
"All too soon we meet again, Talons! But I think perhaps you were expecting that we might, under these circumstances!" He stands, holding several black feathers. "Lucius, leave us." Endrin seethes and shakes with anger, gripping the feathers. "A calling card?" He shakes the ravens black feathers again.
"I figured it out. Your plot! Not smart. Or maybe it was?!" He looks at the group, expecting a defense of sorts. Before you can reply he calmly sits and smirks. "Theft from inside, VERY ingenious. A man inside! A little man, but sly none the less! I just can't believe I fell for the oldest trick in the book! I'm just ashamed I didn't think of it! And one of our own... duped into helping the halfling. How much did it cost you to... BUY Lerith?!"
K'Nara Friday September 24th, 2004 4:55:03 PM
K'Nara's annoyance at the peremptory summons of Edrin gave way to alarm as soon as she realized that the Tines HQ had been attacked by at least three separate kinds of groups. She was relieved to see that Milo didn't figure amongst the dead--until Edrin's stupid spouting about how the Talons must have engineered this attack using Milo and some other Tine named Lerith.
"Theft? Of what--your blackbird pie dinner???" K'Nara snorted as the overbearing twit of a Tine waved the feathers about. "And what is it that you're telling us now--you think Milo and this Lerith person have been plotting against you? Did you clap them in irons so as to confront us with them, or what..?"
Brother Bertram Friday September 24th, 2004 8:59:01 PM
After being slowed and eventually calmed down by Ingrge, Bertram was itching for a fight and once again was denied. Now suddenly for the second time this Endrin fellow starts bashing The Talons. Bertram thinks about if for less than a second then gives a swift kick to the chair the man is leaning on, knocking the support from under him suddenly. Even as he does he is already reaching for his axe... just in case.
ADM Jay B Saturday September 25th, 2004 12:33:06 AM
OOC: Everyone, feel free to post this weekend if you like. :)
Athalorn Saturday September 25th, 2004 4:25:44 AM
When the party arrive at the Tine's headquarters, Athalorn swoops down from the sky and lands near the group. Then, the party members see the eagle form seem to dip his head, and the creature standing before them is now a wolf, large in size and eager to press on. (ooc wildshape: Dire Wolf) The huge animal pushes hurriedly through the group, and follows K'nara into the building.
When the party speaks with Endrin, Athalorn waits by the side of Olana, his canine eyes watching the Tine leader.
Kent Saturday September 25th, 2004 9:05:17 AM
More than a little irritated by Endrin's summons Ingrge raises an eyebrow at his accusation and then chuckles as Bertram kicks his chair out from under him.
"Endrin, You seem to have irritated our dwarf friend. That is not normally a wise idea, but then you seem to be good at irritating people. Some of us may be members of the Tines, BUT that does not make us your beck and call girls."
After hearing the part about Milo's supposed duplicity, Ingrge continues.
"Now you had better be very sure of what you are saying of Milo, for HE is a Tine and and a Talon. And the Tines may not take care of each other, but the Talons do. Now, You say a theft has occurred. What pray tell was stolen?"
Olana d20+12=24 d20+17=32 d20+16=36 d20+14=29 Monday September 27th, 2004 2:03:06 AM
Already outraged, Olana is rendered speechless as Endrin makes his accusations. About Milo?? How dare he?
It takes her a few heartbeats to calm down and take stock. Rage wouldn't solve anything, and perhaps the picture painted here wasn't the correct one. "I think we'll need all our skills to find out exactly what has happened here," she whispers to the huge dire wolf, wincing as Endrin's chair clatters to the floor.
She starts poking around - looking at who broke in where, checking the dead and their pockets - how did they die? Did their appearance look fabricated in any way? Was this a brawl, or something much more efficient. She's looking for any kind of pattern, or maybe something unusual. And finally - if someone left with something precious - which way did they go?
As a matter of artifact... your FIRED!!(ADM Jay B) d2=1 Monday September 27th, 2004 5:15:44 AM
Athalorn has a hard time moving through doorways while in the shape of a dire wolf. However, he's able to pass with limited grace and mobility.
Olana pokes around and finds no real clues, other than a stray raven feather here and there, which she can take. As for pockets being searched, you come up empty. Looking at the bodies, its impossible to determine how many there were, where they came from or entered and its HIGHLY unlikely that this attack was fabricated due to the fact many of the Tine you saw upon returning to the City are now among the dead. Cause of death varies, anywhere from a broken neck done with bare hands to a fireball blast which took out several members of each group. Among the carnage, it's obvious that all three groups were working towards a single goal of somesort. This was an efficient and truly 'professional' strike.
Endrin looks at the group and begins to laugh as Bertram kicks the heavy oak chair [Bertram, take 1 point of subdual damage because of your sore foot.]. "You know EXACTLY what was stolen! The artifact, The Serpent Star. Milo Thistledown and Lerith stole it, are now missing, and you all have something to do with it."
Endrin stands again and pushes past Bertram, coming to stand in the middle of the room. "Leave or be removed! No longer contact any member of the Tines! The Talons membership is hereby and forever revoked! Guards!!"
Lian Monday September 27th, 2004 5:24:59 AM
Lian moves toward Olana, seeing the pain in her eyes. He places a hand on her forearm, whispers. "Milo is innocent." He reassures the ranger.
K'Nara d20+1=19 Monday September 27th, 2004 5:59:08 AM
K'Nara's hands flashed out and seized the sanctimonious Endrin by his shirtfront, hauling him up to her face. (OOC: that's the roll I just made...I'm assuming that 19 is good enough to simply grab him.)
"Listen, you stupid twit!!!" she snarled. "If you ever flap your ignorant lips about Milo like that again, I swear by the blood of Gargul that I will personally dispatch you to the Hall of Judgement with my bare hands!!!" Disgusted, the tall redhead released Endrin, shoving him away from her and not caring if the man fell or not.
"Come on, then, Talons--" K'Nara ordered in a stiff but dignified voice, "--we are obviously no longer welcome now." She stepped over to the door to leave.
Athalorn Monday September 27th, 2004 11:28:25 AM
The huge wolf follows the party out, pleased to be in the open air once again where he can stretch his four legs.
Gunther Monday September 27th, 2004 8:30:24 PM
The warrior rubs his now pounding temples. Heroes, scoundrels...heroes, scoundrels...Please people, make up your minds!
Brother Bertram Monday September 27th, 2004 8:42:55 PM
Bertram looks to the babbling Endrin with nothing but contempt in his eye. "You have forgotten what you once were, who you are supposed to protect and why." Bertram turns his head, and spits on the floor with finality and turns his back on this pack of yellow-bellies and leaves. He still has blood in his eye and too-casually asked Olana, "Friend Olana, can you tell me where the Minter's office is?"
Figment Monday September 27th, 2004 8:54:19 PM
The mage turns to leave with the others. "So tell me, Endrin. If we were to steal the artifact, why would we have given it to you in the first place? We could have kept it for ourselves and never met you. Perhaps you would have done better to tell us you were under attack and let us come to your aid. We are fairly powerful as you know. The HOL have tried kill Tine and Talon alike. We would never be in league with them. But I'd love a chance to take some more of them out... You would do well to not alienate your allies, sir.".
Falin Monday September 27th, 2004 10:20:06 PM
"I guess your version of the Emerald Kingdom that you spoke of last we met is crumbling at your feet. I hope for your sake we never meet again."
With that Falin reaches into his pouch and thrown two copper at Endrin's feet.
"There is my two coppers worth."
Olana d20+12=28 d20+16=31 Tuesday September 28th, 2004 1:09:53 PM
Olana smiles grimly at Lian, glad of his reassurance. Endrin had obviously gone mad, she decides, and can't get out of there fast enough. She follows in Athalorn's wake.
Once outside -
"Either Milo's got that artifact out of here for safe-keeping, or one of these other groups has taken it - and possibly Milo, too. If they have, then he's in big trouble." She holds up the black feathers. "This is new."
"The minter?" she asks Bertram, not quite understanding.
Olana starts poking around, looking for which direction the thieves might have gone.
Search DC 28, Spot DC 31
K'Nara Tuesday September 28th, 2004 4:09:01 PM
"We can only hope that Milo is on his way to the Tower, I guess..." K'Nara said, frowning thoughtfully. "...because I believe as you do, Olana--he either rescued that artifact...or he got snatched along with it."
Lian Tuesday September 28th, 2004 6:37:01 PM
Looking at Olana, "I am sure Bertram is referring to those who minted the 'bracelet' our friend at the tower was wearing. Right Bertram?"
"As for Milo, does he know about the tower? I can't remember." Lian thinks a moment. "No, he wouldn't go to the Tower anyway. He'd want to keep us out of trouble until he thought it was safe, then contact us. Milo's smart like that. Fact is, and I hate to say it, but it could be he was taken with the artifact... either to bait us in further or to simply kill him after they had the item. Or... he was disintregrated and there is no trace of him, but thats farfetched I think." He finishes grimly.
Miss Masie... (ADM Jay B) Tuesday September 28th, 2004 6:42:56 PM
As the Talons leave the nearly destroyed Tine headquarters, they come across the same crazy blind lady who stops them by screaming,
"What good are Talons when you can't keep a grip on yourselves? Milo Thistledown is calling to you. Can't you hear him? I can. But then no one ever pays Miss Masie any heed. Even though I am blind, I can See where he is. Can you? Would you like to see what I do?"
What to do?
(OOC: Lets keep this rolling please. Donna is returning soon.)
Gunther Tuesday September 28th, 2004 11:35:20 PM
Dim whitted as he is at times, Gunther is no coward when it comes to the protection of his friends. Besides, though he hadn't known him for a long time, Gunther really liked the little guy...
Approaching Masie, Gunther gently lays a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Show me...I vant to see."
Figment Wednesday September 29th, 2004 7:10:26 AM
"Yes, my dear, we would all very much like to see. We need to find him quickly and sadly we are blind to your ways...".
Athalorn Wednesday September 29th, 2004 11:25:09 AM
Athalorn listens to the lady, then follows the party wherever they choose to go.
Falin d20+2=15 Wednesday September 29th, 2004 12:03:36 PM
Falins nods towards the rest of the party as if assuring them he will follow them wherever they go. At the same time he is keeping an eye out for unwanted visitors.
(Spot 15)
K'Nara Wednesday September 29th, 2004 12:37:54 PM
How close Miss Masie came to being forceably introduced to Lucia, the blind seeress would likely never know--but K'Nara managed to suppress the hair-trigger reflex to whip out the weapon and instead drew a sigh of relief.
"Ah, Miss Masie, thank you." the redheaded warrior woman said. "Your powers are legend and...you're right. We've lost track of Milo, so we can definitely use your help..."
Olana Wednesday September 29th, 2004 1:14:29 PM
Startled by the appearance of Miss Masie, Olana finds her fingers tracing the outline of the bracelet on her wrist.
It is, of course, the BRACELET OF FRIENDS, given to her by Milo a long while ago.
She's this close to using it, and if she doesn't like what she hears...
Lian Wednesday September 29th, 2004 5:05:11 PM
Lian listens, as well as he's able, to what the nutty lady has to say.
Masie's home... (ADM Jay B) Wednesday September 29th, 2004 5:20:48 PM
"Yes, yes. Come. Follow Miss Masie." The old lady hobbles off toward an alleyway, down several narrowing and darkening corridors, down some stairs and into a dank little, one room cubby that she considers home. "Rest here with Miss Masie. I need to rest now, this evening we look for your friend."
As out of the way, back alley dives go, Miss Masie has a nice one. Seems large but small at the same time. Her door is stable and you heard a strange word spoken by the old woman before she opened it. No one heard the word well enough to repeat it later. "When Ol' Masie sleeps, I recommend you stay with these walls." Says the old woman. Herbs hang from everywhere, the round wooden table has a single item covered in a cloth. There are four chairs surrounding the table. There is a boarded up window that seems to be the only other exit in the room. The room is quite dark, with the exception of the single large tallow candle she lights upon entering. "That better for you dears?" She slides over to a pot on warm hearth and grabs it. "Stew? Tea?"
Brother Bertram Wednesday September 29th, 2004 8:09:42 PM
Bertram follows the others, keeping watch as they move down the street following the odd character. He is still seething over the dead slave and will make a point to stop this slave trade, even if it cost him his life... (OOC Bert thought that slave belonged to the MINT not that the bracelet was MINTED in town- blush beneath the beard-sorry all)
Ingrge d20+7=27 Wednesday September 29th, 2004 9:02:51 PM
Very quiet after their run in with the Tines and not happy to have left without the answers they so desperately needed, he is a bit shocked at the mention and the sight of the black feathers and nearly snatches it from Olana's hand as she picks one up and carries it off with her. While not sure, he believes he remembers where he last saw similar black feathers and something was now starting to really tick him off.(INT check 27, nat 20)
As the old lady starts her spiel, he rolls his eyes as if to say oh great another charlatan, when the reat of the party just up and goes along with her. taking his staff in hand as they walk along, Ingrge is not at this moment a very happy camper.
"Miss Masie, how do we know you can actually do what you say you can do? How do we know that you are just some kook that is looking for a handout?"
Brother Bertram Wednesday September 29th, 2004 9:33:47 PM
Despite his anger, Bertram snorts at Ingrge's words and grins to himself. He keeps a sharp eye out for any signs of ambush from behind.
Looking for answers... (ADM Jay B) Thursday September 30th, 2004 4:33:26 AM
Ingrge remembers something about this old lady being some sort of seer. He also recalls Endrin's comment while clutching a handful of feathers. The words '...calling card?' ring in his ears.
Bertram... No ambush. No evil feelings. Just sounds of rats scurring about and the occassional bubbling of something on the now flickering fire.
She answers Ingrge's enquiry with a question. "How is it a black bird know to fly South when winter is on the way? The answers you seek are in hand, young elf." Then looks vaguely in the direction of Olana. "Beautiful and powerful bobble, given to you by a loving friend, was it?"
She pours each a glass of brew, not unlike coffee and sits at her table. "What would you like Masie to help you with?" Looking about the room, there is a sign on the table that reads, "Fortune for a gold, will be told."
Figment Thursday September 30th, 2004 6:38:41 AM
What we want, of course, is to find our friend. There are other things but this is the only one that really matters.".
K'Nara Thursday September 30th, 2004 10:31:20 AM
The leader of the Talons found herself smiling in spite of the grim circumstances: given the surroundings, this was one Emerald City urban legend that appeared to be biting the dust.
"Miss Masie..." K'Nara said, "...we are naturally skeptical because, as you must know, there are more than enough other women in Kaari who claim to be you and wield your skill and power. I can tell you this: if it IS within your power, ma'am--kindly reveal the fate or location of our friend Milo. We are all concerned for his safety."
Gunther Thursday September 30th, 2004 10:33:52 AM
Having all the think tanks around reassures the large warrior. Not that he couldn't reason things through by himself, given enough time... For the time being, Gunther is silent...leaving the talking to the others. For now he would watch and wait.
Olana Thursday September 30th, 2004 10:54:20 AM
Olana nods at Masie. "Yes, it was a gift from Milo," she says, eager to know what the soothsayer has to say.
Athalorn Thursday September 30th, 2004 4:30:14 PM
The druid follows and, when they arrive at the house of the seer, plonks himself down in the shadows outside the abode, keeping watch with his canine senses. He looks up occasionally, hoping for sight of Glannath.
Glannath Thursday September 30th, 2004 8:21:35 PM
That was the trouble with towns, it was definitely a now you see 'em, now you don't scenario.
Ah, but there they are, coming out of the building. Now where - ah yes. Looks like a wolf, smells like Athalorn...
Glannath wheels downward, lands deftly, finding a perch on a nearby rooftop.
Brother Bertram Thursday September 30th, 2004 9:12:57 PM
Bertram listens intently to Masie, trying to decipher her words.
Falin Friday October 1st, 2004 1:54:02 AM
Falin withdraws a gold coin from his pouch and places it on the table.
"For your time and wisdom mam."
Beginning the search.... (ADM Jay B) Friday October 1st, 2004 5:28:01 AM
"Anxious to begin, I see. Well, do you have anything from your friend or where he dissapeared from?" She removes the cloth covering her crystal sphere and mirror. "Please, if you have these items, I will need them. They will be returned unharmed." She places a hand on the mirror and the other on the orb. "Please, place your items in front of me on the table. Please be silent."
Several of you have items, either from the Tines HQ or from Milo himself.
OOC: Okay folks, we will be posting this weekend. As soon as the majority posts, I will post a response. Donna's return is near.
Lian Friday October 1st, 2004 5:39:41 AM
The monk stands just behind K'Nara, not sure of the proper etiquette required for a 'scrying'.
He taps the red-head on the shoulder and shrugs. His eyes glance curiously around the room.
K'Nara Friday October 1st, 2004 5:56:03 AM
The human bladesinger turned around and looked inquiringly at the earnest monk.
"Yes, Lian..?" she prompted.
(OOC: Although I'm technically back as DM today, I'll let the oh-ao-able Assistant DM Jay take the posting through to Sunday, and begin posting as DM on Monday. He obviously has something in mind, so let's post and see if Miss Masie can, indeed, "know all and see all." ;) )
Ingrge Friday October 1st, 2004 5:30:01 PM
"Interesting that she should mention Black Birds don't you think?"
"Olanna, give her the braclett and the feather, I would be interested to see the connection.
Figment Friday October 1st, 2004 9:03:35 PM
The mage looks on with interest. Seeingas the others have items he simply watches, interested to see this form of magic aqt work.
Olana Saturday October 2nd, 2004 1:45:16 AM
Olana gives Ingrge a look, for a moment unwilling to hand over the bracelet, but then she unhooks it from her wrist, and along with the feather - hands it over to the strange old lady.
Athalorn Saturday October 2nd, 2004 2:56:10 AM
The druid hated cities. Especially alleyways such as this where the claustrophobia was more intense. He stifles a yawn and lays on his belly, watching from the shadows for any strangers. It seemed these Talons had more enemies than he thought...
Brother Bertram Saturday October 2nd, 2004 6:45:40 AM
Bertram watches to see what will occur. He is unfamiliar with this kind of magic and looks to see if it appears to be a scam..or the real thing.
Gunther Saturday October 2nd, 2004 1:09:04 PM
Watches and waits....waits and watches.
Idly scratches a spot on his arm where several scars crisscross...
Visions... Saturday October 2nd, 2004 9:40:05 PM
Miss Masie retrieves the items from Olana. The old lady closes her eyes and begins.
The image in the crystal ball is fuzzy at first...but then a bound and gagged Milo comes into focus. He is bruised and a bit bloodied, but otherwise okay for someone trussed like a holiday goose and slung across the back of a dappled horse.
The focus shifts from Milo to a familiar-looking elven female...a pretty dark-haired, dark-eyed elf...Elese from the group's earlier adventure. She is dressed in dark clothing and seems to be ordering other figures around...
The focus shifts outward--a large building that looks to be a granary of some sort...rather worn green paint flaking off its silver/gray wood siding. A tired building that looks past its prime beside an unkempt field of untended rye.
SUDDENLY there is a kaleidescopic whirlwind within the crystal ball-- Miss Masie gaspes and moans softly... .... as the images in the crystal suddenly become intensely surreal: they seem to be looking down upon the city when suddenly they are rushing Westward over the emerald forest, at different areas along the path they get sensations, of things: a stylized fork, a bloody heart, a large green lizard, a greasy black feather. As they go along they are traveling near a large river and are soon moving deeper into the forest. Turning so the setting sun is to their right, they seem to entering low, scrubby terrain--scraggly shrubs and bent, twisted and very small trees that look to have had the life sucked out of them for all that they defiantly sprout sickly green leaves in spite of the cracked and crackled earth they are growing out of. Soon they are focusing in on a small stronghold of black and gray stone.. Suddenly, it seems like they are trying to see through molasses and then the vision goes black.
Miss Masie slumps over, exhausted.
Lian Saturday October 2nd, 2004 9:47:02 PM
The monk begins to get a bit bored at the vision until Milo is seen, peaking the elf's interest and concern. As the vision shifts to Elese, the monk pushes past K'Nara. "What?!" Lian backs up shaking his head, bumping into K'Nara then Gunther. He moves to a chair and sits down, just staring at the orb, shocked.
Figment d20+9=22 Sunday October 3rd, 2004 10:18:38 AM
The mage looks on in dismay. He tries dilligently to recognize the surroundings in the ball (Int 22 - does he know where they are?). "We should have known... she played us the whole time. I wish we would have thought to mention her to the Tines. That was our mistake. Did anyone recognize the location? Has anyone ever seen that grainery before?".
Figment Sunday October 3rd, 2004 10:26:18 AM
Upon further thought the mages adds "I have an idea. With what we've seen in the ball I can most likely teleport me plus 4 other there right now. Since I've only seen it once there is a good chance I could mess it up, but hey, it's a risk. I imagine Ingrge could do about the same. I we hurry we could catch them rapidly.".
Athalorn Sunday October 3rd, 2004 11:50:21 AM
Athalorn waits patiently outside in the alleyway
K'Nara Sunday October 3rd, 2004 4:55:40 PM
"I don't know who that elf-woman was..." K'Nara said suddenly with a harsh fury evident in her voice, "...nor even where that green-painted building is--but I think I know where Milo is being taken...to the Badlands between Izen's capitol and the Emerald Kingdom." The leader of the Talons drew in a ragged breath with a set expression on her face.
"I recognized the terrain because it's identical to what I saw when Parnoth forced me to go to Izen all that time ago." K'Nara nodded towards the swooning seeress. "She okay? If she's all right, we should strike out for the Izen border as soon as possible...these people haven't had much of a head start--we shouldn't need to have to rely on iffy teleportation to catch up to them...IF we hurry..!"
Brother Bertram Sunday October 3rd, 2004 9:44:06 PM
Bertram clinks 5 gold on the table of Masie after assuring himself she is alright. He quickly follows the others out the door.
Lian Monday October 4th, 2004 5:45:45 AM
The monk is just agonizing over seeing Elese responsible for Milo's kidnapping.
DONNA, LET ME BE THE FIRST TO WELCOME YOU BACK! I'M READY FOR THE REAL FUN TO BEGIN.
LOG ON