Dark Days in Sion - Act 3: Scene 2

Aletia said:

Then she looked to Jabbar once more, and inquired as to the names he had spoken. "What do we know of this Ozzen and Houlgrim? At worst, I'd like to understand a little about these key guests, so I can know perhaps what to look out for."

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Jabbar: Shakes his head slowly. "Between Ozzen and Houlgrim, it's difficult to say which is more dangerous. The gnome is a most wicked wizard. His shop up in Tachir is known to sell the largest variety of cursed magic items found anywhere in Vulkh. Ozzen is also rumored to conduct vile magical experiments, consulting with demons, devils, and beholders. Many call him a 'collector of secrets', which serves to be his most lucrative trade. Divination spells, torture, and the use of dominated creatures (or persons) who spy for him are just some of the tools at his disposal."

"Houlgrim is no better. The 'Bone-Breaker' they call him. An infamous hill dwarf of exceptional strength, cunning and cruelty who mutilates his enemies. Most of eastern-Vulkh's black-market goods; entering or leaving through the south, is controlled through him. Strangely, Houlgrim has no qualms associating with Orcs or other evil humanoids and often employs them as scouts and assassins. Some say he even took the half-orc lover of a powerful Orcish chieften as his bride after slaying him in single combat, making twisted half-dwarf; half-orc children with her. A rumor other dwarves find most revolting..." He says with a look towards Burrai and Elloral.

Elloral: Grasps one of the silver beads on her long braids bearing the holy symbol of Valkauna and appears visibly sickened. "How in the nine hells do these villains enjoy such freedom in this land? Is there no one here in Vulkh capable of stopping them?!"

Jabbar: Sighs. "It is true they are both known criminals and dangerous degenerates. The Vulfear keep accounts of their activities and known associates, but so long as they operate away from cities and larger towns like this their offenses are largely ignored. Local sheriffs or town guards are too weak to intervene. Only the Vulkyrie are strong enough to apprehend or kill them, and it's anyone's guess why they don't?"

"There must be some kind of relationship between the Black Network and the Vul hierarchy we aren't aware of? Vulkyrie aren't the decision makers after all. They obey and protect the the Vul-Kings royal family, who himself takes orders from the Vul Elder Council. As always, the Vul Elder Council occupies the Vulmek Rookery on Mt. Sumeru, neighboring Skull Mountain. This adjacency must have lead to an arrangement of necessity between these evil powers, who otherwise should have long since been at war by now, given the frequency of raids and attacks in these lands that have brought us all such suffering."

Aust Breaks His Silence

~ A Rogue's Gallery, even by smuggler standards ~

Aust takes a deep swig of the wine. ~ Red. Not cheap either. All the better. ~

He clears his throat, "Kong. Would love to watch that rocks-for-brains bleed out. Somebody ought to bean his bean with an arrow. Or maybe an axe. Sorry mi'lady. I promise any disdain you might feel at my words would come to a quick end once you get a eyeful of that brute. Wicked ugly, with a matching disposition."

And to Jabbar's description of Ozzen & Houlgrim, Aust spits in disgust. Ozzen is an exaggerated sick caricature of all of the reasons Aust loathes gnomes. And Houlgrim. He simply shakes his head. Although he says nothing, Jabbar can pretty much read his mind. He has no interest in being within a mile of these blokes except to slit them hip to breastbone and watch them die along with Kong. He never regarded himself as being particularly inclined to wishing bad things on people, notwithstanding his brother. Really. He made it a point to be diplomatic. After all he was a smuggler. But these people were bad elements. Removing them from the realm of the living would be an improvement to all evil beings everywhere, not to mention good people.

"Jabbar, unless you have anything that you require of me, I'm going to pack it in for the evening. I doubt I'll sleep. But I'd like to try. Well met, young elven lass. Thank you for gracing our abode. Archaeos knows after the night I had, it's a silver lining indeed. 'Nite all. "

Aust raises the bottle in a weak toast, and trudges up to his bed. He doesn't truly sleep, opting for the elven trance. However, that is even restless and troubled, certainly a by-product of residual poison or perhaps the lycan curse.


[sblock=Aust Picture]



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Burrai Steelborn

Burrai watched the exchange between Aletia and Ersun with a mixture of confusion and mirth, but he still caught most of Jabbar’s explanation. He did have to run it back through his head once though to ensure he had all the salient pieces identified. So this Kayote was living in self-seclusion, laying honey traps for Black Network operatives using this ‘Contest’ somehow. There was a painfully limit amount of information as to how the trap worked; Burrai knew as much from smithing as from soldiering that the strength of anything was different depending on the forces applied. Some steel could be shattered with a single blow but strong enough to hang half a mountain from. It would be the internal workings of the trap that would discern whether these two Black Network operatives could be contained.

~Contained?~ At first Burrai’s initial thought surprised him, but almost at once he realised why. Though both seemed suitably vile enough that their destruction was all but a moral responsibility – This Houlgrim…consorting and fornicating with Orcs! ORCS! If there was some ritual that could divest Houlgrim of his dwarven heritage before Burrai exterminated him, the dwarven race would owe him an almost unpayable debt – Ozzun provided an opportunity. Anyone who could consort with demons and devils surely would be able to translate the diary. Especially being of the Network too. It seemed worth the effort to save a journey and another potential battle with another evil entity.

Burrai then realised he’d essentially Agreed to offering Kayote aid. Certainly it would seal the man as an ally, which was Burrai’s intention anyway, but he was intending to do so with words rather than involving himself in other plans. Still, tactics and strategy were by definition flexible things and an opportunity.
He was still deep in thought when Aust excused himself, and Burrai realised the elf girl, Aletia, had asked him a question.

“Kong?” He snorted. “History is perhaps a strong word for it, lass. We’ve orbited in similar circles for years. Mercenary work doesn’t have a many old faces, you get to hear about those with scars and wrinkles, even if you never fight against or alongside ‘em. Fact first time I’ve probably been within ten feet of the Khrazzit [Not a pleasant dwarven insult] was tonight when he and a few friends decided to jump me. Thanks to Billanverthorne, and the Guards moving passed, we chased him off. Thought we’d get a second bite at him soon enough considering who his employer is – didn’t think he’d have got entangled in other areas. Still,“ Burrai shrugged, huge shoulders shifting a mountain of air, “Opportunity knocks, eh?”

He wandered to the fire and lit his pipe. The leaf was a bit dry, but still kept its flavour and scent. “So Jabbar, seems as though there’s three potential targets all in the same place, at the same time. Considering our main goals right now are aiding Rasul in thwarting Noro, neutralising the threat this Chuth poses, and finding allies to add to our roster – this would certainly intersect with two of those, assuming Noro had further plans for Kong other than splitting my head open.”

Burrai leaned back against the hearth, the orange firelight gleaming in ripples across the fine plate of his armour. “So do you know how this ‘Contest’ operates as a trap of Black Network agents? And how could we use it to pin down and eliminate three targets at once? I presume an ambush or frontal assault is out of the question; if other patrons who aren’t intended victims are there, Kayote won’t want a reputation for attendees getting periodically murdered. Makes the trap ineffective in future. So do we have options?”

Burrai made an open gesture. “Seems like an opportunity to take down a few targets, make dealing with Noro less risky – fewer unknowns – and we can bind Kayote to us a little firmer. “

The outsider

He nods in acknowledgment to the lady.


When Elloral gets outraged about how can such get away with, well, being such people, he remembers one or two alike back in his home. Starting with the duergar crimelord beneath the old ruins. From that experience it seems to him they are so deeply embedded into the local politics it is sometimes hard to make a distinction between them.
When Aust leaves he bids him good dreams. Good night is a strange expression to him, feels so archaic. So far he has only ever heard of the phrase in history and theology, well, mostly those. He does pick up the strangest things as a bard.
Ersun considers what has been said so far about this trap of Kayote's. He nods as Burrai speaks his mind and as he ponders on it he makes his own comments. It seems to him the discussion is never ending, but not to anyone's fault. He sighs.
"I do not know how efficient or advantageous this trap might be. I haven't been here long enough to do so, but given your friendship... I assume the only question is how you aid him."
Then he voices his concern.
"And while gathering allies is good. It seems to me the tasks are gathering, while time isn't, and to manage everything manpower will have to be split."
He looks around to see if the people present agree with the statement, which in reality means Jabbar, Burrai and Ren.
He can't fathom how much preparation the strike on the wererat den would need. Or to be more accurate while not a military expert of organisation he can gasp at it, hence the pondering on time and tasks.

At Jabbar's Trade Shop

Jabbar nods in acknowledgement to Aust going upstairs as he glances jealously at Burrai's pipe and reaches for a finely carved ivory box sitting atop the mantle. Inside, resting on a cushion of blue-velvet, is an exotic, antique, wood pipe capped in solid gold engraved in ancient script.

Jabbar: "This pipe, or 'Midwakh' as its named in the old tongue, was gifted to an ancient ancestor of mine by the name of Suhrawardi Najafi. By all accounts, Suhrawardi was an esteemed philosopher, explorer and healer, renowned throughout Summara for his miracle cures. His fame grew so great in fact, he was invited to the court of the reigning King Kalash who was terribly afflicted by gout, the so-called 'disease of kings'. They say the king and Suhrawardi sat together in private, discussing treatment for his illness in the king's own baths within the palace..." Jabbar says while removing a small leather pouch with the pipe containing finely shredded tobacco mixed with leaves, bark, herbs and spices.

"...This did not sit well with the other members of the royal court. Tradition demanded private audiences with a king were chaperoned by his advisors, especially given how Suhrawardi was not himself of noble descent, and known to be influenced by outsiders..." Jabbar pauses placing a few pinches of the fine tobacco (known as Dokha) into the pipe, lighting it with an iron stick coated in alchemical wax that flared hot and brightly placed near the open flames of the hearth. Jabbar takes a deep puff from the pipe, releasing the smoke slowly through his nose, savoring its flavor.

"This pipe was a token of appreciation from the king for his medicine, truly a treasure!" Jabbar states admiringly. "It's been passed down through my family now for fourteen generations, though unfortunately Suhrawardi himself did not possess it for long. He was arrested a few days after he came to the palace when King Kalash died horribly in his sleep, his body contorted and twisted in a most disturbing way. Suhrawardi was blamed for his 'foreign medicine' and imprisoned. They say he was tortured first, allegedly to induce confession for regicide, but that was in fact, a cover for another matter."

"Secretly, the court knew King Kalash was actually poisoned. Suhrawardi was just a convenient scapegoat to keep in a cell while they discreetly went about the real investigation of the king's murder. Nevertheless, Suhrawardi was executed anyway without acknowledgement of his innocence. King Kalash's successor ended up to be King Hamza, the cruelest tyrant in Summara's history."

Jabbar paused again to take another puff. "The rest of Suhrawardi's family had to flee for their lives, hunted by hired killers of King Hamza until the Kingdom of Vulkh was born. It is the long-held belief in the Najafi family that the king's affliction may not have been the only thing Suhrawardi and the king discussed together. Perhaps some matters of state, or even some royal secret pass through his ears? Whatever it was, this pipe serves as a reminder about the dangers of accepting invitations."

"My point is we would be wise to assume Ozzen and Houlgrim are prepared for Kayote's tricks. This 'Contest' of his was a questionable idea to begin with. He has his reasons to abuse and torture the man in the iron mask to be sure, but it was only a matter of time before the Black Network decided to end his game. Whatever's gonna happen at The Red Sands Inn tomorrow I know this for certain, it'll be bad, very bad..." He states with a clear undertone of dread, unconsciously touching at the scar across his cheekbone.

Elloral:"What do you suggest?"

Jabbar: "I suggest Kayote cancels his event and closes the inn for a few days! Battling Ozzen and Houlgrim inside the inn is a huge risk to so many innocents there for the scheduled entertainment. Even if we prevail against them, how do we explain the bloodbath to the town guard and/or the Vulkyrie afterwards? We'll be lucky to escape arrest even if we survive." He states with a warning look to Aletia

Elloral: Frowns. "The danger to the innocents is a valid point. But we should not let them simply let them stroll in and out of town without making them pay?! Suppose we lure them elsewhere?"

Jabbar: Scratches at his beard. "Perhaps... perhaps... yet there is little time to setup an effective ambush."

Ren: "Master Rasul can help! Besides that, Rhats like myself know every dark corner in this town. Some are good for fighting as much as hiding!"

Avar: Picks at the edge of his handaxe in agitation. "One way or another, so long as I'm breathing, those two won't be leaving Cabarda without meeting the sharp end of this axe! The honor of my clan demands it!"

[Aletia, Burrai, Ersun; What do you do?]

Aletia: Warm mists and cold news


The young newcomer hovered next to Jabbar’s hearth, a light mist arising off her silver silken dress as it slowly succumbed to the warmth. Heat thawed her legs whilst strange new knowledge soaked into her ears. Her first job for Burlock, and so very interesting!

narayan said:

Jabbar: Sighs. "It is true they are both known criminals and dangerous degenerates. The Vulfear keep accounts of their activities and known associates, but so long as they operate away from cities and larger towns like this their offenses are largely ignored. Local sheriffs or town guards are too weak to intervene. Only the Vulkyrie are strong enough to apprehend or kill them, and it's anyone's guess why they don't?"

"There must be some kind of relationship between the Black Network and the Vul hierarchy we aren't aware of? Vulkyrie aren't the decision makers after all. They obey and protect the the Vul-Kings royal family, who himself takes orders from the Vul Elder Council. As always, the Vul Elder Council occupies the Vulmek Rookery on Mt. Sumeru, neighboring Skull Mountain. This adjacency must have lead to an arrangement of necessity between these evil powers, who otherwise should have long since been at war by now, given the frequency of raids and attacks in these lands that have brought us all such suffering."

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Ozzen and Houlgrim, clearly a vicious handful! The theory about their corrupt dealings with the Vul was just as intriguing. These were names she’d need to remember, to add to a growing list of people she’d need to investigate… approach with caution, or just stay well clear of. There was no telling who she’d need to know, and what actions she might one day need to take. As Aletia quietly wondered in what manner to reply, the well-worn elven man made to retire for the evening.

Aust Thale said:

Aust: "Jabbar, unless you have anything that you require of me, I'm going to pack it in for the evening. I doubt I'll sleep. But I'd like to try. Well met, young elven lass. Thank you for gracing our abode. Archaeos knows after the night I had, it's a silver lining indeed. 'Nite all."

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“Well met indeed, sleep well kind sir,” she replied, nodding a little as the man turned to go. “Perhaps we will meet again? Enjoy your rest.” He sure looked like he needed it.

This was unusual, Aletia thought, how Jabbar and his friends didn’t seem to mind the inquisitive questioning of an Inn’s messenger girl. Perhaps it was obvious that she could be entrusted with secrets and confidence? Had Burlock’s scroll been all she’d needed to lay the first steps of trust with these folk? It appeared that her Master had handed her a gift, a key which would unlock the gateway in her search for answers. There was mutual respect here, and the Underfolk’s cantrip was soon out of her mind, as she thought on how a common aim or hatred as it may be, removed all the politics of race, past and swift judgement from the smuggler’s abode.

The words of the battle-scarred dwarf confirmed it.

Hillsy7 said:

Burrai: “Kong?” He snorted. “History is perhaps a strong word for it, lass. We’ve orbited in similar circles for years. Mercenary work doesn’t have a many old faces, you get to hear about those with scars and wrinkles, even if you never fight against or alongside ‘em. Fact first time I’ve probably been within ten feet of the Khrazzit [Not a pleasant dwarven insult] was tonight when he and a few friends decided to jump me.”

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Her eyes opened a little wider at this news, as she turned to Burrai with an apologetic look.

“I hope he got all that was coming to him. Were you or your friends hurt during this ordeal?” she asked, before prodding a little deeper. “Why would they target you so? It seems everyone I meet in this land has enemies, and it saddens my heart. The days of wandering free and without fear seem to have well and truly passed.”

Aletia couldn’t deny that their were serious undertones here. By making allegiances, she’d no doubt be stepping into a dark new world. A place of threats, complexity, and the potential to be targeted merely by association. One fact was looming all too clear, she’d have to keep her wits about her and proceed with great care. Essentially, if the anonymity was torn away, Burlock’s enemies might become her own.

There was a change of pace then, as Jabbar fingered his pipe and relayed a most grand tale. She listened with the sparkle of interest within her eyes, taking note of the man’s skill in delivering the story of the heirloom, and most of all what it stood for, what Jabbar was really trying to impart here.

narayan said:

Jabbar: "My point is we would be wise to assume Ozzen and Houlgrim are prepared for Kayote's tricks. This 'Contest' of his was a questionable idea to begin with. He has his reasons to abuse and torture the man in the iron mask to be sure, but it was only a matter of time before the Black Network decided to end his game. Whatever's gonna happen at The Red Sands Inn tomorrow I know this for certain, it'll be bad, very bad..." He states with a clear undertone of dread, unconsciously touching at the scar across his cheekbone.

Elloral:"What do you suggest?"

Jabbar: "I suggest Kayote cancels his event and closes the inn for a few days! Battling Ozzen and Houlgrim inside the inn is a huge risk to so many innocents there for the scheduled entertainment. Even if we prevail against them, how do we explain the bloodbath to the town guard and/or the Vulkyrie afterwards? We'll be lucky to escape arrest even if we survive." He states with a warning look to Aletia

Elloral: Frowns. "The danger to the innocents is a valid point. But we should not let them simply let them stroll in and out of town without making them pay?! Suppose we lure them elsewhere?"

Jabbar: Scratches at his beard. "Perhaps... perhaps... yet there is little time to setup an effective ambush."

Ren: "Master Rasul can help! Besides that, Rhats like myself know every dark corner in this town. Some are good for fighting as much as hiding!"

Avar: Picks at the edge of his handaxe in agitation. "One way or another, so long as I'm breathing, those two won't be leaving Cabarda without meeting the sharp end of this axe! The honor of my clan demands it!"

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Somehow the discussion was leading into things which pushed Aletia further into a grim acceptance of her new reality. What now? She wondered. Neither option sounded simple nor pleasant, and if requesting Burlock to cancel the event wouldn’t be hard enough, the Rhat and the dwarves seemed to be leading the conversation somewhere else. Murder. Assassination.

She stared at the floor a moment, summoning some courage before exchanging words. Then she looked to them and finally said, “Kind friends, what would you have me say to my Master? I can deliver your reply, that is certain, but I’ve no doubt that Burlock is too confident, arrogant, dare I say it, to abandon his plan.”

“Perhaps, if we were to meet him together, we might be able to impart sense to his ears, but alas it is late. My Master has retired for the evening, in poor health, and I expect he won’t be much for negotiation in this morning’s hours.”

Then their was the issue of the “other” plan. Dealing with Ozzen and Houlgrim by alternative means. To be honest, she really wasn’t sure what to think of this. The elven lass was law-abiding. She’d never killed without certainty in her actions. She’d never really worked with a team of strangers before either. There was a lot at stake, but despite the risk, she knew deep down that she would need the help of these people, if not now, later down the track.

“Aside from my duties for Burlock, please consider me available to assist,” she said with a touch of sorrow in her voice.

“I offer you another set of eyes, and the tips of my arrows should they be needed. I must ask though, should a plan to remove these fiends be successful, who would replace them? What long term damage would it do to the workings of this treacherous web? It is only natural for me to question if your lives might be at great risk in such an undertaking, and unless the reward is a great sting to this endless assortment of evils, I ask that perhaps you keep your lives, and work on some other honourable deed to flush out the pestilence that plagues your land, and steals our loved ones.”

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Ersun to pondering

Ersun quietly follows the conversation. It is not his place to make the decisions and and judgements about Kayote’s guests, as he is not part of it, not strictly. It seems he is part of the struggles against the wererats and with Noro, given that the fate of his host and even a huge part of the city politics is heavily dependant on those. While thinking of the power struggles, his mind wanders to Thiara. She did not respond or acknowledge his message, although his understanding is that the stone allowed that. That made him worry a little, made him uncertain, and made him consider if he should go out with Ren to find Rasul. He does not share his concern with the rhat yet as he does not want to worry him. It is a rather unnecessary line of thought as they previously discussed that with the given situation Ren can not leave.


He puts the pondering of that aside for now, and returns to the discussions at hand. So given he is involved in Noro and wererat struggles, and it seems the team is his team in it, that makes him ligthly connected to the Kayote and the Black Network. He rubs his head a little: his situation is much more complicated than he would like. It seems to be a returning concept to him these days, given what happened just before he left home. A weirdly interconnecting web of allegiances. He glances at Aletia, and is amused that it seems she is in a rather similiar situation. She just became a henchman of Kayote today, and is already plunged into some depths. She does not even see yet the further parts that he was introduced to recently, but he expects soon so will she.


Since he wasn’t heeded so far, and really it is not his place to butt into things right now, he just comments a step more respectfully. He gives a look to Avar, Ren and Jabbar.
“It is not my place to make any of these decision, especially given my limited understanding of the city and the region. In these situations I am with Ren’s master whatever his actions will be and whatever you work out between yourselves. An alliance is more than feasible, given the other threat, or at least that is my assumption. The rest… is all about making priorities I suppose.” he says and closes it with a gracious nod..

With that he sits down and puts his mind at ease a little, paying less attention to the discussion. He would not mind some private space, and glances around a little wonderingly, but it seems he is in no position to find some (the secret storeroom is closeby under the traproom, but he would consider respiting there awfully rude of himself). That makes him postpone journal writing, or at least the actual act of penning itself. He does begin to gather the script in his head and ponders about his place in all of… this.

Burrai puffed away. Thinking. Planning. Evaluating. It all bubbled away as naturally as breathing, and finally other streams of information were appearing. He turned to Ersun as the Underfolker gave his thoughts.

Ersun "And while gathering allies is good. It seems to me the tasks are gathering, while time isn't, and to manage everything manpower will have to be split."

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“I agree with your assessment. Mostly.” Burrai let pipesmoke stream out through his nostrils. “However, I think there maybe just enough time. This contest is tomorrow night, and an ideal strike against Noro the evening after. So there’s perhaps time. The bigger fear here is that by not striking both targets close together, we risk scaring away one quarry after dealing with the first. The decision first and foremost is if we can afford to lose one of the two. It’s tough, yes. Audacious? Yes. The question is: Necessary?” And Burrai was a student of audacious plans. History was essentially a record of those who’d gambled with the fate of the world and won.

Aletia “I hope he got all that was coming to him. Were you or your friends hurt during this ordeal?” she asked, before prodding a little deeper. “Why would they target you so? It seems everyone I meet in this land has enemies, and it saddens my heart. The days of wandering free and without fear seem to have well and truly passed.”

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Burrai glanced at Elloral, but the Dwarven priest had already called upon her god to heal her minor wounds. “No. The guards chased them off before blood could be properly exchanged, thankfully for them. As to why us?” Again he glanced at Ellroal, this time a quick, sharp look. “The Black Network has taken an interest in us, in something we’ve discovered, and I suspect will soon realise we are actively working against them. This was always going to be a collision – they just made the first move. On the plus side, it means that dealing with Kong will almost certainly be part of the next few days.” His grin was only half-hearted though as he turned back to Jabbar, Ren and Elloral discussing the Contest….

Jabbar: Scratches at his beard. "Perhaps... perhaps... yet there is little time to setup an effective ambush."

Ren: "Master Rasul can help! Besides that, Rhats like myself know every dark corner in this town. Some are good for fighting as much as hiding!"
……….
Aletia: "I can deliver your reply, that is certain, but I’ve no doubt that Burlock is too confident, arrogant, dare I say it, to abandon his plan.”

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Allies, pieces, manoeuvres; so many options, so many intricate paths. Burrai cursed under his breath softly. He just didn’t know what was possible right now, and he had dwindling hours to find out. Give him a half dozen men he knew well, a familiar valley, and he’d hold back an army of a hundred foreigners. Right now he just had a handful of possibilities, allies he knew little about, and enemies who refused to meet them on the battlefield. In was enough to make a dwarf stop drinking.

“Aletia. I think Ren here has the best read of what we do next. Before we persuade Mr Burlock to do anything, perhaps we should check this last avenue to see if we can still make it work to our favour. Tell him to expect a visit from us tomorrow morning, and try and convince him an open mind is best. And get some rest, Lass. Tomorrow might be a long day.” The last was delivered softly, almost fondly.

He turned back to the others. “If Kayote is going to be bull-headed about this, and doing this at the Contest is going to be too difficult to do clean, maybe there is something Rasul can help with to do this away from prying eyes. Yes, it puts us in his debt, meaning helping Rasul with Noro is an obligation rather than a favour, but if we want to strike twice at the Network rather than once, I see no other option.”

He puffed hard on his pipe for a moment, deep in thought, creating a small fog cloud around his head he had to swat away. “And time is pressing. Jabbar, Avar, anyone else,” he gestured to the room at large. “are we awake enough to take a night-time stroll through the sewers?”

At Jabbar's Trade Shop

Jabbar takes a deep breath, almost a sigh as he presses his hand against his chest.

Jabbar: "Smugglers are more experienced avoiding fights than preparing for them. I'm no battle-commander... the nervous hammering of my own heart spells out trepidation better than words ever could. The evils of the black network are hard to forget, and harder still to face again..." He swallows. "I'm not prepared to make life-or-death decisions with the rest of your lives..." He states with weariness and dismay, locking eyes with the battle-scarred dwarf. "They say the wisest way to prepare for a combat-engagement is gather allies and choose a favorable battlefield. Burrai has called for this twice already. I cannot speak for everyone, but I'd gladly defer leadership to Burrai Steelborn for the time-being. He has proven himself a brave and stalwart veteran. We could hardly ask for a better commander against such powerful foes!"

"I put myself and all my resources at your disposal Burrai. I will even follow you into the sewers to meet with Rasul. All I ask is that you leave the priestess, Elloral, behind to look after my partner Aust. He must be taken to the temple of Ishvar at dawn. I will not leave unless he is looked after in my absence. There's no telling how long we'll be delayed down there."

Elloral: Nods somberly. "I will do as you ask Jabbar."

Avar: Looks strangely at Jabbar, clearly disappointed to hear him speak of abstention-by-cowardice. A difficult thing to swallow for any dwarf. And yet, there is understanding there as well. A mutual appreciation for the one nominated to take command. Avar stands beside Burrai with arms crossed. "So be it, I will take orders from Burrai. I have no keen desire to descend into the sewers, but I will do whatever's necessary to have a chance to strike a blow against the ancient enemies of my clan!"

Ren: Flicks his whiskers with eagerness. "Master will be pleased! I am prepared to lead you to Rasul immediately. It is not safe in the sewers without a rhat as your guide!"

[Aletia, Burrai, Ersun: What do you do?]

Aletia: Temples & Tunnels

Aletia kept her chosen place by the hearth, smiling as the Underfolk sat and appeared to enter into contemplation. Like her, he seemed to be quietly trying to come to terms with a vast number of deeds, actions and potential consequences that the group was in the midst of fleshing out.

p3sent said:

Ersun: “It is not my place to make any of these decisions, especially given my limited understanding of the city and the region.

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So she wasn’t the only newcomer here either, this too was interesting news. Her elven curiosity beckoned to want to know more, but alas she held her tongue… for now. Jabbar and Burrai were busy forging some kind of a plan, so she stood patiently and let their paths be drawn.

Hillsy7 said:

Burrai: “The Black Network has taken an interest in us, in something we’ve discovered...”

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~Oh really. And this discovery is? If they are marked, then surely whatever they have learned is of great interest. I must find out, one way or the other, I will be patient and hope to be entrusted with details, at some later time.~

Hillsy7 said:

Burrai: “Aletia. I think Ren here has the best read of what we do next. Before we persuade Mr Burlock to do anything, perhaps we should check this last avenue to see if we can still make it work to our favour. Tell him to expect a visit from us tomorrow morning, and try and convince him an open mind is best. And get some rest, Lass. Tomorrow might be a long day.” The last was delivered softly, almost fondly.

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Every day was going to be long. Long with grief, anxiety and a burning want for information. Coping would be about finding distractions and making oneself useful. Jabbar’s crew seemed a perfect means to more than one of those ends.

“Certainly,” she replied with a light bow. “I will return to the Inn and warn Master Burlock of the arrival of some very special guests in the morning light.”

So the war-weary Dwarf was going to lead a team into the sewers, in search of intelligence. It didn’t sound like the most heart-warming and glorious adventure. Crez, on the other hand didn't seem to mind the idea.

~Sewersss and mices, breakfast is nicesss~

~Oh shut it Crez! Eating rodents around our present company wouldn't be good form now would it.~

In truth, following the Rhat sounded pretty terrible. Sewers at night. Pouring rain. A meeting with an unknown piece of Jabbar’s puzzle. She was torn, between wanting to help these men and make new discoveries, and not being knee deep in excrement and a terrain where well-fletched arrows might not be so handy. No. She was here for Burlock, and delivering Burrai’s words would be her deed.

However, perhaps there was time to do something else. Assist in some other manner, which didn't involve potential contact with the city's underpath filth.

narayan said:

Jabbar: All I ask is that you leave the priestess, Elloral, behind to look after my partner Aust. He must be taken to the temple of Ishvar at dawn. I will not leave unless[/I] he is looked after in my absence. There's no telling how long we'll be delayed down there."

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“Friends,” she said, regarding the occupants of the common room. “Perhaps you will let me assist further in some small way. I can now go to the Inn, leave your words for Master Burlock, and then return here before dawn and help your fine companions, Elloral and Aust, in their travel to the temple. After that, I will once again return to the Inn and await the safe arrival of those who seek to speak to my master. Perhaps I can help you present your case and concerns to him.”

Yes, visiting a temple sounded far better, not to mention safer.

“May I ask what is wrong with him?” She asked, in regards to Aust.