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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 3916332" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Terror in Freeport - Prologue</strong></p><p></p><p>“Nice sword,” said Kham, admiring his Milandisian companion’s blade.</p><p></p><p>Vlad beamed like a new father at his reforged longsword, laid out on the table at the Pale Plate. “Elabac called it ‘Grungronazharr.’ It means ‘Forged of Fire.’”</p><p></p><p>“He gave all of us weapons,” said Beldin at his side. A dwarven waraxe was strapped to his axe. “Master Elabac was very generous.”</p><p></p><p>“At least this time he didn’t turn down immortality,” muttered Kham. </p><p></p><p>“Speaking of past mistakes,” said Vlad. He nodded towards a man who had just entered the room. </p><p></p><p>Brother Egil hailed them with a stiff wave of his hand. He crossed through the tables, moving quickly, his eyes darting from patron to patron.</p><p></p><p>“It’s good to see you again,” said Egil, taking a seat against the wall. He addressed Cal. “Lucius asks after you.” He turned to address the others. “I trust you are all well.”</p><p></p><p>“I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am Sebastian Arnyal.” Sebastian indicated his dwarf companion with the back of his hand. “This is Beldin, recently Master Elabac’s apprentice. It is a pleasure to meet you.”</p><p></p><p>Kham leaned back in his chair. “Speak for yourself.”</p><p></p><p>“Likewise,” said Egil. “Where is Ilmarė?”</p><p></p><p>“With Quint—“ said Kham. Vlad elbowed him. “Not here.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh,” said Egil. “I am glad that any of you came at all.” His gaze wandered.</p><p></p><p>“Your note was urgent,” said Kham, irritated by Egil’s lack of focus. “What’s up?”</p><p></p><p>Egil took a deep breath and leaned close. “Forgive me for being distracted. I believe someone is trying to undo the good work you’ve done for Freeport.”</p><p></p><p>“What do you mean?” asked Vlad.</p><p></p><p>Egil glanced nervously around the room before continuing. “Things…have been happening. I’m not sure I can be any more specific than that.”</p><p></p><p>Kham took a sip from his mug. “Try.”</p><p></p><p>“Over the past month, I’ve been sensing a change in the atmosphere. I’ve lived here all my life, but now the city feels strange to me. The street seems full of eyes but not faces. I notice movement at the limits of my vision. I see shapes at the window when I’m alone in a room.”</p><p></p><p>“You hear footfalls behind you on the street.” Kham peered at Egil over his lenses. “But when you turn there’s nothing. Right?”</p><p></p><p>Egil looked at Kham curiously. “Yes.”</p><p></p><p>“I know the feeling,” said Kham.</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps it’s only nerves,” said Sebastian. “Freeport can do that to you.”</p><p></p><p>“I could almost believe that,” said Egil. “But then there was the intruder.”</p><p></p><p>“Where?” asked Vlad.</p><p></p><p>“I was with Lucius when I saw it.”</p><p></p><p>“How’s Lucius?” asked Cal.</p><p></p><p>“Lucius has been…well, it’s been difficult for him to readjust. I’m sure you can understand. First the possession, then the kidnapping…we try to make him as comfortable as possible, but there are some things beyond even prayer. For days he has been collapsing at his desk—he becomes feverish and faints dead away. One of us always takes him home after such a spell.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, tough life,” said Kham. He waved the waitress over to refill his mug. “You were saying?”</p><p></p><p>“Last week was my turn. I laid him down on his cot and sat to catch my breath. I just closed my eyes for a moment—then all of a sudden I was awake, and it was the middle of the night. I started to rise, but some instinct told me not to. I sat with my eyes half-open, waiting for them to adjust to the dark. I felt its presence before I saw it: a patch of dark gliding across the room like the shadow of a cloud. I was too terrified to breathe. “What air I could force down carried a curious odor—something clean but…dense. Something like water on rocks. Something like…”</p><p></p><p>Egil’s gaze wandered over to Calactyte. </p><p></p><p>The big lizard blinked back at him. “What?”</p><p></p><p>“Like a serpent,” Egil said quickly. “I watched this figure move about the room. Poking through drawers. Examining books.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, we know it wasn’t this serpent,” said Kham, referring to Calactyte’s illiteracy.</p><p></p><p>“Huh?” asked Cal.</p><p></p><p>“I couldn’t imagine what it wanted to steal, since our order takes a vow of poverty. Then it found what it was looking for—a long roll of parchment. It stashed the parchment in the folds of its cape and left as silently as it had come.”</p><p></p><p>“Did you tell Lucius?” asked Vlad.</p><p></p><p>Egil shook his head. “I can’t bring myself to tell him. I fear it may destroy what’s left of his sanity. I am afraid for myself also, and for the city.”</p><p></p><p>“Freeport?” asked Bijoux. “It seems like a tough city.”</p><p></p><p>“You suspect the Brotherhood of the Yellow Sign,” said Sebastian. “Don’t you?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t believe the Council really is cleaning out the former lair of the Brotherhood,” said Egil. “I suspect something sinister at work here, more than mere carelessness. Milos lived among us too long in a false shape. He convinced my order that he was a dedicated worker—not to mention human. Who knows how many other forms he took, how many other people he deceived? And who knows how many others of his kind are here now?”</p><p></p><p>“You’re starting to sound like Dril,” said Kham. He indicated Cal with a slosh of his mug. “Not all the scaly folk are bad.” </p><p></p><p>Cal’s eyes narrowed to slits. “The ssanu are,” said the ss’ressen. “If they’re here in Freeport, I’ll hunt every one of them down.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you,” said Egil. “I cannot rest until this matter is settled. I would like to engage your services once again—to find out the real situation at the ssanu temple and to uncover just what kind of inroads Milos made in town.”</p><p></p><p>“How much?” asked Vlad. </p><p></p><p>Egil looked taken aback. “One hundred imperials each, plus expenses.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ll do it,” said Kham. “Sounds like the gator’s in for free.”</p><p></p><p>“And you, Kham?” asked Egil.</p><p></p><p>“Just pay my tab,” he said. He leaned closer to whisper to Egil. “And then when this is all over, I want you to share how you can afford nearly seven hundred imperials when the Brothers of Althares take a vow of poverty.”</p><p></p><p>Egil merely nodded back.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 3916332, member: 3285"] [b]Terror in Freeport - Prologue[/b] “Nice sword,” said Kham, admiring his Milandisian companion’s blade. Vlad beamed like a new father at his reforged longsword, laid out on the table at the Pale Plate. “Elabac called it ‘Grungronazharr.’ It means ‘Forged of Fire.’” “He gave all of us weapons,” said Beldin at his side. A dwarven waraxe was strapped to his axe. “Master Elabac was very generous.” “At least this time he didn’t turn down immortality,” muttered Kham. “Speaking of past mistakes,” said Vlad. He nodded towards a man who had just entered the room. Brother Egil hailed them with a stiff wave of his hand. He crossed through the tables, moving quickly, his eyes darting from patron to patron. “It’s good to see you again,” said Egil, taking a seat against the wall. He addressed Cal. “Lucius asks after you.” He turned to address the others. “I trust you are all well.” “I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am Sebastian Arnyal.” Sebastian indicated his dwarf companion with the back of his hand. “This is Beldin, recently Master Elabac’s apprentice. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Kham leaned back in his chair. “Speak for yourself.” “Likewise,” said Egil. “Where is Ilmarė?” “With Quint—“ said Kham. Vlad elbowed him. “Not here.” “Oh,” said Egil. “I am glad that any of you came at all.” His gaze wandered. “Your note was urgent,” said Kham, irritated by Egil’s lack of focus. “What’s up?” Egil took a deep breath and leaned close. “Forgive me for being distracted. I believe someone is trying to undo the good work you’ve done for Freeport.” “What do you mean?” asked Vlad. Egil glanced nervously around the room before continuing. “Things…have been happening. I’m not sure I can be any more specific than that.” Kham took a sip from his mug. “Try.” “Over the past month, I’ve been sensing a change in the atmosphere. I’ve lived here all my life, but now the city feels strange to me. The street seems full of eyes but not faces. I notice movement at the limits of my vision. I see shapes at the window when I’m alone in a room.” “You hear footfalls behind you on the street.” Kham peered at Egil over his lenses. “But when you turn there’s nothing. Right?” Egil looked at Kham curiously. “Yes.” “I know the feeling,” said Kham. “Perhaps it’s only nerves,” said Sebastian. “Freeport can do that to you.” “I could almost believe that,” said Egil. “But then there was the intruder.” “Where?” asked Vlad. “I was with Lucius when I saw it.” “How’s Lucius?” asked Cal. “Lucius has been…well, it’s been difficult for him to readjust. I’m sure you can understand. First the possession, then the kidnapping…we try to make him as comfortable as possible, but there are some things beyond even prayer. For days he has been collapsing at his desk—he becomes feverish and faints dead away. One of us always takes him home after such a spell.” “Yeah, tough life,” said Kham. He waved the waitress over to refill his mug. “You were saying?” “Last week was my turn. I laid him down on his cot and sat to catch my breath. I just closed my eyes for a moment—then all of a sudden I was awake, and it was the middle of the night. I started to rise, but some instinct told me not to. I sat with my eyes half-open, waiting for them to adjust to the dark. I felt its presence before I saw it: a patch of dark gliding across the room like the shadow of a cloud. I was too terrified to breathe. “What air I could force down carried a curious odor—something clean but…dense. Something like water on rocks. Something like…” Egil’s gaze wandered over to Calactyte. The big lizard blinked back at him. “What?” “Like a serpent,” Egil said quickly. “I watched this figure move about the room. Poking through drawers. Examining books.” “Well, we know it wasn’t this serpent,” said Kham, referring to Calactyte’s illiteracy. “Huh?” asked Cal. “I couldn’t imagine what it wanted to steal, since our order takes a vow of poverty. Then it found what it was looking for—a long roll of parchment. It stashed the parchment in the folds of its cape and left as silently as it had come.” “Did you tell Lucius?” asked Vlad. Egil shook his head. “I can’t bring myself to tell him. I fear it may destroy what’s left of his sanity. I am afraid for myself also, and for the city.” “Freeport?” asked Bijoux. “It seems like a tough city.” “You suspect the Brotherhood of the Yellow Sign,” said Sebastian. “Don’t you?” “I don’t believe the Council really is cleaning out the former lair of the Brotherhood,” said Egil. “I suspect something sinister at work here, more than mere carelessness. Milos lived among us too long in a false shape. He convinced my order that he was a dedicated worker—not to mention human. Who knows how many other forms he took, how many other people he deceived? And who knows how many others of his kind are here now?” “You’re starting to sound like Dril,” said Kham. He indicated Cal with a slosh of his mug. “Not all the scaly folk are bad.” Cal’s eyes narrowed to slits. “The ssanu are,” said the ss’ressen. “If they’re here in Freeport, I’ll hunt every one of them down.” “Thank you,” said Egil. “I cannot rest until this matter is settled. I would like to engage your services once again—to find out the real situation at the ssanu temple and to uncover just what kind of inroads Milos made in town.” “How much?” asked Vlad. Egil looked taken aback. “One hundred imperials each, plus expenses.” “We’ll do it,” said Kham. “Sounds like the gator’s in for free.” “And you, Kham?” asked Egil. “Just pay my tab,” he said. He leaned closer to whisper to Egil. “And then when this is all over, I want you to share how you can afford nearly seven hundred imperials when the Brothers of Althares take a vow of poverty.” Egil merely nodded back. [/QUOTE]
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