(CSToA) Touch of the Abyss [IC]

[Creamsteak]

Cyram's brother's place is fairly boisterous compared to the previous establishment. While certainly held-back in some regard, they at least talk here. Cyram goes behind the bar and negotiates three room-keys from his sibling, as well as a few tankards.

"Drink up. There were only three rooms left, but they're all yours if you want them. They're meant to accomodate two each, so that should be reasonable."

He invites two more strangers to the table, large blonde norse-looking men.

"These are my good friends Hanz and Franz. They're members of the watch. I said I'd have a story for you here, and these boys certainly have a doosey."

"So you folk are from outside the city? And you saved this wretch Cyram's life? Well good for him, bad for you."

"You should have let him get clobbered. He's worthless alive, at least dead they could make bonemeal out of him."

"You two are too kind, as always. Listen, they've been hearing all kinds of rumors about the curse by now, what with everyone suspicious. Tell them about the elves."

"And you don't believe in the curse? You've almost died seven times this week, idiot."

"People make up excuses for everything. You know that, working in the watch and all. Come on now, get to the damn story."

"Hrm... well being foreign to here, there's probably a bit of common gossip you havn't heard. There's been a number of fires, probably arson, targetting the homes of priests and clerics. Then there's the Marchioness, who wants to prohibit the possession of weapons in the city, and she hasn't left the keep for weeks. Some want to say she's at fault for this 'curse' business. This whole town is full of gypsies and madmen."

"All true. She's the wicked witch of the abyss, hellbent on ruining all of our lives. She ate her husband. That's why we can't find him. The demon king lives on inside her!"

"Stop it. Get to the good part. The elves man."

"So anyway, lots of bad stuff. We've been putting loonies in the asylum left and right. Crazy bastards keep swinging till their damn near dead. Here's the best bit so-far though... and this is something that hasn't quite had circulation time yet... we found the bodies of five DROW in the heart of the city. Pretty bad shape too."

"Yep. Mutilated. Ripped to pieces. Desiccated. They had really nice clothes too. Nobles maybe. We were supposed to be all hush-about it, but once my brother gets a little drink in him..."

"You told first!"

"Only because you made me! Anyway, the officer in charge vanished the next day. Apparently they ordered the bodies to be cremated too. No evidence. No sign of anything. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it. Dark elves in the city. That's the curse."

 

[Nephtys]

.
He invites two more strangers to the table, large blonde norse-looking men.
"These are my good friends Hanz and Franz.

Veris arcs an eyebrow, smiling mischievously "And they're here to pump me up? Hmm, maybe later..."

ooc: Pop culture reference, .

Veris leans back, relaxed, "Tasty husbands, crispy priests, and Drow all nicely filleted and flambéed. It's enough to make a girl hungry.

Waitor! Get me something rare with a decent wine. Surprise me, but don't disappoint me."

 

[Creamsteak]

"I'm no waiter. I'll go ask Mal though. Did anyone else want anything?"

 

[Dekana]

"Water. In a glass, and also in a bowl." Slisik takes Jabsis out of his backpack as he says this, and drapes the snake over his shoulder.

 

[Redclaw]

Ale's good for me, thanks.

Can you tell us more about the priests being targetted by the arsons? Do they have anything in common? Which gods do they worship? Errol's curiosity has been piqued, but he also knows that this puzzle is likely beyond his ability to solve.

 

[Bloodweaver1]

Tesla & Arcs

Tesla listens to the story intently. She stays silent throughtout the tale and makes mental notes were needed. Once the tale is over she too orders a drink and some bread for her and Arcs.

“I doubt we will be able to see the Marchioness she seems intent on her paranioa and tracking down burned Drow corpses would quit difficult to say the least. I agree with Errol that perhaps seeking out the root of these arsonists would be well within our abilities.”

 

[Dekana]

Under most circumstances, Slisik would be happy to let a city of non-reptiles be wiped out by a sickness. But this was something else entirely... a dark curse perhaps, or maybe a threat of demon invasion. Something that could spread beyond the city, and into the swamplands.

"Well, it couldn't hurt for us to look into this matter. After all, we just felled a dragon! What curse can touch us now?" he says, somewhat arrogantly. "So about these drow... I take it there aren't too many in these parts. But if they were well dressed, it would make sense that they had business here."

"You guards say a a cover-up is happening? Perhaps the elves were meeting someone in the higher ranks..."

ooc: I love the SNL reference. "Hear me now and believe me later!" ... "Little girlie men!"

 

[Nephtys]

"I hate to get involved in matters of religion, but it seems the fate of this entire city is on the line. That's got to be worth something to someone and we should milk this for all it's worth, no matter which side we choose."

 

[Redclaw]

Besides, it might provide a way to test, prove and better my skills. I'm in, as long as it's not too much trouble.

 

[Creamsteak]

Can you tell us more about the priests being targetted by the arsons? Do they have anything in common? Which gods do they worship? Errol's curiosity has been piqued, but he also knows that this puzzle is likely beyond his ability to solve.

"Well, most of the priests here are a little open-minded in their devotions. The Shield Maiden and the Stonewife have the most support around here, though if coins count I'd say the Guildmaster has the most influence. I think that the fires so-far have claimed members of Allimon, the Shield Maiden, and the Stonewife's flocks. That doesn't particularly narrow the field though."

Tesla listens to the story intently. She stays silent throughtout the tale and makes mental notes were needed. Once the tale is over she too orders a drink and some bread for her and Arcs.

“I doubt we will be able to see the Marchioness she seems intent on her paranioa and tracking down burned Drow corpses would quit difficult to say the least. I agree with Errol that perhaps seeking out the root of these arsonists would be well within our abilities.”

"The Marchioness is under a lot of pressure, I pity her. Being both gorgeous and a witch must be stressful."

"Lately most of the watch has had to spend the day interrogating everyone that comes into the city. For some reason or another, she's on the lookout for freelance assassins, well armed mercenaries, and if she could find them -dragonslayers."

"Not that anyone like that would ever be out here. No-sir."

[sblock=Veris]You catch that the brothers throw a wink at each other after this line.[/sblock]

"Well, it couldn't hurt for us to look into this matter. After all, we just felled a dragon! What curse can touch us now?" he says, somewhat arrogantly.

The two brothers give a peculiar look to each other.

"What did you just say? Are you serious?"

"They're just making fun of us poor defenseless watchmen, thinking we would be impressed by some boasting."

"Hah. Well who woulda thunk it? So you guys killed a dragon too? So did these two monkies and their dad. Their old man was a hero around these parts."

"Bastard. We were building up momentum here. This is why everyone hates you."

"It's not my fault you need ten pints before you can get up the courage to talk about your old man."

"So about these drow... I take it there aren't too many in these parts. But if they were well dressed, it would make sense that they had business here."

"You guards say a a cover-up is happening? Perhaps the elves were meeting someone in the higher ranks..."

"Yep. Fancy-pants elves, with their shiny frilly outfits. Not the good old-fashioned mass genocide kind. Those ones tend to wear clothes to fit the mood, usually. Something black, with pointy knives somewhere."

"Something strange, one way or another."