IC: Dichotomy's Age of Worms Redux, Part IV

[o3caudata]

Eskard cocks his head quizzically at Bazrim before taking a final bite of his apple and looking for a place to toss his core. Ultimately he shrugs his shoulders and devours the remainder, empties his wine, and returns his attention to the new arrival.

[sblock=oc]For the last time worthley... it's responSe [/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

After Bazrim's responSe, Erdolliel looks at the dwarf with something quite akin to pity before turning to the sage. "I thank you for such a warm response kind sir, and give my compliments to the attentions of your staff. If you would be so kind as to excuse my short companion here, he tends to be surly when confronted with such finery as is to be expected in the Free City, especially when the response comes before he has had his requisite ale for the night.

"We have come at the behest of Allustan, sage of Diamond Lake. We have observed first hand a new and terrible form of zombie that threatens the countryside around Diamond Lake. Allustan has reason to believe that Diamond Lake is being used as a staging area for a serious threat by a powerful cult. He has given us his notes, observations, and responses to what has been going on for you to review." Erdolliel then takes out the bundle of notes and awaits Eligos' response

 

[Dichotomy]

[sblock=OOC]o3 and Ti, thank you ever so much for also pointing that out. Le sigh.[/sblock]
"Allustan? Hmmm, I never thought I would hear from him again. But nonetheless, is there anymore than you can tell me? These notes will, I'm sure, be useful. However, your first hand observations, and that which stood out to you particularly at the time, would also provide some clarity."
[sblock=OOC]So, we can
1) have you engage in a lengthy IC conversation/narrative;
2) have you summarize in some fashion what you tell him;
3) have you expedite the entire matter by saying "We tell him everything" or "We tell him everything except A, B, C."

I would personally NOT like option 3, but if you all want to go that route, we can. If we go with 1 or 2, I'd like some specificity regarding what you tell him and any objects you show him (otherwise we could get into a situation where I make faulty assumptions and/or end up leading you).[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

"Never hear from him again? Didn't you have the same master? I would think that would be a cause for keeping in touch.

"We" (Erdolliel gestures to everyone but Bazrim) "came to Diamond Lake looking for work. We found this slob in the pub and while he does have some obvious flaws, he had some certain leads. Shortly there after a mine manager, that was an even bigger shame to his very race than Bazrim, contracted us to hunt down the fate of a group that had dissappeared. The previous group was contracted by Smenk to hunt down a cult beneath a rival's mine. 2 of the branches of this 3 pronged cult were already cleared and we succeeded in clearing out the third and discovering a young avatar of a godling they were trying to bring to power. In the process of trying to recoup some of our losses, we became indebted to Allustan.

"Allustan led us to an outpost where he had recieved some disturbing reports from Marzena the battle mage. We found her fort under siege and herself kidnapped by lizardmen. We entered the swamp frontier to track her down, only to find a tribe led by a deranged king with asperations of his former gladiator glory. After dispatching him we agreed to spare the next generation and attempt to establish an embassy here in the free city.

"Our return to the fort is likely what will interest you. There we were informed by the garrison that there were two creatures in the basement. These were the zombies I mentioned earlier, they were covered with green worms that crawled in and out of their skin. Worse the worms moved to a new host if the zombies touched another person.

"We dispatched these creatures as well. Upon our return to Diamond City, Alluston gathered his notes and sent us to you with them."[sblock=oc], we got some time right?[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

"We were beholden to the same master for a time, but that was a long time ago," Eligos dismissively replies to Erdolliel's remarks about Allustan. Despite his words, however, Eligos' body relaxes a bit after the mention of the sage of Diamond Lake.

The sage listens calmly, with interest. He perks up a bit at the mention of the cult and again at mention of the worms.

He waits for you to produce or say anything else...[sblock=OOC]I'm going to push ahead, but if any of you have anything to add, do so.[/sblock]
... and then replies, "Although not my area of expertise, I do know a bit of what you speak and am greatly disturbed. I will look into this matter, but it will take some time. There are many books to consult, and most are kept in the Great Library. I should be able to gather the information you seek within the week. While you wait, might I recommend that you stay at the Crooked House in the Foreign Quarter? It is an excellent inn and the keeper and I are old friends--mention my name and he's sure to give you a discount on rooms. I shall contact you there when I have found the knowledge you seek. Until then, I suggest you enjoy the comforts the Free City has to offer."

 

[worthley]

[sblock=ooc]this was supposed to be before Di's post[/sblock]
Bazrim glares at the elf and grumbles whenever it is obvious that he is left out of the tale. He then interjects, "Well, I'm surprised that you left out that you saved an injured child from a dozen trolls, all on your own, while suffering from a cold."
[sblock=ooc]I'm going to try to avoid using response from now on ;-)[/sblock]

 

[TiCaudata]

Erdolliel notices Eligos nonchalantly looking for more information...

"The cult seems to be dedicated to raising "Kyuss" and starting an "Age of Worms" and is comprised of followers of 3 gods: Erythnul, Hextor, and Vecna. By using these small green worms, they can create viscious undead that can spread their own filth across the land and presumably increase Kyuss' power."

After Bazrim speaks up, she calmly turns to him and coolly says, "That is because that never happened you dolt. While you are certainly able to put on a pretty show from time to time, you are far from the most critical member of our companions."

Finally...
"Thank you for such a fine reception sir, as well as the recommendation of where to stay." She glances at Kushnak for approval, "I believe we will base ourselves from there as we conduct other business in the city."[sblock=oc]Following 3 different conversation lines might be tough, but I think it'll be alright. Maybe if we want to drill down into either of the conversations, we can just do 1 at a time I guess...

Di and I talked a little and decided that we should just say that we had Neth ID the club and the banded mail over the journey to the free city. When we decide to go to the Crooked House, I'll have Erdolliel give the blank scroll to Neth as well, but we can rp that.

finally... HE CAN LEARN!!! [/sblock]

 

[o3caudata]

Kushnak, realizing his tardyness to the conversation hurries his words. "There was also the "egg". Alustan thought it some seed of Kyuss. We destroyed it, but i believe the short one has a sample if you need it."

Kushnak looks toward the others and nods slowly. "We will await word from you."

Waiting slightly for the groups approval, Kushnak, with Eskard in tow, makes his way outside to the boy. "Boy. Take us to the Crooked House." he says coldly.


[sblock=oc]WE RULE!!!! sorry i didn't jump in earlier...... props to Ti for pushing forward.[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

[sblock=OOC]Sweet!
Eligos doesn't particularly have anything more to say, ATM, so we'll move on.[/sblock]
Having concluded your business, secured the services of Eligos, and obtained his advice, you take your leave. Pollard, the aged, elven manservant, escorts you out. The young lad quickly comes forward from the other side of the street, from which he watched the house.

"Yes, yes sir!" the boy replies to Kushnak. "Foreign Quarter. This way."

It is getting quite late, well after dark, by the time you reach the Foreign Quarter. One of the large buildings in the neighborhood, the Crooked House, is just that--a bit off tilt. Its walls are all at odd angles while none of its windows and doors are quite square. Despite this, the building looks to be in good repair, freshly painted and clean.

Upon entry, you find a charming, pleasant atmosphere. The taproom is busy with customers, but it is not at all the crowded and lowly place that you know the Feral Dog in Diamond Lake to be. The taproom is decorated with numerous trophies, primarily owlbear heads. A pleasant-seeming gnome, talking to locals, notes your arrival and quickly bounces forward.

"Good evenings sirs, ma'am." The gnome politely inclines his head. "My name is Tarquin Shortstone, and this here is the Crooked House. I don't recognize you, so you must be new. Probably had a long days travel, I'd bet. While dinner has already been served, we do have plenty of remnants that can be heated up right quick, and they taste just as good. And if you need rooms I do have enough singles available for the lot of you. My doubles and party rooms have already been taken by a merchant caravan, but the singles are good and private.

 

[o3caudata]

"We come from the house of Eligos. He suggested your hospitality. We... " he says, pausing to look questioningly at Eskard, " would like a good deal of meat and ale. Our rooms should be adjoining and as distant from the merchants as possible."

"Also, bring this lad a double order of anything any of us order.... for the remainder of our stay. He's quite difficult when he's hungry....or cranky." he says winking at the waiter as he nods suggestively at Eskard.

Turning to the others he says "It would appear we have 1 week. Let's make the best of it..."

[sblock=oc]SEE OOC[/sblock]