[IC] Eberron: The Plumbers

[KahlessNestor]

Upper Central Plateau/Mithral Tower/Unicorn Estate
Far, 27 Rhaan, YK 998 (Early autumn)/2130
Weather: Temperature normal for the season (cool), no wind, light rain (outside the towers)
Round 0

Realizing the lateness of the hour, the members of The Plumbers fork over the price for a skycouch to take them to Upper Central. The trip to the upper towers of Sharn is like stepping into a completely other world.

Many of the grand homes in Mithral Tower are true to the district’s name, boasting mithral filigree. The Sharn Watch seems to be everywhere in this neighborhood full of busy scions climbing into skycoaches, hosting opulent parties, and showing off their latest purchases at all hours of the day.

Unicorn Estate has a grand unicorn statue and unicorn-shaped topiaries adorning the yard beyond an open, wrought-iron gate. Flanking this gate are two guards in House Orien livery. Each wears a beautiful helm shaped like the head of a unicorn. Both look a bit miserable standing in the light rain with water dripping off their horns.

The magnificent marble home is clearly owned by one of the city’s wealthiest dragonmarked families. Seated on a patio couch are two figures engaged in quiet conversation: a haggard man in his late thirties and an attentive kalashtar who holds a rose-colored crystal in his hands. Two more guards dressed like the ones at the gates stand nearby, though they are less miserable, protected from the weather by the porch roof.

As the Plumbers approached the open gate, the two guards crossed their spears. “State your business,” they instructed.

Spoiler: Goals

Speak with Alden d’Orien
Ultimate: Figure out what’s going on in Lower Sharn. (25 gp each)

Spoiler: Encounter Stats

Ogham. 17 AC 15 HP 11/11 PP 15
Rotom. 8 AC 16 HP 10/10 PP 9
Korra 11 AC 18 HP 14/14 PP 13
Liutbrand 15 AC 14 HP 13/13 PP 15
DePoe 12 AC 14 HP 10/10 PP 11
Alara 19 AC 11 HP 9/9 PP 12

Spoiler: Loot

157 gp

 

[mfloyd3]

Alara eyed the guards, and considered the motley group that confronted them. If you can't look official, she thought, sound official.

"We are representatives of Discreet Investigations and Security Services, deputized by the Sharn City Watch," the said. "We request an audience with Alden d'Orien." Then, deciding a wealthy House Scion might need some prodding, she added, "It is an urgent matter, relating to his son, Caden d'Orien."

 

[JustinCase]

Ogham says nothing as he waits for the interaction between Alara and the guards to be settled.

The warforged seizes up the visible defensiveness of the estate, both the people and the buildings, before realizing there are no guard dogs. At least, none that he detects; they may have a kennel somewhere on the grounds.

A small bird flies over the gate, and Ogham is distracted by its seemingly frail jittering. Quickly producing some bird seed from a belt pouch, the warforged has no trouble making the creature come over and eat from his outstretched hand.

 

[Leatherhead]

Rotom stands by, listening to the conversation and taking a bit of shelter from the rain under the much larger frame of Ogham. It's good to have friends you can lean on. Especially ones that seem to make new friends all the time.

The bird flying down and eating it's dinner reminded the young kobold that she had just wasted her last ration on Vuks, provoking a small scowl and a quiet sigh. Rotom had no choice but to mind her stomach, and hope the d'Orien estate had a snack tray to graze on.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Upper Central Plateau/Mithral Tower/Unicorn Estate
Far, 27 Rhaan, YK 998 (Early autumn)/2135
Weather: Temperature normal for the season (cool), no wind, light rain (outside the towers)
Round 0

Alara announced their identities and business to the guards, and the Plumbers were waved through. “Lord d’Orien is on the porch.”

As the party walked up the carriage path onto the grounds, suddenly a unicorn appeared. It brayed loudly at them, and proceed to follow them up the path to the manor, noisomely braying the entire way, until the kalashtar sitting with Alden waved his hand and the unicorn disappeared.

Alden and the kalashtar looked up, and Alden frowned. “What do you want?” he asked tersely.

Spoiler: Goals

Speak with Alden d’Orien
Ultimate: Figure out what’s going on in Lower Sharn. (25 gp each)

Spoiler: Encounter Stats

Ogham. 17 AC 15 HP 11/11 PP 15
Rotom. 8 AC 16 HP 10/10 PP 9
Korra 11 AC 18 HP 14/14 PP 13
Liutbrand 15 AC 14 HP 13/13 PP 15
DePoe 12 AC 14 HP 10/10 PP 11
Alara 19 AC 11 HP 9/9 PP 12

Spoiler: Loot

157 gp

 

[Olrox17]

Liutbrand almost fired back an instant sarcastic reply at the d'Orien curmudgeon. He held back with a slight smile, and let one of his more... diplomatic companions do the talking.

 

[jmucchiello]

Korra hangs toward the back of the group. She isn't use to moving in these circles and doesn't want to break anything.

 

[JustinCase]

Ogham is pleasantly surprised at seeing the unicorn, and such a magnificent specimen, too! He takes a few cautious steps towards the beast when, suddenly, the beast vanishes. Literally.

The warforgeds shoulders drop and his whole body seems to sag in disappointment. The little bird flies off as it's finished the bird seed and these motions are not very pleasant for it.

"Again," he says softly, almost unconsciously.

 

[mfloyd3]

Alara eyed the Kalashtar. Was he in the employ of d'Orien, or was he a minder?

"I am Alara ir'Etrielle," she introduced herself, letting the suffix to her last name announce her aristocratic status rather than resorting to a title. "This is Liutbrand d'Tharashk. Our associates are Ogham, Rotom, DePoe, and Korra." She gestures to each in turn. Her decision to distance herself and their dragonmarked leader is conscious, though more intended to cater to the d'Orien's prejudices than her own. "We represent Discreet Investigation and Security Services, and have been deputized by the Watch to investigate certain matters that may be relevant to your family." There is a hint of emphasis on the last word.

OOC: Alara is watching d'Orien and the Kalashtar to try and learn if d'Orien is eager to learn about his son, or afraid that they'll say something about his son in front of the Kalashtar (he may be a minder sent by the blackmailers). INSIGHT ROLL: _: 1D20+3 = [8]+3 = 11

 

[mips42]

DePoe looks around furtively, keenly aware of just how out-of place and out of his element he is. He shifts weight subtly from foot to foot, ready to bolt in any direction if needed.