• NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.

[IC] The Trouble at Durbenford

Helen looks back at the group with resolve and calmly states, "Of course you need more assurance. I'm sure you have magic at your disposal to discern the truthfulness of what I'm saying, and I'll gladly submit to such. As for the other employees of the prince, I cannot completely vouch for them or their effectiveness. If for some reason, though, after you acquire the requested item, you are unable to find the agent here..." At this she pauses somewhat doubtfully, but continues at the sight of your trustworthy smile, "As I'm sure you already know, the prince himself plans to visit Durbenford, and he will be only a short time behind his servant, to meet with you himself if the need arises."

"As for you my dear," she says, turning to Zagnak. "If your companions do not convince you of the awaiting payment, I'll attempt to do so," she intones with a wink.

All indications, both outwardly and in your subconscience, lead you to believe that Helen is indeed truthful. If she is lying in any way, she is not only quite the actress, but quite brave to so willingly submit to magic that would give her away.

Additionally, now that Konstantine sees that the story she presents is indeed truthful, he is made to recall a number of things.

[sblock=ooc]Everyone, I put the below in a spoiler block because technically, only Konstantine has this knowledge. If you prefer to await what Konstantine lets you in on and not read the contents, I encourage you to do so. Also, Dichotomy, if you'd like to merely direct the others to read the below, feel free.[/sblock]
[sblock=Konstantine]Legends that speak of a time when the world was young, before the seeds of distrust were sown between elves and dwarves, before orcs were condemned to the dark places in the earth, when man first brushed the sand of creation from his eyes and when great Rynas walked the earth. This is the creature for whom the lake bordering Durbenford is named. A titan, perhaps, Rynas was more than mortal, but less than a deity. His powers were far beyond the ken of mortals; he could raise mountains, form lakes where none lay before, seed forests and breathe life into the nostrils of the dead. Despite his might, instead of lording over the short-lived races, he chose to guide mortals. He taught them to work metal for tools, the ability to cultivate the land and most notably, to harness fire. Mortals prospered under his fatherly attentions. Art, philosophy and literature flourished.

Orcus, the gluttonous demon god of the dead, hated Rynas as the titan’s improvements stalled mortal wars, quelled their selfish desires, and ultimately slowed the number of wicked who would otherwise be condemned to suffer in the burning pits of his subterranean empire. It is unknown exactly how, but Orcus brought about the destruction of Rynas and the utopia he had wrought.

"Nanoc" means "The Vessel" in celestial.[/sblock]
 

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"No need for any magics, I think," Konstantine says as he flashes a smile at Helen. "We'd not want to waste either our coin for a spellcaster's services," he adds with a glance at Zagnak, "or use our own resources when it is so plan that you speak the truth. I'm in favor of the proposal. What do the rest of you think?"
[sblock=OOC]While Konstatine won't do so now, later he will tell the party the tale in grandiose fashion. Everyone can feel free to read the spoiler block in the post above.[/sblock]
 


Padraig, Male Human Veteran (Fighter)

Padraig can't help but feel like this is exactly the kind of adventure they came to Durbenford for in the first place. He is fairly bursting with excitement, and has a difficult time keeping it from showing.

"Lady, I think you've found the right people for the quest!"

Once again, Padraig finds himself impressed with Konstantine's skills. Thank Kord the party has a man like him around.
 

A gutteral growl came from the distrustful hybrid, sounding more animal then humanoid. "Grrr, I don't like it...Always get some coin upfront. Bad...bad business..." he took one of his dirty talon-like nails and dislodged something grey and stringy from his teeth. Perhaps the remnants of a meal long since consumed. He regarded it for a moment before placing it on his purple tongue before continuing "We do this now with no money upfront, we hafta do next job, and next...Word spreads...We easy marks."
 

"Please, friend, allow me to assure you that no one will ever think I am an easy mark. Well, unless that's what I want them to think..."

Konstantine looks at "Little" Gil and Jasper. "You both on board?
 

[sblock=ooc]I'll perform knowledge checks as well to see if I can add any knowledge to what Konstantine has discovered

Religion - +11
Planes - +11[/sblock]

Jasper listens to the woman's pitch and his companions' subsequent debates in silence. When Konstantine addresses him directly, the cleric meets the bard's eyes and holds them for a moment before looking around the faces of the rest of the party. Apparently satisfied, he nods and says, "I don't see much need for any spells to verify what she says, and I am mostly prepared to begin with this annoyance of Orcus already."
 

With a nod to you, Helen says, "If you're agreed, then, I'll be off to inform my betters. I don't know when I'll personally see you again, but I wish you the best of luck." With that, barring any further words from the group, she excuses herself, leaving you in the private room to discuss among yourselves how you might go about taking on this venture.
[sblock=ooc]Jasper, you don't recall anything specific of the things she spoke, but you know that Rynas was a force for good, but not for any particular god.[/sblock]
 

"Many thanks for you well-wishes, dear Helen," Konstantine courteously sees her off.

Once the group is alone again, the bard notes, "Well, my expertise is done, at least for a time. How would be best for us to go about this? It may still be wise for me to catch a word with this Juptal and, perhaps moreso, Master Orin. The latter may have some good information about the mountains that could help us. But, otherwise, I don't know where to go from here."
[sblock=OOC]Did Helen give us any specifics, e.g. directions to the sanctuary in the mountian, etc.?[/sblock]
 

Zagnak merely grumbled to himself a bit while finishing his drink. He would lend his skills to the task, and if need be, say I told you so later.
 

Into the Woods

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