Insight's "The Isle of Dread" - Chapter One

[JustKim]

Nafije played along with Raef's flair for the dramatic. "Indeed," she said breathily. "Have I come to the right place? I know you're a man of the world, Mr. Boloum. A man with contacts, or so they say." That was probably not what people said about Raef Boloum, but she supposed he would like to hear it.

 

[Insight]

Questor loudly (perhaps too loudly) says, "Isle of Dread? Where did you hear such a preposterous notion? Vrashek, have you been fibbing again? Questor's face takes on a more conspiratorial aspect, and his eyes twinkle wickedly as he softly mutters, "Well, since you seem to already be prepared for such an unlikely eventuality, perhaps you could let us see the map you mentioned, eh?"

Raef Boloum looks askance at the halfling. "And who might you be? You seem rather... eager... to lay eyes on this map, now, aren't you?"

Nafije played along with Raef's flair for the dramatic. "Indeed," she said breathily. "Have I come to the right place? I know you're a man of the world, Mr. Boloum. A man with contacts, or so they say." That was probably not what people said about Raef Boloum, but she supposed he would like to hear it.

Boloum smiles at the comment. "I suppose at one time, I might have been known as such. This is a young man's... and lady's... game now, though, isn't it? There is no more adventure for me, alas, I have but my bookshop and all of the things in it to keep me company any more."

He sits down on an easy chair at the short end of the small room. "I have to admit that I was not expecting so many customers. I'm afraid that my shop normally accomodates one or two at a time. Books, you see, are not all that popular among the unwashed masses of the great city of Specularum. It warms the heart to see so many young adventurers interested in my wares."

"As for contacts, yes, a man of my many years has made a fair share of them," the half-elf adds. "Some more useful than others. And some I'd rather not discuss, to be honest. We all make mistakes, don't we?"

 

[Insight]

OOC: Who remains at the Hog's Breath Inn? What do you wish to do? Wait there until something interesting happens? Go investigate something else? Talk to the gnome?

 

[Rhun]

Vrashek finds a shadowy corner of the shop where he can lean against the wall, leaving the chairs for others. He keeps a wary eye on the entrance to the place, so as not to be surprised by any unforeseen trouble.

 

[Walking Dad]

OOC: Who remains at the Hog's Breath Inn? What do you wish to do? Wait there until something interesting happens? Go investigate something else? Talk to the gnome?

OOC: Adam stays at the tavern and eats, looking at Nafje's familiar to follow the others to the book store as soon as he senses trouble.

 

[Scotley]

OOC: Can Geirgrim just show up? Does he already know everyone else?

 

[JustKim]

"Perhaps it wasn't a mistake, but the hand of fate," Nafije replied to Raef. "Adventure can find a man in his autumn years, if fate wills it. Perhaps that's what led us to you."

"A voyage is almost certainly in our future. Already I am excited," Nafije said, her eyes full of life. Full of youthful enthusiasm. She adopted the role that she felt Raef would respond best to. "But there is much we can learn from the mistakes of that voyage thirty years past. Lest we repeat those mistakes, we must arm ourselves with knowledge. Tell me, what would you recommend?"

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

Questor, taken aback by the comment of the shop owner towards him, decides that, nonetheless, discretion being the better part of valor, he will stifle his wee little voice and allow Nafije to proceed and build upon her early success.

 

[Insight]

OOC: Can Geirgrim just show up? Does he already know everyone else?

OOC: Yes! It's magical!

 

[Insight]

"Perhaps it wasn't a mistake, but the hand of fate," Nafije replied to Raef. "Adventure can find a man in his autumn years, if fate wills it. Perhaps that's what led us to you."

"A voyage is almost certainly in our future. Already I am excited," Nafije said, her eyes full of life. Full of youthful enthusiasm. She adopted the role that she felt Raef would respond best to. "But there is much we can learn from the mistakes of that voyage thirty years past. Lest we repeat those mistakes, we must arm ourselves with knowledge. Tell me, what would you recommend?"

A frown crosses the shop owner's face. "I wish things were that easy, friend. You see, that map you were interested in. You're not the only ones with an interest in finding it. Or, more correctly, finding its creator."

"A rather rough gentleman from the Veiled Society paid me a visit not too long ago. I didn't appreciate his tone. Or his threats against anyone looking for said map or a Mr. Rory Barbarossa. I've no idea who that is. Well... I suppose I shouldn't be so coy. Of course, I know that he voyaged to the Isle of Dread and sketched the map in question. I have to play dumb or... that foul man would drip candle wax on me or worse!"

A nervous look appears on Boloum's face and he shifts in place. "Nevertheless, it's been made quite clear to me that seeking that map is going to run someone afoul of the Veiled Society and I have no wish to cause myself any further trouble." He looks at the assembled heroes. "There's no doubt in my mind that this information does little to deter your effort. That courage should be applauded. Unfortunately, applause does little to protect you against the three dozen Veiled Society thugs headed here RIGHT NOW!"

Boloum turns to a bookshelf and pulls out a book. One of the walls swivels slightly in place, revealing an opening. "Go. Quickly. And if you can warn your cohorts in some way, I would suggest doing so. You will be well protected if you use my safe passage, but they must not know where you've gone. Hurry!"