Into the Dragon's Lair.

[TwistedMindInc]

"Lady Kestrel sent you? Where is your proof?" His words are curt, arms still folded over his chest. Obviously he will not openly offer up information. Outside where Duthayer and Kuma wait, a young man comes rushing out. He stops in the tavern's door way a moment, peering around before jogging on over. "There is a man in robes upstairs that wishes your company, M'lord." Eli speaks to Duthayer, but his eyes keep darting back and forth between him and the warrior at his side.

Arthur decides against joining his party members upstairs and meanders about the tavern trying to uncover any helpful information. Upon asking around he is directed to a battle wounded female that has propped herself in a chair nearest the fire. She is a half-elf well into her middle years, but still very beautiful. She's wrapped in her cloak and an untouched glass of wine sits before her.

 

[sans]

Brother Odis retreives Lady Kestral's jeweled ring from a pouch. He offers the proof on the palm of his hand, "Our Lady's signet."

 

[Shayuri]

Kuma exchanges a glance with Duthayer, and...assuming Duth does indeed answer the summons...the doughty chieftain-to-be accompanies him up to meet this "man in robes."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Duthayer groans a bit theatrically and heaves himself to his feet. Waddling along in his clanking armor, pausing only long enough to remove his helm and straighten his beard a bit, he follows Kuma up the stairs.

 

[TwistedMindInc]

Eli leads Duthayer and Kuma up the stairs to Master Gurrand's room, where Absalom and Brother Odis are. "I'll leave you sirs to your business. G'day." Bowing out politely, and still fingering the silver piece Odis issued, he hurries back down to the tavern's common room. So much work, so little time.

 

[hero4hire]

Absalom nodded as two of his companions entered the room.
"Is our proof satisfactory then?" he asked the man curtly. "Surely there are others as interested as we, to think otherwise would be folly. I am of a mind to conduct business as quickly possible and be well ahead of any competition." he explained.

 

[TwistedMindInc]

Snatching up the ring, Gurrand turns it over and over in his calloused fingers. Absalom's words about competition ring true in the old Master's ears and he sighs. His shoulders sag and he suddenly looks much older and more haggard, as if he lowered the facade he was wearing when they arrived. "Perhaps that last battle clouded my mind as well as wrecked my body. You have convinced me that you are whom you say, but I fear I have made a terrible mistake." Pausing to resituate in his chair and to wet his lips. "Two days ago, another group came to me claiming to be enboys of Lady Kestrel. The leader, Doxon was his name, presented me with a ring that could be the twin of the one you possessed. It didn't feel right. I should have trusted my gut. But, I didn't. I gave them the map and they left. There is hope still for I did not tell them all I know. No one knows the exact location of the lair, and the map will only get the others so far. One thing I feel certain about is that the laid is located somewhere in the southern Storm Horns north of High Horn. I base this belief both on map, which seems to indicate that region, and a report from one of Lady Kestrel's caravan masters. He said that he spoke to a mountain man, Valan of the Peaks by name, at the Old Man's Face in Tyrluk. Supposedly, Valan knows the location of a major goblin stronghold in the mountains. That gives us a good fix on the location of Nalavara's lair. I do notknow the Valan myself, and so I thought it best not to recommend him when I cannot vouch for him, but we have little choice now." He pauses again, wiping at the sweat beading upon his forehead.

"The caravan master said that Valan would be willing to take interested parties to the goblin stronghold for 20 platinum pieces. Valan did not himself approach as he saw many goblins and at least one giant around the cave. I believe the caravan laid over in Tyrluk due to all the troubles on the roads lately. If you can journey to Tyrluk before the caravan leaves again and find Valan, he will take you there. I beliebve an experienced guide such as a mountain man who knows the region could be much more valuable than a mere map, but you better be on your way! Do you have any questions for me before you leave?"

"OH! Also, I hear that there is an elven woman in the tavern below that has traveled the area as well. Perhaps you should stop in with her and see what information she may be able to provide you."

 

[hero4hire]

Absalom sighed in resignation of thier fate. Another band of treasure-seekers, sly ones at that had a headstart on them, AND a map.

"Assuming you had the map in your possession for some time, could you be able to reproduce it? A copy, however rough, may aid us in our endeavor."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Duthayer's eyebrows raise during the telling of the tale until you're sure they must disappear into his hair. "Moradin's Hammer! Lying sons of motherless thieves; they would plunge this land into ruin just to wear silk and drink fine wines," he growls. "Bah! Well, if this woman can be a better guide to us than your map, then I'll speak to her directly. We can't waste any more time. This elf, what's she look like and what's her name?"

 

[TwistedMindInc]

( OOC: Just want to make sure everyone is still with me, haven't heard from Albedo in a while. Everyone is still enjoying themselves, right? A little feed back would be great! )

Gurrand ponders on the duplication of the map, and then nods sagely.. confident in his decision. "Aye, I believe I can draw it for you. It's only a goblin's map to begin with." He reaches for some un-used parchment and a quill, instantly getting to work on it for the group. Duthayer's words draw his eyes away from his creation for a moment, "With not much to do around this tavern, I've busied myself with the local town gossip. I believe they said her name is Veya, though she shouldn't be too hard to spot as she's the only wounded half-elf renting a room here." Finishing up the quick rendition of the old map, Gurrand holds it out to whomever'll take it. "There. That should do it. Between my geographical knowledge and the translation of the Goblin tongue, I've put some of the locations on there for you. I hope this'll help."