NeMoren's Vault

Hawk shifts around with his cup of wine. He is clearly out of place in this fine manor. He doesn't seem to know what to do, so he stands by a window and observes the gathered adventurers. He thinks to himself.

What a large place. Why would anyone build a house of such a size? And out of stone?? It would be impossible to move this massive place. How could one follow the migration paths of bison and deer?

And these people... they wear such impractical clothes, with such elaborate fabrics. And their manners of speaking -- they seem to have just met, yet they share bread and swap stories as if they were of the same family.

Truly, these southern lands are a wondrous place.
 

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.Ton struggles the last few miles to the NeMoren estate. His horse threw a shoe somewhere outside town, and the mud of the road threatened to steal his own footwear once or twice. Having never encountered storms in the tunnels of his home, Ton looked on the rain and lightning with fear. Again he wondered that anyone would prefer the surface to the depths.

Reaching the door of the manor, he knocks loudly several times. When Tywin reaches the door, he silently presents his key.

After examining the accomodations, Ton comes down to the kitchen. For a dwarf he is reasonably good looking, although he is shorter than all the others in the room (even Eseteru). He has a few small scars on his face and arms, but they enhance the appearance of a rugged survivalist. He still wears his leather armor.

Although the ladies present remind him of Kellia, he pays as much attention to the men in the room. He is particularly impressed with Hawk and his greatsword, although he suspects such a large weapon would be a hindrance for a tunnel fighter.
 
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Hawk eyes the dwarf.

This one looks like he can take of himself, he thinks approvingly.

Hawk has seen dwarves only once or twice before, but they were all merchants. This is the first time he has seen one that is clearly a combatant.

He is small, but I can see now why their race has a reputation as formidable fighters. I already feel like I would relate to him better than these others of my own race, he thinks wryly.

Hawk gives the the dwarf a curt but friendly nod.
 

Gurter puts his arm around Enoch in a friendly matter and while smiling, he confides in a jovial voice, while giving Enoch a glass of wine "Don't listen to him. while he winks towards Eseteru Here let me introduce you. This lovely lady is Anna, that big man over there is Hawk, the joker is Eseteru and last but certainly not least is this beautiful princess who is named... euhm... hmmm... well she hasn't actually told her name yet ... What IS your name fair princess?
 
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"I am Persephone. " She has blushed red by now, being only 17, and not allowed to drink wine at home. Even a few small sips, swirled aound her mouth seem to have done the trick. "Oh Aphrodite! I am a Princess, but I no longer have a home. My awful uncle, he's like, such a jerk. He tried to marry me off to some *sshole I've never even met! What could I do? I ran away. Can you imagine? One of such distinguished lineage forced to stay in common inns. & poor Fridly having to hunt & eat wild gross raw mice & other yucky hairy little things. Oh..." She rolls her eyes, & holds the back of her left hand to her brow. She takes another swig & staggers backwards a step...
 

Enoch snaps out of it when Eseteru speaks to him. He starts to answer "Oh, uh, who..." but he is interrputed by a spat of coughing, and is unable to continue as Eseteru walks away.

Gurter's friendly greeting seems to put him slightly at ease, and Enoch gratefully accepts the glass of wine. As he is introduced to each person he nods and meets their eyes shyly. He opens his mouth to speak but quickly closes it when Persephone begins to speak, and politely lets her finish.

After she finishes, Enoch addresses the room in a voice so quiet that only those nearest him can hear, "Um, hello everyone. My name is Enoch."

Enoch gets an inward look in his eyes for a moment afterwards. Dropping his voice an octive and comically taking on a role he is clearly not used to, he sonorously announces to the room "Greetings travelers. I am Enoch Farstrider, dedicated of Fharlanghn, the Dweller on the Horizon. I offer each of you my protection and my friendship." and then immediately breaks down into a bad coughing fit.
 

"You know, I think Fridly isn't going to object to eating the odd raw mouse or two. It's what owls do." Anna says dryly. She moves over to Enoch and shakes his hand firmly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Enoch Farstrider. It's always good to encounter another of the gods' chosen. And you." She calls over to the dwarf standing in the doorway. "Greetings. What's your name, and what brings you to this place? We've got quite a gathering going on by the looks of things."
 

The day passes without much activity. As the night approaches the storms gain in their intensity, the thunder roars and the lightning flashes across the sky while the sound of heavy drops of water are pounding against the roof. Tywin continues to try and clean the house; he dusts furniture and begins to wash some floors. Tywin serves warm bread and roasted pheasant for lunch and a hearty soup for dinner.

During the night the howling winds sound faintly like the wailing of a woman. Then in the middle of the night the sound of the knocker echoes throughout the house. The sound of voices carry up into the upper halls and then the whistling of the wind drown them out.

Tywin knocks on everybody’s doors, “The mayor is here, there is warm wine in the kitchen and some bacon.” Surprisingly, when you awaken, the rains have stopped and the sun is beginning to break through the clouds.

After getting some breakfast, Tywin ushers you all into the study. The room is lined with bookshelves covered in dust, a fire is lit in the small fireplace and there is a recently polished desk in the center of the room. There is a human male with choppy mid-length brown hair, hazel eyes and a sparse beard. He has a medium build and is wearing well-tailored clothing.

Behind him is the figure of a slender cloaked half elf woman. She looks very familiar to most of you. She smiles at Gurter and looks sternly to the rest, until she gets to Ton, “I am glad to see you made it Dwarf, I worried most about you.”

The man behind the desk clears his throat. He looks over his should to the half elven woman, “Are they all here?” She nods and then the man continues, “I am Mayor Ken Varnsen. In my hands, I hold the last Will and Testament of Baron Paytro NeMoren, the former lord of this region, and resident of this manor. Baron NeMoren died three years ago. He left two documents in my care: The first was a letter addressed to myself, outlining the Baron’s final request that I find 7 people, identified only by the silver key that they carry, and gather them in a room to KILL THEM.” He adds dramatically as he raises his eyebrows. Ken cracks a grin, “I am sorry, I could not resist, the moment seemed so tense. To gather the key bearers for a reading of his will; the second document, unopened until today, was the will itself.

“I tell you, it has not been an easy task locating the members of this group. I employed the services of my gifted friend here,” he points to the woman, “Aniel, and it still took us three years! And now that we are finally together, are there any questions?”
 

Hawk steps forward from the back of the group.

Three years did this woman search for us? Was she paid, or did she volunteer to do this task? Three years of toil seems like a mighty quest indeed.
If she was paid, who paid her? The baron's estate?
 

Eseteru thinks, Could it be that an accident of birth denied me one inheritance, only to have an accident of fate provide me with another?

"Well, don't keep us in suspense. What does it say?"
 

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