Paths of Legend - Tragedy at Silvergard

[crazy_monkey1956]

Cut Scene: A Secret Meeting...

"Why do these meetings have to take place in dark, dreary basements with no windows?" Tarkesi wonders as he makes his way down the narrow stairs into the wine cellar.

The dwarf who was already there chuckles, "Because it's supposed to be secret, toymaker."

Tarkesi smiles as the dwarf gives him a firm handshake, "You know, I saw another dwarf today, looks just like you. I overheard, as I am prone to doing, that his name was something like Muddle, Muzzle...uh, something like that."

The dwarf frowns, "The clan sent poor Muzdum to come find his wayward brother, it seems. I shouldn't be surprised, it was only a matter of time."

Another voice comes from the stairs, with its owner following, "What did you expect? You're the only mountain dwarf that I know of that actually came out and fought in the war. The rest..."

The dwarf interrupted, "Don't insult my people, Iphithis. Just because I'm something of an outcast doesn't mean I take kindly to your jibes."

The half-elf's graceful step carried him to the table the dwarf and Tarkesi were already seated at, "My apologies. Force of habit."

At the head of the table sits a figure cloaked in shadow. A feminine voice emerges, "What news, Iphithis?"

The half-elf sits, "It is as we feared. The druid Herruwen is dead, though he managed to slay one of his assailants."

The dwarf smacks the table for emphasis, "That tears it. Someone is targetting our allies. That's the fourth one."

The cloaked figure nods, "So it would seem. Iphithis, were you able to determine the nature of his attackers?"

"No, Herruwen's apprentice came in before I could find out more. He is here now, in the city, seeking his master's murderers. He left in such a hurry that the druids felt the need to send someone after him...apparently the apprentice is under suspicion of the murder himself."

Tarkesi sighs dramatically, "You know, if we weren't always so secretive, we might just be able to figure this out. You know, tell the druids what we know, they tell us what they know."

The dwarf snorts, "The day the druids tell anybody anything is the day I shave my beard."

Tarkesi smirks, "Ooh, that would be something to see. Now, how do I go about getting a druid to tell me something...a challenge."

"Don't even think about it, toymaker."

The shadowed figure raises a hand for silence, "Our allies abroad are being systematically cut down. First our liason with the Dark Knives in Thay, then our contact within the Arcane Tricksters, then our contact with the Slave-Dancers monastery, and now Herruwen. All unrelated, except for the connection to us. Any thoughts as to who this enemy might be?"

Tarkesi screws up his face in thought, "What about the Ebon Mask?"

Iphithis shakes his head, "Doesn't match her style. She works alone. Besides, she wouldn't risk us making her identity public knowledge."

The dwarf bows his head and says in a low voice, "What about Az...?"

"Don't say that name." The shadowed figure interrupts him.

The dwarf grumbles, "We need to consider the possiblity. She was locked away, not destroyed."

The shadowed figure leans foward just a bit, "She cannot escape. The Silver Shadow and The Shadow Knight made sure of that."

Tarkesi shivers just a bit, "And look at what it cost them to do that. I think grumble-gut is right...we need to consider the possibility."

The shadowed figure leans back and sighs, "I will look into it, then. Let us speak of other things. Tarkesi, how goes the recruitment?"

"Uh...about that...heh...my family just made it into town, so I kind of need to pass that little project off to someone else. Besides, he saw me. Darn bird anyway." This last is said as an annoyed mumble.

Iphithis smirks, "I'll take over. I have nothing better to do for a while, except pester Entan. Besides, if the commotion at the gate this morning is any indication, I think we may just have more than one recruit."

"Intriguing. I shall leave it to you then. Take care of your family, Tarkesi. And you, good dwarf, attend to yours as well. I shall continue to look into things and we shall meet again in a month's time."

The others get up to leave. The shadowed figure leans back in her chair after they're gone, seemingly fatigued. Her hand brushes across her eyes under her hood, "What do I do? If it is her...what do I do?"

 

[Amaury]

The druid's reaction gave Valen a sense of relief. Unless he was a great actor, the man was innocent. The truth would not elude the hunter for long, now. He replied in Tureni.

"As I said, I am a ranger of Turen. And I have been sent to find what role you played in the death of Druid Herruwen." Though the taller man had not reached for the long hilt at his left hip, his soft words had enough steel in them. "Now I recommend you keep your hand away from that stick, and speak to me. The choice is yours. But know I WILL do my duty."

"What role?? I had none! That's the thing! I have done nothing! I have let THEM murder
my Master in the middle of the night!

But I have started the chase, and only my death will stop me from avenging my Master's
murder.." he replies, his voice trembling with grief and anger.

".. and THIS is what brought me here..." he concludes by unwrapping a vicious-looking blade
from a cloth. "An Azgundi dagger, the very one that poisoned my Master.."

He then nods to the dwarf for showing his support.

 

[Jemal]

William clears his throat noisily "The guard has asked that we move. The least you can do is step a few feet to the side to allow the traffic past. If you do not trust anybody enough to 'go off' with them, that is fair enough, considering the.. circumstances, as I understand them. However, if we do not move, then I doubt ANY of us will find what we're looking for in the Jail." With that, he directs them out of the way of traffic, but still staying on the main street.
As the man pulls out the dagger, William sighs "Sir, I pause at mentioning it, but carrying around the bloodied dagger and admitting that it is the one that killed this man of whom you speak would be taken by some as proof of guilt." He raises his hands to quiet protests "Now I am not saying that I think you're guilty.. I know little of what is going on, and am just sharing a bit of advice for future use. SO, what say we settle in somewhere and talk this over? I sense something Important is in the air, and together I believe we may be able to find the truth." He looks around at the strangely assembled group.. A centaur, a Dwarf, a Hunter, A druid, himself, and the lady Estelle.

[sblock=ooc]
Whenever they speak in Tureni, William leans towards Estelle for a quick translation. I'm assuming ethandrew has no problem with acting as translator. if you do, just say so.
Also, i THINK al those i listed are still there, right? Did I miss anyone?

Also, I'd be quoting my +6 Diplomacy check if not for the fact that all present are PC's. If it is needed to calm the gaurd(s?) down and get them to back off, though, there it is.
And Finally, if the guard/s are still around he'll try to stave off the conversation of the 'murder' until they're out of earshot.[/sblock]

 

[shadowmask]

Cautiously approaching the human wizard standing with arms crossed, Corath executes a fine bow. In strictly proper Azgundi, she says, “Excuse me. Do you have an interest in the Adventurers’ Guild?” Her tone is both polite and abrupt. She waits for him to respond as if she has all the time in the world. “I must be cautious. Although he appears to be Azgundi, I don’t remember the difference between Azgundi and Thayvian wizards well.” She continues to watch his movements very carefully, seemingly a bird about to take flight.

 

[ethandrew]

"Sir William has the right of it, and the idea that we'd take you in some back alley and kill you is downright silly. It is early in the morning, by the looks of it you've had a long trip. I suggest we all sit down for a meal and a drink. I know I could use one," Estelle sighs. She has no problem trying to act as a mediator, but she can tell William is more apt at dissuading situations, whereas Estelle is good at lying her way out of them.

[sblock=OOC]Estelle has no issues translating for William, and she won't be liberal either, since she knows everyone speaks Azgundi as well.[/sblock]

 

[Arkhandus]

Turning a bit when approached, Alaric raises an eyebrow again at seeing the lady bow. He unfolds his arms and holds his palms out a bit in front of him, motioning 'woah there, stop that.'
"Hey now, no need to bow ma'am! I don't think I look anything like a noble, heh." He looks a bit confused for a moment, then continues. "But yeah, I'm sorta in the Adventurer's Guild. Haven't done any adventuring yet, though. Err....excuse me. I am Alaric....alchemist, tinker, artist, and novice wizard."

 

[Helfdan]

Valen looks up at the armored man and the slim maid again. They are correct, of course. And there is no way the druid could fake this reaction. If he was guilty, Valen was a terrible judge of character.


The tall cloaked man looks Johen in the eye, his lean face inscrutable. Then he speaks, again in Azgundi.

"I believe you, Johen. My duty now is to find out who killed your master. And you know that a ranger's skills will be useful to you. But these folk are correct. Put away the dagger, calm yourself, and let us talk about what you saw on that day."

His first show of emotion is a grateful look to Estelle and William.

 

[shadowmask]

Turning a bit when approached, Alaric raises an eyebrow again at seeing the lady bow. He unfolds his arms and holds his palms out a bit in front of him, motioning 'woah there, stop that.'
"Hey now, no need to bow ma'am! I don't think I look anything like a noble, heh." He looks a bit confused for a moment, then continues. "But yeah, I'm sorta in the Adventurer's Guild. Haven't done any adventuring yet, though. Err....excuse me. I am Alaric....alchemist, tinker, artist, and novice wizard."

“I am called Corath.” The tall woman relaxes. “Sorta? As in ‘sort of?’ How can one be ‘sort of’ in the Adventurers’ Guild? I do not understand.” She waits with the open curiosity of a child, her brown eyes piercing in their intensity.

 

[Arkhandus]

"Ah, well, I've been studying for several years with a member of the Adventurer's Guild, the wizard Entan. So I know a bit of elven wizardry.... I'm only a Guild member on paper, I would think, as I haven't actually done anything for the Guild itself or gone on any adventures yet. I'm still doing odd-jobs for Entan and some minor alchemy work, brewing up elixirs, oils, and balms. I dabble in a lot of things, really. Medicine, carpentry, art, scribing, masonry, hunting, baking...." he smiles a bit sheepishly.

"And, uh, sorry if my speech is a bit lazy, I grew up in the country as much as I did in the city. And now I believe I'm rambling," he notes with a chuckle. "May I ask who you are, ma'am?" Alaric asks.

 

[shadowmask]

"As I said, I am called Corath. I am...not new to Azgund, yet I am still unfamiliar with many of the ways of the people." She pauses and stares at Alaric intently, as if weighing her options. "Perhaps you would care for a companion on your adventures?" Corath's gaze becomes vague, as if she is looking into the distant recesses of her mind. "I know how to defend mages from harm." Her attention returns to the present. "I do not wish to impose, but I do offer my services." Her fingers absently curl into her palms as if she is feeling for something that should be there and isn't.