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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 2814133" data-attributes="member: 6783">Information is PowerStill disguised as Semina, Kestral drifted through the streets of Corlean, making her way from one tavern to another, ducking into inns and gaming halls. Something big was happening, she could feel it; and Grandal Deverex was only a part of it. Grandal was the only puzzle piece she had though.It was just past midnight when Kestral finally made her weary way to the Library by way of Healing House. Jallarzi had left a note on where they were staying that evening and their new status as tax evaders. The young woman didn’t let herself dwell on the last bit. She just wanted to find a bed now.In the morning the four friends met in the non-formal dining room where the apprentices and journey-mages would normally take their morning meals. Bread, cheese, and fruit made up their meal as Kellron was unwilling to experiment with the magical devices in the kitchen. Over this meal Kestral revealed what she had discovered.“I first tried to find out what I could on what happened at The Gaming Den and with Grandal in particular.” Started Kestral. “The general consensus is that somebody is mad at Quereth Holtson. It seems he owns The Gaming Den and has some sort of percentage of The Blue Gorgon. The theory is that whoever hit the two places wanted to hurt Quereth. Unfortunately the eye witnesses all agree that it was you three.”Kestral looked at Jallarzi. “Whoever it really was has your tactics pegged down. The rumors are pretty explicit that the sorceress used fireballs, lightning bolts, and magic missiles.”“How many missiles at a time?” Queried the wizard.“Three, two less then I’ve seen you cast.” Answered Kestral, proud that she had thought to ask the same thing. “The interesting thing is that the woman apparently killed two people just by glaring at them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do that.”Jallarzi pursed her lips. “No.”Kestral shrugged and continued. “Grandal Deverex is Quereth’s right-hand man...er half-elf; he apparently grew up with Quereth. Grandal has a reputation for being a ruthless business-man and he seems to know everything – or can find it out.” Kestral’s mouth quirked. “Some says his connections seem almost supernatural. They probably are, Grandal was seen using magic for the first time at The Gaming Den. No one knew that he was wizard before this.Which brings us to Father Dark. I didn’t find out anything new on the man. He’s still more myth than man; only seen with a black, silk hood, and likes to employ children for small tasks.” She grinned. “The rumor on the street is that he’s angry at two Sarathians and has a small bounty on their heads.” Her smile faded. “He’s also looking for a woman named Kestral, who’s also seen with the Sarathians.” She shrugged. “That’s all I could find out about him.”Unsaid was that they all suspected Grandal as being Father Dark. What Kestral had heard had only confirmed their suspicion. Still, there was no proof and Grandal was now apparently gone.Kestral let the news sink in before continuing. “I did here some other rumors that are just as interesting, but I’m not sure if they’re relevant.”“Let’s hear them.” Said Kellron.Kestral mentally reviewed what she had learned and then took a deep breath. “The biggest news in town is that the Duke’s daughter is getting married. Soon. Apparently a Baron Toruk Roth came south through the pass to request some help in dealing with raids. He and Lady Gabrella apparently fell madly in love with each other.”Kestral looked puzzled. “There are two odd things about all of this. The first is that Duke sent his soldiers north, along with reinforcements from the church of Sarath; but the Baron stayed behind with his advisor.The second is that the wedding is happening very quickly, in the next two weeks in fact. The short timing is making security difficult, especially with most of the soldiers up north now. The Heralds and the City Watch are apparently stretching themselves thin to provide security. That should keep them off our backs for the next few days.”The other thing strange thing that I heard was that there’s some sort of new group in town. They’re up in the North Quarter and the few people I found who talked about them said they were strange folk and best avoided. Rumor has it that one of their number is a person of power; meaning a wizard of some sort I suppose.”Kestral took a drink for her cup before continuing. “Some of the guards are talking about how Master Asuras fell ‘sick’. The Duke had asked Asuras to divine an object for him. The wizard cast his spell and fell sick.That’s about all I could find out of interest. What about you guys?”Jallarzi, Jared, and Kellron all scowled. It was Kellron who answered. “You heard about our new criminal status?”“That we’re tax evaders? I did.”Kellron scowled. “We were fortunate that Sword House was more than a little outraged at Colonel Megara’s arrest. They healed the damage the poison did to me and let us go. Jallarzi then teleported us to Healing House*. Seeing how someone managed to take out both the Library and senior healer at Healing House, we thought we’d pay a visit to the shrine of Tasa, just in case someone was deliberately attacking more than the wizards. The acolyte there was fine and said the priest had left earlier to help with someone injured by an overturned carriage. After that we came here.The only good news is that Master Wymeah promised to intercede with the Duke for us. As a member of the Library she falls outside the normal tax setup. Hopefully she’ll be able to convince the Duke that we were just ignorant and didn’t mean to evade taxes.” Kellron didn’t add that he thought it was unlikely, but the help was appreciated.“So what do we do today?’ Asked Jallarzi.“I think we should stay put.” Suggested Jared. “We’re still wanted by the City Watch after all. We can talk with Master Wymeah and see what she can shed some light on what we do know.”“Especially Shalzerith.” Murmured Jallarzi.“Especially him.” Agreed Jared.Kestral swiped the last bit of apple from the serving tray. “I can go out again. I can speak with Watch Herald Ladea and see what she has to say about the tax thing as well as the attacks.”Kellron frowned, but it was a good suggestion. They couldn’t just hide. They needed more information.---*Well most of the way. She boofed her first roll teleport roll (seen once) and ended up about 400yds short. They hoofed it from there.</blockquote>

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