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Seravin's Tales of the Night Below (Two Updates this Week - 07/24/07)
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<blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 2814167" data-attributes="member: 6783"><p><strong>Trust Me</strong></p><p></p><p><em>The central building of the Corlean Library is separated from the main street by a small courtyard. Directly across the street is a small, lightly wooded park. As a matter of course, only students generally wander the courtyard of the Library; general distrust of wizards by the populace keeps everyone else away. This morning however there were several small groups of well bundled up people gathered both on the street and in the park. Some of the folk were the non-apprentice students who had been given a sudden holiday by Master Wymeah; others were fearful citizens who were hoping that the wizards could help with the problems afflicting the Latina's Cathedral.</em></p><p></p><p>Kestral was the first out the front door, surveying the street and looking for anything suspicious. She spotted the man almost immediately as she casually scanned the little groups of people. He was the only one by himself, standing under a tree in clothes that weren’t nearly warm enough for the weather. His head had snapped up as she had walked out of the building and his gaze followed her briefly as she circled the courtyard.</p><p></p><p>He was an older man with black hair and a goatee. He was of medium height and build, and was dressed in what appeared to be expensive black and gray clothes. His only acknowledgement to the chill was a heavy, dark cloak; but even that was casually cast open and couldn’t be providing any real warmth. Kestral thought she had seen the man from somewhere before but couldn’t quite recall where.</p><p></p><p>Jared, who was disguised as a northern mercenary in chain shirt and bearing only a dagger, and Jallarzi, who was disguised as dark-haired student, were next out the door. They immediately drew the watcher’s attention and Kestral used the distraction to move towards the closest group of people; hoping to lose herself amongst them. All the while she kept one eye on the man. She was glad she had. The man looked uncertain for a moment and then raised a hand in an obvious spellcasting gesture.</p><p></p><p>Jared and Jallarzi recognized Kestral’s sudden change in stride and manner and took care to keep walking as if they were by themselves; letting the distance between themselves and their friend widen. The soft clank of Kellron from behind them and the careful closing of the door let them know that their friend had joined them. “Kestral’s onto something.” Murmured Jared, just loud enough for Kellron to hear.</p><p></p><p>Kestral drifted around the little clumps of people, circling closer to her target without being noticed. His focus was now entirely on Jared and Jallarzi and he seemed to be concentrating abnormally hard on them.</p><p></p><p>A snippet of conversation momentarily distracted the young woman as she passed the last group of people.</p><p></p><p>“…wizards aren’t going to save us; they’re all sick. I heard the cult of Braen is protecting the Duke now. Boren says they’ve already killed one monster that escaped from the Cathedral grounds…”</p><p></p><p>Kestral didn’t stop, curious as she was. She would bet that the watcher was using a <em>detect magic</em> spell and had identified her friends for who they were. As quickly as possible she completed her circuit and ended up just behind and to the left of the man.</p><p></p><p>“Who are you and what do you want?” Asked Kestral politely but firmly.</p><p></p><p>The man jumped and whirled on her bringing his hands up reflexively. Kestral tensed but saw that the mysterious man wasn’t continuing through with the motions. Instead his eyes narrowed on her and she allowed herself a sardonic smile, confident that he wasn’t going to see anything.</p><p></p><p>Apparently satisfied the man relaxed ever so slightly. “My name is Lore and I’m looking for two gentlemen.” He waved his hand towards the approaching Jared, Jallarzi, and the invisible Kellron. “I assume that two of those people may be the ones I am looking for.” His voice and manner were cultured and polite, but hardly diffident.</p><p></p><p>Kestral nodded. Maybe.” With that the two waited for Kestral’s three friends to approach.</p><p></p><p>Jared was the first to speak, with his questions sounding like orders. “Who are you?”</p><p></p><p>The man bowed. “As I just explained to the young woman, my name is Lore and I’m looking for two men, both members of the church of Sarath. Jared and Kellron are their names.” He nodded to the apparently empty spot just to the left of Jared. “Would you and whoever is standing to your left be them?”</p><p></p><p>Jared stiffened slightly and considered. There was no point denying it at this time. The man didn’t look like a member of the Watch and he was starting to pique his interest. “I’m Jared.” He admitted, pointedly ignoring the second part of Jared’s question.</p><p></p><p>Lore waited a moment and then smiled. “Ah. I see. Well, you’re right not to trust me I suppose given the current troubles of the city.” He paused to collect his thoughts and then continued. “I represent someone who would like to speak with you.” He turned slightly and bowed to Jallarzi. “And you also, milady.” Seeing that he had their attention he continued. “This person wishes to discuss matters of importance and hopes that you will deign to meet them.”</p><p></p><p>Jared, Jallarzi, and Kestral shared glances. “Go on.” Said Jared.</p><p></p><p>“That’s all that I can offer at this point. Would you be willing to agree to talks?”</p><p></p><p>Kestral shrugged, indicating that she didn’t quite trust him but didn’t think he was obviously lying either. Not that he had said much at all.</p><p></p><p>Seeing no objection from his friends, Jared asked the next obvious question. “When and where?”</p><p></p><p>“They would be willing to meet with you now if convenient. I happen to know that they hoped you would be immediately available.”</p><p></p><p>“Let’s do it.” Rumbled Kellron.</p><p></p><p>Jared, Jallarzi, and Kestral murmured their agreements.</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>Lore led them north and east through the streets to north trade district. The journey was made in silence, neither side wishing to speak to the other. Soon enough they were at their destination, an older-looking two-story warehouse built of grey stone and weathered wood. It was one of the smaller ones, perhaps only fifty feet square.</p><p></p><p>Lore led them to a side door and knocked twice. “The person I represent is just inside.”</p><p></p><p>Kestral grimaced. “You first.”</p><p></p><p>Lore bowed. “Of course.” With that he opened up the door and stepped inside.</p><p></p><p>Jared, Kellron, Jallarzi, and Kestral followed him in.</p><p></p><p>The warehouse was unlit with the only light coming in from the open door behind them; showing them what looked to be a nearly empty warehouse floor before it disappeared into the darkness. Lore spoke a quick word and disappeared.</p><p></p><p>“Damn it.” Swore Jared.</p><p></p><p>A woman’s voice broke the stillness. It sounded like it was coming from the other side of the warehouse. The voice was calm but ice-cold. “You killed my father.” Announced the woman. “So now I am going to have you killed. Make your peace.” Kestral’s heart dropped as she recognized the voice.</p><p></p><p>There was no time for protest, as the woman’s sentence was punctuated with the distinctive <em>twang</em> of released crossbow strings. Three bolts clattered about the three visible friends standing in the open doorway. Fortunately they all missed.</p><p></p><p>Kestral was the first to react, yelling “Its Jaylissa!” as she pulled out her enchanted light amulet from her pouch. Unwrapping the amulet she flung it twenty or so feet towards the center of the room. The enchanted light revealed that the warehouse wasn’t as empty as it had first appeared. Scattered about were numerous crates stacked two or three high, providing cover for any number of waiting enemies. An upper platform at the far end of the room was revealed at the extreme edge of the light. The friends could just make out four shadowy figures standing up there.</p><p></p><p>“Kill them.” Spoke the woman’s voice again. Three of the figures began reloading their crossbows while the fourth, Lore, began chanting in a clear, strong voice as he pulled out an amber rod. A ten foot wide stroke of lighting spat from the rod and arced to Jallarzi and Jared. The lighting seared both of them, but they each twisted aside and managed to avoid the full effect of the stroke.</p><p></p><p>Jallarzi moved off to her left and invoked a spell of <em>see invisibility</em> not wanting to be surprised. Meanwhile both Jared and Kellron drew their weapons and broke right, towards where they thought the stairs to the upper platform were.</p><p></p><p>Kestral looked about and considered her options next. Deciding, she drew her own sword and closed the door behind them to slow down any unexpected attacks from that direction.</p><p></p><p>Jaylissa snarled and fired her crossbow at the same time as the man to her right did. Again, they both missed. Lore, who was standing to Jaylissa’s left cast a spell that Jallarzi immediately recognized as <em>shield</em>. The fourth figure, a man dressed in rough peasant clothing dropped his crossbow and ran for the stairwell. He moved quickly and was at the bottom of the stairs and in a guard stance in just a few moments. He bore no weapons but there was no doubt that he was dangerous.</p><p></p><p>Jallarzi did a quick scan of the area around her with her enchanted sight. Satisfied that there weren’t any lurking surprises she eyed Jaylissa and invoked a spell of <em>hold person</em>. Jaylissa gurgled and froze in the middle of the reloading process.</p><p></p><p>Jared, seeing Jallarzi’s strategy, stopped and targeted the man to Jaylissa’s right with his own prayer of <em>hold person</em>. His spell took also, and the man froze mid-load. For his part, Kellron charged the man now standing at the bottom of the stairwell, shouting Sarath’s name.</p><p></p><p>The silent man was unfazed by the invisible shout and the pounding of metal-shod feet, deigning only to raise his guard higher. Despite this, the strike of Kellron’s sword nearly crippled the man. He twisted with the blow as well as he could, but Deverat’s enchantments were backed up with supernatural might. Unlike most men, the unarmed man ignored his wounds and if anything, looked more determined to block the way of the now visible Kellron.</p><p></p><p>Kestral could sense that it was almost over. Only Lore worried her and so far she hadn’t seen anything that Jallarzi couldn’t match. She scanned the darkness at the outer edges of the light, just in case.</p><p></p><p>With his two companions frozen, Lore made a decision. “Hold them a moment longer!” He shouted. With that, Lore reached out and grabbed Jaylissa’s arm and spoke the same word he had invoked earlier, disappearing with Jaylissa with a <em>dimension door</em> spell.</p><p></p><p>Jallarzi swore as she scanned the upper platform. “They’re gone.” She yelled, seeing only the frozen crossbowman.</p><p></p><p>The man at the stair looked calm, knowing his doom was before him, and let loose with a flurry of blows at Kellron. Two of them hit, one of them rocking the paladin back on his feet. Anyone else would have been stunned but Kellron shook it off. He retaliated with two quick strikes of his own, the second of which struck hard and true, killing the man.</p><p></p><p>Jared charged up the stairwell and made his way to the crossbowman and added his own swear words. “That could have gone better.” He noted, looking around.</p><p></p><p>“At least we have someone we can question.” Noted Kellron, coming up the stairwell.</p><p></p><p>“Thank Sarath for small favors.” Agreed Jared. “Help me disarm this guy; we should probably get out of here quickly. Who knows who’s waiting to charge in after us.”</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>The four friends held a quick conference. It didn’t take them long to decide upon a course of action. Jallarzi used a scroll to cast a second spell of <em>invisibility</em> on Kellron while Jared used Kestral’s hat to disguise himself as their prisoner. The two men waited to see Jallarzi teleport away with Kestral and the prisoner and then made their own way out of the warehouse. They would meet up at the Library as quickly as possible.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Seravin, post: 2814167, member: 6783"] [b]Trust Me[/b] [I]The central building of the Corlean Library is separated from the main street by a small courtyard. Directly across the street is a small, lightly wooded park. As a matter of course, only students generally wander the courtyard of the Library; general distrust of wizards by the populace keeps everyone else away. This morning however there were several small groups of well bundled up people gathered both on the street and in the park. Some of the folk were the non-apprentice students who had been given a sudden holiday by Master Wymeah; others were fearful citizens who were hoping that the wizards could help with the problems afflicting the Latina's Cathedral.[/I] Kestral was the first out the front door, surveying the street and looking for anything suspicious. She spotted the man almost immediately as she casually scanned the little groups of people. He was the only one by himself, standing under a tree in clothes that weren’t nearly warm enough for the weather. His head had snapped up as she had walked out of the building and his gaze followed her briefly as she circled the courtyard. He was an older man with black hair and a goatee. He was of medium height and build, and was dressed in what appeared to be expensive black and gray clothes. His only acknowledgement to the chill was a heavy, dark cloak; but even that was casually cast open and couldn’t be providing any real warmth. Kestral thought she had seen the man from somewhere before but couldn’t quite recall where. Jared, who was disguised as a northern mercenary in chain shirt and bearing only a dagger, and Jallarzi, who was disguised as dark-haired student, were next out the door. They immediately drew the watcher’s attention and Kestral used the distraction to move towards the closest group of people; hoping to lose herself amongst them. All the while she kept one eye on the man. She was glad she had. The man looked uncertain for a moment and then raised a hand in an obvious spellcasting gesture. Jared and Jallarzi recognized Kestral’s sudden change in stride and manner and took care to keep walking as if they were by themselves; letting the distance between themselves and their friend widen. The soft clank of Kellron from behind them and the careful closing of the door let them know that their friend had joined them. “Kestral’s onto something.” Murmured Jared, just loud enough for Kellron to hear. Kestral drifted around the little clumps of people, circling closer to her target without being noticed. His focus was now entirely on Jared and Jallarzi and he seemed to be concentrating abnormally hard on them. A snippet of conversation momentarily distracted the young woman as she passed the last group of people. “…wizards aren’t going to save us; they’re all sick. I heard the cult of Braen is protecting the Duke now. Boren says they’ve already killed one monster that escaped from the Cathedral grounds…” Kestral didn’t stop, curious as she was. She would bet that the watcher was using a [i]detect magic[/i] spell and had identified her friends for who they were. As quickly as possible she completed her circuit and ended up just behind and to the left of the man. “Who are you and what do you want?” Asked Kestral politely but firmly. The man jumped and whirled on her bringing his hands up reflexively. Kestral tensed but saw that the mysterious man wasn’t continuing through with the motions. Instead his eyes narrowed on her and she allowed herself a sardonic smile, confident that he wasn’t going to see anything. Apparently satisfied the man relaxed ever so slightly. “My name is Lore and I’m looking for two gentlemen.” He waved his hand towards the approaching Jared, Jallarzi, and the invisible Kellron. “I assume that two of those people may be the ones I am looking for.” His voice and manner were cultured and polite, but hardly diffident. Kestral nodded. Maybe.” With that the two waited for Kestral’s three friends to approach. Jared was the first to speak, with his questions sounding like orders. “Who are you?” The man bowed. “As I just explained to the young woman, my name is Lore and I’m looking for two men, both members of the church of Sarath. Jared and Kellron are their names.” He nodded to the apparently empty spot just to the left of Jared. “Would you and whoever is standing to your left be them?” Jared stiffened slightly and considered. There was no point denying it at this time. The man didn’t look like a member of the Watch and he was starting to pique his interest. “I’m Jared.” He admitted, pointedly ignoring the second part of Jared’s question. Lore waited a moment and then smiled. “Ah. I see. Well, you’re right not to trust me I suppose given the current troubles of the city.” He paused to collect his thoughts and then continued. “I represent someone who would like to speak with you.” He turned slightly and bowed to Jallarzi. “And you also, milady.” Seeing that he had their attention he continued. “This person wishes to discuss matters of importance and hopes that you will deign to meet them.” Jared, Jallarzi, and Kestral shared glances. “Go on.” Said Jared. “That’s all that I can offer at this point. Would you be willing to agree to talks?” Kestral shrugged, indicating that she didn’t quite trust him but didn’t think he was obviously lying either. Not that he had said much at all. Seeing no objection from his friends, Jared asked the next obvious question. “When and where?” “They would be willing to meet with you now if convenient. I happen to know that they hoped you would be immediately available.” “Let’s do it.” Rumbled Kellron. Jared, Jallarzi, and Kestral murmured their agreements. --- Lore led them north and east through the streets to north trade district. The journey was made in silence, neither side wishing to speak to the other. Soon enough they were at their destination, an older-looking two-story warehouse built of grey stone and weathered wood. It was one of the smaller ones, perhaps only fifty feet square. Lore led them to a side door and knocked twice. “The person I represent is just inside.” Kestral grimaced. “You first.” Lore bowed. “Of course.” With that he opened up the door and stepped inside. Jared, Kellron, Jallarzi, and Kestral followed him in. The warehouse was unlit with the only light coming in from the open door behind them; showing them what looked to be a nearly empty warehouse floor before it disappeared into the darkness. Lore spoke a quick word and disappeared. “Damn it.” Swore Jared. A woman’s voice broke the stillness. It sounded like it was coming from the other side of the warehouse. The voice was calm but ice-cold. “You killed my father.” Announced the woman. “So now I am going to have you killed. Make your peace.” Kestral’s heart dropped as she recognized the voice. There was no time for protest, as the woman’s sentence was punctuated with the distinctive [i]twang[/i] of released crossbow strings. Three bolts clattered about the three visible friends standing in the open doorway. Fortunately they all missed. Kestral was the first to react, yelling “Its Jaylissa!” as she pulled out her enchanted light amulet from her pouch. Unwrapping the amulet she flung it twenty or so feet towards the center of the room. The enchanted light revealed that the warehouse wasn’t as empty as it had first appeared. Scattered about were numerous crates stacked two or three high, providing cover for any number of waiting enemies. An upper platform at the far end of the room was revealed at the extreme edge of the light. The friends could just make out four shadowy figures standing up there. “Kill them.” Spoke the woman’s voice again. Three of the figures began reloading their crossbows while the fourth, Lore, began chanting in a clear, strong voice as he pulled out an amber rod. A ten foot wide stroke of lighting spat from the rod and arced to Jallarzi and Jared. The lighting seared both of them, but they each twisted aside and managed to avoid the full effect of the stroke. Jallarzi moved off to her left and invoked a spell of [i]see invisibility[/i] not wanting to be surprised. Meanwhile both Jared and Kellron drew their weapons and broke right, towards where they thought the stairs to the upper platform were. Kestral looked about and considered her options next. Deciding, she drew her own sword and closed the door behind them to slow down any unexpected attacks from that direction. Jaylissa snarled and fired her crossbow at the same time as the man to her right did. Again, they both missed. Lore, who was standing to Jaylissa’s left cast a spell that Jallarzi immediately recognized as [i]shield[/i]. The fourth figure, a man dressed in rough peasant clothing dropped his crossbow and ran for the stairwell. He moved quickly and was at the bottom of the stairs and in a guard stance in just a few moments. He bore no weapons but there was no doubt that he was dangerous. Jallarzi did a quick scan of the area around her with her enchanted sight. Satisfied that there weren’t any lurking surprises she eyed Jaylissa and invoked a spell of [i]hold person[/i]. Jaylissa gurgled and froze in the middle of the reloading process. Jared, seeing Jallarzi’s strategy, stopped and targeted the man to Jaylissa’s right with his own prayer of [i]hold person[/i]. His spell took also, and the man froze mid-load. For his part, Kellron charged the man now standing at the bottom of the stairwell, shouting Sarath’s name. The silent man was unfazed by the invisible shout and the pounding of metal-shod feet, deigning only to raise his guard higher. Despite this, the strike of Kellron’s sword nearly crippled the man. He twisted with the blow as well as he could, but Deverat’s enchantments were backed up with supernatural might. Unlike most men, the unarmed man ignored his wounds and if anything, looked more determined to block the way of the now visible Kellron. Kestral could sense that it was almost over. Only Lore worried her and so far she hadn’t seen anything that Jallarzi couldn’t match. She scanned the darkness at the outer edges of the light, just in case. With his two companions frozen, Lore made a decision. “Hold them a moment longer!” He shouted. With that, Lore reached out and grabbed Jaylissa’s arm and spoke the same word he had invoked earlier, disappearing with Jaylissa with a [i]dimension door[/i] spell. Jallarzi swore as she scanned the upper platform. “They’re gone.” She yelled, seeing only the frozen crossbowman. The man at the stair looked calm, knowing his doom was before him, and let loose with a flurry of blows at Kellron. Two of them hit, one of them rocking the paladin back on his feet. Anyone else would have been stunned but Kellron shook it off. He retaliated with two quick strikes of his own, the second of which struck hard and true, killing the man. Jared charged up the stairwell and made his way to the crossbowman and added his own swear words. “That could have gone better.” He noted, looking around. “At least we have someone we can question.” Noted Kellron, coming up the stairwell. “Thank Sarath for small favors.” Agreed Jared. “Help me disarm this guy; we should probably get out of here quickly. Who knows who’s waiting to charge in after us.” --- The four friends held a quick conference. It didn’t take them long to decide upon a course of action. Jallarzi used a scroll to cast a second spell of [i]invisibility[/i] on Kellron while Jared used Kestral’s hat to disguise himself as their prisoner. The two men waited to see Jallarzi teleport away with Kestral and the prisoner and then made their own way out of the warehouse. They would meet up at the Library as quickly as possible. [/QUOTE]
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