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Shilsen's Eberron SH (Finished - The Last Word : 9/20/15)
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<blockquote data-quote="shilsen" data-source="post: 2821020" data-attributes="member: 198"><p>An email interchange between Rackhir and me:</p><p></p><p>Shilsen : I think you said Nameless is going to go see if he can locate the alienist at the Guild of Starlight and Shadows, right?</p><p></p><p>Me : Correct, he'll bring along some of his tentcle soup as well.</p><p></p><p>Shilsen : Oh man - I need to get Nameless writing a Dummies Guide to Dating for Alienists!</p><p></p><p>Me : Dummies don't need a a dating guide for alienists, anyone who isn't smart enough ends up dying horribly and won't survive long enough to read it.</p><p></p><p>Now back to our regularly Scheduled Story Hour</p><p></p><p>Shilsen :</p><p></p><p>Once you make it to the Guild and ask about her, you'll be told that Trillia Lelleir has her own home nearby, behind and between the Dark Words (sells scrolls) and Bottled Silver (sells potions). You'll also be told about a possible job opening. Karr'Aashta, a House Tharashk inquisitive who runs his own agency called Karr'Aashta's investigations in the same district, has contacted the Guild about whether any of the members might be interested in accompanying one of his associates on a bounty hunting job. Says that the target is an fallen ex-Karrnathi holy warrior and that it'll take some traveling, but no other details. Can directly contact Karr'Aashta at his agency, which you'll be given directions to.</p><p></p><p>If you go to Trillia's house, you'll find it to be a tower apartment, otherwise unremarkable outside, other than having the Guild's sigil to indicate a member lives there. The door is opened by a steward, who'll check who you are and (assuming that you mention a Guild affiliation) let you into a waiting room. He'll be back in a few minutes to let you know that his mistress will see you and take you to a more comfortable sitting room. The inside of the apartment doesn't look much like a mage's abode, other than the odd arcane item (and yes, there are a couple of tentacular statuettes). A couple minutes after that Trillia shows up to greet you. </p><p></p><p>She's a pleasant-looking woman who looks to be in her early thirties. Bright green eyes and short blonde hair, with a single streak of black running down one side. Comfortable robes as many of the middle-class wear.</p><p></p><p>What next?</p><p></p><p>Let me know how you'll generally introduce yourself, what you'll ask about, info you'll share with her, etc.</p><p></p><p>Me : I will tell her "I wish to learn the knowledge of that which lies beyond the confines of our small reality. To peer beneath the surface of what the uninitiated view as solid and impenetrable. My arts are bent towards those of summoning and I desire to bring those who dwell beyond to my aid when I call. I am told that you have already started walking the path to that knowledge and I wish to ask your help in setting my feet upon that same path towards transcendence. I know that there are prices to be paid for this knowledge and that a cost will be extracted, but I am willing and unafraid. Even if it is only because of my ignorance."</p><p></p><p>"Err, I also have some tentacle stew I made from a <whateveritwas>, It is not without it's risks as well, but it is an interesting culinary experiment. It can also be effective in inuring one's self against other less exotic and less palatable foods.</p><p></p><p>Shilsen :</p><p></p><p>Lillia's lips begin to twitch a bit during your speech and she gives an explosive and quite unladlylike guffaw at the comment about the tentacle stew. "Hah!" she chortles, "Tentacle stew? Nobody's offered me that since ... well ... ever!" She stops laughing, but there is still an amused twinkle in her eyes as she steps forward and sticks out a hand, "And no, I'm not laughing at you. I'm just not very big on formality. Call me Trillia. And have a seat."</p><p></p><p>She takes a seat on a comfortable couch, curling her feet up under herself. Once you are seated, she waves a hand and a small hammer rings a nearby gong (unseen servant, you figure), summoning the steward, who she will ask to fetch both of you something to drink. Once that is done, she says, "I'm not big on entertaining, but I have to say it is interesting to meet a fellow scholar, and especially one with the same interests. Even though the Guild is less stuffy than the old farts at the Esoteric Order, even some of the members here think my ... or, seemingly, our ... sort of studies are dangerous and risky. Which is utter garbage, of course! Knowledge on its own has no morality. Morality - which has its own problems as a concept - lies in the uses of knowledge, not the acquisition thereof. Knowledge, simply ... is. Which, come to think of it, is a good explanation for the kind of subjects I study. They..." </p><p></p><p>At this point, she stops and chuckles. "There I go again, rambling about my interests. And I haven't even asked what your name is. Glauster - that's my steward - said that you told him you were nameless. Were you just being coy," she chuckles, "Or is there some interesting story there?"</p><p></p><p>Me:</p><p></p><p>With a somewhat distant expression on his face and eyes that loose their focus, Nameless replies. "I do not understand it myself, but I have no name. What ever it is in the nature of things that names them is absent in me. It is not something that is lost or taken. It is part of my nature in the way that color or texture is part of other things. Perhaps that is why I seek the knowledge that I do. Like I, they are also nameless, such concepts are meaningless to them.</p><p></p><p>His eyes regain their focus and he looks at her once more. "So usually I am called nameless, it is really a description, but most mistake it for a name and it sounds like one in any language but this."</p><p></p><p>With a smile he continues "It is indeed a pleasure to talk about such things, with a savant. My comrades are strong warriors, but they have no comprehension of such things. As you know there are a limited number of people with whom it is safe to discuss such things even among those who can understand. I discuss them with Edgar, but that usually only baffles and alarms those around me." (he indicates his rock)</p><p></p><p>Trillia smiles and says, "An inbuilt resistance to names, and you have a rock named Edgar? Some things are definitely unusual about you, master Nameless, but then that is to be expected in our line of work, so to say."</p><p></p><p>She wiggles into a somewhat more comfortable position and then says, "So, how exactly do you think I can help you? I am not looking for an apprentice, and somehow, I do not get the impression that you are looking to become one at this point. So are you looking for an instructor, or simply a more experienced colleague, or just a friend to discuss your interests with?"</p><p></p><p>Before you can respond, she continues quickly, "After all, as you mentioned, subjects such as mine can be a trifle unsafe to discuss. What do I gain from sharing what I know with a stranger such as yourself?" Her voice grows steadily less jovial till it is clipped and razor-sharp. "After all, do I not run the risk of simply creating a rival to my own desires? You said that there is always a price to be paid for this knowledge and cost to be extracted. What can I extract from you, master Nameless, which would make you worth my while?" Trillia falls silent, her green eyes now cold and hard upon you.</p><p></p><p>Unphased by her rapid shift in personality, Nameless calmly replies "I offer you knowledge, power and an ally. You are an established city mage, while that grants you a stable income and time to do research it is not a quick path to power. I have chosen to risk my life pitting it against the many dangers out there, for there is no teacher like having your life depend on your skills and knowledge. I don't know why, but I know I do not have decades to spend slowly learning and growing in power. There are times even now, when I feel the hot breath of something unknown on my neck and I know I need power much greater than I have now."</p><p></p><p>Nameless's eyes briefly kindle with a dark fire. "I WILL have that power and will gladly share the knowledge and understandings I gain with you. Already I am on the verge of obtaining real power and skill, before too long I will be a powerful ally. I am going to be venturing into the dark and shadowed places of the world where many hidden mysteries can be revealed. Secrets I am sure you would like to have revealed to you. All I am asking of you is an introduction into the realms of existance that are already known to you. Knowledge is not something you loose by sharing it." </p><p></p><p>"Nor do I desire to rival anyone, I seek what I do for my own reason, even if I do not always understand what they are. If there is something more concrete that you wish me to do, please name it. If we are to be allies, trust must be established and I do not ask you to place faith in me without cause. If we are allies then what benefits you is not a loss to me."</p><p></p><p>"However, if you seek someone to bow and scrape before you, to toady for you and flatter your every whim, then I will indeed have to seek elsewhere. Such as that are no allies indeed, nor could anyone so lacking in will survive what we must on the path we tread. Even if it is a path that must be trode alone, company, however distant does make a journey more pleasant and safer."</p><p></p><p>He then bows his head to her and awaits her reply.</p><p></p><p>Trillia holds your gaze for a moment, her expression still as hard as before, before the fagade cracks and her face is split with a broad smile. She lifts her hands and claps, before saying, "Well spoken. Somewhat, though not overly, diplomatic (her smile widens at this point), but clear and forceful about your position. I appreciate that. Of course, it remains to be seen whether your actions will live up to your words but that's true for all of us."</p><p></p><p>She cocks her head and looks speculatively at you, and then continues, "Many scholars have pondered exactly what it is that sets limits to an individual's abilities. Why is it that some war veterans will never improve their expertise beyond where they were after a dozen battles, whether they fight in a hundred or thousand? Why can some wizards learn to master, say, valences of the third power in two years of study and then have to spend the next twenty to access the next circle of theurgy? And others spend just as much time and effort and never move beyond the second power? Some put it down to fate, but I am not a big believer in it. I would say, rather, that each person has a finite potential, which he or she can choose to achieve or not. And in your case, I think you may be right about the fact that you have a potential that will be revealed quickly. But we shall see."</p><p></p><p>As for myself, she says, "The sharing of knowledge and a little, presumably fascinating, conversation is something I am always willing to indulge in with the right people. And though we've made a good beginning on the latter, perhaps we can have more of the same and some sharing of knowledge over dinner. Will you join me?"</p><p></p><p>As Nameless nods agreement, she gestures and the gong rings again, summoning Glauster. She informs the steward that you will be staying for dinner and that he may serve it when ready. Once he leaves, she turns back to you and says, </p><p></p><p>"At this moment I will ask nothing of you for whatever I may share or reveal to you. As you say, ours is a lonely road, and a little intelligent company never hurts. Well, other than intelligent company that tries to rip your eyeballs out, which has been known to happen ... but I digress. As I said, I will ask nothing of you right now. Perhaps, in the future, I may need to ask you for help or a favor, and at that time you can decide based on what goes before whether you are willing to give it or not. And no, I don't ask for promises of any kind other than that you will consider whatever it is that I may ask, before agreeing or dismissing it."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="shilsen, post: 2821020, member: 198"] An email interchange between Rackhir and me: Shilsen : I think you said Nameless is going to go see if he can locate the alienist at the Guild of Starlight and Shadows, right? Me : Correct, he'll bring along some of his tentcle soup as well. Shilsen : Oh man - I need to get Nameless writing a Dummies Guide to Dating for Alienists! Me : Dummies don't need a a dating guide for alienists, anyone who isn't smart enough ends up dying horribly and won't survive long enough to read it. Now back to our regularly Scheduled Story Hour Shilsen : Once you make it to the Guild and ask about her, you'll be told that Trillia Lelleir has her own home nearby, behind and between the Dark Words (sells scrolls) and Bottled Silver (sells potions). You'll also be told about a possible job opening. Karr'Aashta, a House Tharashk inquisitive who runs his own agency called Karr'Aashta's investigations in the same district, has contacted the Guild about whether any of the members might be interested in accompanying one of his associates on a bounty hunting job. Says that the target is an fallen ex-Karrnathi holy warrior and that it'll take some traveling, but no other details. Can directly contact Karr'Aashta at his agency, which you'll be given directions to. If you go to Trillia's house, you'll find it to be a tower apartment, otherwise unremarkable outside, other than having the Guild's sigil to indicate a member lives there. The door is opened by a steward, who'll check who you are and (assuming that you mention a Guild affiliation) let you into a waiting room. He'll be back in a few minutes to let you know that his mistress will see you and take you to a more comfortable sitting room. The inside of the apartment doesn't look much like a mage's abode, other than the odd arcane item (and yes, there are a couple of tentacular statuettes). A couple minutes after that Trillia shows up to greet you. She's a pleasant-looking woman who looks to be in her early thirties. Bright green eyes and short blonde hair, with a single streak of black running down one side. Comfortable robes as many of the middle-class wear. What next? Let me know how you'll generally introduce yourself, what you'll ask about, info you'll share with her, etc. Me : I will tell her "I wish to learn the knowledge of that which lies beyond the confines of our small reality. To peer beneath the surface of what the uninitiated view as solid and impenetrable. My arts are bent towards those of summoning and I desire to bring those who dwell beyond to my aid when I call. I am told that you have already started walking the path to that knowledge and I wish to ask your help in setting my feet upon that same path towards transcendence. I know that there are prices to be paid for this knowledge and that a cost will be extracted, but I am willing and unafraid. Even if it is only because of my ignorance." "Err, I also have some tentacle stew I made from a <whateveritwas>, It is not without it's risks as well, but it is an interesting culinary experiment. It can also be effective in inuring one's self against other less exotic and less palatable foods. Shilsen : Lillia's lips begin to twitch a bit during your speech and she gives an explosive and quite unladlylike guffaw at the comment about the tentacle stew. "Hah!" she chortles, "Tentacle stew? Nobody's offered me that since ... well ... ever!" She stops laughing, but there is still an amused twinkle in her eyes as she steps forward and sticks out a hand, "And no, I'm not laughing at you. I'm just not very big on formality. Call me Trillia. And have a seat." She takes a seat on a comfortable couch, curling her feet up under herself. Once you are seated, she waves a hand and a small hammer rings a nearby gong (unseen servant, you figure), summoning the steward, who she will ask to fetch both of you something to drink. Once that is done, she says, "I'm not big on entertaining, but I have to say it is interesting to meet a fellow scholar, and especially one with the same interests. Even though the Guild is less stuffy than the old farts at the Esoteric Order, even some of the members here think my ... or, seemingly, our ... sort of studies are dangerous and risky. Which is utter garbage, of course! Knowledge on its own has no morality. Morality - which has its own problems as a concept - lies in the uses of knowledge, not the acquisition thereof. Knowledge, simply ... is. Which, come to think of it, is a good explanation for the kind of subjects I study. They..." At this point, she stops and chuckles. "There I go again, rambling about my interests. And I haven't even asked what your name is. Glauster - that's my steward - said that you told him you were nameless. Were you just being coy," she chuckles, "Or is there some interesting story there?" Me: With a somewhat distant expression on his face and eyes that loose their focus, Nameless replies. "I do not understand it myself, but I have no name. What ever it is in the nature of things that names them is absent in me. It is not something that is lost or taken. It is part of my nature in the way that color or texture is part of other things. Perhaps that is why I seek the knowledge that I do. Like I, they are also nameless, such concepts are meaningless to them. His eyes regain their focus and he looks at her once more. "So usually I am called nameless, it is really a description, but most mistake it for a name and it sounds like one in any language but this." With a smile he continues "It is indeed a pleasure to talk about such things, with a savant. My comrades are strong warriors, but they have no comprehension of such things. As you know there are a limited number of people with whom it is safe to discuss such things even among those who can understand. I discuss them with Edgar, but that usually only baffles and alarms those around me." (he indicates his rock) Trillia smiles and says, "An inbuilt resistance to names, and you have a rock named Edgar? Some things are definitely unusual about you, master Nameless, but then that is to be expected in our line of work, so to say." She wiggles into a somewhat more comfortable position and then says, "So, how exactly do you think I can help you? I am not looking for an apprentice, and somehow, I do not get the impression that you are looking to become one at this point. So are you looking for an instructor, or simply a more experienced colleague, or just a friend to discuss your interests with?" Before you can respond, she continues quickly, "After all, as you mentioned, subjects such as mine can be a trifle unsafe to discuss. What do I gain from sharing what I know with a stranger such as yourself?" Her voice grows steadily less jovial till it is clipped and razor-sharp. "After all, do I not run the risk of simply creating a rival to my own desires? You said that there is always a price to be paid for this knowledge and cost to be extracted. What can I extract from you, master Nameless, which would make you worth my while?" Trillia falls silent, her green eyes now cold and hard upon you. Unphased by her rapid shift in personality, Nameless calmly replies "I offer you knowledge, power and an ally. You are an established city mage, while that grants you a stable income and time to do research it is not a quick path to power. I have chosen to risk my life pitting it against the many dangers out there, for there is no teacher like having your life depend on your skills and knowledge. I don't know why, but I know I do not have decades to spend slowly learning and growing in power. There are times even now, when I feel the hot breath of something unknown on my neck and I know I need power much greater than I have now." Nameless's eyes briefly kindle with a dark fire. "I WILL have that power and will gladly share the knowledge and understandings I gain with you. Already I am on the verge of obtaining real power and skill, before too long I will be a powerful ally. I am going to be venturing into the dark and shadowed places of the world where many hidden mysteries can be revealed. Secrets I am sure you would like to have revealed to you. All I am asking of you is an introduction into the realms of existance that are already known to you. Knowledge is not something you loose by sharing it." "Nor do I desire to rival anyone, I seek what I do for my own reason, even if I do not always understand what they are. If there is something more concrete that you wish me to do, please name it. If we are to be allies, trust must be established and I do not ask you to place faith in me without cause. If we are allies then what benefits you is not a loss to me." "However, if you seek someone to bow and scrape before you, to toady for you and flatter your every whim, then I will indeed have to seek elsewhere. Such as that are no allies indeed, nor could anyone so lacking in will survive what we must on the path we tread. Even if it is a path that must be trode alone, company, however distant does make a journey more pleasant and safer." He then bows his head to her and awaits her reply. Trillia holds your gaze for a moment, her expression still as hard as before, before the fagade cracks and her face is split with a broad smile. She lifts her hands and claps, before saying, "Well spoken. Somewhat, though not overly, diplomatic (her smile widens at this point), but clear and forceful about your position. I appreciate that. Of course, it remains to be seen whether your actions will live up to your words but that's true for all of us." She cocks her head and looks speculatively at you, and then continues, "Many scholars have pondered exactly what it is that sets limits to an individual's abilities. Why is it that some war veterans will never improve their expertise beyond where they were after a dozen battles, whether they fight in a hundred or thousand? Why can some wizards learn to master, say, valences of the third power in two years of study and then have to spend the next twenty to access the next circle of theurgy? And others spend just as much time and effort and never move beyond the second power? Some put it down to fate, but I am not a big believer in it. I would say, rather, that each person has a finite potential, which he or she can choose to achieve or not. And in your case, I think you may be right about the fact that you have a potential that will be revealed quickly. But we shall see." As for myself, she says, "The sharing of knowledge and a little, presumably fascinating, conversation is something I am always willing to indulge in with the right people. And though we've made a good beginning on the latter, perhaps we can have more of the same and some sharing of knowledge over dinner. Will you join me?" As Nameless nods agreement, she gestures and the gong rings again, summoning Glauster. She informs the steward that you will be staying for dinner and that he may serve it when ready. Once he leaves, she turns back to you and says, "At this moment I will ask nothing of you for whatever I may share or reveal to you. As you say, ours is a lonely road, and a little intelligent company never hurts. Well, other than intelligent company that tries to rip your eyeballs out, which has been known to happen ... but I digress. As I said, I will ask nothing of you right now. Perhaps, in the future, I may need to ask you for help or a favor, and at that time you can decide based on what goes before whether you are willing to give it or not. And no, I don't ask for promises of any kind other than that you will consider whatever it is that I may ask, before agreeing or dismissing it." [/QUOTE]
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