The Evil Eye - IC

[HolyMan]

"You know your world better than me," Jiles says with a grin. "But I am a quick learner. HaHa"

He looks to Nikko. "What about his... condition? Maybe you should try and find a priest or priestess. I'll do a little nosing around. You be careful and meet me back here in two hours."

Jiles straightens his clothes and heads off whistling a tune. "Oh and good luck." he says looking back at the man.

 

[kinem]

"He seems all right now but he may well need your healing again tonight, so stay safe" Raul replies. "I have not seen any temples in town. I suspect that if there are any they would not be inclined to help."

ooc: What will Jiles do in the meantime?

 

[HolyMan]

Jiles heads off back towards the carnival to sure for any information on this Lady Gabrielle Aderre.

"And might as well make a few pieces of gold while I'm at it." he thinks with a smile.

 

[kinem]

It takes a couple of hours for Jiles to make the rounds of the Wine Garden and make his inquiries.

He finds that everyone knows Lady Gabrielle Aderre to be the ruler of Invidia, and that she got the position by overthrowing the previous ruler, Bakholis, a few years ago.

Most agree that the change was for the better, but little has really changed in the city.

He also confirms that the woman is known as a beauty, with dark eyes and fair skin. She is middle aged, but is as attractive as a much younger woman.

The seat of power is not the city of Karina, but the nearby Castle Loupet to the north.

Some of the people Jiles talks to remark that is is usual for Gabrielle to spend time during Carnival in the city and indeed in the Wine Garden. None of them have seen her at Carnival this year, or heard any news about her recently. In general, they assume that for whatever reason she has remained at the castle this year.

As he continues asking questions, Jiles hears darker rumors as well: "Lady Aderre has a taste for married men" one woman notes, as her friends nod.

A bartender admits "She is known as 'the Witch of Loupet'. Her power to cloud men's minds with her magic is feared throughout the land. I'm glad she hasn't come around lately."

The two hours being up, Jiles heads back to meet Raul.

Raul still carries Nikko. "I found a woman who seems suitable" he says "but I feared to leave Nikko, in case he needs your healing again tonight."

 

[HolyMan]

"No problem," Jiles says with a smile. "Let's take him to this woman and I will heal him before we set out. I have a few leads and we still have a few hours left in the day."

OCC: Will heal Nikko with highest healing spell I have and then see about going to Castle Loupet and nose around.

 

[kinem]

Raul looks at Nikko, who remains quiet. "All right. What did you find out?"

You accompany him to a modest house where a youngish couple with two young girls live. They seem pleasant enough. After casting the spell on Nikko and taking your leave, you head out into the Carnival, trying to make your way north out of the city.

Pushing through the Carnival crowds, you see countless entertainers, from the Fabulous Fire-Eaters of Mortigny to the bizarre Fred with his Singing Salmon.

You are near the edge of the Wine Garden neighborhood when a barker's cry suddenly rises above the festival clamor.

"Come one, come all, to the terrifying House of Mists!"
"Test your courage and skill of arms!"

At the side of the street, a man stands on a short wine cask in front of a 7' tall black wooden box.

A nervous green parrot paces atop the tall box, muttering to itself, echoing the barker ("Monsters of the Mists, wraagh!")

The barker's weathered face is creased by a inviting smile, and a gold earring glitters at an ear. His dark pants and shirt are accented by a fancy red and black satin vest.

The barker is now looking directly at Jiles. The roar of the crowd seems to drop away, and you hear only his voice.

"Welcome to the House of Mists! Come brave the ghosts of your past!" "Ghost from the past, wraagh!" The green parrot fixes you with a knowing gaze.

 

[HolyMan]

"Well this looks interesting," Jiles says nearly mesmerized. "Come on Raul we both have ghosts in our past, let's just go see if we can't lay them to rest."

Jiles walks up to the barker and with a slight bow introduces himself. "Well met, Goodman. I am Jiles of the Dalelands. Poet, warrior, sage, and I wish to know more about this House of Mists you mentioned. Please explain to me what you meant by brave the ghosts of my past."

 

[kinem]

"Ah, well met Jiles, well met!

I am Vincenzo, and this " the parrot "is Lolita, and that " the tall wooden box "is the fabulous, incomparable House of Mists!

For the thrill of your lives, you may step into the box - one at a time, please - and battle the fearsome creatures of the Mists! And I assure you that it is utterly safe!" "Perfectly safe, wraagh!"

"All this for a mere pittance of five gold pieces each!" "Gold pieces, wraagh!"

Raul looks intently at Vincenzo and says a few words that Jiles doesn't understand. Vincenzo replies in a similar vein.

 

[HolyMan]

"I hope you were asking what happens should you lose to the monsters you face in there," Jiles says looking over the box. "Safe is all well and good but I would like to have all my arms and legs when I return. Not to mention belongings. What happens if I say drop my sword inside the box? Would I get it back?"

Truly intent on giving the odd box a try, Jiles wonders if the man is one of these people Raul spoke of earlier.

{{ He did mention they have a way with this odd mist. }} the bard thinks as he watches the man and parrot out of the corner of his eye.

 

[kinem]

"Do not worry. You can not lose anything inside. If you drop your sword it will be waiting on the floor. So you are ready for the challenge?" "Challenge, wraagh!"