The Four Lands - The Great North

[J. Alexander]

Sailing

Accepting the invitiation's, the various members assemble in Jaroth's cabin at the appointed hour... the ship is quite as most other passangers as asleep in their bed and limited watch being conducted as t he ships sails thru the night..

 

[Canaan]

Jaroth

"I'm glad you could all make it." Jaroth starts with a smile in a hushed voice.

"As you might have guessed from the context of my note, I want to discuss with you the subject of the boy." Jaroth continues as he methodically fills wine glasses from the cask he purchased in Amster.

"I have been successful in having brief conversations with him, as I am aware some of you have as well." Jaroth hands everyone who would take it a half-full wine glass.

"The boy is very difficult to read, almost as if he were absent of personality or moral/ethical bent." Jaroth swirls his wine in the glass and lifts it to his nose to smell the bouquet.

"That was my first clue that he was somehow magically shielded. Nobody exudes that kind of energy without magical aid." Jaroth takes a sip of his wine, savoring the taste on his palate.

"So, I performed a minor divination on him. One that comes naturally to me. A very simple cantrip, if you will." Jaroth's voice gets even quiter. And he pauses for a moment.

Making eye contact with you as he continues, Jaroth reveals, "I have never in my life experienced a backlash from that divination. But a backlash I received."

"There is something very strange about that boy. He shields himself in a shifting field of positive and negative energy. Negative energy lashed out at me as I probed his defenses. And THAT is not normal." Jaroth finished seriously.

"The spell that shields him is quite potent, perhaps of the Eighth Valence or higher. And the boy is quite well-read, suggesting some sort of noble upbringing. But what unnerves me further is his knowledge of very ancient history. I have not had the opportunity to determine how vast his knowledge is, but such knowledge one does not idly obtain. Either he immerses himself in the topic, or he has come by his knowledge in some other way."

"I do believe this warrants further investigation. There are further steps I could take. But I thought it best not to risk it without your knowledge....in case something goes wrong."

 

[Dracomeander]

Finnian accepts the glass of wine and sits back to listen to Jaroth. When Jaroth finishes, Finnian sits up and carefully frames his reponse.

"I have been observing you and Bertrand with the 'boy'. I've kept my distance because I didn't want to overwhelm him back into isolation. But if he is a noble or scholar, perhaps it is time I try to engage him in conversation. As a bard, I have studied a great many things and might be able to narrow down exactly what legends and regions this 'boy' is familiar with.
"I will keep your observations in mind but would not suggest further mystical probing until other avenues are exhausted. Particularly if they are dangerous to either the observer or the subject."

 

[Rath Lorien]

Anniston listens carefully before responding.

"My greatest concern is that the boy feels he has reason to protect himself to such a degree. In my experience, one does not generally take such steps unless one has something inappropriate to hide."

"Also, it seems that several of you, save perhaps Finnian, have tried to get to know the boy and I gather that he has not left you with a good impression. This lends itself to suspect him further."

"Guarding one's privacy is not a crime, but if one has suspicions it is wrong to keep it to himself. It would not be right for us to ignore our intuition in this case."

"I suggest that we inform the captain of our suspicions. He is master on this ship and it would be well within his rights to order additional investigation. If we are wrong, then all is well and the worst that happens is that we have hurt the boy's feelings. If we are right in our suspicions, then we stand to avert a great evil."

"Unfortunately, one that is able to defend himself to such a degree will undoubtedly protect the items he is transporting as well. It may be more fruitful to proceed with our investigation without telling the boy, but we should not do this without informing the captain first. It must be his call to proceed with the investigation. We will of course offer our assistance in the matter."

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

"I have tried to engage the young man on several occations. He has done nothing suspicious or disturbing in our encounters, but he does seem unusually reserved." Taking a sip of tea he continues. "With the exception of the divination, our 'investigation', if I may call it that, so far has been on the order of simple conversation. If we are to proceed I think we must speak with the Captain. Certainly, we have no authority without his permission."

 

[Rhun]

Vadric sips at his wine as he listens to the conversation. "Perhaps I could attempt to perform a similar divination upon the boy. By channeling the power of the light, I may be able to determine what this shielding is. I am no expert in the arcane, to be sure, but I have had some exposure to the ways of magic during my training."

 

[Canaan]

Jaroth

"Good ideas, all." Jaroth responds. "I feel confident in continuing this investigation. But only with the knowledge and permission of the captain. If the boy's shielding is of an arcane nature, I feel most qualified to identify it. Perhaps you and I together can attempt the divination, Vadric?" Jaroth asks.

"The boy is clearly much more than he seems. I fear that he may be a powerful arcanist. I fear that, not because that makes him a bad person or someone who means ill, but because he is masking his true personality, thus foilnig a Champion of the Light's ability to ferret out evil, for example. Why would feel the need to do so? And given the field of negative energy surrounding him and his knowledge of ancient history, I fear he is much more than even a powerful arcanist. Let's hope I am wrong."

 

[J. Alexander]

Sailing

The party has been assembled in Jaroth's cabin for about twenty minutes when a scream on intense agony and pain is heard from above...

 

[Rhun]

Vadric casts a glance at his companions, and then quickly moves out of the cabin, heading in the direction of the scream.

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

His hand flying to his flail, Bertrand jumps up and makes for the stairs to the deck above. "Come gentlemen, let's see if we can be of some assistance."