The Retrievers - Chapter 2

[Erekose13]

Sten has been awake for a few hours already, he is outside sitting with his back to a stone wall, while the tower slowly springs to life. Sitting with his feet under him, he leans forward and presses his cheek to the ground. Lifting his head once again, he draws his short ceremonial knife and removes a tiny piece of flesh from his forearm. He looks again at the cross-stitching of scars on both his arms remembering the dedication that Grumbar asks of his followers.

He places the piece of flesh on the ground and presses his other cheek to it, completing the ritual just before the sun rises. His ministrations finished he rumbles out a low droning note to end with and whipes the blood and dirt from his face. Standing he stretches his legs having sat for far too long in that position. Time and patience lead to strength and endurance, he reminded himself.

Sten looks out over the small compound, his unusually gray hair bundled loosely into a ponytail. As the sun's light begins to spread more noise can be heard from the tower's servants. With another hour or two to spare he sets into his exercises learned as an apprentice blacksmith. His master had always told him that time may help, but nothing but physical activity will keep you in proper shape.

When all is said and done the rather plainly dressed young man gathers his belongings and heads into the tower. He heads to the kitchens to see if the cooks have anything prepared yet. I wonder if any of my companions have risen yet, he thinks to himself as he nabs a piece of fresh bread.

 

[Wilphe]

Pemberton looks mildy amused at Brendens rather obvious discomfort, "Gripir and Durnn been leading you astray again haven't they? One of them has been getting drunk since before you were born and the other probably really does have a cast iron stomach as well as a beer elemental somewhere in his family tree. You aren't ever going to catch them up."
"At this rate though, your nose will become red soon even if no other part of you does, now get some food inside you it'll do you good," He eats with the hearty appetite of someone who has slept the sound sleep of not really giving a damn about anything much.

"And what of Sten on this fine morning? Ever been to the Spine of the World?"

 

[Harvey]

Durnn, Earth Genasi Fighter 1

"Did I hear someone say Spine of the World?" shouts Durnn loudly, as he barrels into the common room, knowing that his loud voice will cause some headaches among his party members after last night's debauchery. "Home horrid home" he says, as he grabs a chair, turns it around, and sits down backwards at the table.

"What is for breakfast this fine morning? Soup? Sounds good to me. One soup!" he calls out to the serving lady.

He scans the room at his fellow compatriots. "Ah, young Brenden! Had fun last night, eh? I can't believe what you said to that bartender! I never thought you had it in you!" he says with a chuckle. "Master Bren!" he says with a flourish. "One of these days we will convince you to join in one of our contests... if my uncle the "beer elemental" has anything to say about it!" he says with a knowing wink. "And Sten! I'd do a little taunting to you too this morning, if you didn't heal that damn guard's wounds from our last adventure..." he says as he rubs the side of his stomach, still sore from the sword wound.

"Where is the rest of our party? Where is Mindal and Gripir? Well, if Gripir is not here drinking, then he must be at the pub drinking!" he says with a laugh. "But Mindal? After last night, one of us best check his room to make sure he is still alive!"

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Gripir happily downs another tankard, absentmindedly scratching Sigulf's head. Once he finishes, he pays (only his second of the morning — it's a working day) and heads back towards the tower. "Hmgasj. Bjkashomeagn." He chuckles and lets out a small cheer.

When he reaches the tower, he strides into the common room, freeing his badger from its lead. He grins at his companions. "Argo ne lats!" A pause and a cocked eyebrow. "Wresa Mymtelatt?"

Spoiler

"Where's Mindal at?"

He sits down at a table and procures some breakfast.

 

[Elocin]

(ooc: will post later on today as my in-laws just got here when I was in mid post, dang it.)

 

[Elocin]

Chapter 1

You all gather together outside Retsilah's study some of you happier with last nights revelry that others. Finding yourself thinking that this is a pretty damn good group that is easily able to take care of each other you are confident that any task your master puts before you, with your companions at your side you will be able to get the job done. You prepare yourselves and knock on the door ready to meet today's challenge.

"Enter", you here in your mind once more. Entering this room you are still amazed at the size of this room. Countless times you have found yourself walking around the building outside to your astonishment after leaving this room. This room itself is easily one hundred and feet to a side, but every time you walk around the outside and counting your steps you only count 80. Now you know that this floor houses Retsilah's study and his living quarters so this definitely adds to your headaches you already have.

Everything that you have ever thought about wizards fills this room almost to overflowing. There are alchemist lab equipment everywhere and more book and bookshelves than you have ever seen. But what catches your attention every time you come in here is what possibly might be in the cages this day. Today you are shocked to see a tall creature that looks skeletal and wretched, almost a husk of a humanoid form, with dried skin stretched so tight as to outline and emphasize every bone. It has a fearsome, skull-like head and a tail like a scorpion's, and a foul odor of decay hangs in the air around it. This creature definitely sees you and considers all of you lunch but thankfully it is surrounded by a forcecage and is trapped within a symbol on the floor.

You walk to your master’s desk and stand before him waiting for him to acknowledge your presence. You are pretty sure he is human but there is no way you could begin to determine his age. He looks venerable but you have seen him move faster than you thought humanly possible. Fro the ones that understand magic you can only wonder at the power he possesses at his fingertips not to mention that almost infinite amount of magic items he has lying around his study. What is amazing is how meticulous Retsilah is, no matter what he needs or wants at any given time he has always been able to walk right to it. But with all this you can still here him muttering to himself on occasion and having whole conversations with either himself or some other entity that either is not thee or you just cannot fathom. After what seems like an eternity he finally looks up at you and a little startled, burst out, "What do you want?"

A little confused Durnn mentions, "Master you sent for us this morning and told us to report to you after midday."

He glares at you with an intense glare mumbling something under his breath, "Well then its about time you all showed up, I can see you had some fun again last night and our paying the price for it now." Then with a wave of his hand you will a great pressure upon your brain that almost hurts and then leaves just as suddenly and with its departure so is the pounding headache. "Right I need you to retrieve a Fire Opal in the shape of a fist from an abandoned monastery located somewhere to the north of the town called Quaevarr. I am sure the townspeople can help you with directions from there. I do not know the exact location just it is located somewhere in the hills of the Spine of the World NW of said town. As I have done before I will teleport you to just outside the town and then when you are done collecting my gemstone travel back to your arrival point and speak my name in a loud voice and I will teleport you back." At which point he stares up at the ceiling and then goes back to what he was doing before you arrived.

You are used to his distractions and wait till he acknowledges you again and after about 5 minutes or so he looks back up at you. "You 6 have done wonders so far working for me and as a reward I have some things for you on the table over thee." His hand casually points in the direction near the cage with the monster in it and you now see a table littered with a few items. "Pick out what you want from the items there and then grab your stuff as I will be sending you off right away." Moving over to the table you see the following items neatly displayed on the table with little notes attached to them explaining what the items are.

(ooc: you only get one choice)

Adamantine Dagger +1
Wand of Cure light Wounds (50 charges)
Potion of Invisibility
Mithril Chain Shirt
Scroll of Endure Elements Fire
Cloak of Resistance +1
Matching set of Gloves of Storing
Quiver of Ehlonna
Ring of Lockpicking (complete adventurer)
Shortsword +1
Bow of the Grey Marshes (Mighty bow that grows with the user from +1 to +5 depending on your Str)

"So pick the item of your reward then gather your stuff and report back to me quickly, now go!"

 

[Lobo Lurker]

After what seems like an eternity he finally looks up at you and a little startled, burst out, "What do you want?"

The master has certainly spent far too much time delving into other spaces or handling mercury & lead...

"Right I need you to retrieve a Fire Opal in the shape of a fist from an abandoned monastery located somewhere to the north of the town called Quaevarr. I am sure the townspeople can help you with directions from there. I do not know the exact location just it is located somewhere in the hills of the Spine of the World NW of said town. As I have done before I will teleport you to just outside the town and then when you are done collecting my gemstone travel back to your arrival point and speak my name in a loud voice and I will teleport you back."

<sigh> ...and once again, another quest without specifics. While I appreciate the magical training, what does this guy actually need from us? Can't he just summon a seeking demon or something? Not that the pay is bad...

"Pick out what you want from the items there and then grab your stuff as I will be sending you off right away." Moving over to the table you see the following items neatly displayed on the table with little notes attached to them explaining what the items are.

Brenden wanders over to the table. "Hmm, this cloak looks interesting. I'll take it if no one else has any objections... or maybe those gloves, they could be interesting too... the quiver too... Hmm, decisions, decisions... What about you guys?" He looks around at his companions questioningly before going back to examining the items.

Over his shoulder, to the master, he says "Master, do you know if we'll be facing any competition or people opposed to your goals on this mission?" He pauses, "Do you know anything about them?"

He turns and looks at the strange creature (1d20+6=17) caged within magical force. "You certainly look fearsome. Are you involved with any of this?"
(OOC: trying to figure out what it is, Knowledge: The Planes +6)

 

[Scotley]

Mindal Human Scout

Mindal, used to the boss' ways, arrives with his gear packed and exchanges greetings with his companions. As their mission is explained, Mindal stares at the horrible creature in the cage. I hope he's not going to waste a fist sized gem on that hellspawn. Mindal looks over the assembled gear on the table. He runs his fingers over the seemingly delicate links of the chain shirt marveling that they can be so strong. He draws the bow and nods appreciatively and pulls the sword from its scabbard to wave it about a few passes. He slips on the ring and a mischievous grin crosses his lips. Only one? He's teasing us with so many items he must know we want. He's making sure we return; this must be the worst mission yet. With a sigh Mindal steps away from the table and looks at his friends trying to gauge their desires. Finaly he speaks, "Well since there isn't a scroll of that headache and hangover cure I can't decide." He turns to Brenden, "there are several items I'd rather have over the cloak, gloves or quiver, so I shant despute your choice. The short sword, bow, chain shirt and ring all appeal to me." He glances at the others, "what say the rest of you."

 

[Harvey]

Durnn, Earth Genasi Fighter 1

"Dibs on the gloves!" shouts Durnn, which garners looks from the rest of the party. "What?" Durnn says, oblivious to the fact at how rude he is being. Finally realizing, he looks down a bit guilty. "... all I'm saying is, you try to carry a greataxe and a battleaxe around. They're damn heavy!"

Durnn points with his thumb to the strange creature and his cage. "And what's with gruesome here?" Durnn mockingly snarls at the creature, which looks back at him with pure hatred in its eyes. "Hey Pemberton... or Brenden... you're both pretty well read... what the hell is that thing?"

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Gripir says nothing for a while. What is there, really, to say? He's uninterested in most of the items presented, but he waits to see what the others think before venturing. "Idabe mose itrstdinnaclk, budidabbe happy widawandordascroll. Theressa youselus."

Spoiler

"I'd be most interested in the cloak, but I'd be happy with the wand or the scroll. The rest are useless."

While waiting for a response, he sticks his tongue out at the creature. "Nasotov, eh, Siguff?" Gripir laughs.