The Secret Scion

[Bront]

"I'm fine Bail, but thank you for your conecern," Mel says with a warm voice and gentile smile to Bail.

 

[D20Dazza]

The Fall of ....

"I'm fine Bail, but thank you for your concern," Mel says with a warm voice and gentile smile to Bail.

Bail breathes an audible sigh of relief at Mel's words but a deep concern still radiates from his eyes and he continues to appraise Mel's condition every couple of minutes.

 

[Ferrix]

"Thank you sister," Shenystari inclines her head towards the female noblewoman, "we must see to Opal, hopefully she can help us weed out Arden Fair's power by the roots."

 

[Erekose13]

Hxaptos ignore's Haolks boastful coment but replies, "I don't know much about Talenta, but there is joy in eatin what you kill."

 

[stonegod]

Something Fishy at the Drunk Duck!

Hxaptos ignore's Haolks boastful coment but replies, "I don't know much about Talenta, but there is joy in eatin what you kill."

"I do that! Once killed a bug this big! Not very tasty, though. Gnarg said I need more garlic. I no think so. Better cooking process needed. Could modify fishy man's kitchen to use acidic fire! That'd cook real good. As long as it didn't eat a hole in the ship. Or cook. But that would almost never probably not okay kinda likely happen."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

The Fall of Arden Fair

"Well, now that we're safe, we need to think about the possible aftermath. Unfortunately, I fear that though we have saved this girl from destruction, we may have accomplished nothing else with regards to the Illuminated Minds due to our need to retreat. As I mentioned earlier, they can pretty easily write us off as random loony terrorists."

"Terrorists get people talking though, and may spark an investigation of some kind," Mel says. "I may even have a connection I can use to help with this as well, though to contact it may bring about other issues."

"That was always the risk, but we have some propaganda we can put into affect now. We anticipated this happening, not today, but at least sometime soon. If nothing else, we have raised doubts in the minds of their followers. You were not scruffily dressed, you protested injustice instead of spouting slogans, and if violence occurred, it was curiosly isolated. Young people prone to introspection, such as Arden Fair's pupils, will recall this. We use his own techniques against him. It will not be easy, but we can continue to chip away at their edifice of supierority and respectability.

"Mel, what connection did you speak of? Any help we could get would be more than useful. But despite what we might learn, it might not be a bad idea to get out of Sharn for a while. After we figure out our plans, you would be safer off away from here, where it would be harder for them to find you, at least until the disgrace leaves the forefront of their minds," Febratari says, her voice even, thoughtful, and deliberate. It's almost unnaturally calm for someone who was just running from possessing enemies.

"Let's tend to Opal and hear her story before making any rash decisions" Bail says "And let's make sure Mel is OK as well" he continues his voice tinged with concern.

Shortly after the discussion, Opal awakens all at once, at first giving a strangled scream, then flinging herself at Shenystari, crying hysterically. She can calm the frightened girl after a few moments, and ask her of her story.

"I was... I was preparing my mind like Arden taught me, reaching into the a mindscape of shapes, and then there was something above my consciousness, forcing me into the diamond. I thought that's where I was supposed to go, then everything fell apart! The gold and red was everywhere, it was chasing me, it wanted to kill me!" she half-sobbed.

~~~~

Something Fishy Grilling at the Drunk Duck!

When the Big Owner Man comes in and mentions food, there is a loud *RUUMBLE* from Tondrek's stomach. He looks embarrased a moment, and says. "sorry. But I hungy and like to eat. Thank you much." Then looking at the collapsed chef, he adds, "Need construct cook. Never break. Rarely. Unless element break free, run amok, and destroy all humans. And half-orcs. And dwarfs. And..." Luckily, he trails off, continuing the list more silently to himself.

The man opens his mouth for a moment, then shuts it. "Poor lad, must have taken a blow to the head..." the man says softly.

Harolk enjoys the kiss. "That I´m magnificent it´s barely news, dear. That´s like telling the sea ´You´re wet´"

"Glory hound! Come on, I think I need to see that healer as soon as he gets here..." Querzana says, tugging him along to the private dining room.

The "private" room is actually where the gnome musicians were playing earlier, on top of the main cabin of the ship. A canopy is erected over the top, and the sides are drapped with insect netting. Torches dosed with insect-bane oil are set to burning on the corners of the room, and insect-bane candles, with their pleasent scent, are placed on a table wrestled up from below. The party is given a chance to clean themselves off, and by the time the last of the rugelt blood is off, a House Jorasco healer, a rather harried halfling man, has finally arrvied.

"Heavens! You look terrible! Let me take care of that at once..." he says quickly, taking Querzana's arm in between his hands. In a matter of minutes, he's mended her arm, Harolk's ribs, and Hxaptos and Tondrek's bruises, then ducks below to look at the chef. The group of heroes are treated to excellent cold ale or red wine as the fancy takes them, along with bread and grilled vegetables as they're waiting for their steaks. It takes a while, considering the state they left the galley, but soon the savory scent of grilling meat fills the air. Eventually the innkeeper comes up bearing a large platter filled with grilled, white rugelt steaks, seasoned with lemons, pepper, garlic, and probably a whole host of other spices as well. The steaks are flavorful and tender, melting in the mouth, and the innkeeper loudly praises the party to others of his staff.

 

[Bront]

The Fall of Arden Fair

"My cousin. That is, if I can convince her to not tell my father I'm here. And I'd probably have to explain some... uncomfortable things to her. But if we're leaving shortly, that may not be too bad," Mel says, though with some worry in her voice. "She's a sharn socialite, and likely has some powerful conections that may help bring down the influence Adren has in Sharn socialy."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"If you're sure she can be trusted with this secret, then go to her Mel. What is her name? And would you like an escort?" Febratari says softly, looking at her with a serious gaze.

 

[Bront]

"Isar’even Delena, and I know her mother was not amused by my father's antics, so I would hope so, but allas, I have never met her... exactly," Mel says. "I might also be able to contact Layferi d’Phiarlan, but that might also be risky. However, he may be more willing to keep my presense a secret. As for an escort, while it might be wise, it may make things harder to explain."

OOC: I couldn't remember if she was an aunt or cousin, or Veilin's cousin, but I found it.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Rayni nods slightly in thought, glad that Mel has decided to explore her connections and silently praying that she would be rewarded with the love of a cousin and not the mistrust she expected.*

*Meanwhile, she turns to Opal and smiles reassuringly, a soothing smile full of warmth and the strength of her charisma.*

"You need not worry now, Opal. You are safe now. Arden Fair is actually an evil spirit from the realm of dreams possessing a man's body. He sought to destroy your soul, sealing it away in order plant one of his brothers into your body. We stopped that before it could happen, though."

*Although Rayni isn't completely sure that she saved Opal in time, the hysteria seems fairly convincing to her, and so she is more worried about helping calm the girl than any sort of paranoid inquisition. Still, she makes sure to check for anything unusual, just in case.*

(OOC: Diplomacy +19, Sense Motive +4)