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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Isida Kep'Tukari" data-source="post: 2921727" data-attributes="member: 4441">Tondrek: [sblock]Before you left the Lava Pit, Forge told you she would leave messages at the Red Hammer for you, and you could leave information there for her the same way.  She gives you directions, and you recognize it as the tavern next to Louella's Last Stand down in the Cogs.Sometime during the next few weeks, if you go down there, you find a fat letter waiting for you.  The Red Hammer is a curious place, an inn and tavern for warforged.  Though they don't need to eat or sleep or drink, they often crave company, which is what the Hammer provides.  The bar had no liquor behind it, but had various oils, wires, fibers, and other sundries to repair or embellish warforged.  The one of the keepers of the inn, a 'forged named Crucible, gives Tondrek his mail.  He gets many odd glances when he first came in, but the presence of Sparky and Tondrek's innocent interest in the 'forge soon earns him a certain kind of respect.  The letter is written in a very precise, almost mathmatical hand, and contains a very interesting story:[/sblock]Shenystari: [sblock]Quote:By using her own knowledge of meditation, she thinks she could lead Opal and her friends in a "meditation exercise," and then question them under hypnosis to see what they know.    When do you want to do this?  With witnesses present (Mel or Rayni)?  Or alone?  Soon, or after you discover a bit more about the Illuminated Minds?~~~~~Quote:Shenystari hears from the kids that the liquor is a dark, potent, and slightly bitter drink that makes one fall into a trance state for several hours. People have been known to sleep-walk while under its effects, and some claim they can see through the eyes of other people while in their trance. As to where it is produced, Shenystari can't find out, though the Illuminated Minds usually have a supply of it. The grand vision of the Illuminated Minds seems to be self-improvement, an eventual merging of the spirit with the higher consciousness of the cosmos. They're not exactly humanitarian, as they consider anyone who doesn't try to improve their minds as beneath their notice, but neither do they counsel violence or active cruelty. This "duel of the spirits" is supposed to be a metaphorical representation between the different parts of the mind, base instincts, consciousness, and the higher godmind.    The liquor, Opal will tell you, is only handed out by Arden, and is never taken off the premises, as far as she knows.  He only wants people to use it under supervision, as it says it can be harmful to people who are not properly prepared mentally.~~~Quote:Opal will gladly tell you, as she's been trying to get you to go for the last week or so. They hold their meetings in Arden Fair's home/temple in Upper Tavick's Landing, the Ocean View district to be precise. It's a very rich area, suitable for the type of clientelle the Minds attract. Some people seem entirely swayed by all the Illuminated Minds have to say, others simply are using the philosophy as a stepping stone in their academic journeys.     Opal seems to be one of those that are well enamored of Arden.  He is said to be very handsome and charismatic, and Opal is young.  Romantic crushes on a teacher certainly aren't unusual.  However, she won't hear anything bad said of him.  One of her friends, Isabell, questioned some of his teachings in front of her (and you) and was quickly engaged in a very heated debate.  She had to back down eventually, as she was clearly in the minority.  It seems Arden inspires loyalty in many of his followers.  Isabell has yet to use the liquor, as she joined the order fairly recently.  It seems that those who are either new or extremely independent are less swayed by Arden.~~~Quote:There are some kalashtar in the city, in the Broken Arch district in Middle Dura. They don't advertise their presence, you had to party with five gold to learn that information.    They might be worried about it, as it could be a way to increase the numbers of sleeper agents in the city.  They might already know.  They could think you're an agent.  A simple letter or hint, something indirect, may work easiest.  Perhaps an annoymous invitation to one of Arden's open meetings?[/sblock]Harolk: [sblock]You can find out (in the next few days) that Lorien d'Thuranni is a powerful scion of the House, and a renowned blade-dancer.  He and those trained by him are in demand for certain kinds of parties, often thrown by the young and reckless.  Perhaps that explains while Silas had an invitation, Silas worked in the tedious and boring but important (according to your father) field of quality control amongst weapons.  He was a member of the Pure Guild, who were hired to make sure a person got what they paid for.  Silas was responsible for examining metal purity, sharpness, craftsmanship, balance, and other such things.  He was not a swordsman himself, in fact, he was nothing more than a kind of glorified inspection agent, but he was well-paid.  Thuranni must have used him in the past to make certain they weren't being cheated, hence the invitation.  The party itself is to be held the fourth week of Barrakas, on Zor.  The party is labled as a "blade gallery," something you learn to mean that new weapons made by the house will be displayed and then demonstrated in a series of spectacular entertainments.  Apparently this party will include weapons made with rare metals from Khyber, techniques found in Xen'drick, and new spells developed by Thuranni scions.  The crowd it attracks is bound to be... interesting.OOC: the post with your "lady friend's" name isn't lost!  It's right <a href="http://www.enworld.org/showpost.php?p=2861882&postcount=380" target="_blank">here!</a> Her name is Querzana Lightningblade.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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