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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8614582" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Although it was in the wee hours of Tarsakh 4, the establishment had a low buzz of activity, with several patrons lounging about a large, richly-furnished room done predominantly in purple. Two stunning-looking ladies, garbed in dresses of flowing purple hue, made exclamations of surprised pleasure as they noticed the newcomers, despite Darrow’s evident look of disappointment at not finding a tavern. A large, pallid-looking man in expensive-looking clothing – also with a purple theme, although not as overwhelming as the others – informed the ladies that they were not the usual clients, merely hired help, and he would speak to them in the back. Before they adjourned, however, one of the ladies eyed Aerikoth and said she thought she remembered him, which the wizard acknowledged to the surprise of his companions.After unlocking the door to the back room, a storage area with no purple to be seen, the pallid man gestured them in and shut the door behind him. He then looked at the group expectantly, as Dermot began checking his pockets and frowning. Aerikoth looked about the room and then nodded at Dermot, stating that he detected nothing amiss. Dermot, looking rueful, asked the others if one of them had “the thing” - but as Aerikoth immediately pointed out in reply, the Lord of the Crypt’s token had been given to the ranger. With widening eyes, he spoke Shanni’s name and then grimaced, before saying that he had lost the token, prompting curses from Darrow. (It does seem quite likely that the petite rogue lifted the token from Dermot at the same time she left her private note for him, when they were last together in Reddansyr after departing the Lord of the Crypt's domain. A bold move, but one which did not prevent this dubious alliance from moving forward. I do wonder if there will be any further consequences, however. --C)Their pallid host rolled his eyes and asked what “lost” meant, to which Aerikoth explained that one of their former companions had not agreed with aligning their efforts, as the wizard put it, and it would seem she attempted to sabotage them. The pallid man sighed dramatically, but said he accepted who they were, as he recognized their descriptions from what his Lord had described, save for the hin. Darrow noted that he was a new addition – a little salty, but otherwise all right. Unsmiling, Rosten shrugged and quipped “buy three, get one free.”Despite his willingness to accept them as allies, the pallid man expressed dismay at the loss of the token, which he said was not just for recognition, but was the key to his Lord’s realm. Aerikoth noted that they had been informed of this. Talk then turned to their status as allies in dealing with the Night King and securing the artifacts in his possession, the Argraal of Orlak and the Flying Fangs, which would be removed from Westgate.At this point, their host introduced himself as Sorenth Gorender, the proprietor of the Purple Lady, which boasted the best conversationalists in Westgate and whose attention might be had...for a price. He observed that the group did not exactly fit the profile of the establishment’s more genteel clients, so he thought it best to call them hired help. Chuckling, he also admitted that it was actually a Night Mask establishment, curling his lips over his fangs briefly. This news surprised Dermot, who suddenly became more wary, and earned a slight frown from Rosten.Sorenth described how he had been one of the first Masks to become inducted into the ranks of the Night King some years ago, but that the new Night King – the current leader of the Masks – was not doing things in his or the city’s best interest. Sorenth actually enjoyed his unlife but believed a balance must be kept, he said. Fighting to keep his distaste off his face, Dermot told Sorenth to skip to the point, about how they could help him.The vampire proprietor said he understood that they were to attend a meeting at noon in the Shore district, which both Rosten and Darrow confirmed, the hin by now looking quite confused at the situation. Sorenth, who naturally could not attend such a meeting, said that they would represent the Lord of the Crypt's interests - namely, to take possession of the two artifacts and deliver them to him. Aerikoth observed that he was well informed. This earned a brief grin from Sorenth, who then became fully serious as he noted the consequences of what would happen if the Night King’s allies discovered their plot.Looking a little nervous, Sorenth told them a number of vampires had been killed over the previous tenday, which had thrown the Night King's plans off and made him furious. Rosten and Darrow immediately asked if that had occurred down in the sewers, the dwarf hiding a grin behind his beard. Sorenth acknowledged this was true, as well as some in the city, and asked if they knew about it. Dermot nonchalantly said they might have heard something and would look into it.</blockquote>

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