Warriors Of The Coast

[DEFCON 1]

"Mom... there is another thing. The pirates knows about my mark. The dwarf will surely speak about it to the watchmen. It is for my mark they kept me alive. They thought there could be a relation between it and the sigils warding teh gate Luttin open.

I asked why they kept me alive, and tell it in front of all. I am not sure the others understood what the dwarf meant, except Ari. He knows, but I think he will keep it for himself. But because of the dwarf, if father doesn't handle it right, the rumor will spread..."

Morinda Silversun looks at her son with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Darling, this is something that we've been dreading, but expecting for quite some time. I really cannot say what will happen when the pirates come to trial, but I would like to think that your father knows enough about what needs to happen that your name should not be brought into it. You helped bring them to justice, but hopefully that's the extent to your involvement in this whole mess."

She walks over and wraps her arms around her boy, unable to truly let him go. He feels the warmth of her embrace envelop him, and he finally feel truly safe. A light kiss on the forehead, and she lets him go. "All I can tell you of your mark is what your father and learned when your mark came into being twelve years ago. We spoke with Allustar the librarian and he revealed to us how this must have happened. My great-grandparents were both a marked part of House Phiarlan... singers and dancers in a travelling troupe in Cyre. Your father has some khoravar* blood in him from several generations ago, and we figure one of them at some point must have been Lyrandar or Medani marked. Our mixing of the two bloods must have produced your mark. But why it hasn't happened with Jina... that we just don't know."

She walks over to the stove and pours a cup of cocoa and hands it to Jango. "With all the pain and suffering in the world today... it seems silly for anyone to get so worked up by a unique mark. But they do. And there's nothing you can do but to show to people that you aren't a bad person just because you have it. Show the world the kind of boy you are, and soon, your mark will be accepted. Okay?"

One final kiss on the forehead, and she then sends Jango upstairs with his cocoa so that he might get some rest.

* "khoravar" is the Eberron term for a half-elf, as they are a unique race unto themselves.

 

[Velmont]

"Okay... you are right." Jango smiles, but barely hide his concerns. He returns to the common room and sits down next to his sister. "How it been for you? The day havn't been to hard? I think this time, we will be some times without doing some excurtion at night."

 

[stonegod]

Ari tried on his new armor. It was best not to ask where it came from, but he had his suspicions. Regardless, it was missing something. The spikes on his old armor added that certain... something to the monster hunter's appearance. They defined him. They said "Monster Hunter for Hire." He would have to talk to the smith as soon as possible to get them refitted for his latest acquisition.

On his way to the outskirts of town where Dhelleck kept shop, Ari nodded and waved back at the Seawellians that passed. He kept to himself the thoughts on how many of them had been so willing to turn against him just at a few words of that Luttin boy. He had not forgotten, no. The monster hunter was convenient to have when there were monsters, but not when a boy went missing. Especially if some loud mouthed, charismatic ne'er do-well that the town frowned upon half the time said something about it. It grated at Ari. He had spilt a lot of blood doing things the Watch would not, and all he got for it was the opinion that he was only in it for the gold.

The gold was a bonus. Killing the monsters was his reward.

Ari was softly whistling as he entered the d'Tharashk compound. It was not as abuzz with action today, now that the attacks had subsided. The half-orc secretary Dhelleck kept still tried to keep him out, but when the monster hunter picked out the largest of the purple-black shards he had found, he was immediately let in. Without a word, the hexer coasted in, plunked down the fist-full of stones, and announced, "I believe you owe me a commission." And putting up a finger before Dhelleck could say anything, he added "And I know where there are more... a lot more."

But it'll cost you...

 

[DEFCON 1]

Dhelleck d'Tharashk sat at his desk, the entire top covered in paperwork. When the dragonshard dropped hard upon it, his eyes immediately looked up at it, then up at the man who brought it in.

"I believe you owe me a commission." said the man. Dhelleck opened his mouth to say something, but the man put up a finger to shut him up. "And I know where there are more... a lot more."

The look on the man's face told Dhelleck that this would cost him. He reached over and picked up the small dragonshard and begin inspecting it... rotating it around and holding it up to the light. "Khyber shard? Interesting. As far as I know, this is the first Khyber shard that's been found in this area... unless of course someone had found some previously and just never said anything." He tossed it up into the air and caught it deftly. "How many of these have you got? And you said you could get more?"

Dhelleck d'Tharashk stood up from the desk and smiled. His lower canine teeth protruded upwards, and to anyone else it would look as though he was baring his fangs. Ari Osten of course had no fear of the man, having worked for him so long... but it did of course beg the question that was always on people's minds when they met Dhelleck... was he human or was he halforkish? His skin was the pinkish color of the human race, but his features had a distinct halfork look to them. No one could ever tell. He certainly wasn't as obviously a halfork as the Watchman Skarghash was... and Dhelleck never made it a point to state it one way or the other. And the fairly large dragonmark that wrapped itself around his thigh didn't help, as they have appeared on both humans and halforks.

He walked over to the corner of the office and began turing the dial on a large safe in the corner. After a few seconds it popped open, he tossed the shard into it, then withdrew his hand holding a bag that rattled... obviously a coin purse. He slammed the safe shut, walked over to the desk, then began counting out coinage. After a few seconds he had a small pile that he swept into a small bag and dropped in front of Ari. "A thousand. And another thousand for each one you bring me. These are worth much more than those Eberron shards that Dubbin keeps finding for me, especially because of their size. I have a gnomish friend up in Newthrone that'll make good use of these." He sat back down at the desk and smiled at the monster hunter.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Jina looks at her brother and smiles. "I'm so glad you're all right... I was worried sick. It's been a bit rough all day because mother was so upset. And from what I've heard her say to other people, I think we're going to be grounded... for a week, for a month... I dunno. We're probably going to get a talking to once father comes home."

She stands up and looks sadly at her twin. "Father has already said that he's stopping my fencing lessons for a while... so don't be surprised if mother says the same about your magic." She sighs once and then begins turning to go out of the common room. "I'm going to go up and wait for the hammer to fall. It'll happen tonight... I just know it." Jango watches his sister forlornly head to the doorway through which leads the back of the inn and their sleeping quarters.

Jango sits at the table with his cocoa... knowing now that he isn't going to get away from a possible punishment for sneaking out of town yesterday morning. This sinking feeling settles into his stomach and he stares into his cup. His mind wanders a bit and he doesn't even notice when someone approaches him from behind... that is until his voice is heard.

"It sounded as though you did well, lad. Khalia said your arcane manipulation was quite adequate."

Jango spins around and sees the town's librarian and wizardly apprentice, the changeling Zan, standing in front of him. His white face holds a thin smile, and his pale eyes almost seem to sparkle in gladness. "Ever since Allustar passed, I've been alone in the town with my progression in the arcane. I'm glad to see someone else is finally taking up the mantle as well." He reaches out a places a hand on the boy's shoulder. "If you ever need some advice or help.. please do not hesitate to see me. I would be glad to pass on what I've learned."

 

[stonegod]

"A thousand. And another thousand for each one you bring me. These are worth much more than those Eberron shards that Dubbin keeps finding for me, especially because of their size. I have a gnomish friend up in Newthrone that'll make good use of these." He sat back down at the desk and smiled at the monster hunter.

Ari never trusted it when d'Tharashk smiled. The man was a predator, but one of words and backroom dealings, not the more straight up battles the monster hunter was familiar with. To cover for his misgivings, Ari pushed forward the other two shards. "Here are the others I've retrieved so far. But I'm a hunter, not a miner. Why don't we negotiate terms for the location of these precious stones, and leave the work to your more capable employees."

Hope that butters him up. If what Khalia said is right, I don't want to be the one that plays with that thing. Let d'Tharashk deal with it. That way any problems with getting to it from the Watch are their problem, not mine.

 

[Velmont]

Jango sees his sister leaving the room. His eyes turns back to his cocoa. He stares at it a moment, thinking what would happen with his father. He clearly told that they would need to talk.

But his mind is quickly returned to the caves. What is that voice? He feels anxious about that. He feels drawn toward that voice, but he feels some fear too. He will need to return there, but he would need to seacrh for information about it...

"It sounded as though you did well, lad. Khalia said your arcane manipulation was quite adequate." Jango spins around and sees the town's librarian and wizardly apprentice, the changeling Zan, standing in front of him. His white face holds a thin smile, and his pale eyes almost seem to sparkle in gladness.

"She told that? Yeah, maybe..." replies Jango, surprise of the wizard appearence. He isn't used to be so absorbed in his though, maybe in his book, but even then...

"Ever since Allustar passed, I've been alone in the town with my progression in the arcane. I'm glad to see someone else is finally taking up the mantle as well." He reaches out a places a hand on the boy's shoulder. "If you ever need some advice or help.. please do not hesitate to see me. I would be glad to pass on what I've learned."

"Thanks" is the only word that come in mind of Jango. He smiles at him and returns to his cacao and take a sip. He suddenly turns his attention back to the wizard who is leaving his company. "Maybe we can start now... I have a few questions that came to me after all that adventure. You might be the best one place in this town to answers them."

OOC: Assuming that Zan will accept to talk...

As Zan takes a seat next to him. Jango starts to describes in details what he has seen in the tunnels. The mine, the doors with the strange inscriptions, the Khyber's shards, the narrow passages, the glyph, the secret room and the statue... he only describe the place, not wasting time on the events themselves, or on the voice that have been speaking in his head. "Do you know what this place was before it was lost and almost forgotten? I was wondering what the captain Erqua could have been seeking down there. She might be interested with Khyber's shards, three had been removed, at the cost of three lives it seems, but the hidden room and the statue seems to worth more importance to her."

 

[DEFCON 1]

Watchman Malory's eyes widen as Skarghash passes on what the Watchmaster had said about going on vacation. "He actually said that to you? Seriously? Are you goin to take it? My goodness, what I wouldn't GIVE to get a vacation right now!" The female gnome sighs audibly and leans back in her chair. This prompts a snort from Watchman Boggs, who looks around the tavern you are all sitting in... each of you having a drink or five now that you've all gotten off work.

"Andreana, you've only just come back on duty! You go home for six months to Korrenberg, and now that you're back, you want to go on vacation again? Bah! At least Skarg's been working hard and straight through for the past four months. Isn't that right? You haven't even had two days off in row in all that time, haven't you Skarg?" He turns and looks inquisitively at the halfork. "What you should do is take a combo vacation and training series. I heard that there's some new guy up in Newthrone that's teaching some skills on survival and combat and such starting in a few weeks. One of those Valenar I think. If you head up there, I'm sure the Watchmaster would let you leave now... take a couple weeks to recharge, then head right in for training."

The final person at your table, Watchman Barr, nods in agreement. "Yeah. That's the way to do it. Take it from me... once you've got another training bar under your belt, your salary down here goes up quite nicely. I wasn't making bubkiss until I took my heavy weapons training, and now look where I am! Group leader on the trebuchet unit." The three Watchmen each take sips from their drinks and look to see how Skarghash feels.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Khalia ir'Indari sits at the desk in her room at the Green Lilac, the light from the lamp casting a soft glow about the walls. Upon the desk lays several maps, most of which were acquired by Nelson Luttin for her and Zan. Knowing the nature of the scalywag, Khalia's been spending several hours recopying the maps onto new parchment, on the off-chance Luttin returns to take them back. You never really know with that boy.

She and the changling wizard had spent several hours earlier in the day going over the maps once she returned to town. Khalia relaid all of what had occured after Zan had returned to town after leaving the lighthouse, and Zan seemed genuinely sorry that he wasn't there to help her down in the tunnels and in the shrine dedicated to the Dragon Below. After a few hours, she had gotten tired and had come up here to take a nap. Now that she's awake, she's begun the arduous copying process.

Suddenly, there is a knock on the door and a voice is heard from behind it. "Excuse me," says the voice of Morinda Silversun, the patroness of the Lilac. "Lady Ir'Indari? I have her a note for you! From Mother Tharavar at the Silver Flame shrine." Khalia stands up and goes to the door, opening it up and claiming the note. Tensions between Khalia and the priestess of the Flame here in Seawell have always been a little strained, so she is surprised to have received something from Mother Tharavar. Khalia returns to her desk, opens the letter up, and begins to read.

Miss ir'Indari,

I have heard from the good people in town that you were involved in some evil happenings outside of the walls of Seawell. Murder, piracy, torture, and cavorting with vile creatures from beneath the earth. While I understand you did your best to see to it that these events would never occur again, I am very much fearful of how these incidents may have affected a disciple of the Flame.

The Flame teaches us to destroy all evil, and yet I am saddened to understand that evil still lives in that Flame-forsaken hellhole you discovered. I would heartily recommend that you return to the shrine as soon as possible, so that you may be cleansed of the taint that has surely infested itself within you. One cannot be too careful, lest the evils of the world burrow into your soul like a maggot into a rotten piece of meat. I look forward to seeing you shortly, so that the ever-present influence of the Silver Flame may wash over you and remove whatever foulness ins within you.

Your servant of the Flame,

Mother Kylin Tharavar

 

[drothgery]

How many times do I have to remind that woman that I am not under her authority? Khalia thinks with irritation.

"Thank you, Misstress Silversun." Khalia said.

I suppose I will have to visit the shrine tomorrow. Certainly not tonight; if there were any real urgency, she would have come herself. But everything I will tell her, she has heard before.