The Dark Lord [Chapter 3] The King's Army

[The_JJ]

To both Thoshkar and Egan Adrain says Hey boss, it comes highly recomended by a good friend, yeh? And then, unwilling to put up with further chitchat, he throws back his cloak so that the butt end of one of his crossbows was showing.

[crimson77]

The people milling around do not take much notice to the weapon clearly shown, as if it were common place here.

[OOC:Do you enter, wait, or leave?]

[The_JJ]

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I'm going in!

[Greyen]

Regis

The warrior/thug that Regis is playing says Excellent, its time fer a beer and a piece of ass. Lets go. He strides confidently into the Lantern Tavern.

[Nomad5]

Egan Brahe (Mister Anthony)

The boss follows Max into the tavern.

[Cyranojoe]

Throshkar/Jimmy White

The cavalier crosses his arms. Tiny crossbows, filthy-mouthed men of God, and a notoriously disreputable alehouse...

No further.

Quietly but firmly, he says to Louis: "I'll not enter that place. Lou--Joe. You go in. Call 'pon me when--no, if... if you need mine aid." Throshkar looks at his squire and is surprised to see disappointment reflected in the young man's eyes.

"Ah'll do that. You take care a' yerself, Jimmy," the boy says meaningfully. He makes a surreptitious gesture, the cavaliers' hail, then turns and strides with purpose into the tavern behind the others.

Throshkar nods. The boy is strong. Stronger than he? He shakes off the thought; t'will not do. The big man finds a place to lean against the wall near the door, where he keeps his ears open and his eyes alert, trying to emulate the gruff men waiting for their "bosses".

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Throshkar has a -1 to Listen and Spot, and he'll use his +11 to Intimidate if somebody tries to make him move.

[crimson77]

The party minus the fearless Jimmy open the door and walk into the tavern. The outer door opens into a small entryway where two large bouncers in dark masks stand guard. They nod at you as you enter as if they know you. You pass through the doors they are guarding and into a smoke filled tavern room. The place is crowded with people talking at the bar and at tables. You are not sure if it is the smoke filled room or just that you are tired after a long days journey but you feel slightly strange [will save DC 20]. You notice that it is hard to make out the faces of the people in the bar and the faces of your companions. Also everyone's voices seem to be a little different here and you even have a hard time hearing what people are saying around you. A waiter points you toward a large empty booth and you all wonder over to it and sit down. When you sit down your head seems to clear and you can easily make out the faces and the voices of your companions but you still have trouble seeing or hearing others in the bar.

[Will save DC 20]

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[if passed]

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You have trouble seeing and hearing the faces/voices of people in the bar but if you concentrated hard enough you could make out some of the people on your walk over to the booth. Once in the booth you feel normal but the smoke obscures your vision of details of people's faces/voices in the rest of the bar - You did not see Olna.

[if failed]

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You have trouble remembering your walk to the booth it is like you are under the influence of psychedelic drugs. You remember feeling weird but you cannot even remember if you walked here alone or with your friends. Once in the booth you feel slightly buzzed and the smoke obscures your vision of details of people's faces/voices in the rest of the bar

[Adrian & Egan]

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You can choose if you have been here before

[Throshkar & Regis]

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You have never been here before

[Arcane Knowledge DC 25/ Spellcraft DC 20]

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This is obscuring forgetting mist. When one enters the area they quickly become disoriented and forget what they see. Upon exiting they feel normal but often will forget anything they saw.

[The_JJ]

Adrian blinks as he slids into the booth. Never do get used to that... Then he flips his hand at the waiter, and asks him for whatever he usually gets here. (Probably something like a bowl of peanuts and small drink)

[crimson77]

The waiter brings over a round of drinks and some peanuts. The ale here is smooth and good, better than you have had in a while. After a few moments of chattering among yourselves one of the bouncers that you saw at the door slides into the booth. You begin to rise in protest or ask why they are here but the mask is removed and you see Olna's flowing hair and smooth face. She smiles and says to young Louis, "Louis, please go get your boss from outside. Remind him that he is only tarnishing his honor by hesitating entering a place that he fears. By standing outside he brings us greater danger if anyone recognizes him. In here we are safe from scrying eyes. If that does not bring him in then tell him I have news of his boss, Kilmer, but do not say the name for we can only speak safely and unseen here."

Olna then turns to the group with a wide smile and bright eyes. You notice that she looks older than when you last saw her. Her makeup is smudged and there is a bit of charcoal on her face but she is still the same old Olna. She continues speaking to the group when Louis gets up to leave, "I am glad that you got my message the city is in a state of controlled chaos. I am uncertain what you already know and what you need to know so please ask your questions."

She turns to Adrian and then speaks softly, "Adrian, I know that we have not always been on the same side in our business dealings but I trust that we can put our differences behind us. I am so sorry to hear of your loss."

[Nomad5]

Egan Brahe (Mister Anthony)

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Will Save: (1d20+9)[26]
Knowledge Spellcraft: (1d20+20)[30]

Egan steeled himself for the entry into the Tavern. He had studied the magics here many years ago and was familiar with their effects. It had been a long time since his last visit here though. He took care to not study it further this time, as his actions might show him as a spellcaster. We know the penalty for priests. I wonder what the condemnation of the arcane are now?

He is silent as Olna comes to sit, and relieved when she reveals herself, but lets Adrian respond before jumping in. "I am sorry to hear for your loss." I wonder what loss our friend has had? One significant enough that Olna has given sympathy?

[Cyranojoe]

Louis Von Koch

Louis nods at Olna. Her sayin' Master Throshkar was afeared to enter this weird place was sayin' too much, but then, the Lady didn't much care for how the Master didn't trust her magic. Kinda snooty about it, both of 'em, but that's how people are.

"Yes'm. Be right back." Louis makes his way through the dizzying smoke -- was that drugs they was smokin'? Ain't nothin' like what his cousins had givin' him, afore he was apprenticed ta Throshkar. Feels stranger an' stranger... curiouser an' curiouser? Where had he heard that?

Finally, the young warrior half-stumbles into the mind-clearing air beyond the door, but his brain his frozen by the experience. What...? Why had he come outside already? There -- his master, Jimmy delaBlanche... no wait... what?

The muscular noblemen looks to his squire expectantly, but Louis finds himself at a loss for words for several seconds. Finally, his memory, tucked and folded away, comes loose. "They need ye inside," he blurts. Yer afraid? No -- that would only make him mad. Why would he say that? Louis racks his brain, and his memory. "Strategy questions. And news you need to know, 'bout him 'at started this."

"The Pr--?" Louis cuts him off, quick:"No, afore that. Him 'at gave you tha box."

Throshkar's blue-green eyes go as wide as a springtime sky. He wastes no more words, but plunges into the misty doorway, full steam ahead. Louis lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding, pauses, then follows.

[crimson77]

Jimmy and Louis enter into the smokey tavern and make their way back toward the booth occupied by their companions. Jimmy feels the same uneasy feeling the others expereinced as he passes through the misty room. Olna smiles as he slides his large armored body into the booth. "You were always one for the dramatic entrances Throshe." She says with a large grin. "Seeing you here makes me forget that so much has happened since we last saw each other. You look good. Your friends have recounted some of what has transpired since I left you. You are safe to speak freely here the magic of this place will shield any conversations and our very presence."

[ooc: I am not exactly sure what the party will want to tell Olna. I figured that you guys might have clued her into some of what has happened lately. I also do not want to waste your time in recounting your adventure. Just let me know if you hold any information back from her (e.g., prince or his location).

[Cyranojoe]

Throshkar delaBlanche

Nausea threatens to overwhelm the warrior as he passes through this den of iniquity, this corrupt haven of shadows, thieves, and merchants. Olna's full lips and generous smile take their time cutting through his haze, but they do much to calm his senses.

"A magnificent greeting in such a dark place, milady," he says as soon as he regains some stability. "You are looking marvelous yourself, Olna." And she was, gorgeous as always, though perhaps tired...?

Seeing Olna speak with freedom, Throshkar details their story: "As you know, Regis and I found the Prince shortly after you and Johnathan departed -- deep in the bowels of the earth, he stood protected by a great dragon, ally of his grandfather. There we met Sir Adrian Da Gra, and then Monsieur Egan Brahe 'pon our arrival at the City of Freemen. Together we have served our Prince in preparing him a place of strength from which to stand and claim his rights, to be known and judged by the Counsel."

"We understand from your letter that the Counsel has been scattered by the elder prince. Aseral sends us to discover their hiding places and bring them into the light, so they might speak their minds true and choose our king rightfully."

"I know this is our mission first and most, but I must ask: know you the fate of General Kilmer, or of mine family? The delaBlanche flag has not flown o'er our castle for some time, nor have I had word since the... the 'Dark Lord', I suppose, claimed the throne. And Johnathan, too, of course. Is he here?"

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Throshkar won't bring up the location of the fort if Olna doesn't. Since her letter got to him, he'd assume she knows all she needs to know.

[crimson77]

Olna sighs with Throshkar’s statement and a tear runs down one of her cheeks. ”Oh Throshkar, things have not been well here. I believe that your family is safe but I have not seen nor heard much of your wife. Jonathon is not well. He has been fighting with the resistance and had some narrow escapes but nothing a healer cannot fix. What troubles me is his inner demons, the things that healers cannot fix. Something is wrong in that head of his. He cannot sleep and remembers things that he should just forget. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. You see his wife was killed in front of him and he was powerless to save her.

“On a brighter note, we have located four of the remaining five council members. One is staying at my….well my home. Jonathon is protecting another in an apartment in the east city. The others are hiding safely but will need to be escorted out. Two of the counsel members are dead and the fifth’s whereabouts are unknown. Jonathon has located Kilmer. He will not tell me where for fear of anyone knowing. So do not speak about him being alive. The dark lord wants him dead but knows if he does it publically that the resistance might make him a martyr. He is keeping him alive somewhere. I am uncertain how Jonathon knows his whereabouts. I will lead you to my….my house and give you directions from there to find Jonathon. Do you have any questions before we leave here? We will leave discretely.

[The_JJ]

Adrian fought the urge to spit out his mouthful of beer. He swallows slowly, and then nods at Olna. So the rest of the gang got caught too? He tries, urgently, to think about something else. Had he clashed with Olna before? He certainly couldn't remember trying to fleece her, or lifting anything from her home, but there were always jobs, here and there, long cons where you could get the sense of other players in the water.

The halfling then sat back and listened while Onla relayed her stories. Fun times. He thought dourly. Yesterday he'd been pleased with the imminent exitement, an hour ago, bussinesslike and professional, but now he was sour, angry, and disillusioned. Suddenly it was all real. Never before, except perhaps when Theadras had first kicked in his door, had he felt like this.

But when that had happened, he'd wheeled dealed, got his mother off the hook, and ended up landing himself a fun hobby and a good friend, of sorts.

But then again, he'd done it for his mother, and that wasn't really an option.

But then again, again, some strange new idea was bubbling up through his normally carefree soul. Revenge.

[Nomad5]

Egan Brahe (Mister Anthony)

After watching the interchange between Olna and the others, Egan grows anxious rather than relaxed at all of the bad news and her own apparent aggitation. "You have brought dour news for everyone here, Lady Olna. I am reluctant to ask you about my own family because of this. I can see that these times have even pressed you." Egan takes a lets his disguise fall from him as he takes out a 'kerchief and wipes the smudge from Olna's cheek. "What brought you in such a rush that you did not compose yourself before sitting here? And you have stuttered twice tonight when telling us that you would take us to your home. What has upset you this much?"

[crimson77]

Olna listens to Adrian's words "So the rest of the gang got caught too?" and shakes her head. She sighs and says, "You do not know do you? You have not been by your bakery? The block where you once lived is in ruins....well ruins is a poor choice of a word, is it dust. Some powerful magic is at work here. Your family and friends along with some others were quite upset with the dark lord for putting a stop to their business practices and they put up quite a resistance. The dark lord himself came down himself with his black guards and destroyed the very area to set an example. This was months ago. Fire smothered in the sky for over a week before the fire burned itself out. It was not simply them getting caught but a destruction of their very nature and all that we hold dear."

Tears start to fall down her face and Egans words break the silence, "You have brought dour news for everyone here, Lady Olna. I am reluctant to ask you about my own family because of this. I can see that these times have even pressed you." Egan lets his disguise fall from him as he takes out a 'kerchief and wipes the smudge from Olna's cheek "What brought you in such a rush that you did not compose yourself before sitting here? And you have stuttered twice tonight when telling us that you would take us to your home. What has upset you this much?" Olna can no longer bring her gaze up to meet your eyes as more and more tears rush from her eyes to splatter upon the table. She finally speaks, "Tis not a rush but I have no where to live. Our homes are destroyed, our family killed well except you Egan I do not know the fate of your family. I live in my family's crypt and sleep upon my fathers grave. (sob) I have not bathed in the months since I last saw you. The counsel member lives with me and sleeps on my aunts grave. (sob) The old town and the graveyards are safe for now. We have kept silent here in the old town to divert the attention of the powers that be. They think that all that live here are the beggars, drug runners, and the dirtiest whores. You know the ones that they cannot tax."

[The_JJ]

Adrian slams his fist into his hand. And stares off as Olna relates her tale. Then he slips out of his seat and slips over to the bar. Once there he sweeps off the hat that covered his unmistakable black hair and swipes away the subtle touches of makeup that had altered his face.

Double shot Tommy, double quick.

[Cyranojoe]

Throshkar delaBlanche

Your wife... It is a punch in the stomach from an ogre mage -- some knight he is. He had literally forgotten about his wife in all the madness and adventure. The two of them had simply been a society arrangement, of much more political benefit than emotional bond, but still... a cavalier should not abandon a lady in need.

And then...

Angelia... she's dead??

All other words, all other people, all other concepts disappear. They are gone, and there is only her.

Memories of elegant cotillions, passing glances... a social call here, a fortuitous meeting there... uncomfortably attending a salon study just for the excuse to be near her, to hear her voice and bask in her wisdom and beauty...

...mysterious eyes, shaded, protecting a love never known...

Throshkar sits in uncharacteristic silence. He has not heard a word beyond 'powerless'. The tragedies befalling Adrian and Olna are part of another world; sensing his master's distraction, Louis steps up:

"Miss Olna -- yer, yer always been so beautiful, an' you ain't stopped now. Don't you worry about what you've gone n' had to do, or about what's happened. We're here, an' we're gonna fix it all. We're gonna stop him." He looks to the mage and cleric, men of great power and wisdom in his eyes. "Can you spell a way for the lady to... you know... take a right proper shower? Or even a bath?"

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Just to be clear to the new guys -- Throshkar is madly in love with Johnathan's now-dead wife. It's not something most of his friends know, even Johnathan, and not Louis, though I imagine Olna may have picked up on it. Maybe not.

Separately, I'm hoping to make Louis smarter than Throshkar, if not as charismatic...

[crimson77]

Olna smiles when she sees Louis's encouragement and then turns to the silent Throshkar, "I am really sorry for your loss Throshkar, I had forgotten how much she meant to you. There is still hope if you can find a priest powerful enough to resurrect her from the dead. Her body lies in my families crypt for safe keeping. Jonathon needs you now more than ever. You must be strong for his sake, he looks up to you like an older brother, he always has."

[Greyen]

Regis

I can Raise her if she has been dead no more than 12 dyas. When we have a safe place and time to do it, I will need some more study but I may be able to ressurrect her if she has been gone for more time than that. But that is neither here nor there. First we needs to fulfil the mission.

[Cyranojoe]

Throshkar delaBlanche

Louis shakes his head at Regis. "Tha's nice an' all, but I was jes' askin' fer Miss Olna here. It's tha little things what help sometimes."

Olna's words draw forth Throshkar's gaze, flat and blue. Slowly, he focuses on what she is saying; her sobs from before echo back to him in memory, hanging in the fog over Regis' rumbling baritone.

Arcane enhancements, mystic songs of yore, and now resurrection of the dead... magic has an easy answer for everything... doesn't it? But it doesn't solve the chill in his heart. Nor stop the sudden boiling in his brain. Inspiration has struck, black and hot and terrible.

'Johnathan... what have you done...?'

Throshkar rises. For an instant, he seems to stand at a precipice, tempted and terrified by the fall. The moment passes, and his face is his own again. But there is no smile.

"Milady, you'll not live like this any longer. You have served your lord a thousand times over; you will this night with your charge be ta'en in by the good Prince, our Future King, and be treated as the fair and worthy maid you are. You know Aantier well -- he and a troop of loyal cavaliers wait for you outside the city. This eve or the morrow at latest, you'll sleep in safety, if not comfort, and have both in half a fortnight."

'Johnathan...!'

"Let us to your family after but the briefest of meals. I would have you safe forthwith, and..." '...and I don't want you to see what I do to your beloved Johnathan, my dear old friend, if he be as I fear.' "...and I have little stomach for food or beverage." He motions to the nearest server -- going to get them if need be -- and orders a quick dinner for everyone.

[Nomad5]

Egan Brahe

Egan comforts Olna as she finally breaks and offers a few kind words. He is sorry for having done this to her, taken away her last veil of dignity, but veils of secrecy do not build strong allies. And yet, I would hold the location of the Prince from her. Irony.

"Can you spell a way for the lady to... you know... take a right proper shower? Or even a bath?"

"You have a good heart young, Louis. You will make a fine cavalier. But that magic I do not possess. " As Throsh orders some food, Egan is just happy that the brash knight didn't go rushing out the door to do something really bad. Maybe the mist would have stopped him at the door, not remembering where he was going? It was bad enough that he let Olna off the hook, promising to whisk her away from all of her toils. They probably still needed her in the city, sleeping on a coffin, to get all of the counsel members out.

"We need to plan this. There are a lot of counsel members to collect. Which are the most vulnerable right now, and which are the safest? Which do we go after first? Our main goal is their safety, which may, Lady Olna, require your particular talents and connections in this city for a bit longer. If we get the opportunity we need to get intelligence on the Dark Lord and his knights as well. Perhaps Jonathon has done some of this already. We should find him and Kilmer if we can." Egan rubs his head in thought. "So many possibilities. We should act on what we know. Collect the counsel member from the graveyard, and Jonathon and the counsel member from the east city. Can we do this tonight? Tomorrow, I can scry for the 5th council member from the encampment. Then we can move from there."

[crimson77]

The waiter brings over large plates filled with food. Olna looks torn as she starts speaking again, "I do not think that I can leave my city again. My work is here as hard as it is to be here. The resistance needs me. I will help you get the counsel members to safety." Turning to Regis she continues, "I am sorry she has been dead for longer than a month."

She then addresses the whole party, "We should move quickly, your troops might quickly be found. Let us try to get the counsel members out that we can before the sun comes up. Do you have any more questions before we leave here?"

[Cyranojoe]

Throshkar delaBlanche

"As you will, milady." 'I won't let you see what happens to Johnathan... oh, God, let me be wrong.' For once, Throshkar pauses over his food to offer a sincere and silent prayer, nodding as Regis offers a more vocal message to the Lord Above.

The cavalier then eats with purpose, disregarding the points of etiquette by which he normally stands in order to get at the necessary nutrients with as little time wasted as possible. He does not make a mess, but neither is it clean. Fingers are the order of the day.

Louis, too, eats quickly, though with some semblance of manners. He glances up at Egan from time to time. 'Ye will make a good cavalier? 'm already an officer, led a troop! Silly old wizzer,' he thinks with a chuckle. As for Olna... 'Cain't let 'er get hurt. If Johnathan ain't by 'er side, then I'll be there.'

"Oh, Miss Olna -- what's our escape routes? If we get split up or gotta get outta town, where do we meet up afterward, an' how d'we get there?"

[crimson77]

"There is a tunnel here we can leave by, it will draw the least amount of suspicion. We can leave the city via the smugglers means. The smuggles have been helping the resistance by helping us get people in and out of the city as well as getting us goods that we need. I will take you to my home and we can decide the best course of action from there. I am uncertain where this farm is that is housing your troops." Olna continues to pick at her food as if she is only mildly interested in the taste.

[The_JJ]

Adrian sits at the bar, idly spinning a gold coin round and round, next to his shot glass. Then he nods to Tommy, reaches into a pouch, and slaps the counter, leaving a fine white handprint next to the gold coin.

Tell 'em the Baker's Boy is back, if you see anyone who cares. Then he slips off of his stool and heads to the table. Think 'm gonna go home, just for a lil' bit.

[crimson77]

[OOC: Any one concerned that Adrian is about to leave by himself?]

[The_JJ]

[A slightly drunk but very emotionally upset Adrian who has just dropped his aristo accent?]

[Cyranojoe]

Throshkar delaBlanche

Throshkar catches sight of a fuzzy halfling moving away from the group, rather than returning from the bar. His words are a muddle due to the magical surroundings, though the cavalier remains unaware of the cause, but he recognizes slinking off when he sees it.

When shouting proves insufficient, Throsh tosses down a deep swallow of ale and heads off after his compatriot. A short gesture indicating he will meet the rest of them outside is all he leaves behind.

Louis finishes his meal carefully. He places a few coins on the table as payment, then looks expectantly to Egan and Regis.

Catching up to the smaller man, Throshkar grabs him lightly on the shoulder, across the nape of the neck. "Da Gra. Wither do you go?" His grip, like the tone of his words, is not business-like, but neither is it entirely casual.

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Just FYI, I will probably not be posting much in the weekday evenings going forward. There's also a chance I'll be buying a house, moving in, and doing some renovations in the coming month, which may impact my participation as well.