Absence of Empathy IC

[PolkaBear]

[Earlier]

"I really wouldn't know who did the work for us. Maybe the department has its own wizard? I don't know."

[Currently]

The escort frowns. "We wouldn't want our projects to be damaged. Let's see." He unlocks and opens each door in turn, working his way down the hall. While they are all filled with similar equipment as the original, none of them have a damaged wall. Upon reaching the last two doors, however, the guide's key fails to fit the locks.

"I'm sorry, sirs. I don't have the key for these last two doors. It's likely that it's off-limits. I will be sure to pass your concerns to my superiors, however. You can be certain that they will address the matter in short order. Thank you for your help."

It's obvious that the guide considers your tour to be at an end.

[Irrealist]

Arfondt consults with Morlian, interspersing what appear to be magical termini technici in draconic. "Well, dear colleague, do you suppose this could be a matter of a search for auras behind the doors effect? The repercussions would strongly depend on which also check for auras along the way out we are dealing with here. We have no idea as to the velocity of propagation of the ice."
He walks back up to the door, talking to the guide so he has to turn his back to Morlian if he wants to watch Arfondt. "Do you know who would have the keys to these locked doors? I would advise you to check on this as soon as possible. When magic malfunctions, you never know what is going to happen."

[PolkaBear]

After half a minute, Morlian responds in Draconic. "The auras appear to be the same as those in the other rooms. They're stronger than is strictly required for such a simple effect: whoever they secured to create these items is no mere novice."

Meanwhile, the official furrows his brow and replies. "It's obviously one of my superiors; but since I don't use these other rooms, I don't know who they're assigned to. I guess I could ask."

[Once you eventually get back to the administrative section:]

Your former guide disappears into the offices. He returns with a parchment in his hand. "It appears that they're long-term storage units rather than research; but if you want access to them, you'll need to go up to The Rise [where Drim's primary administrative buildings are located]."

"Anything else I can help you with?" Despite being verbose, your guide has made every effort to be polite and helpful.

[Irrealist]

"Can you tell me who I would have to talk to for access to these rooms? Will they know what I mean if I ask them about the long-term storage units in the basement?"

[PolkaBear]

"Hm. Just...here." He goes behind the desk and scribbles something on a corner of twice-used parchment. "If you hand this to someone up The Rise, they'll be able to look up what you're talking about. They're the property numbers for the two vaults."

[Irrealist]

"Thank you very much, you have been most helpful"." Arfondt bows slightly to the official. "I hope we will return soon."

The three wizards make their way to The Rise. Arfondt looks a little weary as he turns to Morlian. "I hope we can get this over with soon. But I really want to know what it is that we saw down there."
Arfondt forces himself to smile as they enter the administrative building of the agricultural department. He walks up to the desk at the entrance and pulls the piece of parchment out of his pocket. "Good day, my name is Arfondt. I am investigating what might be a failure of a magical installation at the agricultural exchequer. There was probably a failure of a cooling unit and ice broke through the walls into the sewers. We need access to the storage vaults to find out what is wrong there. Who would I have to talk to that can decide this?" He hands the desk person the slip of parchment he got from the official at the exchequer.

[PolkaBear]

The clerk at the desk takes the thrice-used parchment and turns it a couple times before focusing on the script Arfondt had indicated. "I'll see what I can do." Then she disappears into the back.

"Are you sure that this is all that important, Arfondt," Morlian asked. "After all, if the flooding in the sewers got near to a source of cold like that, ice is exactly what I'd expect."

You wait several more minutes before the clerk returns. "Thank you for notifying us. They tell me that someone has been dispatched."

Arfondt repeats his request for access to the vaults.

"I'm sorry, but your request was denied. Might I have your names, in case we have further questions?"

[Irrealist]

"My name is Arfondt, I am a member of the wizard's guild. I would appreciate it if you could notify me when your wizards have found out what happened in your storage units. May I inquire as to why our request was denied?"


After the clerk has answered, Arfondt politely says goodbye and leaves the building with the other to wizards. On their way back to the wizard's guild, he replies to Morlians question. "I am not really sure anymore what had me so concerned about this. It was probably nothing, you're right. What do you think about getting a scroll of clairvoyance, go back into the sewers and have a look at the storage units through the ice? At least then we'll know it's really nothing. Maybe I can sleep better then. Or do you feel that would be too intrusive?" Arfondt seems somewhat uncertain about how to proceed, and Morlian can see that he is carrying out some inner struggle.

[PolkaBear]

The clerk takes your name and information, but he cannot (or will not) provide an answer regarding the denial.

Morlian gives Arfondt a kind look. "If it would put your mind at rest, then there's some value to it. I must confess that my curiousity is aroused--not that I think it's some great danger or sinister scheme, but because I'm by nature and training interested in all forms of the arcane. I'd also like to know who put those things together for them. According to the aura it was a simple spell, but cast by an experienced mage."

You return to the guild house and retrieve a scroll of clairvoyance; but when you arrive at the bulkhead access to the sewer, it's all locked up. Lews must have finished his work and moved on.

Morlian sighs. "Ah, I feared it might be so. I don't have the stamina to run around the city much more, and there's work awaiting me back at the guildhouse. If you're going to continue your investigations, you'll have to do it without me. Is there anything you need before I go?"

[Irrealist]

Arfondt stares at Morlian questioningly. "But that's what we brought the Knock-scrolls for. We feared the door would be locked the first time we came here, so we brought the scrolls. Do you think using one now would be a bad idea?"

[PolkaBear]

Morlian waved a hand. "Ah, so that's what you were planning them for. Well, I guess it's only a bad idea if you're caught. It is trespassing on city property. Do you need me to sit out here while you go down, maybe 'keep lookout' for you? I really do need a rest."

[Irrealist]

Arfondt nods. "That's a fine idea. Any idea how you could alert me to someone investigating?"

After that point is discussed, Arfondt smoothes his robe, walks up to the the bulkhead and unrolls the scroll. A few muttered words later, the door opens slowly, inviting the mage in. A last nod to Morlian, then he descends the by now familiar way down into the sewers, then further on towards the ice. This is all so exciting, I never thought being a wizard would be like this. Crawling through subterranean passages covered in magical ice, my companion on the lookout for guards, all to unveil some arcane secret. I better hurry though - the faster I am, the smaller the chance of getting caught. And so Arfondt, master thief, makes haste towards the wall with the missing block.

After crawling on his knees through the narrow passage left by the ice, he reaches his destination. In the light of his ever-burning torch, he unrolls another scroll and makes the required gestures and speaks the traditional words to create a small third eye about ten feet beyond the other side of the wall. Trembling with anticipation, he closes his eyes and concentrates on his new perceptions.

[PolkaBear]

Sure enough, you see that a wall block has been pushed through by a build-up of the ice that forms your window into the room. The blocks around the hole are likewise buckled slightly inward.

The room is much like the others you saw in its basic equipment: large table-like refrigeration units regularly-spaced throughout the room. These units, however, are twice as long as the three-foot cubes that cooled the other rooms. The other significant difference is the complete lack of clutter. Whereas the research vaults were crammed with crates, produce, and plants, this room is stripped bare.

You also note that there are small hoops of thick metal protruding from the surface of each unit, spaced evenly and symmetrically down both long edges. The metal is polished bright from wear.

[Irrealist]

Arfondt takes a good look around, taking in all the details of the room and searching for anything unusual, then dismisses the spell and hurries back to the exit.

[PolkaBear]

Arfondt and his coworkers make it back to the guildhouse seemingly undetected.

Seemingly.

[Irrealist]

Back in the safety of the guildhouse, Morlian and Arfondt have some tea in Morlian's study. Arfondt talks excitedly about what he saw:"So I crawled through the ice, and when I reached the spot with the missing brick, I cast the spell. There were tables in the room, man-sized with metal hoops for strapping someone down. I don't know what kind of experiments..."
"Calm down", Morlian tries to soothe him. "Why would the Agricultural Department perform human experiments? Did you see anything besides the tables?"
"Well, no there was nothing else in that room besides the tables."
"So what they look like?"
"Well, like the refrigeration units we saw... oh. You mean?"
"So there was a room with nothing in it except larger storage units?"
"Well, yes. But they were man sized. And what are the hoops for?"
"Probably for tying something down. What do you want to do? Go to the High Chair because some of Agriculture's refrigeration units have hoops? I am curious as well, but we have exhausted most of our options. They won't let us in there without orders from very high up, which will be really hard to get. Meanwhile, we have important work to do. What about the spellbook that was sold to you two weeks ago? Have you even had a look into it?"
"Yes I did, and it was very interesting. But what if..." Arfondt pauses. "You're probably right. It's nothing and I'm getting so worked up about it. I still have a bad feeling though."
"So have some more tea, and get some sleep. Today was a very rough day for you, first getting trapped in the sewers, then running around the city all day. Tomorrow you'll see things clearer."
"I guess you're right. Thanks for your advice and your help today, and for being so supportive. It really means a lot to me-"
The two wizards lean back in their chairs and sip their tea. They talk for a few more minutes, but soon Arfondt starts to yawn. He excuses himself and goes to his room, where he barely manages to undress before falling asleep, the fatigue that this exciting day caused taking its toll.

[PolkaBear]

The pub is full of a midday crowd which has come to lunch on the fresh bread and hearty soup for which the pub is known. Several of you have ordered steaming bowls of your own, while others have settled for a tankard instead. The babble of noise from nearby conversation and laughter creates a bubble of privacy for you, despite the fact that you are bumping elbows with strangers.

Arfondt is weaving his way back to the table, having risen to find an overwhelmed server and place an order. Kylen's hearty laugh rises above the tavern noise, and he clanks his tankard on the oaken tabletop in response to Janick's just-finished jest. Kayte smiles too, but uncertainly, and Chaim winks reassuringly at her. Ulf has not yet arrived. Crennick, his arm in a sling, is filling you in on Rach.

"I ran into him less than a week afterwards; we've both got the same friend. He wasn't doing well. Sick as a swamp-bound camel. Haven't heard if he recovered, but I wouldn't expect to see him today. No, he was in bad shape. I wonder if he caught something down in them sewers. I woulda thought that the floods washed them clean, but you never know."

[Darkantra]

Janick Mayweather

An attractive man wearing fine armor and a traveling cloak sits near you. His face has pleasant features, handsome while not looking too boyish, with a days worth of stubble. His brown and blond hair is swept into a ponytail at the back and his grey eyes seem to twinkle as you watch them. His clothes are travel worn, but well tailored, and strangely don't seem nearly warm enough for the weather. Closely observing him you can see him narrow his eyes every so often, causing a glint of polished brass to come up from their depths. Even being around him evokes strange but not unwelcome feelings when his eyes flash. Oftentimes your tongue seems to spin tales much more ably, your senses sharpen almost imperceptibly, or you simply feel more hale.

Janick took another spoonful of soup, his shoulders shaking slightly from Kylen's infectious laugh. Dipping a chunk of bread into the broth before popping it into his mouth he let himself settle back into his seat for the first time that day.

"I have to say, it's good to be back with other warm-bloods. While kobolds can be good enough guests their tastes in food and comfort are a bit..."

His hand strokes his chin as he searches for a diplomatic way to explain their habits to outsiders, and with a mental shrug decides to go with the easiest explanation.

"Different. The lack of human sized chairs is appalling and you always," he looks at the others with a grin that is half mischievous and the other half serious, "Always ask them what they made the soup out of."

Crennick's news of Rach was troubling and though Janick didn't want to spoil the mood he felt it important enough to inquire about.

"It's true though, the collapse and flooding could have brought anything from any number of unused passages. Did Rach say whether he had seen a healer or cleric? And I don't mean to pry," though I clearly am, he thought, "but what happened to your arm?"

[tgva8889]

Kayte Mursai Kayte seemed a bit different now. Her robes were much cleaner, as one fact. As another, her hair seems really clean, as though she especially did some work on it to look nice for this event. She carries a pair of spectacles in a pocket on her robe. Besides that, she looks as she usually does, light brown wavy hair, slightly innocent and flirtatious expression, and obviously violet eyes.

Kayte felt a little weird being back with these people. Despite having gone through such an experience with them, she was still more worried that she hadn't seen Linn for an entire month than in the moment. She did pick up when to smile for jokes, however.

She did notice who was there and who was missing. Ulf's absence gave Kayte a small feeling of discomfort, but not enough for her to show it. Of all of them, he seemed like one of the few who really wouldn't have died down there. Kayte knew she was lucky. That's why they were here. And yet she couldn't enjoy herself at all. There was too much on her mind.

Her hand twirled one lock of her hair rather habitually, easily noticeable as a nervous habit to someone paying close enough attention. Kayte constantly looks towards the door before looking back to the others.

Hearing Crennick talking about Rach, Kayte listened to his entire conversation before chiming in herself. "Or maybe he forgot to get those rat bites checked. Those things were nasty." Her addition seemed a bit absentminded, as though Kayte was still somewhere else and in the moment at the same time.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Chaim

Chaim is a large, lanky man of a little over 6 feet and stands straight as a post. His skin is deeply sun-darkened and practically glowing with health. Frizzy brown hair spills out from beneath the brim of his black, widely brimmed hat and is tied into a tail that hangs to his shoulders. His face is lean and angular, though much of it is hidden behind a thick, neatly trimmed and brushed beard that hangs halfway to his chest. His intelligent, mild eyes are a pleasant light brown and crows feet crinkle at the corners from years of squinting against the sun. They have a noticable sparkle to them though that belies his stern-seeming countenance. His leathery hands are incredibly large even for his size and are thick with scar and callous, though incredibly clean. In fact his entire appearance is meticulously neat. Though weathered and a bit rugged in appearance he nevertheless exudes a gentlemanly feel. His movements are lively and energetic and many have said it is as if he is always about to leap into a dance.

He wears a long-sleeved, white shirt with brass buttons and cufflinks, and black cotton pants held up by a pair of straps that rise from his waist to his shoulders. They are tucked into his sturdy, calf-high boots, that gleam as if shined.

As the only member of the party not to have been swept into the sewers, he listens with considerable interest to the recollections of the gathered survivors.

"Yes, what did you do to that arm?" Chaim inquires, and reaches over and touches finger upon the top of the injured man's hand as if making a sympathetic gesture. A faint smell of freshly cut grass momentarily overpowers the smell of food, but just as quickly fades away.

-=-=-=-=-=-

Spoiler

Show

Casting Cure Minor Wounds twice

[Irrealist]

Arfondt

A chubby man in his late twenties. Arfondt is of average height and always stands straight to focus people's attention to his upper body. His dark blond hair, although cut short, seems somewhat disorderly. Most of his body is hidden by a dark blue robe, which is tied around his waist with a leather belt that carries a single pouch.

Arfondt moves back to the table, by habit trying to conceal his limping and succeeding quite well at it. "I got hold of some server, so our drinks should be on their way soon. Anything happen while I was gone?"

[PolkaBear]

[Second attempt to make this post]

Crennick frowns and moves his arm, rolling his shoulder as he realizes that there is no longer any pain.

"Say...thanks! You're pretty good with that magic stuff, aren't you!" He grins widely and nods at Chaim. "I, uh, fell down the stairs a couple of days ago. Hurt bad, but I didn't want to pay some healer to fix it. You fixed me up right as rain, though."

Chaim, Janick, and Kayte:

Spoiler

Show

You note his hesitation before he says that he fell down the stairs. You feel that he's uncomfortable about the incident for some reason.

"Yeah, it must have been those filthy rats we ran across." The expression on his face as he shivers is nearly comical in its disgust. "I've never been so glad to get out of a place." As if it's a toast, he raises his mug and salutes with it, then takes a swig. Others follow suit.

[tgva8889]

Kayte Mursai

Kayte turns her head back to the conversation as Crennick mentions his accident. "Fell down the stairs? I thought you might be more careful about falling after what happened!" She makes a very joking expression, but doesn't go on further, still remembering that the experience wasn't quite as funny as she made it out to be.

Responding to Crennick's face, Kayte remarks, "Seriously, though, those rats were disgusting." She joins in the toast, raising her mug as well before drinking a small drink. She looks out the window again, though just with glance, before speaking again. "So, what exactly was everyone doing for the past three months? I thought I might see some of you somewhere. It's not like my uniform was free of advertising." Her overly exaggerated points towards her clothes would probably make a little bit more sense if she weren't wearing something she owned personally.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Chaim waves Crennick away impatiently at his exuberance.

"The body knows how to heal, you just need to know when to give it a leg up." he says offhandedly.

His expression turns more serious as Kayte questions on their doings. "Not much good I must say. The rains damaged so many fields that almost none are fit to plant within until they have been drained, and few enough of the farmers have that kind of funding or time."

He fiddles with his beard for a few moments in silence, "And with food scarce from this many are trying to hunt... but in the southwestern hills they're not returning all too often. Something is tearing up folk."

Chaim then rises from his depressing tale, "But for this day we celebrate our continuing lives."

He lifts his mug in salute to the others.

[tgva8889]

Kayte Mursai

After having given such a toast, Kayte feels a little bit bad about having asked the question as Chaim gives his description, and her face gives it away. Considering she doesn't ever remember hearing his job description, Kayte asks, "What do you do for the people, Chaim? That sounds like a serious problem that someone high up should probably be dealing with." Her words seem to place Chaim in a position of respect or awe, not judging. "And if people are dying in the hills, you'd think either someone would notice. At the very least, people should notice the shortage on farming."

[Darkantra]

Janick Mayweather

Janick raises his mug with the others, using the gesture to hide his curious look at Crennick's reason for the broken arm. For some reason he remembered the note, and unconsciously began checking faces of those in the tavern before giving himself a mental shake.

Kayte's words brought a measure of focus back to his mind as he concentrated on the last few months. He was about to tell the others of his time spent in the moments when Chaim's story sobered him completely His face displays visible empathy as Chaim tells them of the slaughtered farm folk.

"I'm sorry, truly, for the loss of so many good folk," he raises his mug with Chaim, "There has to be something that the city can do," his expression grows thoughtful and then dark, "Though with its bureaucracy they probably want credible evidence of a threat to the city itself before taking any action."

[The Vorpal Tribble]

"Not so high as you might think." Chaim replies to Kayte with a brief curling of the top of his lips and in the closest thing you've seen to a smile from him. "I speak for the farms to the Seat of Agriculture, and from them to the farmers. Trying to put out the idea for the majority to focus on the critical crops. It is a difficult sell, who'd want to leave their farms to rot, but if they don't give aid, all rot."

He takes a small sip as he listens to Janick and shakes his head.
"It is always dangerous in the wilds, and far from the city. May be a new bout of hydrophobia, I don't know."

[Irrealist]

Arfondt

Arfondt uses a short pause in the conversation to throw in a question, his voice betraying a hint of uneasiness. "So... has anything extraordinary happened to any of you in the last month?"

[PolkaBear]

Crennick, who had been smiling, suddenly sobers. "Whaddya talking about? Extraordinary? Why? What's going on?" His mug clatters as he puts it down.

[Darkantra]

Janick Mayweather

Janick looks around at the others, sensing more than seeing their unease.

"Well... I just got back from the mountains yesterday. A mining group had tried to delve into an area outside of the agreed boundries, and nearly started a small war between themselves and a kobold clan. I was up there the entire time, trying to come to a settlement between the two groups and finally succeeded last week. But..." Janick pauses slightly, and lets out a breath before continuing, "A kobold passed me a note when I left the clan. It warned me to be careful when I got back to the city. The kobold said that it had been passed to him through a number of other messengers, all kobolds."

Having laid his proverbial cards out on the table Janick takes a swig from his tankard and leans forward slightly, his eyes on Crennick.

"I may just be paranoid but have any of you had anything strange happen to you as well?"