Solaria (IC)

[Raistlin1040]

Elzaon

Advance or upon completion? And could we have a look at your items to decide if they're worth it?

[Bronz]

I could agree to a 10% advance. And my stores will remain hidden until the task is complete. You can decide what you would like then.

[Raistlin1040]

Elzaon

In that case, I'd rather wait until completion for my share then.

[Neftren]

Pelemaeus

"10,000 gold pieces to go on a wild goose chase for a mother and her unborn child? I mean, come on, I don't mean to be rude, but you should seriously give us more than just 10,000 each if we're going in, and we may face the fact that the mother will not want to come! 20,000 gold pieces. Each."

[The_Chilli_God]

Harpist

Ten thousand each. Half of what he offered.
"I would also note that charges should be significantly higher than the initial offer, due to advance planning that we will have to do ourselves. This puts strain on us to remain undetected or risk failure of the mission while performing basic reconnoissance."

[Bigmac]

Marcus smiles as he watches the Harpist go to work. He did have a way with words. If Marcus felt he needed to add anything he would, but for now he is content to let the master play the stings.

[Bronz]

Tyerdius chuckles just a bit and almost spits a bit of his apple out as Pel speaks.

*My dear Sky One, please do let the one who knows what he is doing speak. It is much easier that way*

He says the former with seriousness, not appearing to mock or berate in any way.

He then turns to the Harpist, the damned master negotiator.
*I concede the point that some preparations must be made. I will go to an offer of 15,000 gold each, with a 1,000GP advance that does not go towards that total. You do indeed drive a hard bargain.

Do we have a deal, or will you try and rob me of my clothes as well?*

Tyerdius smiles and looks as if he is having a grand old time.

[Bitzeralisis]

Wilarmis

Wilarmis watches silently. Harp-y may be annoying in his own way, but he's useful, too, he thinks.

[The_Chilli_God]

Harpist

Exactly where he wanted it. The Harpist nods in agreement. "Then the charge is agreed on. I would not deprive you of personal attire."

[Bigmac]

Now that the buisness was settled, Marucs decided to inquire about his own personal interests.

"You mentioned my sword before. What do you know of the Nine-fold path? Have you any information on the other swords of destiny?

[Bronz]

@Harpist
I thank you for that.

@Marcus
I know of much, and perhaps you will take some of that knowledge as payment. It is too soon to tell that kind of thing. Perhaps we will speak more in depth when you get back.

Tyerdius motions for the twins to get up, and excuse themselves. He himself then bows to the group.

*I myself am tired and must rest. Feel free to stay the night if you like, you may each take a room in the West wing. My actual servants will guide you if you just ring this bell here.

You may also use the back door that leads out. Well, I shouldn't say out, but it is a nice ruse to think this is an actual house. It will lead you to the Astral Plane, where you may go wherever you need. It is sad that it is a one-way portal, though.

Of course you can always go back out the front door, back to Mysticae. You will find that the door leading back upstairs is now unlocked.

Indeed, good luck to you all. I will have a servant bring down your advance shortly. Feel free to partake of anything on this table. If you need more, again, just ring the bell.*

With that, Tyerdius heads up the grand stair case, seemingly off to his bedchamber.

[Bitzeralisis]

Wilarmis

"I wonder if these 'servants' are actually Unseen Servants..." mumbles Wilarmis, struggling to decide if he wants to ring the bell or not. He decides not to. "So, let us find out more about this tribe of fire giants. Or fire giants in general:

"Fire giants are very strong, big, and hardy creatures. Immune to fire, and vulnerable to cold. Duh. They are known to throw big burning rocks at people, and commonly use greatswords. Large communities usually include several clerics. Since they throw big burning rocks, and are fire giants anyways, they'll be most commonly found by some natural source of heat. Very large communities will probably have a few ettins or trolls living with them, and even the occasional hell hound or red dragon.

"Their reflexes and cold vulnerability are their weak points — use them to your advantage. Or maybe sunder their armor or something. Speaking of sundering, many fire giants are exceptionally good at sundering. And charging over people.

"...

"And sieze the initiative.

"That will be all."

[Bronz]

Shortly after Tyerdius and his companions leave the group's company, 5 pouches come floating down the stairs. They are placed on the the table, and the unknown force seems to disappear.

Upon inspection, each pouch contains 100 platinum pieces.

[Raistlin1040]

Elzaon

Elzaon grabs his gold pouch.

There is a secret temple back in Mysticae. If we go back, I could get some supplies, maybe some information for our journey. I'd have to go alone, but it could be worth it.

[Bitzeralisis]

Wilarmis

"So they were Unseen Servants. Very well then." Wilarmis proceeds to find a room to stay at.

[Bronz]

Time Passes

The group is escorted by a pair of gloves to the West Wing, where each person has a room of their own. The compartments are spacious, but not gaudy, and the stay is comfortable.

Upon waking, the group is again escorted to the dining area, where a large breakfast is served. There is no sign of Tyerdius, the twins, or anyone except some floating dishes and flatware.

[Bigmac]

Marcus starts the discussion off. "So, anyone have suggestions on how to procede from here? I know El wants to go consort with his religeous friends, and I know of a person in Mysticae who might be able to provide some information. But the real question is how do we want to go about getting the woman and child unharmed? Steal something or someone important and ransom it for the woman? Sneak in or go in with a show of force? How are we going to get there?"

[The_Chilli_God]

Harpist

The Harpist slowly makes his way, using his stick as guidance, to where the others are. He would have preferred leaving for the relative safety of their base inn, but at least the fact that their throats weren't slit during the night indicates that they appear to be on the level... Until the job is done, at least.

"Exit the normal way, meet with contacts. Use the road. Bring a wagon. Hide it behind terrain or an illusion. We'll need it to cart the target back.
Reconnoissance first, though. We can make strategies once we know what we're up against."

[Bronz]

DM

The party gathers their things and heads back out the front door, to the alchemists shop. The room they were previously meeting Tyerdius in is now perfectly clean. Everything else is the same as it was.

The keeper of the establishment nods at you as though he knows what has happened, or perhaps he is just thanking whatever gods he worships that you did not in fact go right. Either way, he waves as you pass.

When the party arrives at "By the Book", the barkeep has things locked down, and it is apparently closed to the public. When you enter, it seems as though a War Room has been set up. Maps on one side and a round table on the other.

"Good evening gents. I hope things are in order. I assumed you had agreed to a contract so I have the usual set up. Well, the usual as to what Myus used to need, anyway. Let me know if I can do anything else."

He then waves, and goes back to work, cleaning the bar.

[Bigmac]

"That sounds reasonable enough. We'll talk more later after we have ech gined some insight into what needs to be done."

With that, Marucs rises from the table and before looking back towards the group. "Meet back up at the here this evening then? I'm headed to Master Trent's dojo if anyone wants to come with."

He waits a few moments to see if anyone is interested in coming with him before heading off towards the dojo.

[The_Chilli_God]

Harpist

"Go as needed," the Harpist says to Marcus and the others.
He then moves towards a map of Mysticae's surroundings laid out on one of the tables, after making an almost-appreciative nod at the barkeeper. "We need to find the location of a clan of fire giants. Our employer said that they reside somewhere to the northwest, but failed to give a specific place."

[Neftren]

Pelemaeus

"I think, that it'd be more important to first discover which mother and unborn child we're supposed to capture... that has so far been unspecified... and there have got to be more than just one set of mother with child."

[Bronz]

The barkeep stops cleaning for a moment, and walks over to where the Harpist is.

*Hmmm. Fire Giants you say? Myus never said anything about no fire giants, but he did mention something sometime long ago about some natural hot springs. Don't know if that will help ya, but those are located somewhere around here*

As he finishes his sentence, he points to a position on the map that is somewhat northwest of where you are now, about 50 miles away. It seems to have a marked pass leading up close to it, with some sort of village nearby as well.

[Bigmac]

Marcus left the others to plot out their search. He would go to seek out answers from Master Trent. While Marcus had heard of the Jade Phoenix, he had no understanding of the path the master walked. Marucs had tried to avoid to dojo as much as possible. He felt that the path must be discovered by oneself through trials and adventure, yet there was a certian practicallity to a large school. It seemed ordianary enough from the outside. A simple door slightly opened in the middle of a plain wall was the entereance into the school. Marcus steped into the courtyard and watched for a few moments as some students made their way across it, carrying books and weapons in each arm.

He waits untill he sees an instructor notice him. The instructor closes the distance to Marcus and asks, "What can I do for you good sir?"

Marcus takes stock of the man before answering, "I am here to speak with Master Trent."

[Raistlin1040]

Elzaon

Elzaon excuses himself from the bar, and swiftly, and nimbly, so as not to attract unwanted followers, heads to the secret temple.

[Bronz]

@Marcus
The instructor asks that you wait, and he will attempt to gather Master Trent. After about 20 minutes, a very short, very skinny, halfling skips up to Marcus.

*Why hello there. I am Master Trent. I can't say that I remember you but I can say that I should, Adept of Nine.

What can I do for you?*


@El
You walk quite a distance away, having to go out of the Merchant district and down into the actual living quarters. You make your way into what seems to be a middle class neighborhood, and knock on a plain wooden door of a house that looks like all the rest. After the knock, you hear a whisper, but not what was said. You whisper back in the same tone, and that is enough to gain entry.

The main room is a disaster area, with tools of torture strewn about. On one side a man and a woman stand chained to the wall, unable to escape. On the other, a dwarf is tied to a chair and seems battered and bruised. You have no idea who actually let you in, but that is always the case.

A woman enters, one of the most beautiful women you may have ever seen even though she is a High Elf, and asks an obvious question. She does not look like the high priest that you know, since he is a human male, but she carries herself with authority. You do not recognize her of being in your local sect, that is for certain.

*What, in the name of Death, do you want?*

[Bigmac]

Marcus takes a bow towards the halfling while pressing his palms together. "I regret that I have not visited sooner Master Trent. I am Marcus Lowel, Lion of Sasserine. I have come to ask you questions to which I hope you might provide some insight. I must also confess, that while my primary reason for this visit is to seek out information on a tribe of Fire Giants, I relish any opportunity to spar with other followers of the way so that I might enlighten them to the power of the Kimtashi* (Nine-as-One)"

[Bronz]

I welcome you Marcus. First of all, I think a good sparring could be fun. Not sure if it would be fair, though. Perhaps one of my better pupils should contest.
Pert! Come down here!

He then turns to an acolyte.
Go, and gather the classes. We shall have a display unlike most.

Master Trent seems happy with glee at the proposal, but also saddened that he is not the one in the ring!

[Bigmac]

Marcus smiles at the master. "Who has ever learned from a fight where they were not overmatched? Still, this should be enjoyable. We will discuss other matters later perhaps."

As the crowd gathers Marcus takes a quick inventory of the surrounding area. He begins to focus his mind on the coming battle. When Pert arrives, Marcus greets him warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you Pert. Perhaps I can show you something of the nine sided power and beauty."

[Raistlin1040]

Elzaon

I am here to collect supplies for a journey my teammates and I are going to be taking soon. Can I speak to the high priest?

It should be noted that both of Elzaon's holy symbols (The normal one, and the one made of silver that is a focus for a spell) are clearly visible.