The Da'mall

[Darkantra]

Emerik d'Averon

Emerik follows the others into the bar and makes sure that he has a tankard in hand before Kirk relates their tale so far. He snorts at the scarred man's question and takes a long pull from his tankard before speaking.

"If anything I'm Mouse's escort, he's the one who put our little group together. What's so important about Ankouras and, no offense," he nods respectively to Ralen, "yourself anyways? Despite the fact that Ankouras just tried to kill us."

[Toliudar]

Mouse

Mouse decides to push forward with Emerik's rebuttal.

Before I say anything, I want to know how the hell you know anything about us at all. I didn't know anything about us until an hour ago, and as far as I can tell, Kirk's spoken to no one. Which means that either you've had me under surveillance, or you're getting information from one of Ankouras' own men.

He turns to include Kirk in his look.

Look, bud, I've trusted you this far, but you've got to be straight with me. How does Pretty here know about Ralen, and about the rest of us?

[Cespenar]

Ralen

Ralen listens carefully when Kirk starts to tell the recent happenings, as if reminiscing and reanalyzing the events that led them to this point. He raises an eyebrow when the scarred man directs him a question, and puts on a sarcastic smile.

"I'll just say that yes, I'm who you heard of, and let you answer the questions of my companions here, for I share their curiosity just as much."

[Kyroswolf]

Reynoldo

Reynoldo buries himself within his tankard, asking for frequent refills as the conversation goes on around him. Apparently there is something he would like to forget.

[Zjackrum]

Kirk looks aghast at Mouse. "Mouse, you don't understand-"
The scarred man interrupts him.
"The name's Jorgan. Colonel Jorgan Sky of the Morienn Third Infantry, pint-size." He nods at Mouse. "All right let's humour you and assume I trust you with information vital to the cause. Do you think anything happens in Corsand without us knowing about it? No. The same goes for those Kalo scum on the other side of town. Now, magic is a scarce commodity, so you'll understand if we take special interest in wizards."
Jorgan sighs.
"We're on the defensive here boys. Something's stirred them up tonight. Got reports all over the sector of 'street thug' activity." He pauses as he notices Venthryl and Reynoldo. "You two were down at the docks tonight, correct? Gods..." He trails off, noticing Reynoldo already deep in his cups. "Report?" He asks Venthyrl.

[Zjackrum]

Somewhat annoyed at Venthryl's silence, Jorgan raises an eyebrow to Reynoldo.
"Ok... Report?"

[Diarmuid]

Venthryl

Shrugging his shoulders, he offers but a few words by way of a report,

"Ambush, too many of them, not enough of us. We.."

He gestures to Reynaldo and himself,

"..managed to get away to the alchemist shop where we ran into Kirk and that bunch."

It's obvious by his tone that he is none to pleased with the developments of the evening, and that there is likely more he would say if there wasnt so much tension in the room between the two parties.

[Kyroswolf]

Reynoldo

It takes the slightly enebriated monk a few seconds to realize he is being addressed. When Venthryl finishes his report Reynoldo points to his companion, "What he shaid."

[Zjackrum]

Jorgan nods in understanding at Venthryl's simple explanation.
"We really needed that shipment. Almost as if..." He trails off as he realizes his current company.
"As for Ankouras Groth... Well that elf has a dagger in his back coming from either side, sooner or later. ****ing mercenaries make me sick." He pauses, staring at Mouse. "Wait... You're Mousequeton Silvari, correct? Formerly of the Corsand Guard? You're a Morienn loyalist, correct?" He doesn't wait for an answer, his mind racing. "We could use a group like yours... Yes... That would be perfect..."
Spot Check - Success!
Ralen (not the rest of you air-heads! natural ones abound...) notices Kirk shifts uneasily as Jorgan continues: "I would like to offer you employment in the Morienn resistance, if you're willing. We pay top dollar for loyal recruits, let alone seasoned adventurers such as yourself."

[Toliudar]

Mouse

Still wary of both sides in this underground war, Mouse nonetheless smiles at the colonel's flattering comments, and makes quick eye contact with Ralen, Malachai and Emerik. On the other hand, the Kalo clearly wants me dead or captured, and the enemy of my enemy.

When he speaks, his voice is low and cautious.

Colonel, I am indeed a loyalist, and would be very interested in helping out, if I can. My...associates are just that, associates, and I have no say in their decisions in this matter.

Years of freelance have trained him not to leave the question unsaid.

And, ah, not that I'm feeling greedy, but I just lost about everything I own tonight. What would "top dollar" entail?

[Cespenar]

Ralen

If Ralen ever sees the unsettled Kirk, he doesn't give it away; but his face is very much alike his already, as if numerous possibilities are being processed in his head, and none too good or advantageous. He comes in eye contact with Mouse, but that doesn't seem to help a lot.

After a few silent moments, Ralen starts softly, partly to himself.

"At first, I had hoped not to involve too much in politics, but it seems that we are already knee deep in this thing as it is. Better take it to where it ends, I say."

His tone grows gradually confident in an unusual manner.

[Zjackrum]

DM Action - Emerik d'Averon

Emerik nods along with the others.
"Your cause is just, and I would not like to see this city remain under Kalo control if I can help it. I am with you."

Jorgan nods his consent.
"Right to the point, Mousequitan?" Jorgan asks. "All right. It's certainly refreshing to hear someone talk who isn't saying "Sir" at the end of each sentence. Your pay WAS at the docks, until just recently. Reynoldo, Venthryl and company were bringing backpay for the Morienn resistance in from up river. Now that gold is in the hands of the Kalo, which is too convenient to be a coincidence.
"Which brings us to our Diviner friend," Jorgan continues, focusing on Ralen. "Now a strange rumour I had heard was that you have the rather unique knack of predicting the future, a very handy skill. You can understand why either side would want to get a hold of you. My original fear was that you were already in service - willing or unwilling - to the Kalo... This night has been bad news after bad news, which makes me think either magical influence, or a mole in our information network. "
Jorgan sighs and glances at Reynoldo.
"I'm placing Venthryl in charge of your group, under the title of Sergeant. and assigning Reynoldo as well. You've been through a lot tonight, so if you want to rest up, there will be plenty enough to do tomorrow, but if you're feeling up to it, we could use more swords right now. What's it going to be, Sergeant?"

[Diarmuid]

Venthryl

The elf's ears perk up when he hears his name along with the words "in charge". He tries to hide the surprise, but does a somewhat poor job. He exchanges a glance with Reynaldo and then clears his throat a bit and takes a good long look at the group Kirk has with him.

He sizes each of you up, as if he's really seeing you for the first time.

"Well, a loyalist and a wizard...along with the rest. I'm betting if we'd had some of them along we wouldnt have been in such trouble at the docks. And seeing how it'll be in everyone's best interest if we get that gold back, I'd say it's a good fit."

Unstringing the massive bow he has with him, he carefully winds the cord around and tucks it into a pouch at his belt. With a deep breath, much of the tension in his body seems shucked away, like a layer of rain being shaken off by a dog,

"Gods know it'd be nice to have a real wizard around here. I'm still regretting mentioning I dabble in the arts."

With a chuckle, he looks over to Ralen,

"I certainly hope you're up to taking some of the requests off my hands. I'm not skilled in much more than cantrips, and even then they're fairly single-minded in their application, and that's usually not the application they're looking for around here....well at least not till their bacon's in the grease."

Nodding to himself a bit as his roving eye again sweeps the group,

"From the looks of them, and how I know Rey and I are...we certainly need a good night's rest. If you can get us some leads on who hit us at the docks, we'll go after the gold tomorrow. If not, I may be able to pick up a trail, but it'll be difficult at best."

[Toliudar]

Mouse

Finding himself nodding sympathetically with Venthryl's words about being pressed into service as a spellcaster, Mouse quickly stops and glances around the table. Old habits die hard.

He clears his throat.

It's possible that not everyone I know wants me dead. Perhaps in the afternoon, I can make some careful inquiries about where the shipment may have been redirected.

He glances over at Jorgan, and then at the rest.

There's still the matter of the note that we got at the beginning of this charming evening. It seems likely it's from Ankouras himself, and Ralen, you seemed to think that it was trapped in some way. Anyone care to venture a try at opening it safely?

[Darkantra]

Emerik d'Averon

Emerik feels his jaw work and spit out words but he somehow could not retain control of it. Grumbling, he puts his uncharacteristic comment to the drink and eyes his mug suspiciously.

"This is all well and good, but who sent that package in the first place, and what was it supposed to be rather than a vague trap?" Emerik shurgs to himself and drains his tankard in one good gulp, feeling like he needs a drink regardless of whatever has tainted it, "Anyways, like I said to Kirk before I'm in this all the way now. Kord has shown me a challenge and I intend to step up and meet it."
Emerik grins at the though of the battles ahead, the struggling needed to overcome whatever obstacles that he would face, and touched the symbol on his breastplate in a sign of thanks to the Lord of Battles.

"Just one thing, no one brings this back to the steps of my church without my say so. No one. I may have chosen a side but I don't want the rest of my fellow Kordites in the city drawn into this conflict, for now at least."

[Cespenar]

Ralen

"Predicting the future?" Ralen echoes Jorgan's words with a hint of amusement. "That's going too far, Colonel. My abilities extend only a little further from various ways of information-gathering. Predicting the future... now that's on the border of our mortal magic, if possible at all."

He looks back at Venthryl.

"Of course, I'll try to assist however I can." He pauses for a moment and continues with a tone similar of a teacher or a mentor. "Though even cantrips can be of utmost importance, depending on how it's used. "

[Toliudar]

Mouse

In the midst of all this seriousness, Mouse can't help but smile. His hand, creeping towards his vest pocket, stops, and he smiles sidelong at Emerik.

A noble sentiment, buddy, but if ever I saw a group spoiling for a fight, it's the Kordites. Back in my Guard days, we used to flip, and the losers had to break up the brawls that sometimes sprung up after services. Sorry, the "tests of athletic prowess." Still, they were always nice about it. One even bought me a beer cause he felt so bad about knocking me out.

[Kyroswolf]

Reynoldo

The monk give his elven friend a drunken smile. "Well congradulashion, Sharge. Letsh shelebrate. Next roundsh on me!" Reynoldo then proceeds to plant his face in the table as he apparently passes out.

Spoiler

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OOC: I've started training with my new job and don't have access to my sheet. I can't remember, if I have ranks in it, but Reynoldo is bluffing as to how drunk he is, he has been drinking, but it hasn't hit him as hard as he makes it out to have.

[Zjackrum]

"A trapped package, you say?" Jorgan asks with a raise of an eyebrow. "If I may?" He takes thes mysterious package from Mouse. His fingers slip within the package deftly.
Jorgan takes a cursory glance at the now disarmed trap, and puruses the letter.
"Well that's just flowers and sunshine." He says in disgust. He tosses the letter on the table for everyone to read.

So you managed to not get yourselves killed reading the letter. Well perhaps you're not all as ham-fisted as I was led to believe. Ones with skills such as yourselves are always in demand, if you know where to look. I frequent the Welcome Stranger, if you're interested.
Kirk pokes his head forward.
"It's some sort of lotus gas." He comments, pointing at a dark part of the trap. "Concentrated, from the looks of it. One breath of this stuff would seize up your lungs and you'd suffocate in three minutes."
"I'm not familiar with the Welcome Stranger." Jorgan continues. "I'd guess it's an inn. I'll have to ask around. Reynoldo? Venthryl?"
Jorgan muses into an uncomfortable silence. Kirk remains silent, eyes locked on the trap.

[Toliudar]

Mouse

Nodding respectfully at the skill with which Jorgen bypasses the trap, Mouse draws back instinctively at the mention of the Lotus powder.

Fascinating. It seems that this this wizard is both pre-emptive and arrogant. Even before we had taken any action to select sides, he had moved twice in one night to try to kill us, throwing away half a dozen agents to do so - including another wizard. Then, in the same note that he's trapped, he seems to be trying to entice our services, or at least our curiosity.

Reluctantly, he takes hold of the note, and slips it back into his vest. He smiles faintly.

I am an amateur graphologist - it's amazing, sometimes, what you can learn about someone by analyzing their handwriting. If nothing else, it may lead to further information about him.

He glances around the table.

The Sword and Horn is of course a trap of some kind. But of what kind?

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(1d20+7)[23] Knowledge local - does Mouse know anything about the Sword and Horn?

[Darkantra]

Emerik d'Averon

Emerik chuckles at Mouse's very, very accurate assessment of his brethren.

"The problem is politics Mouse, I have no qualm about going after the Kalo agents, if this shadow war goes badly for us then the church can claim that as a foreigner I was not an official part of the church. If we did get their help and things went badly, then well..." Emerik goes to take a long pull from his tankard but finds it empty, and sighs instead before flagging a serving girl for a refill, "Then the church here would be in a bad position, and might even lose many of the privileges that they have."

Once he gets the next tankard he nods to Jorgan before taking a long, long pull.

"Thanks for the first, but I've got the rest for myself Colonel."

After he finishes he lets out a short burp and addresses Mouse again.

"Could be that he wanted to attack us to see how good we are. Aye," he scratches his chin and takes another pull, "If he can throw around that much muscle without caring then he must only want the best to replace them."

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Despite the fact that we were there earlier this night

[Zjackrum]

SON OF A BITCH.
Ok I guess I have to spoil the surprise and say that your destination is indeed a tavern. I apologize for sticking in the name of the starting tavern, I didn't realize it myself. I'm revising the letter to read "The Sword and Horn" in place of "The Welcome Stranger." I got the two of them mixed up.

[Kyroswolf]

Reynoldo

Reynoldo hiccups then burps loudly from his position face down on the table. His eyes are barely open and he appears to be drooling. He appears to be totally out of it.

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Bluff - (1d20-1)[12] Bluffing to appear more drunk than he actually is.
Spot - (1d20+3)[8] Observing the people at other tables to see if anyone is paying too much attention.

[Toliudar]

Mouse

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Sense motive (1d20+4)[18] to notice Reynoldo's deception, important only to know if Mouse will consider him a drunkard or a sneak. He's pretty comfortable with either, really.

Mouse nods to Venathryl.

If it's all right with you, sergeant, I'm going to try to find a corner here to hole up for the night. Ordinarily, multiple attempts on my life would make me thirsty, but this business seems to have soured my palate. Regardless if we're spending tomorrow preparing to find this Sword and Horn, or the missing gold shipment, I'd rather face it with a clear head. See you back here for breakfast?

Unless anyone objects, Mouse will slide under the table and away.

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Essentially, looking for a unobtrusive nook in the tavern, stables, whatever here where he can hole up for the night. If helpful: (1d20+7)[21] Hide check.

[Diarmuid]

basement flooded...lots of work....bleh no posting for now

[Darkantra]

Emerik d'Averon

"Is there a room nearby that I can take, I don't think that going back to the temple alone would be a smart move."

[Cespenar]

Ralen

Ralen stares at Jorgan too, as if silently repeating his companions' question of lodging.

[Zjackrum]

Jorgan eyes the drunken Reynoldo with a raised eyebrow.
"There's no need for that, my friend. We're in a safe place. As for lodgings, we have rooms available." He places a key on the table. "Third room on the right. Only one room for the lot of you unfortunately, so you'll have to double up on the beds or sleep on the floor. But it's warm, and we're in Morienn territory. No need wondering if you'll wake up with a dagger in your belly."
He sighs.
"If you want to sleep in shifts, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I'll be here for a short while longer, if not, I'll see you on the morrow."

OOC: I'm going away Saturday-Monday, So I won't be posting until Monday night. Secondly, Malachai is still busy trailing Graelin, and for continuity, I'm not sure how to do it, because he should be back by morning, and it looks like we're almost ready to fast-forward to next morning. I'm open to ideas.

[Diarmuid]

Venthryl

Nodding to Mouse, the elf addresses the group,

"I think it would be best if everyone found their rest for the night. Tomorrow will be a new day, with new challenges."

Moving over toward Jorgan, he speaks to the man in a hushed tone,

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"There was another among Mouse's group. A man named Malachai..."

Venthryl gives a decent description of the man's appearance,

"He thought it would be helpful to follow the prisoner they took from the attack on Mouse's home. He wont have known where we went after leaving the alchemist shop, so he may return there. Maybe you can pass the word to have the people on the streets keep an eye out for him."

Looking around, he lowers his voice to a barely audible whisper,

"But if that wizard is recruiting, we should be very careful with Malachai. He seemed quite headstrong from my brief experience with him and who knows where his loyalties lie."

After his brief discussion with Jorgan, then elf finds a comfortable corner to prop himself up in and tries to find the relaxing state that will let him enter his reverie.

[Cespenar]

Ralen

Ralen follows Venthryl and the others to the room that Jorgan mentioned and sits on the end of a bed, readying himself for sleep. After that, he produces a simple book from his pack, opens and begins to read it. The book has a sole small rune on his thick front cover and otherwise is almost nondescript. After a moment, realizing the ratio of beds and people, he declares in a soft, tired voice,

"Well, sorry for jumping right on, but as no doubt we all are, I'm really tired and also have no quarrel on doubling-up."

With that said, he tries to regain his concentration and focus on the book that he's holding.