Eyes of the Lich Queen IC

[Kyeudo]

With no warning, you suddenly hear the voice of what sounds like a gnome inside your head. "Your services have been requested. Come to Kern's Rest and Revelry tommorow morning to discuss arrangements. Be prepared for travel. A House Sivis Service."

Kern's Rest and Revelry is a rather large hostel of average quality located in the merchant district of Starilaskur, not far from the lightning rail station. The hostel is jointly operated by House Ghallanda and House Thuranni, and incorporates numerous performing stages and private dining rooms, as well as rooms for rent. The private rooms are said to have witnessed every sort of secret dealing, from the illicit sale of stolen goods to covert meetings between spies, and are rumored to be magicaly protected against observation, although more likely they simply incorporate the more mundane aproach of thin lead sheeting within the walls.

The hostel is fairly quiet when you arive, with only a lone bard playing for the various patrons enjoying breakfast. Once you inquire with the host, a perky young half-elf, you are welcomed and swiftly ushered up a short flight of stairs and into a balcony room that overlooks the stage below. A number of chairs are arranged close to the balcony's edge and a low table, laden with fruits and pastries, rests against the back wall.

A middle-aged human with dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard stands near the chairs, apparently enjoying the sounds of the lute drifting up from below. He turns as the door opens and, upon seeing you, gestures to the table. "Please, help yourselves. My name is Sur'kil, and we have buisness to discuss, which is always more pleasant on a full stomach."

((You may arrive together with the first comers or arive seperately later, as you so choose. Makes no difference to me, although it might mean things get explained twice.))

[Wiz]

Will

The tall, young Brelander nods and takes a plate and begins putting fruit on it, and one pastry. "Since I couldn't eat this much, even if I desired to, I'm assuming that others will arrive. I'll save my questions til then, because I'm sure you don't want to have to repeat yourself."

[Incarnum3]

A muscular young man walks tentatively onto the balcony, looking around to make sure he is in the right place. Seemingly satisfied, he takes a seat by the small table and takes a bite out of one of the pastries. He scratches distractedly at his cheek, which, along with the majority of the left side of his face, is covered by a blue cloth. He sits back in his chair, exhales slowly, and turns to face the other man present.

"Ejard Lukrinson," he says, reaching his hand out towards the tall, young fellow beside him. He then turns to the bearded man and asks,"You wouldn't happen to have anything to drink, would you?"

[Kyeudo]

"Would you prefer orange juice or milk?" He indicates two ceramic pitchers along the back of the table.

[Wiz]

Will

The young man licks pastry crumbs off his hands, wipes it on his cloak and takes Ejard's hand. "You can call me Will. I'm from Sharn originally." He glances over, apparently not having seen the pitchers at first, "Milk."

[Incarnum3]

Ejard chuckles to himself when he sees the pitchers, and mutters,"Orange juice," before turning to Will. "I'm afraid I don't know much about these lands. Perhaps you could tell something of Sharn before whoever else might be coming gets here?"

[thevorpalbunny]

Kabe ir'Morgrave

When Kabe walks in he remarks, "Haven't been here in a few years. The bartender has changed, but not much else."

Then addressing Sur'kil, "Why the secrecy of the hiring? Not that I object, I just prefer to know why we're keeping secrets -- and, more importantly, who we're keeping them from."

[Kyeudo]

"It's not realy secrecy, merely good buisness practice. I want as little competition as possible in this endevor."

[Wiz]

Will

Will shrugs, he opens his mouth and someone else enters. "Hmmmm... perhaps we should wait and see who all is coming." He looks at the gnome, "Is this everyone?"

[Kyeudo]

"I am expecting two more. They should be here shortly."

[Wiz]

Will

Will looks at Ejard, "Sharn's... well, it's just Sharn. Probably the most cosmopolitan, mostly human city there is. It's close to an elemental air node so it has this tendency to go up rather than out... but otherwise it's like most other human cities... just multiplied by ten or so."

[thevorpalbunny]

Kabe
"You're a Sharn boy, too? Nice to meet you. I'm Kaberon ir'Morgrave, but practically everyone calls me Kabe."
He extends his hand to Will.

[Wiz]

Will

Will reaches out to take Kaberon's hand, "People just call me Will. Did you attend Morgrave University, or are you actually related to the founder? I was here on an expedition with Dr. Shrike to the Mournland."

[thevorpalbunny]

"Guilty on both counts. Larrian, the Master of Morgrave, is my cousin. I don't know Dr. Shrike very well, personally. Perhaps you've met Professor Gebin Visine? He was my tutor."

[Wiz]

Will

Will nods, "I think I had him for Magical Trap Theory 250. Traps are my speciality."

[MeklorIlavator]

Krellic
Krellic, you promised that you would relax on this vacation. Host knows, you need it after that last case...And you shouldn't be working for these people, especially if they know who you are. Just walk away, enjoy your vacation, and go home.
Krellic enters, muttering to himself"or just walk in..".


Krellic pauses in the doorway, scanning the room, and notes the three younger men standing together and the older man off to the side, before approaching the group. "Hello I'm called Krellic, you gentlemen were called here too? Any idea why?"

Spoiler

Show

Krellic is not disguised at the moment

[thevorpalbunny]

Kabe
"Not yet. He's Sur'kil, our employer, and we're waiting for one more. Nice to meet you, I'm Kabe."

[Wiz]

Will

Will nods, "Krellic... call me Will."

[Shottaz]

Muntassur stepped out onto the balcony, leaning gingerly on his quarterstaff, playing the part of the of the old man. He looked it. Though he was in his forties his pale exterior and hair (or lack therof) added more than a decade. Flashing a false smile, showing as little teeth as possible Muntassur sat down at the table and began shaking hands. To him these men assorted mineaswell be walking tomes of knowledge, because to him they were only a means to an end.

Smiling and holding out his hand he says, "I am Muntassur it is very nice to be meeting with you."

[Incarnum3]

Ejard looks on in silence during the introductions, apparently lost in thought and wearing a brooding expression, but finally looks around when he notices that everyone seems to be present. He smiles widely, offers his hand, and says in a loud voice,"Ejard Lukrinson, happy to meet ye."

[Kyeudo]

"Very good. Now that you are all here, we can discuss why I have asked you all here. I am what you might call an independant researcher. I have recently uncovered hints and rumors of an ancient site dating back to the so-called Age of Demons. I would like to employ you to investigate this location, and to retrieve a relic that I believe might yet remain there."

"This task is not without some degree of danger, which is why I require the services of individuals such as yourselves," Sur'kil continues. "The location, while nominaly still in Khoirevaire, is somewhat remote, and so I would like to procure your services for a period of at least four weeks. You will have free choice of any treasure found at the site with the exception of the relics I seek, for which you will be rewarded in full. I can offer you each a base fee of 250 gold pieces per week plus travel expenses. I will provide half up front."

[thevorpalbunny]

Kabe
"Intriguing, but I'd have to know where you had in mind to accept. The pay is good, but I'm not sure it's quite good enough to get me into the Demon Wastes."

[Kyeudo]

"I would rather not say where the location is specificaly, at least, not yet, but I can assure you that it is not the Demon Wastes. If it were, I would be hiring a small army before setting foot there."

[Shottaz]

Muntassur winces as Sur'kil mentions that they can have everything except the relics. Leaning forward he tilts his head to the side, and pulls his seat forward as if he's struggling to hear Sur'kil.

I will decide for myself what we bring back he muses to himself.

"So what is it that we will be bringing to you?" Muntassur asks leaning forward in his seat and squinting for good measure.

[Kyeudo]

"I don't know precisely, but hopefully tablets or slates with ancient writings, lost works of art or symbology, and other exiting finds."

[Wiz]

Will

"Your terms are totally unacceptable. You may be an independent researcher, but I am a professional. First, you tell us you want a relic, which then becomes relics... then you tell us you're not sure what they are: writings or tablets, works of art or symbology, or other exciting finds? And who determines all these things? You? I have no intention of putting my life on the line and bringing everything back for you to decide what's yours and what's ours..." he glances at the group. "Furthermore, who is our priest, or healer?"

[Kyeudo]

"I know which relic I believe you will find there, but one never knows what else may be found there, and there are many things which may be of intrest to me, quite a few of which would be of no intrest or use to you. That does not mean I will not compensate you fairly for whatever you bring back."

"As for a healer, I did not make arrangements for one per-se, but it shouldn't be too much a challenge for skilled proffessionals such as yourselves to work around. After all, the only danger I expect you to encounter is from local wildlife and primitive natives."

[Incarnum3]

Ejard downs the remainder of his orange juice, wipes his mouth with his sleeve and places the cup down loudly onto the table. "Seems fair to me. I'm just looking for some pay. I'm your man, whenever you need us to leave." With that, Ejard leans back in his chair and closes his eyes, apparently uninterested in whether anyone else would be accompanying him on this mission.

[thevorpalbunny]

Kabe
"Will has a point, though he was perhaps too rough in his terms. How do we know what you consider a relic? Will any of these relics be similar to the type of items made by, say, House Cannith? By what you have told us so far, if this haversack had runes on it it could qualify as a relic. We can't bring you what we want if you won't tell us anything about it. With that said, I'm in as soon as we have a satisfactory description of what we're looking for."

The Host know I could use something to do. I'll kill myself in a month from sheer boredom at this rate!

[Kyeudo]

"I shall try to be more specific then. I am looking for objects dating back to the Age of Demons with historical, academic, or religious significance. I am not interested in weapons or tools, should you find any still intact from so long ago. I can assure you that much of the site where you will be going does not date back to the Age of Demons, so such items as I am interested in will be in the minority."