Eberron savage tide

[Aquateenflayer]

It’s a crisp sunny Day in the city of Sasserine. Not unusual but never to be taken for granted. Each of you have your own reasons for being here though many are after the same things. The city seems to still be rebuilding itself after the great battles that tore half of it down almost four years ago. It seems similar to most any other coastal cities at first glance however the lack of anything to with the dragonmarked Houses is obvious to anyone who is looking for it. The city is dwarfed under the recently constructed spire of the Wayfarers foundation. An ugly black tower springing forth from the center of town.

You all make your way to the District of Crystal watch; An expance of living crystal shaped into buildings and roads and wells. Here the residents of the city seem more somber. Many of the people who call themselves Kalashar can be seen meditateing and danceing along the street. Also a group of short dwarven like insect people none of you have ever seen before play strange stringed insterments on a crystal stage produceing a haunting melody. You finaly arrive at the Vanderboren and are greeted by an anicent looking frail halfling woman.


You are escorted to the relaxing chairs in the reception hall of a Miss Lavinai ir’Vanderboren by the wizened halfling maid who scuttles back to her post awaiting further visitors. The mansion in wich you now recline is shaped entirely out of an orange hued crystal that makes up this entire section of the city. It is architecturally stunning. Built in classic Rederian fashion with vaulting ceilings and angular walls made more fantastic for the fact that you can see through them.

Breithen Shoreburn was asked to keep an eye on the young lady Vanderboren by Caspen Kren of the Sea Dragons, Captain of The Lords of Luck. After greasing a few palms Breithern learned that Lavinai was looking to hire a group of adventurers to giver a hand after her family’s untimely murder only a month ago. Jumping at the chance to get close to his target , Breithen took the job to access for the Seadragons whether Lavinai should be treated as friend or foe.

Turk was lead to Sasserine hunting a document that house Sivis wanted back. The trail dead Turk was about to return to his homeland in failure when a hot lead landed in his lap. The name of the thief, Vanthis ir’Vanderboren. Hearing about his preys sister call for adventurers Turk finds the perfect opportunity to close in on his target.

Robin Dovi d'Jorsaco’s parents asked their rebellious daughter to do just one thing, Stay away from Sasserine. So today we find her in the city of ports with her faithful fasteth. Down to only one golden galifar Roblin is forced to make the tough choice of unemployed freedom or a life of wealthy imprisonment. Figuring that it couldn’t hurt to her to at least try a steady job she took the first offer to come to her.

Kap’chka has known nothing but misery in life. Living In a district of mourners and having to hunt rats just to eek out a living Kap’chka jumped at the chance to make more money than he ever seen in his entire life.

Dylaan Cryndel met with an old friend of the family in the city of ports. Jasper Wentwick an ex-sailor used to sail under Dylaans father. Now retired and has nothing better to do than gossip and spread roomers Jasper of course knew about Lavina’s call for adventures. Dylaan stayed with jasper and his wife in the bloody bay district for three days waiting for the chance to meet his new patron.

[lukfugl]

Breithen enters the reception hall behind the maid. Looks like I'm the first one here, he comments to himself. He catches the old halfling's attention before she leaves back to the door.

"Thank you, good ma'am. It's always good to meet a fellow halfling. May I ask, does your mistress treat you well?"

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OOC: I'm gonna try to gather a little information on my mark, if I may. I obviously don't want to hold up the arrival of the other PCs, so I suggest you go on ahead and we'll just assume that the short conversation I have with the maid occurs before the characters actually arrive, even if their posts arrive before we're done. :) Aqua, here's a diplomacy roll, in case you want it...

[lukfugl]

OOC: Yeah, so it didn't like my previewing my post with the [roll] tag in there... so here's the roll: (1d20+0)[2]

Haha, apparently I'm not feeling too gracious today...

[Aquateenflayer]

The maid ignores you attempt at idle conversation and exits the room.

[Galteland]

Dylaan enters the unique room and takes in the interesting atmosphere. When he sees the lone halfling in the center of the room, he approaches him.

Greetings friend, you must be here for Miss Lavinai ir’Vanderboren's call for some adventurers. My name is Dylaan Cryndel d'Lyrandar. I happened to be in town, and never give up a chance to get out for a short quest. Since it looks like we'll be spending some time together, what may I call you?

[lukfugl]

Breithen stands as the half-elf enters the room and makes his greeting. He smiles amicably.

"You may call my Breithen. Unless I should have reason to not give you my real name, in which case you'd have to call me... Tom? But it's a bit late for that, I suppose," he chuckles.

"Breithen Shoreburn, if you need my full name. I'm part proprietor with my brother in the Shore Hearth Inn; if ever your in the seedier part of town near the wharf and need a rest, I offer you my hospitality. Alas, it's a far cry from this magnificence, I have to admit." He looks around again, unable to stop marveling at the crystal architecture. "I'd heard about this district, but never had reason to come before, and I get the impression they might not appreciate the rabble from the shores mucking up their palaces."

He returns his gaze to Dylaan. "Anyways, being a respectable businessman bores me, so I left the care of the Inn with my brother and came to see what the lady had to offer. What brings a half-elf of House Lyrandar to Sasserine?"

[Galteland]

It's a pleasure, Breithen. As you can probably guess, I am a dragonmarked member of house Lyrandar. The reason I find myself in Sasserine is long, but in short I have been traveling around on differtent vessels for my house and disimbarked here for a change of pace. My father... may the host guid his sole, has an old friend in town, and he said to send me here.

Dylaan takes a moment of pause, he seems bothered from bringing up his father's history.

So, I hope I can help with whatever we are doing. I studied creation magic at The Twelve for several years before I started traveling with the house. So if anyone needs something fixed, I'm there man!

Dylaan charmingly smiles, trying to be tactful,

So, if I may ask, what skills do you have for such a quest? Surely some sort of training beyond managing an inn?

[Raynor]

As Dylaan is speaking, the door opens and a large two legged four armed insect strolled in, his mandibles softly clicking in what vaguely resembles a melody. As he spots the two in conversation he quits singing and quietly takes a seat.

[lukfugl]

Breithen had his back to the door while talking with Dylaan, but that didn't prevent his sharp ears from picking up the clacking of the entering beast. When the half-elf finishes his statement, he turns to the source of the noise. When he sees the strange figure lowering itself into a seat he pauses for a moment, a cautious expression creasing his brow and his hand drifting automatically toward his scabbard. After a moment of examination, he assures himself that the thing is not a threat -- at least not immediately. He continues his conversation with Dylaan, though never fully returning his back to the door, nor to the monster.

"Where were we? Oh yes, my qualifications as an innkeep. I don't even have the mark of House Ghallanda that would let me act as party lodger." He smiles. "No, I've had... other training, both in and out of the university. My talents lend themselves to information and subtlety, if you catch my drift. I also have some skill as a fencer; I've got a knack for putting Martha here in the tenderest of spots that you didn't even know you had," Breithen grins mischeviously.

[Sedgewood]

Turk strides into the room, hesitating a moment as he takes in the grandeur of the reception hall. He sniffs the air as his eyes take in the scene before him before settling into one of the chairs that line the room, choosing one as removed from the Thri'kreen as possible.

"Don't mean to be interruptin' your little chat there, fellas. Just here to meet with the lady of the house," he says, favoring the halfling and half-elf with a curt nod of greeting and a toothy grin. "But then if I figure it rightly, you're here for much the same reason. Name's Turk."

He glances for a moment at the insectoid being, not entirely sure what to make of it, before deciding to ignore it for the time being. The last thing he needs is a social blunder to mar his chances of getting close to the Vanderboren siblings.

[Valgunn]

Robin

Sitting ontop of her Fastieh companion riding through the streets of Crystal Wathc Robin couldn't help but feel uncomfortable as the Dragonmark on her back itched the extra clothing she used to hide it making her back sweat in the heat of this sunny day. Twisting her arm back Robin tried to use the tip of her spear to sratch the Mark but all it did was hurt so she quickly rested her spear across her lap again, her crossed legs cramping as she sat. Soon she was at and then soon after inside the Vanderboren estate watching the others that have assembled talk.

[Aquateenflayer]

As you wait a large man dressed in a fine glimmer-weave suit enters the room. The patterns shift quickly from green to purple whenever he moves. “So, you must be the new talent.” He walks across the room and does a long sweeping bow. His blue crystal necklace tinkling as he does. “My name is Aesteraan and I am currently staying in Sasserine as an ambassador of the Inspired court. Though I am currently needed elsewhere I would invite you to visit me at the embassy should you ever need anything.” He nods his head as the maid comes to escort him outside. Aestraan puts his hand up to the servant’s face as she approaches him. “Before I leave however I would like to congratulate those of you who bear dragon marks and still came despite the curse. It’s because of people like you that we can expand the depth of our knowledge while at the same time casting off silly superstition." He starts walking out the room closley followed by the wizened halfling.

[lukfugl]

"Curse?" Breithen asks the room in general once the man has left. "Do any of you know what he's talking about? Maybe it's fortunate I don't have the mark of my House," he jokes.

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OOC: To see if Breithen actually knows anything about the "curse". If he does, he still makes the statement above, keeping what he knows to himself for the time being.

Knowledge (local): (1d20+1)[14]

[Sedgewood]

"News to me," says Turk with a slight shrug. He gazes for a moment in the direction the ambassador went, wondering if this 'curse' is the reason why House Sivis sent him instead of coming themselves.

[Valgunn]

Robin

At the mention of a curse on Dragonmarked individuals Robin was obviously taken a little back and more than a little afraid. "Curse? What curse!" She questioned and then shouted at the retreating figure. With him gone and her question unanswered she mutters something about his parentage being questionable and his mother being a undesirable lady of the night. "So..." She mutters to the other new hirelings "My name is Robin." with clearer conviction.

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You evil man! Evil!
[roll0]
Knowledge (Local) untrained so if the DC is higher than 10 then I'm in trouble.

[Aquateenflayer]

"If you would all follow me." The halfling woman says in a deep, aged voice. You are lead down a long hallway and are enter a small dining hall. A window looking over the bay is open letting in the sweet smell of the sea. A large portrait of s handsome man hanging over the small fireplace. The table is full of exotic liquors and imported wines. You are motioned to take a seat at the small table. “Please make yourselves at home m’lady should be out very shortly.” The maid says as she begins filling your crystal goblets.

[Raynor]

Kap'chka stands and follows the maid into the dining hall. He takes a seat and stays the maid's hand before she fills his glass.

"If it isn't too much to ask, do you have any Karnathi Darkwood nectar?" he says, his common refined over his years of servitude.

She smiles warmly and nods, picking up a bottle from the far end of the table and pours Kap'chka a glass. He sips at the glass, the sickly sweet nectar which was one of a very short list of things he missed from the time he spent under Lordrand. It really doesn't compare to Xen'drikian Desert Lotus, but it sure beats the pants off of the dirty water he had grown accustomed to in the last few years.

He listens intently to the other adventurers and waits for the lady of the house to arrive, savouring the nectar which he can very rarely afford to purchase on his measly wage.

[Sedgewood]

Turk takes a long pull from the glass set before him, almost draining it completely. With noticeable effort he stops short of drinking the entirety of its contents, though never for a moment does his hand stray from the goblet.

His eyes wander around the room, awed at such a casual display of wealth, and waiting for one of his companions to finish their drink so that he may have the last swallows of his.

[Galteland]

Dylaan's green eyes brighten at the luxurious dinning hall he sees before him. IT has been a while since he has seen such luxuries, the last time being several years ago in aundair. The whole buisness with the curse forgoten, (afterall, what curse is worse than having everyone you've ever known and your entire home nation wiped out at once?) he imediatly begins examining the beverage selection. Finally setteling on the less expensive Lathazar wine. He has the servent pour him only a small glas, for he has many more to try.

"Well, I wonder when our long awaited patron will finally arive? So Breithin, you mentiond you attended a university, but I don't think I ever heard which one, I myself, as I may have already mentioned, studied arcane magic at The Twelve."

[Aquateenflayer]

The maid after pouring all you a drink looks up suddenly , goes to the door way and clears her throat to gain your attention. “Presenting Miss Lavanai Vanderboren!” She says in a loud authoritative voice. A Young woman walks into the room and curtsies. She is wearing a lovely midnight blue dress that shows off her well sculpted body.

“Thank you all for waiting, I had an unexpected visitor that simply didn’t under stand the word no.” She glides to her seat pouring herself a glass of wine. ”Many of you look as if you have had a long trip. If there is anything you require from me please ask otherwise we’ll get straight to business.”

[lukfugl]

At the dining table Breithen avoids the offered liquors, preferring to keep a clear mind for the coming interview with their hostess; he's never been all that great at holding his drink. Instead he just sits back and observes the rest of the party as he waits.

Eventually, Dylaan makes his query about Breithen's education. He straightens in his seat and begins to respond, "I studied for a time at Morgrave University in Sharn..." But before he can elaborate any further, he's interrupted by the maid's heraldic proclamation.

Breithen watches appreciatively as the young woman enters the room. He'd never fancied the tall folk's women that much before, but he could certainly appreciate this one. He waits patiently as she takes her seat, then in response to her question ventures to be the first to respond.

"Ma'am, sharing your presence and table is more than we could ever ask you. You are truly gracious and beautiful. I believe I speak for the group when I say that we are most anxious to learn how we may be of service to you."

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OOC: And another diplomacy roll to try and ingratiate myself with the lady :) (1d20+0)[12]

[Aquateenflayer]

“Thank you very much, Breithen correct?” She smiles at him but a hint of sadness flashes across her aristocratic face. “As you may have heard, I have recently inherited my parents’ estate. Along with this fine house, unfortunately came a fair amount of debt owed to the provisional government, the harbor master, and quite a few of the local guilds. It seems that ny parents for all their skill as adventurers, were not as skilled at finance as one might expect. If I’m to get these taxes paid I’ll need to access my family’s vault under Castle Tarkanan.”
She takes a small sip of wine to moisten her dry mouth and continues. “And that’s the problem , you see. The vaults are magically locked- keyed to special signet rings--Keyed to special signet rings. Both of my parents had these rings, at least, until recently. My mother lost hers a few months ago. She arranged for a replacement, but it won’t be done for another month of so, too late for me. Which leaves my father’s ring. He never wore it. He had a thing about men wearing jewelry. He kept it hidden somewhere on his ship, the Blue Nixie. The problem is that the harbor master’s seized it up untill someone pays for the last four months of mooring. I’ve paid the fines to the man the harbormaster put in charge of my ship, a brute named Soller Vark. Yet when I went to claim my ship Vark’s men wouldn’t let me aboard, claiming that I haven’t yet paid the fines. I spoke to Vark again and he denied ever receiving my payment. My complaints to the harbormaster have fallen on deaf ears. He’s a doddering old fool who trusts his man and won’t relent.”

An edge of anger is creeping into her voice as she continues to elaborate. “Vark and his men are up to something on my ship, I know it. What I need is to find out exactly what they’re up to. Unfortunately Vark is not the type to react well to diplomacy or logic. I need someone who speaks his language…. This is where you come in. If you can find what he’s using my ship for, or even better, recover the money I paid him, I’ll pay each of you 200 gold in return once I’ve access to my vault."

[Valgunn]

Robin

Sliding off one side of her mount inside the dining room she had a question. Straightening herself out remembering those stupid lessons on posture she had tried to forget. "I'm in."

[Galteland]

Dylaan listend patiently to the story, and was about to speak, when the dismounting of the halfling suddenly focused the room's attention. After watching the barbaric halfling's formal exceptance, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Bravo," Dylaan praises amidst his excited clapping, "with a spirit like that in the group, how could I refuse this quest. I'd be honored if you would also accept my servises."

Dylaan flashes a charming smile, raising his glass in Miss Vanderboren's direction and then Robin's, he downs the remaining contents in a swift gulp.

[Sedgewood]

Seeing his opportunity, Turk quickly mimics Dylaan's toast before finishing his drink in a single swallow.

"If this Vark guy is givin' you trouble, I'll be glad to knock some sense into him," he says, his wide grin revealing just how excited he is about the idea.

[lukfugl]

"Sollan Vark, huh? Just the name sounds shady, though I don't recall having heard it before. Do you suspect that he might know of the ring and be attempting to locate it himself?"

Breithen scratches his chin briefly. "At any rate, Breithen Shoreburn is at your disposal. How could I refuse to accompany my newfound friend" (he says this clapping Dylaan on the shoulder -- or rather back, as he can't reach the shoulder) "on a quest to redeem the estate of my newfound inspiration?" He finishes with a flourish and a bow.

I suspect that Vark is indeed searching for the ring, Breithen muses to himself. I wonder what this Lady's vault holds that might be of interest to him. Is it just riches he's after, or is there something more?

[Raynor]

"Ma'am, it has been far too long since I've had manchops."

Kap'chka begins clicking and popping in a most upsetting manner, his two pairs of arms clutching his thorax. Although one would probably assume this was a insectian version of laughing, it still sends shivers down your neck. After realising everyone was staring at him, Kap'chka quiets down.

"I accept, Lady Vanderboren."

[Aquateenflayer]

Lavanai clears her throat to break the awkward silence cast from the thri-kreen’s attempt at humor. She too raises her glass for your toast and downs it more quickly than proper for a lady of etiquette. “Thank you all very kindly.” She says slightly blushing when her eyes meet Breithen’s. “Now if you would all would please excuse me I have other urgent matters that require my attention elsewhere.” She stands up and bows to the party. “ Oh yes I almost forgot, the Blue Nixie is moored at dock twelve in the Bloody Bay district.” With that Lavania leaves you by yourselves in the well stocked room.

Moments latter the maid enters with an empty cart and begins clearing the table of it’s fine spirits and what not’s, scowling dangerously at anyone who attempts to stop her. Once she is finished she shoos the party to out of her lady’s manor and into the crystal sculpted streets of Crystal watch.

[lukfugl]

Once back out on the street, Breithen gathers the others around him -- though still wary of the insectoid.

"Fellows, I don't believe we'll be able to negotiate with Sollan Vark. It took me until we were on our way out to recall, but I have heard of him before. He's quite disreputable; drug smuggler, primarily. It's possible that he's using Lady Vanderboren's ship as a warehouse of sorts. If so, we can certainly expect resistance."

At this he starts down the street, fully expecting the others to follow.

[Valgunn]

Robin

Jumping handedly onto her mount in short order after being shooed onto the street Robin sighed twisting her head back letting her soft small hands rub down her neck in an old habit. "I think that was a given. I didn't make good acount of myself inside but my name is Robin and I'm freelance organic repair oprative or so a Warforged I met once told me. One of the best you'll find outside the 'Marked houses." It was best she thought to get their paticular area of expertise out now instead of the middle of some battle. She also wanted to know more about him considering his apparant knowledge of the local underworld.