Cult of Renati IC

[Boggs]

Spring is nigh, yet swirls of light snow scatter across the night sky. Oakvale's streets are quiet. Many families remain home in the evenings, sipping cider and sitting around a fire. Yet, you have been delivered a sealed writ summoning you to the Archduke's private chambers... and now are being escorted by his private guard.

As you approach Willow Manor, you notice several others arriving at the same time under the supervision of the same guard. It's not uncommon for Archimedes to send out his garrison to bring in criminals; however, a private meeting of such magnitude is rare... yet they've been occuring more often as of late. Your led to Pemsbroke Hall, once you arrive, the Archduke's Registrar politely asks, "Would you please take a seat? Archduke of Oakvale will be with your momentarily."

Around the room you can count 20 people of various races. Within minutes, the Archduke arrives, "Hail and well met. I'm deeply sorry for requesting your audience at this hour. However, there is much to be done and much less time to accomplish it. As many of you may or may not know, I've been tasked with founding a settlement on our far Western borders near Kvampfen. I'll keep this brief, all of you have been chosen for the next caravan headed to populate the city of Mossbury which leaves at sunrise. We need you and your families to vacate your homes in Oakvale and pack only what is necessary for your travels and trade. You'll have the service of all of my personal servants to assist in your packing. I'm sorry, I don't have time for questions. Please, return to your homes and tell your family. And, of course, you will be given a stipend for your home and the possessions that remain in Oakvale." He pauses briefly to catch his breath, "Now, if you have received a personal summons... I need you to remain here for a brief meeting. The rest of you may return to your homes."

After all the others have left, there are eight people remaining in the room. When the doors have shut, Archimedes continues, "Those of you that remain have received a detailed assignment. Under the careful observation of the Board of Oakvale's Arcanum, you have carefully been chosen because you possess a certain skill that may be needed in your travels. What many citizens don't know is, several of our caravans heading for Mossbury have been ambushed. Usually the guards are killed, women and children abducted, and the men left to die. Guards will be accompanying the caravan yet we need the eight of you to remain discreet. We know what you're capable of; however, we don't want to frighten the humble citizens with granting them knowledge of hired mercenaries. Please, keep your weapons close but try to have your intentions and duties remain unknown. And with that, I leave the table open to questions."

With his final words, many servant girls enter the room carrying platters of meat, cheese, and bread. After the table's set, they bring around bottles of wine.

[NecroRebel]

Ealai Bluewood

One of the two elves present at the gathering sits, waves one of the servants over for wine, and speaks. "When and where have most of the attacks taken place? And if the guards were merely left to die - have any of their lives been saved, that we might know who may have attacked them?" He sips his wine slowly, keeping his eyes trained on the Archduke as he awaits a response.

[Son_of_Meepo]

Barazuul

The surly dwarf reflects for a moment on the words of the Archduke. He didn't have any family in Oakvale, he didn't even know where he had any family at all, though last he heard the father that abandoned him before his birth was still alive.

"And we're going to Kvampfen, back to my ancestral homeland. What wealth of serendipity has found it's way to me. Blessed Queen of Dragons, I will not squander this opportunity to enrich my horde that you have so mercifully granted me."

"Anyone who tries to steal from your caravan will feel the fires of hell sear their flesh, even those who are supposed to be watching it will not escape my notice. " Barazuul says this last part as he looks around at the rest of the assembled throng*. "You have my word on that."

*Though he says this as if it were a matter of duty, a Passive Insight of 18+ would reveal that there is an undercurrent of glee in his voice, as if Barazuul would be more than happy to have to blast one of his fellow guards if he had cause to do so."

[Silverkiss]

Donal Lugh

Donal stretches in his comfortable chair, feeling well. He just got a new job, and has nothing to lose anyway. He has no ties with this place or this kingdom, but his sense of honor and duty hold him to protect the weak. Well, only if that's not too troublesome, but that's another matter.

Donal listens as the others speak, shuddering a bit at the dwarf's eagerness to strike one of his own comrades down. As he begins to eat, Donal raises his voice:

"I'll be more than happy to help. You can count on my sword to protect your caravan."

[TwoBitWriter]

Rigel Marrin

The young halfling remains aloof, barely listening to his instructions. Right now, he would much rather be continuing his work with the Thieve's Guild. Unfortunately, given the choice of a lifetime in prison and guarding this caravan... well... Rigel wasn't stupid.

Besides, it would be much easier to sneak away from a few caravan guards than from the Archduke's personal retinue, or the cold stone walls of the prison.

Rigel was wearing a plain, almost dingy, suit of Leather Armor and, apparently, nothing else beside a kukri sheated at his waist (All of his other weapons have been concealed, 10+16 Thievery = 26 Perception DC to notice.) He is a handsome individual.

"Whateva' you say goes, chief!" Rigel proclaims rather rudely to the Archduke. He isn't necessarily pretending to be rude, but its more a simple matter of his upbringing on the streets of Oakvale.

When the food arrives, Rigel will eat quickly and spend most of his time getting to know the other 7 members of the caravan guard. They had to have been special or else they wouldn't have gained a private audience. He hopes no one knows of him or his criminal past. He will not reveal any relevant information about his background and when asked, will simply say that he is an acrobat for the Oakvale City Players (a half-truth, the OCP is a cover operation for the Thieve's Guild.) He will also use his talent for bluffing and his general charismatic demeanor to attempt and win over his new companions. (Lets say 10+11 Bluff = 21 Insight DC to see through his BS.)

[ninja_penguin]

Skamos Daios

"Well, you have told us the what and the how", Skamos said between pulls on a glass of wine. "But I agree the elf, what is the why and the who?"

[sidhe_blooded]

Kieran

I would like to know the why as well

Says a young human (unless you've got a 44 passive insight anyway), sitting in the corner and looking less at ease than the other adventurers seem to.

I would also like to know a bit more about each of you

He says, turning towards the others gathered.

[Poru93]

Varis

Where most elves would feel more comfortable with another elf at the table, especially in human lands, Varis felt the exact opposite. Over the years since he left his home, Varis had grown to like the company of humans and other races rather than elves.

"Excuse me, sir. Once we finish the trip, will we be receiving a bonus of any kind? If what you say is true about many of the caravans being attack, 300 gold pieces are much less than the value of my life." Varis says to the Archduke, not caring if he came across as rude or haughty. Varis was only concerned with one person and that was Varis. Unless it helped him in someway, he could care less about it.

If anyone does try to talk to him other than the Archduke, he just continues eating without responding to them.

[Reverent-One]

Vaendor

"The elves have good points, whoever these raiders are, they've been able to destory several armed caravans, and knowing something about them could be the difference between life and death." Veandor says as he takes a bite of meat, chewing thoughtfully for a second before continuing, "And while I would be glad to help, such foes will by no means be easy to defeat, 300 gold is a paltry amount for putting our lives in great risk fighting some unknown foe." While Veandor cares about being rightfully paid for his services, in the end, he consideres any amount of gold as secondary to the opportunity to test his creations and abilities. Necessity is the mother of invention after all, and there will probably be great necessity on this quest. He keeps any signs of such excitment from his face, however, at least to the casual observer. Sprinkling a small amount of a potion from one of his belt pouches into his mug, he takes a sip. Pleased with the result, he takes a large gulp as he sits back in his seat.

[TwoBitWriter]

Rigel Marrin, Halfling Rogue

Hearing Kieran's request to know more about the rest of the party, Rigel makes his way to the man's side.

"Names Rigel Marrin, Halflin' explorer and um... professional acrobat. I got a special offer from the Archduke himself to be part o' this expedition. Apparen'ly muh special skills were needed... " Rigel says in a very thick Oakvale Lower-Class accent."Whatabout you? you seems to be the on'y human in this bunch. I would take ya for one o' them Arcanum chaps if not for account of yous wearing armor..."

[sidhe_blooded]

Kieran

I trained at wizardry for a little while, wasn't exactly my style though.
Kieran answers as he eats.

[NecroRebel]

The elf sips his wine as he replies to the human's request. "I am Ealai Bluewood. I have been trained in my people's art of Bladesinging, mixing sword, spell, and song. Those who meet me in peace will see that my skill with the last is pleasing; those who meet me in war will see my skill in the first deadly." Ealai reaches for bread, breaks it, and returns to his inspection of the Archduke, still waiting an answer.

[Silverkiss]

Donal Lugh

Hearing Ealai's words, Donal is suddenly interested in the elf. He looks to the him, trying to measure his abilities, before raising his voice:

"Greetings, fellow blademaster. I am Donal Lugh, a wandering duelist. It would highly please me if you could honor me with a duel, in an apropriate moment in the future. It has been long since my blade found a worthy opponent."

[NecroRebel]

Ealai starts a bit, then turns and regards the genasi momentarily before bowing his head in respect. "It is always an honor to meet another swordsman, whether it be in battle or merely on the practice field. It would be my pleasure to test my skill against yours."

[Boggs]

The Archduke smirks at the question of more money. He takes a sip of his wine and leans forward in his chair, "In regards to your monetary gain, you will be paid handsomely for safely delivering the caravan to Mossbury. If you fail in your endeavors, well, you will have died with 300 more coin in your pocket. Now, as to the questions of who and where... we suspect a group of Gnolls. That's the reasoning behind taking the women and children. They'd put up much less of a fight when being taken to eat."

At this he calls over the Registrar and whispers to him, "We're not certain of the where, the lands between here and Mossbury are relatively unchartered. There's no keeps, no castles, only empty lands and the savages that live off the lands between here and there. Any survivors left, would never make it to either city alive without a horse and food."

Around this time a cloaked individual enters the room along with a Human man. "For this caravan, we are replacing are guards with a new creation... a complex magical device created by the Archmage Avery Lankhannen. I present to you, the Warforged." The cloak is lifted to reveal a humanoid creature with lifeless features. It looks around the room and then looks straight ahead.

The Archduke motions to the Human and he continues, "Good evening, I'm Avery Lankhannen and Assistant Archmage at Oakvale's Arcanum." He holds up a small ball, "Each Warforged is implanted with one of these devices. Recording the last few seconds of a Warforged's life, these small devices, upon death, will exit the chest of a Warforged and return to the Arcanum. Through this method, we will be able to determine where the attack took place and send reinforcements. You'd just have to be able to survive the last remnants of winter... and any further attempts on your lives."

Upon finishing, Avery bows and leaves. The Warforged stays, calmly looking ahead. The Archduke returns to his seat and leans forward bringing his hands together, "Are there any further questions?"

[sidhe_blooded]

Kieran

So basically you expect us to get beaten, then hold out long enough to be rescued?
Kieran asks skeptically.

[Reverent-One]

Vaendor

Vaendor perked up imeadiately when the mage and the cloaked figure walked into the room, sensing some strange magical energy right away. When the Assistant Archmage removed the cloak from the warforged, he almost jumped out of his seat. He tried to get a good sense of what this strange device was ((Arcana check to see what I can tell about it (1d20+12)[21] EDIT: Apologies, the +12 does not include the half-level mod on skill checks, so I actually got a 23)). Stunned for a second, he came back into the conversation after Kieran's question. "I'm sure that is not the case, however tough these gnolls may be, these new warforged and our own power should be enough to defeat them. This is just a...backup plan...in case of a worst case scenario, I'm sure. And you can never have too many contiengency plans."Turning to the Archduke, he bows and says, "Given this new knowledge, and that the issue of our payment has been cleared up, I have no more questions, Archduke, and will be glad to assist you in this matter." And to have all the time I need to understand what makes these things tick.

[sidhe_blooded]

Kieran

After seeing the interest that Vaendor shows Kieran wonders about these warforged as well (arcana (1d20+11)[15] )

[ninja_penguin]

Skamos Daios

Before the Duke's presentation, Skamos responds to Kieran's inquiry. "I am Skamos." he says matter-of-factly, before continuing. I served as a militia captain until my presence was requested."

After the duke's unveiling of the warforged, Skamos walks over to the one in the room, surveying it with his hands clasped behind his back, as if inspecting a soldier. "Forgive me if I am less then confident about a soldier who reports that he is dead." He says, swishing his tail back and forth in irritation. "Does it talk? Can it take orders?"

Spoiler

Show

Heck, lets get in on the knowledge checks.
Arcana - (1d20+11)[30]
History - (1d20+14)[33]

[Son_of_Meepo]

Barazuul didn't care much at all for the people around him or for making small talk. His reasons for answering this summons were his alone, and he never felt like sharing... anything.

He didn't even really care about the metal soldier that seems to have captivated everyone else's attention. He supposed they'd make decent enough servants, but they were bound to be expensive. "I bet I could by 10 normal men for one of those he thought, and I could still melt that steel shell with my hellfire."

"Don't you worry about me, I've survived longer than a winter on a lot less than 300 gold. You might want to send along a few extra furs for the elves. They look like they'd die of the sniffles in no time." Barazuul laughs loudly at what he thought was a funny joke, though it's unlikely anyone else did.

[Poru93]

Varis

Seeing the human-like machine standing there, while it did surprise Varis some, did not cause him to react outwardly. He could care less about it and the small talk that was being made around the table. All that he cared about was money and with money came fame.

However, a poor joke made at the elves' expense catches Varis' ear."I beg your pardon?" Varis says to the dwarf.

"If you truly believe that you may be tougher than I am, I would be happy to correct you on the matter." Varis offers, somewhat pointedly.

[sidhe_blooded]

Kieran

I would not be so eager to meet my masters if I were you, dwarf. I'm sure their fires will keep you warmer than you like.
Kieran tells Barazuul, not bothering to keep the contempt from his voice.

[Son_of_Meepo]

Barazuul lets out another hearty laugh at the elf's threats. "Begging already? Don't you worry yourself girly, I ain't getting paid to dirty my hands with the likes of you, and I don't do anything I don't get paid for. Just do your job and let me do mine, and just maybe, MAYBE over the next few months that delicate elf skin of yours will get a little thicker."

Barazuul continues to savor his meal. Between bites he addresses the Archduke directly. "And you don't worry about any gnolls, there ain't a pup yet that's nipped at my heals and lived to repeat that mistake." (Insight: A warning perhaps?)

[TwoBitWriter]

Rigel Marrin, Halfling Rogue

Rigel listens to the exchange between the Elves and the Dwarf and chuckles to himself. "'Least we'ill be entertained, bud! I tells ya, wotching dem Elvies and Dwarv'ns bicka is just too much for dis Halflin' to take!" He says, slapping Kieran on the back and laughing raucously.

"Hey, Dukey!" Rigells calls out to the ArchDuke. "Are we's gettin' some dessert? Maybe a bit o' the game wit' one o' the servin' wenches?"

[sidhe_blooded]

Kieran

I'm not sure if entertaining is the word I would use when referring to Barazuul. There's something off about him, perhaps you would help me keep an eye on him?
Kieran asks Rigel as quietly as he is able with the surrounding noise.

[TwoBitWriter]

"Well," Rigel whispers, masking his normal accent. "If there's one thing ol' Rigel can do... its quietly observe..."

[Poru93]

Swearing in elven below his breath, Varis decides that if that damned dwarf ever crossed his path again, that he would pay for it. He better be careful... if he comes between me and an enemy, I may forget to halt my blade... Varis thinks to himself.

Turning his mind back to matters more important than an arrogant dwarf, Varis wonders when they would finally be allowed out of the hall to begin the journey to Mossbury. He had no family, at least no one that he considered family, and all he had he carried with him. When the Archduke gave the word, Varis would be ready to go.

[NecroRebel]

Ealai frowns at the rude dwarf's words, but chuckles at the other elf's response. "When the time comes, magus, we will see who is thicker-skinned." He thinks for a moment, then smirks at the warlock. "I have an idea. It seems we already have a contest set between Sir Lugh and myself; why not have more? I suspect the journey will be uneventful for several nights before we enter the wilds, and it is winter yet, so let us set a trial: during a cold night, when frost is thick in the air, we will sit far from flame with bare chests. The strongest among us will endure the elements longest, while those who seek warmth are clearly weak." The smirk abruptly leaves his face as he leans toward the dwarf, staring intensely at him. "And know this - I will not lose to you," he says, ending in a very rude Elven curse.

[Silverkiss]

Donal Lugh

Donal smiles at the contest proposed by Ealai, and agrees, nodding. He is having fun with all the insults flying between the different people, but otherwise he is somewhat detatched from the conversations, waiting for the time of leaving. He has no family in the city anyway, and all his possessions are on him or waiting in his camel, outside.

[ninja_penguin]

Skamos Daios

Skamos frowned in Ealai's direction when he gave his challenge. "And then the gnolls will run through both the cowardly and the brave fool" he muttered, swishing his tail in irritation, and returning his attention to the warforged.