Seeds of Paradise: The Seekers (IC I)

[El'the Ellie]

Chapter 1: The Book and The Baron
http://coolvibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/docks.jpg

Searhime: A city of progress. A city of productivity. A city of opportunity. Not a city of beautiful sights certainly, but no one comes to Searhime for the way it looks.
As both the great barges and passenger ships alike approach Searhime from the ocean, the passengers see a veritable wall of steel. Large ugly iron buildings rise high into the air, and black and white smoke billow out of factories. Steel tubes ranging from the width of a thumb to the width of a man drain untold liquids into the harbor, where they are washed into a sour black cloud.
Clever sailors maneuver their ships through the floating gridlock in the dock with skill, and those that lack the skill simply shout and bully the other captains out of their way. The agile cutters and sloops weave in between massive barges, sometimes with mere feet to spare.
On the shore, the wooden docks are just as crowded. People bump and push past each other heedlessly, each believing their destination to be more important than those around them. Crates and carriages of any number of goods are frantically moved on and off the docked ships. One intrepid crew, unable to find a place to dock, drift a few yards into the harbor and simply toss sacks of flour to a crewmate on shore. Every few hundred feet or so on the docks and streets of Searhime a huge, fifteen foot tall creature made of metal and glass and crystal lumber up and down the street, pushing or dragging something equally massive. Even the busiest sailor and nimblest messenger boy knows to stay out of their way. A team of perhaps two hundred guards struggle to keep crowd in order, but a legion of a thousand would still find it an impossible task.
But Searhime is not without wildlife: seagulls drift lazily overhead, waiting for someone to drop some kind of food. They rest on the masts of sailboats, the rooftops, and just about anywhere they can be out of reach of people.

The Searhime docks are a place to overwhelm the senses. Squawking of birds, yelling of people, the crash of the waves and the shake and rattle of barrels and boxes and crates and cartons fills the air. Cloying smells of sea salt, fish, and chemical stink become quickly unavoidable. Homeless men and women accost newcomers for 'Jus a silvah sir. Just a coppah. A man's needs to eat...'. A few priest and priestesses of Pelor try valiantly to hand out drinking water to a few overworked kobolds, but the crowd swallows them up as surely as a stone dropped in the ocean.
@Avessa: Your little sloop was enough to get you up to The Shattered Glaciers up north, but immediately after it became more of a problem than anything else. With Peter's extra weight, the wind simply wouldn't carry your boat fast enough to breath through the ice. For a while you began to worry, afraid Hleid had already led you astray. But a little faith goes a long way, especially for someone like yourself. Just when you and Peter thought the sloop would go no further, a massive metal ship came cutting through the mist and fog. After a bit of magic to get the crew's attention and some clever swimming on Peter's part, you found yourselves aboard the Mammoth. Sailing from Ormotiraq, the Mammoth carried a rather strange cast of characters as crew. Perhaps the strangest, though incredibly welcome, was Captain Stevail Polen greeting you with a "Ho there, ice-child of Hleid."
It would seem that Hleid had some influence still. Enough at least to point a freighter driver towards a lost boat in the middle of the ocean and get her to Naosih. Along the way, Stevail mentioned his likewise devotion to Hleid, which he shared with some of his crew members. He said as well that he was just a courier: "A girl and her companion, adrift among the ice, would be needed on Olfjön. That men and women of the land would need her, and that she should seek out Samuel Starling." Stevail shook his head and shrugged when pressed for details, saying that was all he remembered. But several members of the crew seemed to know Starling, at least from days and years past.
The Mammoth docks with a loud clang, causing you jolt back to reality. Two large steel beams swing down from either side on massive support struts, locking the freighter in place. Immediately each member of the crew sets to work, carry boxes with esoteric or unhelpful labels onto the main shore. Stevail offers you a short prayer and farewell, but he's still just a man with a job, and sets about unpacking.

@Ythenia: The good part about being a pixie in a big city is that you can avoid the crowds by turning invisible or flying above them, or both. The bad part about being a pixie in a city is most everything else. The machinery and iron that surrounds you makes your skin crawl. Folks almost constantly confuse you with a halfling, and those that don't don't believe that you're a fey, but rather some child in a disguise. Even worse, the few that do believe you're fey think you're here to steal their child, or hide their coins, or any other nonsense story. You've been in Searhime for a few weeks now, and things in the city have been spectacularly un-story-worthy. But you are a persistent fey, alond certainly there must be something thrilling or going to be thrilling in this town. After weeks of trawling pubs and inns, visibly and invisibly, you've followed leads on a man that seems to have organized some kind of team of adventurers. Why? People wouldn't say. Apparently he was being quite hush-hush about it, which only made you more curious. The man's name was Samuel Starling, and apparently he had quite the reputation around here. A world traveler, who made a small fortune in lost gold somewhere in Shiania, and had since retired to live out the rest of his life in quiet. He was, as they said, a man full of stories and tales.
More hunting down answers told you he was not an easy man to find. But it had gotten you to a small block on Searhime dockside, where you now fluttered invisibly, scanning some of the boats and people coming in and out. You're close, but surely either some of the locals or new arrivals must know exactly where he lives, right?

@Lothair: You can't help but feel a bit perturbed at being treated like an errand boy. If the Paragnostic Apostles had sent you half way across the world to fetch a book, it must be a damn important book. Still, the Queen's Dream is an upper class personnel ship, and the Apostles had set you up nice: it was as pleasant a journey as two months on the ocean can be and the boat actually made it to harbor, which is always nice. As your ship weaves its way into the docks, you glance again at the note you were given.
Apostle Lothair,
Your journey to Naosih should be an easy one this time of year, and I wish you all speed. Upon arrival in Searhime, seek out Samuel Starling. Rumor has it he knows of the whereabouts of The Start of Life, and that he shares our motivation to keep it in good hands. Return here with the book as soon as possible, but above all be careful to keep it in trustworthy hands: the contents could be quite dangerous given to the wrong persons, as our mysterious lich intends to prove. Mister Starling lives near the docks of Searhime, and many in the area should know where he lives.

May Lirr go with you,
Katrice Morris

A familiar tug on the schooner tells you that the ship has finally docked. A few crew members busy themselves stretching out the gangplank to the docks while your captain, Ren Quimby, starts spreading word to the crew.
"Lan' ho folks! Now I'm sure y'all're eager to be off, but take a secund, make sure you got errything outta your rooms. A'cause once y'all're off we're leavin', and there ain't no turnin' back around."
His familiar smile is missing a few teeth, and he swings his fancy feathered hat trying to herd people off his boat. A small crowd of people cross the plank one by one onto the mainland. Ren gives them each a polite bow, effortlessly remembering their names and bidding them farewell.

@Amkhar: More and more, you begin to regret your decision to come to Searhime. The people are less than welcoming to a Githzerai, and the general haste and carelessness around you puts forth such a 'barely good enough' attitude that it almost makes you cry on the inside. Still, if there were purpose to be found in civilization, it would not be discovered alone in a cave.
Originally your trip to Searhime was a random one: the winds were blowing east when you left Ormotiraq, and so that is where the ships traveled. The freighter you got passage on, the Mammoth was a large one, and used to carrying 'usual folk like you', so long as you didn't mind two meals a day and a rickety cot. It had been a long ride: the ship had stopped far up north for some reason, wordlessly picking up an extra passenger from the Shattered Glaciers. Well two, if you count the massive animal that traveled with her. It had been rough and stormy, but nothing you aren't prepared to handle. Some of the crew and passengers on the Mammoth were amicable, filling you in on some of the comings and goings of Naosih. That is when you heard of Samuel Starling, and his expedition. The crew member that had mentioned it, Umbalak Grum-Orskung, admitted that he didn't know a lot. Just that Starling and whatever this expedition he was planning was going to 'change the world'. Certainly that claim has been made many times before, but Umbalak spoke with a contagious conviction. Perhaps this was something worth checking out after all. At any rate, it was better than wandering around Searhime aimlessly, enduring double-takes and untrustworthy glares.
The Mammoth docks with a loud clang. Two large steel beams swing down from either side on massive support struts, locking the freighter in place. Immediately each member of the crew sets to work, carry boxes with esoteric or unhelpful labels onto the main shore. Your fare already paid, you are almost immediately forgotten.

@Adeline: The Queen's Dream rocks as it approaches harbor. The ride into Searhime is a white-knuckled one as the captain passes inches between two barges, each a dozen feet over your head. It seems odd that Jasper's trail would have led you to Naosih, but little that man did made sense some times. It's been a long, tiring road of talks with unsavory people, bribes, night-time meetings, and some aggressive negotiations that has led you to one name: Samuel Starling. Supposedly Starling and Jasper were friends many years ago. And more importantly, Starling was one of the few people Jasper trusted with his hide-out plans. You're so close you can feel it, but Searhime is a big city, and Starling is just one man...

A familiar tug on the schooner tells you that the ship has finally docked. A few crew members busy themselves stretching out the gangplank to the docks while your captain, Ren Quimby, starts spreading word to the crew.
"Lan' ho folks! Now I'm sure y'all're eager to be off, but take a secund, make sure you got errything outta your rooms. A'cause once y'all're off we're leavin', and there ain't no turnin' back around."
His familiar smile is missing a few teeth, and he swings his fancy feathered hat trying to herd people off his boat. A small crowd of people cross the plank one by one onto the mainland. Ren gives them each a polite bow, effortlessly remembering their names and bidding them farewell.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia shivered as she invisibly fluttered above the throngs below. Metal everywhere, throngs of mortals who could trample an unwary fey, superstitious folk fearful of her kind: this place certainly felt like an exotic, dangerous local compared to the Seelie Court, but apparently it is not too adventurous by mortal standards. The adventures she had here were not unique in the slightest; worse, after weeks of searching she still had not found any leads on real adventures. This Samuel Starling had better have some worthwhile quest for her. Now she just had to find him.

If it was true that Starling was gathering a band of adventurers, then all she had to do was find some adventurers and follow them to Starling. From the stories she had read, mortal adventurers were a rare and incredibly diverse lot, but there are some commonalities between them. Actually, their diversity was one such commonality; they tended to be quite different that the typical mortal, be it in their identity, their gear, the way they carried themselves, and other such distinctive features. They also tended to be relatively youthful for their species, except kobolds for some reason. If she could find people with such characteristics, she would likely find a few who made their living undertaking grand quests, hopefully including searching for Starling. She could then glean the needed information from them, either by detecting their thoughts, following them, or if necessary approaching them directly. If such a task proved unfruitful, Ythenia might be forced to ask random people if they knew Starling. Ythenia hoped it would not come to that. Such a tactic was far too direct, personal, and imprecise for her tastes.

Ythenia scanned the ships in the harbor. The ones that had already landed and offloaded were of no use to her. She instead focused on the ones that had just landed. In the tales she heard, successful adventurers had an uncanny ability to find great treasures and invaluable artifacts. These people would most certainly have the funds to afford more lavish transportation. The ones that could and chose not to are most likely trying to keep a low profile, and in such crowds trying to find such people would take too much time and energy for uncertain results. No, she would keep her attention on the nicer ships, though she might spare a glance at some of the others ships to see if there are any distinguishing passengers among. Ythenia flew along the dock line, checking the offgoing passengers of the nicer ships while keeping half an eye on the others. She looked for ones of exotic species, unusually powerful magic aura, and other such distinguishing marks.

Flying along the dock line, specifically checking the nicer ships but also glancing at other ships that she passes over. She's using Warlock's Detect Magic on the offgoing passengers, particularly more physically unique ones. Those with a particularly strong aura she will then use Detect Thoughts on the area (save DC 21.) She is specifically looking for (in order of priority from greatest to least) 1) thoughts relating to Starling, 2) thoughts relating to adventuring or that an adventurer might have, and 3) minds strong enough to resist her divination.
EDIT: if any spot or listen checks are needed to find noteworthy passengers, Ytheni will take 10 on each for a result of 22.

[Aldurin]

Peter was annoyed that Avessa could not swim or hold her breath like he could, otherwise they wouldn't have been slogging through the openings in the ice while relying on inferior nautical skill for a day. When the Mammoth arrived, Peter found himself curious and confused for a moment. The clarity of awakening was not retroactive, so he could not be certain if the ship was one of those that he had seen in past years when he was still with his colony. Upon boarding the ship, Peter learned that Hleil's influence was present among more than himself and Avessa. He took social cues from his charge to be polite and express gratefulness for the captain's hospitality, spending the ride either meditating in the hold, or swimming alongside to catch fresh fish for himself. The humanoids had prepared foods he did not recognize, designed to take longer to spoil, but the strange smells made him uneasy. Avessa explained the foods that did not come from other creatures when Peter asked, and to his regret shortly found himself learning more about grain-bearing plants and temperate agriculture than he wanted to know.

Peter's desire to obsessively reflect on his past ceased the moment he was within the docks of Searhime. He instinctively knew that the structures were not natural, but could not fathom what purpose most of them served the humanoids. He was certain he would have broken down into a panic in his original mental state, but now the bombardment of new sights, sounds and smells forced him into an outward awareness. Fortunately, the blue of Avessa's robes stood out in this metallic environment, and made it easy to follow her off of the ship.
Avessa found herself shouting in frustration over the empty ocean when her boat failed to breach the ice sheets. If she had known she would have to make the trip away from the glaciers with a creature seemingly ten times her weight, she wouldn't have purchased such a small boat. She didn't possess enough magic to break the ice or use the winds to propel them through, so she found herself glad to make contact with a passing ship. She was glad to travel with other devotees to Hleil, especially since they were more open to conversation than her guardian. This didn't stop her from talking to Peter for several hours about farming when he asked her what bread was, glad that he was finally opening to conversation.

Upon arriving in Searhime, Avessa gave her thanks to Captain Polen and she energetically bounded down the ramp onto the metal walkways of the docks. The busy atmosphere was a nice contrast from the recent weeks of having little to listen to besides the ocean, and she was glad to see the noise and busyness.

"Samuel Starling is the person we must meet? How do you find a humanoid distinguished only by name in such a crowded place?" Peter asked as he followed behind her. His voice gave away that he was in awe at the sight of this busy port. Avessa had been wondering how he'd react to civilization.
"That's one of those things we figure out as we make the attempt, Peter." She replied cheerfully, looking forward to chatting up the local pubs. Then she remembered the githzerai passenger. Faith and fortune had brought her to the ship, and maybe it had more to offer than she initially expected. "For now, let's wait for the githzerai man to leave the ship. The crew talked about Mr. Starling enough that maybe he picked up interest from them."

[Cardea]

Double-takes and glares could be responded to with sighs and meditation only so long before it only be answered by bone breaking upon metal. And so by the third day of his voyage, he began envisioning brutal violence inflicted upon the people of this vessel. It gave comfort, but it did not grant ease. Still they would keep unwelcome eyes upon the man, and the visions of violence caused worry in their peace. So he, instead, spent his time in the rarely walked places of the vessel in meditation, stopping only to eat and only to change where he sat.

Umbalak proved a welcome break from this temporary routine, and was grateful to the man. Arriving here, his only plan was to simply wander and do what he could, what could provide a step or a journey or, at the least, a distraction. Grandstand claims would not impress upon him a sense of importance, but it still provided a sense of curiosity in Umbalak's adherence to vagueness. So as he took his first step, it was with direction and focus, to know what this Sterling seeks.

He did not know, however, whether he decided to give his aid to this Sterling out of a desire to know, or a desire to hurt, and he did not like the answer either way it would go, in the end.

[Aldurin]

Avessa quickly spots the githzerai leaving the ship, turning toward him and approaching amicably. "Hello, sir! Would you happen to know about Samuel Starling, or at least how to find him? There was a bit a talk about him on the ship, and I thought you might be in the know or possibly even the cause of the discussion."
Peter steps forward, curiously examining Amkahr. "You are . . . more distinct from other humanoids. Avessa, is this an indication of differing status in your hierarchies?"
"No, it just means he's from somewhere . . . farther away. I guess that would be the best way to put it." She offers a handshake with Amkahr. "I'm Avessa Loraine, and this is Peter. Please bear with his curiosity, it's his first time visiting a city and meeting other people."

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair Shekkan (not that anyone knew about that last part) was feeling distinctly disagreeable about the crowded city before him. He stood on the edge of the ship, staring down upon the city, with the approximate desire to go among the unwashed masses as he had to stab himself repeatedly in the knee. Of course, his mission remained; he had to find where this 'Samuel Starling' was, keeping in mind the possibility that it could easily be a pseudonym. He didn't have the faintest idea of why the book he needed to retrieve was so important, but he needed to find the person who knew about it, and it was vitally important. If it wouldn't have meant a revocation of his library privileges, he most certainly would have refused this mission when first asked.

Of course, he wasn't entirely alone in said mission.

Over two months, he had naturally formed a certain rapport with the only other human on the ship who mostly matched his hair color. They weren't exactly close, in the way that requires time and familiarity, but they were more than acquaintances, none the less. She had, over the course of their dialogues, revealed that she was also looking for one Mr. Starling (though not the why of it), which meant they were likely better off doing their effort in unison. Lothair noticed her, and tore his gaze away from the frothing crowd below, strode to where she was standing. He found it slightly irksome that she was taller than him, but swiftly dismissed the thought.

"I don't have the faintest idea of where our quarry might be, my dear Adeline; do you happen to have any ideas? Simply questioning random passerby seems like it would be dreadfully tedious."

[Renen]

Coming off the ship, Adeline was happy to finally stand on the ground that did not continuously move back and forth. She closed her eyes inhaling deeply. While she certainly found some enjoyment in being in the wilds, this place smelled like home. It was hardly her fault that she grew up in the busy city center, rather than some green countryside, but now she smiled at the crowds of people that pushed past each other trying to get their supplies in order, the piles of goods that lined the docs, and even the harbor water the drinking of which would certainly cause one to die a rather unpleasant death. Seeing all this put a wide smile on her face.

Hearing her name, she turned to see that Lothair has also made his way off the boat, to stand beside her. Her smile widened abit more when she noticed his apparent displeasure at the state of the city.

"And here I thought you'd be happy to get off the ship after two months." she remarked playfully.

"I don't think we'll need to ask every person here. If Starling is the type of man I suspect him to be, we'll simply have to look out for some rather noticeable types. Just look for the oddest or the most unusual folks around."

Unknown to Adeline, a pixie flies over their recently-arrived ship, sneakily looking through everyone's minds for a hint of adventure. Adeline easily resists the pixie's power, keeping her secrets to herself, though perhaps looking suspicious just from that feat.


Will save
[roll0]

[El'the Ellie]

@Ythenia: Zipping invisibly among the ships, you search for strong minds and interesting people. There is magic everywhere here, but only because things are so compact that your vision covers much larger amount of folks than normal. Much of the magic is weak or very purposeful: abjurations to make the sides of a boat barnacle-resistant, a man's pet rat familiar, a simple illusion and so on.
Two ships among the chaos catch your gaze. First is a long, fanciful brigantine, with her name The Glaistig stylized in gold on the sides. It looks significantly nicer than most of the other ships moored there, and impeccably clean. A small team of private guards watch over the sides of the ship, while a team of kobolds scrub the deck bristled brushes and soapy water. A man stands out as the owner of the ship if for no other reason than that he has an air of smug superiority. He tuts disapprovingly at one of his workers and raps the kobold's back with his ivory cane.
The ship is certainly regal enough and the man shrugs off your mental probe, but he doesn't seem magical at all. Nor does he seem to have a very heroic attitude: hardly the type of person you're looking for.
A minute or so later, your eyes fall on the Queen's Dream. It's not as nice as The Glaistig, but still more than a typical cargo ship. It recently docked, and the crew is busy unloading a dozen or so fairly important looking passengers. More interestingly, is the snippet of conversation you hear passing by.
"If Starling is the type of man I suspect him to be, we'll simply have to look out for some rather noticeable types."

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia tuned out the flood of weak magic that had bombarded her since she had come to Searhime. It was quite easy, actually; she had a lot of practice from tuning out the much stronger inundation of magic in the Seelie Court. Ythenia dismissed the man in the The Glaistig almost immediately. It was a nice ship, but the man had the distinctive presence of a noble, and from her experience people who reveled in the perks of nobility were not the adventuring types. Besides, there was an utter dearth of anything magical about him. Much more interesting were the passengers of the Queen's Dream, specifically one who specifically mentioned Starling by name. Ythenia examined the people more closely; one in particular struck her for shaking off Ythenia's mental probe.

The woman seemed to match an adventurer profile perfectly: strong of will, young for her species, emanating magic, carrying herself with confidence, and with a poise reminiscent of skilled Fey fencers. Her voice also matched the one that had mentioned Starling. She was talking to a companion that also matched those characteristics, except that he did not have quite the stance of a martial warrior. Rather, he had the more analytical bearing of a scholar, though unlike most scholars she knew he was dressed in rather rugged attire. Two adventurers, both looking for Starling just as she was. Ythenia could hardly believe her luck.

The woman kept talking, saying, "Just look for the oddest or the most unusual folks around."

Well if that was not the perfect cue to enter the conversation, Ythenia did not know what was. She had just greatly narrowed down her search; now she needed to make some allies.

Ythenia flew above and and to the side of the two, then called out, "You two are looking for Samuel Starling as well? How serendipitous!" She paused for a moment, then said, Oh! Heh, you would probably like to see who hails you, would you not?"

Ythenia dropped her invisibility and hovered down eye level with the two. She did a mid-air curtsy and said, "My name is Ythenia, and I too search for Mr. Starling. And before you ask, no, I do not want to steal his children or his teeth. It is surprising just how many people assign such absurd motivations to me. No, I seek him because I hear he is a renowned world traveler who is apparently organizing a team of adventurers, and I would be thrilled to find out what form of grand quest he is working on. Oh excuse me, where are my manners? If it is not too intrusive, might I inquire your own names? Perhaps we can seek Mr. Starling together."

Might as well roll Knowledge: Local and see what comes up. Also going to roll Knowledge: Nobility to see if I know who the guy on The Glaistig is:
K Local: [roll0]
K Noble: [roll1]

[Renen]

Initially Adeline's arm moved ever so briefly to her weapon, after all its better be safe than sorry. But as Ythenia dropped her Invisibility, Adeline's eyes widened and she unconsciously reached for the girl.

"So cute... " She muttered quietly, staring at the little girl in front of her for a safer seconds before remembering she was in public.

Turning her hand gesture into a small wave, she repressed her desire to stare at Ythenia forever. In her work she rarely dealt with children, and almost never with girls. And none were as adorable as this one, so it was quite difficult for her to resist the urge to stare.

"Oh hi... I'm Adeline. Yes, we are also looking for Stills. You are most welcome to come along. The more people we have, the faster we can find him. "

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair's gaze became distant, confronted with the sudden sight of a... pixie, if he recalled a book he had once read. Pixies and their Hillside Hollows, he believed it was called. He repressed a snort upon hearing his compatriots reaction to the small fae's presence; really, if he was a pixie, he most certainly wouldn't appreciate a phrase so condescending. In his travels, he had encountered a great many children, and he had liked very few of them; in his recent position at a library, he had found himself liking none at all. Not that pixies were children, of course; this one was quite likely older than they were.

"You may refer to me as Lothair, particularly after such a lengthy introduction. I would be amenable to pooling our talents in this endeavor, given that my companion has already voiced her assent."

[Cardea]

Turning to the one addressing him, he stands at attention. It was the woman who boarded in the middle of the voyage, with her penguin. Large for his size. Articulate. Unnerving. He extends his hand and shakes with the woman. "Amkahr. I know of him, and I do not know how to find him. If you seek him, I will join you." He addresses the penguin. "Your companion speaks right. My appearance only says that I am from far away."

[Aldurin]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Amkahr. I'd be glad to have another companion in our search for Mr. Starling." Avessa ponders for a moment, then speaks again. "Do you have any good ideas for how to go about finding him? I normally default to talking up the local taverns when I'm in a new town, but I don't know if that's the most efficient way to locate him."

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia pouts in a rather adorable manner. "Cute" was one of the default reactions to her in this city, followed by superstitious fear. It could be quite useful for manipulation, but she would prefer her potential adventuring companions have a bit more respect for her.

"I believe the term you are looking for is 'exquisite' or 'captivating.' 'Cute' has a rather demeaning connotation, implying inferiority and helplessness. Do not worry, I will not hold it against you, but in the future please refrain from using that descriptor. Pleasantries aside, do either of you have a plan to locate Starling? I have been trawling pubs and inns for quite some time gathering information on his location, and the most I have gotten is narrowing it down to somewhere in this block. Unless..."

Ythenia turns her gaze upon the rows and rows of ships docked in the harbor. "Starling is supposed to be a world-renowned traveler, and he has been fairly secretive about organizing this group of adventurers. Perhaps his base of operations is on one of the ships? With so many people coming and going, it would not be too terribly difficult for a group to surreptitiously board a ship for the purpose of conducting covert meetings, especially if they are also attempting to discreetly gather supplies for some form of expedition as well. Admittedly this is purely conjecture on my part, but it is the best guess I have at the moment."

[Renen]

Aww... she is even more adorable when she's mad thinks Adeline.

Getting back to business, she looks over the docks again.

"I suppose the first thing we can do then, is to take a stroll around the docks. Perhaps we'll notice something out of hand if we are actively looking for it. Most times when someone tries to hide in such a busy place, they only go so far as to be unnoticed by a casual observer. To try too hard is suspicious of itself. Plus, we too are far from inconspicuous. Perhaps if he really is searching for some adventurers we will be found by him..."

[El'the Ellie]

@Ythenia: Though you fly by him rather quickly, you get a good look at the man on the Glaistig. You recognize his dark brown hair, average but muscular stature, and fashionable long black peacoat. In fact the man is impeccably well groomed and quite handsome, as far as humans are. More importantly, you recognize the two-fanged symbol engraved into a green gemstone at the top of his cane: this is Baron Edmund Wolfe. There are a decent number of Barons in Naosih (a catchall term for one who owns a significantly wealthy enterprise), but Wolfe is fairly well known. He owns a major chain of shipping and manufacturing in Olfjön and the seas around, so it's not surprising he has a ship of his own. He doesn't have a positive image, but the influence of his wealth and natural charisma is undeniable.

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair took a few moments to analyze his options, before speaking once again.

"I suppose that would suffice. I'm certain that between me and... Ythenia, was it? We should be more than capable of charming a few locations out of people. Worse comes to worse, I do have a little magic trick that could help us find him, though we would need to find a silver mirror for that, since my old mirror broke on the way here. I suppose it must have seen the reflection of some sort of aquatic anti-lycanthrope, and shattered from the stress."

[Cardea]

"None. Your plan it is, then. Lead the way, Avessa." Amkahr says, motioning with his hand towards the rest of the dock.

[Aldurin]

"Alrighty." Avessa nods and takes the lead. "The bar scene here should hopefully be welcome to outsiders, being a major port city and all." She takes a look around the docks for a pub that targets the sailing crowd.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia considers for a moment, then says, "While strolling the area would most likely be the optimal method of locating Starling given our current resources, I would prefer to have a general idea as to what we am looking for before we begin searching. Perhaps we could inquire at the dockside establishments. Though I have trawled numerous pubs and inns attempting to ascertain Starling's whereabouts, I have not yet extensively investigated this vicinity. Perhaps some of the locals have noticed unusual activities in the area that can give us a lead. Furthermore, if Starling is indeed searching for adventurers, I would suspect that he would monitor the dockside taverns more closely than the streets. The sheer congestion of people entering and exiting the docks would make the latter rather untenable, and from what I have heard inns have a longstanding reputation as an initial gathering point for adventurers. In addition, I would expect there to be local businesses selling trinkets to sailors recently arrived from long voyages. Perhaps we can find one that carries a silver mirror for Lothair.

Taking 10 on spot (total 22) to look for local taverns, specifically ones catering to incoming sailors and passengers.

[El'the Ellie]

@Avessa, Peter, and Amkhar: From the deck of the Mammoth, you have a pretty good view of the dock area. Many of the buildings that line the street are business related: repair, rental, and bookkeeping places for activity on the docks, large metal or stone storehouses, and so on. There's a small kiosk that seems to be handling orienting new arrivals to the country, but it is similarly overwhelmed with a crowd. A few hundred yards away, you see a much smaller building crammed against businesses, with a sign proudly proclaiming 'Pete's Inn'. With the image of a brig ship etched on to the front glass, you figure it is meant to accommodate some of the arrivals. As you step off the boat and into the crowd, Peter carves a wake through the dock. The people here seem to be used to some strangeness, but Peter is a large foreign creature, and the armor doesn't exactly make him seem cuddly.

@Ythenia, Lothair, and Adeline: Likewise, you scan the shore area for places that might attract a sociable crowd. You get the feeling that despite what the chaos at the docks would lead you to believe, Searhime is designed to get people distributed around the area: the market and places that might accommodate people are more common further into the city. Still, there is one intrepid business standing between the back door of a factory and a large storehouse gates: Pete's Inn.

Pete's Inn is perhaps what one might expect from such a place: a little dingy, but decently crowded despite it's small size and how early it is in the day. A lot of people seem to have the same idea as you all: not necessarily to drink, but to use this place to stop and get your bearings, or meet up with others. The bar has a light blue and white motif which adds some life and color, and the walls are covered in people's writing of nonsense, their names, the date, and so on. The right side is full of booths, circular tables that resemble a ship wheel, and a metal staircase leading upwards. On the right, a long bar lined with liquors is tended by an elven man. Peter has to ruffle his feathers a bit to push through the doorway, and draws an array of looks from the patrons: from confused to humorous to nervous. Then again, there's a woman in the back rubbing her hand along a sleeping wolf, so animals here aren't totally unheard of.

[Aldurin]

Avessa confidently walks inside and sits down at one of the stools of the bar. Peter follows and remains standing behind her, continuing to fight the sensory overload of this new and unfamiliar place. It's a strange concept to Peter, having a specific place designated for eating. But then again the foods that humanoids eat aren't as simple as diving into the water and swallowing fish whole. The lengths of preparation they put into their food would likely require more coordination. But most puzzling of all is the wide variety of waters within the containers across the bar. Some are clear, but others take on different colors and each person with a mug seems to be consuming one of those liquids. He decides to ask Avessa later, as the noise of the bar would require him to speak louder than he is comfortable doing in this situation.

When the bartender approaches, Avessa smiles. "Hello! What's the signature drink of this place?" She appears cheery and approachable, trying to make up for the presence of the towering penguin behind her.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia perked up when she saw Pete's Inn. "Oh! A solitary establishment by the waterfront, specifically catering to recent arrivals in the city. That seems like an excellent place to start our inquiry. Shall we be off?"

Ythenia flew over the crowd to the inn, this time keeping herself visible. If Starling is hunting for adventurers, she did not like to hide her presence. After entering the inn, Ythenia's gaze was immediately drawn to a large penguin wearing a breastplate, and she sensed* a higher intelligence in it than was found in most animals. Ythenia's mood brightened; an awakened animal. They were relatively common in the Fey Realm, and Ythenia was shocked by how rare they are among the mortals. The closest she had found were familiars, which are not exactly the same thing. This awakened animal was one of the few familiar things in this city of iron and machines. Judging by how uncomfortable he looked, it would seem he too was rather unaccustomed to mortal civilization of this size and technological capability.

Ythenia flew over to it and did a midair curtsy. "Salutations, noble penguin. My name is Ythenia. It is wonderful to see another creature of nature in this city of iron. Might I inquire how you identify yourself?"

I forget; what is your houserule on how exactly mindsight works again? I remember it being more like blindsight scent (ok, so maybe I didn't remember it very well), but does it still let you sense the Int score of the creature? I know you said it in the recruitment thread, but there are 24 pages in that thing, I forgot which one it's on, and I forgot to copy-paste it into my sheet :smallredface:

[Renen]

"That"s a penguin" mutters Adeline to herself as she follows the pixie across the bar.

With a short and polite nod, she introduces herself to the penguin as well.

"I'm Adeline. Nice to meet you." though she fails to say anything more, as her inner detective tried to figure out why there was an awakened penguin in a bar. Pixies are cute, but not that strange. Awakened animals are rarer, but are usually of the house pet variety. An awakened penguin was definitely not something you see every day.

[Aldurin]

Peter turns to face the two people talking to him. Strangers, of course. Avessa warned him that he would likely be harassed by some people when traveling through populated areas, and ignorance was the strongest tactic to deter them. A strange idea, but Avessa also told him that she wouldn't condone unnecessary violence, especially if he let himself become provoked. He turns back to Avessa. "I wish to try one of these strange waters. Could you order one for me as well?"

Looking back to Peter, Avessa seems concerned. "Are you sure? You didn't want to try any of the food on the trip, and this stuff is even stronger to the senses." She thinks for a moment. "Actually, sure. You're going to keep insisting on it, so might as well get it out of the way now." She addresses the bartender again. "Two of your specialty drink, actually."

[Cardea]

Amkahr looks at the two onlookers, and moves himself to stand between them and his fellow travelers, his tall frame blocking eyesight as best as he can. He looks at the bartender, throwing his order in as well. "Water for myself, and food to forget the journey we just had. I'd also ask if you knew where the expedition by Starling is recruiting, if it still is."

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair hurriedly went after after Adeline and Ythenia, but was delayed by a few moments after colliding with a lumberjack, and thusly entered the Inn after just as the words "I'd also ask if you knew where the expedition by Starling is recruiting, if it still is." were uttered. He then noticed that Adeline and Ythenia were both staring at a... was that a penguin? Blinking, he made his way to the bar, before smiling charmingly at the bartender and glancing at the fellow who had said the name Starling.

"Water with lemon, please- and I must say that I have the same query as you, stranger. Lothair is generally what people refer to me as; might I inquire as to your own method of address? I happen to have the need to find this Mr. Starling myself."

[Cardea]

Amkahr turns his head slightly, looking down at the man. Thoughts of violence. "No. We are here to breath after a voyage. We are not to entertain a trio of gawkers. Let us be."

[El'the Ellie]

@Avessa and Peter: The bartender doesn't take his eyes off of Peter as the two of you approach the bar.
"Uhh... we have... It's called Sea Storm..."
Still without taking his eyes off the penguin, he pours two tall, thin glasses of a light blue liquid and then pours about a teaspoon of inky black liquid in each. He gives each one a half stir, and the black liquid disperses only somewhat. It does indeed look like the ocean water just before a storm.
He seems to snap out of his reverie and holds out his hand as he slides the drinks over. "Four gold." You get the feeling that, much like a tourist attraction, Pete's Inn makes most of its money off of a large upsale to wealthy folk who don't know anywhere else to go.

@Lothair: The bartender wordlessly hands you a glass of water. The lemon does its best to change the flavor, but you can tell that the water here is not what you're used to. It has a metallic taste, that implies it might have been run through several filters.

@The group: He raises an eye at your various mentions of Starling.
"That name doesn't sound familiar, but a few weeks ago I heard some wealthy old man was hiring people to put together an expedition. Some messenger kids said as much, and if anyone came inquiring, to point them here." He points to a map that he unrolls from beneath the bar. "1219 Penny Street. I can't see any self respecting person of means living on Penny though. If you go, watch yourself: could be some kind of con." He rolls the map back up after those that want to get a good look.
"You might be a bit late though: I got wind of that about two weeks ago."

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair's eyes narrowed, but he resumed a friendly expression shortly thereafter, sipping on his (free) water; really, those prices were abominable. The Githzerai who had presumed to call him a gawker had a certain presence about him, and Lothair preferred not to engage in something as common as a regular brawl. He could, of course, probably persuade the inn-keeper and other individuals nearby that the fellow was a serial killer, but that might be going a bit overboard. He smiled again at the bartender, pointedly ignoring the fellow sitting next to him and his merry band of people who refused to introduce themselves, and spending a moment to gulp down his drink. He stood, bowing slightly in respect.

"Thank you kindly for your information, good sir; may the gods and goddesses bless your fine establishment. Ythenia, Adeline? Shall we proceed?"

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia silently berates herself as the penguin turns walks away. Fool. She had been tired of people gawking over her being a pixie, and the first thing she does when she enters this place is immediately approach an obviously uncomfortable awakened animal? Had her social graces really eroded so quickly? She was starting to let her homesickness affect her judgement, which is unacceptable.

"Apologies. I did not intend to be intrusive."

Ythenia takes another look around the bar. She would like to talk to the woman with the wolf, though she acknowledges that this is probably her longing for nature clouding her judgement again. She perks up again when she hears the Gythzerai mention looking for Starling, though he seems rather antisocial. Nothing a bit of charm magic could not cure. Before she can gather the magical energies though, she hears the bartender not only knows about is, but has a map and exact address for them to go to. Ythenia feels a surge of both elation and frustration. Finally, after so much searching she had found a solid lead. On the other hand, it was incredibly irritating to know that after searching so many inns for information, if she had just tried this one she would have gotten directions from the start. She reconsiders charming the Gythzerai. If he too is looking for Starling he would most likely come there of his own volition; charming him would be a waste of magic she may soon need.

To Lothair she says, "In just a moment. I have a few more questions for this fine innkeeper. Pete, I presume?" She flies closer to the innkeeper, giving the Gythzerai a polite nod and "Excuse me" as she passes.

When she is close to the bar, next to that blue-haired girl the penguin had addressed, she says, "Thank you so much for this information. If I might ask, has anyone else inquired about Starling to you? And why is Penny Street considered objectionable?"

[Renen]

With her greeting ignored, Adeline was not one to keep prying if the situation did not absolutely demand. Letting the pixie talk with the barman, she looked over the bar's other occupants, more out of habit if anything. She liked knowing what was going on around herself, and how far anyone in the room was from her. Perhaps slightly paranoid, but it helped her far more often than not in the past.


While not having any fancy modifiers to spot, Adeline should be able to notice most normal things during careful observation of surroundings.

[roll0]

[El'the Ellie]

@Adeline: The pixie is drawing about as much attention as you would expect, but perhaps because of one of you others the curious ones are keeping their distance. The patrons in the inn are a diverse bunch, but not uncommon for typical travelers in a big city. There appear to be a group of four businessmen, all dressed in fanciful clothes. They all laugh but their words can't be heard over the general din, and two of them exchange a bag of coins and folded piece of paper. The woman in the back with the wolf glances around almost as watchfully as yourself.
Three women sit at a table a few feet from you, talking animatedly about their next trip: it seems Searhime is just a layover for them on their trip from Lutresk to a city named Vaas in Veridnur. A pair of men wave over a pair of women as they enter the building, and the group of four make their way further back. Farther beyond its hard to really pick up on any one group in particular.

@Ythenia: Peter gives you a confused squawk at your apology.
"Intrusive? Not intrusive. Just noisy. Like rookery during mating season. Except lots of strange people."
The bartender shakes his head. "Oh no miss pixie. I'm just Saluel. Pete would be the owner. About... perhaps a week ago I told as much to some folks that came through, and they sounded about as interested as you. They weren't ordinary travelers exactly: more like you folk. Well not you, I mean, there weren't a pixie with them. But they came armed and armored.
As for Penny street. Well, it's not objectionable per se. I think the right word might be unsavory. Most of the buildings on it are factories, and the kind that hires lower class folks. Sure there's plenty of apartments on Penny Street, but I can't imagine someone with means choosing to live there if they don't have to."

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair, looking moderately impatient, waited for the bartender to finish talking, and then rapidly spoke, "In that case, thank you kindly for your information, Saluel; I really am afraid that me and my companions should really leave now. Adeline, every second we spend here is a second that Mr. Starling might be departing; I must insist that we leave immediately. "

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia smiles. "Of course, Lothair. Thank you very much for the information, Mr. Samuel. You have been most helpful. Sadly, time is of the essence, and we really must be going."

Ythenia turns to Adeline and makes an exaggerated gesture toward the door. "Shall we?"

[Renen]

Adeline was used to only getting a few scraps of information from each place she visited. People rarely knew everything, and she didn't want Starling to leave the city before having a chat with him.

She nods at her two companions.

"Yes. Let's head out."

Still, the it sounded like the place they were going to is one where you did the kind of business that you didn't want others to know about. Sounded like fun.

[El'the Ellie]

Peter and Avessa quickly finish their small drinks: Peter with a sudden huge gulp. Having no taste buds will do that. Amkahr simply nods in agreement.
"It seems for now we are one group. Let us not dawdle."

The three of you, along with Avessa, Amkahr, and an increasingly inebriated Peter, once again emerge on the city streets. This time guided by your own sense of direction and Ythenia's aerial view, you quickly carve a path through the docks. Each street away from the docks has a fraction of the people, and though the main streets are still quite packed, there is significantly less pushing and shoving. You make your way to manufacturing district proper: the buildings are divided seemingly at random between a factory or a high-rising tower of living spaces. The air a dozen yards above your head is so filled with smog that it actually darkens the sky: what looks like dark rain clouds are entirely artificial. This part of Searhime was constructed entirely with function in mind. The buildings are ugly slabs of metal or stone, but use their space efficiently. Every now and then along the streets a tavern or restaurant will poke out, but they are few and far between.
Penny Street is no better: spots of dark oil pool in the streets, and you can actually taste the pollution in the air. The cobblestone road is missing stones like an old man misses teeth, and many that aren't missing are loose. A human and a half-elf sit on the curb outside of a factory smoking. They leer at you as you pass, bet say nothing. A ways further down the road, an old kobold with some visible scale-rot sits against a wall and taps his tin can, partially filled with coins, with a stick.
It's not surprising Ythenia missed this place during her search: it's not a place one would expect to look for grand adventure. And yet here you are.

Starling's apartment, the ground floor of a tower thirty or so floors high, isn't easy to find, but having the number helps. The wooden front door sits a few paces into a thin alley, and the numbering out front reads 121. A quick search reveals the 9 half submerged in a puddle of rainwater.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia's skin crawls as they walk through Penny Street. Now it is obvious why no self-respecting person would live here. Ythenia half suspects that this is an internment camp where they send particularly awful prisoners. Just living here would be constant torture. More likely though, it is just a result of mortal short-sightedness and incompetence.

Ythenia feels a surge of relief as they come upon the apartment. The sooner they can talk to Starling, the sooner they can get out of this horrid place. However, Ythenia is a bit worried when she picks up no more than average mortal intelligence in the area. If Starling is still gathering adventurers, she would guess at least a few would be scholars or wizards, creatures of higher intellect. It would be best to exercise a bit of caution.

Ythenia turns to the others."Oh! This must be Starling's apartment. Shall we inquire within?"

Ythenia flies over to the door at a slower pace, drawing on the innate power of her fey heritage as she does. An exact illusionary duplicate appears over her at the same time that she fades from sight. As soon as she is invisible, Ythenia flies over the door while the duplicate flies to the door. She imbues the duplicate with extra magical force, allowing it to exert limited physical effort.

Not!Ythenia politely knocks on the door and calls "Is there a Mr. Starling here?"

Using Pixie invisibility to turn invisible as a free action, and using Pixie's 1/day Permanent Image (DC 22) to create a duplicate of Ythenia. Activating Collar of Perpetual Attendance to create an Unseen Servant in the same place as the Permanent Image. The Unseen Servant then knocks on the door.

Also, I haven't mentioned it yet, but assume Ythenia activates the invocations See the Unseen and Beguiling Influence every morning, so she has their benefits right now.

[El'the Ellie]

A moment after 'Ythenia's' knock, there is a hurried noise from behind the door. It swings open, revealing a dark, warm, musty hallway. Not much light comes through, but you can see the inside of Starling's residence is nicer than the outside. The carpet of the hallway is a dark red color and it still retains its quality despite obvious age. There is a simple wooden door at the end of the hall, as well as a similar door on either side. A number of paintings line the left side of the hallway: all are clearly commissioned portraits and no small works of art.
The first is of an elf woman in elaborate chainmail armor looking off into the twilight. She stands on a rocky cliff, atop some mountain overlooking a forest turning the autumn colors of red and gold. Her black hair trails in the wind and blends in with her shadow which, oddly enough, holds a different pose than the one she stands in. On her chest is a symbol of Pelor, proudly gleaming in white gold. Her eyes have a fierce determination, and are focused on something out of the painting. She is clearly a warrior and has her sword drawn out by her side, which is a strange marbled mix of black and white.
The next is a young looking human man. His portrait is less heroic than the one before it, but tells its own story. He sits on his haunches in a old, moss covered forest with one hand pressed against the earth, as if looking for tracks or listening intently. He is unassuming, with brown hair, simple wool clothes, and bow slung along his back. Truly, the real center of this piece is the creature that stands behind him. The creature is covered in scales, and stands on two long, back-bending legs. Both its feet and its much shorter arms end in huge ivory claws. The long grey-green tail wraps defensively around the man in the portrait, and the creature's raptor-like head looks out at the viewer curiously.
The third portrait hangs towards the very back of the hall. This one shows a tall elven woman dressed in a red and gold dress, making her appear wrapped in a tongue of flame. Her blonde hair is pulled back in an elaborate courtly style, and in her cupped hands she holds a large iridescent pearl. Like the woman in the first portrait her eyes are intense and focused on the viewer, but unlike the other she has an undeniable beauty and carries herself with an unearthly grace and authority. At her feet, curled and sleeping, is an extremely fluffy white cat. She stands in front of a blurred background some vague black and purple scene. Unlike the other two paintings, this one has clearly been moved around frequently: the frame is free of dust, be has some light scuffing around the edges.

"Echem." A small, gruff voice pulls your attention to the creature that opened the door. A copper colored kobold, about three feet tall, stands in the doorway. He is garbed nicely, in a tailored shirt and pants that seem so out of place on Penny Street. He blinks and looks up at you all in turn. "Sir. Madams. Um... thing. What business do you have with my master?"
From farther on down the hall, you hear an aggravated yell. "For the last time, I ain't your anything! Stop tellin' people that! Just let them in!"
The kobold stands his ground, but you get the feeling there's not much he could do if you just walked around him.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Both Ythenia and the duplicate smile, brushing aside the comment about being called a thing. She could hardly expect and kobold to know what a pixie was, especially in this unnatural place. The duplicate flutters down and lands on the ground so as not to literally talk down to the kobold and gives it a charming smile. It probably was not necessary to waste magic on this creature when mere words would more than suffice.

"Excuse me, but I do not believe we have been introduced. Might I inquire your name? I do not mean to be intrusive, but we would very much like to speak with Mr. Starling. I understand that you greatly respect the man you call master, and he has just asked you to let us in. Would you please escort us to him?"

Diplomacy check: [roll0]

Also, some knowledge checks to see if I know anything about those paintings or the people portrayed in them:

Knowledge (History): [roll1]
Knowledge (Local): [roll2]
Knowledge (Nature): [roll3]
Knowledge (Nobility): [roll4]

[Renen]

Adeline nimbly walks around the kobold, going deeper into the house.

"I'm Adeline Stills. I hope you might have some information I'm looking for." She called out into the house, as she kept walking deeper into the dwelling.

[Bobbybobby99]

Following Adeline inside, and, smiling charmingly at the Kobold ("I'm accompanying these fine people, and, might I say, you're just wonderfully attired, it matches your scales precisely. Might I consult with you at a later time?."), Lothair pondered the pictures so prominently hung, and pored over his vast well of knowledge.


Diplomacy check: [roll0]

Bardic knowledge check: [roll1]
Knowledge (local) check: [roll2]

[El'the Ellie]

Amkahr and Avessa exchange curious looks but follow behind as the group enters. The kobold bows, turns, and leads the way inside, giving a brief hurt expression as Adeline walks around him.

"I am called Troak. It's a pleasure, misses and misters. And it seems you already know my master."
"Hey!" The voice barks down the hall again, clearly listening.
"Sorry, Mister Starling."

@Lothair: Troak stands taller with pride at your comment and his stern face turns into a toothy smile.
"I couldn't agree more sir. So many soft skinned folks have the same colors it seems they hardly take the time to consider what matches."

@Lothair and Ythenia: You study the paintings along the wall. You don't recognize and of the faces personally, but they seem to resemble heroes mentioned in a story half remembered, heard on the seas many years ago. Though their names escape you, their titles come to mind: The Soldier of Autumn. It is said she brought both light and darkness to focus in a strength in battle that was unmatched. The Leyline Walker. If the stories are to be believed, this is a man who has tapped into the beating heart of Sunthura. And finally the Transcendent Seer, who is said to wear the very stars around her neck. You each find it odd that someone would have these three paintings without no mention of the fourth, for these people were always mentioned together. The missing one would be the Dream Thief: one who would walk among the dreams of the sleeping and could bring objects from dreams into the waking world.

@All: Troak leads you down the hall into the room on the back. Although the apartment is nicely furnished and spotlessly clean, you can tell is it small, and that space is tight. Troak opens the wooden door, leading into a busy study. The moderately sized room is well-lit, but by two candles that cast deep shadows along the floor. The back and side walls are lined with polished oak bookshelves, although a great many of them are in a disorganized mess poking out of their spaces, stacked on the sides, and some laying open on their faces. In the center of the room are a pair of leather armchairs, and a smaller but similar chair sized for Troak. A simple, light wooden desk is pushed against the left side wall. In the seat at the desk sits an elderly man, who removes his glasses and puts a finger in a book to keep his place. The man must easily be eighty or more years old, and moves with some careful sluggishness. A small tuft of white hair sits on his head, desperately keeping him from baldness. Age spots dot his face and arms, and his face is covered in elderly wrinkles. Yet his eyes have an almost palpable curiosity to them. He seems to size you up and down as you enter and coughs into a square of cloth.

"Well, this is quite the group that appears at my doorstep. What can an old man do for you?"

@Adeline: "Miss Stills, a pleasure. It's a good day when a young one comes to the elderly for wisdom. What can I do for you?"

[Renen]

Noting the man's reaction, Adeline is slightly disappointing. Still, she nods to the man in greeting.

"I am looking for someone. If the name by which I have presented myself is unfamiliar, perhaps you know of a man named Jasper?"

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair, half relieved that he could finally be moments from finally knowing where the book he sought was after months of journeying, smiled in his charming fashion again.

"Just as my compatriot is looking for a someone, I am looking for a something; The Start of Life, a book I was informed you knew of. I belong to the Paragnostic Apostles, who sent me a very fair distance over here to acquire that book; that, and prevent certain unsavory individuals from doing the same. Would you happen to know the whereabouts of it?"

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia flashes her most charming smile. "I confess to being drawn here by curiousity. I had heard that you were gathering people for some grand quest, and I would dearly like to go on an epic adventure of my own. I hoped you could help me. Though on the subject of satisfying my curiosity, I noticed three pictures when I first entered. They are very nice, but if I recall correctly the stories of the three people depicted usually bear mention of a fourth. If I might ask, why is the Dream Thief absent?"

Ythenia probably has no idea about a 'Jasper', but what does she know about The Start of Life?

Knowledge (Arcana): [roll0]
Knowledge (History): [roll1]
Knowledge (Religion): [roll2]

[El'the Ellie]

As adamant as Starling is on not treating Troak like a butler, the kobold is just as adamant on behaving like one. As soon as the six of you have crowded the room, Troak pushes his way past and mutters something about Starling not cleaning up after himself. He busies himself straightening piles of books and papers, though its clear he's listening and trying to appear as if he isn't. Avessa, Peter, and Amkher glance around the place with mixed apprehension, but it is Avessa who speaks up for them.

"It was Hleid who sent me and my two compatriots. Well, a half elf on a boat, but--"

Starling quickly raises a hand, cutting her off. "And that would make you Avessa. Say no more. Frankly I should have known by the penguin. We have much and more to talk about Avessa, but I fear it will take us late into the night. Have a seat."

@Adeline: Starling turns his attention back to you, and it takes him a bit longer than normal to remember what you asked. "You're looking for who..? Jasper? Stills? Right, of course! Oh, that man and I go back." He shakes his head, more or less reminiscing. "I can't believe he made it out of Aphenoat alive. When I heard what was happening... Ah well, never mind that." He squints and scrutinizes you. "Stills... You his daughter or something? I figured the names was just a coincidence but... No, you're no elf." He sighs. "Well Miss Adeline, you can search this land high and low and you won't find him until I tell you where to look. And for all I know about you right now, you might be a spy of some kind. I'll tell you what: I've been thinking recently I have need of spry folks like you for something. And that something would go a ways to letting me know I can trust you. Listen to my proposition to this one," he points a thumb at Lothair, "And if you think you can handle going along, we can maybe talk about your friend Jasper. Deal?"

@Lothair: Starling grumbles a bit. "Figures, Apostles send me a guy two weeks too late and still want a piece of the prize. Still, I guess that ain't your fault. Let me back up a bit." He coughs heavily again and takes a moment to breathe again. "A couple weeks ago I sent a call out for some explorers looking to fetch me a book. That book, as it happens. A couple years ago I found out a conclave of druids out in the middle of Braoth have it. So I made nice with them, an' they said they would let me have it for a time. Apparently your order wants the same thing. They said they'd send someone over to help me get it, but it looks like they skimped you on the specifics, huh? I got tired of waiting though, and I sent myself out a party to grab it. Then of course you show up a week later." He shakes his head. "Maybe you showed up at the perfect time though. See, the middle of Braoth ain't exactly a safe place to be, and that party was supposed to be back by now. Which means now I gotta send another team out to see what happened to them. I'm guessing you can start to see where you fall into this, huh? But what's this about others looking for it? As far as I know only a few folks know its existence."

@Ythenia: Starling returns your smile with a toothy grin of his own, and speaks with a bit of politeness that makes you wonder if this isn't his first run in with fey.
"Ahh, a noble goal as any. And who better to live it than one who will live for centuries? Tell me little pixie, does my offer to the others of a winter rescue have the ring of adventure to you?"
When you mention the missing fourth portrait, he laughs briefly. "I'm surprised, not many would recognize those without their titles. The Dream Thief though... well, that's a man who comes and goes as he pleases. None of those pictures out there do any justice anyway. And what's the point in painting a picture of a man who spends all his time trying to not be seen?"

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia hovers invisibly to the side while her duplicate's eyes light up, and she makes no effort to hide it. Better for the others to think of her as a bit ditzy for now.

"Oh yes! That sounds extraordinary! Tracking down missing adventurers in an unforgiving wasteland to find a book of ancient knowledge? It is just like those tales I heard when I was a young fey, barely a century old. And now I get to live those legends too. Glorious!"

Ythenia pirouettes in midair, a smile on her face from ear to ear. Her smile diminishes a bit and she makes a slightly inquisitive face.

"So...this 'Book of Life'. What is so special about it anyway? And who else besides the Paragnostic Apostles and the druids would be interested in it? Braoth may not be a hospitable locale, but if the previous adventurers fell to foul play rather than environmental hazards I would rather know who or what we may be up against."

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair smiles charmingly, though it fades slightly as Starling mentioned that the previous group had failed to return. He spoke in an airy voice, though it had a restrained undercurrent.

"I don't suppose you have any knowledge of what ills might have befallen the previous group of adventurers? A lich, perhaps? To me, little was told and much was implied, and a broader picture would be desirable. Though, of course, I am more than likely willing to undergo this task, of course, since otherwise that ever so tedious sailing would come to naught."

[Renen]

When mention was made of Jasper getting out of the city alive, the only thing that Adeline could think of was "Yet somehow without me". It seems she still held abit of a grudge.

The later mention of searching was likely made as a turn of phrase, but little did Starling knew just how high and just how low she went in order to look for Jasper. But he was right. The world was just too damn big.

"Whatever happened to the other group, it seems our job is to be more competent than them in both finding the book, and rescuing them from whatever altrication our less competent counterparts found themselves. Did I get that about right? "

[El'the Ellie]

@Lothair: "A lich? No, I've heard nothing of a lich around this corner of the world. Why would you mention it? Unfortunately, I know almost nothing about what befell the others. My reasons for wanting it are academic ones: I have no idea what purpose a lich would have with a boot titled The Start of Life."

@Ythenia: Starling chuckles pleasantly, which turns into a cough. "Oh, what I would give to have that ambition again. Start of Life, my dear." He corrects not unkindly. "I want it because, if you can't tell, I've become something of a bibliophile in my older years. The Paragnostic Apostles are information-seekers as well, so they would naturally be excited to get their hands on it. And others... I'm not sure. I don't believe knowledge of the text is a secret per se, but it is certainly not common knowledge. The druids in Braoth took some considerable convincing to let it out of their sight. As for what makes it special well... Perhaps it will be easier if I explain to you with the book in hand, no?
"It's true, the wilderness of Braoth is not a particularly hospitable landscape. But the original team seemed to have their wits about them, and I doubt they let a bit of harsh weather keep them from their paycheck. No: call it a gut feeling, but I sense they are in trouble. Or are. Or perhaps they will be. Truly though, I don't know what other elements may be in play, as you said, if indeed there are any at all. Then again, what story worth telling didn't have a bit of the unknown."

@Adeline: Starling nods. "That's about the long and short of it. But don't worry: I'm not stupid enough to send another group into exactly the same danger twice without precautions. I have... hold on." He rises from his chair with considerable creaking and cracking, and shuffles across the room to an empty bag sitting across the room. Or at least, it appears empty. Starling reaches his hand into it, then frowns a bit and extends his entire arm into a bag no larger than a loaf of bread.
"Got it!"
With another hack and cough, he sits back down with his hand clenched around something. He opens it, revealing three small, sealed pieces of paper, and a single coin. Although the coin is roughly the same size and shape of a regular piece of currency, it is bereft of any markings and is made of a silvery-blue metal: mithril.

He addresses all three of you. "A couple of things. First, I can't have you dilly-dallying around getting to Braoth on ponies or what have you: time is of the essence. You may or may not know about the Polar Ray: it's a train that runs all the way from Naosih to Lutresk, with a whole lot of stops in between. Some great pinnacle of gnomish engineering. Normally its for rich fancy folk, but it's far faster than any normal means of getting from one place to another. These letters should get you on and off without too much hassle. The other thing I'm giving you - what I would've given the others if I had known this was more than an errand - is this." He holds up the coin. "Flip it, and say 'candles in the night', and help will arrive before it hits the ground. But this is a precaution, not a tool: only use it if you absolutely need to. I fully intend on getting it back when you return."

He deposits all four things on the table in the center of the room.
"What else?" He says, opening the discussion to more questions, if you have them.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

Ythenia grimaces at the mention of taking a train, though her duplicate continues to wear a cheerful expression. Why can they not just use Plane Shift and Teleport to get there like normal people? Stupid mortal fascination with technology over magic. Unfortunately, she does not have any contacts with enough magical power to do so who would willingly help her, and her funds are too tight to hire someone strong enough to do so. It seems the train is her only option.

The duplicate purses her lips and puts her finger to them as Ythenia thinks for a moment. The duplicate then says, "I do have a few questions. First, I am not clear if you want the book returned directly to you or given to the Paragnostic Apostles. Either is fine with me, but I would like to know to whom I am delivering. Second, do you have any contacts in Braoth for us to meet on the journey? I am specifically wondering what, if any assistance the druids might offer. Third, where is the general location of the book? Braoth is a rather large place, and though I would love an adventure I am not so fond of combing the entire country, especially if it is unnecessary. Finally, what sort of help does that coin offer? I am grateful for the magical assistance, but I am very much opposed, for example, to resorting to use it in a desperate situation only to find that it summoned a devil to whom I am now in dept."

Using Warlock Detect Magic centered on Starling and the coin. Don't know how many spellcraft checks I'll need, so I'll just roll ten and ignore the latter superfluous ones:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]

[Bobbybobby99]

Lothair grimaces, but his face smooths out shortly, and he speaks in a forcefully cheerful tone.

"A... train. How delightfully plebeian. More travel, joy of joys. In any case, I second the questions of my favorite (and only) faerie friend, and clarify to her that we will be returning it the Paragnostic Apostles, of whom I am a member, though of course our patron is welcome to peruse it. It is something of a condition of my employment. "

[Renen]

"The way such contracts usually work, is we get the book here, and after verifying the book's authenticity, our employer would then pass it along."

Adeline picks up the items on the table, pocketing them all. She looks like she has all the information she needs, and is waiting until all questions have been answered before leading the way out to the train.


Since one of us is a hologram, and Adeline was already picking things up, she grabbed everyone's "tickets" and the coin. She'll just give them all to train authorities at once, indicating who she's with.

[El'the Ellie]

Starling gives Ythenia an apologetic smile as you grimace. "You have my apologies for consigning you to a small metal box.

As for the fate of the book... In truth, I just want a copy of it, which I'm prepared to make in an afternoon or so once I can get my hands on it. What becomes of it after that is up to you all. If you want to keep it in the Apostle's possession, you will have to broker that deal with the Braothian druids yourself.
You're right Ythenia, it would hardly do to have you wandering through the wilderness. The Polar Ray actually travels far northeast, then turns southeast sharply so that it can intersect both Kerry and Maurest. This turning point is called Ptarmigan's Rest. It's a small town where the train will refuel and is a rest stop for travelers, but it is where you three will get off."
Starling unrolls a map of Braoth, with Ptarmigan's Rest written in. "You might want to stock up there on any wilderness supplies, because from there it's a harsh two day trek straight north to the tribe." Starling points to a small triangle he has drawn about half way between the norther and southern ends of the country.
"With any luck, the footprints of the previous group will still be there to follow. The Polar Ray makes its round trip every eight days, so with a bit of haste you will be able to get back to Ptarmigan's Rest in time for it to return."

Ythenia turns her attention to the coin. "Bah, do I seem like the kind of man to give you a debt with a demon? No, the assistance with the coin comes with no strings attached. But like I said, I don't actually expect you to use it. It's a 'better safe than sorry' sort of thing."

@Ythenia: Starling does have a small bit of magic around him: the necklace he wears, though modest-looking, is a traditional amulet of intellect. Similarly, the silver and gold band he wears on his right ring finger is easily identifiable as a ring of friendship. Other than that, he is as devoid of magic as a common man. The coin, you can immediately sense, is enchanted with two spells of different power. Both of them, however, are beyond your senses.

[BilltheCynic]

Ythenia

The duplicate puts on a determined face. "Well, part of being an adventurer is braving foreboding, inhospitable locations. I shall not let a mere locamotive deter me on my quest! Or Braoth's climate, for that matter." She adds the last bit as almost an afterthought.

Ythenia frowns for a moment, lost in thought. "I have a couple more questions about the druids of Braoth. First, how was it that you managed to convince the druids to lend you the book, and why did you not make a copy of the book at that time? Second, when did the druids say they would send someone to would help you retrieve it, and when was that person supposed to arrive? Third, have you received any word from the druids since they offered to send someone to help you? Fourth, how do we assure them that you sent us? Fifth, have you tried finding out about the druids or the previous party recently, from scrying, a magical message, et cetera, either by your own power or from purchasing it? Finally, of whom was the original party composed? Oh, and could we have a copy of that map of Braoth?"