Start of #Sharn buffer: Wed Jan 02 21:01:28 2008 [17:51:14] [The party heads out to the upper city after discovering that the Citadel was burried under a cave-in that might've stretched to the surface. They realize that they need to know more about what happened in the last two days, so they try and get some information.] [17:51:19] [Session Start] [17:52:05] * Phanos flags down a paperboy on a corner and buys a copy of the Sharn Inquisitive. [17:52:53] * Mauz waits for enough people to collect papers for him to glance through. No point in wasting his money on trivial matters like information. It wants to be free, after all. [17:53:30] * Aurora spends her time asking around nicely [17:53:34] [Once the group reached the surface, they ascended to Middle Dura. Phanos catches sight of a young khoravar on the corner of a broad balcony and a bridge.] [17:53:48] * Loharath doesn't spend his money on newspapers, being a man of action, rather than a man of spending money on newspapers [17:53:52] "That'll be five crowns sir!" [17:54:13] * Phanos gladly spends them and reads the paper as he walks along. [17:54:36] We could always pay Aun a visit. If there's any information to be had, I'm sure she has it. [17:54:56] Aun, huh. [17:55:00] ... she cute? [17:55:05] Isn't she staying with, ah.. y'know.. [17:55:07] * Sev rubs the back of his neck. [17:55:25] Aun would definitely know [17:56:54] [The weekly chronicle covers all the news since last Sul. The main stories are about visitng Aundairian deligates coming to Sharn to meet with the Lord Mayor, the upcoming Race of the Eight Winds. Suspiciously, there's very little on the dragon's death in the newspaper, instead just a small overview of a spellcaster's battle on Tavick's Bridge.] [17:58:25] "Mon, dey aint neva got nothin dat really be goin' on in ere." [17:58:57] * Kesuke (~crazysapi@ip24-252-34-39.om.om.cox.net) has joined #Sharn [17:58:59] [In the breaking news section, specifically on events that happened just prior to printing, the Sharn Inquisitive recounts a minor towerquake which startled residents of Lower Northedge. The tremors weren't powerful enough to affect the higher towers much, and were only barely noticable in Middle Northedge. Eyewitness reports from skycoach passengers flying between Central and Northedge Plateus stated that a shot of light erupted... [17:59:01] That means that you need to nose around where real info's to be had. And where do loose lips get looser? [17:59:44] Weren't you just AT a bar? [17:59:52] * Phanos shows this to the group. [18:00:15] ...from halfway down Northedge Plataeu, causing a slight avalanch of rocks into the rivers of lava below. The witnesses claim that the light moved too fast and disappeared around the bend of Central Plataeu. The Blackened Book, when asked, refused to comment.] [18:00:22] ... yes. What of it. [18:00:41] * Kesuke eyes the article, shrugging. [18:00:44] [18:00:48] * Kesuke is now known as `Sev [18:00:49] * `Sev eyes the article, shrugging. [18:00:55] * Mauz glances over, and an eyebrow does up. "Huh." [18:00:55] <`Sev> "What's that word?" [18:01:02] * `Sev points to plateau. [18:01:28] * Sev (~crazysapi@ip24-252-34-39.om.om.cox.net) Quit (Ping timeout) [18:01:29] Plateau. It's something that's tall, and then goes flat. While still bieng tall. Like a mountain with the top chopped off [18:01:42] Well, that's interesting. [18:01:43] * `Sev scratches his head. [18:01:44] <`Sev> Oh. [18:02:26] * Aurora looks over the newspaper. [18:02:41] (The Five Districts of Sharn are built on Plateaus. They are separated by rivers of lava hundreds of feet down. Picture one plateau rent into five pieces.] [18:02:45] ) [18:02:57] <`Sev> "Well y'know, if the Black Book got questioned at all, they probably DO know what's going on." [18:03:48] (The Blackened Book is the magical arm of the Sharn Watch. Being questioned about magical occurances is as par for course as the regular Watch being questioned about illegal activity happening in the area.] [18:03:51] ) [18:04:35] So you wanna just walk over to the law and ask them what's going down like you own the place? If so, I'll be right behind you to watch the outcome and laugh accordingly. [18:04:46] <`Sev> "Nah. I know someone, though.." [18:04:52] * `Sev grimaces, looking like he's about to vomit. [18:05:00] * Mauz smirks, nonetheless. "Still, that would be a good place to go if everything else dries up." [18:05:02] <`Sev> She might be able to get us a meeting with some of their representatives. [18:06:26] * Marianysa raises an eyebrow. [18:06:52] What's wrong? She an ex of yours? [18:08:58] Ask her anyways. What's the worst that can happen? [18:09:04] <`Sev> An ex? Urgh, don't say it like that. [18:09:19] <`Sev> No, not even that. She's just.. uh.. someone who I might be able to convince. Or get stabbed by. [18:09:38] * Marianysa snickers. [18:09:57] * Mauz shakes his head. "Stood her up when it mattered?" [18:10:18] <`Sev> Uh, no. She had her way with me in a storage closet and then told me to get the hell out. [18:10:23] Wow. [18:11:03] Well, hopefully it won't come to asking her. [18:11:07] Awesome. She available? [18:11:22] <`Sev> No. And hopefully I get to stay far away from Black Arch. [18:11:29] * Marianysa stares. [18:12:07] * Mauz shrugs, then proceeds to pick his teeth idly. "Well, otherwise, we either comb the land for info, or try to get an inside shot at some answers via your... contact." [18:12:20] <`Sev> Don't make me go back to her. T_T [18:13:26] Look on the bright side. You're doing the work of honor and vengeance. [18:13:27] <`Sev> Besides, Aun.. yeah, I could stand seeing her again. Miashta too. [18:13:47] <`Sev> Honor? Psh. Honor. Seriously, I never went in there with them. [18:13:53] <`Sev> And I can't stand Aurelis flipping his top every time anything happens. [18:14:01] * Loharath nods. "They may have a grasp on the situation." [18:14:15] <`Sev> But all that aside, yeah. Let's go see Miashta. Oh, and Aun. Right. [18:14:25] Right. [18:14:33] Let's go. [18:14:35] * Aurora goes [18:15:22] * Marianysa rolls her eyes. "Glad your priorities are straight." [18:15:25] * Loharath also goes. [18:15:39] * Mauz tags along. Curiousity and blood debts and all that. [18:15:40] * `Sev goes as well. [18:16:12] [The party takes a ten minute walk to a lift that takes them from Underlook up into Overlook, the district in which most of the city's kalashtar and citizens of adaran descent live.] [18:17:05] [Miashta's apartment is near the vertical border between Underlook and Overlook, so the walk there from the lift is just another ten minutes.] [18:19:18] [The party arrives.] [18:19:26] * Aurora knocks on the door. [18:20:42] [Miashta opens the door fairly quickly. Her hauntingly beautiful features greet you, though you sense the lightest hint of a frown on her face.] "Hello again." [18:21:06] * Mauz smiles a secret little smile, but keeps his yap shut for now. [18:21:09] [She looks over Aurora's shoulder to Loharath.] "I see you've kept them safe..." [18:21:15] Hi Miashta. Sorry for barging in like this. Is Aun in? [18:21:43] Heya, Miashta. [18:21:48] [She looks back to Aurora.] [18:21:55] * `Sev blushes a bit. [18:22:04] <`Sev> H-hi Miashta. ^_^ [18:22:18] "She is not. But please, come in." [18:22:22] * NovaSeaker is now known as Miashta [18:22:34] * Miashta opens the door fully and steps aside to let the group enter. [18:22:36] Ah... sure. Thanks. [18:22:40] * Aurora enters. [18:22:47] * `Sev steps in after her, cutting off anyone else. [18:22:47] "She.. she left to find out what happened to you." [18:22:55] <`Sev> Wow, nice place.. Wait, what? [18:22:58] Oh, hell. [18:23:04] ... uh oh. [18:23:07] * Loharath enters the apartment. "She's really started cluttering this place- huh?" [18:23:12] When did she leave? [18:23:21] "Hey lady." he steps inside with his hounds. [18:23:57] * Mauz steps in and looks around. "Heh, a pity." [18:24:30] * Miashta closes the door after they're done filing into her apartment. It's just spacious enough that no one feels cramped. There's a room off from the entrance with a couch and meditation pillows. "Come, sit." [18:24:39] * Aurora has a seat. [18:24:42] When did she leave? [18:24:52] * Miashta leads them into the room and sits down on the couch. The movements are intoxicatingly fluid. [18:25:12] * `Sev smiles goofily and takes a seat by Miashta, trying to look at her while trying not to stare. [18:25:45] "Well.. I haven't seen her since yesterday morning, but she was only here to sleep the night before that." [18:26:03] * Loharath sits on one of the pillows. "That's odd." [18:26:09] * Aurora nods. "Did she give any specifics about where she was going? [18:26:13] "Once she realized you didn't return from the citadel, she asked around and heard about the towerquake in Northedge." [18:26:26] * Marianysa finally sits down, fidgeting. [18:26:28] <`Sev> ..She didn't plan on going down there herself, did she? [18:26:54] * Mauz sits, listens, and ponders the dimensions of Miashta's figure, all at the same time. "That's not smart, really. At least not without backup." [18:27:23] "No, I think she's too intelligent for that." [18:27:29] * Marianysa gets back up and starts pacing. "She wouldn't...would she?" [18:27:42] "But she did try to find out what happened." [18:28:04] Okay. So who might she have asked to try to find out what happened... [18:28:22] "Then then next morning, while she was telling me about trying to find you, she stopped talking. The Enlightened had contacted her." [18:28:26] [Pause] [18:31:09] [Resume] [18:32:03] Wow. Oka, so we better go meet him, then. [18:32:14] Oh wow, they finally did? That's great! [18:32:25] Leaving so soon? Man, I was just getting comfy. [18:32:49] "The Enlightned has resumed his trance.." [18:33:14] * Marianysa 's face falls. "...oh." [18:33:16] "I went with her to see him. It's not everday one may hear the voice of Havakhad aloud." [18:33:27] * Loharath nods. [18:33:29] * Aurora nods [18:33:33] <`Sev> Aha. [18:34:01] What happened after she spoke with him? [18:34:25] "Aun was so worried about all of you. Of course she hid it as much as she could, but I've learned to read her moods even without telepathy." [18:35:39] "I was asked to leave the room. She only rejoined in the hall an hour later, and only to tell me she had to find... a certain group." [18:35:50] * Mauz continues to rub his chin. He's prolly listening, but there are distractions to be had. "Any idea where she danced off to in particular?" [18:36:38] "No. I have no idea where those she is trying to locate hide themselves." [18:37:05] A certain group? Was that all she said? [18:37:18] No idea of what kind of group it was, or what direction she left in? [18:37:31] (Metal Gear?!) [18:37:39] * Miashta looks at Loharath purposely for a brief moment. [18:38:41] * Marianysa looks from Miashta to Loharath. [18:39:02] * Loharath meets her gaze, and then leans back. [18:39:07] * `Sev looks between all present, scooting an inch closer to Miashta. [18:39:48] * Mauz raises his eyebrows for a moment, then chuckles under his breath. [18:40:40] * Loharath frowns. [18:41:40] * Aurora watches hte two [18:42:39] * Miashta blinks at a normal rate, and her face moves in subtle changes. [18:43:59] * Miashta nods. [18:44:23] * Miashta turns to Aurora and the rest of the group. [18:44:35] "I'm sorry... but... I cannot tell you any more." [18:44:54] * Aurora frowns. [18:44:56] "We kalashtar have many secrets, and it is not my place to share them." [18:45:09] * Mauz puts on a winning smile. "That's fine, miss. Don't feel like we're forcing you or anything." [18:45:11] Fair enough. Can you at least tell us a list of things to do without telling us why? [18:45:51] "Aun is a strong woman. She can take care of herself. You've more important things to worry about, if the stories she tells me are true." [18:46:25] "Like-a-such-as?" [18:46:50] Well, we were hoping to ask her something [18:47:25] * Marianysa sighs. [18:47:39] "Like how you've got an eons-old-evil trying to murder you." [18:47:54] Oh well. Thanks for letting us know what mostly happened to Aun. [18:48:19] "You can ask me what you were going to ask her. I may be able to help." [18:48:38] "It's been like that for ages, darling. I'm kind of used to it." [18:48:55] "Oh yeah, dat guy." [18:49:40] * Miashta turns to Mauz. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I don't believe we've met. How rude of me." [18:49:54] "My name is Miashta." [18:50:58] Mauz the White, wandering soul. [18:51:13] * Mauz adds more win to the winning smile. "Pleasure's all mine, believe you me." [18:53:27] Yeah... [18:55:08] We were trying to find any information about the pillar of light that happened maybe two days ago [18:56:35] Well, shot of light [18:57:42] <`Sev> Mhmm. Know anything about that? [18:57:53] * Miashta tries to think. [18:59:06] "Aun briefly mentioned trying to find out what the light was. I don't think she succeeded." [19:00:39] "She tried to find more witnesses. Who saw it, but only one or two people saw it the moment it erupted from the cliffside." [19:02:01] Any idea which one or tow people? [19:02:40] * Mauz rests his chin on his fists and ponders, jaw working from side to side. [19:03:24] * Miashta shakes her head, her hair sashaying with the movement almost too perfectly. "I don't think so. But they might be mentioned in today's paper." [19:03:57] * Phanos hands her a copy. [19:04:04] * Aurora nods. [19:04:28] * Mauz ponders how that perfection works. Jaw's working faster. "How does it feel?" [19:05:28] * Miashta looks up at Mauz. [19:05:36] "Excuse me?" [19:05:39] To be you. Just curious. [19:05:56] * Aurora looks at Mauz. [19:06:16] * Marianysa stares at Mauz in horror. [19:06:16] "If you're that curious, I'm sure we can arrange to have my personality completely overwrite yours." [19:06:34] * Miashta nonchalantly looks down at the chronicle and begins to read. [19:07:06] * Aurora frowns. [19:07:16] Mauz, we're here as guests. [19:08:12] <`Sev> Eheh.. [19:08:19] * Loharath smirks. [19:08:25] It was an honest question! And I like me very much, so I'll keep my brains intact. [19:08:44] * Mauz mutters something about drinks and tough crowds under his breath. [19:09:10] I'll hav eto apologize for his behavior, Miashta. He was in a bad shape when we found him. [19:09:40] "It says here that they were nobles from Skyway." [19:10:25] I'm not sure he's fully recovered quite yet. Isn't that right, Mauz? [19:10:26] "The ir'Zelans" [19:10:26] <`Sev> Skyway.. [19:10:28] * Aurora glances at Mauz. [19:10:44] "Recovered?" [19:10:44] The nightmares suck. [19:11:00] * Mauz goes back to thinking about whatever it is he thinks about. [19:13:04] We found him in some crazy person's lab. His body was literally laid open, and I have no idea how he was still alive. [19:13:47] "I done seen dis fella mo ways den me want." [19:13:50] "My." [19:13:52] ... oh yeah. We also found a a map that did terrible things when you looked at it, and had a special mark on Sarlona. [19:14:08] "...Really?" [19:14:14] Yeah. [19:14:37] The area was supposed to have been cleared out and wrecked a long time ago, but someone was cleraly still using it. [19:14:55] I don't know if it's a survivor of the original assault or someone who just moved in. [19:15:20] It wasn't very enjoyable, no. Of what I remembered, anyway. [19:15:25] "I'm afraid I know less about the Citadel than you." [19:15:53] * Aurora nods. [19:16:17] <`Sev> Well what's Sarlona got to do with any of this? [19:16:20] We wanted to explore more, but the whole area's buried in rubble now [19:16:22] * Mauz grumbles. "Wonder why me. I know much more dickish people who deserved that. Anyway... yeah. They bailed me out, so I owe the lot of these crazies a good old-fashioned blood debt." [19:16:25] That's what I'd like to know [19:16:35] * `Sev eyes Mauz. [19:16:39] <`Sev> Blood debt, huh? I'll keep that in mind. [19:16:58] You weren't there. I don't owe you jack. [19:17:03] ... okay, maybe some drinks. [19:17:28] If it's any consolation, pitching in means you're entitled to a share of things we find. Also, you're doing good things for the world. [19:20:21] Well, it looks like skyway is the way to go. [19:20:25] "Dere's sometin else we should be worried bout." [19:20:28] What do you think? [19:20:29] What's taht? [19:21:04] Skyway. Fine by me! Need to move around some anyway. [19:21:46] "De rage." [19:22:14] <`Sev> Huh? [19:22:31] "De inexorable rage, mon. Tink to de profesees." [19:22:41] Ah. Right. [19:23:29] What about them? [19:23:38] Well, let's head to Skyway. Miashta, thanks for the help. [19:23:45] "De last page we could translate, mon." [19:23:46] We'll let you know if we hear anything about Aun [19:23:58] * Phanos clears his throat. When the Book of War is found by those not looking for it, the Inexorable Rage will rise." [19:24:02] "Thank you very much. And likewise." [19:24:34] * Aurora heads for the door. "Bye." [19:24:43] Sounds like something from a place best left alone... but that never happens, does it? [19:25:06] * `Sev looks to Aurora, grunting. [19:25:11] * Mauz rises up and smiles Miastha's way for a moment more. "Hope to see you again sometime!" [19:25:11] * Miashta sees everyone to the door while they talk amongst themselves. [19:25:21] * Phanos heads out, hounds in tow. He stops. [19:25:28] "Hey, can you translate dis page?" [19:25:41] * Phanos hands her the thus-far untranslated page of the book. [19:26:07] * Miashta blinks and takes the page. [19:26:11] * `Sev looks like he's about to say something of a goodbye to Miashta, but instead chuckles nervously and heads out. [19:26:16] "I've never seen this before." [19:26:29] ... huh. Lemme see it. [19:27:04] Hm. Good thinking, Phanos. it was worth a try [19:27:13] * Phanos takes it and hands it to Mauz "Tanks anyway lady." [19:27:57] [Mauz can make no sense of it for the most part. However, he can read the insalely random scribbles in the margins.] [19:28:13] * Loharath nods at Miashta and gets up, following Sev [19:29:01] * Aurora walks along. "Bye Miashta. Thanks for the help." [19:29:04] [Near the end is a note written in the crazy alphabet that translate into common as "Scrolls of Conflict?", including the question mark, as if the translator was uncertain of his work.] [19:30:00] Man, awkward. [19:30:19] * Mauz looks over it, muttering the phrases under his breath while translating it. "'Scrolls of Conflict'. If I didn't know any better, this madling made something so messed-up even it doesn't know what it is." [19:30:23] [The party leaves Miashta's apartment as she waves goodbye and closes the door.] [19:31:48] "Book of wah. Dis de book we done found witout looking. We done woke up de rage, mon." [19:32:59] Well. Shit. [19:33:32] "Probably wat dat light was. Probably aftah us.:" [19:33:36] * Aurora frowns. [19:33:48] "Dont worry. Dukey an fred proteck YOU too." [19:34:22] Heh. Nothing new. I've been in trouble since I drew breath. [19:34:30] * Marianysa looks thoughtful. "So. The Rage..." [19:34:34] * Mauz shrugs, handing the stuff back to Phanos. "Why be afraid now?" [19:34:50] "You right." [19:35:28] "Course I taint scared none anyways." [19:36:00] ... and really. All that nonsense is in something I *don't* get. Just the margin notes, and even then, just that one name. [19:36:05] I guess we need to figure out what this "Rage" is and why it's after us. [19:36:31] * Mauz shrugs. "My kingdom for a crusty old polyglot." [19:37:32] I guess we'll figure that out in time. To Skyway. [19:39:36] * `Sev nods. [19:40:12] * Mauz is already on the move, whistling. "To Skyway... Rage, huh." [19:40:25] <`Sev> ..Wait. [19:40:28] <`Sev> Wait, wait, wait. [19:40:28] Prophecies make more sense after you've seen 'em fulfilled, anyway. [19:40:35] Yeah. [19:40:38] * Phanos looks to Sev, stopping. [19:40:44] <`Sev> You guys know that one lunatic we found with the ravagers? [19:40:49] They're usually really really vague. [19:41:17] Which one? [19:41:24] * `Sev scratches the back of his head. [19:42:48] <`Sev> It was one of the rakshasa, the one we killed. [19:42:59] Aah, right [19:43:16] <`Sev> I didn't think too much of it at the time but he saw me and started talking about rage this and rage that. Even cutting me open looking for it. [19:43:27] <`Sev> Don't you think it's odd that our enemies are trying to find things INSIDE people? [19:43:28] * Phanos hands Mauz the entire book. "Reads us de margin notes whiles we walks, mon. we cant make no sense o dem am you can." [19:44:39] ... yeah. That IS pretty strange. [19:45:21] (THere is no entire book) [19:45:53] (There are loose sheets of text ripped from various texts, written by various hands in various languages, in varrying degrees of age) [19:46:05] (in a big stack, mon) [19:46:10] * `Sev follows after Phanos, nodding. [19:46:28] <`Sev> If I recall right, he was talking about that being what they were looking for. Well, parts of Wrath, or something. [19:46:43] * Miashta is now known as NovaSeaker [19:46:44] * ChanServ sets mode: +o NovaSeaker [19:47:12] And it's supposed to be inside people, huh... I wonder how it gets inside to begin with. [19:48:11] <`Sev> Last we saw, wasn't something inside Aurelis? [19:48:27] Depending on who you ask, evil's inherent in all sentient things. [19:49:03] * Marianysa stares at Sev. "Oh HELL. And now...they might have him." [19:49:42] ... yeah. [19:49:49] All the more reason to get him back. [19:49:50] <`Sev> ..So, Skyway, right? [19:50:01] Right. Find those people and get answers. [19:50:58] If we can get answers about the light, maybe we can find Aurelis. [19:50:59] [Along the way to Skyway, Mauz translates the unfathomable scribbles in the prophesies's margins.] [19:51:50] * Mauz seems a little distracted. Mutters of 'evil' and the occasional bit of muttered translating. [19:52:08] "Lets us know what dey say, ya?" [19:52:44] Mmmmn. [19:54:08] ((http://exalted_eberron.seedwiki.com/wiki/exalted_eberron/prophecy_tracker?t&CFID=33138&CFTOKEN=F5C 8E66B-7031-4529-B76096CDF9232E21)) [19:54:23] [Mauz writes his corrections right into the sentences.] [19:54:37] * Marianysa doesn't look up much. "If Aurelis is alive, I don't want to think about what they might be doing him. Unless that voice thing can protect him somehow." [19:54:43] I wonder if Flamewing knows about this. [19:54:53] Yeah... [19:57:43] [The party approaches Skyway by way of skycoach, the only available means since the district floats above the impossibly high towers of Sharn, suspended by nothing but magic and cloudstuff.] [19:57:59] "Aint neva been up ya." [19:59:11] [This district is almost silent, floating on clouds high above the hubbub of the city. Servants scurry about from fabulous mansions to exquisite shops, while the gentry who call this place home parade in state, often riding griffons or hippogriffs, as they call upon their counterparts.] [19:59:35] Now this... this is nice. [19:59:41] ... wow. [20:00:11] * `Sev looks around. [20:00:19] <`Sev> Heh.. I wonder what sort of liquor they've got up here.. [20:00:24] [The gentry give the skycoach a wide berth, swooping wide over Cloudpool Park, a place of shape cloudstuff, standing in for trees and flowers.] [20:01:22] [The skycoach alights on a local stop, that looks more like a miniature Lightning Rail station than the more common "stand in line and wait" skycoach stops elsewhere in the city.] [20:01:47] "That'll be 4 silver." [20:02:15] <`Sev> I'll cover this one, guys. S'been a while. [20:02:20] * `Sev pays the pilot, stepping off the couch. [20:02:23] <`Sev> [20:02:59] * Mauz steps off as well, stretches, and then scans about. "A man could learn to like a view like this. But we're not here to cause trouble, so..." [20:03:48] [Mauz happens to catch the eyes of a gentry's servant. The man subtley snears and continues on his way.] [20:06:11] * Mauz smiles right the hell back. "Good day to you too, sir!" [20:06:44] [The servant continues on his way.] [20:08:03] [The skycoach pilot leans over from his cab.] "Psst. Hey fellas. Might wanna be more descreet with yer weapons while around here. No laws like'in Upper Tavick's, but still... won't make ye any frends." [20:08:25] * Phanos nods. "Tanks mon.:" [20:08:26] Ah. Thanks. [20:08:38] <`Sev> Gruh. Like it's easy to hide something this big. [20:08:50] * `Sev nods over his shoulder to his maul with a can't-help-but-grin grin. [20:09:27] Weapons? What weapons? I'm unarmed and helpless. [20:09:40] * Mauz grins like the cat that stole the cream. "Anyhow, we should get moving." [20:12:43] Yeah [20:13:00] * Phanos looks to Mauz as they walk. "so, wat mark you got on yo skin, mon?" [20:13:01] * Marianysa shrugs as she walks. "Who wants to make friends HERE, anyway?" [20:13:54] [Mari has many "fond" memories of her parents dragging her to social occasions in Skyway.] [20:13:59] Oh, that thing. [20:14:50] * Mauz smirks. "Finding, if you're curious." [20:16:50] * Phanos nods. I tink you tied to our prophecies as well mon." [20:17:08] What makes you say that? [20:17:14] Would be my fucking luck if you're right. [20:17:34] "The Summit of Sky's Fate, metinks Aurelis, will take its lesser self from them when outcast storm has found he who should not be lost, metinks you mon, and the Cult of the Dragon Below threatens them all." [20:17:40] [Mauz gets a few more stares and a haughty sniff from a passing horse-drawn carriage.] [20:18:29] Cult of the Dragon Below.. [20:18:45] Mngh. [20:18:56] <`Sev> Guh.. Where's the people we're supposed to find, guys? [20:19:00] Not ominous at all. [20:19:07] <`Sev> I don't wanna spend time talking about who else might wanna kill us. [20:19:23] * Mauz looks at the people staring at him and just... smiles. Creepily. "Doesn't hurt. You can figure out how to kill them first." [20:19:51] As fun as it might be to scare people here, don't get us arrested, okay? [20:20:56] [The group continues to wander aimlessly through the streets of Azure, Skyway's southern district, floating roughly over Central District.] [20:21:45] [Gated mansions line the roads on one side, and wondrous gardens and public parks on the other. Everything seems kinda flat, though, and it's weird not to see hundres and thousands of more city above you.] [20:22:20] (*thousands of feet of more city above you.) [20:23:40] How the hell are we supposed to find these people anyway? [20:23:47] * `Sev shrugs. [20:24:15] <`Sev> I could play on the fear of "savage commoners" these people have by talking about life in Fallen until they tell me what I wanna know. [20:24:22] <`Sev> But we don't wanna get arrested, so.. [20:24:23] Well, the article said their names, didn't it? [20:24:29] * Phanos nods. [20:25:12] [Aurora might be on to something, as on most gates, the gentry has so helpfully provided their initials or entire last name.] [20:25:21] Well... hrm. Sadly not good enough to just locate a person, but... could ask around. Of course, looks like the locals don't take too kindly to me for some reason that escapes me. [20:25:56] * Marianysa sighs. "If only we could use Sev's plan." [20:26:00] Well, the signs seem to point out their names pretty well. [20:29:16] * Aurora keeps an eye out for the gates. [20:29:39] Maybe someone will give us directions so they'll leave us alone. [20:29:40] [Aurora scans for the ir'Zelan's estate.] [20:30:21] That, or... wait for the eventual arrival of concerned citizens. Even though it looks like Aurora may be onto something. [20:30:30] [Unfortunately for Aurora, the gates do not appear to be arranged alphabetically.] [20:30:37] ... hm. [20:30:44] * Aurora looks around for Watch. Or similar. [20:32:12] [Aurora looks around and, suprisingly, finds the Watch in clear view. Oh wait, they're starring at the party.] [20:32:28] * `Sev groans, gritting his teeth. [20:32:29] <`Sev> Mmf.. [20:33:19] See? Right on schedule. [20:33:22] * Marianysa sighs. "Oh well." [20:34:00] [They don't appear to be taking any action against the group, just watching them... like hawks.] [20:34:33] * Aurora approaches. Without making any sudden moves. And preferably with her holy symbol prominently on display. "Good day. Excuse me, could you tell us where the ir'Zelan estate is? We're here to ask some questions, and then leave as quickly as possible. We'd rather not disturb this place any longer than necessary." [20:35:51] [One of them, a dwarf, glances at the other, a (particularly well-groomed) shifter.] [20:35:57] "Pahdon me sah, I's a wonderin if dere be a place we can check dem weapons, mon." [20:36:22] [The shifter looks at the dwarf then at Phanos. He scans him up and down.] [20:36:33] <`Sev> "Yeah. I wanna find a place to put this hammer!" [20:36:40] <`Sev> "Like a chest or locker, y'know." [20:37:49] I'm a harmless kitten. Just ignore me. [20:37:53] "We don't wanna start no problems while we be here. Best that be done by havin' us a place to put our gear." [20:37:57] "That won't be necessary, sir. This isn't Upper Tavicks. No civil laws in place." [20:38:15] [The dwarf stares intently at Mauz.] [20:38:57] * Mauz holds up his hands defensively. "What?" [20:39:12] "Aye sah, I knows it, but we aint bein treated likes we got us an heir, we bein treated like wes from Tavik's. I no like de looks, no, wan' show de watch we dont mean no ham."" [20:39:27] I don't think there's much we can do, Phanos. [20:39:36] "...uh... what?" [20:39:51] "Show em yous mark der Mauz." [20:40:21] Fine, fine. It's not easy to do, you know... [20:42:07] * Mauz makes a show of rolling up his sleeve and moving his gear aside enough for a flash of stylish dragon-shaped markings. "I'll have you know I'm special." [20:42:19] At least my mother says I am, anyway. [20:42:49] [The dwarf chuckles.] "So yer `shard prospecters, eh?" [20:43:22] * Marianysa scratches her head. [20:43:36] I know I am. The others are just very well-trained muscle. [20:44:18] * Mauz leans over to the drawf, keeping his voice down. "A couple of 'em are pretty easy on the eyes, too. Job has its benefits." [20:44:42] [He chuckles.] [20:44:57] "See, now we dont be needin' no dirty looks from you fine folk. Good ones be fine." [20:45:46] "Welp, can't be makin people who don't like ya like ya. And ya ain't done nothing wrong so far, so we can't arrest ya for mindin yer own business. You said you were lookin fer the ir'Zelans?" [20:47:04] Yeah. [20:47:22] <`Sev> Wait, I'm not gonna get arrested? Awesome! [20:48:43] Something you're used to, chum? [20:49:09] You have no idea. [20:49:46] * Phanos smirks [20:50:56] [The shifter smirks.] "Heh. Well anyway, we know where they live, but I don't think you'll be able to see them." [20:51:34] [The dwarf nods.] "Never leave der manor, dey don't. Cept sometimes ta eat out fancy-like." [20:52:16] <`Sev> ... [20:52:20] <`Sev> Did they leave a couple days ago? [20:52:54] <`Sev> Or, like, yesterday, I mean. [20:52:58] "Dey saw that streak o' light dinnae dey?" [20:53:04] (Two days ago) [20:53:04] Yeah. [20:53:07] * `Sev nods. [20:54:03] [Shifter] "We didn't say we staked the gate of their estate out or anything. We just patrol around here alot, and the ir'Zelans keep to themselves mostly." [20:54:16] (*a lot) [20:56:14] * Mauz rubs his chin slowly. "Reeeally, now." [20:57:15] <`Sev> Uh huh. So they're home now? [21:00:54] [They both shrugs.] "More than likely, but you won't get past the gate, unless you break in. And then we'll have to throw you in jail." [21:01:05] [Session End.] End of #Sharn buffer Wed Jan 02 21:01:28 2008