Start of #Sharn buffer: Tue Sep 08 07:10:16 2009 [18:02:35] [Mol, Dravago 9th, 998 Y.K.] [18:02:35] The party awakes, having spent the night at an inn located in the harbor district. They formulate a plan to find Aun by looking for Xev, who they suspect is here to find Aun as well. [18:02:35] [Session Start] [18:02:57] So how do we find him? [18:07:08] Well, if you ask me. Trouble begets trouble. So just... look for trouble. [18:07:12] * Mauz shrugs. "Seems simple enough." [18:07:15] From what I saw, he's a changeling that doesn't bother to hide his appearance. Perhaps I'm being too optimistic, but it might be as easy as asking people if they've seen a man without a face. [18:08:16] I guess that's one way to start. [18:08:20] Not to mention he's a guy who comes into town on a boat like that. No subtlety at all. [18:08:40] * Temper stands next to the group as they discuss, but seems to have nothing to add. [18:10:39] So... who's gonna ask? [18:11:06] Sore thumb and all that. But I guess what's more important is what we do when he knows we're around... if he doesn't know already, anyway. [18:17:11] * Aurora_L sighs. "I'll do it." [18:17:18] * Aurora_L starts asking around the inn [18:17:46] ... well, I was going to volunteer, but... eh. Let's see what I can dig up. [18:20:04] [Aurora catches the eye of Aida, the good-natured serving wench attending to the regulars in the Wavecrest Tavern's common room.] [18:21:07] * Mauz goes on what seems to be his own business, but a man can find good things when he knows what rock to look under. Thankfully, Stormreach has a lot of rocks. [18:21:53] Hi there. We're trying to see about finding a Changeling, and I think I saw one earlier, undisguised. Do you know anything about that"? [18:22:39] [Aida purses her lips and tries to wrack her memory for any image of a man-without-a-face. She tries very hard for Aurora, but can't remember seeing anyone like that. However, she does inform Aurora that if he's going out into the jungle he'd probably need to buy a guide to Xen'Drik's interior or at least provisions, and points Aurora toward the Marketplace District.] [18:23:11] * Aurora_L nods. "Thanks." She returns to the rest of the group to report this. [18:23:15] I'm gonna go down to the docks, see if I can find out anything. Maybe the ship'll even still be there. [18:23:51] [Mauz sidles up to some warehouse porters on break on a wide avenue that sees a lot of traffic. They tell him they did see a grey-faced man with some rough-lookin chick and a servant heading toward the Marketplace district yesterday.] [18:24:49] * Mauz grins. "I can work with that. Any idea what they were looking for, or just them going in that direction?" [18:25:47] * One of the dockworkers shrugs. "We didn't ask the guy any questions. Looked like a mean sumbitch." [18:26:11] Can't blame you. Thanks. [18:26:21] * Mauz trucks on back to the group proper, rubbing his chin. [18:31:44] * Johen cradles his chin on his hand and begins to recall aspects of the market district, trying to figure out where someone may stay in such a place [18:34:17] [Johen recalls a rather plush inn called the Emerald Dream on the western edge of the Marketplace, next to Oldgate. It was a bit ritzy and high-class, so it seems like the kind of place someone traveling by way of elemental galleon might stay.] [18:34:36] * Marianysa watches the boat for a while to see if anything or anyone significant is coming or going. [18:36:34] [Mari doesn't see anything particularly useful. The galleon just seems to be taking on more passengers for its return voyage.] [18:36:55] * Johen relates this information to the others. "I think that, perhaps, I should try to arrange a meeting with him. It's likely that he knows you, but less so that he knows me." [18:38:08] * Marianysa returns to the inn. "Didn't find anything staking the boat out. It's already getting ready to leave." [18:38:20] Marketplace. Him and a 'rough-looking chick', according to the nice people I met. [18:38:37] I saw we look around there, see what he was in the mood for buying. [18:39:34] ...I think I saw her, yesterday. [18:39:43] Had a couple axes on her? [18:40:27] Come to think of it, she was with Xev way back when he showed up at Aun's place. [18:40:56] Dunno about axes, but I think we at least know he's got protection. [18:41:11] There was another person.. a guy, I think [18:41:56] I believe knowing what he was in the mood to buy is secondary to making sure that we know what he knows regarding Aun. [18:42:20] Why' sthat? [18:42:47] * Marianysa looks at Aurora. "You mean the guy who was carrying Xev's stuff yesterday?" [18:43:46] I think so... [18:45:00] * Mauz rubs his chin s'more. "Well, we have leads. We just need to know what direction the dick went in... and just the hell he's up to here in the first place." [18:45:15] * Marianysa looks to Johen. "So, if you meet him, what're you planning, exactly?" [18:45:38] * Temper finally speaks up. "Why don't we ask the people at this inn if Xev is keeping a room there?" [18:45:46] Precisely. [18:46:22] I plan to ask him if Xev is renting a room, then if he is, I'll try to employ him. [18:46:45] ... that's... [18:46:54] * Mauz pauses. "I guess it'd work, but..." [18:47:36] * Marianysa stares. "...you're going to hire Xev? For what?" [18:47:36] I'm not sure we can trust him [18:47:48] I think he was kinda... connected to the assassins sent after us. [18:47:50] Rather, I'm establish a ruse that I'm trying to employ him. [18:48:02] ... oh, but he doesn't know you, Johen. [18:48:20] It's easier to get someone into a blind alley and convince him to tell you what he knows when you're paying his wages. [18:51:38] * Temper looks to Johen. "We are not even certain if Xev is at this inn you deduced, correct?" [18:51:53] Not at all. If he's not, we'll need a new plan. [18:51:55] That's...pretty ballsy. What're you going to tell him you're hiring him for, though? [18:52:12] * Temper nods. "Then perhaps it is best if we go an find out for certain." [18:52:14] You know, maybe we don't even have to do this. I mean, at the marketplace district, someone might have seen him [18:52:21] Rather ballsy. I like it. Give it a go, I'm all for it. [18:52:28] If no one has, then he's either not going into the jungle, or he's dumb. [18:52:43] I'll tell him I need bodyguards for an expedition. It seems to work rather well in this city. [18:52:49] * Johen closes his tome and tucks it under his arm. "You're welcome." He heads out the door. [18:53:06] * Temper follows closely. [18:53:40] * Phanos (rustangel@ip-114-188.atvci.net) has joined #Sharn [18:54:00] * Mauz decides that it's a good idea to not follow. "... I like this guy." [18:54:41] Maybe we should keep in touch when we get back to Sharn. [18:58:47] Hope this works. [18:58:59] Yeah [18:59:39] We'll see, won't we? [18:59:57] * Mauz chuckles darkly. "Yeah, definitely need to keep in touch." [19:00:10] * Temper walks back inside. "You are not coming?" [19:03:15] It might not be the best of ideas for him to see us that quickly, but... [19:03:36] * Mauz shrugs. "I guess I could. I doubt he'd really recognize me." He cracks his neck, then joins Temper. [19:04:39] Phanos, I think you might be able to join. I mean, he's never seen the... oh, wait. He's heard you talk... right? [19:05:19] "I can quite easily abandon my vernacular." [19:05:52] *Temper shakes his head. "We should not be splitting up so much. This is not a safe city. Even if you do not accompany us to the Inn, you should not be half the city away if there is trouble." [19:06:02] *"It is tactically unwise." [19:06:25] Hm. [19:06:35] You're right about the splitup. [19:06:39] I guess I'm in. [19:06:49] Or at least, I'll stay close. [19:07:16] "P-aps we wan putchoo undah disguise, ya? Cova us, we investigate." [19:07:32] That might work too. [19:08:31] * Mauz snickers, softly. "Well, in for a copper..." [19:08:37] * Marianysa frowns. "You think you could fool Xev? That sort of thing seems like his specialty." [19:09:18] "I don't know im, how can I'm say I does?" [19:10:46] Good point... [19:12:22] [As the group decides their course of action, they eventually cross the crumbling walls into the Marketplace district.] [19:12:22] [Here broken arches and fallen columns are covered with awnings and surrounded by market stalls. The twisting, improvised streets are crammed with people, most of them visitors, making their way through the city and stopped at every turn by hawkers trying to sell them one thing or another.] [19:12:23] [Three great buildings loom over everything in this quarter: Falconer’s Spire, with airships docked against it; the bazaar, a gigantic tent sheltering the city’s great open-air market; and the Lorsmarch Palace, center of the Storm Lords’ power.] [19:12:23] [This is the heart of the city. Here all the city’s struggles, opportunities, and dangers are gathered and intensified. You can feel it in the air.] [19:12:55] * Mauz looks almost giddy, like he's expecting something crazy and dangerous and fun to happen. [19:13:19] [Johen and Temper stand in front of the Emerald Dream, a distinctly well-maintained building with an archaic Galifarian style.] [19:14:19] [The rest of the party has decided to maintain a low profile and browse a nearby antiquities shop.] [19:14:27] * Johen pushes the door open, and heads into the lobby [19:14:44] * Aurora_L looks at antiques, vaguely curious about what sorts of things might pop out out here in this part of the world [19:15:15] [Johen, with Temper walking just behind him and to his right, walks into the lobby with it's forest-green marble tiles.] [19:15:37] * Marianysa is more than happy to browse the store, seemingly having forgotten what they're actually here for in the first place. [19:15:55] [The clerk at the front desk smiles a greeting.] "Welcome to the Emerald Dream. How can I help you today?" [19:16:07] * Mauz still looks rather like he expects some sort of small-scale cataclysm anytime soon. That, and he could use a new razor... [19:16:46] Oh, ah, yes. I had heard that an inquisitive named Xev was in town, and I was curious if he was staying here. I'm interested in scheduling a meeting with him. [19:18:14] * The woman's smile turns to a frown of regret, which Johen can tell rather easily is practiced. "I'm sorry sir, the Emerald Dream does not give away that sort of information." [19:21:04] [Mari and Aurora browse the shelves and display cases of "Von Ruthvek’s Splendors of the South". Many items ranging from intricately twined brass scultpures of Thri-kreen origin, to beautiful drow headdresses, to figurines of solid glass can be found.] [19:22:20] * Mauz is.... yes. New razor. Nothing fancy there. [19:23:41] [Mauz has a lot of trouble finding a non-fancy razor. The best he can do is a scorpion-tail handled pairing knife.] [19:24:55] * Johen nods. "That's a shame. I'm sure his reputation for being a patient, forgiving man will hold up if he finds out that you stonewalled a potential employer. [19:25:26] * Aurora_L looks at the weird brass sculptures. "How do they do this without like... normal hands?" [19:25:55] ... this looks like something I'd shiv someone with, not cut my hair. [19:27:18] * Marianysa shrugs. "I'd have to see one work to say. I'm sure they think their hands are totally normal, anyway." [19:27:46] *Temper lays both hands on the counter, wearing his giant spiked gauntlets the size of ogre hands, and leans over menacingly. "That would be... *very unwise*." [19:28:05] I guess so. I mean, their hands probably don't work all THAT differnetly from ours. [19:28:10] ... right? [19:29:18] * Phanos stands back calmly, smoking a spliff. [19:29:45] * The clerk leans back, a bit perturbed. [19:30:28] * Mauz grumbles about simple things, shaking his head. "I bet it's about as boring here with pudgy..." [19:31:03] This stuff looks great. [19:31:06] * She clears her throat of a little lump and busies herself with the registry. "Well, lets see here. Yes, I have a Xev and Co. registered with us yesterday, but they only paid for one night and checked out today." [19:31:08] Not much boring about it [19:31:17] Oh, dear. [19:32:41] * Marianysa doesn't respond to Aurora, as she's become far too absorbed in looking over the various artifacts. She's occassionally mumbling to herself and seems to be mentally taking notes. [19:32:51] * Johen drops a handful of gold on the front desk. "Thank you for your time. I'm sure we'll catch up with him, boys. Well, boy and vaguely male construct." [19:34:23] * Johen heads out, and into the antiques shop. "Unfortunately, they checked out last night. I believe it's time to begin searching for wilderness guides." [19:34:50] * Temper "And outfitiers?" [19:34:52] Well, he'd have to buy supplies to get into the jungle. [19:35:09] Quite so. [19:35:57] * Mauz finally just decides to be an asshole and not bother with the paring knife. Surface isn't flat enough anyway. "Deh." [19:36:26] * Aurora_L asks around about a male Changeling, asking people who work in the exploration supplies business. [19:37:21] * Phanos (rustangel@ip-114-188.atvci.net) Quit (Ping timeout: 180 seconds) [19:37:43] * Johen leaves the antique shop, and heads out into the market district, taking his rounds through the shops of various high-profile wilderness guides. [19:38:00] * Marianysa is finally dragged away from the anitquities shop. :( [19:40:21] * Mauz opts to do a little more digging under the legal surface. He might'be missed something. Like information. Or a razor. Across his throat, not against his scalp. [19:40:52] [Johen visits several of the more well-known freelance wilderness guides in the area, but comes up with nothing. It seems Xev might have taken the more reliable route and went to the Wayfinder Foundation for a guild-certified guide.] [19:41:55] [No one seems to want to give Aurora the time of day, and she gets laughed at when she tells people she's looking for a changeling. Lots of people wished her "good luck" while laughing though.] [19:42:28] * Johen returns to the group. "It seems as though Xev may have used the Wayfinder Foundation to hire a guide. Would anyone feel inclined to try and get them to tell us if that's the case?" [19:42:50] I feel as though it would be unwise if I continue asking for confidential information. [19:43:28] * Aurora_L returns, in a foul mood. [19:45:15] [Mauz makes asks the right people and greases the right palms, and he finds out that there was a "naked-dop" heading towards the giant's tents outside the city.] [19:46:50] Bingo. [19:46:54] Everyone thinks I'm dumb. [19:47:03] * Mauz chuckles, rubbing his hands together. [19:48:42] The giants tents, huh... [19:50:30] * Mauz skitters back to relay information and look as smug as he possibly can. [19:52:18] I'll see if I can find out anything that might interest Xev about them. Maybe we can find a connection. [19:56:18] Good luck [19:56:55] [Mari does a little research in her notes and books she brought with her from Sharn, and finds a passage about the Giants of Rusheme` being peaceful traders with the city, and offering detailed maps that are acurate when near giant ruins.] [20:01:49] * Marianysa explains what she found. "...I guess we don't know what he's after, exactly, but at least we've narrowed down where he might be going." [20:02:54] * Aurora_L nods [20:02:58] I wonder what his interest is [20:03:43] Same here. Everyone has a reason for doing whatever... not clear what this one is. I guess finding that out'll be the fun part. [20:08:44] If we approach the giants, it would be wise to appeal to their savage notions of culture. There are four gods, more or less analogous to the true gods of the Soverign Hose. Aureon, an amalgam of Arawai and the Fury, Balinor, and a benevolent take on the Keeper. [20:09:50] A bene- how does that work? [20:10:56] He prevents the souls of the worthy dead from fading into oblivion in Dollurh. [20:11:12] A pleasant enough notion, if theologically misguided. [20:11:35] So like the Silver Flame. [20:12:04] Of course not. Everybody knows the Silver Flame is a manifestation of Dol Dorn, not the Keeper. [20:12:38] N-... not quite the time for that right now. [20:12:43] Right, so what, appeal to their savage notions of culture? You want to challenge them to a fight or something? [20:13:21] Furthermore, they scorn users of arcane magic, saying that Ouralon's shadow consumed him, and thus, so will users of arcane magic. So, for those of us who practice the high art, it would be best not to put on any impromptu magic shows or stage performances while there [20:13:39] * Johen catches himself. "Of course, you're right, it's Dol Arah, not Dol Dorn. A slip of the tongue." [20:14:17] Bleh. Religion. But... I guess it works. And sure, no soul-eating or star-calling from me. [20:14:21] * Mauz grins nonetheless. [20:14:38] What's their opinion on magical items? [20:15:17] Well, as long as we say that our items were enchanted by particularly clever clerics, we're probably safe. [20:17:28] * Phanos (rustangel@ip-114-188.atvci.net) has joined #Sharn [20:18:47] Right. Well, it's not like we need to let on what we're carrying, anyway. [20:19:33] True. [20:20:00] "I yanno what weah dem dese ere tings came from." [20:25:22] Well, I suppose we should head there, then. [20:25:51] Sounds like a good idea [20:26:13] * Marianysa shrugs. "Might as well, but I'm still not sure what our plan is with these guys." [20:26:17] "Lessa go." [20:26:37] * Aurora_L nods [20:27:17] [Johen informs the group that to get to the Tents of Rusheme`, they must cross through the karrn-populated district of Grindstone.] [20:27:18] [As you pass through the gates and enter Grindstone, the air takes on a different feel. People glower at you from doorways or shutter their windows. Children stop playing their games, and only street vendors look you in the eye. These people seem more taciturn than usual for Karrns, but why?] [20:27:18] [Citizens from other districts move quickly, as if eager to be away from here. They seem a little fearful.] [20:28:18] * Mauz makes a point of smiling and winking a lot. [20:29:26] * Marianysa looks to Johen. "This place usually like this?" [20:30:45] [Mauz gets a few unappreciating glares, and in particular a man slinks back into an alley after narrowing his eyes menacingly.] [20:30:57] I think they hate me. [20:32:38] They're fairly paranoid here, and rightly so. [20:32:44] [As the group rounds a corner, they come face-to-face with an array of six men. The largest among them has his arms crossed.] [20:32:53] You might be, too, if you decided to settle on the border of Xen'Ohmy. [20:33:12] "Hello!" [20:33:29] * The lead man clears his throat, getting your attention. "You folks seem to be lost," he says with a thick Karrn accent. [20:34:15] Oh, hi. [20:34:24] * Behind him, several men loose their weapons. One figure flexes his hands into claws, apparently at the ready to cast a spell. [20:34:51] * The lead one points to Aurora. "You in particular. This isn't a safe place for flamers." [20:34:58] "You seem ta' wanna fight why?" [20:35:10] Really, does it always have to come down to this? [20:35:23] * The guy looks back at Phanos. "Cause I don't like your face, that's why! GET EM BOYS!" [20:35:30] [Session End.] [20:35:49] "Finally, dem damn fite." [20:35:52] * Phanos (rustangel@ip-114-188.atvci.net) has left #Sharn [20:36:03] * Johen is now known as Charles [20:36:43] [235 xp] [20:37:05] * Marianysa (dlarmour@wnpgmb1303w-ad03-42-185.dynamic.mts.net) has left #Sharn [20:37:29] [Hanging skill challenge: 3 successes, 1 failure] End of #Sharn buffer Tue Sep 08 07:10:16 2009