2/3/2007

Players: Kathi, JC, Chris
Characters: DM, Elendil & Jolley, Billi

[For today, the 20th of Eliant, thunderstorms are likely during the mid-morning hours followed by cloudy, cool and breezy conditions with a late afternoon high in the mid-40's. The overnight low will be in the upper 20's. It's heavy cloak weather for the next few days folks so bundle up out there! This forecast is provided as a public service by the AD&D Network Weather Team.]

Billi is awakened by a morning visitor, a young street urchin with the message "Muriel says go to Grams' right away." The halfling gathers his stuff and sets off fairly quickly. As he is passing by the Invocatorium he accepts a street flyer for some spell classes that are being held there later in the week.

Elendil receives the same message, "Muriel says go to Dragonfly Cave right away.", but in his case the young messenger was escorted firmly (but not unkindly) by his landlady. After finishing his breakfast Elendil sets off and meets Billi on the way. When the get there they find a crowd of children happily eating sticky buns. It's all of Iggy's street urchins. Muriel (who used to be one of them) found the group hiding, cold and hungry with no one to care for them following Iggy's death, and brought them all here not knowing what else to do.

"But one of them told me something I think you should hear." Muriel says to Elendil. "Let's find a quieter place for a moment."

The three of them move into a private dining area and then Muriel brings in one of the children.

"Go ahead Kylee, tell Mr. Elendil what you told me."

"My name is Kylee and I was the one who delivered the message from the tall woman with the big nose to the old blacksmith." This gets Elendil's attention as the child continues. "That was the one that made Iggy ask about Arzhul but I think he was just talking to himself.."

With Muriel's help the picture comes out that all messages the children delivered went through Iggy before reaching their destination.

"This would explain why Teal's letter was open." Elendil thinks to himself. "The tall woman," he asks the child, "What did she look like? Did you ever see her before?"

"She was very tall and had a big nose, like your nose." Kylee points at Elendil's nose. "And she had a gold tooth with red diamond in it too. Muriel, can I have another sticky bun?"

"Yes Kylee, in just a moment. Tell Mr. Elendil again what happened when Iggy looked at the message."

"It made him wonder if the woman with the big nose was the one Arzhul was looking for. That's when he went away and didn't come back."

Elendil draws a deep breath and is about to ask more but before he can Kylee turns to Muriel. "Muriel, I gotta go. And I want another of grammy's sticky buns."

Elendil nods at Muriel. "Thank you Kylee. I hope you have helped me find my sister. And don't worry, you and your family will all be safe." As Muriel leads the child out Elendil looks over to Billi.

"You ever heard of Arzhul?"

"No." Billi replies with a puzzled look. "What was that all about?"

"I believe the woman with the big nose the child refers to is my sister who I've not seen for more than 20 years. The old blacksmith is my father. And the message was this one."

Elendil produces a parchment from an inner pocket. "It's a message to me from my sister. One that was delivered already opened." Elendil pauses looking over at Billi.

"That means..." the halfling begins.

"Right!" says Elendil.

"Then what about your sister? What's her name?"

"Teal for short, Tilandra, and I don't know. I left a reply at the Dancing Goat but there is nothing returned yet." Elendil paces a few steps in the small dining area. "Billi it's been a long time since I saw her last, and her friends then were questionable at best, so now that Lady Luck has brought us together again I find myself worried for her safety, and nervous with my own expectations."

We end up taking the kids to the Temple of Salune as it is the only one that can accomodate them as a group. During the journey through town Elendil spots someone that appears to be following them. A male halfling with auburn hair and dark eyes, walking with a bit of a limp, but he blends into the crowd when Elendil turns to look.

"Come on kids. Everyone stay together."

Elendil watches the procession go past and then catches the same figure out of the corner of his eye. This time he's watching from around a corner, obviously trying not to be seen. When we arrive at the Temple of Salune, as Elendil is standing outside, he again sees the same figure watching us, trying to remain hidden.

The priestess we meet with is an elderly half-elf who is genuinely distressed when she learns that the childrens caretaker has been killed. We make sure she understands whose children they were and the circumstances of their life. Shortly after leaving the temple it starts to rain and before Elendil and Billi can make it back to Elendil's apartment to pick up Faragon's belongings it's a pouring thunderstorm that has the two darting from awning to awning, their heavy cloaks clenched tightly around them.

As the two are waiting out the rain Elendil stokes the fire a bit in his apartment so they can better dry their cloaks and then they go downstairs to whatever's left of breakfast (or second breakfast in Billi's case). Elendil's landlady eyes the pile of bread, fruit and cheese that Billi piles on his plate but she allows Elendil the courteousy of feeding his guest. Billi is very polite when they are introduced and thanks the woman for her hospitality and the excellence of her table.

When the rain stops the two head off to the nearby office of the Silver Knights. The desk seargant is a large human male who looks to be somewhat (but not much) older than Elendil himself. We tell him why we are come and the man drags out a huge book and transcribes our story, as much as we know of the fall of Faragon, into the book. We turn over what few belongings we brought and shake the mans hand as he extends it in gratitude for what we have done for one of the corps.

Then it's off to the tax office to take care of the adventurers tax. Fortunately this is only a flat 50 GP per month and both Elendil and Billi take care of this month and next month.

"Relax my friend." Elendil says to his diminutive companion after they've left and are headed to the Druid's Grove. "Remember that other places tax at a percentage of gain which could be much more than two hundred combined the two of us just left."

"I know." grumbles Billi. "It's just that it's never easy to give them anything."

"It's a part of life we can't escape." Elendil replies. "Think of it as our contribution to support the guard and the defense of the city."

The Druid's Grove is and area surrounded by a massive and impenitrable Wall of Thorns. There is a small bell at the gate (at least where we understand the gate to be) which Billi rings. A moment later a section of the wall seems to separate a bit and a young man dressed in simple green tunic and breeches emerges. We tell him that we have a message for the Circle and are returning the possessions of one of their own fallen in battle protecting Ash Temple. The young man nods, turns and makes a quick gesture. The wall opens and he leads us in.

Once past the threshold the noise of Silverymoon vanishes and Elendil looks around in some surprise for they seem to be in the heart of a great forest. We are brought to a quiet grove where a tall moon elf seems to be meditating. After a brief moment he addresses us introducing himself as Reamon the High Druid. We tell him of the circumstances surrounding Arimus' death and how he specifically requested we let the Circle know a replacement was needed at Ash Temple.

In gratitude for our returning with the information, and Arimus' Staff of Plant Control, Reamon gives us a Potion of Plant Growth, a Potion of Animal Friendship, and a Potion of Cure Serious Wounds. Elendil then asks if he knows how we should best return Arimus' amulet to his granddaughter, someone named Glowing Forest. At this the Druid tells us that Glowing Forest and her husband currently live on the remote Moonshae Isles but that he will Commune on the subject and send word to Elendil either at home or at the temple regarding what he learns.

Lunchtime finds us once again at the Bronze Pegasus having decided to pass on the vegetarian Green Potato. After lunch we make our way to Nate's parents for a task neither of us, especially Billi, is looking forward to. His parents ask us in and assure us that they already know of Nate's death.

"I knew right away." His mother says. "I ask in communion every night if my children are okay." She looks sadly at her husband. "But it's something you accept as an adventurer, in yourself, your husband and your children." Billi starts to cry.

"We brought you his things." He says between sobs.

"No, oh no Billi. You were his companions in life. The things he carried on the road should benefit you if they can. We have no need nor desire for them." She comes to give the halfling a hug.

Billi gratefully accepts the hug and takes a moment to collect himself. He looks back and forth from Nate's mother to his father. "I think I understand why he was so brave."

The statement strikes Elendil as a nice bit of insight and he nods in agreement. "I wish we could have come with any other news." He says to them. "I'm sorry for your loss."

We stay for a half hour or so and then depart. Billi wants to get his ring identified but we stop by the Dancing Goat first, for Elendil's sake, where there is no news of a reply to his letter so all we come away with is a couple of pints in our bladders. Billi suggests the Dragonfly Cafe for dinner (naturally) so on our way we stop by Arondar's to see if he will join us. As we arrive we find him walking out the door (dressed to the nine's) on his way to a date with the Lady Shannon Hightower, so we will just have to have dinner without him.

The Dragonfly Cave is considerably quieter than earlier and dinner is a relaxing affair. Billi's grandparents are considering adopting one of the kids, one of the little red haired girls.

"What do you think Billi?" his grandmother asks him.

"Well I think that's great if that's what you want to do." Billi says, seeming a little surprised at the question. "She was adorable wasn't she."

We split up after dinner and return home. Elendil makes it safe and sound but Billi has an encounter in which he rescues a man and his wife from would be muggers. By the time it's all over one of the miscreats is dead, the other is in custody of the Silver Knights and Billi has earned the well respected position of Hero, even if the Silver Knight guards don't seem very impressed with any of it.

While the rest of the evening passes uneventfully we pause 15 seconds for tomorrows official forecast.

[For today, the 21st of Eleant, expect cold grey, overcast skies with a NNW wind and temperatures hovering just above freezing. Snow is expected this evening with an overnight low of 25. This forecast is provided as a public service by the AD&D Network Weather Team.]

In the morning Elendil wakes fairly early and goes to Fortune Hall to speak again with Sister Morgalyn. He tells her over coffee of the circumstances of the letters delivery, including enough family history so she will understand the background, and asks if the name Arzhul means anything, relaying what the child told us of how Iggy reacted to the message.

Morgalyn pauses and nods. "Arzhul is a name connected with the Nightmask, an evil organization the Silver Knights have been unable to infiltrate or identify." She says looking at Elendil seriously. "A powerful thieves guild supporting all forms of the black trade. Their main guild master, alleged to be in Westgate, is known as The Faceless. Arzhul is the local leader."

Elendil takes a moment to consider her statement. It explained the frightened reaction he'd received from the bartender at the Dancing Goat when he'd mentioned the name. The man's quiet intake of breath and immediate but cautious check to see if anyone else had heard were impossible to miss. He was apparently satisfied no one else did hear but would say no more moving back to the other end of the bar.

"I will be cautious." Elendil says to himself aloud.

"That is wise." Morgalyn replies. "Now to different matters. Which of the tables do you want for casino night? I noticed that you hadn't chosen yet and I'm giving you the first pick."

Elendil considers the recurring event, now just two days hence again, and thinks back to some of his previous experiences as house dealer at the Dragon Dice tables. "The gold table." He says smiling. "And thanks for the choice. I'll go make it official now."

Elendil heads to the main offices and finds the page responsible for the schedule book. He finds the floor layout for the 23rd and assigns himself duty at the gold table near the fireplace. On the way out Elendil runs into an old friend, a man named Tekanyo who is one of the senior cooks in the temple kitchen staff, and the two spend a few minutes catching up. Elendil knows the man is a low level, basically unpracticing mage who is more likely to have flour or sugar at his side than spell components, but he also knows that Tekanyo will know who to go to for a honest item Identify. True to Elendil's expectations Tekanyo unhesitatingly recommends a place called the Magical Toad in the Splinter District.

Then it's off to find Jolley. Luck is with him (naturally) as he finds the man in the first place he looks, Woodhall in the Hearts Blood Neighborhood of Rangers District.

Jolley is taking a break and greets Elendil warmly. "Hey, what's up brother? Good to see ya. What can I do for you?"

"Well you got a moment?" Elendil replies.

"Sure, hang on. Hey Chalky," Jolley calls over to a man resting on a bench in the noisy hall. "I'll be back in minute."

As the two make there way out of the main training hall to a quieter passageway Elendil tells him about the Dragonfly Cave and invites him to dinner to meet Billi, as one of the other Champions Challenge team members.

"The place is owned by his grandparents and the food is good and plentiful. It's where we usually meet if not working together during the day." Elendil says, copmpletely forgetting to mention they're halflings. "Come on by anytime."

"Thanks, I will." Jolley says.

"There was one other thing." Elendil pauses, letting a couple working with wooden short swords pass on the way into the main hall, and then leans in a bit speaking quietly so that only Jolley will hear. "I'm also hoping you can help me learn something of the word on the street about someone named Arzhul.  I know only that it is a black and dangerous name but I fear for my sister's life becuase of it.  If you can help I would be grateful but you shouldn't feel obligated and for your own sake be careful if you do."

"Hey man, no problem, what are friends for." Jolley says. "I'll see what I can find out and let you know but you know I will hold you to being grateful." Jolley grins.

Elendil smiles and shakes the mans hand. "Thanks! I'll let you get back to it then. See you tonight."

Elendil heads back home to Priest Hall for lunch only to find he has another visitor. This time however it's not a small child escorted by the land lady, it's a young lady half elf from Dawn Dancer Hall.

"Salaisee asked me personally, before she left, to make sure this was delivered to you when ready." She hands Elendil a small velvet pouch which he examines for a moment and then looks up to find her eyeing him critically.

"Was there something more?" He asks.

"Oh no, sorry sir. I just wondered who you were to receive such a gift from the lady. Please forgive me." She curtsies and withdraws leaving Elendil holding the pouch. He turns it over in his hand and unties the drawstring.

As the item slides into his hand he feel the Blessing of Tymora wash over him. It's a beautiful silver pendant, a holy symbol of Tymora, engraved in exquisite detail with a flying pegasus. (The Blessing provides Elendil with an additional opportunity re-roll once per game day, an incredible (and not inexpensive) gift indeed.) He slips the sturdy rope chain around his neck, tucks the pendant under his inner shirt, and goes down to the dining area for lunch.

End of session.

Next Session 2/24/2007