015. Diplomacy and the youngest captain in the history of the Baronies!

[Corwin]

[19:52] <Kotono> --------------
[19:53] <Kotono> So the hag is dead! So Seira has returned! Two events converge as the heroes go to meet with Commander Oberuth. Indeed, Lyselle, Shamal and Berlioz find Seira waiting for them, an older elf in a cowled robe with them. "Sit down," The commander gestures, "This is Celebrimbor Drake, from the elven Kingdom of Pallanth. Seira and Sir Drake just returned to Balmuria."
[19:54] * Seira nods at Lyselle, Shamal and Berlioz in greeting.
[19:55] * Lyselle lifts her eyebrows, eyeing Seira and then the elven ambassador for a few moments. "Greetings, m'lord'," she offers the ambassador, smiling to Seira.
[19:55] * Seira returns the smile!
[19:56] * Berlioz nods indistinctively, proceeding to sit down.
[19:56] * Shamal smiles at the sight of Seira, realising that she's actually missed the kooky half-elf, in spite of her dog-hating ways. "Hello, Seira," she says, maintaining a professional attitude since they have company, and nodding respectfully to the other elf. "Welcome to Balmuria, Sir Drake." Also, she just realised that Seira will have to call her Sir, now! Or Ma'am. Whichever.
[20:00] * Seira waits on Commander Oberuth to speak, first.
[20:00] <Kotono> IN a slow, precisely spoken Common, "Hello," Celebrimbor inclines his head briefly.
[20:01] <Kotono> "Now then." Commander Oberuth goes on, "As you can see, Seira's mission was a complete success. On the morrow a coach and honor guard will come to escort Sir Drake to the capital and Lord Salman, and then escort him and Lord Salman back."
[20:01] <Shamal> "Lord Salman will be returning here so soon?" Shamal asks in faint surprise. Hopefully things will go better, this time...
[20:02] <Seira> "It would be an honor to meet Lord Salman again," Seira voices.
[20:04] <Kotono> "Yes. With a successful mission as well as recent...difficulties, Lord Salman has judged it wise." Commander Oberuth goes on, "Sir Drake, a servant awaits outside, whom will take you back to quarters in preparation."
[20:06] <Kotono> The robed elf murmurs consent, a nod. "Very well. May Mystra watch over you, Seira," he murmurs as he passes by the half elf.
[20:07] <Seira> "Thank you once more for all your support, Sir," she returns, bowing her head.
[20:09] <Kotono> Celebrimbor exits out, a servant indeed waiting. Once the door closes, Commander Oberuth smiles briefly to Seira. "At ease, all of you. Seira, report."
[20:10] * Shamal takes a seat and relaxes in order to listen to Seira's no doubt thrilling tale of adventure and intrigue among the savage elves beyond the frontier of known civilisation.
[20:10] * Lyselle slips into her seat, folding her hands and watching their half-elf companion curiously. This should be interesting to say the least.
[20:13] <Seira> "The negotiations were successful, Sir," she tells him. "The Council of Pallanth and its king agreed to open diplomatic relations with the United Baronies. The exchange of information comes first, followed most closely by the establishing of trade routes between our two countries. And in the future, magical cooperation to unlock the secrets the gnomes had left behind is the ultimate goal, should things progress well enough till that time." Seira smiles, then. "Even military cooperation should the God-King Daa-vid manage to assert himself on this plane of existence once more is not out of the question, Sir." She pauses, before tilting her head. "A full written report will be submitted to you shortly, Sir, but is there anything in particular you would wish to hear in more detail, now?"
[20:14] <Seira> Seira smiles, then. "Even military cooperation should the God-King Daa-vid manage to assert himself on this plane of existence once more is not out of the question, Sir." She pauses, before tilting her head. "A full written report will be submitted to you shortly, Sir, but is there anything in particular you would wish to hear in more detail, now?"
[20:15] <Shamal> "What did you have to do to convince them?" Shamal asks interestedly, leaning on the table. "Considering how insular they're supposed to be, it can't have been that simple, can it?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "That's something I'd like to know myself," Oberuth agrees, crossing his arms. "They're known for ignoring the rest of the world."
[20:20] <Seira> "It was not," Seira agrees. "There were several trials, even after I shared the information I was allowed to divulge regarding the gnomes. I saw no reason to state directly that we have a Resort in our possession, calling it such by name, or detail the precise locations of the gnomish ruins. This was achieved without lying to our new friends, even by the use of half-truths. The focus was merely on other, more important things." She ponders briefly. "The combination of proving myself to them, and apprehension of letting the gnomish might fall into the wrong hands may have been the deciding factors in their decision to send back such a high-ranking emissary and gifts from the monarch himself."
[20:20] <Seira> She ponders briefly. "The combination of proving myself to them, and apprehension of letting the gnomish might fall into the wrong hands may have been the deciding factors in their decision to send back such a high-ranking emissary and gifts from the monarch himself."
[20:21] <Shamal> "What were the trials like, then?" Shamal prods.
[20:23] <Seira> "I underwent sanctification, recited my proposal and the information at my disposal under magically-enforced oath, and had to prove my skills in a combat environment," Seira responds. "The first was rather pleasant."
[20:24] <Kotono> "Gifts?" Commander Oberuth inquires, listening along as well.
[20:24] * Shamal nods thoughtfully. "Sanctification? Yes, I suppose that... wait! Combat?" she starts in surprise, head whipping around to stare at Seira.
[20:25] <Lyselle> "I note you didn't suggest the combat was enjoyable at all..." Lyselle added curiously, raising an eyebrow. "How'd it go?"
[20:28] * Seira nods. "His Majesty deigned to send this blade as a show of his good faith, along with six potions," Seira tells the Commander, showing the sword at her hip. "Its main duty is to bolster a leader's charisma in battle, though I believe it can also be used effectively in interrogations and infiltrations, Sir. My conclusions and the reasons for them will be noted down in my report." She then nods at Shamal and Lyselle. "Yes. I had to fight in an enclosed space with no cover. It was trying, at first, but I eventually found my rhythm."
[20:28] <Seira> "Yes. I had to fight in an enclosed space with no cover. It was trying, at first, but I eventually found my rhythm."
[20:30] <Shamal> "That's an odd way to conduct diplomacy..." Shamal mutters. "At least you won, then?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "I've seen stranger," Commander Oberuth grins at that story, "It's hard to argue with just having to pound something, better than dealing with most procedures."
[20:31] * Seira nods once more. "As losing the gifts goes beyond the loss of the actual weapon and into diplomatic incident territory, I have chosen to keep them on my person," she elaborates then, for the Commander's sake.
[20:39] <Kotono> "That's fine for the moment," Oberuth waves his hand, "Now then. Shamal, Lyselle and Berlioz, report. How has the current situation gone, and there aren't any more dire tigers invovled, are there?"
[20:41] <Shamal> "No," Shamal shakes her head with a smile. "The hag is dead, however. Also!" she reaches into her pouch and produces the fragments of the red gem found, putting them on the table, "I think she used a gem of imbued spellcasting, since she shot a scorching ray at my summoned crocodile - My guess is that these are the leftover fragments from when she used the gem. Those things are becoming oddly common lately, it must be said."
[20:42] <Seira> "Even as far as the elven lands," Seira agrees. "And the hag is dead? Quapeth would be happy to know that."
[20:43] <Kotono> "Are they?" Oberuth scowls at the gem shards, "How did the elves get one? Is there a ruin in those lands?" His voice sounds thoughtful and yet irritated, "So how did the hag get one of those gems?"
[20:44] <Shamal> "He probably won't ever go swimming again, that's for sure," Shamal sighs. "As for where she found it, that information will have died with her," the blonde admits. "Could have simply found it on the seabed for all we know."
[20:44] <Seira> "Trade. If there is a ruin in those lands, they are not saying. Yet." She shrugs. "Perhaps Lord Salman would improve relations further, to the point they will share their records with us fully?"
[20:44] <Lyselle> "How long have those things been around?" Lyselle asks lightly, blinking at Shamal's suggestion.
[20:46] <Shamal> "Well, wasn't it the gnomes that made them to begin with?" Shamal asks, pocketing the fragments again. "But it seems like only now that we're becoming lousy with the things."
[20:46] <Kotono> "Trade? Then, by the Abyss, WHO is trading them around?" Oberuth presses, scowling. "Does someone have a stack of those that they're passing about?"
[20:47] * Seira chooses not to answer, appearing captivated by Shamal's story.
[20:48] <Shamal> "Didn't you say something about one having an elven spell on it before, Seira?" Shamal asks, cocking her head at the half-elf. "Unless the spell was originally developed by gnomes and now only known to elves, that points to a more recent origin."
[20:50] * Seira thinks back to the fruits of her research. "It was created by an elf, yes, but this mage lived quite a lot time ago. And gnomes did have elven prisoners, I believe, which would offer an explanation for why they might know it."
[20:53] <Shamal> "Well, even if someone is trading them, I think we can discount the idea of anyone trading with a Sea Hag of all things. More likely she found it on her own," Shamal surmises. "But still, Irenes has shown that people dealing in these items are a concern for us - the ones encountered so far have mostly been minor magic, but I'm almost positive this one had Scorching Ray on it - a second circle spell. How high can these things go?"
[20:53] <Seira> "There is no reason to believe a limitation exists," Seira suggests.
[20:55] <Kotono> "A matter considerably worth investigating," Commander Oberuth agrees, eyes on Seira the entire time. "...hm. Well then, that fits in nicely with your current duties. Seira, I'll leave it to your comrades to go into detail, but the three of them have been promoted to Captain. Lord Salman left a task and instructions to them to investigate, and you're still a part of the Crimson Guard. Now then..." Commander Oberuth stands up, "According to Lor
[20:56] <Kotono> "According to Lord Salman's instructions to me, he wished to convey his congratulations on reaching the rank of Captain as well, on successful completion of your journey into the elven lands."
[20:57] * Seira looks happy at the announcement!
[20:58] <Shamal> "Congratulations, Seira," Shamal beams at the assuredly youngest captain in the United Baronies.
[20:59] <Seira> "And to you three," she returns, mirroring Shamal's smile.
[21:00] <Kotono> "Then, I leave you to your own duties for the day," Commander Oberuth murmurs, "Dismissed."
[21:02] * Seira lets her friends who had remained in Balmuria all this time take the lead for the time being.
[21:04] * Shamal stands up and salutes to the commander, starting to head for the door. "So..." she considers, "Investigate Malmuth's intentions, or try to root out the cause of the undead infestation?" At that she glances at Seira, "Oh, yes, you weren't here - we had another incident while you were gone. A butcher was... controlled or turned into something, and harbouring ghouls. Not pleasant business."
[21:05] * Seira nods in seriousness. "I never believed that issue to be truly closed," she tells Shamal. "I wish I could have been proven wrong."
[21:06] <Kotono> As the party heads for the door, a servant passes by and goes to Commander Oberuth. "Sir," his voice carries, "The messanger reports that diplomat Almand is returning this way due to the recent unanticipated events cancelling many functions..."
[21:39] * Berlioz raises an eyebrow slightly. "... well, that is a turn of events."
[21:40] <Shamal> "It is?" Shamal asks, not recognising the name.
[21:40] * Lyselle turns to eye Berlioz, still smiling faintly. "How so?"
[21:43] <Berlioz> "He's a Malmuthian count who passed here in a business venture some time ago. In retrospect, it's no wonder the Crimson Guard was requested for escorting him. He probably expected better than being stuck with me, though", Berlioz finishes, chuckling ever slightly.
[21:43] * Seira barely manages to conceal a snort at that.
[21:45] <Shamal> "Why's a Malmuthian coming here if his... functions, are being cancelled?" Shamal asks, not quite getting it.
[21:45] * Berlioz sighs contently, leaning back against the wall. "Of course, then I look at Seira and realize he could have met worse fates still."
[21:46] * Lyselle smirks just a bit, shaking her head. "So perhaps we should saddle him with both of you this time?" she suggests, glancing between man and half-elf.
[21:46] <Seira> "Let's not, for the sake of justice."
[21:47] <Berlioz> "It was a formal business venture, from what I remember. Mostly negotiation/diplomatic business. He is an influential man in Malmuth, and his business in Balmuria seems fairly consistent. And, really, Seira wouldn't last long with Almand. His wit is a bit sharp for the likes of her", the bard finishes softly.
[21:48] <Seira> "Alas. I shall go and search for more undead, then," she ponders out loud.
[21:50] * Berlioz nods. "Don't get lost inside your wardrobe. Have a field day", the bard deadpans.
[21:51] <Shamal> "He missed you terribly," Shamal faux whispers, leaning towards Seira.
[21:52] <Seira> "I can tell," she responds dryly, before voicing, "Well, there we have it. Exploring my wardrobe or hooking up with Berlioz's bosom buddies from Malmuth. What do you two feel like doing?"
[21:57] <Shamal> "How about we do some investigating on the undead problem?" Shamal suggests. "I'm not really much for the political intrigue."
[21:58] <Lyselle> "I was taught to end that sort of conflict with troops and blood..." Lyselle admits plainly, her smile wry.
[22:00] <Berlioz> "I'll be fine by myself. The undead issue intuitively needs more power in numbers, anyway."
[22:03] <Kotono> OOC - Okay, if you're doing undeath hunting, what are you guys going to go do?
[22:03] <Shamal> OOC: What Seira said - ask around the butcher's to see when he started acting weird and so on.
[22:04] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[22:04] <Seira> OOC: He must have regulars, loyal customers or busybodies living nearby~
[22:05] <Kotono> So the three return to the butcher's shop. It's blocked off and silent, no one coming in or out of the accursed home. Next door is the Dawn Pointe Inn, other shops nearby as well. It's a cloudy, hazy, warm day, the spring moving in with it's force.
[22:07] <Shamal> "He said he got a lot of business from the inn, so it's probably a good place to start?" Shamal surmises, privately hoping that they won't run into Febras, there...
[22:08] * Seira nods in agreement, and walks into the inn, glancing around the premises.
[22:08] * Lyselle nods, a hand resting on her longsword as she stays close behind Shamal. "Probably, though I'm not sure that sleepy inn keeper would notice even the ghouls..."
[22:10] <Kotono> Inside is the inn mistress as usual. She looks red faced but oh so tired, leaning against her desk. "Hmmm..." she murmurs, "Oh, the guard again."
[22:11] <Seira> "Hello," Seira greets her. "You would not mind answering a few questions again, would you?"
[22:12] <Kotono> "Hm...? If you like," she murmurs quietly, suffocating another deep yawn into her hand. "Terrible business there, wasn't it?"
[22:13] <Seira> "Indeed. You were one of the biggest customers, I take it?"
[22:16] <Kotono> "Every day." She smothers yet another yawn before leaning back, closing her eyes most way. "Sorry, sorry...I'm just so tired lately. But yes, I shopped there every day."
[22:16] <Shamal> "Yes, terrible," Shamal echoes. "I don't suppose you noticed anything odd about that butcher in the days before, ah... what happened?" she asks delicately.
[22:19] <Kotono> "Po' old Greg. It t'was when he started putting on all that weight a month or so ago. Wasn't quite the same. Sorry, sorry," Yet another yawn, "Let me get some tea, if you mind?"
[22:23] <Kotono> Coming back in a few moments with a cup of tea and sipping from it, "Who would have thought? Right next door to here...oh, we get that silly furniture chopping man, a horde of rats, strange traders calling the guard and now this. Was it all because of him??
[22:25] <Shamal> "Possibly... do you remember him keeping any strange company - or even just associating with people you hadn't seen before - when he started changing?" Shamal asks, clasping her hands before her as she talks.
[22:25] <Seira> "Or slightly before that," Seira adds.
[22:27] <Kotono> "No, no...it's usually so quiet down here. You see the same faces day in and day out. Besides Sir Febras, there's no one remotely new. Unless you count your frequent visits?" She smiles placidly with that.
[22:28] <Seira> "How about your own customers?" Seira asks the woman. "Has anyone come to stay at your inn over the period in question?"
[22:30] <Kotono> "Yes, it is an inn and we do business," The innkeeper remarks, smiling playfully. "I can show you my logbook?"
[22:32] <Seira> "It would be appreciated, Ma'am," Seira tells her. "Would you also be able to tell us a bit about the butcher's other customers? Surely, from your frequent business there, you have had a chance to meet several of them."
[22:36] * Lyselle just smiles, her magely companions rather better at interrogation than a simple noblewoman like herself. She looks intimidating and dangerous as usually, but not aimed anywhere near the innkeeper, yet.
[22:37] <Kotono> "I did. There's Sam, the bookbinder, Marla, a housewife, Karla, another housewife, Harnan, a barkeep..." So she ticks off as she goes and comes back with a simple, loosely binded book.
[22:38] * Seira nods, perusing the records and committing them and the verbal list to memory before glancing at Shamal and Lyselle. "On to the next character witness, then?" she suggests.
[22:40] <Shamal> "Perhaps we should look at his suppliers as well?" Shamal offers, "See if that leads anywhere."
[22:41] <Kotono> It's mostly forgettablenames, but a few you know - Donald, for example. "That I know of - he got animals every day at the marketplace."
[22:41] <Kotono> After another yawn, "...oh. Can I make a request of you?"
[22:41] <Seira> "To purchase something if we keep on coming back?"
[22:43] <Kotono> "That would be preferred, but no. Sir Febras has mentioned all of you - he seems to think well of you. With what I hear, that's natural." A beaming smile to them a moment, "I believe that I'd be honored if you'd spend a dinner here on my hospitality."
[22:44] <Shamal> "Maybe we can find time after our investigations..." Shamal manages noncommittally, not really having much fondness for the man.
[22:44] <Seira> "I would be delighted to accept the invitation," Seira responds next, sounding interested.
[22:45] * Lyselle just smiles, inclining her head a little. "We shall see how duty fares then," she adds, glancing from Shamal to Seira.
[22:50] <Kotono> "Until then," The innkeeper smiles as the party goes.
[22:50] <Shamal> roll 1d20+1 aid another gather info
[22:50] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+1 aid another gather info and gets 21."12 [1d20=20]
[22:51] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+2 let's give this a shot
[22:51] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+2 let's give this a shot and gets 9."12 [1d20=7]
[22:52] <Seira> roll 1d20+10 would be hilarious if I rolled lower
[22:52] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+10 would be hilarious if I rolled lower and gets 15."12 [1d20=5]
[22:55] <Kotono> Seira gathers info about the butcher! Knowing names helps the cause quite a bit, so the difficulty is minimal. With the assistance of her two friends, they find out the following:
[22:55] <Kotono> Greg ran his butcher shop for a goodly time, but recently put on weight. (More)
[22:56] <Kotono> He soon decided to add curtains to the front of his shop as he did. It was quite odd, since he has a good sales display there made of real glass. (More)
[22:58] <Kotono> Gret was a bachelor and a good butcher. His meat was good at the end. You also find out from this merchant that he paid in coin every week, having a working relationship with several farmers. There were signs of friction near the end, as he wanted more meat.
[22:59] <Seira> "Where there is friction, interesting tales may surface," Seira suggests. "Let's check out the suppliers of his meat, now?"
[23:01] <Shamal> "We should check his accounts, if he kept any," Shamal muses. "Was he doing more business at the end, or was the extra meat wanted for something else?"
[23:02] * Lyselle nods, rubbing her forehead. "And if he wasn't selling it...where did it go? Is it a part of the operations of whatever strange monster took him over?"
[23:02] <Seira> "Did you ransack his house for clues?"
[23:03] <Shamal> "Yes, we didn't find much that was pertinent, but we never properly examined his sales figures," Shamal replies. "Now those may have turned out to be pertinent after all."
[23:04] <Seira> "Let's take a look, then, to be better prepared when we question the suppliers."
[23:05] <Kotono> OOC - Where are you heading now?
[23:06] <Shamal> OOC: Butcher's!
[23:06] <Seira> OOC: Check his books, and research the house in case there's something there that wasn't made apparent originally?
[23:07] <Kotono> So the party returns to the butcher's. The door is barred and locked, but this is easy to bypass for the guard. Inside, you go to search and check...but as you head inside, you notice the door leading to the butchery room is ajar.
[23:08] * Shamal doesn't remember closing it anyway! Still, she takes a look around to make sure no one's inside right now.
[23:09] <Seira> This is certainly cause to get her bow out, as far as Seira's concerned.
[23:09] * Lyselle raises an eyebrow, doing her own look around and into the butchering room, a hand on her sword.
[23:10] <Kotono> Hum. The room's empty. Doesn't smell quite as bad, dark and barely lit. To be fair, there's a good part of the room that's cloaked in natural shadows due to this.
[23:10] <Shamal> Light spell makes... oh, wait, she used that when searching for the hag earlier. "Got a light spell memorised, Seira?" Shamal asks the half-elf idly.
[23:11] * Seira is already casting a light spell when Shamal speaks! Nodding at the druid, a ball of light appears at the tip of Seira's notched silver arrow, and she takes a look around the room.
[23:12] <Seira> roll 1d20+3 spot
[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Seira rolls 1d20+3 spot and gets 15."12 [1d20=12]
[23:12] <Shamal> roll 1d20+10 spot for me too
[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Shamal rolls 1d20+10 spot for me too and gets 14."12 [1d20=4]
[23:12] <Lyselle> roll 1d20+1 spot
[23:12] * Hatbot --> "Lyselle rolls 1d20+1 spot and gets 8."12 [1d20=7]
[23:14] <Kotono> "...hmph." The light does the work quite well and quite speedily, banishing the shadows. You catch sight of Febras in a corner, pulling down his wide brimmed hat, ring on his finger catching the light to reflect. "Damnable timing, you surprised me."
[23:14] <Seira> "And you would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for us kids?" Seira quips.
[23:15] <Shamal> "Well, well, well," Shamal drawls, eyeing Febras suspiciously. "We just seem to run into each other in the strangest places, don't we?"
[23:16] * Lyselle lifts her eyebrows, sight locked onto Febras with a dark almost violently inclined suggestion in them. "Very strange places indeed..."
[23:16] <Kotono> "I keep myself busy with my own doings. We do seem to have a penchant for meeting." Pulling his hat down nearly as far as it will go, face entirely blocked, "As the air clears in this cursed place, I had hoped to find a clue on the cause of the undeath."
[23:18] <Lyselle> "Isn't it considered polite to remove one's hat in the presence of ladies?" Lyselle challenges, having had just a bit too much of Febras and his security hat.
[23:18] <Seira> "That makes two of us. Or, rather, four," Seira muses. "Still, it sadly remains fact that you are trespassing illegally, Mister Febras," she tells him. "I'm afraid we will have to take you in."
[23:21] <Kotono> "My apologies..." he begins, keeping his head low, "But I have business at another place that I must see to." Unconcerned, he begins to walk towards the rear door.
[23:22] <Shamal> "It will have to wait," Shamal says, putting her foot down. "You will come with us to the garrison and then you can explain your presence at a crime scene."
[23:23] <Kotono> Shamal notices that he isn't stopping.
[23:23] <Seira> A glowing silver arrow embeds itself in the doorframe. "I must insist that you come with us, Sir," Seira says.
[23:24] * Lyselle draws Frozen Oath, starting to advance pointedly to enforce that declaration./
[23:25] <Kotono> "....hmph." Febras mutters, "What is it you intend to do, then?" He pauses, not going towards the door.
[23:26] <Seira> "Law must be observed, from the smallest offense to the gravest," Seira informs the man. "Merely because we are acquainted does not allow you to break our laws."

[Corwin]

[21:11] <Kotono> "The laws that still fail to protect the citizens against this menace?" Febras challenges aloud, gaze towards the door and away from the party.
[21:12] <Seira> "The laws that contain within them the framework of civillian contractors," Seira counters. "It was but a simple thing to approach the Guard in general, or one of us personally, and get the necessary clearance."
[21:13] <Shamal> "If you have information that could help, you could share it with the authorities," Shamal replies coldly, having had quite enough of Febras and his smart mouth. "This is not some frontier badland where vigilantes and adventurers can traipse around at will. We follow due process in this city."
[21:15] <Kotono> "I may. My skill in tracking is considerable, as your Lord Salman's health can attest to." Febras's choice descents into a chuckle, deep. "I have no interest into getting into a scrape with any of you. I'll even offer you a token of good will if you like. The energy that absorbs into objects when one of these cursed abominations dies?"
[21:17] <Seira> "What of it?"
[21:21] * Anastasia (dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #dunes
[21:21] * ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
[21:22] * Anastasia (dunefar@ip70-177-232-165.hr.hr.cox.net) Quit (-=SysReset 2.53=-)
[21:28] <Kotono> "Obviously there is a greater source. The source is something that can craft or generate raw, stable magic into an adaptable form. Expertly shaped and manipuated power - there aren't many thigns that can do it. A God? A truly masterful wizard of the highest order...or some artifact that can do so. Your pool of possibilities is exceptionally small. Further, whomever had it would be nearly invincible with that power. Your sword there," A turn, a
[21:29] <Kotono> A turn, a look to Lyselle, "Is a basic application to the power. What could a master do with it? I'm here looking for that, since the source of it is using it for horrible ends."
[21:30] <Shamal> "So you're saying that someone has a font of raw magic and is siphoning it to create the undead creatures we've encountered?" Shamal asks dubiously. Also, where did he find out about Frozen Oath and its origins?
[21:33] * Lyselle just taps her sword against her boot, waiting out the talking magicians. "And if you knew this, why didn't you share it earlier?"
[21:33] <Seira> "And do you believe these ghouls to be the creations of choice, or mere failures?" Seira adds her own question.
[21:37] <Kotono> "IT may be, or it may be it's nature if it's an artifact. That I cannot know until more is discovered." Febras admit that, eyes turning away. "I haven't shared it because while I stayed in this town, I was not sure if it was still here or going to act. I had no reason to play this card yet, it may have turned out to be...pointless.""
[21:38] <Seira> "Thanks for the tip," Seira tells him. "You're still paying the fine, though."
[21:42] <Kotono> Snorting, Febras chuckles. "What I propose instead of that is information. I can help you, just that I have no need to be hindered by insignificant...hurdles such as this. Your city will be safer as I continue my hunt for the facts of this matter."
[21:45] <Seira> "In that case, you'll have to tell us more before we can decide," Seira informs him firmly.
[21:47] <Shamal> "Please confine your hunt to public property in future," Shamal requests, before glancing at Seira. "You know him best, so I'll go along with whatever you decide," she offers in quiet support.
[21:48] * Seira nods at Shamal, before turning back towards Febras. "I'm listening."
[21:51] <Kotono> "Very well. I've spent my life learning about things like this. It's no accident I came to your city when I did." A dry, rasping chuckle. "I spent so much time away from the sun that it bothers my eyes now. I sincerely do not know for sure what the menance in Balmuria is; I haven't done or had the resources to do full research, and I fear it is only something a truly learned sage could find. I fear that one of the long distant evil gods may be
[21:51] <Kotono> I fear that one of the long distant evil gods may be coming into this realm. What else besides divinity could do things so freely? Magic is scarce as raindrops in the desert now. Regardless of the source..." FEbras trails off a moment, thinking. (More)
[21:54] <Kotono> "It's powerful, it can hide itself - for such magic would be like a nova if one detected for it, and it can be used for better purposes. That is what I know about, this rapier?" Drawing it carefully but pointing the tip downward, "Was crafted in a like manner. I have learned much about it...if you wish to listen."
[21:55] <Shamal> "I'm listening," Shamal nods, curious in spite of herself.
[21:58] <Kotono> "For lack of a better term, I call it a Wild Dweomer. It's magic given power, but without any strongly defined form. It's alterable, so that the user can shape it freely. In reality, I suspect it's much like the underlying principal of magic casting, but on a far more direct scale. The power is provided, all that needs to be given is a full shape. Unlike magic, where the power is summoned by what gives it shape, hm?" Febras is thoughtful, voic
[21:59] <Kotono> Febras is thoughtful, voice long. "How exactly did you craft the magic?"
[22:00] <Seira> "It sounds wasteful, but I suppose gods can afford to be," Seira muses, while letting Shamal field that one.
[22:03] <Shamal> "I simply cast spells on the item with effects approaching the result I desired," the blonde replies. "I had originally sought to use spells with effects contrary to its black necromantic aura in order to neutralise it before applying further spells, but I now believe such to be unnecessary - those effects were immediately incorporated with no middle stage inbetween."
[22:07] <Kotono> "Yes. The magic is thirsty for form - before, what it infested gave it form, but it's nature or the nature of the object defined it. Casting spells on it when the previous vessel dies and it fades into a new one, now...It's art, but only as far as throwing colors onto the easel is art. You need a brush as well as paint."
[22:09] * Shamal inclines her head. "I'll grant you that - I have no experience in creating permanent magic items, yet I have made a weapon that would take a considerably more powerful spellcaster to manage normally. With more knowledge of the process, even greater creations could be undertaken."
[22:10] <Kotono> Febras nods. "Yes, exactly. Further, I believe from my research that a dedicated wizard could even make something to control these sorts of magic more precisely. I'm no wizard, but I do have some old notes about it."
[22:13] <Seira> "It would be interesting to glance at them," Seira muses. "What about this threat to our city, more specifically? Do you know more about it that you've kept to yourself, however insignificant?"
[22:15] <Kotono> "Not particularly," Febras admits quite calmly, starting to head for the back door. "Now then...let me get my notes for you."
[22:17] <Seira> "Let me help," Seira offers, heading towards him.
[22:18] <Kotono> OOC - Okay, Seira and Febras are heading there. While they do in PM, let me know what you're searching for, blondes?
[22:19] <Shamal> While Seira and Febras depart, Shamal takes a look for ledgers or account books belonging to the butcher!
[22:19] * Lyselle follows along, taking a while to do a full search fo the place in general.
[22:22] <Kotono> With a bit of poking Shamal finds what she wishes. It's in his room, squirred away. She can read and see that his costs went up about fourfold in the last month - buying buying buying, even at an unsubstainable deficet. Meanwhile Lyselle takes her time, tossing the place in earnest. OOC - What's your total on taking 20, L-chan
[22:22] <Lyselle> OOC - 21
[22:22] <Lyselle> OOC - Er, 22, search, not spot.
[22:23] * Shamal takes the ledger through to the butchery at the back and tries to compare the purchases vs sales with the inventory - was he stockpiling or was the meat going somewhere else?
[22:25] <Kotono> There's not that much meat around, relative to the purchase amounts. While there's a lot in the cutting room, his ledger indicates a fair bit more. Meanwhile, Lyselle doesn't find too much of note, beyond another wickedly nasty meat cleaver in the back.
[22:26] * Lyselle (WinNT@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) Quit (mrf. -=SysReset 2.53=-)
[22:27] <Shamal> "So... either he and the ghouls were eating all the excess meat - which is quite possible, considering we haven't heard of anyone being killed by ghouls lately, or the meat was going elsewhere... or they were making zombie cows." Shamal makes a face. "I'm inclined to go with the first option, honestly."
[22:34] * Lyselle (WinNT@225-52-77-204.sptc.mnscu.edu) has joined #dunes
[22:34] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao Lyselle Lyselle
[22:36] <Lyselle> "...One hopes so, yes," Lyselle agrees, making a definitely unhappy face at the variety of colorful thoughts and images offered to her by Shamal, things she definitely would've preffered to not think so much about.
[22:39] * Olorin (~Khazad-du@207-118-25-230.dyn.centurytel.net) Quit (Death; an outmoded concept. We sleep, and we change.)
[22:39] <Shamal> "Yes, well," Shamal shrugs, "Not sure if it's much of a lead, to be honest. Let's wait on Seira and her friend coming back?"
[22:40] * Lyselle nods, leaning against one of the walls. "The whole thing seems basically self-sufficient, so it can't really lead us anywhere."
[22:42] <Shamal> "I might just have to scribe the Detect Undead spell and try to cover as much ground to see if we can get any leads that way," the blonde offers, not having any other ideas at the moment.
[22:43] * Olorin (~Khazad-du@207-118-25-230.dyn.centurytel.net) has joined #dunes
[22:45] * Lyselle nods, frowning a little, but not seeing much additional work that can be done. "We can hope for that, but...yes, it jsut seems like things are a bit too well hidden right now."

[Corwin]

[22:20] <Kotono> ---
[22:22] <Kotono> So Febras leads Seira into the sunlight, pulling his hat down as they do, out towards the Dawn Pointe Inn. "Hmph," he murmurs softly, "I find that your dedication to your city is stronger than I expected."
[22:24] <Seira> "Why is that?" she asks curiously.
[22:26] <Kotono> "I believed that you wouldn't go to that level," Febras notes in dry amusement, stopping at the front door. "There's  simply little point in playing a hand that isn't neede dyet, and I thought I wouldn't need it yet."
[22:28] <Seira> "There is no need for all this intrigue between allies," Seira tells Febras with a shrug. "If you know more, then by all means, do tell me."
[22:29] <Kotono> "I don't. I simply was...surprised." Febras leaves it at that, as you head inside. The innkeep is there, drinking tea and looking tired. "Good afternoon," she smiles to the both of you.
[22:31] <Seira> "Hello again," Seira greets her with a nod. Once they are out of hearing range, she asks, "How about this butcher? Can you tell me anything about him? Unusual people meeting him over the time he acted strangely, perhaps?"
[22:33] <Kotono> "To be honest, I had barely paid any mind to him." Febras clicks his tongue in his mouth, heading up the stairs. It's quiet here, a few plants and sunlight coming in from the far second story window. "My embarrassment makes the point that whatever this is can hide itself quite well when it wishes to."
[22:34] * Seira nods again, at Febras this time. "You made your sword under similar circumstances, you said," she mentions. "Could you elaborate?"
[22:36] <Kotono> Going down the hall, Febras stops at his door. "If you like. I had pursued an unusually tenacious rumor about a skeletal creature. It was an ancient giant's skeleton possesed when I finally tracked it down. It was a long battle, my weapons were barely effective. After expending all my options, I was able to finish it off with my rapier at last, and the energy was absorbed into my weapon."
[22:37] <Seira> "Intriguing," she comments. "And brave. How was the energy shaped into your sword's specific enchantment?"
[22:39] <Kotono> "My traveling companion at the time was a magic user of some skill. He was able to discern the nature of the weapon and meld it into it's current form. From there, my research into it based on what he told me took shape." Febras goes into the room, opening it. It's rather spartan, unchanged, and with a chair in front of a sundrenched window. "Just a moment."
[22:40] <Seira> "Sure," she agrees, waiting idly while leaning on the doorframe. "So... giants, huh? Met any other races on your travels?"
[22:42] <Kotono> He goes to a dresser, searching it a moment before a rolled up scroll is taken out. "Many things. Such is an adventurer's life." Febras tugs his hat down as he starts to walk back, glancing Seira's way. "Dwarves, for example. Such a distrust of the surface world they have."
[22:43] <Seira> "They're not the only ones," she says, agreeing once more. "All legends of races once living underground tend to share this feature."
[22:44] <Kotono> "Indeed," Febras muses a moment, "The legend of gnomes, for example. Or even those that live above the ground, like elves..."
[22:46] <Seira> "I'll have you know that quite a lot of elves go against the stereotype," Seira tells him. "Gnomes, on the other hand... from what I've read about them, they were as nasty as they come."
[22:46] <Kotono> "...heh." Febras glances at Seira, smirking a little bit. "Really?"
[22:48] <Seira> "Absolutely," she tells him firmly, returning the gaze. "This one elf, for example. He was a mage, the best of his generation, and his name was Saul. He was in fact quite outgoing and strove to help those in his path, regardless of race. Except for the bad people, of course." As she speaks, she searches for any reaction or signs of recognition of the name.
[22:51] <Kotono> "Heh," Febras yanks his hat down further, shadows hiding his face. "Do you wish for a nibble on that bait?"
[22:51] * Seira smiles brightly. "Yes. Please."
[22:53] <Kotono> "Hah, hah, hah," Febras laughs at that, shoulders shaking. "Fine. It is a name that sounds familiar, perhaps I heard it somewhere, perhaps I did not. This person matters to you?"
[22:54] <Seira> "At times, I wonder," she says peevishly. Then, she deflates. "If you happen to remember anything...."
[22:55] <Kotono> "Of course. Family? A friend?" Inquiring that as he eyes Seira, "You are not unknown of magic yourself. An old tutor?" AT that amusement, "If I do, I will, but I fear his path and mine are two that have not crossed in any seriousness."
[22:57] * Seira mutters something unintelligible, making the rest of the trip back to the butchery in silence.