Gearing up (Moore, Ithea)

[Anastasia]

Okay, cool. So noted on all those bonuses.

The two of you begin to gather information. This involves wandering and talking, soon enough you find yourself passing into Lliira's quarter. People dance in the streets, sing in the taverns and celebrate all over. You end up in a glittering casino, sitting at a bar and watching people bet on a card game. The barkeep's a tall elf man with honey blonde hair and an easy smile. "Well well, Aurora you said?" he says as he slides your drinks over. "No bullshit?"

"Sure is. Name's Tannin Darkbrooke," Tannin nods, "Do investigation for Aurora. Moore's a new recruit here," Jerking a thumb over at the pixie, "So there I was, wandering Brightwater then I realized I hadn't visited one of the gaming rooms yet. So here I am."

[Nephrite]

Is this part of the investigation?

There's no way. Right?

It can't be.

Tannin!


Moore just nods to what Tannin says. "Best way to meet new people and impress them, I bet!" He figures at the very least that's not an entirely untrue way of looking at it, at least...

Moore will also cast Glibness for the time being. He has a feeling he may need to do some bullshitting sometime soon for some reason...

[Anastasia]

"Yeah, one of the regulars here has been talking about Aurora." A bag is taken out from under the bar, jangling with coins. "He's been putting some of his winnings aside, says they need to go to someone who's willing to fight the good fight."

Tannin grins at that, "Well thanks, we'll make sure it gets to Aurora's treasury." He takes the bag and peeks in, whistling. "Our friend have a name?"

Loot post.

[Nephrite]

Moore stays quiet, trying to figure out if these are all code-words for something. It's kind of weird that Tannin would just happen to show up here and there'd be someone waiting to give him money...

Moore glances into the bag too and nodding with some amount of approval.

"That is very kind of him, certainly! We'd love to at least introduce ourselves to thank him." Moore says with a nod.

[Anastasia]

"Oh, he's no the sort to meet people," The barkeep says, "Enjoy your drinks."

Once he's gone, Tannin leans in and murmurs, "Caught wind of this while we were looking. I've been around here before, spreading word and all that good stuff. Bloody nice when it works out, yeah? A few veiled references and it's easy, hands off money. Nice that way when someone wants to chip in without getting involved for some reason - probably some merchant with questionable business partners he'd rather not upset. See, the cut of the jibe here is that while it is a Heaven, it attracts all sorts since Waukeen's all about the money."

A pause to take a sip of his drink - brandy, you think - and Tannin smacks his lips. "Damn, that's good stuff. Anyway, probably wouldn't have caught it without you being so on top of things. Anyway, see, that's the nature of commerce. Funny marriage here - a Heaven all about the gold. Now if we were visiting ol' Celestia, someone would just give it to us. No run around like this, yeah? But that's also part of the fun, finding it and taking it."

[Nephrite]

Moore rubs his chin.

"So it's like a mysterious benefactor who chooses to remain nameless, hm?" Moore asks. "But you'd think that anyone can just come in here and pretend to be part of Aurora, right? Is that a concern while we're here?" Moore asks quietly as he swirls some juice in his cup. "Oh, but thank you. Hm... so I wonder, then, is it better to approach the people here with a business venture idea instead of out of the kindness of their hearts?"

[Anastasia]

"My face and name are known," Tannin says, "Barkeep's name is Jorel, deals a mean hand of poker. Guy's got great hands," Finishing his drink up and rising after that, "Half and half. We're mostly stirring the pot for recruits rather than business. We prefer not to deal with mercenaries, doesn't fit our goals so well." Getting up after that, "Let's get looking some more."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "That makes sense. I suppose all types of people visit this particular place, so we can keep an open mind."

[Anastasia]

From there the two go out and wander a bit. You end up back in Brightwater, chatting away. Soon enough you're in a side street, talking to a lantern archon, of all things. "Hm? Oh yes yes, I heard someone talking about Aurora! It was a courre eladrin actually, she was curious about them."

[Nephrite]

"Really!" Moore says, nodding along. "Do you remember where you last saw her, by any chance?"

[Anastasia]

"She was at Admiring Devout Mial's gallery a few days ago, but um, I think she's moved along since then. Oh," A sound of fingers snapping, despite the archon having no appendages at all. "I remember. She said she might be around Goldworth's Museum. It's down Wealth Avenue." The archon bobs towards the west.

Tannin hums at this, "Sure, thanks. Any hand's a good hand to have. Good sorts, those eladrins. Great for the after battle parties, too." Stepping along now, "I know where that is, isn't far."

[Nephrite]

"Thank you!" Moore calls out as he flies along with Tannin. "Arborea, right? I think that's where they're from?"

[Anastasia]

"Yeah," Tannin rubs his chin, "Arborea and the Court of Stars. 'bout the same thing if you ask me."

It's not far to Goldworth's Museum. It's a rather stately building of white marble with silver accents, a pillared design like a classical temple. The front door has young man standing out front, dressed in noble's clothes. "Welcome sir and sir," he greets in a loud, cheerful voice, "To the wonders and majesties of art ahead! Goldworth's Museum has notable art from all the planes, a true feast for the discerning patron of the arts! Admission is only 3 gold per person."

"Yeah, about that. See, thing is that we're not here for the art. Heard there might be a courre eladrin around here. One who is interested in that Aurora business going on right now. Heard of Aurora, right? Sure you have. We're looking for her, not for the art inside."

[Nephrite]

The Court of Stars. Something about that, at the back of his mind... no, it's nothing.

Moore nods to Tannin and then to the young man. "I mean, if she's here, we can probably just wait for her so we don't somehow miss her by going inside, right?" Moore suggests.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+9 diplo Tannin
<Serith> Ko-NitorisUnstoppableCrusade roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=12]

Tannin's making a diplo check here to try and sway the guard. Feel free to aid him, make one of your own or try something else, Moore.