Towertop

[Anastasia]

They are Moonflowers, a type of flower that grows in the moonlight of the Gates of the Moon.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Moonflowers. They only grow here, in this place and under the light of the Moon."

[Anastasia]

Turning with a smile, "Here," he hands them to you, and before you can react, "Your mages can discern if they have any useful properties. We're not quite on our own here, but we have what we have and we have to use it well. Our own demiplane." That smile goes a little bigger - before you feel it, that connection with Jarem flaring again.

Node update, go read.

[Iron Dragoon]

Nice armor.

"Well thank you. We should probably ask our hosts about them, too."

[Anastasia]

"I'll run it by Bastian. He's a stout fellow, he'll know or know someone who knows," Jarem agrees, turning and starting to walk again. "Nice to know we're getting some support. Anyway, I'm also hoping Emily's got something lined up like she said she would."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Mmmm... I think she's feeling a little like she's under performing. She had some family visit recently, and I think it's put some pressure on her."

[Anastasia]

"Yeah, she has a lot to strive to," Jarem agrees, "I'll go find out."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa shrugs.

"I've already offered, and I doubt she'll like it if you come straight out about it. She'll likely be embarrassed that I mentioned it. Just be around and notice it on your own. She's going to have to start relying on others. This obsession she has with being a hero of legends is going to lead to bad decision making."

[Anastasia]

"I meant," Jarem smoothly continues, "About those leads."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Ah. Well, do the other thing too. She hasn't opened up to me quite yet, but she might to you."

[Anastasia]

Okay, doing anything within the next hour or two IC or good to move along past that to something?

[Iron Dragoon]

Nah, just maybe tutoring Alihana or checking in with the family, but that can all be handwaved if you want.

[Anastasia]

Soon enough the five of you are gathered together. Emily's smiling, "Great news," she says, "I have a lead on something that'll get us battle experience as well as treasure, not to mention smiting some efreet."

The location is your office in the tower, Jarem sitting while Bastian waits at a window, looking out below. Ianvasah standing near your desk as...

Go ahead.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Oh? Details, then."

[Anastasia]

"Doing your mother's work?" Bastian asks, not looking back.

This gets Emily to stiffen up, "Yes. It's a good thing to do - I've heard of a location of where efreet slavers keep some of their funds and ill gotten resources, as well as hopefully information and perhaps even slaves. People need hope against efreet tyranny."

Jarem scratches at his chin, "I'd say we're picking a fight by doing that," he says, "But hell, there's enough people fighting over that as it is."

"There should be more," Emily says, "So don't you dare come up with reasons not to do this." She steps forward at that, gaze all on Jarem.

At that Jarem smiles a bit, "One," he says, "I'd be negligent at my duties if I didn't consider that. Two, do we want to stick our d-er, ahem. Our fingers into this buzzsaw of a war? Three, we deserve to know: Is this a task from your parents?"

Emily's expression turns stormy, fists balled up at her sides and posture rigid. "It isn't, I found it by myself."

Jarem's gaze meets Emily's and...

> roll 1d20+12 Emily
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=16]
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d20=6]

...Emily does not break. Unperturbed, Jarem goes on, "Did you find it from those who serve your parents?"

> roll 1d20+11
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=7]
> roll 1d20+12
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=10]

At this Emily's expression turns to a scowl, "Well yes." she admits, "Not quite a servant, but a family friend who's highly placed somewhere important. They didn't want to be directly involved or mentioned."

Jarem invokes his daily use of sharp insight.

"Then it's probably legitimate," Jarem finally concludes, turning to Alyssa.

"Probably?" Emily echos, gaze still on Jarem.

Without even acknowledging that, Jarem goes right on. "It sounds good, so long as you don't mind making a splash and possibly getting reprisals or even dragged into that war."

At this Ianvasah adds, "How much treasure is it likely to be?"

"Well," Jarem scratches his chin again, "Efreet are wealthy, but I'd also say if it depends on if they think that location's really secure or if they're investing resources into guarding it. If I were an efreet with holdings in slaves and my money tucked away into different corners of Creation, I'd think about recalling at least some of them home, because I'd expect this sort of attack."