A late night meeting
Jul 5, 2014 14:25:08 GMT
Post by Ace on Jul 5, 2014 14:25:08 GMT
(Attention: Most of this is only provided for he enjoyment of readers and for the benefit of other DMs. It's content is not common knowledge.)
*Lark waited...in...the Hungry Boatman! She had had a wonderful stay there before she'd gotten hired by the Stormshelms, and it was one the most reputable inns. Besides she'd always liked the atmosphere. She had her ledger out and some maps she was going over...but the cipher key was not present on ~these~ maps.*
*Sir Frederic makes his way into the popular establishment, somewhat glad to see that it has not burned down since he had last left it. He steps into the doorway, without escort this day, and he looks around the common room.*
*A lantern hung over her corner table. And raised a glass as she saw him.*
*He notices the glass and makes his way through the nearly empty barroom, his calculating eyes examining the place carefully before reaching her table. He lowers himself into the seat and folds his hands into his lap.*
<q dol> Nice ta see ye got my message, Sir Frederic. Ye been quite the celebrety of late, haven't ye? People clamerin ta join your exploration of...Well, where Nemesin supposedly breathed his last. Wanna drink? My treat. *Her brogue was musical and spoke to a time at sea.*
*He draws a deep breath* ~dol~ I would like to mention firstly, that I am less than pleased to be summoned. Know that I have many who would like to see me come to harm, and to come to a place in which I am unfamiliar or which could hold persons in waiting does not do much to settle me. However, as you claim to have information which could benefit my cause I have little choice but to comply. *He sits back into his chair, resting his back against the upright.* Do not think this to be a lack of gratitude for your generosity, or company, but more of a method of self preservation. *He withdraws his ledger and inkpen* I am delighted all the same that you have decided to join this party, as you have come highly recommended, and your claim to have useful information only goes further to prove your value...... I do not wish to partake in beverage, but your offer is appreciated.
<q dol> Shouldn't ye have yer back to the wall if ye be worryin about me havin folks ta take ye? *She cocked her head to a side.* After this business gets sorted ye should take advantage of my Personal Security Inventory, Sir Frederic. But lets get down ta brass tacks, shall we? What a funny little sayin that is. Down to brass tacks. Think that's related ta saddlery? Anyway, as ye were chasin yer guy, *She leaned closer to him and whispered something.* Which is why I'm so fascinated by yer payin for...well it's rightly a small army ye wanna send down there and by golly are ye gonna need one cause THIS is what the Kobalds turned me onto. Interestin creatures, Kobalds. *She was displaying an UGLY creature in some tome.* Ye ever had any contact with Kobalds, Sir Frederic?
*He continues to watch her features in careful examination as she speaks. Once she has completed her thoughts he considers the whole of it for a moment before responding. He looks over the creature in the tome, having no idea of what it may be* ~Dol~ No, I cannot say that I have Ms. Lark. Naturally I have heard of such things, and had never considered them to be living within the city.... or under it as your occupation may indicate. That does not however eliminate them as a possible source for information. * he pulls a leg up into his lap and rests the ledger upon his raised leg as he scribbles into the ledger* What is that you are showing me Ms. Lark?
<q dol> IT is a nasty piece'a work called a Grimlock. And when the Kobalds described it I was like, Elynir's tits, it's a Grimlock. Might look like a Puddin from a distance but don't let the not havin eyes fool ye. Almost took down a member of the party quick as a pariah. Hekili -
*He raises an eyebrow at Hekili's name, but continues to listen as the woman speaks on, scribbling into his ledger on occasion.*
<dol> - is her name. Might wanna invite her along, but she's got kin. Not sure if she'll go. Seems ta always know where one is, those Grimlocks. And ye remember the guy that was acting all discombobulated at the bar before ye left? It suck'm dry. I was hopin ta use him ta take us to the Devourer, thing, but no. He's out a head and a brain. Whiiiich....wait for it....waaiiit for iiit! *She found the proper page in the tome.* This is what I think yer huntin for, Sir Fredric. The Kobolds call it a Mind-Eater...feel free ta read up on it. *Her voice surprisingly had lost most of it's brogue, as if the music was just drained from her voice. Actually, this woman might remind him alot of Lore. But perhaps a Lore not from the Hive. He got the feeling that Lark of Mhor had leaned to wear as many masks as Ms. Valentina had. She could have bluffed her way though a thespian play if she'd wanted to. But this woman did not rely on weapons, no. Her spells were her deadly art. No spell that could actually HURT someone, but she had learned to pull every bit of use from them in her career. What would he find if he researched her, he might wonder?*
*He listens intently to her speaking, and grows even more curious as she talked about until she produces the picture of the thing, claiming to have identified it...... his scribbling stops mid-scratch as his inkpen continues to drain slowly upon the page. He blinks between the book and the woman for a long moment... he reaches for the book and careful places it before him, his ledger and inkpen forgotten about and resting in his lap. he goes over the entry with a level of detail known mostly to scribes and the cloistered studied.... taking the context of each noun, adjective and verb through translation in the various languages in his mind..... scrutinizing details and collectively absorbing the information like a dry sponge. He looks up to Lark.... finding difficulty in hiding his surprise.* ~dol~ What..... was it which lead you to believe this is the creature? are you certain it is this we face? Have you seen one of these before?
*She linked her fingers together upon upon the table top and one map that had a red mark on it.* <q dol> It's part conjecture, part of history and partly what the Kobalds said. If ye will go back oh, year ago or so, there was an attemped Insurrection of High Lord Lernan Alturien. I...didn't want any accolades for helping clear the bridge with Abraham but since he wanted to honor the heroes I figured it might goad him into putting more money into rebuildin Mhor. *She smiled softly.* Really had no love of the place. It was an Anvoralite controled city with old Anvoralite nuns in a school I went to...I...well it's not important why I did it....But I got to see the man who lead that Insurrection. *She leaned closer to whisper again and finally she shrugged.* I'm not sayin ye should take me word for it, Sir Frederic, I might be dead wrong, but what have we got to lose thinking it might BE the thing ye want rid of?
*He slides the book back to Lark and places a hand upon his chin, gripping it in a loose fist...... He says nothing for a long, uncomfortable amount of time, just his eyes flicking back and forth with thoughts forming and being stowed away, then moving on to another thought, that one stowed away separately.... eventually his eyes rest upon the woman, a newfound respect evident in those sharp green eyes* ~dol~ You have done very well, and I believe you may have saved the lives of a number of people by your actions today. *he blinks a few times before nodding* you have impressed me Ms. Lark, A feat which is rather uncommon as of recently.
*She took the book back like the precious treasure it was.* <q dol> Funny thing bout this book. I think...no....well it might have been in old library I found in some ruins. Most of the books, manuscripts and tomes were wrecked beyond savin, but this book was kept in a marble inlay of a recessed wall. *She put her chin in her hands and looked at him as long as he had looked at her. She began to whisper again. Her eyes seemed very old just then. One who had seen a thousand ways to die while suffering, one who had braved Nurgel's personal hells and lived to tell about them. Pure dumb luck, perhaps?*
*He leans forward, lacing his fingers together and resting his hands upon the table* ~dol~ Do you want to serve this Mind-eater? Deliver it your best friend eagerly so that it may empty its head of its brains? *his eyes narrow slightly to accentuate the point* I value my freedom and my status, and will not give it up without giving it my best effort.
*She looked at him dead pan for a moment and then leaned back with a smile that lit up her eyes. Eyes that were...decidedly odd. Brown? Hazzle? Gold? But they seemed to have a vitality in them at that he'd never noted before. Perhaps it was the moon setting over the river's expanse?* <q dol> Congradulation's m'lord. *With suitable aplomb she removed any loose parchment in the book and handed it to him with grave courtesy, like one treasure hunter passing off a torch.*
~dol~ Your concerns are unneeded. It is my place to ensure the return of the party if for no other reason then to confirm the elimination of this creature. I tend to take my duties very seriously. Once again, you have been a considerable help in this endeavor. you have my gratitude, and the gratitude of those who will be accompanying you when you set forth. *he glances to the sun brightening the window* However, I must take my leave. I will return your tome at the earliest convenience.
*She nodded.* At yer leisure, m'lord. I got most of it up here. *She tapped her head.* Goodnight, and I hope we talk again soon.
*Lark waited...in...the Hungry Boatman! She had had a wonderful stay there before she'd gotten hired by the Stormshelms, and it was one the most reputable inns. Besides she'd always liked the atmosphere. She had her ledger out and some maps she was going over...but the cipher key was not present on ~these~ maps.*
*Sir Frederic makes his way into the popular establishment, somewhat glad to see that it has not burned down since he had last left it. He steps into the doorway, without escort this day, and he looks around the common room.*
*A lantern hung over her corner table. And raised a glass as she saw him.*
*He notices the glass and makes his way through the nearly empty barroom, his calculating eyes examining the place carefully before reaching her table. He lowers himself into the seat and folds his hands into his lap.*
<q dol> Nice ta see ye got my message, Sir Frederic. Ye been quite the celebrety of late, haven't ye? People clamerin ta join your exploration of...Well, where Nemesin supposedly breathed his last. Wanna drink? My treat. *Her brogue was musical and spoke to a time at sea.*
*He draws a deep breath* ~dol~ I would like to mention firstly, that I am less than pleased to be summoned. Know that I have many who would like to see me come to harm, and to come to a place in which I am unfamiliar or which could hold persons in waiting does not do much to settle me. However, as you claim to have information which could benefit my cause I have little choice but to comply. *He sits back into his chair, resting his back against the upright.* Do not think this to be a lack of gratitude for your generosity, or company, but more of a method of self preservation. *He withdraws his ledger and inkpen* I am delighted all the same that you have decided to join this party, as you have come highly recommended, and your claim to have useful information only goes further to prove your value...... I do not wish to partake in beverage, but your offer is appreciated.
<q dol> Shouldn't ye have yer back to the wall if ye be worryin about me havin folks ta take ye? *She cocked her head to a side.* After this business gets sorted ye should take advantage of my Personal Security Inventory, Sir Frederic. But lets get down ta brass tacks, shall we? What a funny little sayin that is. Down to brass tacks. Think that's related ta saddlery? Anyway, as ye were chasin yer guy, *She leaned closer to him and whispered something.* Which is why I'm so fascinated by yer payin for...well it's rightly a small army ye wanna send down there and by golly are ye gonna need one cause THIS is what the Kobalds turned me onto. Interestin creatures, Kobalds. *She was displaying an UGLY creature in some tome.* Ye ever had any contact with Kobalds, Sir Frederic?
*He continues to watch her features in careful examination as she speaks. Once she has completed her thoughts he considers the whole of it for a moment before responding. He looks over the creature in the tome, having no idea of what it may be* ~Dol~ No, I cannot say that I have Ms. Lark. Naturally I have heard of such things, and had never considered them to be living within the city.... or under it as your occupation may indicate. That does not however eliminate them as a possible source for information. * he pulls a leg up into his lap and rests the ledger upon his raised leg as he scribbles into the ledger* What is that you are showing me Ms. Lark?
<q dol> IT is a nasty piece'a work called a Grimlock. And when the Kobalds described it I was like, Elynir's tits, it's a Grimlock. Might look like a Puddin from a distance but don't let the not havin eyes fool ye. Almost took down a member of the party quick as a pariah. Hekili -
*He raises an eyebrow at Hekili's name, but continues to listen as the woman speaks on, scribbling into his ledger on occasion.*
<dol> - is her name. Might wanna invite her along, but she's got kin. Not sure if she'll go. Seems ta always know where one is, those Grimlocks. And ye remember the guy that was acting all discombobulated at the bar before ye left? It suck'm dry. I was hopin ta use him ta take us to the Devourer, thing, but no. He's out a head and a brain. Whiiiich....wait for it....waaiiit for iiit! *She found the proper page in the tome.* This is what I think yer huntin for, Sir Fredric. The Kobolds call it a Mind-Eater...feel free ta read up on it. *Her voice surprisingly had lost most of it's brogue, as if the music was just drained from her voice. Actually, this woman might remind him alot of Lore. But perhaps a Lore not from the Hive. He got the feeling that Lark of Mhor had leaned to wear as many masks as Ms. Valentina had. She could have bluffed her way though a thespian play if she'd wanted to. But this woman did not rely on weapons, no. Her spells were her deadly art. No spell that could actually HURT someone, but she had learned to pull every bit of use from them in her career. What would he find if he researched her, he might wonder?*
*He listens intently to her speaking, and grows even more curious as she talked about until she produces the picture of the thing, claiming to have identified it...... his scribbling stops mid-scratch as his inkpen continues to drain slowly upon the page. He blinks between the book and the woman for a long moment... he reaches for the book and careful places it before him, his ledger and inkpen forgotten about and resting in his lap. he goes over the entry with a level of detail known mostly to scribes and the cloistered studied.... taking the context of each noun, adjective and verb through translation in the various languages in his mind..... scrutinizing details and collectively absorbing the information like a dry sponge. He looks up to Lark.... finding difficulty in hiding his surprise.* ~dol~ What..... was it which lead you to believe this is the creature? are you certain it is this we face? Have you seen one of these before?
*She linked her fingers together upon upon the table top and one map that had a red mark on it.* <q dol> It's part conjecture, part of history and partly what the Kobalds said. If ye will go back oh, year ago or so, there was an attemped Insurrection of High Lord Lernan Alturien. I...didn't want any accolades for helping clear the bridge with Abraham but since he wanted to honor the heroes I figured it might goad him into putting more money into rebuildin Mhor. *She smiled softly.* Really had no love of the place. It was an Anvoralite controled city with old Anvoralite nuns in a school I went to...I...well it's not important why I did it....But I got to see the man who lead that Insurrection. *She leaned closer to whisper again and finally she shrugged.* I'm not sayin ye should take me word for it, Sir Frederic, I might be dead wrong, but what have we got to lose thinking it might BE the thing ye want rid of?
*He slides the book back to Lark and places a hand upon his chin, gripping it in a loose fist...... He says nothing for a long, uncomfortable amount of time, just his eyes flicking back and forth with thoughts forming and being stowed away, then moving on to another thought, that one stowed away separately.... eventually his eyes rest upon the woman, a newfound respect evident in those sharp green eyes* ~dol~ You have done very well, and I believe you may have saved the lives of a number of people by your actions today. *he blinks a few times before nodding* you have impressed me Ms. Lark, A feat which is rather uncommon as of recently.
*She took the book back like the precious treasure it was.* <q dol> Funny thing bout this book. I think...no....well it might have been in old library I found in some ruins. Most of the books, manuscripts and tomes were wrecked beyond savin, but this book was kept in a marble inlay of a recessed wall. *She put her chin in her hands and looked at him as long as he had looked at her. She began to whisper again. Her eyes seemed very old just then. One who had seen a thousand ways to die while suffering, one who had braved Nurgel's personal hells and lived to tell about them. Pure dumb luck, perhaps?*
*He leans forward, lacing his fingers together and resting his hands upon the table* ~dol~ Do you want to serve this Mind-eater? Deliver it your best friend eagerly so that it may empty its head of its brains? *his eyes narrow slightly to accentuate the point* I value my freedom and my status, and will not give it up without giving it my best effort.
*She looked at him dead pan for a moment and then leaned back with a smile that lit up her eyes. Eyes that were...decidedly odd. Brown? Hazzle? Gold? But they seemed to have a vitality in them at that he'd never noted before. Perhaps it was the moon setting over the river's expanse?* <q dol> Congradulation's m'lord. *With suitable aplomb she removed any loose parchment in the book and handed it to him with grave courtesy, like one treasure hunter passing off a torch.*
~dol~ Your concerns are unneeded. It is my place to ensure the return of the party if for no other reason then to confirm the elimination of this creature. I tend to take my duties very seriously. Once again, you have been a considerable help in this endeavor. you have my gratitude, and the gratitude of those who will be accompanying you when you set forth. *he glances to the sun brightening the window* However, I must take my leave. I will return your tome at the earliest convenience.
*She nodded.* At yer leisure, m'lord. I got most of it up here. *She tapped her head.* Goodnight, and I hope we talk again soon.