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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 15, 2008 21:45:52 GMT
The streets are dark as you make your way through Sycomore District, the upper-class quarter of Vanamor. In the distance you hear a night watchman ring his bell, yelling “it is eleven o’clock and all is well!” but otherwise the streets are quiet. Ever since the news about the devastating defeat of the alliance armies at Torgar reached Vanamor, people have been silent and there is a sense of despair in the air. So there is no one about who notice you as you turn into Malachite Street and the white manor house at the end. The man who have given you this address, Dirac Sil, is waiting by a side entrance and when you have all arrived, he knocks at the door, which is soon opened by a servant in a fancy green livery. Halogan Ruiger, the spice merchant, is obviously living well – but then again, all of his funds are not coming from spice.
You are brought along a well-raked garden path, lined with topiary bushes, up to the main house. In the hallway, a discreet servant offer to take your cloaks as you survey the richly decorated room.
“Welcome”, says a quiet voice from the shadows. “I see you found your way. Please step into the parlour, I assume you want some refreshments before we talk.”
Master Ruiger is a gaunt and emaciated man with silvery gray hair, whose gold-embroidered black robes hang loosely about him. He steps aside and show you into a side chamber with heavy red curtains covering the window, a table set with a small but expensive selection of pastries, fruit, confect and whine. Before he close the door, he orders his servant not to disturb him under any circumstances, and then he takes a seat by the end of the table.
“I am glad to see there was no trouble bringing our… long-way guests into the city, Dirac”, he says to Dirac Sil. “Well done. And good master Taden too. You are all most welcome.” He pour himself a measure of wine in a crystal goblet and raise it towards the three Darklanders among you.
”Aki-Amaz gaj rannad! Nadoknar Gnaag Tukor.” he says, and for a moment his steely grey eyes seem to darken. “But, for the benefit of our friends here, as well as… any ears that might be listening, I suggest we use Northspeak from now on. We do not all know each other, so perhaps we should present ourselves. As you already know, I am master Halogan Ruiger, head of the Ruiger family. I run much of the spice trade in Vanamor, although of course I am but a lowly servant to the real powers that be”- at this, he lowers his eyes for a moment. “My main task has been to give aid and shelter to any of our number who travels through Palmyrion, and to keep up with the development in the court. Now, I have been assigned to hire mercenary companies, and to give continual reports on how the Elector’s work with rebuilding the Palmyrian army is progressing. But now something has come up which I need help with. And this is why you are all here. Now, please help yourself to whatever might suit your tastes, and then we can get on with business.”
At that, he leans back in his high chair and watches you carefully.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 15, 2008 22:20:11 GMT
Dirac Sil nods at the acknowledgement. It is always good to know one has impressed their employer. Dirac almost breaks a smile at the mention of Taden - the man is probably considered mad by many others, a liability reflecting badly on Dirac if he were to have mentioned his name elsewhere. However, the man is knowledgeable, powerful, and of course one of the few in this land who would aid the Darklands.
The others around the room concern Dirac, for he knows them not, just the hints his employer has given. Normal humans and beastial creatures have been Dirac's foe on the field. They were adequate. Dirac has heard the myth of the 'Kai lord', some jumped up warrior from the north who gained some fabled artifact and was used as a figurehead by half the nations that used him.
Nothing has impressed him until being in the room with these 'Nad-Adez-Konkor'. He can feel their power, even as he rolls his eyes at their strange behaviour. He is contracted to look out for them as they assimilate into the area? Still, impressive warriors that send a chill of superstition through the man who had thought he had left superstition behind a while ago.
As for the final man gathered here - he is an enigma. Magic is not even connected with Dirac's sphere, and whatever dark powers the man can wield are beyond understanding. And thigns beyond understanding cannot be predicted. Cannot be controlled.
This is not a goodd thing.
Dirac makes a move to the refreshments indicated, goes for the strongest spirit and the largest of the smaller cups, filling each. Some things need to be heard and considered without full faculties. And besides, each evening escaping death and slavery is an evening to celebrate.
Dirac pushes a full spirit glass to each man in turn, finally with a forced wink to Taren. He lifts his own glass to his employer, nods once, and downs the spirit cleanly and quietly.
And hopes to the God that the Darklanders make some motion of humanity and drink the blasted stuff.
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Soul Spawn
Gamer
Night Born Nad-Adez Konkor
Posts: 183
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Post by Soul Spawn on Jun 15, 2008 22:27:14 GMT
I stand to present myself, glass in hand.
"I am Soul Spawn, Nad-Adez Konkor, servant of Naar and the Darklords of Helgedad. I thank Ruiger on behalf of my companions for guiding us into Vanamor."
I nod towards Ruiger, then knock the spirit back.
"Once my companions have finished their introductions, please detail us on what our mission is."
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Post by taden on Jun 16, 2008 1:55:33 GMT
Talen smirks slightly as he finishes filling a pipe and lights it with a tiny, glowing wire from a tray next to his wine glass. The tall, slender man takes one experimental pull from the pipe, the contents flaring red, as the scholar glances briefly at Soul Spawn and listens to him finish his introduction. Then, the scholar returns his gaze to meet that of their host.
“I suggest, Master Ruiger, that it will matter quite little to us what ears may or may not listen to the use of that dark language, if your guests announce in the common parlance such personages or places as this guest,” Talen points with his pipe at Soul Spawn, “has just done. Whatever your endeavor might be in inviting us to this gathering, I trust it will represent a degree of caution above what I have seen exercised thus far.”
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Soul Spawn
Gamer
Night Born Nad-Adez Konkor
Posts: 183
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Post by Soul Spawn on Jun 16, 2008 8:04:38 GMT
I turn towards Taden.
"Do not doubt our abilities in this forthcoming endevour, scribe. Let it be known here and now, there are those who are proud to serve our Dark God. If we are to serve faithfully and be successful, I would suggest any degree of subterfuge we have between us be dispelled this instant!"
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 16, 2008 9:12:55 GMT
Dirac says nothing, carefully avoiding sharing a look with Taren even though he agrees with the sentiment. To say Dirac was surprised that a man still distrusted and noted for his Shadakine features was asked to aid in subterfuge was a surprise would be an understatement, but a welcome potential problem sidestepped. Given the casual use of Giak however, Dirac now worries this was mere oversight not confidence. Perhaps this mission will be more troible than Dirac expected. Sadly, a contract is a contract, and to hold to it was to hold himself above those who he currently associated, and indeed above most of the people he had found in his travels in this northern continent.
"You have your god, we have our money - there is nothing else needed," says Dirac to try and placate the situation. He keeps to gazes of those in the room to see if they agree with this sentiment. He doesn't hesitate to go for another glass of spirits afterwards.
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 16, 2008 9:29:06 GMT
The quiet man in black velvet hooded robes sneers hoarsely. "What about the level of subterfuge between us and, oh I don't know, everyone else outside?"
He pushes back his hood, lined with deep purple silk, to reveal a gaunt face lined with age. "I am Corwyn, called 'Malignus', and I am a sorcerer of the Right Hand, in the service of the senior Nadziran adviser to Darklord Gnaag. The talent I am most known for is necromancy."
He nods towards Master Ruiger. "Thank you for your hospitality, good merchant."
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Post by Slavemaster on Jun 16, 2008 14:39:07 GMT
Ruiger has been quiet as you have been talking, and he does not eat or drink anything, only listening carefully to all of you. After a while, he leans forward.
“The reason for you being here then… There is a man who we believed to be one of our trusted agents who have been causing trouble and… But I get a head of myself. Well, as you all know, last year the armies of Darklord Gnaag swept through the Stornlands, easily defeating the meagre defenses the Freeland states put up. Magador, Delden, Lyris, Salony, Slovia… None of them could resist us. However, we were of course in a bit of a hurry and we had to move fast so as to join with the Vassagonian Army at Tahou. Therefore, we could not garrison the conquered states as we would have wished, leaving the mercenary armies and condottiers to do much of the work behind the lines. Most likely, much of the valuables and treasures of the Stornlands have disappeared into their purses, but no matter. It is only gold. Other, more valuable artefacts, were taken away before we reached the cities. Still, I am given to understand there was much to be found that was of great interest to our Lords. Especially in the libraries, armories and treasuries of Lyris. One of those treasures was this”
Ruiger picks up a thick book, apparently a religious tome with the sign of Ishir in silver on the front. He handles it gingerly, as if it causes him discomfort to touch it, leaf through the pages until he reaches a painting. It is an idealized picture of a man in armour, a crown hovering over his head, sword in one hand and a sceptre with a glowing red gem in the other.
“This is supposed to be king Konral I, one of the old kings of Lyris. He lived during the time of great Vashna and fought in the wars of that time. The sceptre in his hand holds the great gem that is known as the Red Tear of Ishir. As the story goes, it was given to him from the dwarves of Bor and it has been a part of the Lyrian crown jewels ever since, although it hasn’t been used in ceremonies for a very long time. It is a very large red diamond in the shape of a drop, reputed to have great powers. There are a number of legends about it, and all manners of powers have been attributed to it… the usual kind of superstition. And it fell into our hands when Varetta fell. It also came to the attention of Darklord Xog, who have made a study of the artefacts known as the Tears of Ishir – it is believed there are at least four such gems – and he ordered that the stone be kept in Varetta until such time it could be brought safely to Elgazaad by agents loyal enough to be trusted with it. But the war must come first, of course.”
“After the unforgivable failure of zakhan Kimah at the siege of Tahou, may his soul forever wander the Plain of Despair, the enemy made their counterattack, as you are well aware. We were forced to temporarily pull back from the Stornlands, and it was ordered that the Tear be brought to one of our trusted associates in the Stornlands. For this, we chose baron Ranval of Almark, a Palmyrian nobleman who has a castle a days journey from Vanamor. Baron Ranval is a greedy and petty man, but he has been in our service for ten years and we have never had any reason to doubt his loyalty – at least not as long as we kept the gold flowing, and tempted him occasionally with the powers of the Right-handed magic, of which he and his seneschal is much interested but has little hope of truly understand. Therefore, the Tear was sent to his castle for safekeeping before the allied armies could overrun Varetta, and it would remain there until such time darklord Xog demanded it to be sent directly to him.”
“Two weeks ago, I received word from my master that the gem was to be retrieved from the baron and taken to my house here. As soon as I had it, I was to send word of it, and it would be taken to lord Xog. To this end, I sent a unit of mercenaries under the command of sergeant Ormeztal, a loyal drakkar belonging to me. I believed it to be a routine mission for, like I have said, we have had no reason whatsoever to doubt the loyalty of baron Ranval. It seems that I was greatly mistaken…”
“Sergeant Ormeztal did not return from his mission. Agents I sent to the village by the castle knew nothing about the soldiers I sent, and I did not dare making a closer enquiry at the time. But some days later, one of the soldiers under Ormeztal’s command was found floating in a creek with his throat cut – he had been weighted down, but the weights had come loose, apparently – and another few days later, the horse belonging to the sergeant was found with a travelling merchant, who swore that he had bought it fair at the village. In short, it is quite obvious that the good baron was, ahem, somewhat reluctant to let go of the gem. But why this should be, or why he should be so utterly foolish as to kill our messengers and not expect us to notice… I can not tell. But I am very eager to find out. And this is why you are all here. I sent word to lord Xog of the disappearance of the sergeant and his men, and he sent you three to me” – he nods at the two Kai Hunters and the Sorcerer - ”and I myself decided we also needed expertise who are knowledgeable of artefacts such as this and who might also be, shall we say, more used to associating with the locals” – at this, he nods at Taden and Dirac.
“I want you to travel to Castle Almark and find out what has been happening. Your first and foremost objective is to bring the Red Tear of Ishir to me. But I also want you to question the baron of his doings, if he did indeed kill sergeant Ormeztad and his men. And if his explanation is not satisfactory, then… give him his appropriate reward for working against us.”
Ruiger sits back, and push the book away from him.
“If you have questions, then by all means let them be known. Otherwise, your objective is clear: Find the gem, deal with Ormeztal. I am authorized to reward you greatly, but the greatest reward will, of course, be the favour of Darklord Xog.”
He smiles, and his eyes darken yet again.
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Post by taden on Jun 16, 2008 14:43:12 GMT
Taden laughs shortly, "Oh I know little of what your abilities might be, Soul Spawn. If I doubt anything at this time and place, it would be your good sense and the intelligence that may or may not have been spawned along with that soul your name alludes to. Be proud in your service to your master if you wish, but history has seemed rather unforgiving of your lot when you have permitted pride to spill over into foolishness."
Taden shrugs slightly. "But, to address the spirit of your last remark, Soul Spawn, and the desires of our host. You may call me Taden. I am a scholar of some repute in these lands, and it is on that basis, and that basis alone, that I expect Master Ruiger here has summoned me to this night meeting. More acquaintance and less subterfuge will have to await further sharing until I think it prudent." Taden's smile twists slightly. "If ever such an event occurs."
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 16, 2008 16:40:44 GMT
Corwyn listens to Master Ruiger's briefing and then says to Taden in his quiet, raspy voice, "Soul Spawn is a Nad-Adez Konkor - the fact that he is still alive is proof of his abilities. You however have barely bothered introducing yourself and we know nothing about you or your talents."
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Post by taden on Jun 16, 2008 17:02:45 GMT
Taden glances briefly at the sorcerer, shrugs indifferently, and then returns his attention to a scrutiny of the book their host has produced.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 16, 2008 17:05:30 GMT
Dirac loses himself in thought on the words and facts that have been further revealed, crossing his arms over and setting his head down into his chest, ignoring the further discourse.
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Soul Spawn
Gamer
Night Born Nad-Adez Konkor
Posts: 183
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Post by Soul Spawn on Jun 16, 2008 17:27:16 GMT
"Enough! This bickering is pointless! Ruiger has given our mission so that now will be our focus from now on!" l look around the room, hoping to catch evryones eye in agreement. "Now, Taden and Dirac, what knowledge do you have of this Eye?" I make certain not to mention the name of the moon goddess outloud. "Malignus, your arcane skills would be of use here as well."
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Post by Dirac Sil on Jun 16, 2008 18:31:11 GMT
Dirac does not react until addressed regarding the Eye. He slowly comes out of his revelry, looks the NAK in the eye and shakes his head slowly with a neutral expression.
Dirac then looks towards his paymaster Ruigen for any further comments, although a slight twitch in his head might indicate keeping an ear open for Taren or Corwyn's words.
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Post by Michael of Eshnar on Jun 16, 2008 20:30:34 GMT
"I don't recall Master Ruiger placing you in charge, Soul Spawn," says Corwyn drily. "However, you happen to be right. I am trying to remember anything that I have read that may be of interest to this mission."
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