You retire to the common room to plan out your next moves...
"Wow! Very nice - did you spend all your money on that plate mail?" Sasha asks with a curious smile.
"Well...what has been going on? I meant to catch up with you all sooner - but all this studying just wipes me out...she is trying to cram so much in my head...I have real fears that it will simply burst! Oh! I just remembered - I put that sign out in front of the house...just to see what would happen...and somebody took it down!" Sasha stamps her foot in frustration.
"And no one even tried to contact me." she pouts for a moment, then glances at the others.
"So...what is the plan...
Yesterday the common room was alive with the latest story of troubles in the South. Passing bards brough news that the Emporer of the Empire of Mestom has been overthrown by a person or persons unknown, its borders closed, and all passage into or out of that arid land barred. No one is sure what is happening, but as always when such an event occurs, there is speculation as to how this will impact on Nlad. Nlad and Mestom have warred in the past, and now, perhaps again in the not-so-distant future...
While you catch up on things, a newcomer enters the common room. A person wearing a dark cloak and boots with a hat that hides most of his face. He comes over to you and you see a face with a light dark beard, black wavy hair, bright blue eyes, and a grin that looks as if it might break into a smile. He has an average stature, medium build, and walks as if he fears none.
Sasha smiles brightly and calls out to the man, "Hi! Have you any news of the recent events to the south? Come join us - we would be happy to slake your thirst for any tales."
Once he gets closer:
"I am Sasha - " she points to the others, "The bald cleric there is Pillar, next to him is Bel, the woman with the big sword is Illayana, and the Elf is J'Harast. Let's see...did I miss anyone - I think I did...sorry...it's been a while. Anyway, I am not usually so forward...but I have been stuck inside studying so hard these past few weeks that I just crave some human company!" Sasha catchs her breath and smiles.
Illyana is still carrying her two handed sword.. as well as a smaller longsword. Her armor has changed though.. What was orginally chain mail is now plate mail. She looks up at Raz. "I was raised in nearby Castle Yuri so I know the area quite well. I've just returned from some training I had to do there."
Sasha calls out to the serving folks and asks one of them to bring some food and drink. "Would you care for anything in particular? Fries with that ?" she giggles.
Raz tips his hat, and offers a warm smile to the group. Taking a deck on cards and some dice from his pouch, he asks, "Is any one up for a game of chance or have a good story to tell?"
Rane waves Raz to his table. "Sure... but not just chance. How about something like poker, where one needs brains as well as luck. Where are you from friend?"
J'Harast speaks.
"Dice, you can role first."
"The rules are simple. We each wager a gold on the throw, the higher roll wins. In the event of a tie, the money stays in the pot for the nest round."
"And, I don't think will use your dice. Innkeep, please bring be some dice."
To the newcomer, "I'll let you chose the dice from tis impartial set."
"By the way, my name is J'Harest."
Raz's face lights up with glee. He turns to J'Harast briefly, and then looks carefully around to the others...
"People call em Raz", he says, "Dice it is."
"I trust that no magic will play a part in our little game?"
"If so I'll wager you two gold to start", says Raz picking up two dice.
"I don't deal with magic in games of skill.
"2 gp it is"
Raz grimmaces a bit..."Sorry, I seem to have spoken a little hastily".
"Why don't I accept your kind offer of food and drink before we begin our friendly game J'Harest.
"I'll just take a mug of ale thanks.
"Sorry Sasha, but I've been cooped up for awhile myself. I bet I know less then your fine group here does.
What tales do you all have to tell?", Raz says taking another look around the room.
Bel says, "Wel if Raz is not up for it, any other takers?"
Rane smiles. "As I said, I prefer games of skill, not luck. Especially with that shadowy tween nearby."
Bel smiles and says, "As always our fate is with the gods, name the game my friend."
"Ah, there you are Rane! Don't know how I missed you!" Sasha smiles.
"What do you mean? What about my tween? Do you really think she could help me? Should we discover is this is true? Would you mind Ras? I will return to you any winnings - but it does seem like a good experiment. If you would show me how to play such a game, I would be happy to play."
Raz puts the dice back on the table, slides the cards back into his pocket, grabs a chair, and sits down at the table.
"Bah it is a stupid game of chance... I prefer skill to mere luck any day, divine intervention isn't too bad either". Standing Pillar snorts and goes off to get another ale "Bald , who says I'm bald...." mumbleing under his breath he makes his way over to the counter. "Hey Raz... want an ale while I am over here? Be careful it might make you bald" and Pillar says some more words too soft for anyone to make out.
Raz looks at the cleric with a quizzical glance...
"Ahh, I think I'll hold off on the ale right now."
"What's your name, or rather what should I call you? I can tell your a cleric, but of what order?"
"Me , my names Pillar, or you can call me Baldie... and I will hit you very hard" Pillar manages a wry grin.
Raz's face breaks out into a wide smile.
"Glad to meet you Pillar!"
"Now that I'm sitting here, why don't you tell me what you folks have been up to?"
"While I'm from this area, Sandra is a big city, and I am always interested in hearing a new story. Are you folks from around here?"
Sasha blushes deeply. "Oh Pillar, I am so sorry...I meant no offense...that was rather rude of me. Let me buy you the next ale...okay?" Sasha asks, very apologetically.
"Perhaps we should tell Raz of our adventures in the house...though I confess, I don't know what has happened recently. You see, Raz, I have been training. I was very fortunate to find a cleric of my order, Isis, to train me. Poor dear, she has been trying so hard to find converts here...but she has had no luck...which makes me wonder...because," Sasha leans closer to whisper, " part of the mystery of the house is that either the thieves guild or a rival church is involved...serious business that. Which could explain why she was unable to win converts here."
"A house? Thieves? A Church?",asks Raz...then looking thoughtful..."this sounds like it might be something cool. You don't have to give be all the details, but could you sorta give me an outline of what's going on?" Raz leans back a bit in the chair, eyes full of excitement.
"Shhhhhhh!" Sasha cautions, putting a finger to her lips. Whispering now, she says, "Well...that part is secret...you see...The Sandas town council hired a bunch of us to 'cleanup' a house...there were monsters, and thieves there. But we found out later that the woman that hired us...darn...I can't remember her name...anyway, she is really high up in the ... " Sasha pauses suddenly, frowning.
"Ah...maybe I better not tell you...what if you have come to infiltrate us? My sign was taken down from the house...but I know some people saw it...and would know to come here..." Sasha says, suspicion evident in her eyes.
"Hold on a minute..." Raz's face suddenly changes into a look of concern. "I'm not...", his voice drops a little lower, "well you know...I'm not working against you or anything. How can I prove my good intentions to you? Would it help if I told you a little about myself...", a grin is on his bearded appears on his face once again, "there really isn't much to tell."
"Well...that would hardly tell us anything anyway...what I had in mind is kind of rude...but we must be sure...a lot is at stake here."
Sasha pauses a long moment, as if unsure how to phrase her request.
"Ummm... well... please don't be upset at what I am about to ask...could I ummm... well, that is...umm, cast a spell that would tell us that you are not evil?" Sasha almost cringes as she finishes.
Raz looks very hard into Sasha's eyes, grin wiped clean from his face. "Sasha, you are a very attractive woman, and are a part of a very interesting group of people here at the table, but do you realize what you are asking of me? What is the exact spell that you plan to cast?"
Sasha cringes and is very apologetic. "I'm sorry...really I am...but I was hoping you would let me cast a teeny, weeny little spell - detect evil...would you...please..." Her look is pleading, and you can see tears forming pools in her green eyes.
"But you see...one of our companions...I have learned was well...at least related to evil...his wolf was a quasit...and caused us serious injury...and we didn't know it at the time...please..."
"Aw damn, I could never say no to a woman with tears in her eyes. I'll tell you what...you can cast that 'little' spell on me...but I want in if you do. You've got me very curious, and I'm really in the mood for some action."...A frown quickly passes over Raz's face....he mutters..."somebody recently told me that I had to make something of myself."
Sasha nods, "Thank you...and I'm sorry...it is not nice to be told to make something of yourself...and yes, of course you can join us...we need all the help we can get. I thought we would be done with the house in a few days...it has been nearly 2 months! We are facing stiff opposition..." Sasha frowns, "I'm sorry...I'm babbling again. I'll do this real quick...and tell you everything if it comes out okay."
Sasha quickly grasps her holy symbol and whispers a few words...she turns to face Raz, holding her holy symbol and studies him for a moment.
She returns her holy symbol to her belt.
"Great dont trust him then" Pillar drinks some more of his ale and sulks. "Bald head indeed....".
Raz leans forward towards Sasha. "Well?...Am I going to get that drink you offered me, or what?"
"Well, yes...of course. So, where was I? Okay, so we were hired to clean out the house...and Jaramir - with his wolf/quasit was with us then...and now I realize...all the times we did so poorly in battle...probably because of him. Anyway, I found out that the woman who hired us...yes, Verona is her name, was high up in the Tyr church...and her suspicion is that thieves and rival churches are involved with this house. You see, years ago, a moneylender lived here...and he made the mistake of loaning gold to an evil mage. A curse was put upon the family...we found some of them..." Sasha shudders, and makes a small sign with her delicate hands.
She continues, still speaking quietly, "So...I put a sign out in front, claiming it as a hostel for clerics of Isis...hoping that the thieves who operate out of the house would come here...guess it was silly...but I didn't know how else to draw them out...this has gone on so long...I have no idea which church might be involved...if any...and I have no ties with the thieves guild...so...I am basically clueless...and glad you will join us - for that was your promise."
Sasha smiles. "Well, what would you care to hear more detail about?"
Raz nods, "I think I have the gist of what is going on....I can pick up the rest of it as we go along. I think that right now I'd just like to meet the rest of our group...."
Sasha blushes deeply, "Oh...I'm sorry...I'm talking too much again. I always have that problem. I don't know why. I just get excited when I meet new people, want to learn everything at once...and just go on and on. I guess I will have to work on that. But you didn't tell me how you came to be here...you said something about someone telling you to get a life or something...' Sasha suddenly claps her hand over her mouth, looking very embaressed.
"I did it again...didn't I ....I'm sorry...I'll let the others speak for a while. Though Pillar seems to be angry with me..." Again she stops...and this time keeps her hand over her mouth.
Raz leans back in his chair once again. He crosses his arms, looking very serious. Speaking in a very quite and solemn tone, he says "And yes...I gave you my word that I would join this group. I stand by that word now, and I promise to help you all in any way I can."
Sasha nods, and smiles at Raz.
Then, quickly shaking his head, the grin returns to Raz's face and the excitment returns to his eyes. "BAR KEEP! BRING MORE FOOD AND DRINK FOR MY NEW FRIENDS!", roars Raz.
When the food and drink arrives, Sasha busies herself with those. Blushing from time to time...
An elf with the deep black skin marking him of drow descent approaches. "The name is Rane, and despite my look, I'm from Sandas. I'll be serving your scouting needs while out and about. But tell me, sir, what manner of skills do you possess?"
Raz takes a quick sip of his ale.
"Pleased to meet you Rane. I too am from Sandas, but I'm not surprised that we've never met...this is a big city. I have come out from under the protective wing of Wazoo...my mentor or should I say tormentor...at the Magic User's Guild. I am a magic user sir, and while I enjoy my art...I don't limit myself to it."
Rane raises an eyebrow at this. "Yes, one shouldn't dabble in just one field. I am a street rat, so to speak. And learned how to be sneaky. But I too seem to have a knack for some small magic. Do you have any other skills than your spells?"
Raz smiles and says, "Don't we all? I'm also very fond of using traps to hunt with and gambling. Life at the Magic User's Guide was pretty dull and I did whatever I could to liven things up."
Sasha claps her hands. "Oh, that is wonderful. It is much what I had in mind...though I guess my mind is not intricate enough to develop good traps...my sign thing never did work out." She sighs.
"But being moreprepared...in that way, might be just the ticket...though some of the things we have seen there may be trap proof. Why just the last outing - Illyana was attacked - and nearly killed by a bedsheet! how would we deal with those types of things? "
Sasha frowns, "I guess by being more careful - and setting traps for the human element...and the critters. There are lots of abominations in that house!"
Raz picks up the dice from the table and starts to play with them....in a noticably quieter voice, he says, "ah...about this house...does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with it? I'd like to take a closer look at it if I could."
Sasha smiles, "Well, we could go first thing in the morning! Who knows what manner of creature has infested the place since we were last there..." Frowning, Sasha turns to the others, "Did any more happen after I went to train? I never did hear anything."
Rane smiles. "We've all been in training recently. I don't think any of us have had time to go back in the past few days."
"I think a few of us are still training. Perhaps we had best wait until all are done, and then we can go out together and spend the rest of the day in its bowels. You won't see much without entering. And as we have found, that house is a pit of dangers, that shouldn't be tread alone."
Raz nods, "Has there been any sort of pattern the appearences of these creatures? Specific rooms or maybe specific actions?"
"From what I've seen, the house is enchanted. Paintings changing each time we look at them. All manner of animated objects. Its also infested with large animals, such as beetles, crocodiles, pigs. Once while watching the house, I swore I saw some sort of monster peeking back at me. And I was hired to rid the house of the thieves that are using it as their lair."
Illyana blinks and looks at Sasha. "You forgot the enchanted clothing which changes someone's gender and the sheet which nearly killed me.. Things in this house are never what they seem."
"Enchanted clothing that changes one's sex? Egads! I didn't know about that! Remind me not to be so brazen about trying on items." He gives you a significant look as he raises a bracer bearing forearm.
Raz nods slowly, "so have any of you seen any thieves in or around the house?"
Rane shrugs in answer to Raz's question about thieves. "I have not seen any yet, but I think others here have."
Sasha grins, "Well...only ones we have added to our party!" With a laugh, she says, "I don't mean to be rude...but we did find Petunia in the house - but I doubt very much she is a thief. We did see lights in the windows, and evidence of someone living there though..."
After a brief pause Raz continues, "And what would a church want with that house anyway? You said something about an evil mage, but if this was the result of his defeat, why keep the house infected?"...Raz pauses for a moment before continuing..."Sorry for all these questions, I'm just trying to figure things out."
"Well...I don't think the church per se wants the house...but rather ... they are in league with the guild...who *do* want a base of operations...I guess...but it would seem that the house poses as much danger for them as it does us...but I guess they could just be perpetuating the curse thing...spreading rumors that the house is haunted...so they can keep it and keep most folks out...that would make sense to me...and don't forget the tunnels under the house..."
Sasha also takes a long gulp from the wine.
"The plans to the tunnels went missing about 6 years ago - according to the guy at the office. He was sure of the time...so...6 years ago, someone set up shop at the house...because the tunnels serve them in some way...easy access that is out of sight to many places...I just wish we had been able to get maps as to where they went..."
"I think the man actually said he last saw the plans six years ago, not that they went missing then. He seemed quite surprised that the plans were not in his office when we asked him for them."
Raz reaches for another mug of ale.
"If the church of Tyr thinks another church is using it as a base of operations and wants it cleared out, then its likely that the church using it isn't one that worries about infected houses. They are probably an evil temple trying to make a stronghold. Perhaps they are followers of a god who works in the night, and the thieves are also clerics or worshipers and work with them."
"I'm just guessing here. We don't know who's involved. I think that is part of why we were hired."
"oops. I'm sorry."...shrugs Raz, "I seem to have remembered wrong. It was an evil mage how cursed the house in the first place. Had something to do with a money lender and his family right?"....Raz continues after sipping more of his ale...."Well, in that case, what have you learned about the mage who put the curse on the house? And why would rival churches care about the the house anyways? Either there must be some connection to the mage or their must be something in the house that they want."
J'Harast excuses himself, for he has another week of training to complete.