Shadows in the East

[Naucoaran]

It was a clear night, one that let the bright pin pricks of stars shine down into the cobbled streets. Silverymoon was a beautiful place by far and even better at night. X'uldan stood on one of the higher tiers of the mages academy, looking down over the silver domes of the city. He had graduated as one of the Lady's higher students some years ago and even joined the secretive organization called Harpers. It was just one of the many secrets he had to keep in order to be able to stay discrete in his operations.

X'uldan’s birth was nothing special; he was the first born male to a middle class Drow house and immediately sent off to Sorcere to train to become a mage. Shortly after a decade of rigorous training he was sent on a mission to the surface with an assortment of other Drow to attack a group of Eilistraee worshipers, a supposed order from Lolth herself. Without hesitation the haughty group of novice Drow went to the surface and that’s when everything went wrong.

Almost all of the squad X'uldan went with either were killed or ran back into the Underdark. X'uldan was nearly killed, his life blood pooling about him when the Eilistraee worshipers healed him enough to where he wouldn't die then took him captive for two more decades, each day sharing their beliefs of something better then what Lolth had to offer. For a long time the arrogant attitude of a mage and the temperament of a Lolth-raised child stopped him from ever changing but his defenses were worn away.

They had changed him, and when they thought the change sincere and complete they simply let him go, supplying him with only his old spell book, clothes on his back, and a short manual on the teachings of Eilistraee. X'uldan, now genuinely changed and taught a new way to life, had to start over. Using one of his fist spells he learnt for surface explorations he disguised himself as a surface elf and headed to Silverymoon for further wizards training.

That all was twenty years ago. He was now just into seven decades of age and been through two major apprentices in his life with numerous small teachings from other mages he had dedicated himself to. He had been a Harper for five years now, very successful in the missions he had been given. Now he had been called back to Silverymoon by the Lady herself for another mission, one she had warned would be a greater task then he had ever seen. That’s all he knew on the subject though, and he would learn more in his meeting with her that would happen soon.

He had donned his usual disguise for entering the city, mainly to keep the people at ease. Dark elves were extremely rare on the surface and even rarer was one with a kind heart. Alustriel had seen right through the disguise that could fool many an elf when they forest met but instead of smiting him down she heard his cause and after months of scrutinizing treatment and tests the Lady had deemed the Drow mage’s intentions true.

Looking very much like a fair skinned elf with golden hair, X'uldan was called into the audience chamber. Immediately the Lady waved he hand and dispelled the disguise, eliciting a few stares at the newcomer. "There's no need for that here X'uldan, everybody in this chamber knows your true identity already from your past visits." The Drow nodded lightly, now his charcoal black self again.

"Of course Lady. It was only used to get by the guards with haste." he spoke the common tongue perfectly, the subtle Underdark accent only noticeable to a highly observant person. "I assume I have not been called for pleasantries?" he said, his tone suddenly grim. "No, I'm afraid not. Come with me." she said as she took him by the forearm and led him to the inner chambers, away from prying ears.

~~~~~

It was an hour after he met with the Lady and received his mission. After much consideration he had taken up the mission that would likely spell out suicide. But mages are an arrogant kind, and if he could complete this quest then it would show others just how good he was. The only problem was that he had to acquire a team, and what team would willingly go deep into Thay? True it was only a reconnaissance mission but he did have orders to sabotage some of the Thayan plans if he had the chance.

Sighing he ran a hand through his shock of white hair, he was given this mission because the Lady knew that he had the charisma to actually gather a team willing to go into Thay. They couldn't be harpers, if they were caught and interrogated then he was to mind-burn all evidence of the harpers out of his mind and it would be impossible to do it to everybody in the group. He would have to start looking when the sun rose, he didn't have any other disguise spells and he would be able to refresh his spells in the morning.

~~~~~

It was the next day and after he had refreshed his spell repertoire and gone into his moon elf guise once more, X’uldan set out in search for anyone brave, or stupid, enough that would accompany him. Maybe he could offer a mountain of wealth so some of the more greedy or try and sell glory to those wanting to make a name for themselves. Either way, he would need someone strong with the blade, or maybe two or three someones. He would start his search at the inn; passing adventurers were always hungry for fame fortune and gold.

[Bessain]

The sun cut sharply through the tiny crack in the curtains, landing in a beam of blinding light on Rena's right eye. With a mental curse, she turned her head to the left to escape the world's natural wake up call, nearly bumping noses with the man lying next to her. She froze, using every ounce of willpower to not leap out of the bed. After the excitement passed, the spy suddenly remembered the night before, and her mission. Slowly raising herself up on one elbow, she scanned the dimly lit room; noting the carelessly discarded clothes that cluttered the floor. It took awhile, but she eventually spotted it. The corner of a scroll poked out of dark brown tunic that had been flung over a chair.

Rena growled soflty. It had taken her hours the night before, to try and pick pocket that particular piece of paper; and here it was, hanging out because of a little gravity. Rolling to her side, she slowly reclaimed her arm from under her victim's neck. "Why do they always fall asleep on some part of me? It's like they're reassuring themselves that I won't escape!" she thought to herself. The man muttered softly in his sleep as Rena silently left the bed. She didn't bother to grab a sheet and cover herself, for fear of any extra noise. Donning her clothes and weapons and retrieving the scroll, she left the room and headed downstairs for the lobby, a noticable waddle in her walk left her cursing her employer.

"Took you long enough. He's not dead is he?" said a gruff voice from the front of the room.

"He's had enough drink and sex to leave him in coma because of you." Rena scowled. "It would have been easier to kill him."

"True, but I still need him alive. You ,however, have played your part. Or atleast, I hope so." Jeth said, holding out his hand.

"I have kept my part of the bargain," she replyed, taking a well rounded pouch of coins from Jeth and handing over the scroll.

"I suggest you relocate." Jeth gave a nod, and walked away.

Rena was left scowling. She promised herself that that would be the last time she ever did business with Jeth. That bastard always managed to get her stuck in places she did not want to be. With a angry huff, Rena hid her waddle and marched off to a secluded tavern a good distance away from the Inn, away from Jeth and his employees.

[Naucoaran]

X'uldan had ordered a nice glass of wine and a dark piece of cheese. Picking at the cheese with his dagger and casually sipping at his wine he heaved an inward sigh. Many of the people there were the usual drunken lot, some even still asleep from the night before. He had come there thinking it too early for the drunks to already fill the seats. It appeared though that even a city like Silverymoon had its lower class of inhabitants.

He had only seen a few potential people who might have come along but in the end they didn't seem the right material. Sighing in defeat he started to stand but caught a conversation between a shady looking male and a rather distressed female. The male seemed to be too much of an instigator; he would have been the one to report to not send into battle.

The woman though, distressed as she was, seemed a capable and adaptive person. Maybe she had just what it took to undergo such a mission of dangerous proportions. After she left the Harper silkily stood up and paid the maid. He left intent on following the woman to where she was going next and confront her with his proposition.

Stealth was a needed skill to become a Harper and he was glad now that he was fairly capable at sneaking around. He just hoped that the woman wouldn’t take him on a goose chase. She had a determined stride and seemed to have a destination in mind. Sure enough she eventually went to a less known tavern. The place was for the less wealthy, the ale slightly watered down and the bread on the stale side.

He ended his chase when they had gotten close, not many people trafficked this area and he would have been seen following her. Once she breached the tavern door he continued to follow her. Inside the tavern the permanent smell of booze had hit him like a slap in the face. Wrinkling his nose in distain he subtly scanned the room and took up a seat not far from the woman.

After a second inspection of her he stood and walked over to the female. "Your pardon Miss." he said, his moon elf appearance looking serene. "But you appear a woman of some talent and I might have just the proposition for you that pays well enough so that you would never have to work again." he waved a slender hand to an empty chair "May I?"

[Bessain]

Rena had little dealings with elves, even in a town as diverse as Silverymoon. The moon elf's presence was a little disquieting, even though he appeared less of a threat than anyone else in the tavern.

She had seen him folowing her awhile back, but didn't think anything of it. It was, of course, only one moon elf. But, he was persistant, and even asked to sit at her table. Rena's hand moved immediately to the dagger at her belt as she let him seat himself. There was no need to raise any alarm just yet, so she busied herself with ordering soup and an ale.

The elf was well dressed and was obviously not from around this part of town. This in itself put Rena slightly at ease. If he wasn't from around here, then he wasn't in league with Jeth.

Her soup and ale came, but she never took her right hand off of her belt, not even to eat. She took a sip of her ale without wincing, coughing or choking, always keep both eyes on the strange elf. She may not have been around many elves, but it didn't take her long to discern that this one was different. What that difference was, Rena could only sit back and observe.

[Naucoaran]

The mage leaned forward on the table, his hands in clear view so as not to disturb the woman. She looked jittery, and seeing as they were in a lesser part of town with thugs a common sighting she had right to be. He had to seem calm and subdued so she wouldn't bolt or worse stick a knife into him. "I suppose I should get right to business then." he said lightly after he had ordered his own drink.

"Naturally I approached you for a reason. Unlike some of the other louts in here you seem quite capable of your self." she looked like an underdog; fortune would probably be a more persuasive thread to dangle then fame. "I promised you wealth if you came on a most trying quest, and wealth you will have." he said as he slid a hand slowly and deliberately into his robes and pulled out a scale hide coin purse. Emptying out a small portion on his hand he held it out to see.

A small pile of three gold coins and an assortment of gems glittered in his pale palm. A small smile quirked up on his face as he saw her eyes glitter. Quickly and quietly he placed the gems back in his purse and replaced the item. "Thousands more then that await you if you agree. You would never have to work again." he said smugly. Hopefully the Lady Silverymoon would grant him the coin to make his promise at least mostly true.

Sitting back in his chair he stared at the somewhat shady looking woman. "We’re traveling across almost all of Faerun." he glanced around. "To a place known as Thay. We won't dwindle there for long, only enough for me to make note of certain goings-on. After that we go back home. Simple as that."

[Bessain]

Rena had it in mind to stab this wood elf on the spot. Was he crazy? Was she really expected to go along with his proposal? She had to admit, he had her at the part of his speech with the jewels, but she wasn't going to openly admit that. She sipped lightly from her soup spoon with a look of intrigue in her eyes.

His quest sounds fine... but he obviously needs stealth, strength and survival lore. That's the only reason he'd dare follow me down here..., she thought to herself.

"I'm sorry, your name is? Sir, why do I get the feeling that your quest is not as innocent as you make it out to be? I have heard of the troubles of Thay." she planned on acompanying him already, but Rena wanted information before she would formally annouce that.

[Naucoaran]

The mage smiled, "Of course, my name. It must have just slipped my mind." he said disarmingly. "I am known as X'uldan-" he cut himself off with a sigh; he had used his real name. While this was a fixable problem, it had the slightest chance for her to question him. She was a human who might live by her wits and rely on herself. Chances are she wouldn't know a drow name when spoken to her and just dismiss it as an eccentric elven name. That’s what he had to hope anyways.

He gave a dismissive smile. "I'll admit that Thay is a rather dangerous place to be. Their hands of power stretch long indeed but if I didn't think you capable I wouldn't have approached you. You seem someone with a fair amount of guile and stealth, those abilities would probably be much more useful then brute force." It was at this moment that his drink came.

Picking up the mug he sniffed at the weak ale inside then set it down without bothering to drink. He was almost too dignified to have such a bad drink close to him. "I apologize if I seem a bit secretive, but I can't be telling you everything about this mission before you even agreed to come. Perhaps if you do come I can go into greater detail when we are in a more secluded place away from prying ears." he said as he spread his hands out on the table.

[Bessain]

"X'uldan, is it? I'll require 10% of my ending payment to start out with," she said, deciding to see how much she would get out of this. "For supplies of course. It sounds like a long trip."

Rena didn't notice anything strange about his name, as all elven names were foriegn to her. She was a born theif and a spy, hers were not the qualities of a linguist. With a sigh, she made a mental note to see if he would answer to 'elf' and not that long name that seemed to roll off her tongue so uncomfortably.

"Also, I'll need to know if there are to be others accompanying us. Or perhaps you are still searching?" She tried to think of any other motives the elf would have by taking her to a seculded area. Nothing she could think of was entirely relevant, and she was sure she could defend against the ones that were.

((sry the last 2 were so short. its hard to write a good long post when so much dialogue is needed. I dunno ur charrie well enough to use him))

[Michi]

(OOC: This post kinds sucks, a little. I was very tired when I wrote it, and distracted by my amazing ability to continuously suck at life )

Galia trotted hastily into the inn common room, braiding her long, ruddy red-gold hair as she did so, and trying to balance a flute case on her right arm. She was running late. Very late.

She was one of the inn’s few permanent residents; among the cook, a few of the serving wenches, the owners, and a whore or two. Those normally never stayed long, though. She was the inn bard; here for the sole purpose of providing some lighthearted background music and occasionally to declaim, or enchant the patrons with an elaborate, fanciful tale. But most nights, like tonight, it was simply music. She tended to alternate instruments, and tonight was flute, which was just as well, as it’s very hard to move quickly while lugging a massive harp, or a newer instrument, called a euphonium. Hers was made of brass, and turned her skin green if she played it too long, but she loved the deep harmonious sounds she could coax out of it.

The reason she was stuck here, at a fairly lower-class inn, and not traveling the realms following heroes doing great deeds, was mainly financial. She had not come from a wealthy family, or an influential one. In fact, her family raised sheep for a living. But when she first entertained the notion of being a great bard (the notion that would later lead her to take up clerical practices as well) it hadn’t occurred to her that that might be a problem. Now, three years later, she was twenty years old and living in an old-fashioned inn, in exchange for performing every night. She did, of course, get to keep any tips she might receive, but the customers here generally weren’t very wealthy. It would take a while to save up enough to allow her to travel freely.

She tied off the end of her braid, and still walking briskly towards the cleared space of floor where she performed, began to assemble her flute. It was about three finger lengths long, and made of wood; not the best quality flute by far, but it had a nice sound to it, and was the first instrument she’d ever bought on her own.

Unfortunately, she was paying attention to the flute, and not to where she was going. So she didn’t see the hunk of firewood that had been dropped on the floor between the tables, tripped over it, and fell heavily onto the table in front of her with a yelp. The tankards of ale toppled, her flute went flying, and the two people sitting at the unfortunate table pushed their chairs away hastily.

Galia picked herself up off the floor, where she was sitting next to the overturned table, soaking with ale, and gasped slightly; it hurt immensely to breathe. Probably a cracked rib from where she’d hit the side of the table. Surreptitiously she pressed her hands to her side and cast a minor healing spell; the innkeeper had no idea she was anything other than an ordinary bard - if he knew she was trained as a cleric as well, he would take advantage of it, and go to her every time he or his family or one of the other employees got an injury, and expect her to do it for him free of charge. She bent and turned the table upright again - it wasn’t a very strong table, or it would never have gone over in the first place - and looked apologetically at the two people who were seated there.

“I’m very sorry about this,” she said to the male elf and human woman who were watching her intently, in a slightly accusatory manner, as though she had just interrupted something important. “I wasn’t looking where I was going” she caught a serving wench’s eye and motioned for hr to bring them two new mugs of ale. The elf waved her off, looking thoughtful. Galia apologized again, picked up her flute off the ground, and turned back in the direction of her room - she needed to change.

[Naucoaran]

X'uldan had pushed off from the table when he caught the woman out of the corner of his eye. She had collided with the table rather violently and toppled it along with his bad ale to the floor. With a precautionary dusting of his clothes to make sure he was still clean, he sighed. Dismissing the clumsy woman he turned back to the woman.

"I don't think I ever got your name miss. Yes I do need to gather a few more members, one more at least. If we can't find any more after that then we'll have to leave because we have to stick to some sort of rudimentary time schedule." The mage explained as he dusted himself once again.

The woman who had slammed into the table had healed herself. It would be odd for someone to have healing potions to use on command in the more humble part of town but even more so with clerical powers. It might be something worth looking into.

"I have to look into other things. If you'll excuse me." he said simply as he fished into a shallow pocket. Pulling out an octagonal silver piece with his mage insignia on it, he presented it to the woman. "This is a unique coin. I'll be able to contact you when you have it on your person. When I need to talk to you again you'll know."

He then walked in the general direction the woman went. A cleric could be invaluable on the mission, and if one lived in the inn she might just be willing to come along. He'd hate to promise more riches, he wasn’t even sure he could get what he had promised the slightly shady looking woman.

It was at this time that he entered a hallway that held some of the rooms. By luck he had walked into the corridor right when the woman was coming out in new cleaner clothes. "Ah miss," he said with a grin, "I was hoping we could talk." he said as he tentatively approached. This was still the more humble side of town and anyone could try and stick him, even a cleric.

[Michi]

"Down the hall, second door on the left-hand side." The man blinked.

"Excuse me?" Galia put her hands on her hips.

"Sir, I'm the inn's bard, if you haven't noticed by the flute. If you wish a - er - companion, you'll be wanting the second door on the left-hand side just down that hallway." She started to walk around him, then paused thoughtfully. "Or, if your tastes run more to brunettes, the third door." She moved to walk down the hallway, but the elven man held out an arm.

"Er, no." He said shortly, "You misunderstand me. When I say 'talk' I actually mean talk." Galia nodded.

"I'm busy at the moment - if I don't get down there and start being entertaining now, Berm's going to have my hide. If you don't mind waiting an hour or so-"

"I don't." She nodded again.

"Then wait for me in the common room." And with that, she walked past him and down the stairs before he could say anything else.

~~~~~~

Galia plopped into the chair across from the elven man and set her flute down on the table, before motioning wordlessly at the serving woman for two mugs of ale. It was a rare talent of hers, being able to summon drinks as though with magic. Probably what came of spending much of your life in taverns and the like. The drinks came and she sipped a little at hers. The man ignored his, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward slightly.

"I have a proposition for you." He said. Galia nodded; she had suspected as much.

"What is it?"

"A simple quest." He said smoothly. Galia wrinkled her nose at his tone; this man was a mage, of course - in her experience, mages always spoke like that when they wanted something. Smoothly, glossing over the rough bits. "Just a journey over nearly all of Faerun - rich with diverse peoples and dealings that you could make many songs and tales out of, I'm certain - and then a trip into Thay." We're going to sneak across the continent, and probably be hunted down by people you'd rather not ever run into. And then we're creeping into another country to snoop around.

"What's in Thay?"

"I don't know. My job is to find out." She raised her eyebrows briefly, and pushed the mug of ale away.

"And why, exactly, would you need a cleric on so mild a trip as this?" His eyes glinted in the dull lamplight.

"Insurance." She nodded.

"All right. I've nothing better to do than rot here in this damn tavern I'll join you. What's your name?"

"X'uldan." He said, and sipped at his ale. Galia thought for a moment, before placing her elbows on the table and leaning forward, resting her chin on interlocked fingers.

"Then tell me, X'uldan, how did a moon elf like yourself come to have a drow's name?"

[charbeh]

The tavern was quiet tonight. There was, in fact, little excitement to be had in all of Silverymoon, disgustingly good place as it was. Which, at the moment, was not the sort of place Ashkine De'Sorchen was interested in.


Ashkine had seen almost twenty years in her privileged life as one of Silverymoon's noble families, and if it had taught her anything it was that all that truly mattered in life was getting what you want. And what she wanted was adventure. She had developed a keen eye for mischeif and excitement in the years she had spent secretly slumming in Silverymoon's underbelly, and she could spot it brewing in a table not far from hers (in an appropriately shadowy corner, suiting her flare for dramatics). Finding her curiosity nearly insatiable and her boredom reaching a high point, she simply strolled over to the table, where a moon elf was in intent conversation with the red-headed bard of the tavern. They looked sharply up at her as she approached. Ashkine flicked her hood down and pushed her white-blonde hair out of her face.


"Mind if I cut in?" she asked ironically. The elf looked at her with suspicion.


"I don't see why you need to join our conversation." He said dismissively.


" You two have the distinct look of people plotting something interesting. In fact, from what I could hear of your conversation (you ought to be more quiet next time, no telling what sort of unsavory characters might be listening) you're planning quite the adventure." She replied cheekily. She had drunk no little wine and was certainly feeling it. "Let's say I'm interested. "


"All well and good, but what need to we have of you?" said the bard, what was her name? Galina? No, that's not right, she thought, frowning for a moment. Ga-something. Galia, right. She'd frequented enough scummy taverns lately that they and their respective occupants were beginning to blur. Ashkine smirked a little, and decided to try something truly reckless. It would certainly get their attention.


She leaned in close to the moon elf, who seemed to be leading the show, and felt her features blurr and reshape themselves, till he was staring at an exact copy of his own face.


"I am not without some skills that you might find useful." she said, smiling, and waited for the sparks to fly.

(OOC: sorry it's lame, I'm tired, but I wanted to establish a character at anyrate. bedtime now--edited in more spaces for reading happiness)

[Bessain]

((lol, poor erbis. Estrogen levels too high for this thread?))

X'uldan left before she could give him her name, and she wasn't about to go chase him down just to tell him. Rena merely shrugged and downed the rest of her ale before checking around to see where the elf had slipped off to.

To her surprise, the elf approached two other women. One being the bard of the tavern, and the other was one Rena had never seen before. This struck her as odd. What reason could he possibly have for inviting all women on his crusade? X'uldan had gone out of his way to invite Rena after he saw her back at the inn, where her distingushed walk had so given away her acts of lewdness. There was something really wrong with this elf. Rena could feel it.

When the tavern became crowded for the evening run, Rena slipped out and away from detection. She still planned on working for the riches that the elf had described, but not without a little help. Running at a fairly fast pace, Rena made her way across town to the thieves guild. She popped her collar around her face, reveling her hidden badge of membership so no one would hinder her.

"Brute!" she called, sticking her head in and out of various tents and barracks. It was awhile before she finally found him in the armory, hammering away at his newly sharpened ax. He looked up at Rena as she skidded to a halt in the doorway.

Brute was both a large and tall man, with jet black hair and a crooked nose that obviously didn't heal from an old tavern brawl. He was used mainly as the muscle of the thieves guild, rightly so, for it was said that he had once knocked a heard of cow over like dominoes when a calf once stepped on his toe. He carried a large ax almost wherever he went, and his aura resemboled that of an ticked off executioner. Few knew his real name, Rena never bother to use it sense it angered him, and even fewer bothered to ask. But, despite all that, Rena and Brute had grown up together on the streets of Silverymoon, and would do anything for their friend. The mystery of "The Brute" was, he never spoke a word.

"Brute, I'm going away for awhile, and I need you to come with me. Horny men, you see."

The giant man nodded and got up, taking nothing but his axe and a water canteen. The two strode side by side, Brute doing his usual task of parting the crowd.

This was one of the things Rena loved about her friend. No questions asked. Ever

[Naucoaran]

(yes, poor me indeed.)

X'uldan frowned as she commented on his name. Of course the one time he slipped he would have to pay for it. "I have drow in my family line you see, and we elves like tradition. I share this name with a far distant relative centuries past. Dwell not on it anymore then that." he said disarmingly as he waved it off.

He wasn't lying either, seeing as he did have drow in his family line and he did share his name with a long past relative who also shared the talent and gift he had in magic. He was perfectly honest. "As I was saying-" he was cut off once again by a noble-looking woman. Waving a dismissive hand he turned back to the bard.

Not to be ignored the noble persisted and continued on about how she always wanted to be on an adventure. Then she did something quite odd. She shifted her appearance to resemble himself. While this in itself is interesting he knew of beasts that could do such a thing. Dopplegangers they were called. If he needed to he could dance back away from the woman and hit her with a spell triggered from one of the wands in his robes.

With eyebrows arched in amusement he leaned back in his chair and tapped at his angular chin. "So besides doppleganger-like characteristics, what other skills can you provide?" he asked as he measured up the woman. "I could do the same feat with some spell preparation after all, disguises are not a hard spell to cast."

It was at this time that the shady woman came back in through the door followed by a large man that reminded the mage of a large beast he once saw in the silver marshes. Slightly disturbed by the mass of flesh he inched his chair around so that it would be on the opposite side of the table when they approached.

"Ah, so you've returned. I assume this is...some kind of friend of yours?" he said, not quite sure what words would accurately describe the gnarled man with a beak of a nose. "And I also assume he has made up his mind in coming, so he wont be easily dissuaded." he said as he continued to stare at the man.

(Also, I'd like everyone to get a character bio up for their characters. You can use my character bio for this thread as an example if you'd like.)

[Bessain]

Brute took one look at the elf, then gave an inquisitive look at Rena.

"Yes, this is the party." said she in reply.

The big man nodded and set his great ax in the middle of the table with a heavy thud, before taking a seat in a wooden chair that creaked under his weight.

"This is Brute," she explained. "That is the only name you need to know him by. Also, he's mute. So yes or no questions only, please. He would like to come if thats not a problem." Rena smiled as Brute crossed his thick arms over his chest. Most people didn't 'speak mute', but this gesture obviously translated to "I really hope there won't be a problem".

"You ran off before I could properly introduce myself, but I am Rena. Anywhere I worked before now is irrelevant."she continued. It was obvious that this pair was going to need some time to get used to everyone, so blunt answers would work for the time being. This was their normal way of doing buisness, just the way Brute liked it; as few words as possible.

[Naucoaran]

"Well Rena and...Brute, it's good to have you..." he said as he continued to stare at the large man. "Brute the Mute." he said with an odd smile. "I assume you are here on your own free will?" the man nodded. "And that you are leave this city far behind in your travels with no way back until the quest is completed?" Again, the man nodded. "Good." he said, glad that they had some muscle but also slightly frightened at the package it came in.

The noble woman hadn't made any more to leave but she did return her face to normal at the approach of the other travelers. "I suppose there's no hope in getting rid of you then is there?" he asked dryly as he tiled a mug of ale precariously close to his lips before realizing that the watered down drink was below him. With a sigh of defeat he signaled to a chair for her to join at the table. "I'll go over this again then..." he said as he stared everyone in the eyes before recounting the same story he had before.

After he was finished he pulled out more of his coins with his sigil on it. After making sure everyone in the party had obtained one he stood. "Tomorrow at noon I'll try and contact you, if this coin isn't on your person then the message wont work. If you do not answer the message via speaking aloud when you hear my one end, then I'll conclude that you have backed out of the quest and won't hear from me further.

He pulled out the coin purse he had taken out earlier. "All of you keep this payment for even considering this quest. Now I suggest that you gather your equipment and maybe purchase anything you think you might need. I warn you now not to overburden yourself unless you want to buy a mule also to take with us. Any questions?" He said the last part in a rather cheerful way, trying to banish a heavy mood that his earlier speech might have installed.

[Michi]

Galia frowned slightly. So they wouldn't be taking a pack mule with them. This could prove to be troublesome, as several of her instruments were very big. But, as she didn't have the money to buy a mule, she supposed she would just have to get along without them. She had bigger problems.

Such as how, exactly, she was going to convince Berm, the perpetually tipsy innkeeper that he was going to have to do without a bard for an undetermined amount of time. She thought of something.

"I have a question," X'uldan nodded at her; a signal that she should continue, "During this little," She waved an arm, "Venture, are we going to be sleeping on rocks the entire way to Thay, or will we be lodging at inns?"

"We'll stay at inns whenever we cross a city. Other than that, it'll be camping." He arched an eyebrow, "Do you have a problem with that?" Galia shook her head. The noble woman looked as though she did, in fact, have a problem, but kept her mouth shut. She did, in fact, look vaguely intoxicated.

"Right, well if there are no more questions, I suggest you all go and prepare." X'uldan waited a moment and when no one made a move to ask him anything, he stood, and left. Galia did likewise, going up to her rooms. She needed to take inventory as to what she had and what she needed. She would save her talk with Berm for the morning, when he would have too large of a hangover to put up much of a fight.

[Bessain]

"SHOPPING!!" Rena squealed, jingling the two small sacks of pay that the two recieved from the elf.

Brute snorted, and deftly took their pay from Rena, holding it above her head and out of reach as he stood. Shouldering his ax, the big man turned and headed for the door.

"Who said YOU were our finacial advisor? I won't spend it on useless things, I swear! Brute! Come back! Half of that is mine anyway!" she sobbed, hanging onto the back of Brute's belt and digging her heels in the ground.

Rena's weight did little to slow the big man's pace, as he dragged her involuntarily down to the market. The sun was setting and the shops would soon be closing. They had to get supplies as quickly as they could. A quick shopping trip was not something Rena was used to, and Brute knew it. In attempt to be fair, he did give her a few coins to spend on whatever nonsense she was bound to find amusing, but bought everything else himself.

~~~

The next day around noon, when Brute was done getting his employers to understand that he'd be gone for awhile, the messaging coin in his pocket started talking to him! He put it up to the front of his face, looking at it intently, wondering how in the world he was supposed to reply to the message. At his usual pace, he walked down to the barracks and into the womens quarters.

Wild shouts of surprise and alarm came up as he passed female soldiers, nurses and spys trying cover themselves up as fast as possible. Some knew him, and also knew that he wouldn't walk up on them like this unless he had a reason, and tried to explain to their fellow comrades. He tried to keep his eyes forward at all times to let the surrounding women keep their dignity. As difficult as it was for him, the women of the barracks gave him no credit. Finally, he came to Rena's cot and shook the sleeping women violently.

Unfortunately for poor Brute, Rena continued to snore on, even as he was now being savagely attacked by other women who thought this an attempted rape. How she could sleep till noon and avoid being awakened by disturbance, was beyond him. Eventually, Brute pushed the attacking ladies away from him and flipped Rena's cot over.

Rena came up fighting mad and looking for the culprit. When she finally noticed Brute and the coin he was holding out to her, she replied to the elf and began to push Brute out of the women's barracks, scolding him for coming to her without their packs ready for their quest.

[Michi]

As Galia had still had two more shows the previous night, she'd elected to rise early the next morning and do all her shopping before noon, when the coin would likely summon her. She was going to have to do quite a lot of shopping; for proper clothes among other things.

The vast majority of clothing she owned had been purchased particularly with the intent of making the wearer stand out from the crowd. Mainly dresses, brightly colored and patterned, varying in cut and fashion. And entirely wrong for traipsing about in the wilderness.

Keeping this in mind, she walked straight past the shops that sold the colorful women's clothing and bought breeches, shorts, tunics, robes, and a cloak or two of a plainer sort. She already had good, sturdy boots, so she wouldn't be needing more. From there she bought various other general odds and ends. After all the necessities were taken care of, she found herself in a shop that sold instruments.

She browsed a bit, looking for something that might be particularly useful. Then she spotted a particularly grand gilded lute mounted on the wall. It wasn't something she would buy for herself normally, but now that she had the money for it...

~

The coin spoke to her just as she was lugging her purchases up the stairs in the inn.

"It's time to go," The mage's voice said in her head, "Meet at the appointed place and we'll depart." In response to this, Galia swore vividly.

"Something wrong?" The mage asked.

"Yes; give me ten minutes to pack and talk to the innkeeper, and then I'll be there." He gave a long-suffering sigh.

"Yes all right." He said. Galia hastily opened the door to her room, and made two extrememly tightly compressed packs; one with sensible clothes and gear for the journey, and another with a few dresses, for when they stopped at inns, her flute, a pair of slippers, and a colorful cloak. She set the lute case and small case that held her small harp. She changed into a set of her more reasonable clothes, and dragged the lot downstairs, before setting off to find the innkeeper.

[Naucoaran]

Already the first day and it seemed like the party would be off schedule already, even thought it would only be an hour or two. He had been able to haggle the Court into give him some fair amount of money for the expedition and he was able to secure roughly what he had promised to Rena for her 10% down payment.

The mage went through his belongings once more, making sure he had all his things he would need. He had donned more mundane looking clothes that would protect him from the elements. He now relied on certain amulets and rings to give him protection.

Checking the large sundial that sat in the middle of the courtyard he let a heavy sigh escape once more. They should have left already. The roguish woman and her mountain of flesh companion were the first to arrive. "I wasn't sure what to think when I received your reply message." he said with a smirk as he strained to lift up a large sack full of coins. "Your ten percent." he explained then sighed with a sense of relief as the large man easily took the sack into one of his paws.

The woman’s eyes glittered as she peered into the sack and Brute had to almost forcibly separate her from the sack. He stuffed it easily into one of his bags seeming not to care about the added weight it would make.

Second to show up was the noble woman who had the look of a novice adventurer that had never really adventured before. "I hope you realize that adventures are rarely what the books or ballads imply." he said sardonically as he eyed her carefully.

It seemed like they had waited more then necessary for the clerical bard to show up but finally she did. "We first head south on the road to Waterdeep but before we arrive there we'll go East to Loudwater where we'll rest and I'll make contact to my employers. Once there I'll give further direction to where we'll be going. Seeing as we're already a tad late," he eyed the bard mainly because she was the last to show. "I'll answer more of your questions when were on the road." he said then started to walk towards the southern gate and out to the world.