[D&D 3.5 PbP] Kulan: Western Kanpur|Bluffside Campaign [IC]

[Knightfall]

"It appears that either I'm late or the time table I was given was over estimated," Terger says.

“Or you like to be fashionable late, Terger Alela.” Minister Gale replies. “Regardless, since you are now here, we can no longer wait for your other companion. You will have to explain the situation to him later.”

Terger notes that he doesn't see Gralf in the room. There is a man sitting at the room's center table, which is covered with what looks like wizardly gear. There is also a dwarf in the trappings of a cleric. The new 'ally' that Lady Pomander was forcing upon him.

The latest arrival to the room catches Relgar's eye, though he finds himself unable to put a name to why. He decides to allow his latest tirade against the exigencies of civil injustice to die away into a mumble, and starts actually paying attention to his surroundings for perhaps the first time since his initial confrontation with the guard captain.

“Can we get on with this.” A man who'd been pacing when Terger entered. “I have an experiement I must get back too.”

“Terger,” Minister Gale motions to the man. “This is Lord Traherne Merrick of the Wizard Council. He is here to speak on behalf of that man there.” The minister points to Relgar. “His name is Relgar Aspergrim and he has, somehow, been embroiled in this mess.”

“I am Elkgrar Ashhand of the Students of the Great Inventor. I have been asked to join you for the task at hand,” the dwarf says calmly. “I hear we are hunting a renegade who caused the trouble in New city the the other day.”

“Yes, we'll get to that,” the minister replies. “But first,” he looks at Lord Merrick. “The Wizard Council has insisted that Aspergrim here is in the service of the council and must be allowed to find the renegade with or without the help of The Five. I find it very amusing that the council believes they can dictate terms to The Five.”

“Be careful, Yelte. The rule of The Five is not absolute, and you know it. Besides the city's guards have little luck bringing him in so far. If it hadn't been for Aspergrim, you wouldn't have even known how the man got out of New City.”

“I heard he told the guards to go to hell,” Elkgrar says.

“Quite true. He didn't tell us anything of much value. Mainly he just pissed off one guard after another. If it hadn't been for his connection to the council, which we learned from you, Lord Merrick, he would have been taken to the Inquisitors, eventually.” Minister Gale looks at Relgar with a catlike smile. “It would have been an interesting battle of wills, I think. Mr. Aspergrim would likely have died before he'd told them anything.”

Minister Gale looks at Terger. “He will be a good companion for you and Elkgrar in your hunt for Phelix Del Cannitha.”

“You cannot force him to work with them,” Lord Merrick shouts. “This is a matter for the Wizard Council. Phelix is an arcanist. He is to be our prize not The Fives.”

“Oh, I'm sure The Five will let you have him, eventually,” Minister Gale replies calmly. “And if Mr. Aspergrim here wishes to go it alone against a powerful sorcerer and his well-armed minions, he's more than welcome to try. But I think he will chose to work with the team and reap the benefits that will come his way if he does so.”

“So, you're resorting to bribery,” Lord Merrick mocks.

“Oh shut up, Traherne! This is not the Wizard District! You are in Old City and your council will learn their place in Bluffside's hierarchy or The Five just might reconsider who gets ostracized next month!”

Minister Gale walks over to Relgar and looks at him with dignity. He takes a quick glance at the man's possessions, noting the book with interest, before addressing Relgar.

“Assuming Alela here has no objections, and he better not, are you willing Relgar Aspergrim? If you are then all charges are dropped and you may gather your things for the task ahead.”

[willpell]

“Terger,” Minister Gale motions to the man. “This is Lord Traherne Merrick of the Wizard Council. He is here to speak on behalf of that man there.” The minister points to Relgar. “His name is Relgar Aspergrim and he has, somehow, been embroiled in this mess.”

"Aspergim. Only one 'R'," the indicated man states pedantically. He doesn't especially look like a wizard, Terger likely observes; dressed in the neat but simplistic tunic and breeches of a draftsman, he carries himself with a bearing of coldly pragmatic professionalism, and his clear gaze suggests intelligence and even farsightedness, but the usual pretension of self-styled "masters of magic" is nowhere to be found. He might have an attitude streak a mile wide, but it's not rooted in the condescension that many arcanists display toward anyone who hasn't recently bested them in a duel; if anything, he seems to display much of the irritability that strikes those whose station in the world leaves them just a bit more than powerless, those who have risen to just enough of a height that they have something to lose (and thus enjoy neither the security of wealth and prestige, nor the complacency of the truly destitute).

“I am Elkgrar Ashhand of the Students of the Great Inventor. I have been asked to join you for the task at hand,” the dwarf says calmly. “I hear we are hunting a renegade who caused the trouble in New city the the other day.”

Relgar notes this with interest. He doesn't pretend to understand either dwarves or gods, but the rumors he's heard of both have left him with little suspicion that he would ever care. Perhaps he was too hasty in dismissing the field's worthiness for investigation.

“Quite true. He didn't tell us anything of much value. Mainly he just pissed off one guard after another. If it hadn't been for his connection to the council, which we learned from you, Lord Merrick, he would have been taken to the Inquisitors, eventually.” Minister Gale looks at Relgar with a catlike smile. “It would have been an interesting battle of wills, I think. Mr. Aspergrim would likely have died before he'd told them anything.”

I choose to believe so, at any rate, Relgar reflects silently, a slightly queasy expression likely betraying more than he intends of his thoughts. Could he resist a torturer through sheer stubbornness? It seems unlikely, but then he has never tested the limits of his mental peculiarity. Perhaps in this one respect, he is no different from any other person...or perhaps the alien nature of his brain stretches even to this extent. He'd just as soon never find out for sure.

“Oh, I'm sure The Five will let you have him, eventually,” Minister Gale replies calmly. “And if Mr. Aspergrim here wishes to go it alone against a powerful sorcerer and his well-armed minions, he's more than welcome to try. But I think he will chose to work with the team and reap the benefits that will come his way if he does so.”

“So, you're resorting to bribery,” Lord Merrick mocks.

"I am not a fool, Mister Merrick," Relgar announces simply (if "mister" would be an intolerable insult, he will simply call him "Merrick"; he's not the type to call anyone "Lord" unless forced to at swordpoint). "Nor am I an assassin, an archmage, or any other sort of adventurer, least of all the sort arrogant enough to believe that I can stand alone against anything and everything in the cosmos. I set out on this mission alone, but I am more than happy to receive as much assistance as is forthcoming from any loosely-allied parties, and thus have less chance of an embarassing and likely fatal defeat at the hands of this Phelix. Especially if he has 'minons', as this is the first I've heard of any."

“Oh shut up, Traherne! This is not the Wizard District! You are in Old City and your council will learn their place in Bluffside's hierarchy or The Five just might reconsider who gets ostracized next month!”

(Does Relgar know anything about this "ostracism" business? I don't know if it's relevant or just background color, but OOC I'm curious.)

“Assuming Alela here has no objections, and he better not, are you willing Relgar Aspergrim? If you are then all charges are dropped and you may gather your things for the task ahead.”

"So assumed, absolutely," Relgar scowls, exactly as he would if the man had simply directly asked whether he'd like them to stop wasting his time. If he was ever in danger, informing him that there's a way out immediately causes the autist to assume that the situation has passed, and return to his generally curmudgeonly demeanor in full force (albeit that this actually might be a step up in social graces, compared to the exagerrated display of hostility he was previously using to try and deflect the pressures being placed on him).

[Knightfall]

"Aspergim. Only one 'R'," the indicated man states pedantically. He doesn't especially look like a wizard, Terger likely observes; dressed in the neat but simplistic tunic and breeches of a draftsman, he carries himself with a bearing of coldly pragmatic professionalism, and his clear gaze suggests intelligence and even farsightedness, but the usual pretension of self-styled "masters of magic" is nowhere to be found. He might have an attitude streak a mile wide, but it's not rooted in the condescension that many arcanists display toward anyone who hasn't recently bested them in a duel; if anything, he seems to display much of the irritability that strikes those whose station in the world leaves them just a bit more than powerless, those who have risen to just enough of a height that they have something to lose (and thus enjoy neither the security of wealth and prestige, nor the complacency of the truly destitute).

"Oh, my apologies, young mage. The documents I have here named you incorrectly, it seems. I'll have to admonish some of my underlings."

"So assumed, absolutely," Relgar scowls, exactly as he would if the man had simply directly asked whether he'd like them to stop wasting his time. If he was ever in danger, informing him that there's a way out immediately causes the autist to assume that the situation has passed, and return to his generally curmudgeonly demeanor in full force (albeit that this actually might be a step up in social graces, compared to the exagerrated display of hostility he was previously using to try and deflect the pressures being placed on him).

"Good. Guards please remove the twine from his thumbs." He nods to Relgar after the guards have cut away the twine. "I hope it wasn't very uncomfortable, Mr. Aspergim. You have my apologies if anyone was rough with you."

Minister Gale turns to Lord Merrick with a huge grin. "It seems, Traherne, that your services are no longer needed here. Please give the council my best and the appreciation of The Five for your service. Now please leave."

"You can't just dismiss me, Yelte. This matter is for the council to decide."

"No, not today." Minister Gale motions to the guards. "Please escort Lord Merrick out."

"I will file an official protest," Lord Merrick growls.

"Which will be given as much attention as it deserves."

The guards usher Lord Merrick out with swords drawn. The wizard grumbles and scowls the entire way.

"Now that that fop is gone we can talk about Phelix and how you're all going to handle finding him. Our agents have tried to find the entrance to his enclave here in Old City, but it seems that either the information that you received, Alela, was incomplete or a bold-faced lie."

"Probably a bit of both," the dwarven cleric suggests.

"Possible, but Alela is very good at his job, so there has to be more truth to it than fiction. It's likely that this Quartermaster didn't really know where to look. The entrance might be near the Gardens or the entrance might be somewhere else, but my diviners are certain that the entrance is here in the district."

"Quartermaster? This is the first I've heard of this man. Is he a local shop owner?" Elkgrar asks.

"No, he's a member of the Rising Swords. A mercenary group of some infamy that were banned from the city some time ago. Alela uncovered a hideout in the Undercity and a raid was conducted earlier today to put them down. A few were captured. A few were killed. Many more of them escaped including their Quartermaster. We've discovered that his real name is just as infamous as the Rising Swords. We had no idea he was one of them. Zaine Trevil, also known as Magnus the Trapmaster."

"By the Builder," Elkgrar exclaims.

"Yes, you've heard of him. I'm sure both of these men have heard of him too. His infamy is nearly legendary in the Northwest."

Terger's blood runs cold at hearing the name. So close to pure evil. And he tried to make a deal with him! No wonder Lady Pomander was so mad.

Relgar, on the other hand, hasn't heard the name before. Trap makers are of little interest to him if they aren't creators of magical traps.

"It's just too bad that we didn't catch him. Politically, it would have been a huge boon for Bluffside."

"All those souls," Elkgrar says grimly. "The people that he's murdered. Hundreds of people."

"It can't be bemoaned right now," Minister Gale sighs. "Phelix is the priority. I'm sure Alela will want to go after Magnus too at some point."

"How do we find him?" Elkgrar asks looking at the minister and Terger.

OOC: I'll post details about Magnus the Trapmaster in the OOC thread.

[dfryer36]

“Assuming Alela here has no objections, and he better not, are you willing Relgar Aspergrim? If you are then all charges are dropped and you may gather your things for the task ahead.”

"So assumed, absolutely," Relgar scowls, exactly as he would if the man had simply directly asked whether he'd like them to stop wasting his time. If he was ever in danger, informing him that there's a way out immediately causes the autist to assume that the situation has passed, and return to his generally curmudgeonly demeanor in full force (albeit that this actually might be a step up in social graces, compared to the exagerrated display of hostility he was previously using to try and deflect the pressures being placed on him).

"You managed to render Master Merrick nearly speechless," Terger says. "That is a rare feat from what I have heard. I would be glad to have you join our mission." Terger turns back to the minister. "We are still short handed minister. While I am a fair hand in a fight it's not my main focus of expertise and I am sure Phelix is going to be surrounding himself with protectors as we speak. I would like to have one or two of the Regulars accompany us if possible. It's my understanding that Guardsmen Rhodri and Selwyn are still willing to work with me."

[willpell]

"Oh, my apologies, young mage. The documents I have here named you incorrectly, it seems. I'll have to admonish some of my underlings."

"Admonitions are unnecessary. Anyone can make an error; it need only be corrected. This is why we make erasers, rather than punishing people who draw the wrong line."

"Good. Guards please remove the twine from his thumbs." He nods to Relgar after the guards have cut away the twine. "I hope it wasn't very uncomfortable, Mr. Aspergim. You have my apologies if anyone was rough with you."

"Hrmph. The entire experience of being rounded up like a common criminal was the uncomfortable part," Relgar says, rubbing his thumbs to get the circulation restored. He understands logically why people in power, and people with no power at all, tend to overreact to mages and their unpredictable capabilities. This does not in any way change his emotional reaction (which, courtesy of his mental divergence, he must observe indirectly, the way one looks at the sun through a pinhole to avoid blindness); he is still furious, but is using rational arguments to deflect his overreaction in various directions so that it can dissipate.

"Possible, but Alela is very good at his job, so there has to be more truth to it than fiction. It's likely that this Quartermaster didn't really know where to look. The entrance might be near the Gardens or the entrance might be somewhere else, but my diviners are certain that the entrance is here in the district."

"Divinations have an average failure rate of twenty percent, depending on the competence of the caster and the unpredictable whims of Fate. Repeated readings by different casters improve the odds of an accurate result, but there is always the risk that you throw a great many dice and they nonetheless all roll blanks, if you follow the metaphor; however improbable this is, I have seen it happen on multiple occasions. It is a likelihood that your diviners have the right of it, but it cannot be a certainty."

"Yes, you've heard of him. I'm sure both of these men have heard of him too. His infamy is nearly legendary in the Northwest."

"I do not pay enough attention to peasant rumors to know the names of their favorite villains, nor to know which ones are purely fictional and which are merely mythologized versions of actual persons."

(OOC: I wrote that before reading your bit, which confirms that I don't know him.)

[Knightfall]

Terger turns back to the minister. "We are still short handed minister. While I am a fair hand in a fight it's not my main focus of expertise and I am sure Phelix is going to be surrounding himself with protectors as we speak. I would like to have one or two of the Regulars accompany us if possible. It's my understanding that Guardsmen Rhodri and Selwyn are still willing to work with me."

"You're referring to Selwyn Mattick, correct? He's one of the Bluffside Elite's best. Of course, he's also very loyal to his former captain, Erwan Patenaude. I doubt you'd be able to convince him or his new captain to have him assigned to this group. I could overrule Lady Shantilayla but it's not advisable. Mattick might follow Patenaude into early retirement," Minister Gale shakes his head disapprovingly. "As for the guardsman named Rhodri, if its who I think you mean, he's definitely not available. Rhodri Pritchard is dead. His body was found in a hidden cellar under Kinley's Outfitters. We're still not sure what happened to him, but the Regulars suspect he was killed by Kinkar Kinley after Pritchard was sent by Patenaude to watch over the shop while you were interrogating the Rising Swords prisoners. His death weighed heavily on Erwan."

The dead guard I came across below the shop before exiting the shop and being caught by the guards, Relgar ponders internally.

"It is also possible that Pritchard was killed by Phelix, but we don't think that's as likely," the minister adds. "What we're sure of is that Kinkar Kinley helped Phelix escape from New City. We have no idea where Kinley has gone, but we're certain that he got help from someone in another district in order to escape the valley. It's still a mystery."

The Nameless Man who Marget introduced me to at The Sage's Goblet, Relgar remembers. He played me and Marget for fools.

"You are right that you will need more help. I have asked Lady Shantilayla for anyone she can spare. She's already agreed to lend you a man you already know. Custodio Vecchi of the Elite. He asked for the assignment, actually. He had to agree to a leave of absence from the guards, however. I was hoping he'd be here by now."

"I know of him too, but I've never met him," says Elkgrar. "He's a cleric of the Purifier. He recently joined that faith's Vanquisher order. A good man, for a human."

"Yes, you will gain him as an ally and another man who you'll find at the Dungeon of Bluffside. But, not as a guard. Demetrios Rhodes was a guard once, and could be again, if he agrees to serve The Five in this matter. Before he was imprisoned, he was one of the city's best and brightest. He was jailed for... political reasons. The Rhodes family fell out of favor in Bluffside after an incident in the Military District involving Demetrios' father and a strange creature summoned into the heart of the district."

Relgar had heard (and then read) about that incident during his studies. The creature summoned was pseudonatural and the man who summoned it, Tjaard Rhodes, was discovered to be an alienist. A very dangerous type of arcanist, regardless of morality. Relgar remembers that Tjaard was quickly caught and executed by order of the Wizard Council. That was over 10 years ago.

"Demetrios objected strongly with his sword when the Bluffside Elite and the Sectarian Guard came for his father," continued the minister. "The Five considered executing the young man but many in the city rallied behind him, and he was, instead, quietly imprisoned in one of the upper cells of the Dungeon to await a new trial. That trial never happened and he's been in the Dungeon ever since."

"How can you be sure we can trust him?" Elkgrar asks.

"That will be for Alela to determine when he meets with the man later today," the minister says. He turns to Terger. "Demetrios' commission in the Elite Guard was never revoked, which means that Lady Shantilayla has the right to reinstate him since he lives in New City. She's has insisted that he's the only other guard that she's willing to make available to you. I tried to convince The Five to assign someone from Old City, but they insisted that you'd have to make do with Rhodes. They don't want to upset their new renowned captain."

"Can he still fight?" Elkgrar asks.

Minister Gale turns to the dwarven cleric. "Considering the number of other inmates that have tried and failed to kill him. I'd say, yes."

OOC: Uhm, the PM I sent you on Facebook actually stated that both Rhodri and Selwyn weren't available. Of course, I am considering that maybe you named them in the post to determine why they weren't available.

Terger has heard of Demetrios Rhodes and his family but he's never met any of them. The Rhodes were once a noble family on the rise but after Tjaard Rhodes summoned an otherworldly monster in order to kill a rival, the families fortunes were quickly stripped away. Demetrios mother went mad after seeing the creature and was sent to the Asylum. His older sister and two younger brothers were all banished from the city.

[Knightfall]

"Divinations have an average failure rate of twenty percent, depending on the competence of the caster and the unpredictable whims of Fate. Repeated readings by different casters improve the odds of an accurate result, but there is always the risk that you throw a great many dice and they nonetheless all roll blanks, if you follow the metaphor; however improbable this is, I have seen it happen on multiple occasions. It is a likelihood that your diviners have the right of it, but it cannot be a certainty."

"I do follow your meaning, Mr. Aspergim. There is no certainty, but it is likely. I'm not a wizard or a cleric, so I will leave it to you and the others to discover the truth.

[dfryer36]

"Divinations have an average failure rate of twenty percent, depending on the competence of the caster and the unpredictable whims of Fate. Repeated readings by different casters improve the odds of an accurate result, but there is always the risk that you throw a great many dice and they nonetheless all roll blanks, if you follow the metaphor; however improbable this is, I have seen it happen on multiple occasions. It is a likelihood that your diviners have the right of it, but it cannot be a certainty."

"I do follow your meaning, Mr. Aspergim. There is no certainty, but it is likely. I'm not a wizard or a cleric, so I will leave it to you and the others to discover the truth.

"Regardless of the failure rate of divination it's the only lead we have to go on right now." Terger says. "Let me talk to Rhodes, alone. I know his family by reputation and I might be able to convince him to help if we're allowed to talk privately but I doubt he'll agree if he's surrounded by a horde of people he likely blames for his current situation. But before I do I'd like to speak with Lord Commander Simonis about his case to get a better feel for the background and perhaps to have other options to offer him if Lady Shantilayla is disinclined to reinstate him for his aid."

[willpell]

Relgar adds nothing and allows the discussion to continue.

[Knightfall]

"Divinations have an average failure rate of twenty percent, depending on the competence of the caster and the unpredictable whims of Fate. Repeated readings by different casters improve the odds of an accurate result, but there is always the risk that you throw a great many dice and they nonetheless all roll blanks, if you follow the metaphor; however improbable this is, I have seen it happen on multiple occasions. It is a likelihood that your diviners have the right of it, but it cannot be a certainty."

"I do follow your meaning, Mr. Aspergim. There is no certainty, but it is likely. I'm not a wizard or a cleric, so I will leave it to you and the others to discover the truth.

Relgar adds nothing and allows the discussion to continue.

"Regardless of the failure rate of divination it's the only lead we have to go on right now." Terger says. "Let me talk to Rhodes, alone. I know his family by reputation and I might be able to convince him to help if we're allowed to talk privately but I doubt he'll agree if he's surrounded by a horde of people he likely blames for his current situation. But before I do I'd like to speak with Lord Commander Simonis about his case to get a better feel for the background and perhaps to have other options to offer him if Lady Shantilayla is disinclined to reinstate him for his aid."

"I agree that you should talk to Rhodes alone," the minister replies. "He's always on edge, waiting for his next challenge to come from the other prisoners. If you want to talk to Simonis about Rhodes, go ahead. I'm not sure what he'll be able to tell you that Commander Reginald Oakfirst won't already know. Oakfirst is the head of the Bluffside Regulars and has been a member for over 20 years. The man lived and fought beside Rhodes before the man was imprisoned. Simonis might be your commander and higher in rank than the head of Regulars, not that I would ever say that in Oakfirst's presence, but Simonis is less privy to the day to day operations of the Regulars, their history, or the running of the Dungeon. Maintaining and watching over that palce is the Regulars purview, Alela. Don't forget that when you visit there. New City is on edge."

"Until you need me, Terger," Elkgrar says. "I will be at the Rooftop Inn here in Old City. I have some matters of faith I must handle there. Helfore Jokule has asked me to check the stability of the inn's foundation along the edge of the district's wall. It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, as long there isn't anything seriously wrong. And I doubt there is. Helfore is just being paranoid." The dwarf turns to Relgar. "I would be happy to have your company, young master. You seem to have a keen mind and I would appreciate your advice if the inn needs to be reinforced. If anything, it will give us a chance to work together and will be something for you to do so that you don't have to wait, here."

"I heartily approve," the minister says. "From what I've learned about Aspergim, he has a solid grasp of of mathematics. He should be of great help to you. I will find our what is keeping guardsman Vecchi and have him meet you all there."

Minister Gale shakes the dwarf's hand and gives Relgar a friendly pat on the shoulder before turning to Terger. "You have a busy day ahead of you, Alela. You can find Commander Oakfirst here in Old City today. He's been following up on the murders that have been plaguing the district. There was another one last night. An old man, a street sweeper, was found dead in front of the Theater on the Bluff. It's become quite the concern for The Five and we should not discount the idea that Phelix might be involved if he is truly hiding somewhere here in Old City. It could be a separate matter but better to be wary."

He look at all of them before continuing, "Be careful while in the Old City district at night. The Regulars can't be everywhere all at once and patrols are sparse right now due to the crisis in New City. Oakfirst had to take men from Old City to bolster the reduced number of guards in New City after the explosion and the Rising Swords incidents. Oakfirst suspects that if Phelix is involved with the murders, the renegade is trying to thin out the guards and run everyone ragged. The Five find the idea disturbing and are loathe to call out for a city militia. It might become an issue if there are more losses. Oakfirst is at the city Tribunal, I believe. Simonis is not in Old City right now. In fact, I'm not sure where he is in the city or if he's even in Bluffside. I'll let the right people know that you want to speak with him, and I'm sure he'll find you. Or he'll send someone to bring you to him. Try not to upset him this time, Alela. He's still testy about that incident last year with the jugglers and the maid."

The minister looks to each of them. "I wish you all well. Alela, send reports when you can. Good luck." He waits a moment to make sure none of them have any more questions before he takes his leave.

[willpell]

"I could certainly take a look, sir cleric," Relgar says, unable to confront the fact that he missed the dwarf's name. He's lucky that he arbitrarily chose to describe the other by profession and not by race-of-birth, which is hopefully a sliver less insulting. (Granted, a dwarf is probably the least likely individual to take a comment like 'you know, one of you people' as an insult, and might even view it as a compliment - but still, Relgar would be embarrased to be racially profiling anyone, if someone actually managed to make him aware of such bigotry. Given his lack of emotional intelligence, and capacity to cast Grade 3 spells, pointing out something that would make Relgar's cheeks burn with shame is probably not a great idea; hopefully the cleric's Wisdom score enables him to recognize this.)

[dfryer36]

The minister looks to each of them. "I wish you all well. Alela, send reports when you can. Good luck." He waits a moment to make sure none of them have any more questions before he takes his leave.

"I'll be off to see Thriftmore at The Crier if anyone needs me," Terger says just before the minister leaves. "If I know Commander Oakfirst he could be anywhere in Bluffside by the time I reach the Tribunal. Thriftmore's runners can find him quicker than I can and they might know things the rest of us don't."

[Knightfall]

"I could certainly take a look, sir cleric," Relgar says, unable to confront the fact that he missed the dwarf's name. He's lucky that he arbitrarily chose to describe the other by profession and not by race-of-birth, which is hopefully a sliver less insulting. (Granted, a dwarf is probably the least likely individual to take a comment like 'you know, one of you people' as an insult, and might even view it as a compliment - but still, Relgar would be embarrassed to be racially profiling anyone, if someone actually managed to make him aware of such bigotry. Given his lack of emotional intelligence, and capacity to cast Grade 3 spells, pointing out something that would make Relgar's cheeks burn with shame is probably not a great idea; hopefully the cleric's Wisdom score enables him to recognize this.)

Elkgrar seems at ease with Relgar's words and shakes his hand for good measure before the two of them depart the Palace for the Rooftop Inn. Relgar finds that the dwarven cleric seems to like quiet silence as they walk, which gives Relgar a chance to take in Old City. The district is the oldest part of Bluffside having been founded almost 200 years ago. Of course, that makes the city a mere babe compared to some of the oldest civilizations on Kanpur. Still, Old City has its character, but the district is know for its lack of decorum towards the other districts of the city. It is here that the richest citizens of the City on the Edge live. Old City is full of old money and the traditional family names of Bluffside -- Blander, Hollingsworth, Pomander, Varian, and Wellington. The Five Families of Bluffside or more often just The Five.

Relgar had been here before only a handful of times before and it was always to visit the Museum of Sem La Vah. A museum of archaeology, there was always something new to see there, brought in to Old City from the ruins of Sem La Vah, which stands in the center of the city's valley and acts as a natural barrier (along with the rift around the ruin) between the city's six aboveground districts. It had been ages since Relgar had visited the museum, however. Going from draftsman to wizard meant he had a lot less free time for other pursuits.

The walk through Old City is uneventful but full of sights and sounds. Unlike the stark silence that Relgar encountered during his short walk through New City's night, there is a bustle of activity in Bluffside's oldest district. The minister's warning about the decrease in patrol seemed unwarranted, however. Relgar and Elkgrar encounter more guards than citizens, it seems. They take an interest in him, but a few of the guards seem to know the dwarven cleric. He greets them politely and introduces Relgar and there is quick idle chit-chat before Elkgrar makes their excuses and the two of them are on their way again.

"Sorry about all that," Elkgrar finally says to Relgar as the approach the Rooftop Inn. "My family has lived here in Old City for quite some time. My father is a well-respected miner and weaponsmith. Sometimes I wish my family was a little more, anonymous."

The two enter the inn and immediately see a man pacing back and forth in the inn's overtly fine foyer. It is as long as Relgar's house, back in the Wizard District, and almost as wide.

"That is Helfore Jokule," Elkgrar says with a wide grin.

"Elkgrar, thank goodness," Helfore rushes to the dwarven cleric and shakes his hand. "I thought maybe you'd forgotten."

Relgar immediately senses traits he likes in the man. He is a bit twitchy and not at all what you'd expect from the owner of one of Bluffside's most famous (some would say infamous) inns. There is a peculiarity to the fellow. His clothes are fine but Relgar notes a hint of coal dust on the man's tunic. And something else he knows well, chalk.

"Of course not, Master Jokule," Elkgrar replies. He laughs and gives the man a reassuring wink. "And I have brought help, old friend. This is Relgar Aspergim, a wizard of some note amongst his peers in the Wizard District. He has a keen mind and should be able to tell if there is something wrong that I might miss."

"I'm glad to meet you, Master Aspergim," Helfore shakes Relgar's hand with gusto. Coal dust transfers from the man's shirt to Relgar's arm.

The minister looks to each of them. "I wish you all well. Alela, send reports when you can. Good luck." He waits a moment to make sure none of them have any more questions before he takes his leave.

"I'll be off to see Thriftmore at The Crier if anyone needs me," Terger says just before the minister leaves. "If I know Commander Oakfirst he could be anywhere in Bluffside by the time I reach the Tribunal. Thriftmore's runners can find him quicker than I can and they might know things the rest of us don't."

"If you must," the minister says before leaving. "I know you have a strong connection with Thriftmore."

Terger is the last to leave, as the dwarven cleric almost pulls Relgar along with him out of the Palace. The two are an interesting pair to see walking down the halls in front of Terger. Terger takes another route out and quickly exits the Palace and is soon heading towards Old City's massive Grand Gateway, which leads out into the semi-wild pastures that divide Bluffside's districts. He heads straight to New City across the wide bridges that span the rift that divides Old City and the ruins of Sem La Vah from the other districts.

He decides to bypass the Wood Gate where he and the others fought the Rising Swords and instead takes the long way around to the district's larger gateway, New Gate. The Regulars stop him and make him (and everyone else) wait for nearly twenty minutes before they let him through. Two guards escort him all the way to the inner gate that divides Sun Street from Tallwalk Street. The inner gate stands closed, during the day, which Terger has rarely seen before in his lifetime. The district is still under martial law and it takes another ten minutes for the Elite guards to let him through. On the other side are the leftovers of the makeshift camp that sprung up on Tallwalk Street after the explosion. A few tents remain but they are for the guards alone. The injured and dying no longer line the street having been taken to the Temple District.

The Elite guards give him a temporary pass that will allow him to travel freely inside the district for the next four hours. After that he will need to either leave the district or have it renewed. By the time he's done with the guards, he's livid. They wouldn't acknowledge his credentials from The Five! That had never happened before. What was worse was that once he got through onto Tallwalk Street, he found Bluffside Crier closed! Minister Gale likely hadn't known or he would have said something. (Either that or he's an ass!) The building is shuttered up tight and when Terger heads to the back of the building, he finds the door closed and barred. A noticed tacked up on the front of the building reads as follows:

"By order of Captain Chalsarda Shantilayla, Bluffside Crier has been temporarily closed and will remain so until Martial Law is lifted in New City. All information regarding current events will be posted on the board that has been erected outside Brocail's Inn. Important messages will be handled through one of the Regular posts. If you wish to speak with Master Thriftmore, you can find him either at Brocail's during the breakfast hour or at his home."

[willpell]

Relgar manages to catch Elkgrar's name from a guard saying it at some point during their walk, and thus avoids any further need to refer to him as "you there, dwarf cleric" thereafter, although his pronunciation of the name is likely to be a bit off (probably more like "El-krar"), something dwarves are probably used to when dealing with native speakers of human tongues, none of which follow the rules governing his people's inflections and phonemes. He is glad of the cleric's friendship with the guards, and does his best to seem intensely interested in his fingernails during all such encounters, sparing him from any further conflict. Upon meeting Helfore, Relgar does not smile - he's found that his choices are generally to keep his face an expressionless mask, or to show what onlookers will almost certainly view as the exact opposite of what he's feeling, and the former leads to being consistently disliked rather than sporadically loathed, a trade he's comfortable with. Having had charcoal on his own hands as often as not throughout history, he shakes the man's hand without hesitation, and listens attentively to whatever he has to say.

(I like that it took us all of a single dialogue exchange, after putting Terger and Relgar into the same room, for the party to be split again....)

[Knightfall]

Relgar manages to catch Elkgrar's name from a guard saying it at some point during their walk, and thus avoids any further need to refer to him as "you there, dwarf cleric" thereafter, although his pronunciation of the name is likely to be a bit off (probably more like "El-krar"), something dwarves are probably used to when dealing with native speakers of human tongues, none of which follow the rules governing his people's inflections and phonemes. He is glad of the cleric's friendship with the guards, and does his best to seem intensely interested in his fingernails during all such encounters, sparing him from any further conflict. Upon meeting Helfore, Relgar does not smile - he's found that his choices are generally to keep his face an expressionless mask, or to show what onlookers will almost certainly view as the exact opposite of what he's feeling, and the former leads to being consistently disliked rather than sporadically loathed, a trade he's comfortable with. Having had charcoal on his own hands as often as not throughout history, he shakes the man's hand without hesitation, and listens attentively to whatever he has to say.

"Now, show me what has you so worried, Master Jokule," Elkgrar says.

"Yes, yes, this way," the man says.

Helfore Jokule leads the duo towards the back wall of the inn closest towards the outer wall of the district. He opens an old wooden door and down stones steps into a well lit cellar. The descent is easy enough with a wrought iron handrail all the way down.

The cellar is cool and dry. There is the smell of dust in the air. The stones along the back wall are solid and placed well in the wall giving it a natural strength.

Helfore takes them to the end of the building where the stone is discolored black. The stone floor is damp but not wet right near the corner but no where else.

"This is what I mean," Helfore says.

"I see," the dwarven cleric says, a bit puzzled. "What have you been storing here?"

"Nothing that should do this," the innkeeper says with concern.

"What do you think, Master Aspergim?" Elkgrar asked Relgar.

OOC: Make a Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering) check (DC 20). If you succeed on the roll, feel free to have Relgar say whatever you like. Go all out! (If you don't have dice handy, I can roll for you.) FYI, It's not monstrous but could be dangerous.

(I like that it took us all of a single dialogue exchange, after putting Terger and Relgar into the same room, for the party to be split again....)

OOC: While that was never my intention, sometimes the story just goes in a certain direction. I guess I could have written it differently, but I went with what felt right for the characters. The split won't be a long one, I think, and it will be about roleplaying not roll-playing.

[willpell]

(roll for me please)

"What do you think, Master Aspergim?" Elkgrar asked Relgar.

"I think basements are generally damp and unpleasant, and this is little different from most." (If I make the roll, add a "However..." and I'll continue.)

[Knightfall]

(roll for me please)

"What do you think, Master Aspergim?" Elkgrar asked Relgar.

"I think basements are generally damp and unpleasant, and this is little different from most." (If I make the roll, add a "However..." and I'll continue.)

Relgar is bit mystified by what he sees. If he has more time, he might be able to make some measurements and test the discolored stone, but there is a renegade wizard to find and he doubt's the one called Terg, (was that his name?), would let him take a week to study every aspect of the problem, whatever it is.

"Hmm," the dwarf cleric says while rubbing his chin. "I was afraid that was going to be your answer. It has me baffled as well, and I've see a lot of stone in my lifetime. It isn't stoutrot; I'm sure of that. Likely it isn't a major problem, but I will have some from my order come and take a look. It might take a bit of time to get the proper permits to set up a work area around the inn, a week at the most, I think," Elkgrar looks at Helfore and says, "I wish I could do more but other matters require my attention. I'm sorry I got your hopes up, Master Jokule."

The odd man sighs and rubs his forehead. "If there's nothing you can do, I understand, i guess. I'm worried that I'll have to shut down if it gets any worse. My employees are worried and I don't want news of this to get out. It could ruin my business."

"I will be discreet," Elkgrar assures the man.

OOC: Knowledge roll > 1d20+5=14 (failure)

[willpell]

Relgar watches the exchange with a mental shrug, and continues waiting for something interesting to happen.

[dfryer36]

The Elite guards give him a temporary pass that will allow him to travel freely inside the district for the next four hours. After that he will need to either leave the district or have it renewed. By the time he's done with the guards, he's livid. They wouldn't acknowledge his credentials from The Five! That had never happened before. What was worse was that once he got through onto Tallwalk Street, he found Bluffside Crier closed! Minister Gale likely hadn't known or he would have said something. (Either that or he's an ass!) The building is shuttered up tight and when Terger heads to the back of the building, he finds the door closed and barred. A noticed tacked up on the front of the building reads as follows:

"By order of Captain Chalsarda Shantilayla, Bluffside Crier has been temporarily closed and will remain so until Martial Law is lifted in New City. All information regarding current events will be posted on the board that has been erected outside Brocail's Inn. Important messages will be handled through one of the Regular posts. If you wish to speak with Master Thriftmore, you can find him either at Brocail's during the breakfast hour or at his home."

"Damn, this is not good," Terger thought to himself. Very few people outside of the Dark Lanterns knew the real purpose the Bluffside Crier served. "The closure could just be a coincidence," he thought, "but in my line of work such things rarely exist. First Patenaude disappears at the same time as the majority of the Rising Swords' leadership and now Shantilayala closes down the best means of finding them and Phelix. If this is all just mere coincidence then the God of Mischief is having one hell of a day." Turning on his heel he mutters under his breath, "looks like I'm meeting with Oakfirst now. Gods I hate going into a situation blind."

(I like that it took us all of a single dialogue exchange, after putting Terger and Relgar into the same room, for the party to be split again....)

OOC: The great thing about a forum like this is that you can split the party without losing the focus on any individual characters. I think that it makes for more compelling storytelling personally. I doubt a character like Terger could be run the same way outside of a pbp.

[Knightfall]

Relgar watches the exchange with a mental shrug, and continues waiting for something interesting to happen.

Elkgrar and Relgar leave the inn, after the dwarven cleric says a final farewell to Helfore Jokule.

"Well, that didn't go as I'd planned," Elkgrar says. "I guess we should meet up with Terger." He looks around the street before continuing, I wonder where Custodio is keeping himself. Minister Gale said he'd send him here if he found him, but I don't want to have to wait here all day for the man. He's likely busy at the Castle of Purification in the Temple District. I don't think we should try to go near New City right now. The guards there aren't very fond of you... oh, no offense meant of course."

Elkgrar walks solemnly down the street towards no where in particular. "So, where shall we go? Maybe we should go wait at the Tribunal? Perhaps Commander Oakfirst will speak to us. Give us some guidance. Of course, we could check out the area where this enclave is supposed to be hidden. Take the initiative and see what we can discover. I don't know how dangerous it would be, but if we're careful, we just might discover something vital. What do you say, Master Terger? Up for a little skullduggery?"

[Knightfall]

The Elite guards give him a temporary pass that will allow him to travel freely inside the district for the next four hours. After that he will need to either leave the district or have it renewed. By the time he's done with the guards, he's livid. They wouldn't acknowledge his credentials from The Five! That had never happened before. What was worse was that once he got through onto Tallwalk Street, he found Bluffside Crier closed! Minister Gale likely hadn't known or he would have said something. (Either that or he's an ass!) The building is shuttered up tight and when Terger heads to the back of the building, he finds the door closed and barred. A noticed tacked up on the front of the building reads as follows:

"By order of Captain Chalsarda Shantilayla, Bluffside Crier has been temporarily closed and will remain so until Martial Law is lifted in New City. All information regarding current events will be posted on the board that has been erected outside Brocail's Inn. Important messages will be handled through one of the Regular posts. If you wish to speak with Master Thriftmore, you can find him either at Brocail's during the breakfast hour or at his home."

"Damn, this is not good," Terger thought to himself. Very few people outside of the Dark Lanterns knew the real purpose the Bluffside Crier served. "The closure could just be a coincidence," he thought, "but in my line of work such things rarely exist. First Patenaude disappears at the same time as the majority of the Rising Swords' leadership and now Shantilayala closes down the best means of finding them and Phelix. If this is all just mere coincidence then the God of Mischief is having one hell of a day." Turning on his heel he mutters under his breath, "looks like I'm meeting with Oakfirst now. Gods I hate going into a situation blind."

As Terger heads towards the Elites to be let back through the inner gate, he notices something out of the corner of his eye. A boy of about 12 stands in a window. He is looking right at Terger. Asgeir! Terger knows him immediately. As a guard patrol walks down Tallwalk street, the boy quickly disappears from view. Once the patrol passes, the boy appears again, this time in the shadow of a building at the far end of the street away from the inner gate. Asgeir is one of Thriftmore's fastest runners.

He motions for Terger to follow him, as he darts into the shadows. Knowing something is up, Terger turns away fom the inner gate leading back to Sun street and follows the boy. Asgeir stays in the lead by 15 feet and every so often motions for Terger to stop and wait. The boy knows his trade. Soon, Asgeir leads them behind the Asylum near the inenr wall near Cloudfield Street. Asgeir prys up an old grate for a storm drain and disappears down into it. The boy knows Terger will floow him. The two march together silently through the damp tunnel keeping an eye out for rats or worse. The drain runs under the inner wall. They eventually come to another grate on the other side with a ladder leading up.

"The guards always forget about the drains," Asgeir says quietly. "Stay here for second, Terg. The patrols on Dragontooth Walk have been as bloated as a dead rat floating down here."

Asgeir climbs the ladder and pushes the grate up. He disappears for a minute and then comes back and stares down. "All clear," he says. "We need to hurry. We need to make it all the way to Master Thriftmore's house before the next patrol."

The two Dark Lanterns soon arrive at an old house that sits near an old guard tower where three of the district's inner walls come together. The guards don't see them as they slip into the house's cellar through a wooden door with a sliding trigger lock, which Asgeir deftly opens.

Inside they find it to be comepletely dark except for an old lantern that is barely lit. A symbol and signal of the Dark Lanterns. Asgeir opens a secret trapdoor and leads the way down into a dimly lit room that even Terger didn't know about; he closes and latches it behind him.

"Terger, I'm glad to see you," Thriftmore's voice tells Terger who is speaking before his eyes adjust to his surroundings. "I didn't know if a martial law edict would stop you or not, but I had Asgeir keep an eye on the Crier just in case you were crazy enough to come back into the district."

Terger ses that the room is just one of several that extend out underneath Thriftmore's house. Cabe and three other Crier runners are there as well. They all look nervous.

"I'm assuming you didn't visit the Crier just to chat," Thriftmore says with his arms folded. "What is it you want to know? While my resources are a bit limited here, the Crier being shut down doesn't stop my work."

"This had better be important," a female voice says from the shadows. "Asgeir risked his neck geting you here."

"Now Florrie, don't be rude."

Florrie was Asgeir's mentor in the Lanterns, nd Terger was once her mentor, for a very short time. The girl wasn't subtle and tended to stab first and talk... never. Their relationship had been forced upon them by the Lord Commander. Terger had tried his best, but she ended up resenting him anyway. The two were never assigned the same mission.

"Like he cares," Florries mocks. She steps from the shadows. Terger is shocked to see that her left arm is missing below the elbow. She glares at him angrily.

[dfryer36]

"You're right as always Thriftmore," Terger says. "I need information and I need it badly. I have two names for you. Demetrios Rhodes and Phelix Del Canith. They are both involved in the explosion and the current unrest. Rhodes is a potential ally if I can convince him to work with me and the companions the Five has forced on me. Del Canith has an appointment with death; either by my blade or by the hangman's noose. I'm supposed to meet with Oakfirst soon so I need to know everything you can give me. And I also have another mission for you." Terger turns toward Florries and the criers. "For your ears only," He adds.

[Knightfall]

Custodio Vecchi stands in a small room set aside for his fellow guard, Anja, by order of the Bluffside Regulars. She sits in a rocker looking out the barred window of the Asylum. She hums to herself and doesn't even know that Custodio is there.

"Anja, can you hear me?" He says.

She stops rocking and looks towards the Vanquisher cleric and the half-elven woman caring for her, Matron Marrona -- a cleric of Healer. Anja smiles at Custodio and just when he thinks she's going to speak to him, she turns away and begins rocking back and forth once again. She didn't stop humming while looking towards them.

"We should leave her be," Marrona suggests. "She needs her rest."

Custodio sighs as the matron leads him out of the room and closes and bars the door. Several of the Asylum's more serene patients wander up and down the hallway muttering to themselves or simply shuffling silently. Since the disaster in New City, the halls of the Asylum have more and more wanderers in them. The sight is unnerving.

"Is there nothing more you can do for her?" Custodio asks the matron.

"No, she hasn't responded to my healing magic," she replies. "Sometimes the soul isn't willing even when the body continues to live."

"There has to be something," he sighs.

"The only thing that might work is to bring in a Powerful psion to perform psychic surgery on her but that could make her worse if her damaged mind fights against the procedure. I'd have to bring in someone from, elsewhere. Psions are almost as unwelcome here in Bluffside as sorcerers."

The two walk through the halls of the Asylum as they converse.

"Send for whoever you have to, matron," Custodio insists. "Whatever it takes."

"It will be very expensive," she states.

"You let me worry about that," he replies. It was his fault. He owed it to her.

"Very well," she sighs.

The two soon come to the Asylum's only entrance (and exit). Custodio retrieves his weapons, armor, and other gear from the guards on duty. They help him don his breastplate, as they had helped him take it off. The Asylum of Bluffside has strict rules about what can be brought into the building.

Once he is ready to leave he looks at Marrona and says, "If there are any problems, you can send a message directly to the Castle of Purification."

"Wouldn't it be faster to contact you through the Regulars?" She asks.

"Normally, yes, but not right now," Custodio was out of favor in the guards after asking to be assigned to the group trying to find Phelix Del Cannitha. Captain Shantilayla had been incensed to learn that he wanted to work with Terger Alela and the wizard who'd been caught wandering around New City in the night. She'd agreed only after Commander Oakfirst had spoken up for Custodio. As part of the agreement, he'd had to agree to give up his rights as a member of the Elite while working with Terger. He would have no standing in the guards until after the renegade was captured or killed.

"If I have my way..." he mutters to himself as he exits the Asylum into the New City district. He quickly makes his way towards Cloudfield Street. The guards don't hold him up to long at the inner gate that leads onto Dragontooth Walk. He looks down the long wide street and remembers vividly the first time he'd met Anja. The two of them came up in the guards together and he'd always seen her as a little sister, despite her feelings for him.

As he stares back in his memory, he sees something else. Something he doesn't expect. Terger Alela skulking through an alleyway to who knows where.

"What are you up to now, Terger?"

He walks down the street in the direction that Terger is heading. The man seems to following someone that he knows. Maybe the man has a lead on Phelix? The two of them are keeping an eye out for the guards, it seems. Normally Custodio would stick out in his uniform, but he wasn't wearing it now. He watches from some distance as Terger and young man disappear into cellar door of a private home. Custodio knows this house and who lives here -- Scribner Thriftmore, the owner of Bluffside Crier. Custodio often had dealings with the man, as he's an important source of information in not only New City but also in all of Bluffside. Custodio considers trying the door himself, but he decides against it. He will wait and see if Terger comes back out again. He stands in a shadowed alcove and tries to be as quiet as possible. He keeps an eye out for his fellow guards on duty s he waits.

OOC: David, roll a Spot check (DC 15) to have Terger notice Custodio before he enters Thriftmore's home.

[willpell]

Elkgrar walks solemnly down the street towards no where in particular. "So, where shall we go? Maybe we should go wait at the Tribunal? Perhaps Commander Oakfirst will speak to us. Give us some guidance. Of course, we could check out the area where this enclave is supposed to be hidden. Take the initiative and see what we can discover. I don't know how dangerous it would be, but if we're careful, we just might discover something vital. What do you say, Master Terger? Up for a little skullduggery?"

Relgar glances up from his introspective musings, assuming that he and the dwarf must have arrived at Terger's location since the last time he paid attention. Should this prove to be incorrect, he will ask Ekgrar to repeat (and, it is to be hoped OOC, rephrase) his question.

[Knightfall]

"You're right as always Thriftmore," Terger says. "I need information and I need it badly. I have two names for you. Demetrios Rhodes and Phelix Del Canith. They are both involved in the explosion and the current unrest. Rhodes is a potential ally if I can convince him to work with me and the companions the Five has forced on me. Del Canith has an appointment with death; either by my blade or by the hangman's noose. I'm supposed to meet with Oakfirst soon so I need to know everything you can give me. And I also have another mission for you." Terger turns toward Florries and the criers. "For your ears only," He adds.

"Demetrios Rhodes," Thriftmore says with a raised eyebrow. "There's a name I haven't heard in a while." He clears his throat and the gathered runners leave the room, moving deeper into the maze-like complex under the Master Crier's home. Florrie is the last to leave, closing the last door leading out of the room. "I know about your mission to find Phelix Del Cannitha. It's an open secret amongst the Bluffside Elite, which is troubling. The guards can't seem to keep it a secret or they've chosen not to. There is some resentment because of what happened with Captain Patenaude and his retirement from the guards. Some of them want you to fail, so they can step in and bring glory to the Regulars. Of course, the bulk of them don't know about the Dark Lanterns and how we work, so you can't hold it against them... too much.

"As for Phelix, he's a slippery fellow. I had no idea he wasn't who he pretended to be while working at The Winesome Heart for Lord Mateû. I don't know how much you know about what happened there. The guards have sealed off the under-cellars discovered by Pekko and those other adventurers ever since, and no one is sure what is down there. Something dangerous, definitely. Something magical, possibly but unknown. Whatever is down there, Phelix was very interested in it and might have found what he was looking for. The Regulars seem sure that the renegade isn't down there now, and if what you learned while 'finessing' those Rising Swords bastards is true, he isn't. It might be useful to find out what is down there, however. I've been unwilling to risk any of the runners to find out. Ask Oakfirst about it when you see him. He'll be able to get you access, although it might cost him some goodwill with his underlings.

"The explosion site has been sealed off too, as much as the guards can seal off a huge hole in the ground. They haven't had to work as hard to keep people away, as they have with The Winsome Heart. The citizens of New city are avoiding Tarren's Corner like its the center of a plague. There is a fear that more monsters might come pouring out from below, and the ground around what's left of the cul-de-sac is very unstable. The guards have explored the ruined dungeon underneath, as much as they dare, in order to try to make it safe for the Archaeological Guild. The Diggers believe that the dungeon might be related to Sem La Vah. No one knew it was there and the stonework down there is very old. Phelix might have unearthed something there too. I had one of the older runners, Ryder, try to explore what was left of the upper level, and the lad came back scared out of his mind."

Thriftmore finally pauses. He shakes his head as he sits down. "Terger, there is a mystery underneath Bluffside and Phelix seems to be the one person who knows what it is. And he seems to be one step ahead of everyone else. It's troubling. If the Rising Swords told you the truth, that he's hiding out somewhere in Old City, I'm betting he won't be there long, if he's even still there. Plus, no one is sure where this secret enclave of his is supposed to be. If it is there, he likely has dozens of guards protecting him." He look he gives Terger is telling. "Don't expect what happened with the Rising Swords to happen again. If you find the enclave, you're going to have to fight and my guess is it will be bloody business. You better be prepared."

He sits back in his chair, "Of course, I have no idea how many follow him. That nice cleric, Pekko, and his companions took out many of them, but that could be a drop of water in a barrel filled to the brim. It seems you won't have to worry about the Del Cannitha family, as a whole. Phelix was kicked out of his clan years ago. Did Lady Pomander tell you that? Yes, I know you met with her. While I didn't get all the details about your meeting, she did contact me, magically, to let me know that you're being reined in a bit, and that if you decided to come to see me, to remind you not to risk getting whipped."

Thriftmore shakes his head again. "Personally, if I were you, I'd take some risks in this hunt. You're not going to find Phelix playing it safe. Now, as for Rhodes, I'm shocked that you're even mentioning his name. If he's going to be your ally in this, make sure you have him under control or give him a really good reason to help you. I can't imagine why the Elite would let him out of his cell. Don't get me wrong, as a guard and a soldier, he was one of Bluffside's best. But after his father summoned that pseudonatural troll, he life became a shambles.

"It is true that he fought back when the guards came for his father, but it was against his will. His father had been mentally controlling him. I guess that's why he was locked away. No one was sure he wasn't still a pawn of the forces that his father had been corrupted by. The guards consider him deranged, but I've heard he likes to play act for them. What certain is life in the Dungeon has been hard on him. Yes, the guards sometimes keep him isolated, but there have been times where the other prisoners have gotten to him. He's had to fight for his life on several occasions."

Thriftmore pauses. "He's never lost one of these fights. He is as tough as they come, but he's become paranoid. He won't trust you right away, if at all. It could be worth it to have his help, but you should be careful. If he thinks you're going to betray him, he'll either turn on you or run. And if he escapes, the Elites will get to blame you for losing him. If you gain his trust and keep it, however, he'll be a fierce ally. Despite being a bit of a wild card, he still has a strong sense of morality."

Thriftmore lowers his voice and motions for Terger to come closer. "Now, what's this other mission you want to talk about?"