The trip to Shadowdale

[VAN]

OOC> The magic armors don't get damaged.

"Make sure that they stay in the jail for a while. I now that you might know them for a long time, but now you shouldn't trust them. A vampire have dominated their minds and they are not themselves right now, so don't listen what the yare saying, I'm a priest, you should trust me. After 5 days they will be ok and you can set hem free again. Ok sherif?" Says Renad to tall, strong man when they arrive at the barracks and leave there the wagons.

"I see. Ok Mr Renad. I'll trust you. You have saved our town, you and your friends are local heroes."

"Thank you sir, I'll also try to send you another priest. Your town is safe now." Says Renad.

Meanwhile, Kel looks the armor.

" I like it, I'll keep it. Thank's Brethana, you can keep the sword as well."

[steveflam]

"Thanks, I will." Brethana examines the sword and puts in her sheath after she removes the other one, leaving it there.

They rest for the next day and leave Soubar for their next destination, moving them ever closer to Shadowdale!!!

[steveflam]

The party passes through Triel and arrives at Scornubel without any problems. As they pass through the city and look for an Inn to stay, the party gets the impression they are being watched, but when they try to see who is watching, they see nothing.

Finally they find the Dusty Hoof and get rooms. After the afternoon rest, they have supper and relax by the fire.

"Did anyone get the feeling we were being watched?"asks Thalar.

Elvira nods"I did" "Me too" Brethana replies.

"Maybe we should be careful in this city,guys. I doubt we'll have any trouble inside the Inn but out of the Inn let's not be alone always 2 or 3 ok?"

The evening passes without anything happening.

In the morning the guys get up and head down for breakfast. SO do the girls except for Brethana who doesn't come down.

"I guess she must be tired or wanted to rest" Thalar says. "wee why don't we visit the city today and see what it has to offer? I hear that it is a merchant city so there are lots of wares to be see,guys"

"As long as I get to have my 3 breakfasts I'll do fine!"Elvira giggles as she eats.

[VAN]

"Sound s good to me Thalar. I want to get some magic componets myself so a walk will be fine." Says Inovidil.

"I'll come, I want to get some arrows." Says kel.

"I'll go with you, I want to visit The Lathander temple, I have heard that it's rather famous here." Says Renad.

"Well think we will wait Elvira to finish and themn we will go all together to the town. I hope Brethana will be up by then."

[steveflam]

Ooc: Inovidil then remembers Brethana's ring!

The breakfast gets finished yet Brethana doesn't appear yet. Elvira looks to Inovidil "Let's go see what's keeping Brethana. That's not like her to be so late".

"We'll wait here, girls"Thalar says.

The girls go upstairs, when Inovidil remembers Brethana's ring.That's when they hurry to her room. They find the door slightly ajar and rush in to find the signs of a struggle and all of Brethana's belongings still there.
"Go tell the others Ino, I'm going to look for clues" Elvira says to Inovidil.

Inovidil rushes downstairs to tell the others and they run back up.

" I only found this,guys" Elvira says, as she holds out a little quarrel which has some liquid on it.

Ooc: a search will only turn up ther arrow.

Thalar frowns as he inspects the arrow. "This is a handcrossbow arrow!Not very common around here. I'd think it more to cities like Zhentil Keep or a place I'd rather not think about" he says with a worried look on his face.

"Renad or Inovidil you know what this liquid is?"he asks

[VAN]

Inovidil gets the arrow and looks at it carefully.

"I bet there is a poison at it, but to know more I need to examine it alchemicaly."

"I can say that too and I'm not a wizard. I doubt someone can carry out Brethana without force her to sleep first. She would defend herself or at least yell." Says Kel.

"Fortunately I haven't prayed to Pelor yet, so I will ask him to give me a spell to detect poison." Says Renad.

"Elvira, go check the window please, I bet thye have entered from there otherwise someone might have seen them. Thalar, do you mind check for footprints out and around of the inn? " Says Inovidil very worried about her friend.

"I'll go to my room to pray for spells and for Brethana. I bet they want her alive, otherwise the haev killed her or al least get her stuff. I wonder why someone has kidnapped her. Maybe she knew something or has something someone wants." Says Renad.

[steveflam]

Elvira looks around the room then at the window. "The window has not been opened, which is odd indeed.There are prints in the room of elfic size but those could be hers only. How did they get out? Maybe by magic, Inovidil? I wonder what these people want with Brethana?Hmmm" as she sees that some elf prints differ from others. "Some prints are different from others. We would need to find out who was in here before she was to be sure we look for the right culprits. Ino and I can go ask the Innkeeper, while Thalar and Kel look around the outside" Elvira says as she leaves with Inovidil.

Thalar and Kel go outside and inspect the area around Brethana's window. "Hmmmm, there are no tracks Kel. Let me look at the wall and her window." Thalar looks closely at the wall from one side to the other and sees nothing. "I think Elvira us right, Brethana was taken magically" let's go back inside and tell the others.

Once back inside they discover that before Brethana it was a human merchant from another town.

.........................................................................................................

Brethana stirs but finds her arms and legs bound. She pauses a moment to feel if everything is in "working" order. She feels very drowsy and tries to clear her head, feeling groggy.
What am I doign here?I hope the others are ok.I remember feeling a sting on my neck and falling in a deep sleep after that. I think there was a slight glimmer near the window but I can't be sure, my head feels funny.

...........................................................................................................
He looks around and sees noone has followed him. He spies the Inn where she was found and walks in, taking a seat. Ordering an ale he observes what he wanted , leaves a few silver after sipping his ale, gets up, makes sure it is indeed the mage he did travel with a few months ago, then leaves, registering in his mind the others with her.
So that elf bitch found some friends with that human mage. Why do the Zhents want Brethana? I only mentioned her in passing to Johvahd and forgot about her. When I arrived here, I discovered that Brethana had been captured by the Zhents! Fools she is mine, and I'll kill her on my own terms!Not on theirs

He heads back to the warehouse Brethana is at and waits in the shadows, knowing that the guard will be lax at this time of day, as most of his "kind' don't function too well at this hour as it is to light out. Sure enough his patience pays off as he approaches the door.Listening he can hear snoring, so he concentrates a monent as he puts his hand on the door, and as he pushes it open, he cna hear swearing from inside.His dagger leads the way as he stabs precisely 4 times, hearing 2 distinct thumps on the floor. Spying the prone form on the floor, he sees it is breathing. Good, she lives. I chose to let her live for now, another more proeper time will present itself. Patience has its rewards

"Brethana?Are you awake?Can you move?Are you hurt?"He asks as he approaches her.

"Who are you?Wait,,,, Jarg is that you?WHat are you doing here?How did you find me?I'm confused now, I thought you were Thalar"Brethana sounds relieved but puzzled as to Jarg's sudden appearance.

"I know people, Brethana and heard you had been removed from your friends, so I took it upon myself to rescue you to sahow my worth to your friends as well as Inovidil" he says as he unties her "We must hurry, as any moment we may be discovered and htat is not a good thing, trust me"he says.

He helps her up and leads her to the door."Ok we have to run a few feet to a grate and we'll travel under the city to the Inn. Itll be alittle longer but it will be safe.Ready?" HE opens the door and sees the street is empty. He takes Brethana by the arm and threy run for the grate. He and her both open it and get down and close it as people start to walk by on their business.

They make it back to the Inn the long way. Luckily the grate there is in the shadows in an alley near the Inn. They emerge silently and Jarg makes sure the coast is clear as he concentrates a moment and his face that Brethana and Inovidil know appears on his face. Brethana never had a chance to see his face as she was too worried about making it back safely to the Inn!

They walk as normal as possible back to the Inn and enter it as they see the party discussing urgently in hushed tones.

Thalar sees Brethana and the elf and gets up running to her "Are you ok? Who is this ?"he asks as he eyes Jarg.

"This is Jarg who travelled with Inovidil and I in Ravenloft. He somehow found me and brought me back safe here" she smiles at Jarg "Thanks"

They sit at the table and talk for a while.

Ooc to be continued tomorrow

[VAN]

OOC> Before Jarg comes in with Brethana Inovidil has casted detect magic at the room so she will know if she has been indded gotten by magic.

Inovidil looks very surprised Jarg.

"Jarg... You here? I'm very happy you managed to rescue Brethana, but what are you doing here? And how have you learnt that Brethana was captured and where was she?"

That time Renad stepped down from his room, his eyes go wide as she sees Brethana and Jarg.

"You are alive, thanks Pelor. You are very welcome to join us friend, we have only seen thi morning that our friend was missing and we were very worried, How do you maknage to save her?" Says Renad.

[steveflam]

Ooc 1: well Inovidil shall see that Jarg does glow magic though that should not make her suspect him as he always glows magic
Ooc2: INovidil wont be able to detect the spell as it has already been done hours ago, and there is no trace of the spell used to get out without being seen


"I find myself in Scornubel since a few days now, Inovidil. I mostly like to visit the merchants and see their wares. I am somewhat known here, and do know some people.Some of which are not so "reputable" some of which are reputable.

I do not always go the straight and narrow, but what I do is legal so to speak" he winks at that. "Ah yes our friend Brethana here. Well as it turns out, through a masterful stroke of luck, I was conversing just the other day with an acquaintance of mine and he mentioned some female elf had been kidnapped. I left it at that but wanted to know more, being inquisitive and all. I proceeded to "ask around" and got more information and finanly yesterday not only discovered where this elf was but her name as well!"

Jarg smiles then goes on. "Of course being a bit in the know about the warehouse, it wa not difficult to discover that it wasnt too heavily guarded as the people responsible thought it was unknown and were not being careful. Pity for them, as the 2 guards at the warehouse payed dearly for their laziness.The rest you know, here we are."

" I am Jarg by the way, well met"he bows lowly his head almost touching the ground then takes a seat and orders a meal.

[VAN]

OOC> How many days is missing Brethana>

IC> ""Good work friend. I'm Kel, Inovdil's brother. The cleric is Renad, the halfling is Elvira nad the other elf is my friend Thalar. Are you going to stay here? We are heading to Shadowdale." Says Kel.

"Jarg, you are welcome to join us if you want of course." Says Inovidil.

"We were lucky that you have heard about Brethana's kidnap and you manage to save her yourself Jarg. We had no idea where to search her since she has magically gone." Says Renad as he studies the strange elf. Something at his attidute doesn't convince him though.

[steveflam]

Ooc she is only missing that morning he he he.Jarg had good rolls and it was known she would be captured - he did his homework.

"I am travelling farther than that, but can accompany you till there. I have to be in a few cities after there and quite far. If you don't mind I shall indeed accompany you to the dale" he answers between bites of food . He observes them all and smiles to himself Well I can see my "friends " here know how to surround themselves. And that Thalar I'll have to be careful around him, he seems crafty for a surface cousin

[VAN]

"Great we will travel together and then you will procceed whereever you want Jarg."Says Kel.

"Yes it' great having you again with us Jarg. Have you planned to return to Waterdeep a day? We will be there if you might pass." Says Inovidil.

"You were to Ravenloft with our Ino, right? How have you gone there?" Asks Renad.

[steveflam]

"I found myself there one night a few months ago actually. It was evening and I found myself in a not so "legal" quarter of Baldur's Gate. I was to meet someone who would "fence" one of my procurements. Unfortunatley for me, it turned sour and I had to evade the scene. As I did, a mist came upon me and my pursuers. It grew so thick I couldnt see a thing. Finally when it subsided, I was in this place where I found Brethana and Inovidil. I thought it was a cruel joke on someone's behalf to send me there. I am glad to be back home in Faerun indeed!" he sits back and smiles, finishing up his meal.

"I plan to return some day soon but nto after I have visited all of my previous haunts!" he laughs. "Maybe sometime in the next 2 or 3 years Inovidil. People of my type arent that welcome in the City of Splendors as you know. I do like to visit but only to see the sites and the shops! They are beautiful as you well know Inovidil".

The party has grown by 1 and it looks like Renad might not trust this Jarg too much , he he! They stay one more day and leave the next morning for the next city on the way to Shadowdale.

[steveflam]

The next morning the party eats. "I have heard rumors about some goblins in the Reaching Woods. The leader is supposedly really a poweful shaman. Many people avoid the woods for just this reason" Thalar tells them. "I've been told by a few acquaintances about these goblins in many cities. Noone does much about it as they think they're only goblins and people can travel outside of the woods. I say we have a peek and maybe take care of these goblins, guys". Thalar sips his morning tea and thinks abot the goblins. They cannot be that difficult to defeat. Goblins don't usually stick together in one place so long though. I really hate goblins too!

"Hmmm, the last time I was here, I heard tell of these goblins too, Thalar. Even the other day when I had been here but an hour, I talking to one of my contacts and he mentioned these goblins in passing as a piece of gossip I suppose. You know how information exchange can be sometimes." Jarg offers then finishes his meal Killing some meaningless goblins should not be a problem. Although it is rather odd that they are still there after all this time. Something doesn't fit about the whole thing. I agree with my surface cousin, it bears looking into. Maybe I'll get lucky and both elves shall perish. Jarg grins


"I've no problem with killing goblins. Personally I hate the little bastards!Well I'm done eating, and ready to go, guys".Brethana gets up and moves around some, stretching and getting ready for the road.

"Bu-u-u-r-r-p-p-pppp!Oh excuse me, I'm almost done eating. I guess I'll have to pass on my 3rd breakfast. I'll make it up in the next city, I promise" Elvira giggles. "Bashing goblins sounds fun to me guys!"


After breakfast they pack up and leave. "It'll take 2 days to get near the ambush site the goblins usually use. We'll stop before and check it out then".Thalar says and they arrive at the forest a day later, near lunch time.

"Why don't we stop now before we enter. It's always nice to search or fight on a full stomach.We can decide what to do after". Thalar says as they make camp in front of the forest.

[VAN]

"You have an excellent idea my friend, I'm tired too." Says Inovidil as dismounts.

"We are travelling from yesterday and we have stopped only to get some sleeps and I'm tired and hungry too. And if I'm hungry I don't want to know how Elvira will feel." Says Kel smiling at the halfling.

"I agree to rest too. Goblins use to go out during the night so we can rest for a while and then search for their lair." Says Renad and dismounts too.