Kartakass: Chapter Six : A foreign land

[VAN]

Van nods to Ort and says:

"I guess so, a famous wizard have many things to do. So, tomorrow morning we can go to meet the Sage Elminister and you Ort will come with us."

Turning to Jacob he says:

"Jacob, what kind of man is Elminister? I mean will he want to have a talk with us about the planes, magic, spells etc? It's a unique opportunity be able to talk to a powerful wizard as him!"

[lostboy]

Draven reaches down and picks up Williams flask, tucking back in the sailors pocket before patting him on the shoulder. "IM afraid this is happening" he says in a watery voice, wincing at the pain in his head as he speaks. "Come let us follow the others."

Throughout the exchange in the bar Draven sits quietly nursing an ale. He might have accepted the reality twist of planar travel but that doesnt mean he has the foggiest idea whats going on.

[Ail]

Lucius feels at once excited and uncomfortable with the unfolding of the events. There's so much to see and learn that he can not even bring himself to reply. For once, the innkeeper, for example, seemed honestly sincere. But this boy Ort? Wasn't he too young to go around with adventurers?

Absent-mindedly, he echoed his thoughts aloud

"Huh folks, don't you think we should first ask this Garth about the boy? He seems to me to be mighty young for going off around with adventurers..."

He scratches his head, and then turns to the Drows

"So, this is your land. That makes me a bit more restful, as you can guide us around, but tell me, what kind of differences should we expect here? What attitude towards magic? It seems, just from looking around, that Dwarves and Drows are not that unknown around, and that alone is difference enough, but what of the rest?"

[steveflam]

Jacob smiles. "Yes, Ort is a little young. But we aren't going to be adventuring, Lucius. We are merely going to Elminster's Tower to see if he is in. It's minutes from here, Lucius. This land is very different from yours. You'll find out soon enough just by observing people here."

So, this is your land. That makes me a bit more restful, as you can guide us around, but tell me, what kind of differences should we expect here? What attitude towards magic?

"Magic is used freely, but in moderation here, Lucius. You can use magic here and not be afraid to use it. This is not like your lands at all. It is a pretty open society in general, actually. As you are all good people, you'll not have any problems here at all. Jacob can assure you of that."

It seems, just from looking around, that Dwarves and Drows are not that unknown around, and that alone is difference enough, but what of the rest?"

"Yes people are knowledgeable here. But I think it's more than that. With the exception of us dark elves, all races are accepted generally. For the drow it is very different. Most of the drow race are corrupt and evil to the core. Tarlyn and I belong the the latter population of those drow who aren't evil. Most of the people here fear the drow. I can show myself freely to certain people, but that is it. In general if I tried to enter a city or town in my trur form, I'd probably get attacked or refused entry. In these lands you'll see elves, halflings, humans, dwarves, half-elves, and other races living in harmony, together. What else would you like to know, Lucius? Or any of the rest of you for that matter?"

While Jacob speaks, Garth arrives with the food. It smells quite delicious. He lays plates of stew , with bread in front of each of you. Except for Jacob who gets a plate of greens as does Tarlyn. "Enjoy, enjoy! There'll be enough time fer tales later! I'll be back with the ale then I'll join ye." He walks hurriedly back to the kitchen.

[steveflam]

lostboy, you are a gem! Here you go guys!

[BigBadQDaddy]

William enters the old skull, slowly coming down from his shock. He stands idly in the doorway a moment or two allowing his vision to adjust. He takes into consideration the reception given to Jacob by the Inn Keeper and feels a small amount of comfort which passes as quick as it came.
He takes a few steps to the right of the doorway, looking at the surroundings as he does.
He had heard tell of people from other worlds, Jacob and Tarlyn for example, and thought it nonsense. Some form of mass self mis-perception or a strange form of insanity, but here he is in a village he has never heard of.
William begins his tour of the establishment by walking along the outskirts of the room, looking out the windows and paying attention to the decor, occasionally looking back at the party to see how they are doing. Anything that may peak his interest, he reaches out and touches.

The sailor eventually makes his way into the room with the others where he notices a small boy has joined the group. As introductions begin to make there way around the table, William responds in turn in a low gravelly voice, "Er...names William. Pleased to meet ya Ort..."
He then step aside, moving out of the doorway and leans against the wall, watching everyone, confused as to why everyone seems so comfortable.

[lostboy]

Draven perks up a bit as food arrives. He keeps one ear on the conversation as he eats, although having never been confortable around children he only manages a vague uncomfortable smile at Ort.

[steveflam]

Garth bustles out of the kitchen with two trays, expertly balancing them on each arm. He moves up to the table and lays one on the table, then the other on top. He passes out ales to everyone cept Ort, Tarlyn and Jacob. He then grabs a set and turns it around, sitting with his arms on the top of the back of the chair. "So tell me" he takes a nice swig of his ale "What brings ye here to me Inn, lads?" He looks over to William. "Why ye standing there by tha door, lad? Come 'n' join us. The food's good and the ale even better. Just ask ye dwarf friend there, he'll tell you."

Cornelius will indeed notie that the ale is unlike any ale he's tasted before and is very satisfying.

[steveflam]

A man enters the Inn quickly and takes a seat. He looks around and straightens his cloak, playing with the clasp on it. He appears to be a young man in his early twenties. A scabbard at his hip and a backpack which he lays on the ground between his feet is all he seems to have on him.

Garth gets up from the table "Scuse me, business calls. I'll be right back laddies." He walks over to the newcomers table and they speak.

OOC: Ok so from now we use this site for dice rolls which you email to me, ok? http://www.pbegames.com/roller/

I want a spot and listen check from everyone, please! Use the roller!

[lostboy]

Not really payign attention to the conversation, Draven's eyes wander aroudn this place. It all seemed like a dream, and he was certain sooner or later he was gogin to wake up in a burning buildign with a pile of bodies or somethignequally nasty to that effect.

Sighing he sips his ale and watches as the newcomer arrives.

[OOC: Spot 20 Listen 22 - used a different site http://www.dedzone.net/traveller/dice.html Cos Im used to that one ]

[ewancummins]

Cornelius takes out his lizard and palces it on a nearby windowsill, so that it can bask in the warm sunlight. He then returns to the table, to get back to the excellent ale and his warm plate of food.

''This is good ale! Fine grub, too!''

[steveflam]

Garth comes back to the table, looking somewhat worried, and sits with you. "So where were we again?" he asks.

[Ail]

Lucius looks carefully and the newcomer, trying to understand what sort of person he is, and to get some clue to his apparent agitation.

[Ail]

Lucius addresses Garth, as he comes back to the table.

"Well, I think we were asking you to tell us more about this land, that sage Elminsters and what not. We really should find a way to return, but I think" and he winks in the direction of the door "that you have problems of your own... I'm afraid I couldn't help listening to some words you had with that young man before he left, but I'm sure I couldn't understand anything of your talk. Anyways, we hardly have anything for free in our land, so if your ways are the same, perhaps we might trade help for help..."

[steveflam]

Garth sighs. He looks bothered. Looking at you all, then to Jacob he speaks. "I only really know you, Jacob. Though I trust you, I don't know these other fellas. Lucius I'd like to tell you, but can I trust you?" Garth fidgets and appears at a loss.

Jacob smiles at Garth and pulls back his cloak, revealing a metallic pin on his right breast. He reaches and grabs Garth's shoulder, nodding. "I have pointy ears and they hear well, old friend. Tell me what's going on. Is what I really heard both of you speak true? Mestrel has been taken captive by the Black Network? My friends and I are more than capable of taking the situation into our own hands. Bugid can't have gone that far. Guys, I'll be right back." He walks out of the Inn.

"I be damned. Jacob is one that Harps! Praise be! Er yes so Lucius well let's wait until Master Jacob comes back. I feel better now, really."

Ort piped in "Mr Garth, sir. Do ye mean ta say that Jacob is one that Harps? That's preposterous! I be knowin' he's a dark elf but a one that harps? I don't think he knows how te play the dratted instrument at all." Ort says with a twinkle in his eye.

Tarlyn had overheard the conversation and remained calm, face blank. The fact that the Zhents had tortured and beaten a person was dire. And now they were taking the person back to Zhentil Keep? They had better hurry or the man would be lost for sure.