Mists over the Musarde [IC]

[steveflam]

OOC: WHat do I notice about the stones?

Norzak wakes with a start. Rubbing his eyes he gets up and heads downstairs. Finding Benn and Cirdan he walks over to them and sits. "Couldn't sleep." He retrieves the stones and now inspects them. "Oh I think I can definitely help you with that mirror scroll and key if yer willing to listen ta me, Benn. I hear things and know things. But yer going ta have ta trust me."

[Adam]

"Now that you mention it, Cirdan, perhaps I have heard of this being. Well, this certainly does seem dire. It is good we were here to take these things out of Herr Sancerre's hands before they caused him or his family any harm.
But the hour is late, and I prefer to discuss demons of pestilence with a bit more daylight."

With that he turns back to the scroll, scribing more notes into his journal. Norzak likely comes down to the table to find Bennedict face down into his journal, glasses knocked akimbo to one side and a smudge of ink dried on one cheek. At the dwarf's address, he starts back to alertness, readjusting his spectacles. "Hmm, what, key? Ah, yes, the items. You know something of them, you say?"

[steveflam]

Leaning in and speaking in a low voice, Norzak relates what he knows "The mirror shows you another land. The key opens a portal to this land. From what I remember, the portal used ta be here in Pont-A-Museau sonewhere on the surface, but is now in somewhere in the sewers guarded by some rat men. I have no compinction at all about killing some rats 'n' I doubt either a you do either. If I am right and I'm pretty sure I am, what do ya say we venture into tha sewers n have us a rat ke bob?" Norzak asks eagerly.

"Oh by tha way, these here stones are uncut onyxes 'n' I think they're worth a lil bit 'o' gold Benn" Norzak adds as he removes them from his pocket and hands them over to the big man.

[Adam]

Norzak's description of the stones barely even registers with Bennedict as his face narrows into a suspicious squint. "You'll have to forgive me, Herr Norzak," the wiry man begins slowly, "but, perhaps you could explain to me how it is exactly that you came to know of this? It was my understanding that you were from Darkon, originally." He pauses as his eyes drift to the corner of the table, where the mirror is still resting, covered by Bennedict's handkerchief. "It is possible that this place you speak so cavalierly of visiting may perhaps be dangerous."

In the back of his mind, Bennedict tries his best to push away the image of deep, staring sapphire blue eyes...

[steveflam]

Norzak's description of the stones barely even registers with Bennedict as his face narrows into a suspicious squint. "You'll have to forgive me, Herr Norzak," the wiry man begins slowly, "but, perhaps you could explain to me how it is exactly that you came to know of this? It was my understanding that you were from Darkon, originally." He pauses as his eyes drift to the corner of the table, where the mirror is still resting, covered by Bennedict's handkerchief. "It is possible that this place you speak so cavalierly of visiting may perhaps be dangerous."

In the back of his mind, Bennedict tries his best to push away the image of deep, staring sapphire blue eyes...

"How do we come to learn things? We listen, we read. Yeah I read. Don't lookit me like that, even I read. So though I am from Darkon don't mean squat. I coulda learnt things there from me elders you couldn't from yer elders. In case ya ain't noticed dwarves live a lot longer 'n' you humans do but not quite as long as Cirdan's folk do. So we know things ya don't. We pray ta different gods you do 'n' perhaps get different information. So that being said, I did sleep but had a dream about this mirror, scroll 'n' key. I dont remember any of it cept that the answer is in the sewers 'n' that we might have ta kill some rat men. I ain't got nothing against killin ratmen. You?" Norzak pauses then continues.

"I said you'd have ta trust me. I tole ya what I know. I gave ye back the stones 'n' tole ya what I knew about 'em. This could be a good opportunity. And Benn, when you looked into the mirror I think ya saw someone with long hair 'n scantilly clad with a nice body but no beard. So what do yer say. I ain't steered ya wrong yet."

[Adam]

"Your knowledge of the being who attempted to ensnare me through the mirror does little to quiet my concerns, to be honest. Perhaps it simply seems a bit too convenient for my tastes." He pauses for a moment to consider his options more fully. "I will admit, however, that thus far you have done little to engender my distrust."

Bennedict rubs the bridge of his nose, clearly still tired. "In any case, I don't see a reason to travel to this land you speak of and face these rat-men. If they are content to remain in the sewers and protect the portal you mentioned, I am more than happy to leave them to it. Besides, I believe Herr Sancerre is interested in retaining my services here in the city. I wouldn't want to simply vanish so soon after joining his employ."

To say nothing of simply not wanting to be eaten alive by rat-men in a sewer. The archivist mentally continues. Risking my neck for no better reason than to satisfy a dwarf's curiosity isn't exactly what I'd call a good idea.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Feeling that his knowledge is not appreciated the way he had envisioned it, Cirdan will politely retire to his bedroom and try to catch some sleep, while quietly cursing about arrogant intellectuals...

[ewancummins]

The rest of the night passes uneventfully. Servants rouse the sleeping members of the party, provide fresh water and other necessities, and inform you all that breakfast will be served in an hour, in the sun room.


----

The sun room is situated so that it receives plenty of warm sunlight through its many large glass windows. The shutters are all open, and several of the windows as well, so that a gentle breeze fills the room with balmy air and the scent of roses from the east garden.

Breakfast consists of ommelettes, crepes tooped with fruit preserves, soft cheese, bread, and little brown sausages. Tea with cream and honey is served from a tall silver samovar.


Evangeline seems quite animated this morning-
'' I am going shopping and visiting some of our friends today. Would any of you like to come along with me? I'd be glad of an escort, and I could show you all my favorite shops! Oh, don't forget the bakery Mesieur Norzak!''

[Le Noir Faineant]

Evangeline seems quite animated this morning-
'' I am going shopping and visiting some of our friends today. Would any of you like to come along with me? I'd be glad of an escort, and I could show you all my favorite shops! Oh, don't forget the bakery Mesieur Norzak!''

Needless to say who will volunteer first...

[ewancummins]

Evangeline is obviously delighted by Sir Cirdan's response.

''Oh! It will be fun! ''

[ewancummins]

Denys finishes his plate [he was eating quickly!] , politely excuses himself and leaves the room, sayiing-

''Forgive me my friEnds, but I must attend to business matters now.''

[steveflam]

Norzak sleeps like a baby. Upon waking he is hungrier than a starving halfling! He gets his fill then when Evangeline asks him to ecort her he tells her "Yeah I'd like ta see this here bakery you got me fruitcake from, missy." I'd like ta get these here men ta git down to tha sewers ta open that there door but thay ain't too trusting. Bah! I'll have ta convince em otherwise.

[ewancummins]

Evangeline finshes her meal, excuses herself, and goes to prepare for her outing.

[ewancummins]

A old servant woman is cleaning in the adjacent room- M. Sancerre's study. She sings softly as she works.

''Lolly lolly, rags and bones,

down the pipes where ratters roam,

I found a hat pin in the muck,

now in my chapeau it is stuck,

Lolly lolly, rags and bones,

down the pipes where ratters roam,

Far I wandered in the gloom,

till I found a lonesome tomb,

Lolly Lolly rags and bones,

down the pipes where ratters roam,

In the tomb - a door to Hell,

opened wide and through I fell

Lolly lolly rags and bones,

down the pipes no more I'll roam...''

[Le Noir Faineant]

"Strange song" Cirdan comments as he holds the door open for Evangeline...