Broken+Destiny+Session+76

**Session 76** **8/8/2015** **Golden Horde Inn - Arrival in Raven's Bluff - and Echo's Surprise Assault**

Discussing plans over maps and charts, the group was interrupted by one of the elven servants of the embassy, "There's someone to see you, Miss Dreamspinner."  Wren looked up, surprised, "Oh? Who is it?" "A Miss Penny Coppertop ," the young elven gentleman nodded. "Oh! That's fabulous!" the elven witch stood up, nodding, "How about you lead me down to her. You can walk in front of me." "Al-alright," he nodded, curious at her odd request, but willing to do so. He led her down to the front of the elven embassy, gesturing to the young priestess. "Wren!" Penny threw open her arms to greet her. "Penny! It's so good to see you," the suspicious witch looked her over carefully for buzzers or some sort of practical joke item. The copper-haired priestess laughed and hugged her with no ill effects and the dark-haired elven woman returned it warmly. "It's no fun when you're expecting it," Penny shrugged, laughing softly. "I'm always expecting it with //you//!" Wren shook her head. "You're never //always// expecting it," the freckled priestess laughed, "I had heard that you and your crew were back here in Lyrabar. Where is that handsome elven prince of yours?" The young priestess of Selune glanced about the room. Wren laughed and gestured toward the stairway, "He's upstairs with the others... would you like to go and meet them?"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Sure! I would love that!" Penny nodded, and happily followed the witch up the stairs to a council room with a large table where everyone was sitting down. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren introduced the party, gesturing to each as she went around the room, "That's Posy and Uther . This is Thorn . At the end there is Azarius, Mali , and Ursus . You, of course, know Kale . That's the lovely Shri , and this is Erevin ... the prince." Wren winked at her, ending with a grand gesture toward the freckled, pointy-eared, and green-eyed priestess with short copper hair and white gossamer robes, "Everyone, this is Penny Coppertop."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The girlish priestess bowed slightly to the introduction of Erevin, "Pleased to meet you, your majesty, your honor, your... what is it that you're supposed to say?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren laughed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Erevin shook his head, "Mister will be fine." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Mr. Erevin," Penny nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He smiled, "How can we help you today, Miss Coppertop?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Oh..." she turned back to Wren, "Well while you were in town... I thought you might like to check in for a status report...?"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren started to nod, but before she could answer, the priestess's attention fell to the sorcerer sitting further down the table, "Ooo //who// did you say is that handsome man? I've never met //him// before." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren giggled and followed the young woman over to the once-human charismatic nobleman who was chatting away with Mali, not yet noticing their guest's arrival, "This is Azarius Chaat, our sorcerer... Azarius, this is Penny Coppertop, a priestess of Selune." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pulled from his conversation by the sound of his name, the sorcerer with two different colored eyes turned to meet the priestess with pronounced canine teeth, "A pleasure to meet you, my lady." He gave her a grand and sweeping bow. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She blinked wide eyes at him, "Where have //you// been hiding? I've never seen you before." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Well I've spent considerable time studying magical devices and how to operate them, so I was... indisposed," he nodded with a charming smile, "However that study is now over and I am now available... at your beck and call, my lady." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Available!" Penny brightened excitedly, "Maybe you... would like to join Wren and I..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Before she could finish, Azarius interrupted her with a grin, "In a threesome?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Penny blinked over to Wren, "Your friend is very bold." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren laughed, agreeing with a nod, "Yes!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The charismatic nobleman smiled, "But good-looking enough that it doesn't really matter that much... because you're entertaining the idea, aren't you?" He winked at her with jovial charm. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Well..." Penny began, catching the glare coming from Kale to their direction, "You //are// both beautiful," she looked at Azarius and back to Wren, and then nervously back to the green-eyed elven warrior, "but I'm thinking that the glare... coming from the large gentleman with the sword is telling me... that's a bad idea." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren glanced back over her shoulder to wink reassuringly at Kale.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Party pooper," Azarius glanced up at the witch's fiance, "Every party has a pooper... and that's why we invited //you//." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Erevin nudged Kale, "You can come out with me tonight... We'll buy you a mask... and trust me... I'll take you somewhere where you can have all of the elven spank you want... big strapping lad like yourself." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kale's silence to Erevin's proposal drew Wren's attention. She raised an eyebrow at his facial expression that seemed to be entertaining the idea, but he caught her glance and turned to Erevin, answering firmly, "No." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The young witch flashed him a grin and giggled.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Penny continued on, sweeping past the wanton segways, "But I would be glad if you two would join me to speak with some of Wren's friends." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Erevin turned toward Penny with a look of confusion and suspicion. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren nodded to her, "That sounds fabulous! You know I would love to go." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Penny glanced up at Erevin who was still staring at her. She blinked wide eyes, "What?" she opened her arms, gesturing outward, "What?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Erevin replied calmly, his eyebrow still arced as he studied her, "All of Wren's friends are //here//." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Some of Wren's //other// friends," Penny nodded, and after his continued skeptical stare, added defensively, "She has other friends!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren nodded her agreement. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Name one," Erevin nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Penny glanced at Wren who mouthed her sister's name. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The priestess hesitantly answered, " Crowe ..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Crowe is family... not a friend," Erevin shook his head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Oh..." Penny answered thoughtfully, then shrugged, "Well I can't tell you. They're secret friends." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"That's what worries me," Erevin nodded.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Secret friends," Azarius nodded, "This sounds more and more interesting... this rendezvous." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"What's with him?" Penny turned back to Wren, gesturing her head back toward the elven prince, "He's so suspicious... and he hurts to look at it. He's so... prickly." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren giggled and leaned in close, whispering in the priestess's ear, "That's all of the dragon slaying and bane items he wears." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Why would you do that?!" She blinked wide eyes and glanced back at Erevin. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Because I have empty halls where I'll hang their heads," he replied rather darkly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Penny turned back to Wren, replying quickly, "He's not invited." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren laughed and nodded, "I agree." She turned back toward the sorcerer, "So Azarius, would you like to go with us to the secret club?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Of course," the charismatic sorcerer nodded, "I'm all about secrets." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Penny leaned in close to Wren, "You should really get some help for your friend, Erevin." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren nodded, "He //needs// help." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Hurry along then, Lady Coppertop," Erevin nodded to her, "Hurry along." He walked over to pour himself a glass of elven red wine.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The young priestess linked her arm into Azarius's and walked along beside him out the door, with Wren pausing to extend her hand out toward Kale, "Are you coming?" He nodded, joining beside her to follow the priestess and sorcerer through town. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren giggled, teasing the copper-haired young priestess, "Watch out for that one, Azarius. She likes to play practical jokes." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Oh, don't listen to //her,//" Penny shook her head, "I only play pranks on those who deserve them... like stuffy tightwads. You're not a stuffy tightwad, are you?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He shook his head, "Not me. Certainly not." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren gasped, "Hey! What are you trying to say about //me//?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The four walked just outside of the city to a small grove of trees where there was a moment of unsettled magical transportation that took them to the top of a snow-capped mountain. Other mountains covered the horizon.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After their departure, Erevin returned to his seat to hear a loud ripping fart sound come from beneath him where the practical joker had left him a parting present. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Really, Erevin?" Thorn blinked across the table and sighed, "Can't you at least open a window?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Posy pushed a window out to the rainy early autumn air. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Erevin shook his head, rolling with it as he expected the young priestess was likely luring his companions to their death, "Must have been that meat I ate earlier..."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The foursome walked down a path on the mountainside to an inn called the Golden Hoard. A large pile of gold coins were on the sign. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"What an odd location for an inn," Wren tilted her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"I thought you might be a little more comfortable instead of taking you up where I've taken you before... that's so dreadfully formal," Penny nodded to her, "This is much more informal." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wren grinned, "Alright." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The four of them stepped into the door, hearing the sound of a harp being played in the gathering room. It was bright and cheery with a warm fire to push out the cold from the snowy mountain outside. About a dozen people were around the room. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Azarius recognized the buxom human woman with long silvery hair, that was immediately greeting them at the door, as the woman from the magic shop.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The silver-haired sorceress threw her arms around Wren and the two women embraced warmly, "Wren!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">" Argent ! It's so good to see you!" Wren hugged the woman warmly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> The beautiful buxom woman hugged Azarius as well, "It's nice to see you out... finally getting off of the ship for a change." The chaos sorcerer took notice of how perfect her beauty was and poured on the charm, greeting her warmly... all while wondering what the woman from the magic shop was doing in an inn way out on top of a mountain.

"Please," the silver-haired woman gestured them both inside, "Welcome to The Golden Hoard. I thought you would be more comfortable here." "It's perfect, Argent," Wren nodded as she looked over the welcoming and cozy room of dragons in mortal forms. Two gentlemen sat at a table together on the right side of the room, sharing an expensive looking liquor. One of them was a regal human with dark hair. The other was an elven man with green eyes and white hair. Both looked dark and dangerous to Azarius, but as Argent and Penny each took one of his arms and led him up to the table, he put on a charming smile and gave them a sweeping bow, "Gentlemen, I'm Azarius Chaat." The elf shook his hand first as the two stood up, "Good to meet you, Azarius. I am Midori, and this is my friend, Bloodworth Arclight." Bloodworth also shook his hand in greeting, "Would you like a glass?" "Sure," the sorcerer nodded, not taking his eyes off of either of them for a moment. Accepting the glass of rich brown liquid that smelled like some sort of brandy, Azarius nodded his thanks, raising the glass to them both.

Argent and Penny continued guiding Azarius across the room to twin women with half-masks over their faces, pointy wolf-like ears, and tails. They were accompanied by a younger blonde-haired human gentleman wearing all black. His arm was draped casually around one of their waists. "This is Freya and Seera," Argent first gestured to the girls and then to the man at their side, "And Caustus." Wren beamed, "Freya! Seera! You came! It's so good to see you both again!" The young witch watched the two beautiful women escorting the sorcerer around the room with a curious smile. "Your grandmother sends her regards. She was busy, and couldn't be here tonight," Argent nodded to Wren, "And of course, old Aurax doesn't stoop so low..." "I didn't expect to see him here," Wren laughed and shook her head, "But I hope all is well with Glacia. Please tell her I send my love if you see her before I do."

Argent nodded to her, "So anything interesting in your journeys lately?" Wren and Kale sat down among the group, weaving the tale of the forest covered in red fungus, the unicorn and woodland creatures, the journey down through the water to go through the serpent's broken seal where they found the heart of the fungus and the Red Lord. One of them interrupted her, "The water dragon survived? You didn't kill him?" Wren shook her head, "He was possessed by the red fungus... and we had to fight our way up through his ice breath, but we did not kill him." Midori looked over at her curiously, "Erevin was with you? And yet the dragon-kin survived?" "Yes," Wren nodded again, "We were able to remove the fungus with an alchemical solution some friends of ours created... and then Shri and I healed his wounds enough to pull through." "Excellent!" Bloodworth chimed in with an approving nod, "The fact that you would heal him despite his harming you, speaks volumes about your character, Miss Dreamspinner." Wren's cheeks blushed pink, and she bowed her thanks to the wise blue dragon she had great respect for.

Midori nodded, "Very surprising considering you were travelling with Erevin." Wren shrugged, "The water dragon was once a guardian... and Erevin listened to reason... Besides... we don't //all// hate dragons... I happen to love dragons." She smiled. "And how is that delicious... I mean... little Maliumpkin doing?" Midori asked. "She still hates dragons," Wren laughed, "Well... just a very specific dragon." "Is she //still// mad at me?" Midori asked with surprise. Wren nodded, still giggling, "She is a little vengeful." "I never thought that halflings held such a grudge like that," the white-haired elf shook his head, "I thought that halflings were a happy, burrowing... burrow-dwelling race." Wren laughed, "I don't think they're gophers..." "Eating their elevensies and thirdsies..." Midori continued. Wren nodded her agreement, "She does do that. She eats a lot."

"What's the nature of the grudge?" Azarius chimed in, curious about such a story. "Well," Wren turned to look at her companion with a grin, "Way back... Mali and I played with a dragon orb... and during that time, there was a dragon who took possession of her body." Wren glanced back at Midori before returning her gaze to Azarius, "And this said dragon used her body to walk around the city of Myth Coramanth... and then made her leap off of one of the aerial roped bridges before returning her to her conscious mind... as she fell through the air." "She had a ring of feather fall on," Midori retorted defensively. "And she was perfectly fine," Wren nodded back to him in agreement. "Hmm," Azarius nodded. "It was just a little practical joke, but halflings have no sense of humor," Midori grumbled. Wren laughed, "And there was that whole jenga game where..." The white-haired elf quickly interrupted, "She was a cheater!" Wren laughed again, "That's not how she tells it... she says you were the cheater... using enormous tree-sized pieces that a halfling could never hope to move." "Hmph, not my fault," Midori snorted. Wren flashed him a grin, "I was nice to you." He nodded, "You were..." He looked her over again, "I can see your grandmother's heritage in you... she is a very kind woman as well." Wren nodded to him, smiling, "Thank you for that." She leaned affectionately against Kale, who had been remaining quiet.

Freya and Seera had been staring at Azarius through most of the story, admiring his charismatic presence. Caustus frowned at him with jealous eyes. The sorcerer held his diplomatic and charming role, trying his best not to piss anyone off... it seemed Wren's "secret" friends were strange indeed with strong hints about some of them being dragons?

Bloodworth nodded to Wren, "We thought you would want to know that there have been other primal dragons gathering at Magmadon's lair." Weight fell heavier on the witch's shoulders and she nodded, turning to face him, "Anyone that we know?" "None who were at the wedding," the dark-haired aristocratic gentleman shook his head, "I'm pretty sure he's burned his bridges with all of us." He glanced around the room and the twins nodded their agreement. Caustus nodded, "Trying to stick a tentacled creature to one's head is generally a social faux-pas." "Distasteful," Azarius agreed, "Not to mention rude." "Right!" Wren nodded to him, "//Downright// rude!" "Downright!" Caustus agreed.

"We're not sure yet who they are," Bloodworth continued. Wren nodded, "But he's gathering a force." The hidden blue dragon in mortal form nodded, "Apparently." "Most likely followers of Ghaundahaur," Azarius nodded. Wren agreed, "At least Magmadon is certainly... whether or not the others are entirely of sound mind is questionable yet." She turned back to Bloodworth, "We've recently found out the drow who accompany him have taken the Mindbreaker's brain." "It had a brain?" Caustus looked at her curiously and then shook his head, "Well of course it did... everything has a brain." Wren giggled and nodded, "But apparently it's important... and we need it." "Well we all owe Magmadon for what he tried to do... so if there's anything that we can do to help... short of assaulting a vocano full of dragons," the group nodded, "We will certainly keep our eyes and ears open." Wren nodded deeply, "I appreciate that."

Argent put a tiny silver dragon statuette into Wren's hand, "Obviously you can contact Penny at any time if you're in Lyrabar... but if you're ... in the field, so to speak, and you require our aid for an emergency... whisper your message into this statuette. It will fly and find me, and I will gather the others." Wren bowed to her, accepting the gift, "Thank you, Argent." "Though give us some time... it wont be an instant thing," she cautioned. Wren nodded, "Of course." "Messages take a while to deliver and so does gathering people," Argent nodded. The young witch tilted her head, "Does it work backwards? Can you send me a message if you need us?" A roaring round of laughter resounded throughout the group at such a suggestion. Wren folded her arms defensively, "We can help too! We have our eyes and ears in a lot of places!" Midori nodded to her, speaking to her like one might console a child, "If we need you... we'll get in touch with you." "Ohh... thanks for that," Wren crumpled, "Would you like to just pat me on the head too?" "I wouldn't go that far," Midori shook his head and then grinned, "Perhaps I'll send a message through your delightful friend, Maliumpkin." He gave her a wink. Wren laughed, cheered up by the jest, and nodded, "I'm sure she would just love that."

The group socialized a little while longer before Penny began gathering the three of them up to take them back, "You're welcome to come back anytime. You and your friend are a delight to talk to." All of the women smiled over at the sorcerer, causing Wren to laugh and nod.

As they slipped out the door, Wren stepped aside with Argent, "So what was this all about bringing Azarius here? Are you inviting him into the club?" The young witch raised an eyebrow, curious as to how much they wanted their identities known. Argent shrugged, "I think Penny just thought he was cute." Wren laughed, "That's adorable! Alright." "I think she was going to invite Erevin, but you know..." Argent shrugged. Wren nodded, sighing, "Well... we're going to want that against Magmadon... so just try to think positively about that.. and I'll keep working on him." Argent shook her head and put a consoling arm on Kale who sighed.

Penny returned them to the grove of trees outside of Lyrabar, "I'm sure you all have 'saving the world' business to attend to, and I have to return to my duties at the temple." She turned to the sorcerer beside her, "Azarius Chaat, thank you very much for accompanying me. You are a true gentleman. I hope to see you again." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "It was my pleasure," Azarius nodded to her, "You can count on it." "Wren, thank you for introducing me to such a handsome man! Give me a hug!" Penny threw open her arms. The young witch looked her over skeptically, "Uh huh..." "You're so suspicious, aren't you?!" Penny laughed. "You've made me suspicious," Wren gestured to the young priestess of Selune, "It's your own fault." Penny sighed, lowering her arms, "I'm so sad..." "Aww... I still love you," Wren leaned over and kissed the copper-haired girl's cheek. Penny grinned and ran off toward the temple district, leaving the three of them to return to the elven embassy.

As they walked into the city, Azarius looked Wren over curiously, wondering what the hell he was just involved in. Wren shook her head at the sorcerer, "You be careful with her... she gets me all the time. She's such a practical joker! It can even be in a letter from her!" "I'll be sure to keep an eye out for that," He grinned and nodded, "You have quite an eclectic group up there... in a cabin on a mountain." Wren nodded, "It's a fabulous location." Azarius nodded, "I look forward to going back sometime." Kale raised an eyebrow at Wren, "Is that //all// you're going to tell him?" She turned to him innocently, "Why? What would //you// like to tell him? He shrugged, "I... just...they're //your// friends. I'm just hanging out." She raised an eyebrow, "They're your friends too. I distinctly remember you agreeing to be an agent." "Yes," he agreed, "But I don't want to give away any secrets." "Uh huh," she folded her arms, "So why are you nudging //me// to?" Azarius looked back and forth between the two and moved along the path, leaving them behind him to have their argument which clearly should have been held behind closed doors.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Everyone returned to the elven embassy, regrouping to discuss travel plans. The group opted to take a ship around the coast from Lyrabar to Raven's Bluff with Azarius obtaining a charter from Reegan Winterrowd, who sent on a letter of introduction to his friend Mariden Norwood, "I'm sure he'll be happy to give you all a place to stay. He'll be most impressed with your man-servant." Reegan looked over the room, "You know, I haven't seen him around. Where is the little fellow?" Azarius nodded, "I assure you that when the time is right, he will be here to avail my service." Reegan nodded, "I'm sure you have him off running errands. He packed up a box of Mercer wine and cigars from Lyrabar, "Be sure to share a little with him. He does like the Mercer wine."  "Good to know," the Chaat sorcerer nodded.

Wren told the group about the information they had obtained, "Primal dragons are gathering to Magmadon." "Primals you say?" Erevin raised an eyebrow. Thorn tilted his head at her, "Should we be worried." "Primals," Wren nodded, "Magmadon is the dragon that tried to take over the minds of the dragons before with those tentacled masks..." she shrugged, "I don't know what he's up to." Kale turned to Azarius to fill him in, "Wren's great grandmother... who is a dragon." Wren shrugged, nodding her agreement, "A white dragon to be specific." He nodded to her, continuing, "She was invited to this primal dragon, Magmadon's wedding. We had heard that they had teamed up with a group of drow there and had captured Wren's mother, putting a mask on her." "Which controlled her mind," Erevin agreed. Kale nodded, "Wren was able to borrow an item that let her stay in her dragon form longer, and she and her great grandmother infiltrated the wedding where there were other dragons. They were able to sneak the rest of the party in, and we rescued her mother, along with some elven children who were to be given as presents to the newly married couple. They also killed one of the servants of Ghaundahaur, the Mindbreaker. It was someone that Wren's mother, Thorn's grandfather, and Posy's uncle had fought in the past... anyway, Magmadon and the drow were trying to sneak these tentacled mind-controlling masks on the dragons before the wedding while they slept. There was quite the to-do after Wren told them what happened, but we managed to get Wren's great grandmother out of there along with some others." Erevin nodded, "In the process we slayed one of Magmadon's sons and put an arrow into his new bride's eye." Kale laughed softly, "Suffice it to say that Magmadon and his wife are not too happy with Erevin or the rest of us... they may have sworn eternal vengeance." Azarius nodded, taking it all in.

Upon the morning, a large merchant vessel was waiting for everyone, flying the Chaat flag. A stout man, wiping the sweat from his brow with a cloth, approached Azarius. He was obviously nervous to be taking such a nobleman's son onto his boat, feeling unworthy of such a task. He greeted the sorcerer, submissively, "Good morning, sir, thank you for the honor of taking you aboard my ship. The captain's quarters are yours, certainly." "That wont be necessary," Azarius shook his head. "Oh I insist of course," the captain shook his head. "Much appreciated," the charismatic sorcerer nodded, boarding the ship, "Thank you." The deck had been freshly washed and most of the crew looked hurriedly cleaned up, wearing a few cuts on faces that probably hadn't been that clean-shaven in months. A pungent smell of soap wafted on the breeze. "Welcome to the Kraken," several crewmen gestured to the ship. The captain escorted him to the cabin, "I'll show the rest of your servants to the quarters below decks." Wren raised an eyebrow at the insinuation, but said nothing. Azarius arranged for everyone to rotate the use of the captain's cabin nightly. After about a week of traveling along the coast, they crossed passed the mountains into The Vast and finally pulled in to dock at Raven's Bluff.

Raven's Bluff resided in an independent land called The Vast... where a small collection of city states are simply loyal to each other without an overlying government. Built over an ancient dwarven city which was rumored to be built atop an ancient drow city, it drew in a lot of adventurers looking for some of the lost dwarven and drow treasures. Rumors spoke of a powerful mythal that once existed in the drow city. Without the central authority of a group of paladins upholding the law, nor an established group of bounty hunters keeping the thieves in check like in Lyrabar, Raven's Bluff was a little more... unruly... though it still had a flourishing merchant district, temple district, and the busy dock of a port city.

The vast and sprawling city was built onto a bluff with a river running out into the sea. The port bay, though smaller than that of Lyrabar with a narrower river-like entrance, already held many ships flying flags of other countries.. Stairs took the people from the docks 50 feet up to the main city. The humble ship captain docked and tied the boat up to the side, readying the gangplank for the groups departure. He bowed to Azarius, "Thank you for the pleasure of having you on my ship, good sir. Please give your father my regards." Azarius nodded to him, "I will. Thanks for your hospitality. I will see to it that there is a bonus in your next pay." "You are too kind," the captain swept another bow to him as everyone gathered on the deck. Erevin nodded to him, "Thank you again. Safe travels to you and may you have good weather." The captain bowed to him, "Thank you. We will be in port here for awhile. Should be about a week before we're done dropping off and loading up goods. If you all need a ride back to Lyrabar, I'd be happy to take you along." Erevin nodded to him, "We may take you up on that." Wren, Posy, and Thorn looked over the docks as the crew slid the gangplank into place... noticing that several people appeared to have a different colored glow around them. Posy tilted her head, admiring the colors, "Pretty!" "That's interesting," Wren studied them closer, sweeping her gaze back and forth, "How strange... it seems that all of the elves here are glowing colors..." She looked herself, Kale, and Erevin over, but none of them had a glow... yet. Erevin turned to look at the people himself, noticing the same thing the others had, and turned to the captain, "What is that all about? Have you seen this before?" "Oh, the glowing elves," the captain nodded, "the elves seem to glow with some kind of magic here." Wren breathed next to Erevin, "the mythal..." "Go ahead," the captain gestured to the gangplank, "Step off of the ship and see for yourselves." Wren swallowed, "What if it's attaching to all of the elves? I don't want //my// soul attached to that thing." "Maybe it will make you better!" Posy suggested helpfully, "I'll have restraints just in case." Wren shook her head, glancing at the dock, "I'm completely weirded out." "I don't think you have much of a choice," Thorn shook his head and gestured to the gangplank, "You're not going to stay on the boat the whole time, are you?" Wren glanced at the dock and back to Thorn, "Maybe?" Posy laughed. Kale placed a comforting hand on her back, stepping beside her. The idea of all elven souls attaching to the mythal controlled by the Black Mark to be randomly pulled out and controlled like Echo didn't sit well in Erevin's head either. He turned to Thorn, "Think about this... Do you want to have to fight ourselves?" "That's what the restraints are for," Posy nodded readily. Thorn shrugged, "I've had to fight Posy a number of times." Wren laughed, "That's true. You have. But can you imagine having to fight Erevin? Or me? Or Kale? ...or all of us at once with Echo?" Thorn looked her over, "What spells did you choose today?" Wren laughed, nudging him. The Garishthimbles took no notice of the skepticism of the elves, clambering over the gangplank and carrying their steamer trunks along the dock. Posy walked across, looking back at their elven companions, nodding encouragingly, "It'll be alright. Just step out and we'll see if something happens. We'll restrain you if necessary." "I don't think it works like that," Erevin shook his head, glancing around at the colorfully glowing elves on the docks, "I think it just puts you in the lottery." "What kind of lottery?" Posy asked. "You can't win if you don't play," Thorn shrugged, stepping up onto the gangplank. "But I don't want to win!" Wren shook her head, "I don't want to play that game." "It's more incentive for us to get that bauble," Posy nodded to her. "Yeah, then no one else has to be in the lottery," Thorn nodded. Posy agreed, "We'll end the lottery." Aware turned around, tilting her head, "Aren't you guys coming?" Wren waved at her, "Hey wait... come here. Didn't you guys help to build a mythal?" "Well not //us// precisely," Aware shook her head, "It was our great, great, great, great, great..." she paused to think. "One more great there, Miss," Kattri nodded to her. She nodded, "Great..." "That's great," Erevin nodded. Wren nudged him, continuing sweetly, "Well do you know anything about it?" "We're gnomes!" Aware nodded, "We know everything." "Oh," Wren nodded sweetly, "Well when they built that... did they make it so all the souls of the elves in the city bonded to it?" "Those that wanted the protection of the mythal," Aware nodded, "But it was a voluntary thing." "Oh voluntary!" Wren nodded with mock excitement, and glanced back skeptically at Erevin, "I don't know..." "It couldn't suck your soul out or take control of you," Aware shook her head, "It was just a voluntary bond." Wren stared at her for a moment, and then nodded, "Back then. Right," she nodded again, "Okay. That was very helpful. Thank you." "Right now we're assuming that this comes from the mythal in the hands of your people," Erevin nodded to Thorn. "What do you mean //my// people?" he blinked innocently. "Well they //were// your people," Posy nodded to him, thoughtfully adding, "Oh, but no one else knows that." Thorn turned to look directly at her with a disbelieving disappointed stare, his shoulders sagging. Wren raised an eyebrow. Erevin continued, ignoring their chatter, "Wouldn't it be odd if all the elves just suddenly felt it, realizing there was a mythal here... unless it's always been here?" "Oh it's always been that way. For a hundred... well ever since the city was founded," the captain nodded. Erevin nodded, "So it was found below..." "A drow mythal," Wren nodded, "Shri? How do //you// feel about stepping off of the boat?" The priestess shook her head with a soft laugh and stepped out onto the gangplank, shrugging when nothing happened. Wren nodded to her, encouraged, and stepped out beside her. A white glow radiated out from the elven witch and she tried shushing it, "Stop telling everyone." Erevin stepped out next to her, a brilliant gold glow sparkled around him. Mali excitedly jumped off of the boat, "Ooo! Pretty! What color am I?" She looked disappointed when nothing happened. Wren patted her shoulder, "I'm sorry, it's only on elves." The little red-haired halfling crumpled, "Oh..." "Wait," Thorn studied her, "I think I see a faint hint of green." He nodded to Mali. "Really?" She looked herself over excitedly. Wren grinned, and nodded, agreeing. Kale stepped out beside the others with a true green glow. Erevin nodded, looking around at all of his companions, "A defense of the drow mythal... it makes sense that any surface elf would glow. Makes them easier to find in the Underdark." "Oh," Wren nodded, looking over each of their colorful glow, "You know... for a stealth mission... this is going to suck." The others nodded to her agreeing. Wren tilted her head at Thorn, pondering, "Can I borrow that ring of yours for just a quick test?" Thorn glanced at his invisibility ring, clutching it, "But it's my favorite ring..." Wren grinned, sliding off her fire defense ring, "Just for a minute... You can hold mine if it you like." Thorn sighed and handed her up the ring. Wren slipped it on, fading from sight, but the white glow still radiated around where she was and everyone groaned. She handed the ring back to the halfling rogue, "I was afraid of that... here's your ring back." Thorn accepted it, handing her up his human mask to try as well... even disguised as a human, she still had the same shining white glow around her. Erevin nodded, "Mythals are powerful. At least it's not what we thought... I feel less bad about it. //Less// bad... still bad." The elven witch nodded her agreement, "At least my soul isn't in a lottery." "You elves and your superstitions," Thorn shook his head. The group all moved along the dock. All of the elves had their own unique shade to the color around them. No one had the exact same. Erevin's seemed to stand out the most. Wren looked around, guessing that it was Erevin's royal blood that made his so bright and different. Azarius charmed his way for directions through the city uptown into the noble area. A noble snapped his fingers, drawing a young urchin over and handing him a coin, "Lead Mr Chaat here up to the Norwood estate." "Yes, sir!" the young boy accepted the copper excitedly and led them up the path. Posy, feeling bad about the young boy, handed him a gold coin. The little urchin's eyes lit up as he smiled up at her. He pointed at various landmarks as they walked, giving them a small tour on the way, "Where are you from?" "Lyrabar," Erevin answered him. The boy nodded, familiar with the city, "We're almost to the top of the stairs. From there we'll have to go through the temple district, and just beyond there is where the noble estate district..." He didn't get to finish his sentence... as he said his final word, a wave of fire blew him into dust and embers... leaving only a melted drop of gold from his coin on the ground. Two fireballs streaked through the street, followed by a flamestrike! Able to dodge some of it, and grateful for fire resistance, most of the group made it through with some burnt flesh and smoldering clothing. Maliumpkin was the heaviest impacted, taking a great deal of damage. Looking up to see where the spells had come from... past the screaming of the townspeople... the paladin, sorceress, priestess, and druidess that normally accompanied Echo stood down the street. Thera-the druidess had a leafy green glow around her, Mina-the paladin had a soft flickering gold and blue, Calla-the sorceress had a red glow, and Bora-the priestess had a similar blue and gold glow to Mina. Aware and Kattri shouted out, "Garishthimbles defensive technique!" They pushed buttons on the trunks that opened up, and the two jumped inside to safety. Erevin pushed his way past one of the townspeople in the street to climb up a building to the roof spotting a few rogues on other rooftops, looking down on the group. Wren stood in the middle of Kale, Thorn, Posy, and Uther and transported all of them behind the Echo group. One of the rogues slashed into Erevin, realizing the ranger had snuck up behind him on the roof. Another dropped down to sneak attack Mali in the back! A third rogue leapt behind Azarius to slash into him with his blade. Two more surrounded Ursus, slashing into him as a double team! Melleron blinked at the rogue who stupidly dropped down right in front of him and ignored him to strike into Mali in front of him... The mighty white lion left ragged wounds from his claws in the back of the rogue and then buried his teeth into him! Azarius teleported up onto the rooftop above the Echo elves to get a better vantage point of the rogues raining down on them. Unaware of the sorcerer now above her, Posy went into a rage, tumbling into the group of Echoes, and used her ring of retribution to cast out a circular explosion! Flames washed out and up, burning the four elven women as well as Azarius, dropping the already burnt sorcerer thumping down onto the roof, unconscious. Uther followed her in, engaging Bora with his blade. Thorn used the advantage of Posy to rush up and stab the druidess in the back with sharp ragged slashes! Erevin pulled his moonblade, slashing deeply into the rogue still on the rooftop with him. The rogue slashed into Shri, ignoring the elven prince, and the drow priestess sent out a cooling wave of moonlight over her companions, healing everyone around her. Wren sent a blue bolt of cold from Cirdan toward Bora, the cleric, but Calla sent out a lightning bolt to counter it in an explosion of magic. The elven witch flew up to see that the noise above them had been their companion, Azarius. Kale pushed Thorn behind him and drove his blade into Thera! Townspeople screamed, running and clearing slowly from the streets. Bora sent out a positive golden light to heal her companions that washed over the sorcerer above her, that she was unaware of, as well, bringing Azarius back to consciousness. Mina struck into Posy with a fiery sword, but the flames didn't seem to harm the barbarian gnome. Thera wove a spell, speaking aloud as she pointed at the gnome, "Finger of Death!" The gnome's fortitude fought most of it, but she still felt the impact! Directly below Wren, a door opened up in a building as Echo leapt out and stabbed Thorn in the back! The rogue being munched on by Melleron struck out again at Mali, slashing across her back. Ursus was swarmed by the two rogues around him, stabbing and piercing into him from two sides, but his bear charged in to bite into one of them, trying to draw it off. Mali shapeshifted into a tendriculous, filling the alleyway with an enormous plant creature as Melleron slashed the rogue into bits! Azarius stood up on the rooftop, backing away from the edge, and began summoning. Posy pulled her axe and struck against the paladin before her as Thorn turned around to engage Echo behind him, who was glowing a soft white. He stabbed into her with his two daggers, only able to pierce into her once. Erevin slashed with his moonblade, dropping the rogue off of the roof to his death. Shri said a prayer to Eilistraee. Wren flew down, head first, reaching her hands down to barely touch Echo's back, sending out a spell of Harm that drained away part of her life, leaving her pale and weak. Echo called out for Bora's aid, who placed her hands on Posy, "Two can play that game!" She sent out a powerful wave of healing that drained most of Posy's life, but the gnome continued to growl in a rage! Following the priestess's lead, Mina struck into the barbarian with her blade. Calla took to the air, now able to see over the building where the witch was posed behind Echo. Echo tumbled back away from Thorn to slash across Wren's arms that were still stretched down. A lillend azata answered Azarius's call, singing a bardic song, and slashing her sword into Bora as Azarius sent magic missiles into the priestess as well. Posy slashed heavily into Bora, dropping the cleric to the ground unconscious. Thorn lunged forward with his daggers, stabbing into Echo with one precise shot after another, dropping her unconscious to fade into nothing. Erevin summoned his bow, taking careful aim to shoot a rogue hiding on the other side of Mali's massive writhing plant body. With Posy obviously barely clinging to life, Wren flew across the area, grabbing Posy in her arms to duck beneath the bridge and heal her. Calla followed her below the bridge, sending out a chain lightning into both Wren and Posy, dropping the witch unconscious. Wren plummeted into the water below with Posy! The lightning continued to arc up over the bridge to hit Kale and Uther as well, with Thorn barely dodging out of the way. Melleron and Black Fang shredded another of the rogues as Mali lumbered forward to smash into the final rogue with her thick and heavy vine-like branches with Ursus's aid, dropping him to his death. Azarius sent magic missiles into Mina. Posy latched onto Wren's unconscious body, swimming to the edge of the canal to get them both out of the water, dripping wet and glancing up to see Calla still hovering in the air nearby. Thorn used his two daggers to multistrike into Thera's back as the druidess weighed out her options. Erevin shot his bow into Calla, who's stone-like skin resisted some of the impact of the arrows. Kale dashed across the bridge to sweep up the soggy witch's body, pulling a healing potion from his cloak. Thera vanished, following the departure of Echo. Calla pointed at Thorn across the bridge, sending a powerful greenish ray into the halfling that left the rogue barely clinging to life! Their target in sight, and a moment of opportunity, Mina charged over to drive her blade into Thorn, dropping him unconscious! The halfling's vest seemed to writhe around with roaming cockroaches that stood him back up and bringing him back to conscious. Mali lumbered her vast tendriculous body over to the bridge and sent out a mass healing spell over Ursus, Mell, Posy, Wren, Kale, and Thorn. With the witch back to conscious and safe in Kale's arms, Posy sent her axe out to punch through Calla's thick stoneskin! Thorn sent several vicious strikes with his daggers into Mina, leaving the paladin dripping with blood! City guards ran down the streets toward the battle, one of them swinging wildly at the enormous plant monster. Mali turned to open her petals, exposing rows of sharp teeth and growled at the guard causing him to step back, staring up at her. "City Guard! Halt in the name of Raven's Bluff!" the guards called as they swarmed around the group. Wren turned to them, still held in the elven warrior's arms, "We have done nothing but defend ourselves." Calla and Mina vanished a moment later. The guards continued to shout for the group's surrender. Azarius dismissed the azata. Posy put her axe away, but still seethed with the rage that kept her body moving, ignoring the massive damage she had undertaken. Mali lumbered toward them, shapeshifting as she moved to pop back into a tiny halfling. The guards leapt back in front of her, "Get down on the ground! Get down on the ground!" Wren had Kale set her down and she stood firm, speaking calmly, "We have no quarrel with you. We were only defending ourselves as well as the townsfolk." One of the guards stepped nearer to the witch, and looked over the assembled group, "We can sort that out later. For now, drop your weapons, and come with us. Any resistance will be met with swift and terrible justice." Mali stomped her foot, her hands on her hips, "I can't drop my weapons. I AM a weapon! Look at me! I'm terrifying!" "Ma'am... we just seen you turn into a 40 foot tall plant creature. We know what druids can do. We're not stupid," one of the guards shook his head at her. "Well then you wont mind if I hold onto this stick," she climbed onto the back of her lion. "Actually... we do mind," the guard nodded to her. Erevin looked down from the rooftops, "We accompany Lord Chaat." He pointed to the sorcerer standing on the corner of the roof above them. Posy nodded, "We were going to the Norwoods." "Very well. We'll sort this out down there," one of the guards gestured down the street and motioned for everyone to move. Erevin pointed the other way, "There are several rogue bodies down there. We were attacked." The guard nodded as more city guards poured into the street, some of them going off to collect the bodies. The guards led them to the Temple District, putting them into 10x10 barred rooms with little cots, and collected their weapons. Wren wove a spell over Posy, making her vulnerable to accept another healing from her hexes. One of the guards peered at her, demanding with accusation, "What are you doing?" Wren shifted her eyes to glance at him sideways, speaking calmly but with an annoyed tone to her voice, "I'm healing my friend. Step back." He watched her closely as she wove a hex to close some of Posy's wounds. No longer raging, the gnome melted onto a cot, exhausted. Wren healed her again with a minor spell, letting her sleep. One of the guards glanced at Erevin's sheath on his hip and held out his hand, "Your sword please." Erevin shook his head, speaking calmly, "You don't want to touch that... it's a family relic. Be very very careful." The guard raised his eyebrow, "Just put it on the table then." Erevin set it carefully among everyone's weapons on the large table, sarcasm dripping from his voice, "So far, I love this new town." "Attacked when we get into town," Thorn nodded, "And then get arrested for it!" The guards separated everyone, taking them into rooms to ask questions. The stories all started out the same... heading up from the docks, at the top of the stairs when fire came pouring in... vaporizing the urchin who guided us. The questioning went on for hours... and hours... Erevin throwing in strong guilt trips of how such a tragedy occurred "on your streets". Thorn wove a sob story, enhancing the vicious attack on innocent arriving people! Posy denied any knowledge of innocent townsfolk being killed by damage she caused. Mali sighed at them, "Imagine the damage that would have happened if we weren't there!" Wren wove an enhanced version of the story, denying any accusation toward any of her companions... eventually growing irritated with their continued questioning, and narrowing her eyes, "Look... I'm insulted. We come here. Get attacked. Try to save the townspeople around us... Get arrested... and You are now taking up waaaay too much of our time." Townsfolk were also in the precinct telling their version of the story... "There was this kid... he had a gold coin in his mouth and he just vaporized! And then there was this elf who ran past me like lightning and then climbed the building like a spider monkey! Had one of them drow in tow and she had big boobs!" Finally, a higher ranking guard appeared. He looked like a nobleman, speaking to a few of the other guards. He wandered over to look over the group, "Which one of you is the leader of this merry band?" Most of the group looked at Erevin, who smiled and nodded toward the sorcerer, "He's in charge on this trip."

The jail cell was opened, and the nobleman nodded to Azarius, "Follow me, please." The charismatic sorcerer followed him into a room behind a closed door.

The nobleman looked him up and down, "Azarius Chaat is your name?" "Yes," Azarius nodded. "I am Tidus Devilars," the officer nodded. Recognizing the prominent noble name from Raven's Bluff, Azarius accepted his handshake. "I'm sorry to have to meet with you under these unfortunate circumstances," Tidus nodded. Azarius asked, "Do you know who the people are that attacked us?" "Unfortunately... yes, we do," Tidus nodded. "I would think they would have to be in the city to have attacked us like that," Azarius continued, "The women who attacked us vanished and are supposedly being controlled by someone else." Tidus nodded, "Yes, I believe this to be the case as well." Azarius handed him his letter of introduction, "We were on our way to the Norwood estate." "Ahh, you're a friend of Reegan Winterrowd," he nodded. Azarius nodded, "We didn't get to far into the city before this happened unfortunately." "So what quarrel do you have with the Black Mark?" Tidus raised his eyebrow. "They've been after someone in our party for awhile now... unfortunately I don't know the hows or whys of that as I've not yet had the opportunity to delve into it," Azarius answered, "Sorry about the damage that all of this has caused. I'm sorry I can't give you more information than that... you'd have to ask Thorn." "Oh, we will. We will," Tidus nodded and paused for a thoughtful moment, "However, I see an opportunity here... for the both of us." "Ahh, opportunity," Azarius nodded, waiting for the pitch. "This group of miscreant elves has been seen several times. Actually... more than half a dozen times in the city in the last 6 months... Always leaving quite a bit of damage... and loss of life," Tidus began. Azarius looked him over, nodding, "I can see how that could weigh on your mind." "Yes..." Tidus continued, "At first the targets of these elves seemed to be... let us say... the less law-abiding of the citizens of Raven's Bluff. So to a certain extent it was entirely bad... until the point when they started to be a little less discriminating. We noticed... well... I noticed... that these elves seemed to be eliminating members of thieves guilds. All of the thieves guilds in fact... except for the one called the Black Mark... so I've surmised that they must have some connection to this Black Mark... hence I asked why you had some sort of ... non-friendly relationship with them." Azarius nodded, "We've been attacked by them before, so we are looking to solve this problem." "The elves have some sort of strange magic... every time that we try to apprehend them, they seem to be able to just disappear," the guard captain tapped his fingers on the desk. "Frustrating," the charismatic sorcerer agreed. "Now with this Black Mark having less competition... I am less than 100% sure that they don't have agents even here... amongst the city guard," Tidus frowned, "So I'm at a loss as to who to turn to... that is... until you arrived. It seems that we have a mutual enemy." "It is true," Azarius agreed. "I noticed that you have elves in your number... Do you have any knowledge of why these... nobles elves, by all appearances... seem to be butchering people here in the city?" the noble guardsman asked. "I'm not sure what their agenda here is... but if you had any idea or clue to their whereabouts... then we could go after them and try to figure this out," Azarius suggested. "Well we don't know where they are... because every time we go after them, they disappear," Tidus answered, "However, I do know that the Black Mark dwell in the dwarven ruins beneath the city." "That sounds like a good place to start," Azarius nodded, "Where is the entrance?" "There are several ways to get in... through the sewers... and I've sent men down there, but as you may have noticed... elves in this city... stand out... and there was no sign of these elves down there," Tidus answered, "And of course... The Black Mark swear that," the captain raised his arms up in mock surrender, and imitated a dramatic innocent tone, "They have nothing to do with it." He sighed, "And we have no proof... other than it's their enemies that seem to be being eliminated... We've arrested a few, but they don't seem to know anything. ...but certainly the dwarven ruin is a place to start." Azarius nodded. "But... for you and your... companions..." Tidus paused, "I would like to make it appear that... you used monetary influence to get you and your companions released... so when we return back out there... if you could act like you just gave me a big fat bribe..." Azarius nodded, agreeing to the ruse. Azarius and the noble guardsman returned from the room with Tidus hoisting and patting a bag of gold, "Well... I think it's clear that these travelers were just defending themselves... and they did what they could to defend the folks of this town. I don't see any reason that we should continue to hold them anymore." The other guards grumbled, "I better get a cut of that." "Damn nobles always think they can get away with anything... above the law." They reluctantly opened the cells and handed back the group's weapons. "But she killed my Norval!" one of the townswomen screamed and sobbed, pointing at Posy as the group stepped out of the precinct. Some of the guards escorted her away as she sobbed and wailed. A handful of guards escorted the group toward the noble district, grumbling as they walked. Azarius gave them each a small bag of gold for their trouble... and they seemed to be a lot cheerier. Thorn glanced at them, "Consider it hazard pay." Wren giggled, agreeing. Outside of the east wall of the crowded city there were sprawling estates for the nobles. As the group crossed into the noble district, Shri moved closer to Posy, laying a concerned hand on the pale gnome's shoulder, "Are you alright?" Posy laughed softly and nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine." The drow priestess whispered a powerful prayer over her, healing all of her wounds and regaining her strength, "How about now? Feel better?" Posy nodded, "Much! I'll be like new in the morning." Shri nodded, continuing on in a gentle voice, "I wasn't talking about your physical injuries... I am a priestess." Posy raised an eyebrow at her, "We'll talk later." "Very well," the lithe drow woman nodded graciously, "I'm always here for you, Posy." "Awww," the gnome barbarian reached over and gave the priestess a hug. Kattri and Aware got out of their steamer trunks and joined the group at the Norwood estate. "I'm glad to see that you're okay," Posy nodded to them in greeting. "No problem," Kattri nodded, "These steamer trunks can stand up to anything." Posy looked them over to see that they were only a little singed. Their colorful hair styles looked a bit frizzy now. An apple orchard loaded with fresh and delicious apples welcomed them onto the estate, and the guards gestured to the house, taking their leave. A handsome young gentleman dressed in a smoking jacket met them at the door, "Ahh you must be Mr. Chaat. Mr. Reegan had spoken of you before in a letter and well... his description doesn't do you justice... I must say that you're the most handsome man I've ever seen. Please come in." Azarius stepped inside, introducing his companions as everyone followed him in. Mariden led them through his large and rather empty... almost bachelor pad type of estate, "My mother and father recently passed away... so I've inherited the estate." "Sorry for your loss," Erevin nodded to him. "It is most unfortunate," the young noble nodded appreciatively to the elven prince. He took everyone to where several bedrooms were already waiting, "I'll have dinner prepared for you all. Please choose any rooms that you want. There are plenty for each of you." The group thanked him for his hospitality. "In light of all that's happened... might I suggest that we pair up in rooms?" Azarius suggested. Everyone agreed. Posy and Uther roomed together next door to the Garishthimbles. Mali and Ursus went into one room while Erevin and Shri walked into theirs. Kale and Wren chose a room with a view of the orchard, leaving Thorn and Azarius as the last two standing in the hall. Posy slipped over to Shri's room, confessing to her about accidentally killing the townsfolk. "If you wish..." the drow priestess suggested, "With the power of Eilistraee... I could try to bring them back." Posy raised a skeptical eyebrow, "To see them dead or alive?" "If we can convince the family... I could bring them back from the dead," Shri nodded. "The little boy too?" Posy asked. "Theoretically," Shri nodded. Posy nodded, feeling better. Erevin raised an eyebrow, "What would that cost us?" "It would take gem worth about 5000 gold for each person," Shri answered casually. "What?!" Posy blinked at her in shock, "I don't have that much gold!" Shri patted her shoulder. "I'll send a letter to the families... explaining what happened... and apologize," Posy nodded, "And perhaps Jerome can talk to them..." Shri nodded, recalling that the gnome could see spirits.