Realms of Dread [IC] Chapter Three

[ewancummins]

Rardi now has the presence of mind to get dressed. She figures the illithid brought her to a safe place. "Uh, thanks, Okarthu. Now can ye do the same fer Inovidil? And just a thing, where am I? Would yer mind if I put a little light in here?"

NO MORE LIGHT

[steveflam]

Now was Rardi explained exactly where Illithids live?

"I knows I's in a cave, but where? Near Marsember?"

[ewancummins]

Now was Rardi explained exactly where Illithids live?

"I knows I's in a cave, but where? Near Marsember?"

ANSWER QUESTIONS LATER.
NOW IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE MADE UPON THE DWARF-BODY. COMBINE WITH UMBER-HULK, CREATE SUPER-TUNNELING CREATURE. POSSIBLE THEN TO TUNNEL INTO HUMAN STRONGHOLD, FREE PRISONERS. THIS IS DESIRABLE?

[VAN]

Inovidil doesn't expect Rask's outburst. She was so shocked so for a second put her sorrow apart and speaks normally.

"Why I signed? Captain, I only told then the truth. I'm really sorry we didn't trust you but you have put us out of the case so Archedius told us to carry on. Anyway I'm happy with Ironheart and I hope we have a chance me and Rardi as well. Thank you very much Captain for what you are doing for us."

[steveflam]

Rardi thinks about this. SHe has no idea what an Umber Hulk is and what his plan entails, really. Her mind in the things?

"Awrightee. Ye want me to merge me mind with some beastie that will then dig through the earth ta free Inovidil, is that it? I dun think she's in 'er cell, ta be honest. We was on our way ta court. Though I think now she may be back in her cell with me missin. I on'y wanna make sure Inovidil is free. Is our safety guaranteed? I dun wanna git er killed, the whole point is ta free her safely like I was."

[ewancummins]

Inovidil doesn't expect Rask's outburst. She was so shocked so for a second put her sorrow apart and speaks normally.

"Why I signed? Captain, I only told then the truth. I'm really sorry we didn't trust you but you have put us out of the case so Archedius told us to carry on. Anyway I'm happy with Ironheart and I hope we have a chance me and Rardi as well. Thank you very much Captain for what you are doing for us."

Rask calms down. He lays a hand on Ino's shoulder.

''I understand. You were only following orders for your immediate superiors. Stick with that, it'll go easier on you. If Lieutenant Tagaris were alive...well, the brave man's gone, now. Look, I'm not angry with you now, see? I'll try something to get you out of here. I...what was that noise?''

There is some commotion outside Ino's cell. Guards are yelling!

[ewancummins]

Rardi thinks about this. SHe has no idea what an Umber Hulk is and what his plan entails, really. Her mind in the things?

"Awrightee. Ye want me to merge me mind with some beastie that will then dig through the earth ta free Inovidil, is that it? I dun think she's in 'er cell, ta be honest. We was on our way ta court. Though I think now she may be back in her cell with me missin. I on'y wanna make sure Inovidil is free. Is our safety guaranteed? I dun wanna git er killed, the whole point is ta free her safely like I was."

YES, SAFE. CONCORD NOTED. PROCEEDING.....

A wave of mental force overwhelms Rardi. She blacks out.

[Lord Skybolt]

Threan comes back out through the security door to come meet Alain at the counter . "So how can I help you today ? " Threan asking on his way to the counter . Alain may notice that Threan is walking at rate closer to what Ironheart moves(when IH walks) than what someone of his small size would normally move at without any apparent extra effort on his part .

[Ken of Ghastria]

Rask's newly-appointed second-in-command, Merren, a somewhat paunchy man with the rank Lieutenant, is only to happy to answer Blaise's questions:

''Watch-Captain Rask is away on business. You may leave a message with Sergeant Talbot.
Now, murder you say? Well, for something like that executions are usually carried out rather quickly- sometimes as early as the next morning or even the same day. One can always appeal to the ruling noble for more time- here in Marsember, that'd be the baron, Lord Ildool. He might also be sitting as the judge, of course, if it were an important case. ''

"Thank you, Lieutenant," says Blaise happily, flashing a quick salute as he departs. Once he and Shana have walked away, he says to her in a more somber tone, "Well, you were right, unfortunately. We don't have much time. But talking to Lord Ildool ... hmmm, that's an option worthing pursuing.

"Remember the party we attended? I introduced myself to Ildool as 'Blaise Zilfarrik,' a scholar of history, and I learned that he has interests in that area, too. Ino was with me, and he even invited us back to the manor two days later to talk further. I may be a day late, but perhaps 'Blaise Zilfarrik' could make a plea on Ino's and Rardi's behalf? Ildool took a liking to Ino, that's for sure, and I'm sure that YOU can be persuasive as well, dear... Even a delay of a day or two would be a help."

[kintire]

"Its got to be worth a try. I can be persuasive, when I put my mind to it! I don't know much history, but I can leave that side of things to you. We certainly need to stall at least a little. Its going to be too much of a rush to get a good plan together in hours."

Shana follows Blaise, taking some deep breaths to calm herself and get into character.

[ewancummins]

residence of Lord Hintar Ildool

Blaise doesn't have trouble finding the place: it's the same grand house in which the party of a few night's before had been held.

[The Baron will presumably move into the 'King's Tower' [the citadel that is or was the center of gov't and residence of the previous ruler] once repairs there are complete. ]

Guardsmen and servants swarm around the big house, including not a few Purple Dragon soldiers under arms. Anyone hoping to be admitted in the ordinary fashion will, of course, have to submit to a search for concealed weapons and the like.

[kintire]

Shana is mostly leaving the admittance part to Blaise: she has no problem with being searched. She has no weapons of any kind beyond the normal eating knife.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Blaise steps up to one of the guards standing watch. "Good day to you, soldier. I trust all is well. My name is Zilfarrik, Blaise Zilfarrik, and the Baron was gracious enough during his party to extend a standing invitation to visit him. Please grant my beautiful companion and I leave to pass."

OOC: Blaise has no weapons about his person. In terms of magical equipment, he has everything on his character sheet except for the leather armor and the potions of hiding. The rest is back at the inn.

[ewancummins]

Ildool's house

The soldiers admit Blaise and Shana after a quick but throrough search.

Once inside the grand house, they are led by a servant, who deposits them in a smartly appointed parlor with instructions to wait for his lordship to arrive.

The wait is not long, ten or fifteen minutes at most. The baron enters in the company of three others; a weasely-looking clerk, a tall graybeard dressed in deep purple robes, and a hulking brute to rival Ironheart- this one wearing a shirt of mail despite the heat of the day. The big one also wears a sword, but the others have only dirks.

Ildool, handsome and blithe as ever, seats himself and motions for all present to do likewise. This arrangement works out with Blaise having to share a couch with the armored man.

''So, Master Zilfarrik...well-met. I'm afraid you are a bit late. All is forgiven, of course, as you've brought such a delightful beauty with you...''
Ildool smiles at Shana.

'' Now, then, you have my attention. ''
Ildool waits for a reply of some sort.

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Your lordship, it's very gracious of you to see me," Blaise says. "I know you're extremely busy these days. First, allow me to introduce my dear friend, Shana ______*. You may remember that, at your party the other night, I was accompanied by a fellow intellectual, an elven woman named Inovidil. It's because of her that I was delayed and it's because of her that my visit today has transformed from a fascinating discussion of history to a plea for your help, Baron." Shana will notice that this Blaise has a much more aristocratic bearing than the Blaise that she knows so well.

"Inovidil has a ... feisty spirit, especially for an elf," he continues. "She is always seeking activity, and she has a generous heart. Because of this, she volunteered to help with the militia. Frankly, your lordship, I tried to dissuade her -- not because the need for help wasn't there, but she has too gentle a nature for militia work. She's a lover of books and quite naive to the ways of the world.

"Well, she has somehow gotten herself tied up with some mess. I've learned that she and a fellow militia member, a dwarven woman, have been arrested, accused of involvement in the unfortunate death of the wizard Delthrin -- word has spread around town, Baron, I'm afraid -- which is mindboggling. The Inovidil I know is positively squeamish when any sort of violence is present. I'm sure there's been a misunderstanding.

"There are rumors that she and this dwarf are about to go on trial. If so, I humbly ask for a delay in that trial -- or at least in the sentencing if they're found guilty -- so that I may visit my friend and learn the truth. From what I've read and seen, Baron, you're a wise man. I'm sure that, like me, you'd wish to prevent a miscarriage of justice."

________
* Blaise would know Shana's last name, but Ken the player has forgotten it.