Realms of Dread, Chapter Four

[BigBadQDaddy]

Alain responds dully, "No, not really. The place was in shambles and would have taken weeks to go through. And given that many records were destroyed, it may well be a fruitless venture."

[kintire]

Shana does not return to the table at once, instead beginning one of her dance/illusion shows. Leaves begin to sprout throughout the inn and the place soon looks like a sylvan glade, with birds flitting through the trees, woodland animals darting across the floor, and Shana herself as a dryad dancing around one of the trees

[Lord Skybolt]

After coming back to the table with drinks for him and his companions Threan asks of Alain"So did you find any thing of interest at the Kings Tower ?"

[ewancummins]

Jamethon watches Shana's show in silence, his eyes tracking the woman's movements. His face remains blank.

[steveflam]

Breana listens to Jamethon talk of his world. "Ah I see, well that makes more sense ta me. The Morninglord is in your world too? That's quite incredible, Jamethon an thanks for the chat."

Breana turns to Alain "Scuse me, but are we going to go in search of the undead children."

[VAN]

Inovidil is ready to start talking about her day and the meeting with Vindala Chantaler when Blaise and Breana arrive. The evoker blinks and doesn't manage to hide her displeasure when heard which God worship Breana. However, she waits patiently to finish her chat with Jamethon before jump in their discussion.

"I'm Inovidil and I'm from Toril...so I have read and heard about Myrkul. The clerics of Lord of Dead have special power and connection with undead and from what I know they use to be cruel. You said you came here to in order to change what people of Marsember believe of Myrkul. I might say that this will be a pretty difficult task since the city has been attacked by undead children lately and of course 3 children have been kidnapped...But I admire your courage and appreciate the fact that you don't wear the mask the other clerics use to wear. I'd appreciate if you don't use undead in our investigation though, they will cause us more problem than help. Doubt that can pass unnoticed and we don't want people to believe that we have any kind of connection with undead...I don't mean any offence but I think you can understand why after the recent facts."

When Threen fetches her wine, Inovidil thanks him and continues.

"Alain, your theory is good but you have left out magic. If these children had a wizard or a cleric with them they could fly or teleport, or go under ground etc. There are many transportation spells that could cast. Apart of that I agree that we need to go back and talk again with Mara and ask more information about this Humber guy."

Inovidil gets a sip of her wine and continues:

"I can join and help you today if you want, Glimzime will come too."

[steveflam]

"Well met, Inovidil." The the priestess lisens to Inovidil, raising an eyebrow once or twice but keeping quiet. "Ah, well that reaction is to be expected. But to my knowledge, these undead childrem have nothing ot do with my Fane, Inovidil. Other spellcasters can of course deal with undead, and those are like Magus Delthrin. He was accepted here and I plan to make sure that my Fane is accepted here too.

As to me not using undead in this investigation, that is not for you nor I to decide, now is it? I am going to go out on a limb here, but I could bet that you think that those of us who control the undead, use them for evil purposes. That is a rather sad misconception. Do you know what I use mine for? Tasks around the Fane, that's what. You would use a familiar or some other Unseen Servant where I would use my undead in a very non threatening way. They do housework and menial tasks. Is that so evil of me, I ask you? I don't think so. This is the type of attitude I put up with all the time. Aside from that, it's really nice to meet you." Breana then goes silent, observing the goings on inside the Inn.

[ewancummins]

Jamethon breaks away from watching Shana dance. He's sweating a little now; of course, it is a warm and humid night.


''Breana, I think that your use of undead slaves is wrong, but I'm willing to overlook what you do on your own time, provided it is legal. I won't work with your filthy shamblers, though. If you think that's harsh, ask Shana how she feels about it.''

With that, Jamethon pushes away from the table and heads to the bar to join Alain and Blaise.

[steveflam]

"I'm doing nothing illegal. They do menial tasks, nothing more. And I think I am competent enough to not need some undead drones to help me, Jamethon." Breana shrugs as the man leaves. She continues observing the happenings of the Inn.

[VAN]

"Guess we have different opinion about undead and cannot see how you compare the unseen servant to them. Anyway I'd appreciate if you don't use them when we are around. I agree with Jamethon since you use them in your house or for legal purposes are ok, but please try to understand that we don't feel comfortable with them."

When she exits the evoker continues:

"Hope she doesn't go around the town with an army of undead...I know that she can perfectly control them and doubt she will use them in plain sight for something illegal, but still the people after the recent events of the attack, the fire and the kidnap of the children will be more afraid of all kind of undead. That been said she might be really useful in our case and bet this is the reason Captain Rask assigned her to us."

Turning to others she asks:

"How she behaved during the day? Was she professional? And what spells has she casted? If she is willing to help and doesn't have secret agenda I think she is ok. But at least at the beginning we need to keep an eye at her."

[Le Noir Faineant]

Over at the bar, Blaise laughs and places a hand affectionately on Shana's shoulders, then he slides a tankard over to her. He turns and walks back to the table, carrying a stein for himself and for Ironheart. "Warrior, your mead is ready! With my compliments."

Ironheart will grin somewhat childishly, and empty the mug in one big, giant draft...

[BigBadQDaddy]

After coming back to the table with drinks for him and his companions Threan asks of Alain"So did you find any thing of interest at the Kings Tower ?"

"As I was just saying to Blaise, no. The place was a mess. It would take weeks to find anything of use there, that is unless the records we were looking for had not been destroyed along with so many others."

Breana turns to Alain "Scuse me, but are we going to go in search of the undead children."

Alain turns to the priestess, "If everyone wants to search the warehouse district, then we could do that. As for Humber's home? It wouldn't be wise for any of us to go within throwing distance of that place unless we have solid evidence. I am not sure you know of the militia's recent history, Breana, but we recently lost one of our own to impulsive and unjustified actions. I am sure you are aware of the events surrounding that whole Delthrin fiasco."

"Alain, your theory is good but you have left out magic. If these children had a wizard or a cleric with them they could fly or teleport, or go under ground etc. There are many transportation spells that could cast. Apart of that I agree that we need to go back and talk again with Mara and ask more information about this Humber guy."

Inovidil gets a sip of her wine and continues:

"I can join and help you today if you want, Glimzime will come too."

"True. There is quite a bit I don't know about magic. What little I am able to conjure is inspired by song and poetry. Sadly enough, this shoddy theory of mine is the closest thing we have for a lead right now.
If you want to speak with Mara, I would love to go with. I have been worried about her since I dropped her off at her home given whats been happening recently."

Alain watches the exchange between Breana, Inovidil and Jamethon with a look of horror on his face. Did this woman seriously mean to use undead servants in the course of the investigation?
"Breana, I don't even know where to begin on how abhorrently against the employ of undead I am. You do have the side of the law with you and there is nothing I nor anyone here can tell you to do one way or another so long as your practices remain within the confines of the law.
"I can promise you that if you use undead in the course of this investigation, I will request to have you transferred to another investigation. I can't risk this investigation falling apart over pride or beliefs. I am not one to make orders, so I will give you a choice knowing the actions I will take if you ignore my plea."

[steveflam]

Breana looks at Alain and is very calmans collected. "Listen very carefully to what I said. I only use them in the privacy of the Fane. That is it. So stop worrying about me bringing them along for this investigation. And perhaps you can tell everyone to come out of the dark ages. Do you see me wearing a mask and terrorizing people? No. And like evryone else in this city I am quite aware of the recent events. Me walking around with undead would be rightly asking for it, I dare say. Well if that's all, I suppose we are meeting here again this evening? Maybe by then, some of you will have changed your attitudes towards me. The only one thus far who has been professional and courteous has really been Blaise and Jamethon. Everyone else treats me like I am the scourge. And I have given you no reason to do so. I have been professional thus far. And I'd appreciate it if Inovidil has something to say about me,she say it to my face. I do want to help. Good afternoon to you, Alain."

With that, the priestess rises frm her chair and walks out of the Inn and back to the Fane.

[BigBadQDaddy]

As the priestess walks away, Alain mutters to himself, "Understanding is a two way street."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Blaise seems to be getting an unusual level of satisfaction from Shana's illusory performance. He occasionally glances over at the heated discussion involving Breana, but he says nothing -- and the smile doesn't leave his face -- until the show is over.

He applauds loudly. "Bravo! Marvelous!" Then he says to Alain, "And that show was fairly entertaining as well." He nods his head in the direction of Breana's shapely derriere as she departs the inn. "Aren't you happy to be in charge of this? Would you like me to follow up with her regarding the investigation tonight? She can cast a spell to detect undead, which obviously could be handy." He glances over at Shana. "I could bring Shana with me to the warehouse area as well -- she's better at negotiating the social situations we might encounter there."