A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani nods to Kilbur in greeting. "No, not for display," he answers politely. "Something... evil has been roaming the streets of Kresk, Good Kilbur. Something vicious and unnatural. And innocent people are being harmed by it. I know that this will sound strange, but we believe that a weapon made from brass could harm it far more than any sword made from iron or steel. Would you be able to make such a weapon? I will happily arrange payment for any services...."

[kintire]

Marilee nods politely at the shopkeeper, then bows politely to the Dwarf. Content to let Khalfani do the talking she looks around the forge, drinking in the sight of weapons forging with a sparkle in her eye, even as the heat sets her skin gleaming.

[Ail]

Robert takes Laurie's smile sportingly. He had been laughed at by women many times, this wouldn't be the last. Anyway, it was worth a shot, although Laurie did leave as he contemplated she might.

"Well, worth a try" he said lowly to himself. He leaves the room and approaches Cornelius, asking

"Hello Cornelius, give me an ale, please, smallest you've got."

When the man returns, he says

"Thank you. Do you know where any of the others is, by any chance?"

[steveflam]

Khalfani nods to Kilbur in greeting. "No, not for display," he answers politely. "Something... evil has been roaming the streets of Kresk, Good Kilbur. Something vicious and unnatural. And innocent people are being harmed by it. I know that this will sound strange, but we believe that a weapon made from brass could harm it far more than any sword made from iron or steel. Would you be able to make such a weapon? I will happily arrange payment for any services...."

Kilbur frowns. His blackened hand scratches his chin and head, blackening it. He has grey skin, very odd for a dwarf. "So yer sayin that tha varmint who bin killin the ladies here is whut yer needin a weapon for. All right." He looks at Khalfani and nods grimly.

"So here's tha deal. I need brass. You need to remember one thing. This weapon will be good fer maybe one er two attacks at the most. Brass is soft. Fer 100 gold I kin make yer 4 as a favour ta yer. I can't let tha pigs know, however. It'll take me a month dewin it in secret, awright? So git it right. 100 gold fer the four blades n I need that much in brass, awright?"

He spits in his hand and holds it out to the gnome, winking. "I bin ta yer neck o tha woods in my youth."

[steveflam]

Robert takes Laurie's smile sportingly. He had been laughed at by women many times, this wouldn't be the last. Anyway, it was worth a shot, although Laurie did leave as he contemplated she might.

"Well, worth a try" he said lowly to himself. He leaves the room and approaches Cornelius, asking

"Hello Cornelius, give me an ale, please, smallest you've got."

When the man returns, he says

"Thank you. Do you know where any of the others is, by any chance?"

"Ah hullo Master Robert. Right away fer ye a nice cool ale. I dunno Robert." Cornelius goes off to get the young man an ale. In the meantime a hush comes over the patrons of the Inn. Obviously, Robert turns to see what is transpiring. He spies:




This is obviously Delsenora's brother and hence Jacob's son. He walks over to the bar and sits. An Eagle hovers over his shoulder eyeing the crowd. Just as he sees Robert, Cornelius returns with Robert's ale. He hands him his ale and walks over to the dark elf. "Hey I be glad ter see ya. I want yer ta meet someone who was a friend o yer sisters."

The drow and Cornelius walk over to Robert. "Oi, Robert. Dis is Fhargos, bruther of tha missus an son o Jacob. Fharghos, dis be Robert. I gots ter git back ter work. See yer later."

The dark elf merely says "Well met," in Mordentish. The Eagle squawks. "Ilyael, fly up to the rafters and keep quiet." The Eagle squawks in protest but obeys and flies up remaining hidden from sight. A few patrons leave in fear, but most, having known Delsenora, remain.

"Now, tell me of my sister. Why do I not sense her nor my father's presence here in this city?"

[Ken of Ghastria]

"So here's tha deal. I need brass. You need to remember one thing. This weapon will be good fer maybe one er two attacks at the most. Brass is soft. Fer 100 gold I kin make yer 4 as a favour ta yer. I can't let tha pigs know, however. It'll take me a month dewin it in secret, awright? So git it right. 100 gold fer the four blades n I need that much in brass, awright?"

He spits in his hand and holds it out to the gnome, winking. "I bin ta yer neck o tha woods in my youth."

"One month...?" Khalfani repeats in a whisper. He looks at Marilee, shrugs his shoulders, and says, "Very well!" He spits in his hand and firmly shakes Kilbur's hand. "Thank you, Master Kilbur -- and I look forward to discussing my homeland with you at another time. Marilee and I will do what we can to get the brass and the money. Gathering the first item may be more difficult. How much brass do you expect you will need? What weight?"

[steveflam]

"I'd tell yer, say, some candlesticks. Bout 15 'o them. Weight is bout 5 pounds. When yer melt it down yer lose some 'o tha metal. Visit me feller dwarf Kelnogg's shop not far from 'ere. 'E's got 'em an tell 'im I sent yer, 'e won' o'er charge ya. Sorry it'll take so long but I kinna do it fast on a count o tha militia keeps us busy. I do it onna side, frien Gnome. Say, you'd look good with a beard. Get some 'air on yer face it'll look good on yer. Jess lookit me!"

He grins revealing some missing teeth. In their place are gold ones.


____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Khalfani knows of Kelnogg's shop and has been there a few times.

[Ken of Ghastria]

"A beard? I may consider it. Thank you again, Kilbur. We shall visit Kelnogg and return with the material." He offers a slight bow, then he looks at Marilee. "Are you ready to leave?" he says to her softly.

Once outside, he says to her in a whisper, "We should tell the others about the possibility of weapons. Alone, I do not believe I have the necessary funds. BUT... I'm not sure we should tell them who is aiding us. I worry about unseen ears at the inn. Let us keep that knowledge between us."

[kintire]

Marilee nods

"Yes, you are right of course. Today, caution should be our watchword. When the weapons are ready, the blood of our enemy will flow like a river!"

[Ail]

Robert is thrilled when Cornelius presents Fhargos to him. He had identified Delsenora's brother quite fast, but as soon as the dark elf spoke, any excitement at having a new, and probably powerful, acquaintance fades quickly and dissolves into anxiety.

He drinks a gulp of his ale, and whispers low

"Now lad, I'm afraid I may have some bad news" he stammers...
"Something happened to Delsenora... last night."

He lets the words run to its full effect, hoping to gauge the dark-elf's reaction.

[steveflam]

The dark elf stares at Robert closely. He grows very serious and and fears the worst, but has to ask.

"What do you mean by "Happened"...."?

[Ken of Ghastria]

Marilee nods

"Yes, you are right of course. Today, caution should be our watchword. When the weapons are ready, the blood of our enemy will flow like a river!"

Khalfani pauses, as though to consider whether he agrees with Marilee's violent imagery. Then the gnome nods his head. "Indeed. Too many have suffered for too long." He looks up at Marilee, seeming to assess her for the first time. "In my homeland, there is a belief that when you die, you appear before the god Anubis, who then weighs your heart -- the ab. If your heart, your spirit..." he reaches up and lightly touches her sternum, "...does not balance the scales of truth, then your spirit will be destroyed by Ammit, the Soul Devourer."

He looks at her with renewed determination. "Yes, Marilee, I would take great satisfaction in escorting our foe to eternal oblivion. Let us continue to the scene of the ambush before returning to the inn. Every hour reduces our chances of finding anything useful there."

[steveflam]

-Khalfani and Marilee-

It takes a while, but you finally arrive at the ambush site. It is near four p.m so the sun is still high. One militia man is on guard there, a young lad from all appearances. As you approach he eyes you both nervously. "Wha-wha-t are you about?," he asks in a squeeky voice.

[Ken of Ghastria]

"What are we about?" says Khalfani with an authoritative tone. "Lad, you need to work on your fortitude and your grammar! I am Khalfani Fenimikk and this is my associate, Marilee, charged by our good Captaini Ivonavich to aid the militia." He fixes the young man with a commanding glare and asks quickly, "What is your name? Do you have anything to report?"

[steveflam]

Keep in mind you have not shown your badges to him so he has no idea who you are.

"I wasn't made aware of your existence sir. Uh, noone's come or gone through here since I've been here this noon. I can't say about this morning, sir as I wasn't here. You can pass but I'll be checking into who you are, sir." He moves aside and lets both of you pass.