As you wait outside the gates of Palderton, as the mysterious letter you received had requested, you notice that others begin to gather at this point as well, figures of every size and shape from all walks of life. After a little idle chatter it becomes apparent that each and every one of you here has received the same letter of invitation, invitation to join the mysterious Orion Group. After roughly 20 minutes of waiting a caravan of wagons, all sporting a deep azure oilcloth covering to protect from the elements, became visible on the horizon. As the caravan came to a stop outside the gates a well dressed figure steps out of the front wagon and comes to greet the group of assembled adventurers. He appears at first clance to be human, and as it were he is, his chain shirt is brightly polished, the rapier at his hip seems to be very well made, and the cloak he wears is the same shade of blue as the wagons. With a brief bow and a smile he looks over the group and finally introduces himself, "Greetings young adventurers, I am Leo Sighvat, and I will be the escort to your future lives among The Orion Group. If you wouldn't mind please find a place in the wagons and we will be on our way." He wastes no time getting back into the front wagon, leaving no time for questions or comments, making it clear that anyone who isn't in a wagon when they leave gets left behind. (anyone attempting to get into the first wagon with Leo finds that it is full and must move to the second or third wagon)
The ride seems to take hours, but with no view of the outside available it is hard to gauge time or distance traveled when the wagons finally come to a stop. The escorts in the wagons stop anyone trying to exit until Leo comes poking his head in to request that you join him outside. Once the group is assembled again the second and third wagons continue on, it becomes obvious that you will not be riding them any further. A brief survey of the area reveals nothing of particular interest, just a simple wooden cottage among the trees and your ever smiling escort Leo. Motioning toward the cottage Leo addresses you once again, "While this may look like a normal cottage, and in fact if you were to enter it now you would find yourself in a normal cottage." He pauses for a moment to allow a member of the group to enter the cottage to prove his point, " However, if I enter you will note that things are very different indeed." Once the group member who stepped inside was back with the rest of the group he enters the cottage, and much to the surprise of the group he seems to vanish, however his voice can still be heard from beyond the threshold of the door, "As you can see, things are not always what they appear." (anyone who steps into the cottage looking for Leo finds themselves in a very ordinary cottage with nothing particularly valuable that anyone may consider stealing.) Stepping back out of the cottage and into the sight of the startled adventurers Leo addresses you once again, "Now, since you are our newest batch of recruits I will now give you your 'key', so to say, into The Orion Citadel, your new home away from home." He hands each member of the group a signet ring, the same color blue as his cloak and the wagons with a large O on it. (the ring is not magical and will not count against your 2 ring limit, but it is required that you wear it) Once everyone has their ring on Leo motions the group to once again pass over the threshold into the cottage, only this time the cottage is gone, and instead the party finds themselves standing at the gates of a bustling town hidden away from the world. (isn't extra-dimensional space amazing)
A quick look around, which is all you are permitted before being urged forward by Leo, reveals people of all shapes and sizes, all races, classes, and walks of life are present here, and most are wearing the same azure color that seems to be an ongoing theme with The Orion Group. As you are guided toward the central point of this settlement, a well built and fortified keep, you spot several different businesses and other establishments, it would seem this settlement is self sufficient. Once at the keep Leo guides you through the main doorways and down a long torchlit corridor toward a set of thick, dark, wooden double doors, pushing the door open he motions each of you forward and follows behind you as you head toward a large throne-like chair at the end of a strip of azure carpeting lined with many torches and statues of warrior types. At the edge of the lane of carpet the figure on the large chair motions you to stop and rises to his feet before addressing your guide, "Leo, I take it this is the newest batch of recruits you have brought for us? I do hope they fare better than the last group you brought me..." He trails off slightly as he scans over each member of the group making mental notes about each before addressing the party, "Welcome, friends, to The Orion Group, I'm sure you have many questions, most of which will be answered later, but first I think we need to know more about each of you." With that he points to each member of the group, one by one, asking that they tell everyone present more about themselves and what they can do.
(and thus we have a pause for character introductions, feel free to reveal as little or as much as possible about yourself, order is not important, and I'll update once I have intros from everyone. Post thoughts as you wait for the caravan, thoughts/conversations during the ride, and thoughts during the entire process, and of course physical descriptions. If you want to take your post back to prior to waiting at the gate then so be it.)

Physical Description Villiedr Thin, nearly emaciated, with the angular features so typical of the elven folk and the related fey features. Something about Villieldr seems a touch animalistic - partly the (usually green) eyes, sunken and deep-set, or the taut quality of the skin. He looks most like he has spent the majority of his life being underfed - a look most often seen on the most abject of serfs and the worst-treated of animals.

Look to the eyes, however. They may be shrunken, and they are too deep in the face for comfort. But there's no listlessness there, no dull disinterest. They are alert, even watchful.

Ulfr An adult female Grey Wolf, looking reasonable well fed and lacking obvious injuries. She appears quite attached to Villiedr, and is typically found trotting sedately at his side. Her tail even wags when strangers approach. If not for the fact she was clearly a wolf, you would suspect her to be some kind of lapdog.

Waiting for the caravan What is that I see in the distance... Wagons? A Caravan? My joy knows all bounds. Taking Ulfr in a wagon is always a nightmare... Animals and such contraptions rarely mix with ease.
During the ride Villiedr had gone for the third caravan - knowing most people would start at the front of the column and work their way back, and knowing he'd need to board slowly in order to get Ulfr on board without incident, so he'd deliberately taken the rear caravan first and boarded carefully. Once on board, Ulfr was called to his side, and a restraining hand placed upon the wolf's head. The last thing he needed was his companion causing trouble before he had even reached the end of the Orion group's recruitment process...

OOC: Villiedr might talk with anyone else in the same caravan as him... especially if they have strong positive or negative feelings about canines.
Introduction "I wield magic."

He was working magic right now... of a sort. The wolf that had accompanied him on his journey here was still with him - held, in fact, in his arms. This was mainly because he knew Ulfr was desperate to relieve herself... and letting your 'dog' widdle over the nice man's floor was rarely a good first impression.

Thankfully, she did not appear to be at the bursting point yet.

After a couple of moments' pause, it occured to Villiedr that they might have expected something more of him. "I am a druid and a spirit shaman - I bear the power of nature and the power of the spirits, for use on my allies... and our foes."

True, I don't bear all that much magic from either source, but I'd bet most of the people out there aren't exactly legendary arch-magi yet, either.
"I am known as Villiedr, a Killoren from... you'll have to excuse me, but I would prefer not to say. My people like their privacy, and I should not give out directions to them."

The next person to speak is a young man in finely tailored clothing. The dark black and green tunic and breeches are finished off with a pair of polished boots. The man has angular and handsome features, his black hair cropped short and his eyes a brilliant green, and his aquiline nose along with his half-lidded eyes lend a slight air of arrogance to his demeanor.

He bows his head slightly, his thumbs hooked over the wide scabbard belt around his waist. "And I am Uriel. swordsman and a practioner of Pact magic." His voice has a gravelly edge to it, almost like a road weary story-teller, with an enchanting cadence to it. The voice belies his age, as if it doesn't quite belong. "If you need a face for this group, someone to negotiate on your behalf," he looks over the other members of this fledgling group with a raised eyebrow before turning his head back to the man before the throne, "then I'm your man."

Anh looked a his letter one more time as he sat upon his steed awaiting this mysterious ambassador of the equally mysterious Orion Group.

Dear Anh of the Silver Dragon Knights, You are cordially invited to join the very secretive and very elite Orion Group. Meet outside the gates of Palderton at sunrise in a week to accept this honor. We’ve provided a map since you’re new to this plane.
Anh sighed as he looked around. Considering the large group forming it doesn’t seem like such a secretive and elite group to me. Anh’s steed shifted as a caravan of wagons stopped before the gathering. Anh looked at the gathering, there were people from all walks of life but Anh was easily one of the more unique individuals. With red scales and a toad like frame Anh was easy to mistake for a Slaad but that mistake would easily be a fatal one since Anh hated the Slaadi. He was in fact a Neraph and there were several differences that to Anh were easily noticeable. For one Anh was sane. For two he was dressed as any civilized being would be. For three Neraphim were smaller than red slaadi, in fact they were about the same height as humans. Anh stood 5’8 himself and weighed 200 pounds. For anyone who knew anything about Neraphim what made Anh truly stand out, aside from the obvious facts of him riding a horse and being on the prime material, was his armor. Anh wore a shining suit of chain mail that proudly displayed the sign of a silver dragon in flight over a floating landmass with swirls in the back ground. A symbol copied onto his steel shield. And sheathed at his side was a longsword. In short Anh was a Neraph knight and surely the first any of the gathering had seen. Perhaps that was why he was chosen to join this apparent secret society.

As the caravan came to a stop outside the gates a well dressed figure steps out of the front wagon and comes to greet the group of assembled adventurers. He appears at first clance to be human, and as it were he is, his chain shirt is brightly polished, the rapier at his hip seems to be very well made, and the cloak he wears is the same shade of blue as the wagons. With a brief bow and a smile he looks over the group and finally introduces himself, "Greetings young adventurers, I am Leo Sighvat, and I will be the escort to your future lives among The Orion Group. If you wouldn't mind please find a place in the wagons and we will be on our way."

Anh dismounted from his horse and tethered it to the second wagon.
“Shh It’ll be alright.” Anh whispers to the horse. “Just run along side us.” He hopped into the second wagon and took up a spot near the entrance where he could keep an eye on his steed.The ride seems to take hours, but with no view of the outside available it is hard to gauge time or distance traveled when the wagons finally come to a stop. As the caravan finally comes to a stop Anh stands preparing to disembark.

“Please everyone remain seated.” The man at the entrance says as Anh stands. Anh sits back down feeling as though he will burst. Man I want to know where we are. Anh thinks as curiosity burns in his mind. I hate waiting.
“Ah may I have Anh Silverblade join us outside please.” Leo pokes his head in motioning to Anh. Finally! Anh thinks though its only been a couple seconds since they stopped. Anh jumps out of the caravan taking a quick survey of the area. Well that’s disappointing. It’s only a cottage. Anh untethers his horse and retethers him to the post outside the cottage. Oh well I guess not all trips end at a palace.
"While this may look like a normal cottage, and in fact if you were to enter it now you would find yourself in a normal cottage." Leo begins a lecture.

Feeling as though Leo pauses to have a person enter the cottage Anh walks in. Sure enough it is only an empty cottage. Again disappointing. Ah walked back out.

“It’s just a cottage.” Anh reports diligently.

" However, if I enter you will note that things are very different indeed." Once the group member who stepped inside was back with the rest of the group he enters the cottage, and much to the surprise of the group he seems to vanish, however his voice can still be heard from beyond the threshold of the door, "As you can see, things are not always what they appear."  Now that isn’t disappointing Anh thinks as he reenters the cottage. Fascinating. It’s still only a cottage. Anh re-exit’s the cottage.
Stepping back out of the cottage and into the sight of the startled adventurers Leo addresses you once again, "Now, since you are our newest batch of recruits I will now give you your 'key', so to say, into The Orion Citadel, your new home away from home."
Interesting Anh places the ring on his middle finger. The ring fits as though it was rafted just for him.
“Fascinating.” Anh breathes looking at Leo. Leo motions for the group to enter the cottage once more. Sensing that this time he wouldn’t just be entering a cottage Anh untethered his horse and hopped astride it before continuing into the cottage that no longer was a cottage. “Truly fascinating” Anh whispers as he glances around the courtyard he found himself in. He rode with amazed eyes forcefully telling himself not to touch anything as the party approached the citadel. When they entered the courtyard of the keep Anh dismounted from his horse and handed it to the stable hands. “Be sure to take good care of him and watch the mouth he bites.” As Anh said this one of the stable hands discovered just how hard Anh’s horse bites. “Ah well guess I didn’t get that warning out in time.”
Anh followed Leo into what appeared to be the throne room. I hope I do not need to swear allegiance to this lord. I already have a Queen.
"Leo, I take it this is the newest batch of recruits you have brought for us? I do hope they fare better than the last group you brought me..." He trails off slightly as he scans over each member of the group making mental notes about each before addressing the party, "Welcome, friends, to The Orion Group, I'm sure you have many questions, most of which will be answered later, but first I think we need to know more about each of you." I wonder what happened to the last batch. The first person the man pointed to was a gaunt underfed individual, though to Anh he was merely a skinny fellow.

"I wield magic." The underfed man said. Then after a long pause he spoke again, “I am a druid and a spirit shaman - I bear the power of nature and the power of the spirits, for use on my allies... and our foes.I am known as Villiedr, a Killoren from... you'll have to excuse me, but I would prefer not to say. My people like their privacy, and I should not give out directions to them." Anh could respect that. His people weren’t usually social either, though his own clan was trying to change that. Still the need for protective privacy was ingrained in his race and so he understood that.

The next man pointed to seemed to be a noble.  "And I am Uriel. swordsman and a practioner of Pact magic." His voice has a gravelly edge to it, almost like a road weary story-teller, with an enchanting cadence to it. The voice belies his age, as if it doesn't quite belong. "If you need a face for this group, someone to negotiate on your behalf," he looks over the other members of this fledgling group with a raised eyebrow before turning his head back to the man before the throne, "then I'm your man."

Anh was the next pointed to. He strode forward proudly displaying his features as though he had not yet encountered the bigotry of other races. “I am Anh Steel blade a Knight of the Silver Dragon and loyal vassal of Matron Queen Impria and the silver dragon Kherazinth. My purpossse upon the prime material is to esstablish relations with other nations and organizations. If it will help to establish a relationship between the Silver Haven and the Orion Group I offer my ssword to your sservice as long as it doess not interfere with my prior dutiess and oathss.”

Standing off in the distance hiding and cannot be seen, *coughs*, and quietly asks why should I trust you with this information?

As the young Halfling blurted out her disrespectful reply Leo flinched just out of sight of the rest of the group, expected Varen to lash out at this. Much to his surprise, and probably the surprise of the rest of the group, Varen merely smiled a sly smile and shook his head, "Little Halfling, I know much about you, we do look into prospective recruits rather thoroughly after all. This introduction is not for my good, but for the good of your new companions. If you do not want them to know you, and therefore distrust you, that is your choice." Varen ran his left hand through his jet black hair and looked to the next member for an introduction.

((Hiatus is still on, just haven't lost internet yet, so I figured I should reply to that last post. And her reply is fully in character considering the back story she came up with, so its hard not to allow it, can't punish someone for role playing in character after all. If someone wants to pry then by all means do so. I hope to see friendships and friendly rivalries sprout during the course of this game, and good role playing is always appreciated and rewarded.))

At the halfling's rather... reticent... non-introduction, Villiedr twisted around to take a look at his supposed 'team mate'.

He could not see a thing.

Still, Villiedr did not need to see someone to find them. Lowering Ulfr to the floor, the druid pointed his wolf in the direction of the halfling's voice. "Fetch" he suggested.

Now Ulfr was confused about this. Usually when told to fetch something, there was a clear indication of what the something is. This time, all there was was a patch of empty ground.

Carefully, she sniffed at the surrounding air. Many scents around, most of them unfamiliar. But the new ones all seemed to have sources near to her - this smell coming from that biped. Strange packmates, but Villiedr seemed to trust them, so she was not unduly worried. Eventually, her nose sorted out the one scent whose source she could not see, and she began to follow it...

...which did not take too long. After all, the halfling was within earshot somewhere. How did you fetch a living thing as large as you were? Did you bite and drag? Did you bark to warn of the threat? Would it follow you? She did not know, so she whined a little, and sniffed at the vexing scent from a safe (in her mind) distance of a little over 5' away.

As the wolf searches for her target Leo places a soft hand on Villieldr's shoulder and whispers to him, "There is no need for that friend, you will have plenty of time to get to know her later. For now I must ask you to please not allow your companion to wander freely in the throne room. The little one will open up on her own terms I would imagine."

"I'm a finder of things; a property redistribution specialist." explains the tall man.

This is the first he'd spoken since arriving outside the gates of Palderton. Leo Sighvat's wagon train arrived and he'd silently pulled himself into the trailing wagon, pulled his cloak tight and sat wordlessly through the entire trip.

"My name is Khetarin. I also have some small magical affinity, not so much as a bookworm wizard, but it's there. Until I know just exactly what your invitation includes, what the Orion Group is, and why I should become one of you, that's all I think you need to know." With that, he returns to leaning up against one of the warrior-statues and brushes away a lock of his sandy blond hair that had fallen into his face.

Arriel’lyndara had arrived early at the gases leading into Palderton, just as the mysterious letter had requested. She found a comfortable spot off to the side and waited as others begin to gather at this point as well, figures of every size and shape from all walks of life. She did not take part in the impromptu conversations that went on around her, though she kept her ears open for any useful information. It didn’t take to long to get the notion that all those who were gathering here had also received s letter similar to hers. After a little idle chatter it becomes apparent that each and every one of you here has received the same letter of invitation, invitation to join the mysterious Orion Group.

After not to long a tome after the appointed hour wagons draped in deep blue made there way towards those waiting outside the gates simply because they did not stay on the road through the gates into the city proper. A well dressed man steps out of the front wagon and comes to greet the group of assembled adventurers. He appears at first glance to be human, and as it were he is, his chain shirt is brightly polished, the rapier at his hip seems to be very well made, and the cloak he wears is the same shade of blue as the wagons. With a brief bow and a smile he looks over the group and finally introduces himself, as Leo Sigh vat, and that he would escort them all to wherever they were going which was wherever the Orion Group. He wastes no time getting back into the front wagon, leaving no time for questions or comments, making it clear that anyone who isn't in a wagon when they leave gets left behind.

Arriel was one of the last to get in the last wagon not comfortable with all the secrecy and lack of information. She was less pleased when she realized she could not see out of the covered wagon. She contented herself with embroidering the collar of one of her newest shirt counting her stitches, one way she had to gauge the passing of time. The escorts in the wagons stop anyone trying to exit until Leo comes poking his head in to request that you join him outside. Any shadows that passed over the wagon she made sure to pay attention. They gave her a hint of the direction they were traveling. These were skills she was trained in and they were being put to the best use she could.

Finally there was an end to the travel. They were let out and assembled again as the wagons were driven off empty. Arriel examines her surroundings including the position of rhea sun and its height above the horizon. The simple cottage that stood nearby seemed to be nothing worth of interest and for that reason Arriel knew it was something—something she would find out about soon enough. She really didn’t like the ever smiling escort Leo. As he motioned them towards the cottage Leo addressed them once again, "While this may look like a normal cottage, and in fact if you were to enter it now you would find yourself in a normal cottage." His voice droned on. To which Arriel lent half an ear. Arriel made no move to examine the cottage.

At this they were each given a ring, a 'key', to The Orion Citadel. This is Arriel had been waiting for. It was a signet ring, the same color blue as his cloak and the wagons with a large O on it. Once everyone has their ring on Leo motions the group to once again pass over the threshold into the cottage, only this time the cottage is gone, and instead the party finds themselves standing at the gates of a bustling town hidden way from the world.

They are hustled toward the center of the town and a fortified keep. Arriel notices shops of various types though most people are dressed in the Azure blue of the Orion Group. Once at the keep Leo guides directs them all to a set of thick, dark, wooden double doors, pushing the door open he motions each of you forward and follows behind you as you head toward a large throne-like chair at the end of a strip of azure carpeting lined with many torches and statues of warrior types. At the edge of the lane of carpet the figure on the large chair motions you to stop and rises to his feet before addressing your guide, "Leo, I take it this is the newest batch of recruits you have brought for us? I do hope they fare better than the last group you brought me..." He trails off slightly as he scans over each member of the group making mental notes about each before addressing the party, "Welcome, friends, to The Orion Group, I'm sure you have many questions, most of which will be answered later, but first I think we need to know more about each of you." With that he points to each member one by one

When invited the newbies to introduce themselves one by one Arriel Faded to the back and bided her time. Being last she could probably get away with saying less because they would all be ready to move things on and get where they were going.

“I am Arriel’lyndara of Silverwood, I have trained a bit as a scout and ranger.”

With introductions more or less out of the way Varen addresses you once again, "As you are aware by now you each have been selected to," Varen trails off a moment as if thinking of the appropriate word to use next, "audition for membership within The Orion Group. In order to become members though you must pass a series of tests we use to gauge your abilities and usefulness to The Group. If you will follow Leo back out he will take you to the Testing Area and we shall see if you are truly worthy." With that said he bows graciously and dismisses you to follow Leo, just before you exit his chamber he adds, "Any questions you have will be answered after the tests, we can't tell new recruits everything after all."

Once out of the throne room and back into the main courtyard Leo turns and motions you to follow him to the so-called Testing Area. He opens a thick steel door and motions for all of you to enter the room beyond. In this room there are three four foot tall pedestals, each bearing a sword on a stand, each sword seemingly identical at first glance. There are several torches lining the walls, all casting light around the 20x20 (16 squares (4x4) for you more visual players) room. From outside the room Leo addresses you once again, "Your task is to determine which of these blades belongs to Lord Varen, find your way out of here, and return with the blade to the throne room. Let the Test of Wits begin." With that he closes the door leaving you shut in this room with no apparent exit, and you can hear a locking mechanism slide into place. It would seem you are not going to be getting out of this room the way you entered.

((Bonus exp will be granted depending on how creative you get in trying to figure out which blade is the correct one, and of course a small bonus to whoever actually figures it out. Use your heads, take chances, and see if you can figure this out. If you want/need a visual reference of the swords then you can click here. The image is black and white, but the hilt of the swords are made of a jade colored material, the gem is a black opal, and the smaller blade-like object resembles a tooth of sorts, perhaps a dragon tooth at first glance.))

Arriel'lyndara moved up to the closest pedestal and picks up the wsors.

",I say we gather all the swords and examine them for any clues. though I can ot think that that is all we need to do. Does anyone here have the ability to detect Magic on the blades. That might help us with our decision.

"The man dresses rather flamboyantly but we need to remember he is a merc. His blade is going to be the best he can afford but with the idea of workmanship and quality not just ornateness.

"Anyone else have any ideas?" Ariel moves from the first pillar to the next picking up belonged where, noting which sword was on which pillar. and bringing them over to where they could all take a close look at them.

Ariel also added. You realize, that they didn't mention anything about what they were to do with the sword once we figure it out. So we will have to deal with that as well.

Who is a mage?"

Anh followed Leo to the first test.

"Your task is to determine which of these blades belongs to Lord Varen, find your way out of here, and return with the blade to the throne room. Let the Test of Wits begin." Leo leaves but Anh is already considering the conundrum before him. Three swords that appear identical. And no information that would be helpful in distinguishing them from Varen’s sword as we do not know what Varen’s sword looks like.
“Who is a mage?" One of the party begins her own analysis. As much logic as it makes that Valen would have the superior blade I do not believe that we’ll find the other two blades so significantly inferior. Anh approaches the swords and examines them closely.

“I believe that there are three possibilities using the info before us to determine which it is.” Anh states carefully looking from one blade to the next. “Either I will find a name carved on one of these blades, or we will determine that none of them are his as he has his with him, or we will conclude that because he is indeed the lord of the manor and quite possibly the leader of the guild all three belong to him and therefore can be stated to be his swords. Personally I think the latter to be the case. I believe all three swords belong to Lord Varen.”

"All three of those are possible the only other two I can think of is that two of those swords are his but that makes little sense. I wonder, though, why would he have three swords that are almost identical?"

"For this very purpose of course." Anh answered Arriel. "It's a simple fact that in order to have a test set up like this someone must own all the required material for the test. And like in my city back home where the Martriarch owned everything in the castle a guild leader would own everything in the castle. It's also obvious that he set this up as a test and since we haven't left the castle must own the test and it's tools. Whether he wields all three swords in battle is a different story I'm sure. However we weren't asked to identify which one he wields in battle but which of these swords belonged to him. The fact Leo said 'these' instead of simply 'which sword' is what tells me multiple swords are his and my logic leads me to believe all three are his."