Irael watched as everyone moved about their business, their leader going off with another member, one of them communicating with his familiar, which he constantly did, another actually doing practical business... Such was their group. Such were the people he loved as brothers and sisters.

But they didn't know who he was. How could they, he didn't even know. All he could see was faint images... A flute here, a lock of golden hair there... He just couldn't piece it all together.

Irael then pulled out a small medallion. It was the only thing that he had when he awoke that one fateful night in the forest. It seemed simple in make, but there was something about it that called to him... It had a small drawing on it, a half sun with a sword through the middle. He had no idea what it meant, or who it belonged to, but he always kept it on a golden chain that he had got for very cheap in the Sylvari village where he grew up. He would keep it for a long time... and hopefully find out what it meant.

Turning to Danamar, Irael asked, "Orders, Sir?"

As the team gathers at the Eastern Gate at pre-dawn Tariel nods to each member as they arrives She plans to wait until all have gathered before she speaks of the ill wind the last Thirkday night. It had been strange of the non-Syls had been present she would have used, not only in the direction but also because of its effects--the emotional ones and the physical sensations on her body but especially the specific lack of physical effects of the wind on the tress, the the wild grasses and flowers. That had bothered her.

"A fine morning, Danamar, Elessarae, Irael," Tariel said in Sylvari since there were only Sylvari here so far. If any non-Syls were present she would have used the Common tongue.

23th Sempore (Teladay), 452 E.R.
City of Visden, Pardinal

Having gathered their things and prepared for the trip, the MV6 team met at the Eastern gate of the City; all of them except Daldren arriving before the guards opened the gates for the day. Mendez rode up on his riding horse looking uncomfortable in the saddle; the team had learned from their first mission that the mage didnt much care for riding.

Tariel having convinced the guards to open the gates about 10 mins early, the team rode out into the predawn light. They found Daldren waiting outside the gates already mounted and apparently anxious to get underway.

(OOC: Please backpost any further conversations you had while waiting for the gates to open.)

The team headed up the main road towards the distant mountains in the east. As the day wore on the traffic upon the road slowly dwindled to only an occasional wagon or lone rider; all of whom eyed them warily when they noticed the blood red sashes of office.

It was a full two days ride to Prilm, at least a day and a half on the main road before they would take a small road towards the village. They stopped for the night at a small wayfarer inn they were all acquainted with from previous travel out this way; The Lonesome Traveler. The Inn sat at a place where the Eastern road began to turn Northward as it neared the foothills of the mountains.

It was after sundown when they rode up into the walled in yard of the inn; they all thought it strange that no one came out of the stable to greet them and take their horses right away. They dismounted and were taking their personal gear from the mounts when a small face peered out from the stable door. The small boy, about 11-12 years old, regarded them with suspicion and then smiled and came out to greet them.

“Greetings Bloodguard,” the stable boy Bil said with a smile, “good to see you this way again.” The team would remember Bil from the last time they had come this way and how he had taken great care of their mounts and had been rewarded with a silver piece for his efforts. He obviously remembered them for that very reason.

“Sorry for not coming out right away,” he said sheepishly, “but people here bouts have been a might skittish since the strange occurrence a few nights ago.”

As they unlimbered the gear they would take inside with them, Bil took the reins of their mounts and began leading them two at a time into the stables. If questioned about these “strange occurrences’ he will tell them.

“Well a few nights ago,” he said as he continued to lead more horses into the stables where he would tie them up till he could tend to them properly, “I think it was last Thirkday, a strange wind came out of the East and well let me tell you, people around here didn’t like it at all. Downright afraid is what they are. Well people been suspicious and all on account of no one knows what caused it. Seems even the animals felt it too. Send a chill through my spine it did.”

If questioned further, he doesn’t know much else, just that he felt a dark sense of foreboding as if something was coming for him in the dark. He took all their horses into the stable and began to strip them of their tack as they team entered the Inn proper.

They stepped inside and saw the familiar common room laid out with its half dozen tables, a long bar, stairway on the right to the upper floors where the private rooms were located, a unlit fireplace on the left wall and a door in the back leading to the kitchen which produced decent far for a roadside inn.

There were about half a dozen patrons scattered about the room; three men sat at the bar drinking they appeared to be simple farmers; Two men sat at one of the tables, they were dressed in mismatched armor and carried swords at their sides.

A lone woman sat at a table near the fireplace; she was elderly, her age indeterminate anywhere from 50-100, wearing a well worn dress of simple weaves. She sat eating a simple meal and sipping from a mug of something.

When the team walked in the faint buzz of conversation died and everyone in the place gazed at the newcomers, suspicion in their eyes. The man behind the bar looked closer at them and then exclaimed and came around the bar smiling as he apparently recognized them.

“Ahhhh, welcome Master Danamar,” he said coming up to them giving them a little bow of his head, “and to your party as well. It is so good to see you!”

Kendal, the bartender/innkeeper of the Lonesome Traveler, seemed truly glad to see them, even more so than usual for your average Innkeeper at prospective customers. He gestured them to his largest table which would easily accommodate their party.

“You are surely hungry and thristy,” he said then without waiting for an answer he turned and yelled towards the kitchen, “ANNA! GUESTS! THEY NEED FOOD!”

Turning back to them he smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry we don’t have much, just some mutton, cheese, bread and maybe a little honey, but we have enough I think. Tell me what you want to drink and I will get them right away.”

Once he had their drink orders he hustled off to the bar and began to pour them out. As he did so the team noticed that the other patrons had turned back to their own business and a low buzz of conversation from the bar and the far table began again.

A portly woman came out of the kitchen carrying a large wooden tray which seemed impossible for her to balance so on her shoulder. She came to their table and set her tray down on the empty table nearby; she smiled at them and nodded as she began to remove food from the tray and place it on their table. The fare was much as Kendal had proclaimed; a large leg of mutton, a small tray of cheese, a basket of bread which was probably baked that morning and was not a bit crusty, and a small jar of honey. Anna, the cook and Kendal’s wife, said nothing but nodded again when she was done and returned to the kitchen. They remember from last time that she wasn’t much of a conversationalist.

Kendal returned with their drinks and sighed heavily, “It is good to see you again, things have been a might strange around here lately.” If questioned he will tell a similar tale as Bil the stable boy related to them.

“Are you here…” Kendal began and then paused, “.. here to … investigate?” The last was said in a low whisper as if he were afraid others might over hear. Yet before they can answer, one of the men at the bar bangs his mug on the table, “Here now.. we empty over here.. you done jawin there Kendal?”

Kendal gives them a sheepish look, “Pardon me, if you need anything else just holler.” He hurries to the bar to tend to the other customers.

As they eat and drink, they notice the other patrons glancing over once in awhile, but this happens all the time since their Blood red sashes tell everyone their stations.

It is Daldren who notices that the old woman at the table by the fireplace seems to be almost staring at them at times. With a start Daldren notices something none of them noticed at first; lying on the floor behind the old woman was a large black dog. The animal appeared to be almost sleeping with its head laying on its paws, yet Daldren saw one of the creatures eyes open and regard him for a moment before closing again.

(OOC: Next post next Sat, so post as much as you feel necessary. I have enjoyed the conversations so far. )

OOC: Backposting

---

Chakran mountains… Is that what this is all about?, Danamar thought. His mind had already dug out everything he knew of the incident from his memory. There were only a few details he was aware of, but what little had been told to him, he would never forget. Such were the workings of a sylvari mind. The way the bladesinger laid out her question implied that she suspected Danamar knew at least something of what had happened. It appeared she was aware of his famly's status in the nobility of Londelirinen, just as she should have. Bladesingers, in addition to being the sharp tip of the blade that was the sylvari military, also acted as spies for the nation. They gathered and received information that only few would ever hear or see. Not to say that it was any secret who Danamar's father was or what his ranking was in the sylvari army, but the cleric himself had not presented the information to any of his team.

The bits and pieces of information concerning the demon and its evil work on the Chakran Mountains rolled around the priest's mind as he was looking for details that could and would tie the two incidents together. He knew very well that Elessarae had been one of the heroes who had eventually managed to defeat the abyssal lord and that certainly did not diminish his respect for the bladesinger, quite on the contrary. He had done deeds of light and goodness in the name of his God himself, but nothing which would have earned him the title of "hero" with perhaps the exception of Prilm. Not that Danamar wanted such fame. He, like apparently the bladesinger, rather remained as a part of the masses than would be lifted on a podium of worship. Fame and glory was not for the likes of them.

The look on the green-eyed syl's face remained impassive as he nodded to the woman in front of him. "I have been informed of the events there. I know of your role in defeating the demon which helped our armies cleanse the lands of the scourge of greenskins and their masters…" There was a sudden pause as the realization hit the warrior-priest. "The disease. There was an evil infection which mutated or killed those who came in contact with it, was there not?" Danamar looked Elessarae in the eye as he considered the possibility.

There was no smile or smirk on his face as he carried on: "The letter delivered to me did not contain detailed information about the fate of the poor people far up north. All it said was that whole villages were lost to the demon and its terrible force. Was it the infection that got them rather than the goblins or orcs? That is why you were sent here, is it not? To investigate whether the foul creature from the seven hells has returned and is planning to continue its evil crusade? Are there similarities between the incidents?"

Danamar probably hadn't asked so many questions in such a short time in more than a hundred and thirty years and was surprised himself of his own anxiousness. But other than the stream of words he'd just spoken, there was nothing in the syl's behavior that revealed how he felt or what he thought. His father had trained him well.

---

OOC Will post more later

Elessare watched as the priest became thoughtful, it would seem that he did know something, Considering she knew him of old, and that his family and hers had been close friends, while they lived in Londelirinen. Since the attacks by MAUS had reached the capital of the Sylvari Empire, he probably learned of the incidents from home. When she first meet Danamar she had almost decided not to join the Riders, but he did not seem to recognize her as the little girl, almost some 30 + years younger than him that followed him all around waving her wooden sword and challenging him to duel with her.

“I know of your role in defeating the demon which helped our armies cleanse the lands of the scourge of greenskins and their masters…"

She had a question for him, but for now she would answer his.

"The disease? There was an evil infection which mutated or killed those who came in contact with it, was there not?"

“Yes and no. The demon infected the trees with a potion made of his own blood, which in turn infected the animals coming into contact with it. I have heard of no Syl being so tainted, it was the mutated animals that caused all the trouble, the demon hoped that they would become such a problem that he could invade Sylvaria without resistance.

"The letter delivered to me did not contain detailed information about the fate of the poor people far up north. All it said was that whole villages were lost to the demon and its terrible force. Was it the infection that got them rather than the goblins or orcs? That is why you were sent here, is it not? To investigate whether the foul creature from the seven hells has returned and is planning to continue its evil crusade? Are there similarities between the incidents?"

Bardic training allowed her to take in his words until she could answer them.

“Yes, whole villages were lost some by the MAUS (pronounced maws) and one I know of that was wiped out by goblins and their controlled Ogre. I asked to be sent out to look and listen Tariel was sent with me. We have set up a network for relaying any findings related the MAUS or strange happenings. The Demon did not survive to return to its plane, so that is not the problem, but the infection might have been carried west and south, so that is why others are in Coria and we are here.

She gave him time to take in her answers to each of his questions.

“I would like to stay just Elessarae; Bard and Warrior, it would make things simpler."

Things had not been entirely simple after the battles were over and Elessarae went to Sillarion Sornion’Enrai to visit the grave of her mother, who was killed defending others during an attack by MAUS. She hoped to be able to go home and reflect on all that had happened, but the King had other ideas. It seems the letter she had sent him had an effect on him. She was summoned to the palace and there made a landed Noble in her own right and that meant she could choose a place she wanted her Castle. She thought of by the Moon Horse River, but, in the end, one place called to her, the lowlands between the River of Flowers and the River of Light, where she first heard the story of the Lotus of Light and later found one there, the flower that saved Sylvaria. So now her castle was being built, and there were even Khords working on it. There she had Gharion’s bones taken and a monument with his statue raised over them.

To escape all the attention and adulations she went to Megilindar Nost and asked to be given some job to do. That had brought she and Tariel south, and then join the Riders which gave her the perfect platform to investigate things.

When it seemed he had internalized her replies she asked her own question. “When did you finally recognize me?” she queried.

Danamar listened intently to the younger sylvari's words all the while looking her in the eye. A human probably couldn't have taken the stare (with perhaps the exception of Daldren Grey) or would have felt uncomfortable at the least, but the bladesinger's beautiful eyes did not even flinch. Before their first common assignment in the Blood Guard and more specifically the MV6, it had been a long, long time since he had looked into those eyes. But he could still remember it like yesterday…


Alanmir Amarillis, Lord and General, watched his second and only living son dance through the sword routine for the 16th time in a row on the sweet summer morning. The young man's pace had not slowed down a bit during the heavy hour of training he had been running through with his father, but his feelings were showing on his sweating face.

The venerable soldier wasn't surprised to notice one little mistake there and another there seeping into the rhythmic movements of Danamar's practice. The frustration was almost too much for the young warrior to handle while maintaining his concentration on the routine. It was not the fact that his father was watching him so closely, no. It had been like that for as long as Danamar could remember. Neither was it the endless repetition of strikes, dodges, spins and jumps. What was nagging on his mind was a little sylvari girl wearing a dazzling silky silver gown and whose long hair danced freely in the slight morning breeze.

Elessarae was her name. Elessarae of the powerful Isiliri family. Daughter of the royal bard Arensilendyl Isiliri and captain of the Guard, Almara Isiliri. Their families had been acquainted for centuries and their parents were true friends. She was some 30 years younger than him at 16 years of age, but still she was one of his best friends or perhaps even the best. And she kept following him everywhere.

But even that wasn't what finally made Danamar cut his practice short much to the disappointment of his father. It was the fact that Elessa was following the same routine, though unarmed, with visible ease. Though she lacked the burden caused by an armor or a weapon, she also didn't have the needed strength altatoror', or big brother as she lovingly called him, did. Yet the dance of death seemed to come so much more easily for her than it ever did to him.


… Danamar nodded to Elessarae after she finished her tale. He nodded again to her question obviously not hearing it on the first go and she was forced to repeat it to get the priest's attention. The evil wind, the demon of the Chakran Mountains and the MAUS were whisked away by her words and a truly genuine smile rose to Danamar's pale lips. "Ah… Elleseler'… How I've missed you… But I have a confession to make, Elessarae. Lord Alanmir sent me a letter telling of your coming days before you showed up. I've known who you are all along."

Danamar reached out and softly touched the tip of her nose like he'd done a hundred times before almost a century ago. "So many years have passed since our paths parted, that it took me a long while to recognize the little girl I remembered you were. Life… and death changes us all." The green eyes were shining as they held hers. "I said nothing for I felt you wished to keep your true identity hidden. And that is how it shall be until you wish otherwise. To me, like the others, you shall remain as Elessarae - bard and warrior."

Elleseler', little sister, it was his pet name for her, an endearment. Hearing it brought back memories of days filled with trailing after him as he went to sword practice. Later the dresses became male clothing, which was far easier for her to fight in. Long flowing golden hair touched with red copper was soon bound back into tight braids so as to not interfere with sword strokes. Until he went off for his formal training she was his shadow. It was Danamar who had seen in her the potential to be a truly graceful swordsman, while most of the parents, hers and his, had only seen her interest as hero worship. He was the first one to give her a practice wooden sword and she still had it hanging on the wall in her bedroom of the family home.

As her reached out to touch her nose like a big brother, Altatoror' as she had called him, their eyes meet, his like the finest emeralds and hers golden and ringed with a smoky black like the eyes of an eagle. Other than the expected change of her growing up, it was her eyes that revealed the greatest change in her.

As he states he will keep her secret she does not want to break the eye contact, so refrains from nodding, “Thank you, Altatoror'.”

She could still feel the touch on her nose even as it seemed to subfuse through her body.

Irael calmly walked into the tavern with the rest of his party, looking around immediately for possible exits, entrances, possible strong opponents and anything else that catches his eye. He was trained to look, evaluate, then respond. Walking in to the tavern however, nothing seemed incredibly suspicious, and so his hand was content to simply hold the sword handle at his side, and not draw it out.

Walking in though he did not let his guard down. His magical training had allowed him to become very attuned to simple magics, and they flowed easily through him. Irael decided that it was an acceptable time to see whether or not there were many magical auras around. From the back of his mind, he effortlessly calls out a Detect Magic spell, allowing his vision to pass that of a normal humanoid's, and see magical auras which may be present. One could never be too sure about their surroundings, and when they let their guard down, that was when they would be struck. He kept casually glancing around the room so that he would be able to look at everything to notice the auras present.

The food, on the other hand, we welcome. Irael did not care much for the stale rations a normal day would bring when they were traveling. As he ate however, something piqued his interest that he had been contemplating.

"The barkeep said that there was a wind that blew through from the east... But he didn't mention what problems it brought, simply that it disturbed much of the town... What knowledge do we have of this wind? Why was it so different than any normal wind?" Irael must have missed this important piece of information if it had been discussed before... but he would not miss it again.

After the gates open in the early dawn, Tairel quickly dropped into her standard traveling procedure. Tairel rode out to scout ahead of the group, never to far off, but enough to get a good feel of the surrounding area that was ahead of the group. It was not so critical when they first started, but the farther they moved away from settle lands the more careful she was. Tariel used a random pattern to scout for their group, sometimes mounted and sometimes on foot. She would circle the group covering the right left and middle, in different order each time. She even swung around to the back to see if they were being followed.

It was an easy trip. They finally rode into the of their destination for today stopping in front an the inn they had stayed in on their last trip. She dismounted. The rest went into the inn. Tariel did not go into inn right away. She lead her horse to the stable and she help to untack their horses.

“Here, let me at least untack my Mare, she can get fussy about who handles her." Tariel is hoping the stableman would appreciate her help and be more willing to exchange for information. When she is done with her horse she helps with the others as well. “It is nice to be back here again,” she initiates the conversation. “How has everything been since we were last through hers?”

After Tariel got as much as she can from the sable man, tipping him a silver for his good work, She does not head straight for the doors, but instead makes a circuit around the inn just to get the lay of the land. Only then does she enter the inn and located where the others have taking a table and moves to join them.

“I hope someone has ordered me an ale. Did I missed anything?”

As they safely reached the outskirts of the town, Elessarae took out her harp and swung a leg half over Comrade’s neck. As they entered the village she played a merry tune and called out to any town folk she saw, saying that there would be music and stories and a pint to be had tonight at the Inn. Best way to get stories is to share them.

After giving the stable boy a silver piece to care for Comrade as she had instructed him the last time they had stopped at the village, she took up her saddle bags and headed for the Inn. Tariel was far more skilled in checking out the lay of the land, so she did not go with her at this time as she knew the scout would check out the area of the village and knew enough to surreptitiously question the villagers. They had been together long enough to trust each other to use their diverse skills to the best advantage.

“Good evening Master Kendal,” Elessarae calls out. “There will be music, song, and storytelling tonight. For now, all we need is some of your best ale, some of Anna’s fine cooking, later we will need baths and beds.

Darkness had fallen by the time the familiar shadowy figure of The Lonesome Traveller came into view. The ride had been very pleasant to Danamar. He was surprised to find out how much he'd missed being outside the confinement of the city's walls. The air, though quite fresh in Visden too, tasted even better on the road. As they got closer to the inn, a sweet smell of roast drifted from the chimney and made the syl's stomach growl. He smiled as he thought of the famous roasted vegetables of Anna, the keeper's wife.

There was no one to meet them in the courtyard which to Danamar was somewhat strange. During their previous visits, the happy stableboy Bil had been waiting for them at the gate grinning from ear to ear and yelling his greetings in his high pitched puberty changed voice. This time Bil was nowhere to be seen and instantly the priest of Therassor guessed why. The malevolent wind must have scared the life out of the people in Kendal's inn as well. Danamar was about to call out saying it's ok just when the messy familiar face peered out warily from the stable door.

After recognizing the arrivals as the Bloodguard who'd tipped him well on their last visit, Bil was his smiling self again. Tariel stayed behind to chat with the boy about the events of late at the inn while the rest entered the Traveler with Danamar leading the way. He took a quick glance around the common room noting everyone, their location and looks before turning to greet the innkeep, Kendal. All conversation had died as they stepped through the doorway, but there was little wonder to that. The scarlet signs marking them as the Bloodguard tended to have that effect on people and considering the strange occurrence from a few nights ago, the reaction did not feel out of place.

“Ahhhh, welcome Master Danamar,” he said coming up to them giving them a little bow of his head, “and to your party as well. It is so good to see you!”

Danamar smiled and gave Kendal a slight bow. "Most pleasant to meet you too, Kendal. I hope things have been well for you and yours?"

Kendal, the bartender/innkeeper of the Lonesome Traveler, seemed truly glad to see them, even more so than usual for your average Innkeeper at prospective customers. He gestured them to his largest table which would easily accommodate their party.

“You are surely hungry and thristy,” he said then without waiting for an answer he turned and yelled towards the kitchen, “ANNA! GUESTS! THEY NEED FOOD!”

Turning back to them he smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry we don’t have much, just some mutton, cheese, bread and maybe a little honey, but we have enough I think. Tell me what you want to drink and I will get them right away.”

Smiling warmly to Kendal's apology, Danamar lowered his sling bag on the floor and nodded towards the kitchen. "Your dear lady wouldn't happen to have some of her wonderful vegetables available, would she? I would love to have some, if you please. And perhaps a pitcher of your fine cider to wash them down?" The black garbed cleric took his seat and let his gaze wander around the room. Slowly as the rest of team gave Kendal their orders, the other patrons went back to their conversations and the familiar feeling returned to the inn.

Kendal returned with their drinks and sighed heavily, “It is good to see you again, things have been a might strange around here lately.” If questioned he will tell a similar tale as Bil the stable boy related to them.

“Are you here…” Kendal began and then paused, “.. here to … investigate?” The last was said in a low whisper as if he were afraid others might over hear. Yet before they can answer, one of the men at the bar bangs his mug on the table, “Here now.. we empty over here.. you done jawin there Kendal?”

Kendal gives them a sheepish look, “Pardon me, if you need anything else just holler.” He hurries to the bar to tend to the other customers.

Not being able to answer, Danamar took a sip of the cider instead and waited for Anna to come around again with his order. He found that his eyes kept returning on the old woman near the fire.

Tariel crosses the intervening space and draw up a chair to the table. Setting down her saddlebags and hung her bow case on the back of the chair.

Tariel looks around to see how close any local was from their table. Pitching her voice so that it would not carry to any other than themselves,

"I have a question for all of you. "Last Thirkday when that foul wind rose, Did any of you notice anything odd other than sudden change of direction and the feeling of despair and ill will it engendered.?"

"The reason I asked is be cause I was out of the city and noticed something strange. Even though I could feel the wind, but the wind did not affect the trees, brush or even the grass. It affected nothing other than animals and people. My horse reacted to the wind and of course I felt it too. But that was it."

(Please forgive the short nature of this post, I’m swamped but wanted to get something out at least.)

Daldren had remained fairly quiet during the travel to Prilm. He often rode ahead of the party, allowing them their idle banter and conversation, preferring to keep his eyes and ears focused on the road and their surroundings. His ride was a determined one, each step of Diego was as deliberate as if he were walking upon his own steady feet. Though he remained quiet, he knew there would be plenty of time for talk later.

Later came soon enough, as they arrived at the fork in the road occupied by “The Lonesome Traveler” where Bil once more tended to their steeds, while Kendal and Anna tended to the arrangements of shelter and nourishment of those gracing their door. As Daldren’s party took their seats and food was ordered. It was very evident that the tension here was running high, and as Kendal alluded to his gratitude at the possibility of the MV6 investigating, it only served to increase his awareness that the foul wind seemed most unnatural. It was Tariel who made mention of his own observations however, bringing to word the fact that the wind seemed only to affect the living, and not material inanimate objects. Daldren nodded in accord to the observation, but his dark eyes were set upon the woman at the table by the hearth, her eyes rested upon them longer than the casual glance. It was then that he noticed the large black dog at her feet, likely warming by the fireplace, a comfortable spot to be sure.

Standing, Daldren quietly made his way over to the table of the lone woman and the canine presumably hers. “Evening ma’am,“ he said calmly, studying her, gauging her mannerisms and the like. (Sense Motive) “Couldn’t help but notice your friend there.. Had myself one just like ‘im /’er (depending on observation of dog’s breed and gender being closer) when I was younger. Loyal to the end he was. Mind for an extra chair at your table by the hearth? Wind’s had a bit more… chill to it than normal.”

(Daldren’s trying to get a feel for the woman and her dog, he’s a cautious sort, but respectful at the same time of his elders by nature. If the woman or dog allow him to get closer, or engage in conversation, and ultimately sit, he’ll call Kendal over, have a similar meal to the woman and pay for both. He’ll try and engage her in banter, introducing himself and trying to flow the conversation towards anything she may know about the area etc utilizing Gather Information if at all possible.)

23th Sempore (Teladay), 452 E.R.
City of Visden, Pardinal

Tadirien Vanlithe, a member of the MV, was summoned to the MV headquarters shortly after midmorning. The MV servant had no details for the Syl warrior, just that it was an urgent matter and that he was to come prepared to leave immediately after a briefing.

He packed all his travel things and since he had few personal belonging beyond what he needed, he was able to carry it all upon his person. He trotted over to the headquarters and was admitted and directed to a briefing room where he was left alone for a few moments.

As he waited he noticed a full length mirror, a rare item, attached to one wall. Being a little nervous about this chance to prove himself to the MV he checked out his appearance to make sure he was presentable.

His Brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail that ends between his shoulder blades. He wore a loose, flowing shirt under a vest. His right ear was pierced with a simple gold ring. He dressed and moves like a human seafarer, though with the grace and fluidity one would expect from an elf. There was a rapier strapped to his hip and he had a bemused grin on his face.

Tadirien’s musings were interrupted when the door opened and a man entered. He recognized Tarse Merchantson a Guild Officer. He strode in like a man with a purpose and headed straight to the table with a junior officer that Tadirien didn’t know. The Syl warrior moved towards one of the chairs but Tarse waved him away.

“Don’t bother sitting,” he said as he stopped at the table and laid a pouch and a sealed packet on the top, “you wont be staying long.”

The officer looked over Tadirien and the Syl could tell that the man didn’t know what to make of him and his unusual Syl appearance; he looked more the sailor.

“MV6 left early this morning on a mission to Prilm, a village to the East at the foot of the Railir Peaks. We have an urgent missive for one of the members. This member is and Syl Warrior named Elessarae; she will be leaving the team and returning immediately to her homeland. You will take her place in the team for the duration of this mission.”

“If you prove yourself here,” he continued as he once again looked the strange Syl over, “you could be given a place on Team 6.”

As Tardirien digested this information and contained his excitement, the man slide the sealed packet and the small pouch over to the man.

“The pouch contains some coins for expenses, and the sealed packet you are to give to Elessarae and only her. You are NOT to open this packet and protect it with your life, do you understand?”

After he confirmed this he nodded and then gestured to the man with him he had remained silent. The junior Guild officer stepped forth and handed the Syl a piece of paper.

“That requisition will allow you to draw a horse and tack from the Guild stables for the duration of this mission.” Tarse continued, “you are expected to take care of this mount and return it in the condition in which you received it.”

“Any questions?”

(OOC: Will backpost any necessary answers later)

“Very well,” Tarse said, “the MV6 team headed East and most likely will stop at a Tavern somewhere along the road tonight. That is probably your best chance to catch them. Hurry, time is of the essence.”

He turned and left the room, the junior officer in tow.

Tardirien took the items left him and departed headed for the stables. There he submitted his requisition and in minutes a fast medium horse was equipped and brought out to him. The stallion was a chestnut brown, and seemed a fine specimen.

Within 15 mins, Tardirien was riding fast out the Eastern gate headed up the road. He figured that Team 6 had left at first light they had almost 4 hours on him. If he rode fast for awhile he should make up some time and should catch them around or shortly after nightfall.

(Ok I will have another post by Monday, maybe sooner, for the rest of the team. Deucalion you may reply to this post as far as arriving at the Tavern but no inside until my next post.)

(Edit: To all the other players, please read the last post from your teammates. Seems some have asked questions or were talking to each other and no responses were made. Please take a moment to read the last posts and respond if necessary. I hope to post by Monday night.)

Evening, 23th Sempore (Teladay), 452 E.R.
The Lonesome Traveler, Pardinal

As the party had entered the wayfarer inn and taken their seats, Irael had cast a Detect Magic spell and looked around the common area of the place. Besides their party, he didn’t see any signs of magic or anything unusual until his gaze passed near the fire place. There his vision blurred and he had to shake his head to clear it. When it cleared as he was sitting down in his chair he noticed that where he had been looking was an old woman sitting by the fireplace with a dog lying at her feet. He was distracted by the arrival and prattling of Kendal the Barkeep/innkeeper and the arrival of hot food and drinks shortly thereafter. The woman and the dog were for the moment forgotten, which wasn’t usually the case with Irael.

Outside Tariel had helped Bil the stable boy to untack her own mount and hoped to ply him for more information, but he didn’t seem to have much else to say other than what he had already told them. The strange wind that had come through and left a foul ‘taste’ upon the air; it hadn’t really been a taste but it had left him feeling strange like .. “death had walked by and glanced at me.” That was the way the boy had said it. After she was done she had gone inside and there sat down to the ale that had been ordered for her and the hot food awaited her as well. There she had told the others what Bil had told her and she asked.

"I have a question for all of you. "Last Thirkday when that foul wind rose, Did any of you notice anything odd other than sudden change of direction and the feeling of despair and ill will it engendered?"

"The reason I asked is because I was out of the city and noticed something strange. Even though I could feel the wind, but the wind did not affect the trees, brush or even the grass. It affected nothing other than animals and people. My horse reacted to the wind and of course I felt it too. But that was it."
Extra food was brought, fresh vegetables, nuts, cheeses and more as they sat and discussed what had happened so far.

Standing, Daldren quietly made his way over to the table of the lone woman and the canine presumably hers.

“Evening ma’am,“ he said calmly, studying her, gauging her mannerisms and the like. (Sense Motive)

“Couldn’t help but notice your friend there.. Had myself one just like ‘im (closer observation revealed it to be a male) when I was younger. Loyal to the end he was. Mind for an extra chair at your table by the hearth? Wind’s had a bit more… chill to it than normal.”
The old woman smiled at him and though she appeared to be a human woman somewhere between 80 - 120 years of age (hard to tell precisely) her smile was as bright and fresh as a young woman much younger. His 'sense' of her leaves him blank... it is almost as if she werent there.

“No…” she said at him still smiling, “I don’t mind.. but you’re here to ‘feel’ me out aren’t you?” She gave him a knowing wink as she continued to smile. The dog at her feet had raised its head at his approach and watch him closely but didn’t growl or make any other move though its eyes never left him.

“You are all with the MV.. that is clear and I bet you’re on your way to investigate what happened in the East.” She said in a matter-of-fact way that wasn’t a question but more of a statement of fact. The smile left her face and it became quite stern looking and serious as she leaned forward to look him in the eyes.

“What awaits you all up there is dangerous… don’t underestimate it.” She said quietly so that others in the Inn wouldn’t overhear.

“Now you’re going to ask me what I know and how I know it,” her knowing smile returned slightly, “that I can’t tell you. One should never know too much about their future… they might change it for the worse.. eh?” She winked at him again and chuckled slightly; the dog at her feet pricked up its ears at her laugh and looked at her questioningly.

“What you doing there, Hannah?” Kendal yelled out from the bar looking at the old woman as he came out to where she sat with Daldren nearby. He waved the towel he carried at her dismissively.

“Don’t be bothering me customers now with your tall tales and fortune telling,” Kendal said to her and he took Daldren’s arm and turned secretively to the man.

“Don’t take what the old crone says to heart young man,” he whispered in his ear, “she is old and often tries to ply coins from travelers with her tales and ‘so-called’ fortunes…. Bear her no mind… she is harmless otherwise.”

With that said he gave the old woman a look and then moved on to another table tending to their drink refills.

The old woman, Hannah, the man called her, looked on and smiled slightly at Daldren before she turned her gaze back towards the fire.

(Ok.. here is enough to get you going again. So lets see some posts. I would like at least one post a week out of each of you. If you have a problem and aren’t able to post please drop me a PM or post in the Q&A to let us know you will be late. If you have questions just ask.)