Session Start (sandwich:#eberron): Fri Feb 11 08:57:13 2005
[0857:13] *** Initial topic: "Next Session 19 February 2005, 10h00 (10am) EST | (Link: http://eberron.zort.net)http://eberron.zort.net
[0857:14] *** #eberron was created on Fri Feb 11 08:49:41 2005.
[1042:21] *** Girdnick has joined #eberron.
[1116:16] *** Mode change "+v Girdnick" for channel #eberron by jnespuxah.
[1125:40] jnespuxah: [Girdnick departs from the Blackened Blade as the rest of the group departs with Bel and Bash toward the Mournland.]
[1127:00] * Girdnick looks around, scratching his temple. "What the hell is a yearling?"
[1129:01] Girdnick: "Hmm... maybe Victor hear of this thing."  He slings his pack over his shoulder and sets off to Victor's shop.
[1129:30] Girdnick: [Girdnick walks, ignoring the people who meddle about their business in the town, headed with a strong purpose.]
[1132:06] *** Grysar has joined #eberron.
[1133:06] *** Mode change "+v Grysar" for channel #eberron by jnespuxah.
[1133:32] * Girdnick enters the shop, his face a little mixed with frustration and worry.
[1135:21] *** Grysar is now known as Victor.
[1135:35] * Girdnick holds in his hand a slightly crumpled pice of paper, which he straightens on his leg before handing it to Victor. The note reads only: Shadowcloak Yearling
[1136:05] * Victor looks up and takes the note. "Hello Gridnick. Something wrong?" He looks at the note and it doesn't register.
[1136:50] Girdnick: "Elira leave this with Bitter for Girdnick.  Girdnick not know what to do with it."
[1138:21] Victor: 2d0+3
[1141:14] Victor: Two things jump to mind.  It might be a name, possibly an animal name or something else from people big on ages.  However, you may want to check the Kudarak vault with this as your vault identity and password.  Elira knows we did that job, so that wouldn't surprise me.
[1143:04] * Girdnick 's eyes get really wide. "Victor smart!" He throws his arms around Victor in a big, uncomfortable orc-hug.
[1143:56] * Victor goes oof and tries to contain his cringe. "Welcome."
[1144:46] Girdnick: "Girdnick glad Victor Girdnick's friend.  Girdnick come back to help watch shop when Elira okay again."
[1145:31] * Victor smiles at that. "Good. You be careful , she may have some nasty enemies."
[1146:08] Victor: (And I need to run)
[1146:16] * Girdnick turns and races out of the shop, bumping slightly against an incoming customer. "Oops, Girdnick sorry. Buy stuff from Victor who is smart." He waves as he bustles away.
[1146:51] * Victor gives a "he's a half-orc, you should probably listen" grin to the new customer.
[1147:14] *** Victor has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
[1148:17] Girdnick: [Girdnick hurries from Victor's shop back to the Kundarak vault, whispering to himself as he goes so he won't forget the words on the paper.]
[1149:09] *** KundarakDwarf has joined #eberron.
[1150:04] * KundarakDwarf sees Girdnick enter, blinks as though trying to remember something, then shrugs. "Welcome. How may I serve you today?"
[1150:10] Girdnick: "Umm, hello.  Girdnick named Girdnick, here for stuff."
[1150:46] KundarakDwarf: "Girdnick, is it?  You are here to access the vault?"
[1151:22] Girdnick: "Umm, yeah for vault."
[1152:11] Girdnick: "Is for Shadowcloak"
[1153:11] KundarakDwarf: "Certainly.  If you'll follow me."  He ushers you behind the curtain to the sealed vault door.  "Simply stand here, speak your access name and password, and open the door.  Your materials should be ready and waiting."
[1153:32] * KundarakDwarf closes the curtain behind Girdnick and returns to the front counter.
[1153:57] * Girdnick speaks the name and password, then opens the door.
[1159:17] jnespuxah: [The contents of a vault are two small vials with labels and a piece of paper with writing on it.]
[1201:01] jnespuxah: [The labels are pictures, one of an eye positioned over a scroll, and the other of a smiling mouth.]
[1202:56] * Girdnick pockets the vials and folds up the paper, to take it somewhere it can be deciphered.
[1203:45] * Girdnick grabs his stuff and leaves for the nearest temple.
[1204:58] *** KundarakDwarf has left #eberron.
[1206:32] * Girdnick walks into the temple and asks around for their librarian
[1207:33] jnespuxah: [The Sovereign Host temples are easy to find.  There is a brazier of incense on either side of the intricately carved wooden doors, which are open.  The large, spacious worship area has a few people offering prayers.]
[1207:43] *** TempleServant has joined #eberron.
[1208:16] Girdnick: "Girdnick need someone who can read.  Have hard words to figure out."
[1208:21] * TempleServant approaches Girdnick and inquires in a whisper, "What services can we provide to such a traveller today?"
[1209:12] TempleServant: "Certainly.  Let us step into the private conference space."  He leads you into a back hall, then into an adjoining room.
[1209:58] TempleServant: "I am fluent in six languages.  May I see the document?"
[1210:42] * Girdnick pulls forth a few gold pieces and hands them to the servant. "That for your help. Here paper." He holds out the sheet where the servant can read it easily.
[1211:53] TempleServant: "You are most generous.  You offerings will cause the gods to smile on you."  He holds the coins in his hand and reaches out with his other hand to stabilize the paper.
[1212:24] * Girdnick licks his lips nervously, wondering what the message could be.
[1212:42] TempleServant: "Hmm... This is quite troubling.  Where did you get this?  I hope it is merely a work of fiction."
[1213:48] Girdnick: "Girdnick not know what it is.  Was left for Girdnick to read it.  What fiction mean?"
[1214:22] TempleServant: "It means a made-up story.  Is Truggle a person with whom you are acquainted?"
[1214:55] Girdnick: "Girdnick know Truggle.  Truggle bad person.  What paper say?"
[1217:06] Girdnick: brb
[1217:23] * TempleServant clears his throat. "Truggle may have gained the edge he was seeking. If you do not hear from me sometime in the next week, he has most likely made his move."
[1219:42] * TempleServant continues reading. "I will most likely be taken to Truggle's safehouse. I'm not sure of the exact location, but I believe it to be on the bottom level of the fourth tower. It is most likely in a House Thuranni stronghold."
[1227:01] Girdnick: "Is that everything?"
[1227:44] TempleServant: "Yes.  I would guess from the hand that this is a woman.  Do you know who wrote this?"
[1228:25] Girdnick: "Pretty lady who teach Girdnick and not mean to Girdnick.  Girdnick now go help her."
[1229:39] TempleServant: "Well, I wish you luck.  Hopefully, you'll find her before this 'Truggle' person can take hold of her."
[1230:11] Girdnick: "Who House Thuranni?"
[1232:35] TempleServant: "Their movements are far out of my own experience.  I know that they are an elven house, and they bear the Dragonmark of Shadow.  From what I've heard, they are a sinister family, selling their evil services to the highest bidder, and no task is too cruel for their purses."
[1233:01] TempleServant: "I sincerely hope you will not have to cross them, for I fear you and this lady would be in great peril should that come to pass."
[1233:26] Girdnick: "Evil not good.  Girdnick want good for friend."
[1234:24] Girdnick: "Girdnick want good for you also.  Girdnick go now and look for friend."  He takes the paper back and folds it up.
[1234:33] TempleServant: "May I have a prayer with you before you depart?"
[1235:51] Girdnick: "Girdnick think that good.  Girdnick not know any preyer."
[1237:58] * TempleServant takes your hands into his and enters into a complex and lofty chant, naming many gods you've never heard of, and praying for safe care and smooth travels and good fortune and... and... and... and he'll probably go on for half an hour if you don't stop him.
[1239:12] * Girdnick displays a good deal of patience for the first five minutes, a severe lack the next five minutes, then interrupts by saying, "And may the gods keep you as well. Have a nice day."
[1241:30] * TempleServant looks a bit disturbed. "I'm sorry. I was just so overcome by the plight of your situation. I will keep you in my prayers, Girdnick. Gods be with you."
[1242:59] * TempleServant leads you to the entrance, drops the coins from his hands into the box by the door, and wishes you well in your journey.
[1243:08] * Girdnick leaves the temple and returns to the Blackened Blade to think
[1243:13] *** TempleServant has left #eberron.
[1243:24] *** Bitter has joined #eberron.
[1244:00] Bitter: "Girdnick.  A good day to you.  No companions today?"
[1244:19] * Bitter goes about filling a tall mug.
[1246:05] Girdnick: "Well, ugly, Girdnick leave friends behind."
[1246:51] * Girdnick pays generously for the orcish brew and sits quietly, puzzling till it hurts.
[1247:29] * Bitter puts the mug in front of Girdnick. "Something bigger than your purse? Not common among your group of friends."
[1248:26] Girdnick: "Girdnick think friends not know who they work for.  Girdnick not like where things go."
[1249:16] Bitter: "So what now for you?  Did you figure out that note from Elira?"
[1249:39] Girdnick: "Um, Bitter.  If something bad might happen, but not today, do Girdnick wait and see, or do he try to find Elira?"
[1251:01] Bitter: "Would you know where to look?  This is a big city."
[1251:13] Girdnick: "Girdnick have no idea."
[1251:32] Bitter: "Then there's not much to do but wait."
[1251:46] Bitter: "Is Elira in trouble?"
[1252:04] Girdnick: "Girdnick think so.  Girdnick think very bad trouble."
[1253:01] Bitter: "What do you know?  Maybe I can help."
[1254:18] Girdnick: "Girdnick know Truggle trying something big, and might kidnap Elira if he does.  Might take Elira to Thuranni.  Girdnick need protect elira so Truggle no get her."
[1255:11] Bitter: "Thuranni?  In the fourth tower?"
[1255:55] Girdnick: "Yeah, how you know?"
[1257:15] Bitter: "People never realize how much they tell me.
[1257:31] Bitter: "That, and I used to do a bit of swordwork myself."
[1257:49] Girdnick: "Maybe you know where Girdnick can find Elira or Truggle?"
[1258:09] Girdnick: "And why you not do swordwork anymore?"
[1259:12] Bitter: "I don't know where those two might be.  As far as my sword arm is concerned, I'm retired.  I got what I wanted here in the Blackened Blade."
[1300:08] Girdnick: "Do you know how to get into House Thuranni?"
[1300:13] Bitter: "Of course, your friends aren't around, and Elira's a good friend of mine.  I'd take a short jaunt for her sake.  What do you say?"
[1301:30] * Girdnick looks at the sharpened bone at his hip. "What you say, Boneblade?" He grins in a way that would probably unnerve someone who didn't know him. "Boneblade hungry."
[1303:27] Girdnick: "We go to fourth tower then."
[1304:36] * Bitter steps into the back room. He returns with a studded leather surcoat draped over him, and a longsword buckled at his side. Merith comes out behind him, smirking and shaking her head.
[1305:36] * Girdnick waves goodbye to Merith as he heads outside.
[1307:16] * Bitter steps in beside Girdnick. "Are you sure she's down the bottom of the fourth tower?"
[1307:53] Girdnick: "No.  Her note said that if something happened, she'd be taken there."  He hands the folded note to Bitter.
[1310:09] * Bitter opens the note and reads. "It has been some time since I last saw her. It's better to pop in and be wrong than be too late."
[1312:11] Girdnick: "That's what Girdnick thought."
[1312:13] * Bitter leads to a darkwood door at the bottom of the fourth tower. "Nothing like the direct approach."
[1313:05] * Bitter knocks heavily on the door.
[1313:10] Bitter: "Are you ready?"
[1313:37] * Girdnick touches his Boneblade. "Always."
[1313:49] *** ThuranniElf has joined #eberron.
[1315:57] jnespuxah: [There is the sound of heavy locks being undone from the other side of the door, which soon swings open to reveal an edgy elf with long raven-black hair and an equally imposing black suit of chainmail.
[1316:26] ThuranniElf: "Yes?"
[1317:44] Bitter: "We are here for an inquiry."
[1317:50] ThuranniElf: "Inquire."
[1318:35] Bitter: "The name is Elira."
[1319:02] ThuranniElf: "How much do you wish to know?"
[1319:28] * Bitter prompts Girdnick, pointing to his moneypouch.
[1320:20] * Girdnick pulls out a smaller pouch from within the larger one, containing 100 gp. "As much as this will afford us."
[1322:21] * ThuranniElf weighs the pouch in his hand, opens it to see the colour of the coins, and waves you into the first room of the complex.
[1323:01] * Girdnick steps past the elf and looks around
[1323:44] jnespuxah: [The Thuranni complex is dark.  There are no windows to be seen, and there is a single candle burning on a small table in the center of the room.  There are three darkwood chairs arranged around the table, marked with a swirly design that you don't recognize.]
[1324:27] jnespuxah: [There is a single interiour passageway covered by a black curtain.]
[1324:47] * Bitter moves into the room and sits in one of the chairs.
[1325:04] * ThuranniElf closes the door behind you, shutting out all light except for the candle.
[1325:06] * Girdnick follows Bitter, sitting as well.
[1325:15] Girdnick: "You see okay, Bitter?"
[1325:31] * ThuranniElf moves beyond the curtain on silent footsteps.
[1326:08] * Girdnick attempts to look after him to see what's behind the curtain
[1326:55] Bitter: "As well as can be expected in here.  There's a very particular set of protocols with House Thuranni.  You only go as far as they ask, and only get what you can pay for."
[1327:48] jnespuxah: [The arrangement of the complex seems designed to thwart casual peeks, as the hallway beyond the curtain takes a sharp turn immediately to the right.]
[1328:44] Girdnick: "Girdnick wish Girdnick could afford more."
[1330:03] Bitter: "That was no small sum, but Truggle may have purchased silence."
[1331:14] Girdnick: "Girdnick wish Girdnick could afford purchase no more Truggle."
[1331:34] * ThuranniElf returns after a few minutes of uncomfortable solitude.
[1332:01] Girdnick: "What can you tell us?"
[1333:12] ThuranniElf: "The name 'Elira' is known to us.  In what capacity remains to be seen, depending on certain events to come."
[1334:02] Girdnick: "Can you say what events they are?"
[1334:36] ThuranniElf: "No."
[1335:08] Bitter: "We would like to talk with the carrier of the contract."
[1335:31] * ThuranniElf retreats behind the curtain again.
[1335:55] Girdnick: "You know how to talk to these people good."
[1337:02] Bitter: "We'll never know who bought the contract, but knowing who will fulfill it holds no danger.  They are a legal house with strong arms and long reach.  No one would dare retaliate."
[1337:22] Bitter: "We can easily assume Truggle paid for it, anyway, considering Elira's note."
[1337:43] *** Nistlen has joined #eberron.
[1337:56] Girdnick: "Hey, Girdnick know you!"
[1338:11] Nistlen: "Yes, you do."
[1338:51] Nistlen: "I hold the contract for Elira, Bitter.  What do you want?"
[1339:21] Bitter: "That is perhaps best left to Girdnick here."  He nods to Girdnick, prompting him to speak.
[1341:26] Girdnick: "We want know how to stop Elira from being hurt."
[1342:25] Nistlen: "The details of the contract are not to be discussed."
[1343:07] Girdnick: "Is contract paid in advance?"
[1343:59] Nistlen: "It is.  My hand awaits the order to take action."
[1345:09] Girdnick: "If order not come, you not need to work to keep money, right?"
[1345:23] Nistlen: "True."
[1345:45] Girdnick: "Maybe you help Girdnick free your schedule to find other money."
[1346:56] Nistlen: "How's that?"
[1348:32] Girdnick: "Maybe Girdnick find person who gives order and makes sure order not get sent.  Then you keep money, contract still honored, Elira not hurt, and you get to do next job."
[1349:43] Nistlen: "An interesting thought.  It would require more information from me.  Information that I am not at liberty to discuss.  Too bad."
[1349:47] * Girdnick pulls a cinnamon stick from his bag and bites it emphatically.
[1350:16] Girdnick: "Perhaps you know someone who IS at liberty to discuss?"
[1350:48] * Nistlen turns to the curtain and knocks twice on passage's entryway.
[1350:58] * ThuranniElf sweeps aside the curtain.
[1351:23] * Nistlen gestures in a complicated pattern to the Thuranni elf.
[1352:06] * ThuranniElf disappears into the depths of the passageway.
[1353:37] Girdnick: "Funny ways they got here.  When Girdnick want something, he says- Girdnick want.  Then Girdnick take.  People too quiet around here."
[1353:47] Nistlen: "There is no such person."
[1354:55] * ThuranniElf returns with an empty cup and hands it to Nistlen before returning behind the curtain.
[1355:53] Girdnick: "Girdnick think there is person and person chooses to be quiet."
[1356:14] Nistlen: "You have become privy to part of a House Thuranni contract.  Now your silence will be sealed with a blood pact."
[1357:19] * Nistlen pulls a dagger out of seemingly nowhere. She cuts her hand and drips blood into the cup. She offers the knife.
[1357:40] * Girdnick cuts his hand and drips greasy orcblood into the cup
[1358:04] * Bitter takes the knife, cuts his own hand, and lets a few drops fall into the cup.
[1400:08] Girdnick: "Is Girdnick able to be part of contract?"
[1400:16] * Nistlen pulls a wineskin from an equally hidden location and pours into the goblet. She first holds it out to Bitter.
[1400:32] * Bitter takes the goblet, drinks, and hands it back to Nistlen.
[1401:14] * Nistlen takes the goblet, drinks, and hands it to Girdnick.
[1401:39] * Girdnick takes the goblet, looks at it real wierd, drinks, and hands it back to Nistlen.
[1403:23] Nistlen: "What you have heard here is sealed by this exchange of life.  Do what you will when you leave, but do not share what you have learned with anyone."
[1404:56] Girdnick: "Girdnick not say anything.  Girdnick hope that next time Girdnick see you, Girdnick not need to cause problems."
[1406:42] Girdnick: "Nistlen have good day."
[1407:28] Nistlen: "And you both."  She opens the door, remaining behind it.
[1407:40] * Bitter exits quickly.
[1407:48] *** ThuranniElf has left #eberron.
[1407:59] * Girdnick leaves the room
[1408:13] *** Nistlen has left #eberron.
[1408:17] Girdnick: So, now we go find Truggle and not let him talk anymore.
[1408:54] jnespuxah: [Dusk is falling, and you suddenly feel very tired.]
[1410:42] Bitter: "She's not kidding.  Don't tell anyone what happened in there.  Thuranni doesn't mess around."
[1412:11] jnespuxah: [Bitter and Girdnick return to the Blackened Blade to retire and rest for tomorrow's daunting task of stopping Truggle.]
[1412:16] Girdnick: "Girdnick not say anything."
[1412:53] * Girdnick lies down and is snoring in only a few moments after his head hits the pillow.
[1413:11] jnespuxah: [Session End]
[1413:49] *** jnespuxah has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
[1413:50] *** Bitter has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
[1414:20] *** Girdnick has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
[1436:03] *** You have been disconnected. Fri Feb 11 14:36:03 2005.
Session Close (p¡`<h): Fri Feb 11 14:36:42 2005