Session Start (sandwich:#eberron): Sat Mar 05 10:08:18 2005
*** Initial topic: "Next Session 05 March 2005, 10h00 (10am) EST | (Link: http://eberron.zort.net)http://eberron.zort.net
*** #eberron was created on Sat Mar 05 09:05:46 2005.
*** Mode change "+vv DShadow Zeiram" for channel #eberron by jnespuxah.
*** Girdnick has joined #eberron.
*** Mode change "+v Girdnick" for channel #eberron by jnespuxah.
*** Omar has joined #eberron.
DShadow: it's t3h 0mar!
DShadow: omar: join #eberronooc also
Omar: yup.  I've been meacning to give eberron a chance but I'm always sleeping, out of town, busy or forget.
Omar: I'm amazed I woke up on my own this early given the past week.
DShadow: that's your body saying, "enough of this work nonsense. let's have some fun!" ;-)
*** Elira has joined #eberron.
*** DShadow is now known as Kansakhad.
*** Zeiram is now known as Drunik.
*** Omar is now known as MrNoName.
jnespuxah: [Victor and Crystal decide to part ways with the company, seeking their own hiding places and perhaps finding other ways to help the group.]
jnespuxah: [Meanwhile, Elira leads the others to a secret safehouse in the city, turning numerous corners, passing through many buildings, and traversing multiple paths up and down through the tower levels.]
jnespuxah: [The path is so quick and twisted that none but Elira seem to be able to follow or repeat their retreat.]
jnespuxah: [Session Start]
Elira: "I know the quarters a pretty tight here, but it should buy us some time.  Not much though."
jnespuxah: (Retcon *ARE)
Drunik: (At a moment when we're alone) "Why is the Shadow Network after us?"
Drunik: "Er, you."
Girdnick: "Girdnick know!!  Girdnick know!!!"
Girdnick: "All you remembering the elf lady what scratched Girdnick's back before?"
* Kansakhad nods
Drunik: "Yes"
Girdnick: "That lady were hired by someone.  Someone who Girdnick thinks is Truggle."
Girdnick: "She were waiting for a signal to kill Elira.  Girdnick tell her he not let signal happen, so she make Girdnick sleep for long times."
Elira: "I see you got my message, then.  Not that it did much good, but I see I can trust you to puzzle out my cryptic messages, when necessary."
Kansakhad: "Then, Truggle is part of this 'Shadow Network'?"
* Girdnick grins. "Girdnick not think so."
Elira: "Not likely.  But he must have established enough power to think it safe to make a move against me."
Drunik: "You heard her say they were with House Thuranni.  That's their less-known face."
Elira: "How did you find us before the Network got to us?"
Kansakhad: "I'm not very familiar with House Thuranni."
Drunik: "An old woman came to us speaking in riddles"
Elira: "Did she give her name?"
Drunik: "Felane is the name she gave us."
Elira: "Felain?  What exactly did she say?  What were her intentions in giving you this information?"
Kansakhad: "She said she knew you were missing, had talked to us in the past, and that Girdnick had been missing searching for you."
Kansakhad: "She also said she knew the whys and wheres of your disappearance, if we cared to do something about it."
Kansakhad: "She also had one of those privacy orbs you were so fond of using."
Elira: "Well, that last bit isn't a surprise.  But was it clear whether she was siding with Truggle or not?"
Kansakhad: "No."
Drunik: "She said something like for us to 'help whoever we choose'."
Kansakhad: "I think she was saying that to Crystal, though. She was uncertain as whom to help."
Girdnick: "Girdnick glad you choose to help girdnick and Elira."
Elira: "And Girdnick, how did you come to be where you were?"
* Elira glances nervously to the entrance.
Girdnick: "Girdnick get your note, get help figuring it out, and meet with those Thuranni persons.  Girdnick try to talk them out of work, and try to find way around contract, but they send Girdnick away.  Then Girdnick fall asleep and wake up with Elira."
Elira: "I'm not especially knowledgeable about House Thuranni.  What does anyone know?"
Girdnick: "Girdnick think someone might know more than us..."
Drunik: "They're a House of elves that splintered off of a different House during the War.  They act as artisans and entertainers, but do dirty work on the side."
Drunik: "And they don't give up on contracts until the target is dead."
Girdnick: "How long this room safe?"
Kansakhad: "Well, that's unfortunate. We'll have to make them think Elira is dead, then."
Elira: "We can stay for a few more minutes, but we'll need somewhere else to go soon."
Kansakhad: "If we just kill them, they'll send more assassins after us."
Elira: "Well, to be specific, it's just me, I think."
Kansakhad: "For now, yes, but is it going to stay that way if we foil their plans?"
* Girdnick rummages through one of his bags and pulls out a vial. He takes a swig and grimaces as the magic rushes through his battered body.
* Drunik smirks and says, "I think we'd be safe if nobody else hires assassins."
Girdnick: "If someone want hurt Elira, they after girdnick first.  Girdnick think you safe as long as Girdnick alive."
Drunik: "I should probably heal my wound too."
* Drunik pulls out a scroll and chants as it turns to dust
Elira: "There are ways to harm someone without anyone else standing in the way."
Girdnick: "You no think Girdnick can protect?"
Elira: "It's not matter of skill, Girdnick.  You can't block magic.  Or psi, for that matter."
* Girdnick frowns and sits down.
Elira: "The problem is this: you have to convince Nistlen that not only am I dead, but there's no intent to bring me back."
Kansakhad: "So... we somehow fake your death, and claim we did it because we're working for Truggle?"
Kansakhad: "That takes care of the notion that we intend to raise you. Not sure how we'd fake your death, though."
Elira: "Of course, resurrection isn't exactly easy to accomplish.  As long as Truggle can keep you busy for a few months, he might assume you have given up on the thought."
Drunik: "Maybe there's a spell to temporarily house your soul in another place.  Don't think they would fall for an illusion."
Girdnick: "Can Elira spend some time away from people?"
Kansakhad: "Which brings up another point, of course, which is how we work for Truggle without either drawing suspicion and successfully furthering his goals. I'm sure we'll figure that out later, though."
Kansakhad: "In any case, the hard part for now is killing Elira without actually killing her."
Elira: "Well, I'm glad you're so comfortable with the idea..."
Kansakhad: "Comfortable with what? Working for Truggle?"
Girdnick: "Girdnick have home in Shadow Marches.  Elira can hide there with Girdnick."
Elira: "Hiding won't work.  They have mages."
Kansakhad: "Can't that be countered with other magic? Is there not magic to allow one to hide safely?"
Elira: "The immediate solution, of course, is to kill Nistlen and hope that word doesn't spread very quickly."
Kansakhad: "What do we know about his capabilities?"
Girdnick: "You mean her..."
Kansakhad: (er, yes, her. *ding*)
Elira: "Well, she seemed very quick with those daggers."
Drunik: "Wasn't that the other one?"
Elira: "You mean the dark one with the sword?  Didn't see much of what he could do.  I got lucky."
Drunik: "In any case, what if we have another body that we disguise as Elira instead."
Kansakhad: "I don't think that would fool magic."
Elira: "That would serve as a good decoy.  Wouldn't fool them for long, but long enough to get the jump on them.
Drunik: "My thoughts exactly."
Drunik: "Getting back to the 'working for Truggle' ploy, he strikes me as the type that would take out more than one contract to be sure."
Elira: "You don't have to where the Network is involved."
* Girdnick rises from the chair and walks toward the door, tightening the straps of his armor. "Seem like only one thing Girdnick can ever be sure of. Only way to ever be sure is to kill someone. Who Girdnick have to kill to be sure of that?"
Elira: "I would guess Nistlen would buy us the most time.  Where do you propose we take a body for the decoy?"
Elira: "Or does someone want to volunteer as the decoy?"
Kansakhad: "I don't think any of us would pass for you very well."
Kansakhad: "Crystal might have been able to something, but she's long gone now."
Girdnick: "Maybe when Girdnick kill Nistlen, Girdnick convince them Elira is gone."
* Girdnick drinks a second potion.
Drunik: "How hard is it to find a dead body in a city like this?  There's got to be a morgue of some sort."
Elira: "I must be distracted.  You're right.  We need to get moving, anyway.  Shall we?"
* Girdnick swings open the door and steps out.
* Elira rises and follows behind Girdnick.
* Kansakhad follow behind Elira
* Drunik takes the rearguard
jnespuxah: [Elira leads the small group to a large facility in the lower section of Seventh Tower.  They're not hiding very well as they progress.]
* Elira opens the door and urges you to enter quickly.
*** HalflingMortician has joined #eberron.
* Drunik enters hurriedly
* Girdnick waits outside, watching the entryway
* Kansakhad enters
* HalflingMortician is sitting at a desk, surrounded by a number of covered tables.
HalflingMortician: "Can I help you?"
Elira: "We have a need, and I'd prefer that you forgot we were here."
HalflingMortician: "Well, I suppose that can be arranged.  What do you suggest?"
* Elira turns to her companions and looks intensely at you.
* Kansakhad turns to the mortitian. "We need a stiff. Female Khoravar, preferably."
* Kansakhad gestures towards Elira. "Even more preferably, one that looks like her."
HalflingMortician: "That may be, but it is my responsibility to maintain this facility for the sanctity of the city.  I'm afraid that while I'm on watch, no such activity will take place."
* Elira looks at Kansakhad with much consternation. "What are you doing?
* Kansakhad whispers to Elira "Someone had to say something...."
Elira: "Well, telling him what we're doing isn't very secretive, is it?  Just give him money to get him out of here."
* Kansakhad turns to the mortician. "Might we offer you a temporary leave from your duties?"
HalflingMortician: "Most certainly not!  I am a man of integrity!"
* Kansakhad passes a small pouch to the mortician, which contains 10 pp.
Kansakhad: "I would never question your integrity. But perhaps you have somplace else you'd rather be right now?"
HalflingMortician: "I am a bit hungry, and I'm always glad for good company.  Perhaps you'd like to join me?"
Drunik: "Nah, I'm pretty full."
Elira: "Well, I think we might even be able to treat you, my new friend.  A good meal never hurt anyone."
Elira: (loudly) "I just hope we don't run into anyone on the way out."
* Elira leads the way out. "Shall we, my friends?"
* Drunik follows
* Girdnick is chewing on a cinnamon stick when everyone proceeds by him.
* Elira sees Girdnick, shakes her head, and looks straigh at Girdnick. "Good day, sir. We're just stepping out for lunch. We should be back in about an hour, if you need assistance."
Girdnick: "Girdnick not go with Elira?"  Seeing the halfling, he continues.  "Not much of a body you chose.  Don't look anything like you, and not dead at all."
* HalflingMortician ushers Drunik and Kansakhad ahead of him as they exit.
Elira: "You know, sir, you might consider seeing someone at a temple about your strange speech.  I hear they can work wonders with confusion these days."
* Drunik stands outside the door with his foot near the door
* Kansakhad looks confused. "Dear Sir, I think you must have confused our Lady Alissa here with someone else."
* Girdnick scratches his head with the cinnamon stick. "Well, when the big lizards get back, I'll tell them you said not to hide the helmets... guess we'll all be needing helmets..."
HalflingMortician: "What a strange fellow."
Girdnick: "...when the lizard guys stop flying, they're gonna land on our heads..."
Girdnick: "...so that's why I told him that the door was not to be opened..."
Girdnick: "...and if it wasn't for that horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college..."
*** MrNoName is now known as Kern.
* HalflingMortician leads the way to a crowded, swanky restaurant nearby. The mortician seems to be known, and is shown to a table. The staff seems pleasantly surprised that he has company (Drunik, Kansakhad, and Elira).
*** Mode change "+v Kern" for channel #eberron by jnespuxah.
jnespuxah: [While the rest of the group is away, Girdnick enters the morgue to find someone sitting up on one of the slabs.]
Girdnick: "Girdnick not know who you are, but it look like you picked bad time to decide to not be dead."
Kern: "It's always a good time to not be dead.  Except of course when excruciating pain is involved.  Even then it's not really so bad."
* Kern looks around the room for his gear.
jnespuxah: [After a quick around, Kern finds a footlocker by the desk containing his gear along with a large assortment of other... stuff.]
jnespuxah: (retcon look --^)
* Girdnick is a large half-orc, his hair swiped up in a sloppy mohawk. His scarred body is covered with a bizarre patchwork of armored pieces held together by thick bits of rope.
* Kern is also a half-orc, though a bit more clean-shaven... as much as a half-orc can be that is. At the momemnt he is covered in a sheet as he riffles through a footlocker.
Kern: Upon finding his gear he dons it hastily
* Kern finishes putting on gear
* Kern sizes up Girdnick. "From where abouts do you hail compatriate?"
Girdnick: "Girdnick from Shadow March.  Who you are, and what you do in here?"
jnespuxah: [Girdnick pulls back sheets as the discussion continues, seeking an appropriate decoy.]
Kern: "I was knocked unconcious while on the outskirts of the city and it would seems that the grave diggers found me and brought me here thinking I had already perrished"
Kern: "Are you looking for someone in particular or do you prefer desecrations?"
Girdnick: "Girdnick need certain type of body.  Have important job to do.  What mean desecration?"
Girdnick: "Need pretty lady Khoravar body.  One look like lady Girdnick want to be with."
Kern: "Disturbing the mortal bodies that formelly contained the souls of the departed."
* Kern pauses for a moment. "Messing around with dead bodies"
Girdnick: "Halfling working here mess with dead bodies too.  They probably don't feel it anyway."
Kern: "Quite true, quite true.  I couldn't help but notice your dagger.  Are you currently in the services of -----"
Girdnick: "Same group that you found yours from. Maybe not same person, but same group.  And Girdnick not always sure who Girdnick serves."
Kern: "Whoever pays the bills.  That's who I serve.  Well, it was good meeting you Girdnick, I shall be on my way now."
jnespuxah: (retcon ----- -> Talir)
Girdnick: "You doing job right now?"
* Kern does a quick search around the desk for any items that don't like their current owner and would prefer a new one.
* Girdnick throws the sheet off a lady's body. He admires it for a moment, looking at it from a few angles. "Nose little different... maybe will work for few minutes."
jnespuxah: [Kern finds a lot of normal townie belongings, like belt pouches, merchandise, money pouches, keys, some jewelry...]
Kern: "I had recently completed a job and was on my way to do some trade when I was attacked."
Girdnick: "You ever meet Truggle?"
* Kern mutters to himself; "Eh, they all seem content where they are."
Kern: "Truggle?  Can't say I've heard of that name"
*** jnespuxah has changed the topic on channel #eberron to "Next Session TBD, 10h00 (10am) EST | (Link: http://eberron.zort.net.)http://eberron.zort.net.
Girdnick: "If you're leaving, Girdnick suggest a few things.  Like, no work for Truggle.  Also, forget that you see Girdnick today."
Kern: "Should I forgot for tomorrow as well?"
Girdnick: "If you think you remember, just forget.  Someone special in trouble, and anyone who say something that get her hurt will meet Girdnick again."
Kern: "Understood.  Far thee well."
* Kern walks out of the morgue
* Girdnick grabs the corpse from the table, wraps it up, and carries it to an alleyway.
jnespuxah: [As the two exit, the mortician and rest of the party come back around the corner.]
HalflingMortician: "What's this?"
HalflingMortician: "Weren't you on the slab?"
* HalflingMortician turns around to the party. "What exactly is going on, here?"
Kern: "You really should do a better job of making sure people are dead before treating them as such."
Girdnick: "Apparently dead not always mean dead, like this other person Girdnick find.  Not quite dead, just hurt."
* Kansakhad looks at the undertaker. "You're accusing us of doing something underhanded, yet you've got a guy in there that isn't really dead?"
Kansakhad: "I'd say, you're the person that needs to answer what exactly is going on here."
* Kern cracks his neck side to side and flexes his muscles
Kansakhad: "You say you're a man of integrity. You wouldn't want us to have to report this to the authoritys, would you?"
HalflingMortician: "I... this... oh, Host forgive.  I must be getting sloppy."
* Girdnick walks around the corner, seeking a dark area. "Lizards coming soon. Get a helmet."
* HalflingMortician turns in to the morgue and closes the door behind him, mumbling to himself.
*** HalflingMortician has left #eberron.
* Kansakhad walks off after Girdnick
* Drunik wanders vaguely in the direction of Girdnick
* Kern turns to the party. "Have you had trouble with that man as well?"
Elira: "Excuse me, sir.  I see you've had dealings with the Maw.  Girdnick, did you see this?"
Girdnick: "Girdnick ses, guy says he works for someone named Talir."
Girdnick: <sees>
Elira: "I don't know Talir.  Must be in a different cell.  Care to join us for a bit?  I'm sure it could be lucrative."
Kern: "If my dealings with others of the Maw are a past indication of future returns, then teaming up would be a cromulent course of action."
* Girdnick dumps the body unceremoniously on the ground. Girdnick never crommed anyone who not needed it."
Kansakhad: "Hm. We may need to better disguise this. This wouldn't fool anyone who got close."
Drunik: "Anyone good at disguising people?"
* Elira sings a short ditty over the body, and its features melt into a much better representation of Elira's own.
Kern: For those who weren't around earlier, Kern is a 6'3" half-orc in a chain shirt with a longsword hanging by his side.  He gives off more of a nobility vibe than a brutish half-orc.
Kansakhad: "Impressive. How long will that last?"
Elira: "That should fool them for a few crucial seconds.  I have a feeling they're not far enough away to make me comfortable."  She looks around for nearby hiding places.
* Girdnick pulls a hatchet from his pack, then looks back at the altered features.
Girdnick: "Elira need change clothes?"
Elira: "I don't think so.  If they see me, the ruse won't work anyway."
* Girdnick hands a piece of green chalk to Drunik. "You write 'Truggle winner. Girdnick not happy.' on wall."
Drunik: "For the elves to see?"
Elira: "Kern, would you mind taking the credit for this?  I think a newcomer would fool them."
Elira: "Meantime, everyone should do their best to hide.  This is not going to be easy."
Kern: "What would I be taking the credit for?
Girdnick: "Girdnick do best to make it easier."
Girdnick: to Drunik:  "Girdnick want elves and Truggle think Elira dead and Girdnick angry."
Elira: "Killing me.  You are basically the bait, here.  But you should be safe, as you are an unknown."
Kern: ahh
* Girdnick begins looking around for a place to hide while the discovery is made
Kern: "So should we be 'caught in the act' as they arrive?"
* Kansakhad hides
Elira: "That's the idea."
* Drunik hides
Kern: "So I 'kill' Elira as they arrive then start 'battling' Girdnick?"
Kern: "I just want to make sure I have this all straight ahead of time"
Elira: "Good plan."  She moves into a hidden position and hunkers down for the wait.
Girdnick: "They not believe it real if Girdnick not really angry and trying to kill.
Girdnick: "So Girdnick want hide somewhere else so can discover dead body right after elves, then jump them before they react."
* Girdnick hides in an alternate alleyway where he can watch for newcomers.
Kern: "Ahh, so I 'kill' Elira, the elves happen upon it, then you attack then elves by thinking they did it?"
* Kern waits to the elves that Kansakhed described.
*** Nistlen has joined #eberron.
jnespuxah: [The wait is not long at all.  As Girdnick makes his final arrangements on his hiding place, Nistlen turns the corner with some sort of device in her hand.]
* Nistlen looks at Kern. "Who are you?"
Kern: "No one of consequence."
* Nistlen looks at Kern's feet and puts the device away. "Truggle put money elsewhere? That doesn't make much sense..."
* Kern performs coup de grace on lifeless "Elira" body
* Girdnick creeps out of his hiding place and shuffles across the alleyway, trying to stay behind Nistlen.
* Kern wipes off blade.
Nistlen: "Well, it's unfortunate for you, because this contract was mine.  Can't have you doing my work for me, can we?"
Kern: "You're contract?  I believe you're mistaken."
Kern: "Personal grudges need nothing of the sort.  They should be done in person and with gusto"
Girdnick: "Nistlen!!!!  You killed her!!!!"  Girdnick screams as Boneblade bursts forth through Nistlen's abdomen.  "Now Girdnick kill!"
* Kansakhad attempts to psionicly scramble Nistlen's mind, but she manages to shrug the blast off
* Kern takes up a defensive position between Girdnick and Nistlen
* Nistlen attempts to shove Kern out of the way, but fails miserably against the hulking form of the half-orc. "Stupid oaf, get out of my way. I'll kill you next!"
* Elira stands up from her hiding place and sings a lullaby, pointing at Nistlen, but it seems to have no effect on the enraged Thuranni elf.
* Drunik chants "Dol Dorn, lend us your sword". A blue glowing longsword appears next to Nistlen and swipes at her, just missing.
* Kansakhad fires a cold ray at Nistlen, which chills her a bit
* Kern sidesteps away from inbetween Nistlen and Girdnick while keeping on the defensive
* Nistlen steps up to Girdnick and lashes out in a flurry of dagger blows, laying on some heavy hurt and dropping him to the ground.
* Elira begins singing an encouraging sea shanty.
* Drunik moves up to Nistlen but misses with his mace, as the longsword cuts a gash into her thigh
* Kern turns to face Nilsten and lays into the elf with a slash of his longsword and a stab of his heavy pick. Both do decent amounts of damage.
* Nistlen looks horrified at the turn of events, and takes a flying leap to the side, rolling away and coming up in a run to escape.
* Elira steps out of the shadows, pulls a knife, and attempts to stop Nistlen by tossing it at her, but it flies terribly wide.
*** Girdnick has left #eberron.
*** GirdnickNPC has joined #eberron.
* Drunik casts a spell demanding she freeze, but it doesn't take hold
* Kern draws his longbow and fires but the arrow heads off-course and strikes a tree.
Elira: (retcon tree -> bridge?  We in a city.)
* Kansakhad draws his quarterstaff and moves towards Nistlen
* GirdnickNPC flees into the nearest door on the next tower.
* Nistlen flees into teh nearest door on the next tower.
jnespuxah: (retcon of DOOM)
Elira: "I suspect we'll never find her now..."
* Elira bends over Girdnick.
Elira: "Drunik, can you help?"
Drunik: "Was just about to."
* GirdnickNPC 's eyes open slowly. "Girdnick need more armor."
jnespuxah: [Kern and Kansakhad follow after Nistlen, but quickly lose the trail.  Nistlen must have a far more intimate knowledge of the area than either of her pursuers.]
Elira: "Drunik, you know I can't stay, now."
Elira: "Girdnick, you said something about the Shadow Marches?"
Drunik: "Yeah.  Good luck evading them.  Either way, it looks like Truggle is getting what he wants."
GirdnickNPC: "Girdnick keep Elira safe.  We come back when safe."
Elira: "Truggle doesn't have exactly what he wants.  And Nistlen won't be in your hair for some time."
Elira: "I'll send word to Felain.  She should have something for you, regardless of your intentions.  It seems everybody has a taste of what they want today."
jnespuxah: (retcon HER intentions)
* Kern returns to the party along side Kansakhad
jnespuxah: [Elira and Girdnick depart with little pomp.  When Kansakhad and Kern return from their wild goose chase, Drunik spreads word of what has transpired, keeping secrets enough to assure Elira's safety for as long as possible.]
jnespuxah: [Each of them soon receives a note, reading "Interesting outcome.  I am amused.  A small token of my thanks.  - Felain"   Enclosed is a slip of paper with a name and password for a vault.]
jnespuxah: (retcon Kundarak vault)
*** Elira has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
*** Nistlen has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
*** GirdnickNPC has signed off IRC (Quit: ).
jnespuxah: [Session End]
*** jnespuxah has left #eberron.
*** You have been disconnected. Sat Mar 05 15:07:55 2005.
Session Close (¸ÁXØ
É): Sat Mar 05 15:08:01 2005