Chapter One - The Lotus and the Dragon

[Trogdor]

Morning dawns with most of you still asleep. After the past several days, it's a relief to have nowhere to go and nothing to do. Since you want to keep a low profile from Vanthus, and you need to be checked out for hecuva blight, there's no reason not to sleep in. Throughout the course of the morning, you all wake up and gather in the dining room, some earlier than others. Kora keeps pots of coffee and tea warmed, as well as fruits and pastries on a sideboard in the dining room. And once enough of you are awake, she cooks up some ham and eggs.

Lavinia is up with the forenoon bell, and heads out to the Temple of Wee Jas, among other places, by the second bell in the forenoon. She returns in the middle of afternoon with word that the temple will send someone over the next morning. Then she spends the next few hours in her office reviewing papers and taking care of correspondence that's her responsibility now that she's Lady Vanderboren. Eventually, you all enjoy an informal dinner followed by a quiet evening.

During the day you're all free to come and go as you please, though there's always the danger of being seen should you go out. Still, with a little bit of care, you all feel that you should be able to manage a few excursions, perhaps to pick up some gear or to make some discrete purchases. It's unlikely that Vanthus has people watching for you specifically, given that he thinks you're dead - or at least buried alive.

The next day you all wake earlier, ready to have the temple representative come and check you out for hecuva blight. Kora has prepared a slightly more elaborate breakfast, less for your benefit, you suspect, than for that of the man sent by the temple. As you gather for your morning meal, Lavinia shares word of shocking news that Kora heard at the market earlier in the day. Apparently, Keltar Islaran, the old harbormaster, was murdered last night. Rumors are running wild about the details. But they all agree that he was killed in his bed, and left in a gruesome state of evisceration. And while it's bad enough that there's a terrible murderer loose in the city, it's worse that it was Islaran that was killed. Harbormaster is one of the most powerful positions in the city. And there is no clear successor to Keltar. His death presages a good deal of turmoil for the city, particularly as different contenders for the position will no doubt blame each other for this terrible deed.

You haven't had more than a bell to discuss the matter, though, before you hear someone at the door. A few moments later, Kora ushers in a man wearing the robes of a monk of Wee Jas. "Brother Sindu," she announces, "from the temple of Wee Jas."

Lavinia stands and gives the man a bow. "Welcome Brother Sindu. And thank you for coming."

OOC

Welcome arkahm with his new character, Sindu. Please provide a description of your character for him. (And arkahm provide a description for them.)

Also, you all have the opportunity the previous day to discretely make whatever purchases you want, or even to try to Gather Information. Feel free to back post what you wanted to do then, if anything. It's also perfectly okay for you to stay in the manor house and relax. There's a even training room on the second floor if you wanted to get some training in.

Edited to correct 'dockmaster' to harbormaster.'

[arkahm]

Bowing slightly in a polite manner, Sindu enters the residence with grace. "Good Morning to you, Mistress." A non-imposing small man, Sindu does not look much of a threat to anyone, although his hands and feet show sights of rigorous work. His hair is shaved with the exception of a longish braid of hair coming out of the top of his head. He wears very loose fitting clothing of simple, almost peasant-like material. Although peasant looking, it actually appears to be very comfortable and allowing free movement. His shoes are simple wooden slats with straps to attach them to his feet. The majority of his equipment is on roped belts. Some hanging from his waist, others slung over his shoulder and neck area. "The pleasure is mine to assist one who has given so much to Wee Jas." He stands almost rigid in appearance, his feet together and his arms strait at his sides, almost kin to military alertness. "Are the suspected blight carriers ready to be inspected, Lady Vanderboren? A huecuva is no trifling matter."

[Trogdor]

"Of course," Lavinia replies. "They're right here: Daerith Amlyn, Knarra Coldstone, John Foxcombe, Berek Steinhardt, and Shumba." She gestures to each of the people sitting around the table in turn, showing that she has that facility for names that great leaders do. "You can examine them in the library or the gallery, if you like, whichever suits your needs best."

OOC

Once people have introduced themselves, arkahm can just narrate the examinations for you all.

[mackaber]

Berek wakes early in the morning and having had nothing but fermented grape juice to drink ever since he escaped the cave he decides now is as good a time as any to try and meet up with a few old friends and see what he can find out about the Lotus Dragon's that he does not already know and what role Penkus had to play in the guild. A few hours in his favorite taverns later and many beers more drunken a good spirited Berek returns to Lady Vanderboren's manor in the evening hours just as some odd monk has appeared.
Berek stands tall for a Dwarf and is rather lean for one of his kind. He is dressed in simpe beige linen tunica and a rough spoon hooded shirt. His dark curly hair seems somewhat unorganized and his beard looks like it got into plenty of salt water as of late. His blue eyes study the new arrival carefully and as he greets all in attendance with an informal waice of his hand.

OOC

Welcome back arkham!
I'll be asking some questions within the Dwarven community, specifically other formerly more important members of the Dwarven guild

[Vardaen]

OOC

My shopping is complete!

Daerith opts to keep a low profile yesterday and putting Kora to work more than she should be he asks the woman to collect some items from the market when she's out. A long list of alchemical and minor magical items, mostly inks and papers, are on his list. Spending the first evening, and most of yesterday locked away in his...in Vanthus' room, Daerith his busy scribing scrolls of all sorts. He takes meals in his room and only appears in the late evening to get some more wine, take a bath, and say hello to his host Lavinia.

Today he makes an early rise and presents himself out of the seculsion he was in yesterday, eating heartily. He has some ink stains on his fingers still, even Presditigation never seems to work completely for the inks used in scribing scrolls he notes.

"The death of the Harbor Master can be only trouble for Sasserine, and perhaps I'm paranoid, but with the troubles with The Blue Nixie, Solar Vark, and now Penkus I'm more than a little suspicous about this murder and how the Lotus Dragons and Vanthus might play into it." He then curses once, "Damn it I knew I forgot something. I was going to pick up some maps of the region to help assit in locating the areas we found on those other maps from the Vault. Who has those anyhow?"

OOC

I'm talking about some of the maps we found in the vault. If John had them I say transfer them to someone else, Shumba or Berek, or Lavinia even.

Daerith puts down the danish he's eating when the monk Sindu arrives. He stands and bows politely to the man. "I am Daerith Amlyn an associate of Lady Vanderboren and pleased to meet you Brother Sindu." Daerith is a tall elven framed man, still young for his race, but looking a bit hardened by his recent experiences. With slightly dark eyesockets and thin pale white skin he obviously doesn't get much sun. His bone white hair hangs loose right now in rivers that fall like ivory waterfalls around his pointed ears and shoulders. The bleached hair does not appear to be a fashion statement as his brows match, likely some side effect of his magical upbringing. He wears a brand new suit of black padded armor, so new in fact that his companions haven't seen him in it either. Its designed for ease of momvement, and should not interfer with his spellcasting. Black, with white highlighted leather objects fill out his attire, belt, gloves, boots, as well as four scroll cases (ivory, bone, bronzewood and brass) dangle from his belt next to a lizard hide pouch where a slender bone wand is stuffed. A long curved elven blade is also attached to his belt at all times, even while sitting at breakfast or dinner. The blade Torothalion inside the scabbard is the wizard's bonded weapon and spell focus. He sweeps the hair out of his eyes, "A pleasure to meet you, I am most pleased to see that Temple of Wee Jas has remembered the good deeds of the Vanderboren." He glances around the room awaiting the introduction of the others before saying more.

Daerith

This really is pretty spot on!

OOC

Welcome Back Arkham! Probably should put up a post in The Group thread on the OOC with an image. Glad to have you back.

[Eanwulf]

Shumba shows little interest in being hidden from the Lotus Dragon's organization. In fact, he doesn't even seem to care about the matter at all. Simply glad to be alive, Shumba is however, somewhat saddened (if not angered) at the mentioning of someone murdering the Harbormaster. Vanthus! the rugged tribesman thinks to himself upon hearing the story in its entirety. It most assuredly has to be the work of Vanthus!

Far from one to questions his betters, Shumba seems content enough in following Daerith's lead and enjoys his stay within the Vanderboren Estate immensely. He spends most of his time in the gardens, and doing his best to make sure that Lady Lavinia's songbird is comfortable with its new surroundings. When informed that a specialist shall be coming to inspect the party for any signs of blight or infection, Shumba almost seems a tad bit embarrassed. Unsure as to whether or not he has already "contaminated" his gracious host's bed-linen, the tribal half-orc does all he can to assist Kora with her daily chores. Simply put, he does not wish to be any further burden than he already is.

When the time comes for Sindu to arrive, the rugged savage is nervous and far from at ease. "Hello..." Shumba replies reluctantly, his face drawn tight and obviously uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the tribesman successfully manages to muster forth the best smile he can, however disturbing it may be given his pointed fangs and teeth, and eagerly awaits the man's findings.

Even now that he is fully grown, Shumba stands only five feet tall. Those five feet however, are packed with muscles that are like coiled steel! For battle gear Shumba wears a shirt and leggings made from cured lizardman hide that is adorned with numerous stone beads and pieces of obsidian. He fights with a matched pair of recently purchased steel-bladed kukris and carries a composite short bow across his shoulders at all times. The powerful-looking bow is made from solid kine's horn and is strung with boar's gut.

A recent addition to his apparel is the shiny form of a tiny silvered dagger, tucked neatly in the side of his right boot.

Shumba's hair is worn long and tied back. Braided into numerous pencil-thin dreadlocks, the half-orc's hair and ritual scarring easily identify him as being some form of half-blooded breed of man and orc. To those more adverse in the local populace, Shumba's stunted height would most likely label him as a member of the Rawenki tribe of pygmy natives.

[arkahm]

"And well met to you, fair tribesman, and to the rest of your entourage."

Without hardly a breath of delay, "Shall we begin in the library? I will inspect you individually in the gallery while you wait there." He motions them to the library with a bow waiting for them to follow suit. He then enters the gallery and calls them in one by one looking for signs on the skin, nose, mouth and new scars and scabs from the previous adventures. He finds them all clear until he reaches Lucky, or should we say in this case, Unlucky John. On inspection of his wounds he notices slight blue black splotching at the source of the wounds, and slight blackening around the eyes and mouth, apparently the lead in to infectious disease. Quite a possibly for the blight. He calls for Kora to summon Lady Vanderboren. "My Lady, everyone appears to be clear with the exception of Mr. Foxcombe. Do not be alarmed for it is only a minor issue. It is good that we caught it early. I have been instructed by the temple to allow Mr. Foxcombe respite in the House of Wee Jas since he was infected. I will give him a minor elixir and with rest he should be fine in a week or two. With your permission, I would send word by Kara to the temple to provide escort for Mr. Foxcombe? We have other matters to discuss here now that this matter is done."

[Trogdor]

"Of course," Lavinia replies. "Kora will be happy to take whatever message you like. And of course I'll take care of any expenses the temple incurs in his treatment." Then she looks over John. "I'm so sorry you were so injured in my service."

"Think nothing of it, Lavinia," he says with a wave of his hand. "Brother Sindu says it's of no concern. And I'm sure I can suffer a week or two of bed rest without any trouble. But I'm sorry to leave you short-handed by my departure."

OOC

You can have John take his bed rest at home, if you like, though the temple would prefer if he stayed there. But there's no need to waste too much air time on the issue. Suffice it to say that John is being written out of the action for the moment.

[arkahm]

"Do not fret, Mr Foxcombe, Lady Vanderboren will not be left short handed." He turns to the lady of the house, "Wee Jas wishes to repay the kindness you have shown her. I am ready, and willing, to be of service to you in Wee Jas' name. I shall accompany your team, in your time of trouble, to assist in your endeavors. If your team will fill me in on what has happened thus far?"

[Trogdor]

"That's most kind of your order," Lavinia replies. "And entirely unnecessary," She pauses and considers the current troubles she faces. "But it's much appreciated," she adds. "I have enough problems to face that I won't turn down help when offered from a friend. And those in your order have always been friends to my family." She smiles at Sindu. "I'll send a note of thanks along with Kora as she delivers your missive."

She retrieves some paper, ink, and a pen from a cabinet and sits down at the library's table to write a few words to express her thanks. "Daerith, will you fill Sindu in on what's happened so far?" she asks as she dips the pen in the inkwell."