Fellowship of the Dice

The mysterious continent of Xen'drik is a massive landmass that exists south of the continent of Khorvaire, beyond Shargon's Teeth and Thunder Sea. It has recently begun to be explored by agents of the Four Nations in hopes of making profit from the relics found there amongst other natural resources.

Hidden within the wild and untamed land are the desolate ruins of the ancient Giant Civilization. After battling the Quori the Giant Civilization was destroyed by the Dragon population of Argonnessen when they attempted to use their highly advanced devices to put down a elven slave revolt.

Aerenal Elves trace their origins to Xen'drik in the long forgotten past.

Xen'drik is now a continent mostly inhabited by drow, and degenerate Giants. It is a wild and untamed place with fabulous eldritch machines along with unimaginable treasures. It is still largely unexplored.

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Normal Business Hours, Far the 13th of Aryth, The Grey Tower

The Grey Company, quickly being called the Grey Tower by the locals, is the newest of the Mercenary Companies of Stormreach. They prefer the term Adventuring Company, but the jobs are the same, for the most part -- but in general have a lawful bent, and a good reputation among the locals. It was from the founds of this company that the city was saved, not once, not twice, but thrice! First from a blue dragon and some drow raiders (which admittedly were only after a single Air Ship and now the whole town), then from a dangerous cult of the Destroyer that was controled by Abolesths and released a mutant Kraken into the waters (which still terrorizes the coasts and shippings lanes and still needs to be defeated) and then again from an outbreak of Hastendeath Spiders that could have easily consumed the entire city in a matter of weeks if the heroes hadn't stopped them.

So all in all they have a good name for themselves and have been drawing more and more like minded adventurers to them. Recently an open call was put out, and a dozen or more new members joined. Since then its been by private interviews and the like.

The tower is very busy today, as the leader Col. Val'trith d'Orien has been dealing with one Troubleshooting Group as they tackle some grand scheme. Captain Nirus was with him as well intersted in some historical pieces if the group could find them. Captain Benmarrow, who has a reputation already in Stormreach as a Lady's Man and Drunkard, is known to be about today as well.

The Senechal Imric Forrester has set up several more interviews with interested parties, and right now a 'man' named Zeevan is waiting in one of the small private chambers for his chance to impress the leaders of the Tower and join their ranks.

Colonel d'Orien, Val to his friends, sits in the interview office reviewing a brief report on one of the Company's newest potential recruits, a man names Zeevan. The mercenary leader nods a few times as he scans the few facts provided. Then he looks up and calls out to Lt. Forrester.

"Please send Zeevan in," he says. "I'm ready to see him."

A large man is escorted through the door. He is striking in appearance, with a bald head even though he is likely only in his 20s, pale skin, and golden irises. He is clearly very strong, although his muscles seem more sleek than purely bulky. He gives a soldier's salute, tapping his right hand to his heart. "Colonel, thank you for seeing me." His voice is pleasant, and a friendly smile is on his face. He is wearing simple studded leather armor, with two short, curved blades at his side. He has peace-tied them, as one does not simply walk into another man's office with live steel ready to go.

Val stands up from his chair and offers a hand to the newcomer. The colonel is an attractive man in his mid-twenties with blonde hair and blue eyes. He's wearing black trousers and boots, a white shirt, and a blue vest. embroidered on the lapel of the vest is a simple, grey tower. He carries a rapier on his left side, and a quiver on his right, though there's no sign of a bow in the room. Several rings are on his fingers and a mithral headband adorns his brow.

"Welcome to the Grey Tower, Zeevan," he says in a welcoming tone. "My adjutant says that you're here looking for a position. Please, have a seat." The colonel gestures to a chair across from the room's desk. When the two are seated, he continues.

"I didn't get a lot of information about you," he says. "Though from the looks of you, there's some form of elemental in your background. Not the standard kind, I'd wager. Something more humanoid, if I don't miss my guess. And a man doesn't wear blades like that unless he knows how to use them. So, please, tell me a bit about yourself, your capabilities, what you think you can do for the Grey Company, and what you think the Grey Company can do for you."

Zeevan takes the proferred hand in a solid grip. "A pleasure, sir." He takes a seat, slightly shifting his hip so the scabbards don't get in the way. "Aye, we're called Sulis, although some scholars say Suli-Jann, but that's beside the point. Got some genie blood some generations back, kinda like Aasimars but a different origin." He looks around the office and shrugs. "But I hear you accept all types, so that shouldn't be a problem. Mainly I've worked with militaries as a forward observer or a scout screen. In cities I'm more useful hunting down criminals rather than walking a beat."

He pauses, thinking for a moment. "I've dealt with a lot of thieves and the like, so I've gotten pretty good at dealing with lock and traps. I'm obviously good at stealthy reconnaissance, and I'm handy with my blades. I can follow orders, and work well with small groups in the field."

Val nods as he hears the explanation of Zeevan's origin. "I thought it might be something like that," he says. "And you're right. We take all kinds. We care more about what you can do and what kind of a person you are rather than any accident of birth."

When he hears an explanation of the Suli's abilities, he smiles. "Sneaky, good with blades, a fair hand with locks, and a skilled forward observer," he says. "Not a bad resume. Sounds like someone we might be able to use. I hope you don't mind if I put you through your paces a bit first." Val smiles and opens the bottom drawer of the desk. From inside he takes out a medium-sized chest and places it on the desk before Zeevan.

"This is a series of nested chests," he explains. "I'd like you to open as many of them as you can." He gestures at the chest for Zeevan to show what he can do.

The chest is set on the table and the testing begins.

Peeking in the door is a shifter. He looks unique as most due, with blue and black skin, a jutted bat-like face, and wearing comfortable and light attire. "What's happening?" he interrupts, leaning forward against the door frame. "Someone told me I was supposed to come down here and watch someone do something." He pauses, "Hmmm, what am I supposed to watch Val? What is that, treasure?" he asks, pointing slowly to the chests. He turns his head to look at the big fellow in the room, "Look at this fuckin' guy. He's big. Stay away from my woman big man."

"This is Zeevan," Val replies. "A potential new recruit. "I'm checking how good he is with locks. After that I was going to test his skill with a sword. You can have that pleasure if you want to show off."

"Zeevan, this is Major Benmarrow, one of the Company's elite squad, and King of the Drunken Shifter, our company tavern."

The Sulis smiles at the newcomer, the raising of an eyebrow the only sign of surprise on his face at meeting a bat-man. "Well if it's treasure, I do like glittery things." He reaches into a pocket, producing a well-made set of lockpicks. He opens the first layer with ease, setting the outside box aside. "The one thing I find most amusing is that you have this just sitting around, ready to go. How often does this thing see use?" The next two layers take longer, as he has to be much more careful about working within the smaller tumblers. He fiddles around with the inner-most chest for a couple minutes, then frowns.

"Well, I don't seem to have tools small enough to crack this mechanism." He picks it up and shakes it, hearing the rattling of what sounds like a few coins inside. "On the other hand, I think this is indeed the last chest. So realistically, there's only one thing left for me to do." He picks up the chest in his large hands and stares intently at it. Then out of nowhere, he disappears!

The chair and floor creak very slightly as something moves over them, and then the scout reappears outside the room next to the shifter, the small chest in one hand. "I'd take this home and break it open, under normal circumstances. So Major, think there's enough cash in here to take your woman on a nice date?" He grins cheekily, obviously joking.