It is a quiet morning in the Shady Corner when the air begins to shudder. Blue light cascades throughout the room, like sunlight rippling through shallow water, before the figure of an elf appears. Clad in a chain shirt and bracers and wearing an elaborate sword on his hip, he seems armed for combat. Only his round spectacles and knee-length blue robe betray him for the wizard he is.
Thalenir's movements seem hurried and his expression grim as he scans the tavern. "Delvin? Taklinn? Has anybody seen them recently?"
Thalenir turns toward the newcomer as he storms through the door, then raises an eyebrow and says, "I'm sorry, have we…," before trailing off. A pensive look crosses his face and he tilts his head. "Delvin? Baam's shadow, man, I barely recognized you. I daresay you've acquired the subtlety to match the beard."
Thalenir shakes his head and smirks. "I suppose I have no room to point fingers. At any rate, I gather that you received a similar message. We still need to find Taklinn, though."
Thalenir reaches into his pouch and unfolds a small map, which he begins studying intently. "If we're any indication," he mutters under his breath, "he'll turn up as a fae or some such nonsense."
Taklinn walks out of the kitchen carrying a large platter filled with breakfast foods. "Didn't sleep so good last night. Had some gear ta square away. Figgered I'd see one O' ye here at the tavern some time today."
The dwarf is dressed for battle, with his trusty axe on his hip and adamant armor. "Seems ye two caught the eye of ole' Murray, though ye don't seem worse fer the wear. That beard almost suits ye lad."
Placing the platter down on the table, the dwarf sets about placing utensils and mugs at the table. "Been a pretty eventful day already, don't figger that iffin we're ta die today we should die hungry." he says with a smirk. He finally pulls his pack off of a nearby bench and places the overstuffed thing on the floor beside his chair. "Join me?"
Thalenir gives Taklinn a nod of thanks and sits. "I avoid Muralacrum as much as possible of late. My change came for… other reasons, but none of which are relevant at the moment."
Thalenir nibbles idly on a bit of fruit. "Drakerim spoke to me. He indicated something would soon befall town, that we were to defend against it as best we could, that much would be lost in the conflict, and that we would we likely be forced to flee. Can I assume the two of you received similar messages from the other Forsynteril?"
Delvin beamed, both at the sight of food as well as the subtle compliment from Taklinn, "aye, I quite like it myself" he said, running a hand over his beard. "Murray's eye never strays far from any of us, me especially" Delvin settled at the table, "so glad to have food, been holed up in a cave the past four mests surving on berries and mushrooms" he gave an addled little chuckle as he scanned the plate for meat, "of course this armor was sitting outside the cave and the sword right next to it, took it as a sign to face my problems head on, no longer is it the time to skulk in shadow" Delvin gave Thalenir a wry grin, "even in my shadow lurking days I was anything but subtle"
"What do you propose we should do, lads? Cause a ruckus, should I go and scream the end is nigh at the top of my lungs and pray the town heed my call or should we try something more tactful? Town has never been too keen on listening to us, or me at least"
"Whatever we do, I prefer not to put my trust in the immortals to solve our problems. Plan, indeed. They've done a fine job of being as vague as possible."
Thalenir steeples his fingers. "We have a lot that needs doing. We need to know what's about to happen, we need to rally our defenses, and we need to secure an escape route should worse come to worst."
Thalenir turns to Delvin. "How do you feel about organizing some scouts? We need eyes on the horizon. The sooner we know what we're dealing with, the better prepared we'll be."
He turns Taklinn. "Whatever it turns out to be, we'll need to mount an effective defense. Do you think you can call the town to arms and tend to our fortification? Maybe get a mason's eye on the wall? It may also be wise to prepare the citadel. If we're forced to fall back, that's easily the most defensible location available to us."
Thalenir rises. "In the mean time, I'll see about securing conduit material and erecting some portals. It was made clear that retreat was likely. I don't intend on leaving anyone behind."
The golem Rune had decided the best way to observe and meet denziens of this "Jastrey" was to frequent the tavern. He took of a residence in one of the shady corners the tavern was named for. The commontion caused the golem to stir: a pulse of magic shot from his core to his limbs, lighting the runes carved into his stone along the way. Motes of light formed in the hollow spaces of his face creating eyes which were quickly drawn to the two dwarves.
Stone scrapes and steel groans as the golem moved towards the gathered people, just in time to to hear the elf talking about portals and leaving people behind. Rune's staff's end hits the ground with a solid thud as he stands silently to listen.
"Been preparin' the Citadel fer something such as this since I moved to it. There are provisions there, though I'm not sure how long some folks can be takin' to the tunnels. If worse came ta' worse we could drop the tunnels in on our retreat and trap ourselves. Then we may be able ta' teleport out is we need supplies or ta get eyes inta the world."
"As fer the wall, she is in decent shape, though we have had problems keepin' people out. With magic they can easily get through the walls. Wouldn't mind someone checking into the sewers as well. If its hoots commin' than we need to look below as well as above." he says at length; finishing the rest of his food and drink quickly.
Thalenir's hand drifts to his sword hilt as the golem approaches. His eyes narrow as he studies the runes covering the construct. The tension abruptly drops from his demeanor as he seems to reach a conclusion, giving the golem a curious look before returning to his conversation.
"I'm glad to hear the citadel stands ready," he says to Taklinn. "Collapsing the tunnels seems a bit extreme, not to mention risky, but it's wise to plan for the worst. Perhaps we can find an alchemist to rig some explosives."
He shakes his head. "Sadly, warding the entire town against magical intrusion would take more time and resources than we have available. It may also be a moot point."
He takes a long sip of water, gazes furtively around the room, and lowers his voice. "If Secronus is behind this, one thing is certain: His agents are already here."
"Aye, been here fer years right under our noses, an' we've let em continue ta gather information." Taklinn says as he looks over the Golem. "What in Hexadus' tit is that?"
"An' that is the way ta retreat good mage. If ye have a bunch of baddies comin' after ye, you pull back to a defensible position an' drop a mountain on their heads. Those outside canno' get in, those further in the tunnel are trapped in a fight of yer makin', and those under that mountain...." Taklinn pauses to regard the roof over their heads before saying "...Lets just say that ye wont be needin' ta worrk much about them."
Delvin finished scarfing the mushroom omellete and chunk of bacon he had and drained his mug in it's entirety before casually wiping the froth of the ale from his beard, "Aye, scouts ye say? Can be done, I know of a few with keener eyes than mine that may be interested in helping with a perimeter check". He slapped both hands on the table top and pushed himself up before eyeing the rocky people thing curiously.
"aaaaand you are?" Delvin inquired of the Golem, his brow quirked. "Oi, so many things swirling around, so much happening, maybe living in a cave was a bad idea. Then again" he stroked his beard again and shrugged.
"Well then get yer ass over ta' the bar an' fill be horn with ale!" shouted the dwarf, holding his now empty horm of mead out to the golem. "Tis strange that we all receive messages at the same time. I could inquire ta' Jerond, ta see if he has had any similiar messages from The Mason".
The golem took the horn without question, muttered something, and teleported to the bar. He teleported back a moment later with a filled horn on hand. His lights darted to Taklinn when he mentioned the Chosen's name, but said nothing as the dwarf was talking. The golem stands still, holding the horn out so Taklinn could take it when he was ready.
"And bring anover mug for me. Feel like I'll need it," Barbaal boasts as he enters the Shady Corners. "Gonna be an 'ell of a day." The Angori takes notice of the Elf and Dwarves at the table. "I 'ope you all arn't talkin' 'bout what I fink you are," he says with an unsual tone for the Savage, "Storm's comin'. What we gonna do about it?"
As the denizens of jastrey continue their movements around the tavern, a figure clad in various blues slides into the tavern. Lowering his hood, Leofricks' long ears perk up, no longer constrained by the hood. Noticing the group sitting in a group he makes his way to the corner he usually takes. "Keep my tail out things that do not concern me I will." Sitting down at his table, Leofrick sits watching the people as they pass.
Delvin quirked his other brow at the golem as it dissapeared and reappeared with Taklinn's drinking horn, then he chuckled, "Hrm, interesting contraption we've got here. Not mechanical as far as I can tell, no no, magic methinks" he leaned in close to the golem examining the detail work on it's mask and the rocky. "d'ye know how to fight lad?" he inquired as he leaned back in his chair.
Delvin glanced towards Leofrick with a tilt of his head and he burst out laughing, "Less dalmation and more mongrel these days it seems, I have to say I approve!" he rolled with the chuckling, "Buut I daresay this does include you, sir, it includes all of us. You're welcome to ignore our warnings and suffer the storm, though I doubt there would be nary more than ashes when it's through with you. I bet that new sniffer of your's works well, you should join my scouting squad and see if we can find out anything that could aid the town. Gather your sneaky skirmishy friends, anyone with a knack for finding things or blending in" He glanced towards Barbaal as well and offered a somber nod, "you receive a whispering as well, my friend?"
Leofrick grins at Delvin, approving of his joke. Getting up from his seat, he makes his way over to the group. Sitting at the end of the table, he looks the group over. " Very well my ever changing friend, Where you place me is where I'll take my position." He begins picking at his canines, which have grown in length. "Where would you like the wolf to go?"
Looking at Delvin, the golem responds, "Yes." Stone grinds on stone as the golem as his lights look back and forth as one of the dwarves speaks to the "wolf" at the end of the table. Rune also takes note of the angori entering the building, and simply stares at him when asked for a drink. His gaze settles on the table and waits for the elf to put his map down, if he had not done so.
Taklinn looks about the gathering, deep in thought as he studies them all. When his eyes rest on the golem he grumbles under his breath "Pretty fast service" before he takes his horn back and begins drinking out of it. "If the Angori are receiving messages, then we can safely assume that Most, if not all, of the Immortals are involved, or at least aware of the situation. That ain't the best of news to me old ears; as they aren't known fer their ability to work together."
"If ye've got fighters in tha' Quarter, I may have need of ye all if there be fightin' ta do. It may not be a bad idea ta' get all the Angori ready ta' move out if things go south. Yer welcome ta tell them ta pack their bags and ta be ready fer a retreat ta the Mines. We may have some time underground afore this is all over.."
Thalenir quirks an eyebrow at Barbaal. "You received a message, as well? Taklinn's right, then. It seems that more than just the Forsynteril are at work, then. That is, assuming someone isn't simply posing as the immortal we most favor and taking us all for fools."
Thalenir frowns. "It's a moot point, though. Securing the town does us no harm by itself, so I see no reason not to proceed with the plan."
Thalenir spreads his map out on the table. It displays a view of the surrounding area in stunning clarity. Upon closer examination, objects depicted on the map seem to be moving. You can see humanoid figures bustling about the bazaar and on the road. Even the trees seem to be swaying gently in the breeze. In the center of the map, as if the roof of the Shady Corners had been cut away, the group can be seen standing around the table.
Thalenir begins pointing at the map. "it looks like there are some early-risers in the Crimson Quarter. The Citadel, too. You may want to start your call to arms there. It's bound to be well-received, and you can send them out to rouse everyone else."
Thalenir slides his finger along the map gently, causing it to show a larger radius. "Delvin, I don't see anything overt. No armies massing under our noses, at any rate. Just the same, I think it wise to send someone to check out Watcher's Bluff. You should also send an envoy to the Grove; they have many eyes in the wilderness. I will stop by the Nexus Ruins on my way off the shard. I don't expect to find anything of note, but it's worth checking."
The sound of rapidly clanking metal can be heard approaching the tavern from deep with the woods, a loud bellow echoing from it's source. "Taaaaaklin!! Thaaaalenir!!" The names roared through the forest, repeating and growing nearer along with the persistant clanking. A Dwarf in full armor carrying a sword far too large for him burst from the treeline and doubled over to catch his breath, "I found this giant sword and this armor...and this BEARD!" Wild eyes scanned the area infront of the tavern before he huffed a sigh and stormed up the stairs and through the front door.
The Dwarf, if anyone would care to notice, was wearing the colors of a certain changeling as well as his boots, though the curiously flambouyant hat was missing in action. "Oooh, pointy ears, it suits you well my previously enlightened friend!" The Dwarf sobered a bit and shouldered his sword, "so, theres a storm coming and we have to get the thick skulls to listen it seems" the dwarf sighed.