Interlude: Suzail

[Matt Droz]

The last few days have been a blur of activity. Introductions with people that are important, people that think they are important and people that should be important. Ever since you came back from the Black Rift, the War Wizards have been questioning, prodding and basically trying to find out more about the plans of the Sharrans.

At some point, you finally collapse from exhaustion. You feel like going back to the Rift and facing those ephemeral hangmen again, just for a change from all the talking. You've gathered back in the shared wing of the royal castle that they have put you up in while they dissect you and have locked the door for a moment of peace. Well, as much peace as you can get with stewards, apprentices and maids pounding on the door for you to open up.

Suddenly, standing before you is Caladnei. The Archmage of Cormyr. The successor to Vangerdahast. And, some claim, the real ruler of the realm. As you're busy picking your jaws off the ground, she looks around the room and smiles. "Did you think you'd get out of questions just by locking the door?"

She walks over to a nearby table and sits down. Before you get a chance to respond, she raises her hand, forestalling any questions or outbursts. "Don't worry, I'm not here to pull you off to more interrogations with my wizards. Besides, I truly think you've given up everything you truly know. But you do realize that this worries all of us a great deal."

"The fact that the Sharrans were able to get so far in their plans without us discovering anything until you show up on our doorstep says much. So, Alusair and I believe the best course is to let you loose and see what trouble you can stir up."

She chuckles at the affronted looks you begin to shoot her, "Please, you know as well as I do that's what 'adventurers' are best at. And, to give you a extra bonus, I think Shadowdale should be your next stop..."

She waggles her fingers and a cup of wine appears in the air next to her hand. Taking a sip, she continues.

"The letter you have from Skull Servant Ethar mentions the Book of the Black, a little known Sharran religious tome. So, unknown that the only reference I know of is in a book from Myth Drannor entitled 'Songs of the Wind: the Holdings of Windsong Tower', penned by the Sage of Shadowdale, Elminster."

"I do know that forces are on the move against Myth Drannor and, we suspect, Shadowdale, so I don't know what you'll find when you get there, but be prepared for anything. Now, get some rest, tomorrow's the big ceremony and you'll be sure to be on your feet and smiling for at least 12 hours."

With a wink, she disappears as easily as she appeared, the only hint that she was there being a faint scent of mulled wine and the fact that no one is pounding on your door anymore.

The next morning, you find yourself dressed in fineries you couldn't begin to imagine and brought before the Steel Regent herself. The woman exudes beauty and strength. And you feel sorry for anyone that stands against her. Of course, right now you feel more sorry for yourselves as the pomp and circumstance is non-stop. Noble after noble greet you, some looking to rub shoulders with the latest fad, some looking to see if they can hire you for this scheme or that. By the early evening, you cannot wait for dinner to begin, just so they will shut up while they chew their food.

As you enter the dining hall, the servants guide you to the head table to sit with Caladnei and Alusair. Beside Alusair sits a young boy, no more than four years old being tended to by a maid.

(Okay, anyone want to do some conversing? Now's the time. And, if we're going to run this on the boards, I'll need the character updates)

[Jona]

Semkirk looks down where the wine used to be. "Gods be damned woman... she didn't offer us any booze. Now... who's up for finding trouble? No? Bah."


the next day finds that Semkirk doesn't dress nice, nor play well with others.... a groomsman is see fleeing the area of Semkirks room screaming at the top of his lungs. A host of ice blue spectral vampire teeth seen chasing him. Semkirk himself is qouted as bellowing out the door. "No one powders my head and lives to tell the tale!"

When presented to the Steel Regent he is dressed like always, clean pressed kilt, still no shirt, sandels, cloak, head buffed till it glows and his bag of holding holding a variety of nasty things. Nobels soon learn to avoid him as without warning he would pull out any number of severed heads. From dragon, 1/2 dragon, lizardman, naga.... or an offer to come to his Dental Practice. Or else!

At dinner: "Good it's eaten time!"

[Matt Droz]

Lith spends a lot of the downtime wandering the gardens of the royal court and mourning the loss of Dae (Remember? Somebody got chomped in the last battle?). She also tends to avoid the crowds at the reception due to her drow heritage.

But, at the reception, she finds herself cornered by a group of two or three older nobles, who talk to her about what the drow are planning in Shadowdale and what information she has and a lot of other stuff that goes over her head. She tries to explain, numerous times, that she has no idea what they are talking about. But this is met with seemingly "knowing" winks and a lot of "Don't worry, I won't tell".

Finally, with the dinner bell, she's able to extricate herself and chooses a seat as far away from the other nobles as possible. Of course, this puts her right between Semkirk and Caladnei at the high table.

[Keikan300]

Hawke spends a few days undergoing the Sworn Slayer induction ceremony.

Hawke returns in time to join the group for the grand dinner.

Hawke listens to Lith in interest as his mission/quest has now been dedicated to the elimination of undead creatures. The recent events dealing with the Shadow Weave has left the Order of Sworn Slayers with the feelings of foreboding.

[Deleted]

(I know I owe you my updated character sheet)

Racha does what she does best: snoops around the large castle, passing in and out of shadow, eavesdropping, and the like. She drifts along the streets of the city as well, digging up what she can about who is doing what and why, and easily avoids questioning from her loose-lipped allies about her whereabouts.

She allows herself to get dressy for the occasion, although those who know her can tell she feels very uncomfortable being in the public spotlight and dressed so oddly.

She pokes uneasily at the fancy food brought before her, and wonders what the Alusair's jewelry would be worth on the street. She looks also at the small boy (well, he would be her height, right? ) and hopes he doesn't hurl food at her or expect her to play hide-and-seek. He would be 21 years old and still looking for her.

She opens her mouth to inquire about Alusair's fine gems when Semkirk speaks first. Racha groans, slides down in her seat, and wishes she were in a dirty underground bar.

[Keikan300]

rouschkateer said:

She opens her mouth to inquire about Alusair's fine gems when Semkirk speaks first. Racha groans, slides down in her seat, and wishes she were in a dirty underground bar.

After a few seconds of SAMKIRK speaking... Hawke starts to want to be in a dirty underground bar with Racha.

Hawke just rests his head in his hands and thinks about happy thoughts.... undead skulls cracking under the blow of his fist and the fact that, HIS STUNNING FIST WORKED ON A DRAGON!!!!

[Matt Droz]

Alusair and Caladnei do very well to keep the conversation in check and to make sure you all feel comfortable. And being at the head table does afford a certain degree of ... privacy, even in the midst of all the noble gawking and posturing. You notice that it seems to be quieter at the table and the nobles look like they are trying to focus on you, but turn their gaze away after a few seconds with what looks to be a building migraine.

"A little trick that Vangey taught me before he ... retired." Caladnei smiles, "Don't worry, we won't be interrupted during our meal and you should feel a little less in the spotlight while we're here."

Alusair nods at her, then looks over at her nephew, smiles and turns back to the group. "It also tends to help with any possible assassination attempts. Now, tell me again about the fight with the dragon. I'm afraid that being regent does NOT lend me to going off and careeming around the countryside like I used to."

[Jona]

"Ah now THAT is indeed a tale of high adventure, crafty cunning and bold daring moves.... none of which we did. We walked up to the face of evil, stared it in it's undead eye and then proceded to watch it be devoured. In all, good time, were had." Semkirk starts off with. "What it comes down to really is having the guts to walk up to the door of evil and ring the gong that hangs outside it's door, and that's what I did.... and the cowards failed to answer to the challenge properly. So we walked in the back door, killed the monsters, looted their foul lairs and freed the poor slaves being held captive. It's what I do, for I am, after all, Semkirk, the Wizard. Slayer of Evil things. Ringer of Evil gongs. Talker to the Inhuman and a Supreme Orthomancer or as others would tell you, The Dentist." He gives his sadly captive audience a dazzling smile with a lifted eyebrow. "You don't happen to need any dental work done do you?
Anyway!
As my followers would tell you, it was litteraly by the skin of the teeth we did way with the vile creatures of darkness that barred our way to the foul dragon whatsitsname, I think I still have the head in my bag somewhere....." Semkirk trails off rumaging in his bag. "I can find it later. Far to many heads in this bad now. Undead lizardmen kings, nagas, half dragons oh my just far to many. I must make an organizational system for all of this at some point. As I was saying, many a time the tide of battle was turned by a well placed spell, a knife in the back or a fist into the face of something naughty. The undead were indeed so feared of Hawke that they never managed to stay around long enough for him to vanquish. They always seems to go to pieces before he could deliver whatshisnames Divine Duty to them in the form of a fist cuffing of doom.
There were portals to places evil, yet being the brave souls we were we left them as they stood. For the moment we shall deal with the evil at hand and then I shall examine these dark portals indepth as is customary of a Wizard of my skill. For knowledge is power and I have the power."

[Keikan300]

The mental images of gnawing teeth drops Hawke into a drooling catatonia..

[Deleted]

jona said:

...and a Supreme Orthomancer or as others would tell you, The Dentist

At the mention of this, Racha turns a bit green-ish and pushes away her uneaten food.