Czlaplon Quest

[Kasbak]

Oh. Well. Dead things coming back to life are never a good thing. At least, not from any of the stories I've heard. Though from those stories, it's always with the involvement of a Horror, and there tends to be much more obvious aspects of evil and decay. None of that has been present that I can see. "I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that he has been checked out by Gudrun, yes? So we can be quite sure that he's not been brought back by something sinister." Considering how strict she was on the security with me, I'm certain that if there was something like that going on, he wouldn't still be standing, let alone with the group.

Okay, there's definitely a story here, and by the sounds of it, more of one than can be told in a reasonable amount of time. It'll be told in due time, so I won't press the issue right now. Especially since Isaac, being the best one to tell it, is occupied. I won't interrupt his conversation at all, but when there is a gap, I will interject to him, "Yes, they can be instructed to carry a return message." I'm still getting used to light sprites myself, but I DID make sure to learn that aspect.

[arcomniflash]

"Alright, relay this message back to Torana then - 'Understood'." I'll say to the glowing sphere. Is that how that works? I don't really know, but hopefull it works as instructed. "Now then, who are the Fist of Lohcost? Are they going to be a hindrance to our mission?" I'll pose the question to both Shaliko and Alston, since he has appeared at the table as well and has been deemed trustworthy by Gudrun.

[Kasbak]

I'll shake my head. "I don't believe it's a group I've heard of, at least the Name doesn't ring a bell. Judging by the sounds of it, I'd say they're likely a freedom fighter group. I don't think that would cause them to be a hindrance to us. We're not holding anyone against their will, right?" I won't leave enough of a pause there to indicate that as a serious question, but enough so that if someone wants to interject a 'Well, actually...', they can. I haven't been with the group very long, so it's best to make sure.

"Regardless, I don't think we're going anywhere near Claw Ridge, are we? Isn't that all the way South in the Twilight Peaks? I've never been to that area, so I'm not 100% sure." This is actually the farthest South I've ever gone.

[TarlimanJoppos]

"We're going north right now," Garsevan says. "Plan is to head south after the business north is dealt with, but not that far. Just to Travar, right, Isaac?"

The light sprite zips away.

"Yes, Gudrun verified that there was no Horror taint," says Shaliko, "as did I. What exactly Mekhitar is remains to be determined, but he's not a cadaver man or unnaturally alive or anything like that."

"As far as the FIst of Lochost goes," Garsevan continues, "I've heard of them. Organized a few years back by Skrag Hammerfist, troll Beastmaster, questor of Lochost, former traveling companion of Vannin Darksbane back before the Bearers of the Helm formed. He was involved in the quest for the Helm of T'Mor, but left the group before they got to Hespen."

Torana's light sprite comes back. "Skrag's group, remember? We were trying to find Skrag, the beastmaster, used to travel with Vannin? He carries Crystal Cracker. Might be useful."

[arcomniflash]

In response to Garsevan, I'll say. "Yes and no. Originally I wanted to visit my hometown - it's about a day's travel out of Travar. It's been Horror tainted for years, but with the related Horror now dead...I wanted to go there for personal reasons. However, with us now on a quest to deal with these other Horrors, that objective has fallen by the wayside a little - and rightly so, this takes precedence."

I'll tip my hat down low. "However, it does happen that several of the points we will be visiting for our investigation are along that route anyway - which is why I haven't looked into changing it." After listening to Torana's Light Sprite's explanation regarding the Fist of Lochost, I'll nod quietly. "I remember now, it's been awhile since they were discussed. Meeting up with them would indeed be pretty useful, but I don't think it's a priority."

[Kasbak]

I'll give a nod to Shaliko. "I believe that says it all then. We'll simply need to wait for him to reveal what he is, physically and if he's a threat or not. All the more reason I'd prefer to have him with us, near adepts who can deal with him if he's something that's going to cause trouble." It is after all the responsibility of adepts to protect the weak from the dangers of the world, right? "Though of course, if the opinion of the majority of the group changes in that regard, I will certainly defer." I'll definitely be keeping a closer eye on him with this tidbit revealed, but until Mekhitar does something to make me question what trust he's earned so far, my attitude toward him won't change.

I'll give another nod to Garsevan with his explanation of the intended route, and listen in on the rest of the conversation with Isaac. "Seems like sound reasoning to me. We've already made arrangements to set our course North, so resolving business there and then re-prioritizing once we turn back South would be logical." Even if that resource would be useful, if it's going to cause a lot of trouble with course changes and backtracking, then its usefulness is mitigated.

[TarlimanJoppos]

"All right then." Shaliko stands up, obviously done with what he had to discuss. "I'm going to head over to the docks and find enough clear space for a proper workout before we're stuck aboard another riverboat." And he strides off.

"I promised Kolbeinn I'd help him copy the map, sort through all the books and scrolls, pack up what we're taking and get rid of what we're not," Garsevan says with a sigh. He shrugs. "Well, it's better than telling yet another idiot kid which end is the hilt." He exchanges a glance with Kolbeinn, and they go off to the private dining room to start packing up.

Isaac, you get another light sprite from Torana. "It would be good to have Skrag along, or to meet with him, but getting there would require an astral shift and I've got too much on my plate right now. See if Gudrun will take you."

[arcomniflash]

"Very well then. Shaliko, I may join you later, time permitting." I'll stand up and leave the table.

I really need a workout myself...it feels like ages since I've done any real training. That can wait for now, however, since Torana does have a point about Skrag and an Astral shift would certainly do the trick. Finding the man isn't really high on my list of priorities, but I might as well see if Gudrun can quickly shift us over there to at least talk to him. However, since Gudrun isn't present I'll have to go looking for her. I'll check around the inn and immediate area to see if she's around - with the intent of asking her about this if she is.

[Kasbak]

Well, with everyone else having their direction decided. I'll need to either pick something else for myself, and there's really nothing on my agenda, or jump in with someone else. "Would you mind if I accompany you, Isaac? I believe keeping greater numbers for a side trip would be the best idea." Not to mention more effective than any of the alternatives. Working out won't be as much of a problem for me on the boat. I don't need as much space, and I'm not restricted to the deck. And since the rest of the paperwork will be organizing and packing, not searching, I'll be even less helpful than usual.

[TarlimanJoppos]

Finding Gudrun is not difficult. She and Kolbeinn are in the private dining room, with Kolbeinn marking the pin locations on the map as he removes the pins, and Gudrun having just set up three packing crates, labeled TAKE and STORE and RETURN on the sides in bright red paint. As you enter, Gudrun uses the paintbrush as a wand, and conjures a swarm of tiny points of light. In less than a minute, the lights have every book, scroll, and scrap of parchment in the room, except for the map which is still on the wall, closed, put in its case, or tucked into a portfolio, and packed into the three crates. The TAKE crate is the smallest and least loaded, the RETURN crate the next largest, and the STORE crate the biggest and the most full.

"Did you need something?" Gudrun asks of Isaac and Alston. "Do not remove materials from the store and return crates. They are leaving with me momentarily."