Shanna, "No, I have other things I must attend to. If fortune shines one us I will meet you back ehre tonight. Then you can tell me more of your tale.

CARYNTH
I pick up my backpack and put it on, looking at Kaddar and Fraxen. "Aren't you fellows coming along on this adventure, too? All for one and one for .. er... well, I'm quoting somebody important, I believe. Besdies, who isn't interested inold books?" I make ready to head out the door with my party.
I don't know what he's doing, but I'm sure interested! So I keep an eye on Biladoc and his bird, and the other eye on the strangers, looking for something that would give me an idea of who they are, say, a descriptor?

ALOF
I say to the group "let us leave and search out the temple but first let us find Dereck" I turn to the two newcomers give them a suspicious look and say "well introduce yourselves we are waiting!" I have no clue as to what Biladoc is doing so I watch to see what he's doing.

The two strangers standing in the doorway are tall and thin of build. They wear hooded cloaks and gloves of black cloth. They seem dirty and a strange smell of rosemary maybe waffs from them. The don't answer you friend but instead just start turning there heads staring at each member of the group in turn.

FRAXEN
I reach behind my back and remove my battle axe from it's holder. I shift to fighting position. I whisper to the mage and cleric," This look like trouble." The Dwarf hops to his feet and stumbles toward the door. He stops to stare at the halfling standing with his arms crossed. "Something wrong?"

GATHRAX
Gathrax is a thin human, unremarkable in appearance. He wears a thick, deep blue robe, and carries a backpack haphazardly over one shoulder. His tired eyes betray his frustration with this city. He orders a dark ale from the bar, then sits at your table. "I am Gathrax, a travelling sage from...the north. I apologise for my tardiness in introducing myself, and beg your forgiveness. While studying an ancient scroll one day I way suddenly afflicted with the ancient Normac curse of Slomayle which makes me somewhat...taciturn." I lean closer so that the hooded stangers cannot hear me. I take a deep breath. "I believe I can help you regarding the whereabouts of the unholy temple. While passing a sewer grate on the Street of Swords near the North Gate I heard evil chanting and saw the glow of witch-fires. Naturally I decided to go down the drinker to recover from this somewhat unsettling introduction to your fair city (whose heathen name temporarily escapes me) and here I am. I'll gladly show you the place if you like, but i feel it only fair to point out that I tend to run away at the slightest sign of danger, real or imagined." I sip my ale. "Sorry about the verbal dihorrea, but when you've got the curse of Slowmayle, you learn to speak whenever you can..."

BILADOC
I say to Fraxen, without moving my eyes from the two newcomers: 'Probably nothing, but we don't know nothing about them, do we?'
After Gathrax speech I relax a bit and say to him: 'I believe my cousin is held in that temple. If you can show us the sewer grate, I promise I'll protect you from any danger that arises.'
To the party I say: 'If you still want to come with me, afterwards we can go to the bookstore and look for you-know-who.'
I turn to Gathrax again (still keeping an eye on the other stranger) and say: 'Forgive my curiosity, but you said yourself you like to talk whenever you can, what exactly is the nature of that curse? Is there a way of removing it? And that smell of rosemary, where does it come from?'

KADDAR
I listen to Gathrax, but as Biladoc I keep my eyes over the second stranger. "Our apologies to you too Sir Gatharax. We don't mean to be agressive, but we are quite nervous. This city can be dangerous for visitors like us. As my friend Alof was saying I'm Kaddar, I belive you can give us great help. You see, Biladoc here has recently lost his cousin Felix and we are afraid he has been captured by diabolic priests to serve as sacrifice. If you can lead us to their temple is just what we are looking for, don't be afraid, toghether we will look after each other." Then I slowly approach to the second stranger and I extend my hand as for a handshake in a most friendly way. " Merry met Sir. I didn't catch your name".

ALOF
After I see the sage come over, I say to Fraxen "don't spill blood for no reason. Let's hear him out." with saying that I turn to the sage and ask "Who's the other guy?".

FRAXEN
I slowly whisper to Alof,"he's not one of the two stangers."But i put my axe back in my holder anyway, keeping a watchful eye on the two figures. I then say to the sage," Yes let's go to this 'temple' you tell us about. Maybe we can help felix out."

CARYNTH
Shaking her head slowly, Carynth says, "I admit to some confusion. We have quite a bit we need to do, and before we can start any of it, we need to move these two strangers out of the doorway." Carynth checks to make sure Kaddar has his hat firmly on. "As one eager to find adventure, but as eager to stay out of trouble with authorities in this town, let's sidle past these characters and be on our way." Placing her hand on her scimitar, she prepares to leave with her party.

JOHN
John orders a plate of breakfast and sits down to eat. He orders goat milk to drink. He sobbers a bit. When he is finished he aganin burps, just a bit less loud this time. Well, what are we waiting for. Lets not tarry, we have work to do. Where to?

FRAXEN
I turn to the sage and say, "Yes, where to?"

BILADOC
Making way for Gathrax to move to the front of the party I say: 'Show us the way to the temple. If we want to rescue Felix there's not a moment to lose. You can answer our questions in the way.' Turning to John (Overlord, I presume?) I say: 'If you would like to join us, help is always welcome. Come, walk by my side and tell me something about yourself.' I whisper to Alof, in a way only he can hear me: 'Stay behind us and watch him. I still don't know if he can be trusted.' I wait for John to join me and for Gathrax to leave the Inn and then follow him out. In the street, I'll try to spot anyone following us.

KADDAR
I see how the misterious stranger (overlord) passes next ignoring my attempt to shake hands, I find my self stupid, standing at the door shaking hands with thin air. I look the stranger as he has his breakfast and then I look outside the Inn (just cheking) and if everything seems normal I say to the group. " Ok, Lets go Sir Gathrax, It's safe enough for you to go out there. As for you Sir (talking to Overlord) I hope you can show some education and tell all of us your name and whereabouts as we all walk to the temple". Then I whisper to Biladoc "I don't know about this guy, maybe he is deaf or something. I think you should go in front of the group with Gathrax and Fraxen should take care of the rear guard, I'll help Alof in watching over the stranger"

Everything outside seems like a normal early morning in the city. Workers and merchants are just now entering the streets to do their buisness.

ALOF
I whisper back "sure" and I follow out of the inn. I say "come on guys" to the group.

The party exits the Inn and is tanding at the edge of the street of Swords. Merchants and peasant workers are all over the street heading toward thier jobs in different parts of the city.

FRAXEN
"which way?"

JOHN
The for so long silent stranger FINALLY, has the decency to answer. "Is it not possible for a man to have a drink for his sore throat before beeing attacked by nice enough people? Don't want to be grumpy but I'm not used to such a reception" Takes the ale and swallows it one gulp, burps loudly and wipes his face with the back of his hand. He is a human, in his forties or so. He has brown hair, with a few streaks of grey, coming down over his sholders. It is unkempt and he does NOT smell of rosemary. He wears a cloak over his clothes, walks with a staff at his side and has a backpack over his shoulders. The cloak is from plain, grey wool. He carries a dagger in his belt and he also carries a few pouches in it. The man is rather tall 6'4" and he is slim. A noticeable feature are his piercing blue eyes, wich feels almost penetrating when looked upon by. "Now before you lot go and get unpleasant, not that I'm unused to it, I feel that I atleast must present myself. Well. Good day to you all. My name is John, John of Viken. You seem to be in a hurry. I understand you need an extra hand in your party. I will be the extra hand. I will offer it at not extra cost, just a share in what ever the loot might be. Sit and have breakfast with me and don't be in such a hurry." He does not strike you as the most loving person, or even a friendly type. Will he be adding anything to your group, or will he be a nuisance.

GATHRAX
I lead the party to the area on the street of swords near the north gate where I noticed the strange sounds and lights. Taking my customary deep breath, I say: "This is the place. Although time is of the essence in a rescue, it would be prudent to send a scout ahead so that we do not encounter anything unexpected. Also, some method of silent communication between us and the scout...pulling thrice on a length of rope to indicate saftey or suchlike...seems a necessary precaution. I will assist you however I can." Feeling the curse of Slomayle grip me once more, I step back from the grate. From my pack I remove two daggers, which I place in my belt, and a small embroidered pouch that appears to contain white sand. This I hold at the ready...

Alley and the Grate: You all see that Gathrax is pointing into an alleyway leading off of the street of Swords. There is a large grate there leadingd down to somewhere. It is pitch dark below.

KADDAR
While following Gathrax, and assuming John has come with us I talk to him and explain our plans about rescueing Felix and maybe in the way found more about the rebels. Then I talk to everyboy at the Alley entrance
"Well people, I belive we all agree in going to find Biladoc's cousin, now everybody must know each other's habilities so we can as a party. I'm myself I mage and I know a few spells that can help us, I also know how to use daggers and I can use my staff as a weapon, but doen't expect me to fight unless there's no other way. What about all of you ? Alof, I understand you have some thieving abilities and Carynth is a priest so she can help us with healing, some other spells and a little fighting too, but I don't know about anyone else. I suppose you also agree that any treasure we may find will be distributed equally among us as long as we keep together, and I must suggest also that any magical item or weapon must be to the one that can get the best out of it."

...To Be Continued...
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