Turn 8 -- Meeting with the Mage

Talimar questions one of the locals and finds that Tauster's residence is at the back of the village. As you make way to it plans for meeting Tauster are worked out. It is agreed that Beleg, Talimar, Gnore, Dain and Druckner will approach the wizard to deliver the chest and inquire as to the missing girl. In an effort to split the party for protection, Kre, Rasmussen, Ortho, Zir'zool, Kersath, and Brother Randor will remain behind in the surrounding area ready to rush forward if there is any trouble.

Tauster's residence is a small, plain wooden house that nestles next to a small two-story stone tower. Several of you wonder about the structural soundness of the tower as you approach. It appears to be more for show than any practical purpose. The second group fans out to take positions in view of the door to the house. Kre, Rasmussen and Ortho take positions to the left of the entrance, Ortho loosening his axe as Kre readies his throwing daggers and Ras draws his short sword. On the right side Zir'zool and Kersath draw their long bows and train them on the entrance to the building. Brother Randor mouths a silent prayer to Tyr as he readies his warhammer and shield. Anticipations rise as the first group approaches the door. Not for the first time this evening, Kre wonders if the party is ready for an encounter of this magnitude should this be a trap. He sees the confidence in the eyes of Ortho (or is it bloodlust?) as well as Brother Randor and feels reassured for the moment.

Ortho smiles and grips his axe tightly as the group reaches the door and knocks. After a few anxious moments the door is opened by an elderly man. A few words are spoken between Talimar and the man before your companions are allowed to enter the building. Now you wait...

Upon knocking on the door you are greeted by a rather old man in his middle seventies. He is about 5'3", thin but paunchy, and has little of his sandy-colored hair left. His light blue eyes are rather watery.

"Yes? Can I help you? I'm a very busy man..." says Tauster.

"Greeting's kind sir, we have been commissioned to deliver a cargo to one Tauster the Magician, would that be you?" asks Talimar.

"Yes, Yes! Wonderful! Please come in and warm yourselves by the fire," says Tauster, his demeanour visibly warming now that he knows you have his package. Upon meeting the man, you all notice the tension ease from Beleg and see him relax as he realises there is no evil in this man.

Your group enters the building and the door locks firmly behind you. Inside the building appears to look like most residences of elderly wizards. Total disarray. You get the opinion that Tauster spends a lot of time starting projects and then moving on before completing them first. There are several piles of stacked scrolls as well as several different books lying open on various tables, surrounded by rather odd looking material components. Tauster shuffles you into what appears to be something of a common room and then gladly countersigns your letter of credit (after checking out the secret page setting out the true terms as a precaution against forgery), telling you that Squire Marlen in town can exchange it for hard cash for you. You realise that this little exchange is apparently one that Gordrenn and Tauster have worked out many a time before.

"Er, well, I suppose since you've come all this way you'll be expecting some hospitality then? I'll pay for a meal at the Hound and Tails, but I warn you, stay away from the mutton pies!"

"Thank you sir," says Dain, "but we have one other piece of business if you will. Could you tell us when was the last time you saw your apprentice Jelenneth? It appears that if you haven't summoned her back to Thurmaster that she might have disappeared from Milbourne."

"Jelenneth? No, I didn't summon her back, I haven't seen her in over two weeks, she was due to return from her family and resume her studies during the coming week. I am at a loss as to where she could be," replies Tauster.

"This is awful, truly awful, I never wanted to take on the girl as an apprentice anyway, it was only her determination and willingness to learn that made me do it. Oh no! She was like a grandchild to me!"

After some thought, Tauster offers you a commission. "Please deliver a letter to Kuiper at his farm one days ride west of here. If she's been seen anywhere along the river, Kuiper'll know about it. I'll pay you 10gp each to deliver the letter to Kuiper and 50gp each if you can find the girl."

Forward to the next turn