Chapter 1 - Ride or Die

LINK: A little mood music as you're settling in.

LOCATION: Swords & Sages HQ, Middle Dura, Sharn, Breland

TIME OF DAY: Late Evening

It's one of those nights. Cold. Rainy. Outside a shaded window, you can see out into the towered city of Sharn. Its a dirty, grimy town, and no amount of rain is going to wash away the filth. All the same, you can't help but welcome it. It drowns out the cries and whines of city life.

You sit in the dark, silently, listening to the sound of rain as the large sign outside on the marquee hums with an arcane energy. Swords and Sages, it says. Heroes for Hire. You've been working here for a while, and tonight is the night you meet one of the most powerful men in Khorvaire: Baron Merrix d'Cannith. He's fashionably late, but from what you can tell, that is entirely on brand for the man. Funny how a man so famous for precision engineering can be so flippant with punctuality.

You look to your fellow...coworkers? Mercenaries? Heroes? You've been with them on other jobs. You trust each other, at least enough to not kill them out of pre-emptive self-defense. Sure, the war had been over for two years, but if there was one thing war teaches you, its that the world is a shit slum full of filth. For now, mind you, its not all bad. Plus a little coin in times like this isn't easy to come by, so there's that, you suppose.

Red Moon seems relaxed although he is still wearing his breastplate. Appears he feels safer with it on. He probably needs to spend a few coins and buy some new clothing as his looking a bit more ragged. He doesn't have any weapon currently on him, but you know that he can always summon one if needed. A careful eye will note a Ring worn on right hand, Periapt worn on his right arm and Whistle around neck on a leather cord. He does have two pouches hanging off his belt. (Assume the rest of gear is in his room.)

Red Moon has been sitting quietly and listening to the rain falling as he waits. He has already looked over everyone present and made his 'howdy dooties' already. Seems he knows everyone present in some way.

He eyes down Baron Merrix d'Cannith as he enters. Red Moon has always wonder who backs this place. He has never asked.

Appearance: Red Moon is 4'9", 108# and 24 years old. He has a reddish/brown fur-like hair on nearly every part of his body and his facial features are that of a catlike cast with his large eyes, flat noses, and pointed ears. He is originally from the Eldeen Reaches. He appears to be rather strong and just right look that catishly pleasing and a voice to go with it.

Britt d'Orien was launching on the sofa. On the floor stands her breastplate, it is marked with the Orien crest, often seen on lightning rails, and it is a known fact that in her early years she was a warden there, a peacekeeper on the trains. Later she did some currier work doing the war. The most obvious mark from the war is her white hair.
Other than that she is a beautiful woman, with legs that won't quit. One might wonder what arcane trickery she must be using to get into those tight leather pants. Her loose shirt hints of tattoo-covered soft flesh and any decent man would not let his eyes linger too long.
She is polishing a short slender blade with some sort of dark oil. It turns the metal dark, but it does not serve any purpose other than a fashion statement. She must be in a mood, sitting quietly with her cigarette, she can be a mesmerising storyteller, and once in a while, she have even written articles for the paper.

Red Moons eyes always tend to linger on Britt, but the two have nothing in common other than most like the way they look. Britt seems so civilized and well Red Moon seems more feral. They just both work for the place. Although they have traded some chatter about Red Moons diary of adventures.

Arianna leans against a wall, her arms crossed, giving of a carefree feeling, aided by the fact she was unarmoured, and unarmed bar the dagger at her belt. Of course a few of those in the room knew she could summon her real weapons to her if necessary. Right Now they were safely hidden away in her inn room. It always helped if she was underestimated.

Whiile outside she projected calmness inside she was annoyed at the lateness of their client. She was still getting used to taking orders from others again, and the lack of structure wasn't helping. Still there were ways to unwind, ones she had practised in in before she turned over a new leaf.

'So who wants to bet 10 on what this job is going to be?' Bets were fun, gave an element of risk where there wasn't and also motivation to do well. Again some in the room may already have taken her gold, or have her lighten them of their own.

A lengthy feline purr filled the room as the large black cat rumbled in the lap of its mistress, if it could be said to have one. Its eyes were half-closed but still watching the room as it received gentle scratches. Its owner, Misha Quill, was once again deeply engrossed in her strange magical tome of swirling letters and symbols that only she could read. Seated at the study, she seemed to take every moment to bury her nose in the thing. Indeed, some had begun to wonder if she preferred it over the company of people.

The mage was immaculately dressed in fine flowing robes with excessive sleeves. The fine clothing would tell all of her magical trade by a simple look at the myriad arcane symbols woven into the garment. Other then to impress and advertise the robes looked rather impractical, but seeing the visitor they were about to receive, one could only say that Misha, at least, had dressed for the occasion. If only her appearance were not marred by the persistent ink stains on her fingers it would have been fit for a gala. Her long hair was finely braided, and one aware of the work involved might wonder where she found the time for the task. And when the mage spoke, it was generally crisp like an erudite arcanist. But her companions had wondered if she was not a bit too bookish and impractical for the trade they plied.

The truth, of course, was that it was all a facade but none of the members of Swords & Sages had learned that yet. Behind the immaculate woman who seemed so absorbed by her tome was a tough and world-wise woman who was very much aware of what went on around her, and was pleased with how well things had been going for herself of late. Finally, money was rolling in and she clawed herself up to the levels of Sharn where people mattered, where names were remembered and sunlight pierced between the endless towers, albeit briefly. The excitement at the prospect of meeting one of the great movers and shakers of the city, nay, the world, almost made her burst with excitement. This was the stepping stone she had been waiting for all her life. If she could impress Baron Merrix d'Cannith and enter into his personal service she would be set for life. And she would stop at nothing to see it done..

"It is only logical, dear Arianna." Misha had not looked up from the tome, but her crisp tone rang out as if she was schooling a class.

"The good baron has a task that he does not entrust to the legion of servants in his employ and is coming to brief us in person. As such, it is clandestine in nature to the extent he does not wish his own House to know. Considering the state of House d'Cannith, and the trade we ply, it likely has to do with a mission of a personal nature or sabotaging one of his rivals, either within our outside his house."

I walked into that office dripping wet and clanking like a tin can. 'A wizard is never late' is something they like to say at Morgrave but I definitely was, and maybe that's a sign of how shitty a wizard I am. Not that I care what those bastards think anyway. I don't need their crushed velvet robes and long white beards. What I need is a drink. And maybe a little snack for Ibis, my owl familiar.

The door creaked open and I didn't like that. Like fingernails on a chalkboard. I scanned the inside and see who's here.

Red Moon: Shifter. Competent because civilization never made him soft. Don't get on his wrong side, rules won't hold him back.
Britt: Legs for days was a distraction, and a damn good one. What's a d'Orien in a place like this?
Arianna: Wound tight like a spring that likes to go off. Step lightly.
Misha: Dressed like a million crowns. Why would she took a job with S&S if she had a million crowns? Nice cat.

I reached down and Prestidigitate the hinges, cleaning out the grime and making them squeak no more. I brushed my hands against one of my talismans, the rabbit's foot this time. I haven't called upon that one for two months and I've been saving it up for a night like tonight. Imagine meeting Merrix fucking d'Cannith.

It wasn't every day you got to rub shoulders with a mover and shaker on his level. There was probably a House Cannith strike force with this building in their sights right now in case things went bad.

I nodded to the folks as I enter. It's about as good a crew as you could have asked for. I forced myself to forgo the usual inspection of the room; whatever security precautions and magical surprises House Cannith had put in place to keep their leader safe, the most dangerous thing in the room were these people. That's why Merrix called us here.

I took up a spot with my back to the wall and my front to the door. Best to just relax, or do my best impersonation of that anyway.

You all sit for another several minutes, listening to the sound of the rain, pondering your thoughts until finally, there's a knock at the door, and it then swings open.

The resident receptionist, Julissa Panyero, was a brown-skinned halfling and the engine that kept this whole train moving. Without a word, she stoically enters, nods at each of you, then says "Have a fine evening." before leaving silently.

In her absence, a tall, voluptuous female silhouette fills the doorway, her features obscured by the shadows cast by the faint light in the hall. Standing roughly 5'10", even her shadow gives off a distinct feminine beauty that is both elegant and seductive. As she walks into the room, the light catches her golden blonde hair, and her red dress, sleeveless and elegant, erupt into view. Her dress is tight and hugs to her features like a second skin.

Its not until you manage to cast your eyes beyond her curves that you notice her skin shimmers with a metallic sheen, and her limbs are actually exposed joints of both metal and wood. Moving up to her face, it is indeed life-like, but is also metallic, and her hair has an almost golden sheen to it. She smiles at each of you in a most friendly nature, looks around the room, and then speaks out into the hall. "Its alright, Baron. No funny business here."

A balding, short and stocky man, roughly 5'6", passed through the doorway next. He wore a handlebar mustache, monocle, suit, and brandished a cane. On his hands, he wore several rings, and a persistent condescending grin adorned his face. He looks at you as well, finds the largest and most comfortable chair, and sits himself in it without asking. The metallic woman stands behind him, hands on her hips, smiling at each of you.

"Good evening. My name is Baron Merrix d'Cannith. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me."

Before another word was muttered a sudden loud crash at the door as a small armored gnome comes riding into the room on a mechanical wolf. The faint smell of burning hair and oil wafts in with them. The little guy, oblivious to everything else but his friends jumps down off of the mechanical beast, pats his nose and tells it to sit. "Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm late again... I'm sorry.... what did I miss?" He looks around at his friends while he runs his greasy hands through his dark green hair pushing it into place before it springs back then absentmindedly wipes his hands onto his scorched clothing. "I almost had it this time, a flying rex, he got a foot off the ground but exploded again... I had to fix him and lost track of time... why are you all staring?" He quickly turns around and see's the Baron for the first time and quickly bows, "Roddybit Dingle Alouiscious MacKrank at your service, but my friends just call me Torque, I must have interrupted you I'm sorry, I tend to do that at at times, I never seem to be able to make the best first impressions, but please continue." Torque plops down on the ground next to Rex grabbing his knees and absentmindedly pets the wolf, looking up at the Baron expectantly.

Red Moon glanced over Arianna and only gave notices with eyes and face she recognized and spotted. Red Moon always looks over Misha's cat more then her. Red Moon gives Gideon a knowing nod as he enters and passes by.

Red Moon is surprised to she that the female is a warforge. Somewhat of a disappointment, but matters little as she will be gone soon enough. His attention is pulled more to the Barron. So this is what a shaker and a mover is like. He often wondered.

He tries to be dignified, The Pleasures are all ours. He has heard before that was the correct answer. He isn't that keen on the subject.

Britt puts her gear aside and sits up straight and attentive. Of course, the d'Cannith had a warfoged as a sexbot bodyguard, but each to his own. But Britt does make a note of it.

She eyes Torque, takes a drag of her cigarette and blows a cloud of smoke towards him. The smoke takes the form of a dog, lying down, mouth shut, ears up. The smoke figure lasts for a few seconds and then dissolves, but before that, she has addressed the Baron. She hopes that the gnome gets the shut-up-and-pay-attention message.

Good evening Baron. What can Swords & Sages help you with on this fine rainy night?

Misha respectfully closed her tome and rose from her seat as the baron entered, much to the chagrin of her feline companion. She studied the strange warforged, a design she had never seen. It didn't seem made for the battlefield, which suggested that House Cannith was working on other types during the Last War. Well.. If anyone would have one in their employ, it would be Merrix d'Cannith. As their esteemed guest took his place, Misha sat once more, sitting straight and paying the baron courteous attention.

But then the way Torque entered was exceptionally painful. Had the baron up and left that instant, Misha would not be surprised. Such inattentiveness, rudeness and faux-pas. Being late was inexcusable. Rambling about it even worse. She raised her eyebrows and visibly took a deep breath to sigh, before sending the baron an apologetic shrug that signaled the common disdain of those in power for the lack of courtesy in those who were lesser then them in station, in an effort to salvage the situation as well as to draw the attention to herself.

'Unfortunatly you are probably right my dear Misha. Bloody house poltics, got to always be behind everything' It is no secret to her companions the swashbuckler has low views of the houses and how they operate. 'If it's not to do with houses in anyway I;ll give you each 5 gold. Not the cat though'

Arianna's eyes linger on the warforged, till it becomes clear she is as such. Their client liked to put on a show it seems. 'The time taken is no trouble, as long as it pays.' She nods to Marixx, hiding any dislike for the houses behind a smile as she goes to introduce herself. Then the gnome crashes in.

She'd worked with him once. Surprisingly competent despite he's inability to follow a structure. Though taht was a sign of freedom she admired in the gnome.

Good, they'll smooth out MacKrank's blunder, Gideon thinks as the smooth talkers start talking. Gideon on the other hand keeps his mouth shut and stays in the corner, watching and listening. Even Ibis is a statue, unmoving on his shoulder perch.

Merrix leans forward, eyeing up Torque's mechanical companion. "Intruiging...y'know we had a canine configuration of warforged back in the early days of the war, but the humanoids ended up being much more popular. Recently though, we're tryin' to expand out horizons to meet a different consumer base." He pulls a notepad from his pocket and scribbles something down. "I wonder if the urban market would be interested in a smaller, mechanical pet configuration of such a thing."

He puts the notepad in his pocket and leans back. "Pardon my distraction. I suppose we oughtta get straight to the point. I appreciate you meetin' tonight, and I want you to know up front that I've come to Swords & Sages due to your sterling reputation for effectiveness, as well as discretion. That discretion, in particular, will be critical in the mission I have for you. Without going much further, its important for you to know that if any unsavory types discovered what I am about to tell you... He trails off a bit, then smiles. "Well for y'all sakes, just make sure it isn't you that lets that out."

He pulls an envelope from his breast pocket, and hands it to his female companion. "The task at hand is to retrieve as many irreplaceable artifacts as you can from the wreckage of a powerful machine in the Mournlands southeast of the city of Kalazart. Naturally, the Mournland is a dangerous place since the Mourning, which is why we need some capable adventurers like yourselves."

The female warforged passes the envelope to Torque without saying a word before Merrix continues. "Within this envelope is a list of potential artifacts and other equipment that may be inside the wreckage. The most important is simply known as the Prime, and should be contained within the core of the wreckage." He sits back quietly to allow you to peruse the list, or answer any other questions.

Outwardly, Misha was very much the professional, pondering over the offer. Inwardly, she was reeling a bit. The Mournland? Old Cyre? It was the heartland of House Cannith for sure, so the location of the relic was not surprising. However, the prospect of traveling abroad was daunting. Indeed, it would be her first time leaving Sharn. And she had many talents, but undertaking such a journey was not one of them. But it hardly mattered, did it? She wanted to be in this man's good graces and move up in the world. She was going anyhow. And so she returned her attention to the mission.

"As you say my lord. This machine is located in a House Cannith facility, or anything you can tell us which may help in identification?"

Torque grins at the mention of his pet but hi's eyes grow wide at the mention of ancient artifacts. His initial shock turns to pure joy as opens the envelope and begins to read through the list. "Sir this is brilliant, just think of all of the many opportunities for studying. I for one, am excited to begin. These artifacts do need to be recovered before they are lost to time and to the elements." He cocks his head to the side and begins to rub his chin before holding up a hand with three fingers raised. "Three questions sir, Do we have any idea what the size of these artifacts are, how protected they are, and do you want them if they are damaged beyond repair? oh and if we find other artifacts not on the list would they be considered as salvage or spoils or are they wanted as well?" Then quickly holds up a fourth finger. "Sorry, four questions." Torque then hands the list off to the closest companion while looking intently at the Baron.

Red Moon seems comfortable about everything or just ignoring/or no caring. Fine questions. Any thought of how long you may expect us to be gone doing your shopping list? he adds on just the same.