Episode 0: The Arcadian Rose

"Wonderful," Rhiann remarks in a tone indicating anything but. "You'll be out on the field a lot, and you'll have to fend for yourselves. Ideally you'd all work as a team, pool your resources, and accomplish the task. Buy, forage, or steal what you need to survive, but if you're looking to rob make sure it's not later taken out of some poor innocent folks' hide; we're supposed to be helping people, not making their lives worse.

"Whatever spoils you find are yours, unless it's something that the Pale has asked to you retrieve; we expect that to get to its proper home. But if you happen to acquire something of value or essential use while you're on assignment, so be it. I'd rather you be well-equipped and well-off than starving and weak; you ain't no use to me then.

"I have your first mission," finishes Rhiann, "but before I get to that, do you have any questions for me?"

Excited beyond belief, Parallel calms himself saying, "Thank you for the hospitality of your inn. I'm sure we will do our best not to abuse the privilege."

Then quizzically, "It sounds like we will be quite remote and on our own -- how will you contact us with new missions? Returning here too often could create a suspicious pattern. And will we have access to any other support out in the world?"

Rhiann nods. "A good question," she says. "I am blessed with a small amount of ability to Send word to one of you, wherever you may be. Through this divine gift, you will know it is me, and you will have the opportunity to reply. However, such a blessing is not freely given, and we will only have enough strength for a few words or sentences; twenty-five, if I recall correctly. So it will be brief, but clear.

"Of course, there are other means of communication. You may be contacted by other agents, and if such a meeting is prearranged, there should be a passphrase with the proper response, as you've done tonight.

"In an emergency, you might come across another agent or handler and not have any prearranged code. This has happened in the past, and unfortunately we do not have any type of protocol to handle this. Yes, Caer Tan has rooted out our agents using this tactic, but there have been times that an actual agent needed immediate help. If you asked me, a true Pale agent probably wouldn't identify themselves if they approached you and would likely try to gain your assistance as someone looking to hire mercenaries or adventurers. That's just my opinion, so use your best judgment in that event. Anyway, if you're suspicious about someone else contacting you claiming to work for the Pale, you can always decline.

"As to the question of support," continues Rhiann, folding her arms across her chest, "well, that depends. Honestly, you're all too green to be made aware of other operations out there. When you're in the field, you'll need to rely on yourselves just like any other band of merry adventurers; hunt, or earn your coin to get your food, donate to a temple for healing, try not to break the law too blatantly. If you find yourselves pursued by the Thurlahvu or Shattered Soul, do your best to kill or evade and make your way to your safehouse here.

"Any other questions?"

"Who leads this merry band?" Jandral asks, hands steepled, lips curled in a smile behind his mask.

"That decision is left to you as a group," comes Rhiann's answer.

"Do you have any reports of agents of the empire that are hunting Deva members? Aside from the obvious, that is, we should be able to spot the scaly ones a ways off."

At the words "scaly ones" the corners of Jandral's mouth curl into a smile (behind the mask).

Rhiann answers Rhodrick flatly, "When are they not? Specifically, no I do not know who is hunting whom, but Caer Tan does not always need to pursue us so actively. We are forced to operate under their eyes and ears. You might pass through without much suspicion as an band of adventurers and allowed to conduct your business as normal, but any slip in secrecy and Caer Tan will know."

Jandral sighs impatiently. "The mission?"

"Very well," Rhiann says. "There is a small island, Jyehm Cay, off the coast near the Towe Forest. The village of Whitburn is under attack by monsters from underground, and Caer Tan has apparently ignored their requests for help. The villagers have turned to mercenaries and adventurers, but for whatever reason the attacks continue as well as the calls for assistance. Helping these folk may go a long way towards fostering support for the Pale, especially if we're able to place an operative cell in such a remote location.

"I don't expect you to set up a Pale contact or even advertise that you're part of the resistance. Just go in, defend the village or eliminate the attackers, and if you're successful we'll send someone your way. I will contact you in two weeks for a status report with the assumption that you've reached Jyehm Cay and Whitburn, and from there we'll establish a schedule for future communication.

"You leave tomorrow morning on The Red Cutter, a chartered ship that will take you directly to the island."

Morena appears, carrying a stack of plates and utensils. The Turami woman, perhaps no more than fifteen or sixteen years, places a dining set before each of you. A round of empty cups soon follow.

Parallel tries to keep the concern from his face. "Monster hunting?" he thinks, "Maybe this is some sort of hazing ritual.". He looks around the table, at the others, "I really need to hold my own with these brutes.

After inspecting his memory, Lyss concluded that he never been on or heard of Jyehm Cay.
"Do we have any information about what we might encounter there? Even rumours can be useful."

Heash listens intently to the conversation. His eyes shift around the group as they are talking, but mostly his eyes rest upon Jandral. He scratches his chin as he tries to figure out this strange fellow and new ally.

"Monsters from underground," repeats Rhiann. "That's all we've got."

"Their deaf ear makes me wonder if the tyrants perhaps caused this invasion of creatures -- have the inhabitants done anything recently to poke the dragon?" he asks, expecting Rhiann to admonish him with another "that's all we've got".

Rhiann shrugs. "Unknown. There might be any number of reasons why Whitburn's pleas have been ignored. It's small and remote enough that it might not warrant any priority. Perhaps Caer Tan has sent help, but were unsuccessful. Or, as you've suggested, Caer Tan itself is responsible. You'll need to find out when you get there."

Rhodrick scratches at the the rough whiskers of his jawline, "Jyehm Cay..." he mummurs to himself.