Episode 0: The Arcadian Rose

Kalis flinches as the cudgel hit the table, but gets up and walks over, dusting the seat off before he sits down.

Geno moves over to the table as quietly as possible, giving a conspiratorial look to Rhiann.

Coda makes his way to the table, looking everybody in the room over, smiling and nodding at them if eyes are met. Reaching the table, he gives a slight bow to Rhiann before sitting down.

Maenor quickly puts his papers away and walks over to a vacant seat. He smiles nervously at everyone before sitting down.

The portly woman watches as each of you take a seat at the table. After an uncomfortable silence under her rock-hard gaze, she purses her lips and sighs. "Well," she begins, "you all made it here alive, and managed to not draw too much obvious attention to yourselves." Rhiann glances over at Gustav with narrowed eyes, but continues.

"I'll get to the point. You are all operatives of the Pale Deva, brought together to act as an independent unit under my direction." Her bone club points at each of you in turn as she speaks. "You have individual skill and talent, and it is hoped that you can achieve greater accomplishments as a group than on your own. In that regard we are lucky; there is no shortage of mercenary or adventuring parties out in the world, so your travels will not seem out of place. You should be able to move freely about, and it is through that access that we hope to dismantle the machinations of Caer Tan wherever we find the opportunity.

"For the most part, you will be on the road. While you are traveling, I will send directions for your next mission. I might suggest something when I do, but how you accomplish your objective is entirely in your hands. Judge your actions based on the situation. Be fluid like the ocean and know when it is best to be discreet, and when to be bold."

Rhiann idly circles her club above her head. "This is my house, the Arcadian Rose. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, this is NOT your home. You do not live here, and I'm losing money thanks to having the entire upstairs empty because of your arrival. When you step into this room," and she taps the club onto the table for emphasis, "you are nothing. You are nobody. We don't know you."

Her expression softens, and she now looks like a weathered grandmother. "But here," she says, quietly like a calm tide pool, "you are safe. You can find shelter in my home. We will feed you. We will dress your wounds, both physically and spiritually. You may not live here, but you are more than welcome. You WILL have a place to rest, here at the Rose."

Rhiann's face returns to its stoic gaze. "Now, you know of my name, but not of each other. I'll give you all a moment to introduce yourselves so you know who you're working with." She steps back and grants all of you the table.

A robed individual stands up from the table, rather unremarkable looking, with short brown hair and pale white skin. The only truly notable feature about him are his intense golden eyes. "My name is Kalis Varimas, a simple librarian who has recently come into some power and wants to use it to help the cause," he introduces himself, holding his hand up and conjuring a small flame over his open palm.

An elf in plain brown clothing looks up at Kalis, beaming, "A librarian? But how wonderful! I love libraries! And books!" He suddenly checks his enthusiasm, and attempts to regain his dignity by speaking calmly to the group, "I'm Maenor Holimion. My goddess has granted me some small powers, in her wisdom. I can help keep us safe, and patch us up afterward when we're not."

Geno is not sure immediately whether to sit or stand, and at first he does a bit of both. His clothes are clearly finery, but they have obviously seen better days. He looks as if prepared to give a speech, but when he opens his mouth the words come out sideways, as if he's never properly said them. He is awkward and embarrassed. "I am Geno, of Hous... actually, just Geno will do. I'm here to help... ummm... however I can." He sits down with a hurry, with a splotchy black blush coloring his purpling skin all the way up to his horns.

"My name is Brother Gustav - just Gustav," says the fat friar, staying seated, "and might I say it is good to be part of a new cell. The Order of Harmony met an...unpleasant end." For a moment, Gustav's eyes are steel. "Consider me another sword arm," says Gustav, cracking his knuckles, "just without the sword."

Noting Geno's discomfort, Gustav says, "Easy there, sport. No need to be nervous, we're all an upstanding bunch of traitors and rabblerousers here."

A halfling, in pristine leather armor adorned with pink accents, carefully stands up on his chair. His short-medium brown hair is swept back and held in place with a pink string. Something that stands out about him is, while most halfling men have sideburns, he has full facial hair.

He addresses the group, with a smile, "Hello mates it is nice to meet y'all. Coda Ostinato's my name, I'm very excited to see what us lot are going to accomplish. Now with my formalities out of the way." Coda turns towards Geno and Maenor, placing his hand on their shoulder if they are next to him "We'll be risking life and limb for each other, a bond I consider stronger than the average family. There is no need to be shy around us...no need to stifle your love of libraries and books or any other hobbies you all may have."

Coda faces Rhiann "I apologize for rambling and I'm almost done but one last thing, to you. You need not lose money, on my behalf at least." he pulls out two gold coins and slides them towards Rhiann. He starts to talk again "Now I may not be...haha...again i'm rambling...always rambling." he smiles, bows to the group and takes his seat again to allow others a chance to talk.

Rhiann looks up at the ceiling as the money hits the table. "Keep your coin," she says, exasperatedly. "You'll need it for the field. Speaking of which, you'll have to fend for yourselves out there. 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.

"Whatever spoils you find is yours, unless it's something that the Pale has asked you to 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 assignment," says Rhiann, "but before I get to that, do you have any questions for me?"

Coda gives a smiling nod, grabs the coins and throws them into his pouch "Very well, I'll offer you my fondest of thanks for your generosity than." he takes his seat again and starts stroking his beard, seemingly to stop himself from rambling on again.

Maenor leans forward, "Um, yes...I do have a question, if I may. How will you communicate with us from afar? And how will we know it is you?" He looks a bit embarrassed and continues, "I do not mean to offend, but our enemies are crafty and cruel."

Rhiann nods. "A good question. I have 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. 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 ask 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.

"Any other questions?"

Kalis looks around at the others and then shakes his head, No more questions from me

Coda nods in agreement with Kalis "Only question I can think of, is what's the assignment?" he turns to Rhiann with a smile.

"Yes... what can we do to help?"

"A few questions, ma'am" says Gustav, "first, how long is the range of this Sending? I doubt our first missions will take us to the other end of the continent, but it'll be good to know our optimal range of operations. Second, our potentials contacts are in other cells, correct? And not in direct communication with you? Should we not trust any couriers claiming to bear messages from you without your confirmation in advance? Thirdly, the a dragon sorceror's illusions can be quite potent - Thurlahvu inquisitors often use them to bend the minds of their charges. Is there a way to ensure that a Sending is from you and you alone? And fourthly, what is your position on field assets? If we coerce a group or individual into providing aid to the Pale Deva, should they report to you, a local handler, or are we to be their only point of contact with the organization?" Gustav asks these questions with a practiced rigor - not rehearsed, but clearly a familiar sort of question to ask.

Rhiann narrows her eyes at Gustav. Hard. When it seems like daggers would start to appear from her gaze, she sighs. "A Sending can reach you from the next chair over, all the way to the deepest dungeon halfway around the world. For that matter, your operations may very well take you across the realm. And if you ever get a Sending from me, you'll know it's me; this divine power brooks no deception, unless you're really really stupid."

Again her expression turns stony, and while she appears to address the group, her focus seems to be on Gustav. As she speaks, her voice begins to grow like cannon fire from a broadside. "And on that note, your other questions... well, you're all too green to begin thinking about them. You haven't done shit for me and you're already talking about recruiting? You were brought into this group after careful consideration and observation by people much more experienced than all of you combined; bless your heart, what makes you think you're in any position to start managing 'field assets?' What in Nine Hells makes you think to send people to my door, much less someone you've forced into doing something?!"

Rhiann closes her eyes and takes in a breath. This time her words are softer. "Listen, you boys are new. You don't know much and that makes you nervous, but that's for a good reason. You're still too inexperienced to be trusted with some of these decisions you appear to want to make. Focus on what's around you for now. Limit your scope. It is the tiniest of ripples that can trigger the tsunami of change.

"I get that maybe you're scared of getting discovered, but it's a big world and if you're careful and play it smart, you'll do fine. You ask about couriers, messages, and agents like you want some hard and fast formula to decide what to do." Rhiann shakes her head. "Aside from the fact that hard and fast rules make you predictable, you're not in any position to worry about that just yet."

She straightens. "As I said, conduct yourselves like an adventuring party. Someone approaches you about a job, use your best judgment. Decline it if you're too suspicious. But act too skittish and people will start to wonder what's up."