CH 1: You All Meet in a Tavern

[Breila]

Ouragana shakes her head. "No, I have not yet traveled much yet. I just did a few small voyages around Ketos in training, and have sailed here after my graduation" she proudly moves her hand so that her ring can be seen.

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn looks at the ring. "Nice ring," she says. "You're married?"

Noah chuckles. "Storm Sorcerer," he explains. "Although I recognized that from the colors you are wearing," he nods to Ouragana. "You must be proud. I understand it's quite an accomplishment to graduate from such a prestigious academy. Quite costly, too."

"Oh, right. Storm Sorcerers," Jocelyn says, a little embarrassed. "We had one of those on my old...I mean, I knew one, sorta, a long time ago." Changing the subject, she says, "I just finished my training, too. So I guess we're in the same boat."

Noah frowns, but says nothing. Instead, he finishes off his drink with gusto.

[xelphyn]

"It's simple, really. By doing this, I'm maximizing my profit, I spoke to the wardens before the farmer, and they offered to deputize me."
Turning a glance to her, he continues,"Essentially, I geing payed twice for the same job."

[Jenara]

"Interesting," Arei rubs her chin in curiosity, "That idea has promise, A great deal of promise actually."

[JadedDM]

After a few minutes, they reach the fortress. The place looms over the town with all of the sternness and gloom of a maximum security prison--largely because that is exactly what it is. For not only is the keep where the wardens bunk and train, but it's also where the criminals they arrest are held.

Once the pair are allowed to pass through the large and well-guarded gate and cross the courtyard, they enter the keep and find themselves in a waiting area. The place is completely immaculate, with not a single dust bunny or smudge to be found.

A young male dwarf sits at a small desk, filling out tedious paperwork. He is young enough that his beard has not fully come in yet and his uniform seems a tad loose in places. Looking up, he blinks in surprise to see an elf and a gnome step inside. "Uhh..," he begins in a breaking voice, "are you here to report a crime or confess to one?"

[xelphyn]

"Two og your own sent me here, for deputization. I come to lend assistance with the birdmen attacks."
Dahn gestures towards the elf beside him.
"This is my partner..."

[JadedDM]

"D-D-Deputation?!" the young dwarf squeaks. It was clear of all of the things Dahn could have said, he had never anticipated that. He frantically shuffles through the papers on his desk as if trying to find something. After a few moments, he seems to conclude he isn't going to. "I need to talk to the chief," he says before standing up.

Behind him are a series of bronze pipes all leading up into the ceiling. Choosing the one on the far left, he pops open the lid and speaks into it. "Err, chief, I got...uhhh, I got a gnome and an elf who want to be deputized."

There's a long silence. After about ten seconds, he opens his mouth to repeat himself, but a female voice comes through and interrupts him. "Send them in," she says.

Closing the lid, the lad turns back to them. "Umm, it's the third door on the left," he says, gesturing down the hallway.

[Jenara]

"Arei" she offers her hand. She didn't care for the title, although it might come in useful. "Through here?" she asks walking as suggested, assuming the Gnome was following.

At the door she knocks lightly, waiting on a response.

"its a start."

[xelphyn]

"Hmm," Dahn speaks quietly behind Arei "either they don't often hire anyone other than dwarves, or he was just plain disorganized."

[JadedDM]

When the pair reach the door, they find it already open. There's a gold plaque outside the door with writing on it--the chief's name, perhaps? Unfortunately, neither of them can read at all.

The office is large, but spartan in decor. Everything is grey as stone. Even the things that aren't actually made of stone. On the right wall is a large bulletin board with numerous wanted posters on it.

The largest thing in the room, which is also in its center, is a massive desk. It's more like an oversized podium, really. It is at least seven feet tall, allowing the dwarf who sits there to look down at anyone who enters the office, regardless of race or height. One wonders how the chief gets up there; is there a ladder back there or something?

The chief herself is a stern looking dwarven woman with short blonde hair and lips that always seem to be in a perfect straight line. Taking one look at her, and the pair cannot help but wonder if this woman has ever actually smiled in her life.

She is doing paperwork when they enter. She looks down at them from her desk, and after a few more scribblings, sets her quill in the ink vial with a slight 'tink' sound. She looks at them for several moments, as if studying their very souls. Finally, she speaks. "A gnome...and an elf. And you two want to be deputies? Ironic, as most of the criminals locked up here are composed of your two races."

[Jenara]

"Is that so?" Arei asks with interest, "Then who better to appoint? We know how our people think." She gives a wink, "But we are not here to do that, we are here to hunt the Birdmen, You are under staffed, we are at a loose end.... Besides why waste valuable time, when we can help you?"

[JadedDM]

The chief raises a single eyebrow marginally. "Birdmen?" she asks.

[Nuke]

Val, a little put off on the rude departure of a fellow female, wanders back to the bar.

"'Nother ale", sliding two silvers on the bar.

[xelphyn]

Dahn removes his hat, revealing his sleek, white hair," Yes, the flying creatures that the farmers have been harassing your men over. The ones that 'ave been stealing cows."

[JadedDM]

The Paragon Inn

The bartender looks down at the two silver coins Val has just produced. "Just one?" he asks. "Two silver will get your four drinks."

===========

The Warden's Keep

The chief frowns a bit (more-so) in concentration, then opens up a drawer on her massive desk. Pulling out a file, she flips through it. "Ah, yes, here it is. We sent a pair of rookies to investigate, but the report says they never returned. We haven't had the time or manpower to look for them due to the upcoming Spree and the murderer on the loose."

Closing the file, she looks back at them and meshes her fingers together. "And you two want to volunteer then, to solve this problem?"