CH. 9: Winter is Coming

[Haahque]

Haahqae seeing the dwarf making his way towards him turns to his friends "Is this the dwarf you were talking about?"

Turning to his new fan as he arrives Haahqae replies cheerfully. "Yes, I am Haahqae! The one and only! There are so many things that I do that you might know me from, but I'm terribly afraid that I don't recognize you. Did you hear about my escapade in ridding the iron mine of kobolds, saving the refugees from a giant or perhaps you've heard of my excellent juggling skills? I'm afraid I'm too busy right now to give much of a performance, but if things go well I might be able to give one here tonight. Or maybe tomorrow."

[Chris1234]

"Haahqae! Greetings!" says Shima, and offers his hand. "you would not believe how long it seems since I've been determined to meet you. But that can wait. Pardon my bad manners, please, I will, of course answer your questions. I am Shima. I am not well known at all. In fact very few choose to recognize that I exist, so I completely understand, indeed I expected you to not have heard of me. I would love to have you tell me of your mine escapade and about downing a giant; seeing your juggling skills, impressive, I'm sure, also. There is something that I should talk to you about though, something that you might think important, but just not here - don't need the world to know one's business. Your friends are welcome too, if you so choose. But we have to be elsewhere for privacy. You can choose where. if it pleases you, of course."

[TristenC]

When the minotaur asks about Felarn, Grubnick gestures to the room just as the fiery-haired elf steps out. The goblin nods when Haahque asks about the dwarf, but steps away from the conversation towards Ne-Chanz. Speaking quietly to him, The gnome, Elf and I were thinking of finishing up our little 'errand' from last night... You game? I see our other friends have gathered as well... learn anything new about the Dwarf? He seems to have been looking awfully hard for Haahque, someone I don't suspect he has any way of knowing personally. I hope it's not trouble.

Grubnick nods politely in greeting to the bard as he arrives, and to Arulia.

[HorizonsDream]

"You know I don't know anyone that throws parties," Kendra admits. "But I was invited to this one . Since the commander of my unit is off to march on some elves, I'm her replacement. The person holding the party is the new prefect," she explains. "And, I can take someone else with me, but do you really want to go?"

[Haahque]

"Oh my, I'm sorry if my busy lifestyle has made me rather hard to reach. I really have quite a bit more on my plate then I might like sometimes. For privacy? I still don't get why everyone's so attached to the idea, but if you want you can come back up to my room. It's small, it's cramped and it's not the perfect picture of anything... I've had very little time for housework amongst other things, but it's not a public place. Here follow me."

Haahqae once again makes his way to his room. He's starting to know this path quite well...

Let's see how many people decide to follow him this time.

If the dwarf should be one of them, he'll start in by telling the story about the mine. "One day, not too long ago I took up lodgings in this city. It wasn't under the occupation back then, one of the last holdouts in these parts. My goal for this city was the same as usual, put on some good shows to pay for room and board, while I help out the local populous with their problems because I'm a nice guy. The shows were going well, but I came across a fellow by the name of Bear, who had a problem that I estimated even my own impressive talents couldn't fix alone. He claimed his mine was full of demons!" This story continues for a while, until Haahqae's either interrupted, or he reaches his room and finds a good breaking point in the story.

[Chris1234]

"Thank you, that would be good," Shima replies to Haahqae, and then follows the fellow, listening all the while.

He nods at appropriate times, while thinking, ~I made a rubbish start with Ne-Chanz so if this one likes to talk, I'll just let him. Might not get another chance to sort this out.~

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin notes the many people in the tankard and makes his way over to Tulbas since he was free from any conversation at the time. "Bit busy in here today." The bard comments starting up conversation with the Half Elf, "It's good you got someone to look at those, how are you doing today?" he says motioning subtily to Tulbas' heavily bandaged face.

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz approaches Felran. "Quite the talker, isn't he?" he asks, gesturing to Shima.

[BishGada]

Tulbas answers Gregeddin, "Hmm... This day is full of surprises." Still emotionally he says, "Thank you for coming for my rescue yesterday. We are in a hurry, I don't think it is smart going to Haaques room again and I wouldn't let him go alone with this new guy that was looking for him. Could you convince Haaque to postpone this talk and join us?" Tulbas says worried.

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Felran, and Shima (Steel Tankard Inn, Upstairs hallway)
Haahqae and Shima head up to Haahqae's room. Felran is still standing outside the door, rummaging through his pack as if he lost something. He's a red-haired young man with slightly pointed ears; a half-elf most likely.

Kendra Greylock (2527 Market Street, Greylock's Gorgeous Gems)
"The prefect?!" Norris exclaims. "But that's incredibly dangerous. They say he's a monster, cruel and heartless. You could be killed." He sighs. "Oh, bother. I'm just making it sound more appealing to you, aren't I?" He shakes his head. "Perhaps then, I should accompany you. I have experience with aristocracy and I can help you navigate the intrigue and etiquette of the city's elite. After all, it is just a party...it's not like you're planning on assassinating the prefect or anything." He pauses, then frowns. "Are you?"

Gregeddin, Tulbas, Arulia, Gobax, and Ne-Chanz (Steel Tankard Inn, Common area)
Haahqae and the dwarf clad in black leather head back upstairs, talking. When asked where Felran is, Gobax gestures toward the stairs, but Felran has not yet come downstairs.

"Anyone who worships these other gods," the young woman says to Arulia. "Or point me to someone who knows them. If you can, I'm sure I can get information on the two women you are searching for."

[chese780]

(OOC: Kender check successful. You should all know that I'm pretty sure none of you are near me...)

After checking his pouch, Felran wanders down the stairs looking for the goblin. He thought something would have gone missing, but it seems that Ne-Chanz's kender incidents didn't involve their things this time.

[Chris1234]

Haahqae, and Shima (Steel Tankard Inn, Upstairs hallway)
Upon entering the Haahqae's room, Shima says, "Please would you close the door. Never can be too careful who's listening. Any idea who's staying the the room on each side of you?" and then adds, in a much quieter voice, "And do you know a human male called Gregeddin? And a female Hylar called Raene?"

[Haahque]

Haahqae obliges and closes the door. Whisperings that happen behind closed doors happen behind closed doors after all. "Oh yeah I know Gregeddin, nice guy, accompanied me on a couple of my adventures recently. He seems pretty reliable, unlike some of my recent hired help. Raene I don't know. Is there something that I should know about these two? Do they work together? Wait a second... Raene, now that I say the name it does ring a faint bell. I can't quite remember where I know the name from but I think I talked to her in the last couple weeks about something. Not very memorable."

"It's safe to say neither of them are part of my joggling show, however Gregeddin has helped quite a bit in my adventuring. I was just about to mention the part in the mine story where he comes in."

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin replies to Tulbas, "Hey, we look out for each other right? Your friends are the people you can count on. I'm glad it managed to turn out okay, and just sorry for all the pain the whole ordeal caused." He gives Tulbas a friendly pat on the shoulder, but recoils quickly remembering his injuries. "Sorry! I'll grab Haahqae from upstairs, meet you outside in two."

Gregeddin makes his way upstairs, recognising people from before he says "We're going, meet outside in two" briskly while walking around them to Haahqae's door. The bard knocks, waits a second then opens the door stepping into the room...

[Chris1234]

Shima sits, and then explains quietly, "Well, frankly, it was Raene that told me you and Greggedin were friends. I don't like Raene though. She a Hylar, associated with a half-ogre, name of Burzan. They were employed by someone to do the pair of you a dis-service, didn't tell me what, around the time you turned over a giant, I think. You managed to foil them though - Burzan's wounded and their employer is, apparently dead. Having told you all this means Burcan and Raene will try to kill me. But as I said, I really don't like that Hylar. She wanted me to infiltrate your gang and then lead her to where you live and rob you. I want her to think I've done that, and then lead her in and then you can grab her. And you can tell your associates, of course, but if word gets out then I'm as good as dead. So, I'm done talking. Just need to know if I'm in, or if I need to leave town today."