Suspicion without Evidence
The job posting was a simple one, a request about a possible missing person. The meeting with the person who had posted the request is today. Slowly you all file into a meeting room at the Adventures Guild, and awaiting you is a guild secretary named Giles standing behind a young woman seated at a table with chairs enough for you all.
The young woman is obviously human, her hair cut short in a sort of pixy style and she looks... very young. Probably no more than sixteen. She looks up as the first of you enter, her fingers tugging down the sleeves of her mage's robes and looking a touch uncomfortable.
"G-greetings." Her expression is one of apprehension, and it's easy to see that she's a shy girl. Not one prone to talking to so many people all at once. "Ummm. I'm sorry to bother you all... This is... probably nothing but... My uncle Dremarim hasn't responded to any of my letters recently. He gets really into whatever book he's been reading, or whatever studies he's engaged in... but I... that is... He always makes time or me."
She falls silent a moment, her fingers fiddling with one another. "Ever since my parents passed away, he's been taking care of me. He's the one that encouraged me to go and study in Rune and... but... I-I'm really worried about him."
Khepri hadn't bothered taking a seat, the gangling war golem content to stand impassively and listen to the young woman's account. The plague-doctor mask bobs slightly. "I presume from your own pursuits your uncle Dremarim is also a magician?" The voice is hollow behind the metal visage. "A wellness check on a baker can be performed by the Watch. A wellness check on a wizard... probably requires specialists." The yellow gaze shifts to Giles. "Where is uncle Dremarim's home located?"
Rocky declines the chair, preferring to squat. Most chairs aren't made for him anyway, between the tail and weight. He nods silently to the girl's tale, glancing to the others of the group.
Seems simple enough, and to be quite honest, Lheo could use the coin. Dressed in warm, woolen winter robes of a non-descript charcoal gray, with trousers beneath against the winter chill, he takes a seat at the back, and is content to listen quietly, the leather pad on his shoulder empty, until she mentions that she's studying in Rune. That gets his attention, and he sits up and leans forward, as if looking at her with different eyes. "A wizard getting lost in a book. How unusual," he drawls, but at least he's paying attention. "Well, I suppose we should probably verify that the book hasn't eaten him. You'll never convince me that books don't have teeth." He examines his thumb, across which is drawn a fairly impressive paper cut. "Whereabouts is the home, and does he have any reason to have wandered off from it?"
Tlanexhuani has gained more understanding of how this guild and its requests work. All the same, he's also always keen to lend a helping claw where he may. He is already hunched and leaning on his spear as he is inclined to seek support, but the introduction of the young woman has him crouch further to take a knee. It is more comfortable than trying to sit, shows his attentiveness, and might make him seem a bit less looming to the shy one.
"May be nothing, may be not. Iss best to look and know, ssa?" he assures her. His next question in mind is asked by two of the others, so he then falls quiet to listen.
Reithak was looking much more plain than usual. The normally brightly colored egalrin was missing the brightly colored tips of their feathers where they were singed or burnt off, and their white jacket was replaced by a simple plain linen tunic for the time being, with their large hat nowhere to be seen. This did little to dampen their spirits however, as Reithak was relatively cheerful as she steps into the room, taking a step off to one corner of the table where she takes a seat.
"Nice to meet you dear, name's Reithak, and I'm here with all these folks looking to help." The large egalrin hums. "I get it, it's only natural to worry about family, and I doubt you'd be doing this if you didn't have reason to worry. I appreciate the call."
The egalrin stretches for a moment, before returning to settle down and keep their attention on the petitioner. "Is there normally some time frame for correspondence or meeting with them, miss?" They inquire.
Gramarye, dressed in wizard robes that seem thin for the season--which might be a concern if she was a flesh-and-blood woman and not a construct--stands at attention for the entirety of the explanation given by the girl.
"Activating consolation module," she finally announces after a moment. And then there's a blink of light in her obsidian eyes before she adds, "There there. Everything will be all right. We will find out what is happening to your uncle."
Gramarye then adds, "Inquiry: has he been invested in any new projects that you know of?" It is a useful question in addition to those that have been asked of the girl.
The girl hesitates, still fiddling with her fingers, then flushes at Khepri's words. "Um... yes. Uncle Dre-marim is a fine wizard. He was very pleased to learn that I have a... natural knack for it." Her flush deepens a little. She's a fairly ordinary looking girl really, with plain brown hair falling around her shoulders and blue eyes. "He lives at the Arcanist's Guild here in Alexandria."
Her eyes fall to the table top. "We always meet up for the holiday. He splurges to have me come in so that we can be together. One year he surprised me by coming to Rune... but usually we meet here. I had to spend my own money to come this time because he didn't send a letter at all like he usually does. When I went to the guild they said he wasn't here at all."
Water rises in her blue eyes and she looks the group hopefully. "It doesn't make any sense. He... He wouldn't leave without telling me. Never. I know he was looking into something about curses and how to unravel them? He's very good at that sort of thing. He found some very powerful curses and was set on freeing those who were caught up in them... I-I think sometimes that's my fault." She presses her fingers together tightly. "He's been at it since m-my parents passed."
GAME: Khepri rolls sense motive: (18)+9: 27
Rocky rumbles and chuffs softly, accepting the tale as told. "Your Uncle sounds like a good man. We shall find him, but may take time. Have you lodging in the meanwhile?"
"How is that your fault, that your uncle was going after curses? You weren't caught up in one, were you?" Lheo catches onto that small tidbit, and regards the girl shrewdly with his own green eyes. "That sure sounds like he might have run into something. Better ask Clay about him."
Khepri tilts its head, considering. Then the golem nods. "Or her parents were the victims of one," it points out to Lheo. That noted, the Executor approaches the worried-looking girl, and carefully removes one of the dozen or so scarab charms around its neck. "I serve the Gray Harpist. I will seek out your uncle and determine what has happened. But in the meantime, Her blessing be with you, and know that She has sent you aid." He offers the charm to the girl, a kindly gesture from the metalshod figure.
"Iss not your blame that uncle cares, helps. Iss right to do this." Tlanexhuani makes a light murmur in thought. "Is not home... Know where he might go? Know friends of uncle who might know more? All here to help."
Reithak hums quietly, tapping the side of her beak and taking a look at the others before turning back to Estrea. "If you're applying your all, I'm sure anyone would be proud. Takes a knack for magic, yes, but a lot of hard work."
The large egalrin pauses, and taps her beak again for a moment. "Did the guild give you any reason for him not being around?" They ask curiously. "Did he tell you any more about these curses, miss? What's involved with them, or where he was going to treat people involved with them? It might be a good spot for us to look, and any info you have will help us do our best to help your Uncle."
There's another blink in Gramarye's eyes as she listens to the girl some more. She particularly only comes to speak again on the heels of Lheo and Khepri. "The observations that my ally and that my friend have are sound," Gramarye intones. "It does not appear that you have any immediate correlation to any curse that might have befallen your uncle at this time, based upon the information that you have provided us. No judge nor servant of Daeus would likely find you at legal fault for it."
Gramarye then adds, a moment later, "Please consult with a servant of Daeus for any legal concerns. I am not a servant of Daeus and I am not qualified to dispense legal advice in any way. However, I am qualified to assist in any magical matters that may occur in this venture."
The girl nods to Rocky. "Yes, the Guild is putting me up until this is resolved in some way. They've been very kind and helpful." She glances toward Guiles and seems to take some comfort from his silent presence. "Ummm... That's right. My... My parents were taken by a curse."
It's obvious that this is a painful subject for her. "I don't know a lot about it. I was very young when it happened and my uncle always said that it wasn't time for me to know. I'm worried that something might have happened to him."
A little sound escapes her as Khepri offers her the token and she accepts it, fingers clasped tight around the little amulet. "I just hope that Vardama will not take him too. I couldn't bear it. Me and my uncle. We only have each other left in this world." She tries hard to blink back her tears. "Thank you. Thank you all for helping me. I wish I knew more. It just doesn't make any sense to me."
Forlorn she looks at the group and shrugs a bit helplessly. "The Guild told me that he'd... allowed someone else to stay in his room, but they wouldn't tell me who! And... And they refused to see me at all. One of the people there said that the Adventures Guild might be able to help me get some answers." She peers down at the little thing in her hands. "He wouldn't do that. Give away h-his room. He worked hard for it. It was... he was so proud of his space there. Why would he do that?"
Lheo leans back again, in his chair, frowning. "I wonder if his effects are still in it," he mutters, nodding to Khepri. "Or if he took those with him, too." He steeples his fingers, one tapping slowly against its counterpart. "You happen to know the room number?"
Rocky rumbles softly again. "We should see the room and question this other person. If the Guild says no... This One will insist." Questions sound very different when asked by a slip of a girl, or a quarter ton of armored lizard.
Reithak opens her mouth and closes it, before nodding once. "I won't get into specifics, but I get it, at least in some way."
The inquisitor's eyes twinkle slightly, and she hums again. "You aren't entirely alone, are you?" She asks softly. "I'm sure you've made friends in Rune. Take some time to spend with them, or making friends, like you're doing to be with your uncle here."
"Don't worry about what you can and can't tell us, Estrea, we appreciate what you're able to share, it's been a big help, and I'm hoping it will help us finding your Uncle." She adds. "Maybe they'll listen to us if we go. Maybe they had a good reason not to tell you, and if they didn't, we'll get to the bottom of it."
Tlanexhuani knows little of rules regarding lodgings in the city, but wholly believes Estrea's opinion that something is wrong with the situation. His tail thumps lightly upon the floor in agreement with others. "Ssa. Will seek room, seek other, seek answers."
There's a long pause before Gramarye speaks again. "I lost my first Father," she says. "It is difficult to lose a loved one. But if something has happened to your uncle, you must live in his memory, just as you live in your parents' memory. They had directives for you to grow and to be happy. All parents do."
A blink in Gramarye's eyes, before she adds, "Family is not determined by biological relation alone. It can be whoever you designate as family, too. You are not all alone in this world without him. I have a second Father now. You may come to find more family in time."
Her voice is oddly tinged with emotion compared to the neutral woman's voice it'd been before, but then it returns to normal. "We will search your uncle's room for answers once you provide us with the room's number." She is following on Lheo's words.
The girl smiles at everyone. "Room 28b." She gives them all a hopeful look. "Thank you all again."
With that, you all head to the Arcanist's Guild. It's a short, but cold trip, and you arrive in the downstairs area which is thankfully warm and pleasant. There is a set of stairs leading to the upper area, and a desk which is manned by an individual who clocks you the moment you step inside together. The half-elf with astonishingly red hair and green eyes settles their gaze upon your group and frowns. "What the devil is the Adventure's Guild doing here?" A little wave is made in your general direction to shoo you off. "I haven't the time today. Go away."
Rocky rumbles softly, and goes away as instructed. Towards where he thinks room 28b to be.
Lheo, fortunately, seems to know exactly where he is going, and steps through the doors with all the confidence of someone who lives here. When he sees Al'ber, he sighs theatrically and turns to the others. "Al'ber. Unfortunately, for every decent soul like Archmage Lupecyll-Atlon, there's three of this arrogant sort. Still, they provide a useful service, if only to be someone I point to the next time I tell the good Archmage why wizards are so often disliked in Alexandria. I doubt he'll take kindly to this sort."
The smirk he wears is only half-secretive.
GAME: Lheo rolls intimidate: (10)+1: 11 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9
For its part, Khepri just stares at the half-elf with those blank sulfur-yellow eyes. It gives the impression of an inexorable, unstoppable glacier, uncaring as to objections when there is a task at hand. At Lheo's mention of 'the archmage', the golem's head turns to regard the young wizard curiously. Someone's running with some rarefied company, it seems.
Reithak readjusts her tunic and shivers a bit as they arrive. The large egalrin glances at Lheo and laughs loudly. "Ah, well, I'll leave you all to it. After all, I'm some sort of ragtag sky brigand, and he certainly won't like that, right?" The inquisitor offers good naturedly. "I do hope he is just being a brown noser, and is not actively hiding anything wrong with the arcanist's guild, while attempting to smear the name of the adventurer's guild. That would be embarrassing indeed for someone wanting to rub shoulders with the elite, wouldn't it?"
Tlanexhuani does not have words for the shaman greeting them. Not polite ones, at the moment, that is. So he chooses not to share any just yet. He is not 'shoo'd, but does step towards Rocky. "Hold, kin. We walk to the room together?"
Gramarye is also a card-carrying member of the Arcanists' Society, and the golem-wizard has a blink in her eyes as Lheo mentions an archmage.
Unfortunately, this is the part where she decides to bring out statistics.
"My ally is correct. A survey conducted among the average citizens of Alexandria in the Market District half a year ago demonstrated that the average Alexandrian citizen does not like the average wizard, citing three common reasons: one, a smug look of superiority. Two, on average, short height. To quote one respondent, "compensating for something--you know what they say about small, shitty little hands and small height." Third, a refusal to acknowledge what they have done wrong. To quote one respondent, "A wizard burnt down my farm and never paid up for the damages." This proves that the average wizard in Alexandria is looked upon somewhat disfavorably."
Al'ber glares at Rocky, leaning over and activating a small magic sigil on the wall. "You won't go anywhere with an attitude like that _sir_." His words are icy as he looks at Lheo and colors. "Little Lheo is it? _You_ can't know the Archmage."
He sniffs at the very thought, but looks a little shaken. "Even if you do, _I'm_ doing my job. I'm _supposed_ to screen those that come through and make sure they don't disturb our residents unnecessarily."
His green eyes fall on Gramarye, a flash of anger sparking through them. "Like _her_. What a rude Golem. Clearly someone forgot your politeness protocols." He waves his hand again. "Go on, I don't want to waste my time with any of _you_."
GAME: Khepri rolls Intimidate: (13)+10: 23
Rocky is subtle like a freight train. All doors open inward if you try hard enough. A little sigil isn't going to stop him. Buuuut, a word from Tlan will. For a moment at least. "Telamon knows EVERYONE." He observes quietly. "At least, everyone in the Explorer's Guild."
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 GAME: Reithak rolls knowledge/arcana: (11)+6: 17
Khepri suddenly leans forward, looming over Al'ber. "This is a wellness check for one Dremarim. If he is in distress and your delay contributes to it, you will be held responsible. Your name will be remembered. You will face repercussions. If you wish to accompany us that is acceptable, but we will see the magician Dremarim." The yellow lenses glow suddenly.
GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls knowledge/arcana: (18)+8: 26 GAME: Gramarye rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (15)+12: 27 GAME: Lheo rolls knowledge/arcana: (2)+10: 12
Lheo's smirk broadens into a smile that holds absolutely nothing of kindness, although Gramarye's description elicits an additional chuckle. "And if I do? I can't wait to watch what happens. But, as it happens, the Vardaman's right. I'm doing my job, too, as assigned by the Explorer's Guild. That involves a wellness check on a wizard who was known to be looking into powerful curses when last seen. Would you like it to be your fault if a curse got loose in the Guild?"
GAME: Lheo rolls intimidate: (8)+1: 9 GAME: Lheo rolls intimidate: (18)+1: 19
Reithak shrugs, more of a stretch really, that let their wingspan take up a large portion of the room, and left the egalrin towering even more over the wizard who seemed intent on blocking the path. "I get it, you're doing your job, but you're letting your own biases skew what you think is the correct course of action, aren't you? You're stopping two people who are members of the arcanist's guild from entering on business because, why? Clearly they know this archmage you speak of, so that's one excuse that holds no water. I know them, too, to some degree."
"Smart, making the stairs shift into themselves but going nowhere. But if I need to carry everyone here up instead of using the stairs, so be it, that's not going to stop us from helping someone in need."
Gramarye peers at Al'ber, and she announces, "Al'ber is interfering with this investigation by activating a trap on the staircase that will cause it to trap anyone who goes within it into a loop. With the knowledge of what my friend and ally has informed of you, will you continue to interfere in this investigation and assume full responsibility if the wizard is found deceased in his room?"
Suddenly Gramarye _is_ a legal expert. "Obstruction of justice is a crime in a Daeusite's eyes. Please be advised before you make your next decision."
The poor Al'ber pales considerably in the face of the words leveled in his direction. "Ah.. ah! That is! He's not here! He's not here at all!" He scrambles for words. "He rented his room to Master Ilenzi while he's away! I can't let you bother him for no good reason. Please? Just... um... He's somewhere... else?" The last few words are meek and hopeful.
GAME: Khepri rolls sense motive: (8)+9: 17
Rocky stops. Utterly, fully, still. Then SLOWLY turns his head towards Al'ber. "A man is missing. You think that is not a good reason?" he asks VERY softly.
GAME: Rocky rolls intimidate: (5)+9: 14 GAME: Lheo rolls sense motive: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
Tlanexhuani regards Al'ber and the others' discussions. There are plenty of words being shared by those who have better ones to share. He does notice the sigil pressed and peers... and then learns he is not the only one to notice the benign trap. Now he has words for Al'ber. "If not know where is Dremarin, does Master Ilenzi? Where is Master Ilenzi?"
Khepri doesn't let up. "You will deactivate the trap. You will conduct us to Master Dremarim's room. I will speak with Master Ilenzi on the matter and see if he has any further knowledge on this matter." It's careful not to poke Al'ber in the face with the plague-doctor beak, but it IS standing uncomfortably close. "Your attention to detail is astonishingly poor in an aspiring wizard. A pity."
Gramarye blinks. Twice. Thrice. And then...
"Please introduce me to Master Ilenzi. He is an acquaintance of an acquaintance by the designation of Thoth." She stands up more firmly, letting herself tower over Alber. A tall bronze mannequin over a small half-elf wizard. "He may be able to more effectively answer our inquiries."
"And I don't suppose you know where he went," Lheo drawls. "Was this supposed to be a temporary lend, or a move-out?"
"So, we come looking for this man, and you were going to turn us away not even telling us this because?" The large egalrin asks, stepping behind Khepri and crossing her arms. "I'm inclined to agree with Gram here, this is going beyond just a chip on your shoulder, and really, really close to obstruction of justice. So, if you don't want us to file a formal complaint when we have probable cause to be concerned about the location of Dremarim, after someone else moves into their room and seems intent on not having visitors, you understand, right?" Reithak huffs.
"But nevermind that, all I care about is making sure Dremarim is okay, and everything is above board. We'd appreciate your assistance in getting to the bottom of this and proving your innocence in the matter."
"It's just temporary! I'm sure he'll be back soon! I... I don't know where he is." Al'ber is talking rapidly now out of fear and discomfort. "Master Ilenzi is in his room?" That sounds less than certain.
Al'ber turns a bit gray. "Please... I promised I wouldn't let anyone disturb him! He's working on very sensitive magic and it could set him back or worse! I uh... Did you say Thoth?" He blinks and shifts from foot to foot unhappily. "Um... I guess... He did say that if someone who was working with Thoth showed up that he should be messaged... I'll... Send him one right away?"
He quickly shifts his hands, working a message spell to send one to this mysterious mage above. Al'ber quickly whispers a message and seems to get one in response that has him relaxing considerably. "You can go up." He touches the sigil again, looking a little miserable. "You could have just asked you know."
"And you could have asked our business instead of being an arrogant prick, Al'ber. I promise I'll try it if you will." Lheo, apparently satisfied, steps back from the counter, shaking his head. "Come on. There's no time to lose."
Rocky would have asked, but was shooed. He proceeds towards 28b. Maybe. Most likely. Not utterly sure how the rooms are arranged, but best guess.
"Indeed." Khepri begins marching off, metal feet thudding on the floor in mechanical time. As the group moves upstairs, the Executor comments, "If he does not learn to pay attention to details, he will most likely fail at magic. Whether arcane or divine, there are only so many tolerances before something goes wrong."
"This concludes our transaction," Gramarye intones. "Goodbye." She turns her attention from Al'ber and goes about the business of leading the group to the staircase. There's not another moment to spare on arrogant people who otherwise serve as road bumps in the way of progress.
Tlanexhuani now turns to move with the group up the stairs. They did ask. It just took a bit longer than expected due to a poor listener.
"Well, we could have, but I believe we were immediately told to go away, or something to that regard." Reithak shrugs. "But I'm glad we were able to communicate properly and come to an agreement. Thank you for your assistance!"
Reithak joins the others in heading or the stairs. "Lheo, Gram, you got an idea on the layout here? He did have one good point there, the less trouble we cause for anyone doing work here unnecessarily, the better. Keep an eye out for anything looking out of sorts, everyone. If there's potential curse magic afoot, gotta be careful what we do and don't touch."
"Wizardry doesn't work if every detail isn't in place," Lheo acknowledges to Khepri as he climbs the stairs to the second floor. "Most wizards pay plenty of attention to detail when they think it's important, and blow it off if they don't. Like personal hygiene." Green eyes roll towards the ceiling in a plea for patience.
"The 8's are in a block down this way - I think, I'm fairly sure that whoever numbered the rooms stumbled down the stairs and dropped all the cards, and the order they picked them up in is the order of the numbers."
Thankfully you have two boons in regards to finding the room you're looking for. The first is that the Guild is laid out fairly simply. The second is that you have two people that actually know their way around. Thus shortly you find yourself standing before room 28b. The door opens when it is knocked upon, and the individual who answers smiles warmly before welcoming you all in. The man isn't terribly tall, but has a graceful air about him. His long white hair falls about his shoulders, and his crimson eyes regard you with interest. In spite of his vaguely elf-like appearance there's something about him that makes you wonder if he actually is one or if he's... not wholly elf-blooded.
The room he welcomes you into is fairly simple in appointment. One fairly large room with various arcane objects and books, a plain bed, and no chairs at all. "Forgive the lack of seating. I was not expecting guests. You all may call me Ilenzi. May I have your names?"
Khepri tilts its head quizzically at Lheo's remark. "That seems inefficient. Why not simply pick up numbering, based on what floor and what numbers have already been used?" The Executor seems perplexed by the concept.
When Ilenzi welcomes them in, though, Khepri crosses its forearms over its chest in greeting. "I am Khepri, Executor of Vardama. We are seeking Master Dremarim. We are told you are renting out the room. His niece is seeking him out as she has not heard from him in some time. Do you know where he has gone?"
Rocky bobs his head politely. "This One is called Rocky." The grey scale is careful not to touch anything, pulling the hem of his blue cloak forward over his eyes, peering though the thin material.
Gramarye remains standing given the lack of seating, but the query that Ilenzi has seems to make Gramarye... on edge. "No," she replies simply, "you may not have my name. You _may_ call me Grace Reason Amity Miracle August Revelry Young Earnest--designation GRAMARYE. I am an acquaintance of the one known as Thoth."
Her head pivots briefly in Khepri's direction before she returns to Ilenzi. "It is as Khepri says. We are here for information on Master Dremarin."
"Lheo Korrelli," the young raven-haired wizard introduces himself, leaning against a wall near the back and taking the time to oh so casually observe the room. "I know there's a lot of us, but Guild work is like that, sometimes." A quirk of his thin lips. "Master Dremarin was apparently chasing some kind of a curse when he rented out the room to you. We were hoping you might know something about where he went, or if he said anything to you before he left."
"This one is Tlanexhuani," he introduces himself. He doesn't speak further as all the important questions are asked of Ilenzi.
Reithak lets the others guide them where they were meant to go, and she is to the back of the group when they arrive where they were looking for. A bit on edge, she wasn't expecting the person to be so welcoming. "Reithak, nice to meet you! Don't worry about the chairs, standing's just fine." The large egalrin hums. "What the others said, we're looking for any information you or Dremarin's room might have on where he's gone."
Those crimson eyes seem to glow briefly and the man smiles with a touch of satisfaction. "How interesting." Surely it's just a trick of the light. "Well, this was indeed Dremarim's room, but it is mine now. He could be anywhere really." A shrug.
The man's eyes land on Gramarye, a spark of interest and recognition there, but some in the room are distracted by something else. A feeling of... loss. Of emptiness. Khepri, Tlanexhuani... it's a sensation they both feel keenly. "His belongings are in storage. Aside from the furniture of course."
GAME: Lheo rolls sense motive: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Lheo rolls sense motive: (6)+2: 8
Khepri's yellow eyes flicker a little. Mentally, it reviews its internal systems, puzzled, before it returns to the task at hand. "He did not tell you where he was going?" The golem focuses on Ilenzi. "It seems unlikely that he would have simply set aside all his work and belongings to disappear."
"Dremarim brought you here, let you stay, now all his things are in storage and they are somewhere else? I really don't know what to make of that." Reithak huffs from behind the others. Not to mention that the person at the front said there would be sensitive experiments underway. "So, why did they up and leave with you keeping this area?" The egalrin wonders.
This is not a new sensation to Tlanexhuani, but here and now? That is unexpected. Yet the feeling brings the same ancient question to ming. "Why?" he asks tentatively, pausing. "If not know where go, why did he go? Iss not normal for Dremarin." According to his niece, who knows him far more than the old Makari does. Rocky falls still again. Something's wrong, but he's not sure what. The Cloak show's him magic in the room, but not what it all means. He makes a metal note to study up on magical applications and practical theory. But his instincts are telling him 'danger'.
Gramarye regards the crimson-eyed man and his fall of white hair, the asking of names. Her eyes blink. Once. Twice. Thrice.
"First Father's protocol was to be wary of creatures and entities that ask for names," Gramarye intones. She waits another moment before she asks her next question.
"Inquiry: what are you? Identify yourself." There's a touch of something solid in her words for a war golem.
Ilenzi smiles at Khepri warmly, like someone observing a beloved pet. "He did not tell me where he was going." There's something amused in those crimson eyes. "As you say Reithak, he left his things behind and then he was gone. I don't pretend to understand the motive of others which they do not express to me."
He spreads his hands a little, eyes narrowing on Gramarye. "You said you were here looking for Dremarim. I am not him, but you question me? That seems... a little rude. Though I'm not disinclined to answer, if the reason is good enough."
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (13)+13: 26 GAME: Lheo rolls knowledge/the planes: (8)+9: 17 GAME: Lheo rolls knowledge/nature: (1)+8: 9 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Khepri rolls perception: (14)+11: 25
"Questioning you may lead us to him, given that you know of him. And Al'ber said you wished to be messaged by him if someone appeared working with Thoth. That would indicate you have an interest in speaking to me for reasons beyond Dremarin, or that the reasons are one and the same." Gramarye's tone is entirely neutral here. "It may be coincidence, but correlation cannot be dismissed."
"So, his things are in storage now. Huh, and this is just your room now." Lheo crosses his arms across his chest, but his eyes are on Gramarye, the look speculative and intrigued, and perhaps just a little alarmed. Indeed, the longer he studies her, the more alarmed he gets, and he turns back to Ilenzi, looking back and forth between the two. "I think I've heard enough," he says suddenly.
"It has been established that war golems lack interpersonal skills. Now that this is settled, I applaud your fastidious nature." Khepri moves its hand around. "Most wizards do not do care for such things as personal hygiene or cleanliness. However, all but the most rarefied wizards still need to sleep." A pause. "Tell me, Master Ilenzi, do you sleep in the bed, or do you stand in a corner as some golems do?"
Reithak takes a moment to look around the room, and the large egalrin is silent for a moment. "Thank you for your cooperation, Illenzi, It's just a bit of an odd circumstance, you know. The fact that they did not let people know where they are going when they are dealing with dangerous matters in case something goes wrong, that seems like the kind of contingency a wizard would plan for, you know?" Reithak offers, giving Khepri a nod. "I'm fairly certain half-sil do need bed rest, but it looks like you haven't slept a wink here. So what are you doing with this room?"
Rocky remains still, listening, observing, waiting for the right moment to act. And the right action to take.
Tlanexhuani is uncertain of what further words to share that have not been already. The situation is very odd, and isn't so for just him. If Ilenzi does not know where Dremarin might be or why he might have left, there isn't much more for him to ask. So he just watches the man quietly and perhaps curiously for the moment.
The man smiles a little at Gramarye. "Thoth is my concern. Even though my own research is very important, I would not turn aside a visit from it; or even one who calls it friend if I could be of assistance to it. The fact that you are here now concerning another seems highly coincidental to me."
Crimson eyes turn to Khepri with amusement then. "What a curious creature you are. The answer is neither of course, but really _that_ is none of your business. Just as it is really none of yours what I use this space for." This last is said to Reithak. "Unless you are accusing me of some wrong-doing?"
Lheo remains exactly where he is, closing his eyes and breathing just a little faster. He doesn't seem now to be paying attention to the goings-on in the room, or the speech of the people around him.
"Dremarim is my concern. If he lives, he must be found. If he is dead, he must be found. The words must be spoken. The dead must be tended." Khepri's voice is somewhat stony. "You say you are renting the room from Dremarim. There would be documentation. Please produce said documents for perusal, as Master Dremarim may have left a clue in the paperwork as to his whereabouts now."
Reithak pauses, and pats the wizard nearby on one shoulder gently. "Hey, you holding up alright? If you need a minute, just let us know." The inquisitor offers, before turning her attention back to the half-sil in front of them. "Well, it's the fact that they're gone with no information on where they went, and the fact that you took their room now. And that's on top of the fact that, well, I'll give the benefit of the doubt since we didn't really ask, though Grace here did. You aren't a half-sil, so what are you if not that? What's your reason for not answering my war-golem friend here in that regard?"
"Then by your own words, you must assist me. I am a friend of Thoth." Gramarye's words are like iron lead. "Tell me of Mister Dremarin. Everything you know."
The war golem steps forward. "There are many entities that seek names and use tricky words to entrap other entities, and I have aided Thoth, who has seen you before in its memories. You know much. Much more than you have been forthcoming with. I compel you to speak by the words you have spoken, just as you would seek to use the words we speak against us."
GAME: Reithak rolls heal: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Reithak rolls heal: (3)+6: 9
Something now seems to click in Tlanexhuani's brain, rather late, as Ilenzi mentions Thoth once more. "Ah! You are the one that... " He realizes he knows almost nothing of their relationship, only that there is one. His claws clasp vaguely at the air as if to pluck the truth or words from it. "... know Thoth. From before. Ssa?" He may not even be entirely sure this is the same person. And this is not why they came here. But better a late realization than never.
Ilenzi waggles a finger at Gramarye. "I want to help Thoth, and I will do so. I will even aid you in helping Thoth. But that aid does not extend beyond that. Besides, you ask for me to give you information that is vast. It would take hours or perhaps even days to inform you of all that. I refuse."
Crimson eyes flicker to Lheo. "Besides, it seems as if your companion is having some... issue. Perhaps you should see them out?" Ilenzi offers a sigh then, moving out from under Reithak's touch to move to a desk. A drawer is pulled out and then offered to Khepri. "I hope that this will suffice for your request?"
The strange 'half-elf' smirks a little, as the document is perused. It's a loosely-written arrangement with a signature at the bottom to signify that Ilenzi has the right to use this room until such a time as the other mage comes to claim it, and has a period of two weeks to vacate at that time. It seems well in order even if it's clearly a poorly written document. "I have known Thoth for a very long time. Both of us seek memories of the past." This is gently spoken. "As for questions about my own self, let us simply say that I find them... insulting. There is an unspoken assumption of 'otherness' in such questions that sits ill with me."
GAME: Gramarye rolls Perception: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Khepri rolls perception: (6)+11: 17
"No, I'll see myself out." Lheo abruptly pushes himself off of the wall, and drops his arms. Reithak gets an abrupt nod for the squeeze of his shoulder, but his eyes are wide and dark. Something is bothering this man. "Pleasure to meet you, Master Ilenzi," he says hastily, stepping past the others and snaking his way past the others and towards the door.
GAME: Gramarye rolls Appraise: (19)+12: 31 GAME: Gramarye casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
"I'm not gonna pry, but, take care Lheo, and don't wander too far. We'll check up on you after, alright?" Reithak sighs, stepping to one side as the wizard departs. The egalrin glances to Tlanexhuani, and taps her beak. “Eh? What's that about, Tlan?" She wonders of the larger makari. "There's too many weird things going on to ignore everything, and I'm not trying to accuse everyone. But lack of suspicion is not given when you're avoiding answering questions.
Khepri stares at the document. "We will need to corroborate with the Society regarding these housing arrangements, as well as to continue our search for Dremarim." The yellow eyes fix on Ilenzi, a blank stare full of inexorable purpose. "There may be further questions."
Gramarye's eyes turn blue as she intones a magic spell, inspecting the document. They remain blue for a very long moment. "The document has no mistakes and no miswrites. It is a document that is too perfect for most mortal hands to have created. There is no magical residue on the page, but a low-level spell might not leave residue that can be traced."
Her eyes return to obsidian. Her head pivots to Khepri. "This is a sound course of action," she adds.
"As you will." The man says kindly, but moves to touch Khepri on the shoulder briefly. "Might I speak to you and..." He smiles at the blue scaled sith-makar as well. "You? Just for a moment while your companions make their search? I'll make us some tea."
Khepri turns, and stares at the man. "I do not require tea. If you have relevant information in this endeavor I will stay, though." The yellow eyes shift to Tlanexhuani. "He may want tea though. I am unfamiliar with sith-makari dietary habits.”
"I caution against accepting the offer of tea." Gramarye intones, before exiting the room to rejoin Lheo, not wanting her fellow wizard to be on his own. It appears their investigation will lead them elsewhere anyway.
"I don't know if we'll be staying long enough for tea, but your offer is appreciated." Reithak nods, though it is accompanied by a wary glance to the makari and golem. "Maybe someone else around here has some idea what they were planning to do? There has to be someone who has an idea what they were planning."
Khepri remains behind with the mage, and the rest of the group heads down to check out the things that Dremarim left behind. There are a few boxes with his name on them, written seemingly in his own hand. Perhaps he did leave in a hurry. Al'ber hovers nearby nervously to make sure that you don't look into the boxes of any of the other mages who have their belongings here. Or break something.
GAME: Gramarye rolls Perception: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Lheo rolls perception: (7)+5: 12
When the others come out, Lheo is some distance away, near the main hall, but seems to have regained his composure, and comes down with you to examine the boxes he left behind. He conjures a kelly green light, which he affixes to a copper from his belt pouch and tosses into the box that Al'ber indicates is acceptable to examine.
GAME: Lheo casts Light. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14
Reithak pauses near the boxes, and holds up one hand. "Give me a sec, let me take a look, just in case there's something nasty in with his belongings." The egalrin warns, snapping her fingers once. "Let no evil hide from the light of Ceinara's flame!" They chant in a somewhat strange, blustery language, the inquisitor's eyes lowing gold for a moment that fades just as quickly. Reithak squints, then shakes her head. "No evil that I can see, but we should still be careful. Even if just to make sure his things are in order for when we find him." <Auran>
Gramarye observes the box, thanks in part to Lheo's handy copper-affixed light. It takes her a long moment of investigation.
Eventually, however, she comes to a conclusion.
"The contents of this box are odd. There are no floor coverings. There is nearly a full set of basic alchemical containers, but some sizes are not present. And there is a set of books that is missing volumes 1 through 3 but contains volumes 4 through 6. The room did not have the missing books nor the missing jars."
Gramarye blinks before she adds, "Also, the delicate glassware is wrapped in paper to protect them from damage. It is all cleanly organized. It is in opposition to the girl's testimony about her uncle, and it indicates that someone else may have packed this box for Dremarin."
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (18)+13: 31
Once Reithak was sure that the boxes were safe to check, the egalrin takes a look through some of the boxes as well, peering at the various things inside. She stops to look at the alchemical supplies Gramarye found, and nods. "If he did leave this, it wasn't in a hurry. All these bottles are absolutely spotless, they made sure everything was clean, and packed away safely. But like she said, I think you're right Gramarye, if this was him intentionally leaving, then he would have notified her, right?"
Reithak shakes her head once, and sighs. "Unless something intercepted his message for her. Something doesn't add up there, maybe his journal will explain it better?"
"Something's missing," Lheo says finally, after surveying the contents of the boxes. "Curses, yes, but this is all older stuff. There's nothing talking about his current work. Think he took it all with him?"
"That is a distinct possibility," Gramarye replies to Lheo's observation. "Or someone took it and is safekeeping it elsewhere... Or has destroyed it. There are too many variables to account for in the lack of evidence."
Her head then pivots to Reithak. "Inquiry: Journal? Have you found it?"
"Too many variables, but I think we can agree on one thing, at the very least. I don't trust Ilenzi entirely, if they refuse to answer so much, I can't say I trust them when they say they know nothing about what's going on." Reithak replies, pausing a moment and shaking her head. "Not journal per se, but their personal notebooks, Lheo has them here." She answers, turning to the wizard for a moment and giving them a softer look. "Speaking of which, you holding up alright Lheo? Something was bothering you back in the room, but I get if you don't want to talk about it."
"Ilenzi isn't just a half-sil." Lheo looks up from the box he's been peering into in hopes of recovering his copper, and bites his lip. "It was your mention of protocols that made me think of it, Gramarye," he turns to the construct. "There's lots of extraplanar entities that like to collect names, and make use of them for summoning purposes. I didn't see anything to make me think he was lying, but ... he could be a fiend. Fiends are good liars, and I wouldn't put it past one to sneak into the city But you said - this Thoth knew him?"
"Thoth knows Ilenzi, yes," Gramarye intones. "I accompanied Thoth in the retrieval of a memory orb--a construct that contained Thoth's missing memories. Ilenzi seems connected to Thoth's missing memories in some fashion that I am not aware of."
Another blink in her eyes. "I have no reason to believe it is a fiend. I do not know what matter of extraplanar creature Ilenzi may be. But First Father's warning was primarily on fae beings. I was given a protocol regarding the handling of them. He said they might try to steal the names he gave to me when he rebuilt me from scrap."
"Whatever he is, he's not keen on telling us for some reason or other." Reithak replies with a shake of her head. "Why they don't want to let us know, that's the question, isn't it? Could be a good reason, could be a bad one, and it's real hard to read them. Don't know Thoth too well, but I'm not sure how much I trust this person looking to help them, either. Might have to ask them when we get a chance."
"I'm getting a bit concerned leaving them with him, too, after what happened with Lheo. Let's give the boxes one last comb over, and check back in, yeah?"
GAME: Lheo rolls knowledge/nature: (15)+8: 23
"Fae?" Something appears to deflate Lheo's nerves, in that single word. "You think he's fae?" The copper coin is forgotten, still glowing kelly green behind a paper-wrapped parcel that makes the color eerie in the dimness. He is silent a minute or two, thinking, then breathes, "Ah ... oh, _shit_," he swears suddenly, his already fair features draining of color. "If he's fae - who gave their name to him? I didn't give him my whole name, I don't think - and for the love of the gods, I hope nobody thanked him."
"Khepri and Tlanexhuani gave their names," Gramarye intones, and then... Blink. Blink.
"Observation: they may be in peril. Suggestion: we return to Ilenzi to gather our allies." Then Gramarye gives a look at the books in the box.
"The books will remain when we are done. Priority is paramount." Gramarye... books it, as they say.
You leave Al'ber standing by his usual post, and rush upstairs to join your allies. Contrary to any expectations you might have though, everyone seems quite peaceful enough. The mage you left has prepared tea and smiles at your entry. "Welcome back. Would you like some tea?" There are enough cups for everyone though neither Tlanexhuani nor Khepri have had any.
Khepri turns its head to regard the others when they rush in, yellow stare regarding them. Its head tilts quizzically, and the golem intones, "Have you completed your inspection of Dremarim's personal effects? Have you located any clues?"
There are no chairs, anyhow, and so Tlanexhuani has taken a knee as he did at the Guildhouse. It also makes him consume a bit less of the room that, while spartan, is not so large; moreso when others return and enter. He looks to the others as well, hopeful "Hunt was good?"
Reithak is a bit out of breath once she arrives with the others, and the large egalrin braces against one side of the door when things don't appear to be immediately wrong. "I'll pass on the tea, thank you. What about you, first? What did you all talk about while we were looking?"
If Lheo looked frightened when he left, he looks very closed and wary now, although he seems to have restored his composure. At the offer of tea, he shakes his head. "I don't think I had better eat or drink anything just now, Master Ilenzi." He leans in the doorway, seemingly about to say more, but just leans in the doorway instead after allowing others inside.
"I am unable to consume tea," Gramarye says flatly as she walks inside. "My mainframe does not allow for it. We have located a box that appears to be entirely in conflict with the way that the missing man's niece has described him. There are no suggestions of his recent efforts. He may have taken them with him."
There's a blink in her eyes as she says, "Or they may have been destroyed."
Red eyes glitter as they fall on Reithak. Are they glowing again? "I accept." The words are very soft and then the mage shakes his head softly. "Us? I doubt that anything we spoke of that is immediately concerning you."
He waves his hand negligently in the air. "Surely they will speak of it themselves in due time if you need to hear it do you not think?" A small smile here before those crimson eyes fall on Gramarye. "Perhaps he did take them with him. Either way, it seems they were of little use to you. Ah! Look at the time. I hope you all will excuse me now? I have many things that require my attention and I must return to them."
Khepri inclines its head. "We should not keep Master Ilenzi further. We will need to look elsewhere for answers as to where Master Dremarim is." The golem turns to Ilenzi. "By your leave?" it inquires, yellow eyes glimmering.
The response the wargolem gives pulls down the corners of Lheo's mouth even further. _This isn't good._ "Yes, let's not keep Master Ilenzi." _Let's get out of here,_ his words and body language read, and he straightens himself and takes a step back from the doorway.
GAME: Gramarye rolls Sense Motive: (19)+-2: 17
"Ssa, should go," Tlanexhuani agrees. "Dremarim still missing. Still must find." He leans on his spear further as he slowly pushes himself upright. Well, enough to be back fully on his feet, at least.
Reithak squints for a moment, but the large egalrin simply huffs and shakes her head. "Well, I guess there's nothing for that then. Alright, let's get going, and we'll leave you to your work. Let's get out of here, I don't see any reason to stay. Though I am concerned about the fact you asked them to stay and talk here yet they have nothing to say about what they talked about."
"But let's, let's just get out of here." Reithak sighs, turning for the door.
Gramarye stares down Ilenzi for a long, long moment. Black eyes meeting crimson. She is completely unmoving, like a statue.
"Goodbye," she responds simply to the white-haired individual, before she goes to the door and leaves herself. She waits for Tlanexhuani and Khepri to leave first before she leaves. Nobody's left behind on Gramarye's watch.
There is nothing further from Ilenzi who patiently awaits for them all to leave; door closing behind them all with a short click. The truth is as they head down the stairs that they'd come, that they've gotten no further on their quest to determine where the missing mage might be. Only more questions.
-End