Search and Rescue

Children have gone missing, not just any children, but all the children of the gnomish ButtonSlammer family. They all went misisng at once while playing with their new corgi puppies. They were last seen in the western end of the city near the gates. The parents are fantic and have offered a gold reward to anybody willing to go help find them. From afar, Selerik is slow, but can show

Missing children and puppies. How ...frolic-y. If only their elders had kept better watch, maybe they wouldn't have wandered off. On the other hand, Aya would not be able to reap the benefits of the frantic results if they had. Compared to evading Dranei armies or tracking egomaniacal magi, this should be a rather uneventful and simple task. Easy coin.

bleeding hearts of the world unite! Of course the everyone's most ancient and loving viking would show. The weathered Daeusite tendering a few fond strokes of his beard as he listens to the gnomish plight. "And the puppies?" He purses his lips an looks about. "Either trick most foul, or children wandering off. But find the short-legged blighters we will."

Elisabeth asks about the personal belongings of the children. When the unique bracelets are described, she nods. "Once ready for such, Daeus will help me to home in on one of the bracelets the children wear. It should help us to locate them", she says to the others volunteering for the rescue. Turning back to the parents, she adds, "We will, of course, do all that we can to find and safely return your children to you."

Kiroth does not need a reward to find lost children as he shows up once he has heard about what is going on. He comes dressed in his full plate mail with his sword and shield and he is ready to help find these lost children. He listens to the parents describe the bracelets to Elisabeth, "Do you plan to use a scry spell to find them?"

Elisabeth nods her head in reply to Kiroth's question. "To find one of the bracelets, which I hope are still with the children", she clarifies.

The parents are clearly distraught, "Blighters?" The mothers face falling and looking to her husband concern only growing, "I hope they are retured safely, and the puppies. Those corgies are pure breed."

Kiroth looks over at the parents, "We shall do our best to see that the children are returned safe to you." He takes a moment and closes his eyes as he calls upon his banesight. When he opens his eyes they are glowing with a white holy fire as he looks around, perhaps to try to find the trail of those that would kidnap children. Kiroth looks all around and he also focuses on the parents for a moment.

Bjoric raises an eyebrow, and shakes his head. "Don't mind the rough language ma'rm." He waves a hand in the direction of Alexandria proper. "If you saw the little scabs they set on me on a daily basis you'd have not a worry." He scratches his chin with a wrinkled hand. "We'll look into the corgies, but those might be a bit more wander-ful."

Selerik works with children frequently. When the situation was known, much like Kiroth he came to assist as best he could. His stance on the puppies is less clear.

Elisabeth suggests to the other adventurers/rescuers, "Shall we go to where the children were last seen and begin from there?"

Kiroth closes his eyes once he is done looking around and he nods to Elisabeth as he has stopped using his banesight. "That would be the best place to start at the beginning." He looks around at the group of assembled adventurers, "Unless there is a tracker or one with an animal companion that can track among us?"

The parents wave the party off, "Please, save the children at whatever it takes." The party heads to the western gate where a couple of guards stand on each side watching people come and go.

Bjoric shakes his head. "I am more the ask around sort of tracker. Takes a tad bit longer I would think." He adjusts the strap across his bare chest, the hilt of his sword wobbling about. "Though I would trade the gold for one of those pure bred corgies. Maybe they'd have the snoot to find things next time." "That would be the best place to start," Aya agrees. As to the pups, she points out, "The hounds didn't have the sense nor nose to find their way back home. They're probably not any more reliable than the children they played with."

At the gate, Elisabeth first approaches the guards, to describe the situation and ask if they or any of their fellows saw anything or heard anything about the children and their disappearance... or where they were last seen playing.

Nadara is totally here!

"We'll get your kids back," says the goblin, "Rada'll ne ver forgive me if I let a contract go sour." She pats her pistol at her side. She's ready enough, the one-eyed goblin girl.

The guards looks at each other and shrugs, "Nope no children, though speaking about it. There were two wizards I think, along with eight mounted men on giant dogs riding out. Seems rather joyous for grown men." Another guard speaks up,"Well the dogs were large, but the riders were gnome sized, eight in all. They were heading out west, along the main road. Had two men riding with them, seemed to be having a grand ole time. THat was about four hours ago thoug."

Bjoric tugs at his ear and spits on the ground. "Almost sounds like a fey hunt." Whelp! Cracking his knuckles he looks to the others. "Certainly seems to me like a lead that should be followed. What say you all?"

Aya arches one snowy brow at the guards. "If we didn't happen to be gnome children we were looking for, they would be gnome-sized." The other lifts at the description. "Joyous how?"

The guard shrugs, "The more I think about it, the more I realize they were children. The laughing, giggling, teasing, they were acting like children going on a field trip. Joyus you know."

Selerik frowns at that news. "That... Sounds like a spell I've seen before. Makes anything you see seem normal, until you think about it again later. Very disorienting when pie is involved."

"Let's head westwards, I suppose... I do wish one of us were a skilled tracker", Elisabeth says.

You are all able working together, and Bjoric leading the way, find the trail of the children and follow it easily enough. They head west along the main path for a mile and you find a small fort. A well well made and rather new fort of wood and stone. The eight children are playing queit happily with eight giant corgis with saddles.

Kiroth listens as the others question the guards and he shrugs, "We will do fine with what we have." He thanks the guards for their help before he follow along with the others. He looks to the others, 'Did anyone thing to ask what the name of the children were from the parents?"

Aya hmms. "It would be much easier to take them elsewhere if they were willing. Enchanted, or deceived." She keeps this in mind as they follow the trail of pawprints and effervescent giddiness. When the very recently-constructed fort comes into view, she pauses. "Or maybe they simply ran off to play. I've been told children do that, from time to time..."

Bjoric stands still, staring at the fort the children play within. "Well you certainly seem right about that." He motions with a hand at the fort. "Though it certainly seems to me that someone has given them a bit of assistance in establishing their world of pretend. A bit too much help."

Selerik finds something odd about this whole situation. With a discrete cantrip, he confirms it. "The whole area reeks of magic." He shakes his head. "Don't trust your eyes." Aya rolls one shoulder in a half-shrug. "The next generation of soldiers start training eventually. Why not now? The more genuine the more educational." A glance to Selerik. "Thogh maybe this is not so genuine.:"

Elisabeth says, "I will ask Daeus to let me see the magicks in play, although I am versed in translating what I see." That said, she prays to her god to let her detect the flow of magic in the area.

One of the corgis lets out a burp of flame, and another a burp of lightning. The children let out some laughs and then spot the party, "Hey! Want to come play with us! We got one left, maybe we can get you something nice!" The eldest child, about 9 jumps up. Claps his hands and red billowing smoke forms around him and then moves next to the childre. A large red horned creature appears and bows to the child, "I serve at my masters behalf. You have one wish left, what do you wish for?"

Selerik blinks at the request of a wish, he raises a hand to his mouth and calls out. "Better save it for later! You think of all sorts of great wishes when you sleep!" You can see it on his face - this is bad.

Kiroth closes his eyes to activate his banesight as he looks around. "No doubt someone made this magical situation to hold the children here." He stops speaking as he sees the red horned creature speaking to the children. He knows an outsider when he sees it although which kind of demon or devil he is not sure of. He resists the urge to draw his sword as experience has taught him a least a little patience, "Greetings. Hello children yes we'd be happy to play with you. Can you tell us who your companion is?" He asks as he steps forward, "I am Sunblade Kiroth. What are all your names?"

"...lovely," says NAdara, putting a hand over her face. She's letting the others take the lead at this point.

"Interesting..." Aya notes, softly and mostly to herself. She then calls out, politely. "Yes, child, please introduce us to your friend. They seem to know all the best games."

Elisabeth's eyes widen a bit at the sight of the creature with the children. She takes a step forward, hand moving towards the hilt of her sheathed sword, her mouth opening as if to speak... but the others speak more calmly and reasonably, eschewing immediate aggressive action. This stays her hand. Instead of drawing her sword, she simply rests her hand upon its hilt and stops to stand where she is, glancing about.

The eldest smiles, "This is Zxicalu" Another childspeaks up, "No no it was Xcalic." the red horned creature visible winces, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xcaliuou, Efreeti, noble of the Malik. I am currently in the service of the eldest child here. Samuel Button Smasher."

Bjoric has been quiet, unsure how to proceed. His last few run ins with outsiders had not gone on too well. In fact the whole outsider culture was really starting to get his goat. Crossing his arms across his chest he strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Service. So what are you getting out of this deal? I mean if someone wanted to offer you employment, what would they have to offer?"

Kiroth inclines his head politely, "It is an honor to meet you Xcaliuou. Can you tell me how you came into the service here of young Master Samuel?" He asks as he moves closer to the children with his hands out by his side. "I am amazed at your giant corgis. Do they all breath fire and lightning or does each one have a different type of breath?"

"...ah. In service. To the child," says Nadara, "I'd be interested to know the details of the contract," she adds, casually, "assuming you're willing to share them, of course, noble efreeti." She sounds slightly like she's got a headache.

Aya is curious of the contractual details, herself... and now quiets to listen as the question's already been asked, more than once.

Selerik is just rubbing his temples like he wandered into a bad dream and pacing in circles. He is from Veyshan, stories like this so rarely end well there.

The efreeti smiles faintly, "I am bound to a lamp." classic it would appear. "Samuael found it." The boy beams then waves to the children, "Lets go play and leave the adults to talk about adult stuff!!" The children then all run off to their fort with their acid, fire, lightning, ice, wind, and other breathing corgis. The Efeerti looks back to the group, "They are though under my sway. I am willing to release them, if you release me. Destory my prison, and you have my word I will head back to my home, and leave the children as they are and safe."

Elisabeth frowns. "You are a prisoner?", she questions. This thought seems to make her not want to fight quite so readily. "How might one destroy your prison?", she asks.

Aya ahs softly and dips her chin at the efreeti. "I can understand your... predicament. Is this lamp still in the young master's hands?"

"While I've little reason to doubt what you say is true -- a deal is a deal after all -- I have to assume there's a reason you were bound to the lamp in the first place."

Nadara glances towards Aya, then back to the djinn. "Your tale must certainly be an impressive one."

Selerik finally takes his hands from his head, seeming to put something together. "Oh wonderful..." He moves the hand to his face a moment, then bows to the Efreeti. "I am Selerik, of House Delent. I recognize you, noble Efreeti, and honor the traditions of my people." He crosses his arms, frowning a bit. "He really is nobility, that wasn't just fancy wordplay. His rank is recognized in parts of my homeland, and I am to give him hospitality." A look towards the Efreeti of annoyance. "Though children as leverage is uncouth, whatever the circumstance."

"Uncouth, maybe, but it's hardly leverage," Aya adds to the conversation of adult things. First, in general, now to the efreeti, "I respect your desire for freedom, but freedom something earned, not granted. How do you intend to earn it?"

The efreeti motions back to Samuael, "Destroy the lamp, and I will be set free. I have given you my word." then looks to Aya and Nadira, "My tale of my capture is one of foolishness and where I made a bad deal." Then looks to the group as a whole, "Uncooth it may be, but the only leverage I have. I work with what I was given. Your decision?" A glance to Selerik, offering a bow, "Thank you."

"I must agree with Aya", Elisabeth says to the djinn. "If you wish our help in freeing you, you will have it, but you must free the children first. If you do this for us, I will do all I can to free you. On this I swear by the light of the Shining Knight."

"She /is/ a Daeusite. You know they're good to their word, value free will, so on," agrees Nadara with a sigh.

Kiroth hmms, "What will you do with your freedom? I have to wonder. I do not want to free a malicious entity that has been rightfully sealed even if it is in servitude. I would like to hear how you can to be in the position you are in."

Bjoric furrows his brow, and then lifts and raises his shoulders. "I am no great man, nor wise in the ways of your courts. But freedom is a given, not something earned. You swear the children are safe and you will return immediately. This alone is enough for me to agree." He eyes Elisabeth with a discerning blue gaze. "I am sorry my companions, but even if malicious, slavery is unacceptable."

"On that I agree", Elisabeth says to Bjoric. "The children must be freed, however. That done, I -will- do all I can to honor the bargain struck. I cannot abide children being held hostage, even if they don't see it as such."

Selerik sets to pulling a few things out of his handy haversack while the others discuss. Because why wouldn't the bard travel with a magic bag containing supplies for making tea? He even has a little candle to warm the pot. Others can discuss the situation, tea takes focus.

The efreeti nods, "Your word has been given follow of the Shining Light." The motions to the children, "They are poisoned, a common forest mushroom. In about an hour they will fall over and die without warning." He reaches to a satchel on his belt and tosses it the party, "The antidote." then crosses his arms and waits.

"My point," Bjoric says. "He already agreed to that bargain. The only edit I would add is that he returned them to their state prior to leaving the village this morn. The corgies as well are included in that. I would assume you have the power for that sort of thing?" He looks to the Efreeti. "Beyond a handshake, that is enough for me.

Aya glances to the Daeusite, brow arching at the unexpected agreement and more expected twisting of words to fit her shiningly dim view. "It seems we agree on very little, not that I'm surprised." Her attention moves back to the efreeti. When it accepts, a shoulder rolls. "He would never had allowed them to die out here, at any rate." "..you poisoned the children," says Nadara, slowly.

"Let me get this clear. You poisoned the /children/?" She is sounding markedly more upset.

Kiroth frowns deeply, "You poisoned them..." He narrows his eyes and then looks as if he's about to draw his sword on the efeerti, but he turns his attention to the children. "Come on let's go find them. We can deal with this efeerti later." He moves to go after the children, "Samuel can you come here for a moment we need to talk to you and your siblings."

Bjoric looks back at the gobber. "He did not say that. Simply that they were poisoned by a common mushroom around here."

The efreeti grins to Bjoric, "I cannot, they made a wish and the wish was granted. Another wish would have to be taken to return the corgis back to their normal state. That is beyond my ability." then he looks to Nadira, "First, I am going to go home and take vengence on the other noble that tricked me into my imprisonment. Second, yes, I poisoned the children." then he looks to Elisabeth, "You gave your word."

Selerik sets the tea to brewing, stepping away and dusting his hands off on his knees a moment before rising. "Perhaps I did not mention it. Efreeti are what we would call evil. They keep their word, but they do not enjoy it. That he is letting the children enjoy their shortlived adventure even that long without imminent death is more merciful than most of his kind." A small frown. "Xcaliuou of the Malik." A small bow of the head. "The wish belongs to he who holds the lamp, does it not? And the wish could be used to wreak vengeance against the noble who betrayed you, while granting you protection frm blame?" Selerik bends back down, pouring the tea into a small cup with a saucer. The wonders of what you can keep in a handy haversack. He carries the cup, carefully, over towards the Efreeti.

"You were instructed by your current master to grant us your final wish. I wish that your influence over both the corgis and the children, including but not limited to the poisoning and all granted wishes, be nullified, that the children be completely free of you. Grant me this wish, in the manner that I intend it be granted, that I may keep my word to you without anguish of conscience. This I ask of the noble djinn", Elisabeth says.

The efreeti smiles again, "We cannot grant wishes for ourselves, but only for others. The final wish will not be used for myself, and can only be granted for the one who is promised. Which for this day is Samuel ButtonSmasher. You will have to convince him to make that wish, regardless of if you hold the lamp or not." Samuel on the other hand rides out on his fire breathing Corgi and grins to the group, "Done talking adult stuff? Somebody called my name?" The efreeti looks to Samuel, "They are claming that you gave your final wish to them. I recall such words, but you were asking if there was something they were wishing for. Not that you are giving it to them. Do you wish to give them your wish, or to hear their wish and decide if you woudl grant it?" THe efreeti offering a grin and smiles back to the party, "Remember your word was given, they are not hostages." Looking specifically at Elisabeth.

Aya rubs her left ear briefly with the hand of the same, now that details from various sides are revaled after the bargain was struck. This is when these things are revealed, of course... at least by those talented at bargaining. A brow eventually arches towards Elisabeth. in mild query.

"..will that even work?" asks Nadara, eyebrows up at Elisabeth.

Selerik delivers the tea to the Efreeti, keeping to the hospitality before mentioned. While there, he murmurs something quietly to them.

Bjoric runs his fingers over his face, tiredness showing in his expression. The old man grunts as he takes a seat, crossing his legs beneath him. He looks to Selerik who seems to have an idea about how this works. "When this is done, you are going to have to teach me how to deal with this sort of thing." His head shakes and he eyes the Efreeti and Elisabeth. "Seems to me you are making this more complicated than it needs to be, for sheer enjoyment. Word was given. Good or ill, law and honor is important, and unfortunately looked at as lesser even by the faithful."

Selerik whispers "Would it not be justice to wish the Efreeti that trapped you to take your place bound to the lamp? Slavery for the slaver, as it were."

You whisper "A wish that is not mine to make, and a wish that is beyond the power of a single wish. Though one I would entertain, if it was possible." to Selerik.

"I agree," Aya dips her chin to Bjoric, "but that's the cost of striking hasty bargains."

Kiroth nods, "Yes Samuel we are done talking about adult stuff. I'd like to talk to you about something. Now you look like you are a very responsible young man and you want to take care of your brothers and sisters." He says as he moves over to the boy and kneels down in front of him. He puts his hand on the young boy's shoulder, "Do you remember eating some mushrooms? Well we just found out that these mushrooms will make you and your siblings really sick. We have some medicine we'd like to give you and your siblings to make you feel better, but we promised to set Xcaliuou free from the lamp if he did so. Will you help us keep our promise to Xcaliuou so that we can help you and your siblings?"

Selerik gives a small shrug of helplessness as he returns to the others. He seems to have, again, spoken his part and opted to let things play their course for a bit. He gets a second cup of tea for himself.

Bjoric shakes his head and rubs the bald expanse of his head with a weathered hand as he replies to Aya. "When the fisherman asks the boatbuilder to build him a boat, the boatbuilder does not ask the fisherman why." He points to the Efreeti. "The boatbuilder does not know if the fisherman is evil or malicious. Hasty? Perhaps. But the boatbuilder shows good faith and lives by example in the hopes the fisherman will do the same. That is the purpose of law."

"Arsehole knew what he was doing with leveraging kids, yes. Good way to make people act hasty," agrees Nadara to Aya and Bjoric, but she clearly has her sympathies for the other. "COntracts are always word games. ALways, always, always."

Aya arches a brow at Bjoric. "I would think the builder would at least ask for payment for the boat, or he'd soon starve and there would be no more boats..." She gestures to Nadara. "Exactly. Their...friend," she notes, now that Samuel returned, "offered nothing, and was granted everything."

Selerik does a little gesture with his hand not on the tea glass, clearing his throat and giving a reassuring smile to the children. Not words exactly, but urging things on.

"Samuel... will you give me that last wish, as you said you would do?", asks Elisabeth.

Samuel nods and frowns, "Ahh thats not good." The motions to his siblings, "Hey come have some of this uhh tasty umm medicine." The other children pipe up, "Medicine never tastes good! Do I have to? Ahhh..." The children then all let out a collective sigh and grumble, "The big red guy says we have to." yet the efreeti said nothing, seems to be telepathy going on here. The efreeti smiles over to Bjoric, "And that is why I have kept my word, and not broken it. Ensuring that the children are safe, as was demanded. And, why I will not allow you to twist ie and claim things that were not claimed. I expect and demand the same level of binding to ones word as I am giving." Glancing to Elisabeth, waiting. The lantern is easily seen hanging from Samuels belt. The efreet then lifting up the cup of tea and taking a sip, "I will remember this favor, Lord Selerik."

Samuel looks to Elisabeth, "uhh maybe. Whats your wish? Red man has been very kind and nice! Look at this amazing fort! And our riding corgis! Mine breaths fire!" The efreeti will add on, "He has to make the wish, regardless of giving it away. The wish must be made by him." The Jinn is clearly enjoying this a little bit.

"Samuel, will you wish that what I said earlier is what happens? I wished that you and your siblings, and all your sweet corgis, are home safe and sound just like you were before you met the red man, before you ate the bad mushrooms", Elisabeth says.

Selerik winces a bit as Elisabeth speaks, again doing the little gesture with one hand and clearing his throat. He wants this to end well, really he does. However that manages to happen.

Samuel mulls it over for a long moment. Then nods eagerly, "It is getting late! Time to get home. I wish for everything she said." then pauses, then adds on quickly, "except the corgies, keep the corgies big!" Then Efreeti grins as he holds up his hand and snaps his fingers. Wish a flash the gnomes are gone, the fort is gone, and the corgies are gone. He looks to Elisabeth, "In respect, the corgies are still large, but they no longer breath different elemental affixtures." he then points to the lamp, that was left on the ground.

Aya lifts both brows at the easily influenced child and the sudden departure of all but the efreeti. "Well then, it looks like our business is nearly concluded, and not so terribly, afterall."

"...we still have to break the lamp, yeah? That may be easier said than done. These magical things have a tendnecy to be pretty hardy." She draws her dragonspitter.

Elisabeth draws her sword and steps foward, clearly intending to attempt to break the lamp, as she said she'd do.

Aya takes a single step back. It was not her bargain, and there is always to possibility of hardy explosions.

Selerik discretely points a finger at the lap, muttering something about tea and leaves and sparing the tree.

The lamp will take some work, it is clearly a magical item and hardned. Until the dispel magic hits it, temporarily weakening it to where a couple of good whacks causes it to crack, and then shatter. The lamp puffs into smoke and the Efreeti smiles, "Then our business is done." He spins and a circle of flame forms around him, and then in a ball of fire quickly turning to smoke, he is gone. The tea cup Selerik offered him the only thing left in its place.

Elisabeth sheathes her sword, picks up the tea cup, and carefully returns it to its owner.

Selerik is extremely concerned when Elisabeth picks up the tea cup. "Careful with that! The dregs in the cup are important!" He goes over to meet her, gingerly accepting the glass and eying the insides. "No no no damn!" He tosses the contents of the tea cup onto the ground in frustration. He doesn't seem upset at Elisabeth, just frustrated. A breathe, and he finds his composure. "Sorry. Don't think anything of it." And the mask comes up, Selerik once again acting good natured as he tucks away the rest of the tea set.

Aya watches as the prisoner is freed to depart and teacups are returned. "Shall we return? I'm sure the family will be pleased to see us, if not as pleased as they are to see their..." Her words trail off as she looks at Selerik. "Is something wrong?"

Looking at Selerik, Bjoric raises a bushy blond eyebrow. "I assume that means we somehow got the raw end of the deal, eh?" Pressing a hand to the ground the old viking rising to his feet. "Naught to do about it now." Wiping the grass and dirt off his legs he moves with the group back to the village.

Selerik flexes one hand a few times before shaking his head. "We don't know where the boy found the lamp, do we?" A glance around at the others, trying to keep that smile up. "I support you, as I always do, let's hope this was all a happy accident and see that the children and their parents are safe and sound."