Subject: Surin goes out

Ragnar thinks for a moment. "Ok the Lady obviously wants to talk to Ran and it seems that she wants him to show up alone. Alone may not be the best idea, but we might have to consider it. First, lets see where she is. Surin, can you go out and try and find where the Lady's quarters are. If you find out, see if you can do a bit of recon and see how easy it might be for us to get in." The halfling nods " I met this old dwarf when I was out and about earlier. Let me see if he is still at the bar. Give me some gold. A good drink usually loosens the tongue." Ragnar nods "Harp, give Surin some gold." The dwarf turns to hide the wide grin on his face as Harp sputters and then digs into his pouch to give Surin some spending money.

Surin head straight for the small bar he had met the old dwarf in earlier. He had been making his way around the closest thing the dwarves had to a city center. It was a large open cave but cave was the wrong word for it. The floor and all the walls had been finished and except for stone walls of the confining cave, it looked just like a city center. Merchants, tradesmen, inns, and pubs filled the area. There were even several parks. There were no trees in the parks, and no grass, but there were still open places with running water and other underground flora. One park had a large fungus growth that had a myriad of colors while another had a stone garden that boggled the mind.

A half hour after leaving the parties quarters Surin shows up at the bar, The Broken Anvil. It takes a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the light. As they do, he sees that his acquaintance, Garlin, is still in his corner, his head slumped on the table, his tankard on its side. The halfling motions to the barkeep for two more tankards. He then heads over to the table and takes a seat next to the sleeping dwarf.

When the barkeep puts the tankards down Surin pays him and gives him a nice tip "Keep the ale coming" he says. The smell of the ale causes the sleeping dwarf to stir. Surin speaks up "Garlin, I'm surprised at you. Look at that, you wasted some ale." The sleeping dwarf wakes up groggily 'Wasted ale? Me, not a chance. Must have been schum other guy." The two start telling stories and drinking. Surin is able to switch tankards with out Garlin realizing it so the dwarf is drinking almost two tankards to every sip or two of the halfling.

Over the next hour Surin is able to get Garlin to talk about where the Ambassadors stay. "They gots them up Long Stone Way. Real nice places. Not houses, dwarves don't build houses like you outside folk do, but still nice quarters, big you know, lots of room." "How about guards? The Lady did not have any guards with her when she got here, other than the Centurion of the patrol that escorted her here. She didn't even have any Ladies in Waiting. Sort of surprising I thought." Garlin laughs "You don't know nothing about how those Ambassador's work do you? We supply all protection for other countries Ambassadors here as well as all their help. The other countries do the same for our Ambassadors at their courts. Gives us good reason to keep them safe. Not that that helped the last Ambassador from Byho."

OODM: I will write more tomorrow. I am going to Kevin's house to watch the Bengals game.

Subject: Surin keeps looking

Surin files the last comment away and buys Garlin another tankard. "Well friend, I've had fun but not being a dwarf, this ale is starting to get to me. I'll see you around." The two say their farewells and Surin heads back out into the dwarf city. It takes him about another hour to find out where Long Stone Way is and to get to that part of the Underkingdom.

He spots a checkpoint that leads into the area where Long Stone Way is. There are guards there but they do not seem to be very serious. Picking his way carefully, he moves to a back wall and moves his way towards the opening in the cave wall that signifies the start of the tunnel. The tunnel is over 100 feet across. There are 5 guards at the check point, two working the gate itself and three more in small building right next to the gate. Taking his time Surin keeps to the partial shadows along the wall. As he passes the gate he can hear the dwarves talking in their own language.

A minute later he is past the check point. Still keeping to the shadows he works his way back down the large tunnel. A nice paved street is in the center of the tunnel. About 300 feet in from the gate there is a guarded entrance with 10 dwarves patrolling out front. Surin recognizes the colors of Fornax on a flag hanging outside the entrance. 500 feet further down is another entrance. This one has the same number of guards but flies the colors of Bhyo. The entrance way to the complex is a wide opening about 30 feet across. The halfling figures he has pushed his luck and starts the long, slow process of getting out with out being noticed. (OODM, when Surin takes 10 he has a 25 move silent and a 28 hide.)

Four hours after he had left Surin shows back up in the party's rooms "Found her, I think."

OODM: You guys can work out a plan from here.

Subject: Plan

Allistair is optimistic. "It sounds like as long as we're invisible, there is plenty of room for us to just walk right in. Surin, were there any closed doors we would have to go through, or places were the dwarves were so close together that someone invisible couldn't walk in?"

"Noise could be a problem though. Ragnar, do you have a blessing that would cause magical silence on a person or an area?"

Subject: Plan

There were no doors in the initial tunnel-way. Invisibility seems alittle bit like cheating - but I can see how it would be useful.

Subject: Plan

Bryan is correct. There were no doors that Surin could see up through the entrance to the quarters. However it is likely that there will be doors inside the complex.

Just for everyones edification, envision something like the indian dwellings in New Mexico, I forget the names now. But they are built into the sides of hills, with windows and doors and stuff. There are some free standing buildings, mainly in the commercial areas but those do not seem to be used for living but for commerece.

I have this feeling that I am doing a lousy job of describing this to everyone.

Subject: Plan

Harp frowns a bit. "Why are we trying to sneak around in kingdom that is supposedly friendly to us? Ragnar, why don't you just ask for an audience with Lady DeBlum, maybe under the guise of offering an apology. Allistair can go with you, and Ran can go as well, but he could be invisible. That way, you don't have to worry about any noise you make because whoever hears the noise will think it is coming from you. You meet with the Lady in private, use the rope trick to make a safe place to talk, and then you walk out the same way."

Subject: Plan

"I agree with Harp. If an audience is refused, then we can figure out an alternate plan. This sounds like the least risky way to approach the situation. If she wants to talk to me alone, we can do so inside the rope trick."

Subject: Plan

I believe they call those people the pueblos. ;)

Subject: Plan

An audience is far more likely to be listened upon. If she simplywanted us to request an audience, she could have said as much.

Subject: Plan

Allistair also agrees. "Do we want to do this today? Right now? I have the capability right now with my current magical selection."

Subject: Plan

I guess I need an answer from Jason.

Is the plan for Ally and Ragnar to go try and get an audience with the Lady while Ran follows along invisible? The rest of the party stays in their room?

Subject: Plan

Ragnar says "There is no sense in waiting. I do indeed have the ability to make someone silent, but unfortunately it also affects everyone around him, which could easily draw more attention than a little bit of noise. But my real concern is this; if we sneak Ran in there invisible, how do we get him out?"

Subject: Plan

"Why don't we see if Ran even needs to be there? Ragnar should gofirst with whatever excuse to get an idea of what she wants. He maybe able to just take her message for us. I'm still wary of trustingher, and it's going to be difficult to pull this off anyway. Let's seeif we can't resolve it in an easier way first."

Subject: Plan

So who is going to go? Ragnar and Ally. Is Ran going along? Will he be visible? The invisible spell only last for 8 minutes at Allys level. There is no way they can cast it in the room and get to where the entrance to Long Stone Way before it runs out.

Subject: plan

"She specifically singled me out among the entire group of us. I think that she wants to communicate something with me. As uncomfortable as it is, I may be the only one she will entrust with the information that she needs to pass on. I think that I should be among those to go. I will, of course, defer to you Ragnar."

Subject: Trust

"I agree with Ran here. To me, it's not so much an issue of whether or not she specifically needs Ran; it's a matter of how can we get her to help us. And our best bet is to conform as closely as possible to her wishes until we find out what she really wants. We probably do need to send someone else along, Allistair at the very least, but I've yet to hear how we are planning on getting anyone out?"

Subject: Trust

OOC: Let's not forget, in character, that we don't know that Ragnar passed his roll. Previous to this encounter she was just a bitch that we all hated.

IC: "Well. I don't trust her, and no one here did two hours ago. Because she slapped Ran now we all do? If she directly asked us to send Ran incognito to meet with her I wouldn't think it was a good idea, and I don't think many here would. Why are we willing to trust her because we *think* she sent us a secret message? We should send Ragnar along with Surin, or maybe Allistar and Surin. They should meet somewhere public, where they can be seen but not heard. Based on their judgment we can then decide whether to trust her more. I for one am very wary of trusting her. I can't stress this enough. We have a very important mission to execute and I don't see why we should risk imprisonment by the Dwarves because this lady we've all previously found unsavory gives us some half signal that either she wants to talk to us or that she wants to have absolutely nothing to do with us."

Subject: Trust

"Which brings us back to my idea. Let's tie her up and magick up her brains."

Subject: Trust

We don't have to go that far, do we? Just go to someplace near the first checkpoint where the embassies are, make Ran invisible, and then walk in. For going out, we just need to be out of sight somewhere before the spell wears off.

As an alternative, what about disguising Ran? Could he pass as Mund or Kal or Salix with a change of clothes and a disguise?

Subject: Trust

The problem is, I doubt she wants it known that she's talking to any of us, not just Ran. That's just my personal suspicion, which Ragnar shares, not based on any special knowledge.

Subject: Trust

"Oh don't get me wrong, I don't like her either. I completely agree that someone needs to be there with Ran, for his protection and ours as well. It's not that I feel we *should* do what she wants; it's that if we are able to help her in some way, she may be willing to help us. I have a meeting with the steward this afternoon. If it goes well, we should be able to speak to the king. But from what some of the other dwarves have said, I have gotten the impression that may take a long time to get around to. If that does end up happening, the Lady de Blum could expedite the process. We need to go, if only to keep our options open."

Subject: Trust

PS: It's also worth noting that even OOC, we only know that Ragnar passed his sense motive to understand what she was trying to say. He didn't actually sense a "motive", so to speak, so we have no idea IC or OOC if she's trustworthy.

Subject: Rangar speaks

After the discussion spawned by Surin's report winds down, Ragnar stands up and says "All right, I've made my decision. Ran cannot go alone, and so Allistair and I will accompany him. We're going to try to all sneak in invisibly. Surin, do you have any idea if the Lady was in right now? I would prefer to do this as soon as possible. Harp, if for any reason I don't make it back in time for my meeting with the steward, you're to go in my place as an official representative of the order to attempt to secure a meeting with the king. If we need something, I'll be able to get word to one of you, so all of you make sure someone knows where to find you until we get back."

OOC I assume Ragnar is not generally wearing his armor here in the city, but if he has been he'll leave it in the room now.

Subject: Early morning trip

While Surin is out trying to find out where the Lady is living those who wield the powers arcane and divine discuss how they can get into her rooms with out being seeing. After Ragnar has heard every one describe what special power they can call forth he tells them "I have to think and pray on this. Call me when Surin returns." The dwarf then moves off to a small room in the suite, removes his armor and sits down in prayer.

Several hours later Harp knocks quietly at the door "The halfling has returned. He says he thinks he knows where the Lady is." Ragnar nods and gets to his feet, following the ½ orc back into the main room. Surin explains what he has found. Ragnar thinks for a few minutes and decides "All right, I've made my decision. Ran cannot go alone, and so Allistair and I will accompany him. We're going to try to all sneak in invisibly. Surin, do you have any idea if the Lady was in right now? I would prefer to do this as soon as possible. Harp, if for any reason I don't make it back in time for my meeting with the steward, you're to go in my place as an official representative of the order to attempt to secure a meeting with the king. If we need something, I'll be able to get word to one of you, so all of you make sure someone knows where to find you until we get back."

"I don't know if she was there" responds Surin "felt I was starting to push my luck even where I was. This looked like one of them places where ' I'm lost' just wouldn't work as an excuse, if you get my drift." Ragnar nods "I do. You did fine. In fact better than I had hoped. Go get a little rest." The dwarf turns to the rest of the party "We three will go and get this done. Ally will use his arcane powers to shield all three of us from the view of the guards. I will not wear armor since even if they could not see me they would hear me well enough. Ran, I recommend you leave your armor here as well, but I will not command it. Ally lets go see if there is some place near the gate where you can cast your spell with out too much notice."

OODM: I am waiting to hear from Randy to see if Ran is going to wear his armor. I will write more tomorrow.

Subject: An early morning trip, cont.

The three wander through the streets of the underground city, following the landmarks Surin had given them. It takes them about half an hour to find the gate complex that Surin had described. Ally points to a spot about 100 feet away from the guards but shielded from their view "You two stay here for a bit. I am going to take a look around. I should be ok as long as I am not too obvious." Ragnar starts to speak but the mage is off before he realizes. Ran gives Ragnar a punch in the arm "Don't worry about him, he's probably the smartest person I know and you've seen that he can handle himself. I'm not sure who is tougher, him or Mund." Ragnar nods agreement but still has a worried look on his face.

Sooner then they would have expected Ally comes hustling back, an excited look on his face "Come on you two, now's the time. I'd almost say that the gods were smiling on us." "What are you talking about ?"Ragnar asks. "Did someone see you? Are you being followed?" The mage is almost breathless "No, no, nothing like that. Just a stroke of good luck, I think. When I got to the other side of the road, I saw a group of dwarves pushing what looked to be small carts or tables ahead of them. I smelled eggs and bacon and other food. I think they are bringing the Ambassadors their breakfast. That means there will be noise and the gates will be up. Now be quite and let me cast this spell. Remember, you can still be heard."

Ragnar and Ran nod while Ally starts his chanting. As he chants he pulls out what looks to be an eyelash encased in some type of material. He touches the himself and the other two as he chants. The words build to a small crescendo and there is a small flash. The others look at him "Did it work?" Ranthir asks. "Yes" is the short reply "and we had better get moving if we want to get through the gate. Remember, stay with in 10 feet of me or the spell will no longer affect you." The three hustle out from where they were and move purposefully towards the gates.

OOC: I will write more in a few minutes.

Subject: An early morning trip, pt 3

Ally holds out his hands and the other two grab hold. The mage starts off at a brisk walk. Ragnar is as quiet as he can be, but his heavy tread can still be heard beneath the rustle of Ran's fine chain mail shirt. The metal links whisper as the ½ elf moves. Ally lead the three quickly down the road towards a small group of dwarves pushing a bunch of wheeled trays ahead of them. The three take up stride along side of the trays, using the noise of the carts to mask their own sound.

The dwarves pushing the trays are challenged by the guards at the gate, but it is obvious that this is a daily routine. The guards make a cursory inspection of the food, one even making a comment on how the Ambassador from Fornax could eat what they have prepared for him. The three carts are waived through the check point and the three companions keep pace. They follow the carts and are soon on the street where the Embassy's are. The three recognize the state colors that Surin had told them about and follow the dwarf whose cart heads towards Bhyo. The guards outside the Embassy make another check of the cart before passing it through. The boisterous greetings and talk of the dwarves masks any noise Ran's armor might be making or Ragnar's heavy tread.

The dwarf wheels the cart up into the building, up a short incline and into the building complex proper. As they follow the companions see several doors and rooms, all staffed with dwarves hard at work. The cart works its way back, deeper and deeper into the complex. 3 times the cart is stopped at check points and inspected. Each time the guards wave the cart through and the companions follow. Ally is starting to get nervous that his spell will wear off when the dwarf stops in front of a door and bangs on it. With out waiting for a reply the dwarf yells "My Lady, your breakfast is here." From the other side of the door comes a faint voice "Well just don't stand there, bring it in and set it up. I'll be right out."

The dwarf pulls out a large stone key and unlocks the door. It swings into the room and he pushes the cart into the room. He stops by a medium sized wooden table and starts to unload the food. He sets a large pitcher on the table along with the food and speaks loudly "Your Ladyship, the food is on the table. Do you require anything else?" The Lady's voice comes wafting out from further back in the set of rooms "No, that will be all." The dwarf turns and leaves the room, locking the door behind him as he goes. Ragnar notices that the lock can be worked from both sides. The normal chill of the warrens has been overcome by several hot glowing stones places around the room.

All three of the companions are startled when the Lady walks out into the room, obviously having just left her bath. Her blond hair is wet and she is wearing a flimsy pale blue silk robe that does almost nothing to cove her figure. Ran and Ally both revise their opinion of the Lady. She must have been a lady of unusual beauty in her day and she is still a stunning figure of a woman.

OODM: Ok what do you do? The spell has about a minute left before it runs out.

Subject: An early morning trip, pt 3

Ahahaha. This is gonna be great. Kal warned you guys! ;-)

Subject: An early morning trip, pt 3

Allistair points to Ran and then moves his fingers and thumb together to pantomime talking, indicating that Ran should talk first.

Subject: Weapons

Since weapons do not have an armor checkpenalty, I do consider that Ranthir, Ragnar and Ally have their weapons with them. Since none of them have reach weapons this should not be a problem.

Subject: In the Lady's room

Ranthir, knowing that the spell doesn't have much time left, quickly moves behind the lady and puts his hand over her mouth, holding her firmly enough to keep her from making noise and says in hushed but urgent tones "Lady De Blum, this is Ranthir. I am here along with Ragnar and Allistair. We need to talk."

If he senses her relax, he will release her. Otherwise he will continue to hold on and ask Allistair to dispel the magic.

Subject: In the Lady's room

Kudos to Ran for not mamby-pambying about. Hopefully we won't all get killed in the next few rounds.

Subject: In the Lady's room

I will wait until tonight to see if Jason wants to add anything.

It will be later tonight.

Subject: In the Lady's room

Well I had some thoughts but wasn't sure what to do, and given that Ragnar didn't really know either I'd say he just hesitates too long until Ran takes action on his own.

Subject: In the Lady's room

"Well your Honor, I thought she was uh, passing me a secret message..."

"When she slapped you and told you never to talk to her again?"

"Yea. That's right."

"And so you snuck into her room with two other armed men and accosted her?"

"uhmmm... yea...."

Subject: An emberassing encounter

Ran, his eyes wide, sees Ally gesture for him to talk first. The fighter motions for the other two to move with him into a position where Ran is just behind the lady. He then steps forward and wraps his left arm around her head, placing his hand over her mouth. He steps in closer, whispering to her as he grabs around her waist with his right arm "Lady De Blum, this is Ranthir. I am here with Ragnar and Allistair. We need to talk." The fighter pops into view as he touches the lady. (Grapple check, AC?, 7+10=17, hit, Lady held

At the first touch of Ran's hand the Lady starts to scream, only to have it cut off by his hand. She starts to struggle but is held firm by the fighter's firm grip. At the sound of his voice though the Lady stops struggling and nods her head forward. Ranthir releases his hold and the Lady spins in place facing him, her eyes ablaze. In the brief struggle the tie to her robe had come undone and when she turns the front of the robe falls open. She seems not to have noticed this condition as she turns on Ran. "You say the dwarf and the mage are here? I guess it is no surprise that you would need the mage's help, but why the dwarf? Oh well it is too late for that. Can your mage friend do that spell he used when we were attacked in the pass? We need someplace to talk where we will not be seen or over heard.

Glad he is still invisible; Ally sits stunned at what he sees. Ran, trying his best to keep his eyes on the Lady's face sputters "I think he can. Let me ask him."

OODM: I have a few e-mails to send to the three in the room.

Subject: An emberassing encounter

Been there, seen that. Lets move on now.

Subject: An emberassing encounter

Ragnar nods to Allistair. (If possible, he'll become visible.) Noting his companions' distraction, he then speaks up, saying, "Go ahead, Allistair. My Lady, I apologize that we had to enter so suddenly. Before we talk, perhaps you might find something more comfortable to wear?"

Subject: An emberassing encounter

At Ragnar's direction, Allistair cancels the invisibility spell. He does his best to avoid looking at the Lady de Blum, since ogling her would probably not have very good repercussions for their mission. As a distraction, he immediately sets his bag of holding down and looks into it while rummaging around inside, looking for a long piece of rope. Once he finds it, he will then cast the Rope Trick spell and step away, following the other's instructions on whether he too should enter the Rope Trick or stay below.

Subject: An emberassing encounter

Ran turns his back to the lady as he waits for Allistair to get the rope trick set up. His face is flush and he's not sure if it's entirely embarrassment causing it. The woman was very attractive, and not just for her age either.