Temple Meetup

Yelrona returns from Josia's home just a little late for the meeting to start. She would have been earlier, except the farmboy's mother insisted on feeding her before she left. She would have been later, except that Tarien's Grace lent wings to her feet... well, that, and she convinced a Cavalier returning from the Redridge Mountains to give her a lift. "Sorry I'm late," she says to Vaalyun, spotting afamiliar face.

Gull has arrived.

Clerics, Inquisitors, Paladins, Druids, Monks, and other such sorts that populate the Temple District, mill around the semi-circles of benches that have been set up for the purposes of the meeting. There are refreshments on offer, as well, and right now there is just mingling before things turn to serious discussion.

Vaalyun has a tablet with him to take notes, being one of the Hearthguard trained as a scribe and calligrapher. When Yelona greets him, he turns and offers a wave and then a small bow, "I trust young Josia made it home safely?" he asks.

Raethon has arrived.

Yelrona nods. "As safe as they can be with a graveknight prowling Alexandros," she replies, far more loudly than necessary. "This creature, and its cursed armor, must be destroyed!"

"That is a very dangerous situation, as I said earlier. I agree." Vaalyun frowns, crossing his arms, "What did you find in that tomb, anyway?"

"What is all this racket!?" Says a blue robed elf with a staff that walks his way into the temple district. "I can hear you clear across Alexandria!!" He says to those gathered there. "What is going on?"

"Well, we were fortunate -- we only faced a few wights and vukodlak. The graveknight was apparently otherwise engaged, and the boy they'd taken --" she looks up at Raethon's arrival, nods a greeting to the familiar elf, though she hasn't seen him in over a year, and continues "Josia, the boy, had hidden from the wights... good thing too, or he'd have been Turned, himself. Their lair was tricksy, also..." she describes the undead lair and their party's experience with it. (http://www.tenebraemush.net/index.php/Dungeon_Delve_I)

Ga'Elian has arrived.

"So, to sum up: our tactics were not the best, but we got the job done and rescued the boy. Still, there is an evil there that must be rooted out, and soon."

...Rona sums up.

Raethon says, "Your tactics were not the best because you were ill informed, it sounds." He then sits on one of the fountains. "It still stands true that the temple of Vardama should be told. They have experts on fighting undead....""

Kira has arrived.

"In their defense, they had to rescue the child." Vaalyun says, "Now the Temple can go back and deal with this new threat. Or the same threat, but at the more root level."

Ga'Elian walks over as if from the southern bridge. He waves, but stands by Yelrona. He asks, "Somebody mentioned undead?"

Gull strolls into the square, looking around with interest. Spotting Yelrona across the way, he approaches along the walk. "Rona! Hello, again! How are you?" The witch's seagull is circling overhead, seemingly making a game of diving as close to Gull's head as it can without actually hitting him.

Yelrona gives a one-shouldered shrug at Raethon's comment. "Kind of you to say so. In retrospect we could have done better... they were clever, used their knowledge of the dungeon architecture against us, and we let them do it. And, yes, the Vardamites should be informed... I have only just returned from the boy's farmhouse a moment ago, but will notify them as soon as we're done here." As the ranger enters she smiles briefly before answering "Yes. A graveknight and his minions have infested Alexandros. It must be rooted out." She waves to Gull, and chuckles at the bird's antics.

Kira walks out of Althea's temple. Her work is mostly done for the day, but her basket still has a few loaves of fresh bread left. The diving bird gets her attention and brings it to those gathered more down to earth. Her smile widens more and she waves a free hand while walking closer. "Hello. How is everyone this wonderful day?"

Raethon does notice Yelrona looks different than their last meeting, but doesn't say anything. "You can always do better, Yelrona. but you thought on your feet and did well enough to win the day." he then looks over to Kira. "Well enough Kira. However, Yelrona here was telling us there is undead on a farm near here."

Gull nods as he approaches. "Nasty business. No place for a kid, that tomb. Wights and a grave knight." He shakes his head. "Seems awful close to the city to have undead of that sort lying around to me, right? Or are urban undead more of a problem this far north?" The gull slows, then stops the divebombing as the man speaks, spiralling up to land on the Temple of Eluna's roof.

Ga'Elian watches the bird for a moment. He says, "I'm not familiar with grave knights. Could you describe it?"

"Wherever they are, undead are a problem." Vaalyun observes, with an ironic smile. "Because where there's one, there's more. They're an affont to the natural order. And I'm sure that the Mourners will be very interested in at least supporting whatever efforts are made."

Kira's smile dims some at that news, but is far from fasing completely. "Oh, that's not good at all. Were the farmers alright? Undead shouldn't be around; they're dangerous to the living, and disrespectful to the remains taken to make them. Did anyone find the cause? They don't usually just get up on their own."

Yelrona waggles her hand in a yes-and-no sort of gesture in response to Gull's question. "We try to keep them under control, but with Dragonier so close..." she trails off, allowing the obvious to remain obvious. "As for graveknights... they are undead warriors, mounted, armed, armored, and powerful. Their armor is the real threat, in the long run... like a lich's phylactery, if it is not destroyed the creature is reconstructed. Of course, the creature must first be destroyed. But that part's easy, of course!" she adds brightly, obviously joking.

Sparing a glance at his wayward familiar, Gull shakes his head. "Well, I'll leave the grave knight to you, then, Rona. Those wights were plenty exciting for me, thanks." He sighs. "We were a little exhausted, my friend, to investigate for the cause. Wouldn't have had much left to take whatever it was on." The witch extends a hand towards Kira. "Gull, by the way. I am, I mean. From Seagarden."

Ga'Elian nods at the Hearthguard's comment. "Nature doesn't like undead at all, no." As Kira speaks, he nods his agreement, then listens to Yelrona's description." He says, "Thank you. Yes, that sounds most foul. I assume that the wights were under this grave knight's command?"

"We all do our best to keep everyone safe," Kira adds with certainty to Yelrona's waggle, her smile then blooms anew to Gull. "It's good to meet you, Gull. I'm Kira, Sentinel of The Healer." She turns her head to extend that to everyone, but mostly those she doesn't think she's met before.

"I assume so as well," Rona tells Elian, "but don't know for sure. All we faced was the wights and their undead beasts... I only found out about the knight when we," she indicates Vaalyan with a tilt of her head, "were talking to the boy we rescued this afternoon."

Vaalyun nods in agreement, "The boy mentioned a knight on a skeletal horse with a cold aura about him and red eyes." A pause, and then he continues, "I was stopped the other day by someone outside the City who wanted to warn me about the coming day important to the Vampire Queen."

Ga'Elian looks eager. He says to Yelrona, "Oh! I had assumed that you had confronted the grave knight. Hmm. Well, I would be curious to return to this farm and look for the tracks of his skeletal steed." As Vaalyun mentions the Vampire Queen, he scowls and shivers.

Raethon says, "Sounds like a death knight to me." he says quietly. He then looks to Vaalyun and listens more...."

Yelrona nods eagerly. "I can take you to the site where the boy was held... if there are tracks to be followed, that's the place to look for them. And, yes, Shadowfell... if the undead are going to do anything, that's probably when it will happen. Better to eliminate them before they have the chance."

"There's not much I can add." Vaalyun says, on the subject of Shadowfell, "The question I had was what plans we wanted to make for that day. Do any of the Temples have any information that might suggest coming trouble. Portals to the Iron Hells, ravening creatures of the Abyss. You know, those little complications that make life so... interesting."

"With any luck, SOMETHING interesting will happen. Hopefully less interesting than an incursion from the Abyss, I would think," Gull chimes in.

"Whatever it is, it sounds unfriendly..." Kira looks to Vaalyun and shrugs somewhat sheepishly. "I haven't heard anything about things from the abyss, but there's been plenty to keep things interesting in the city. I'm just glad no one has to worry about freezing, now."

Yelrona considers Vaal's question. "Well... Shadowfell suggests vampires, of course. And vampires suggests Blar, and the Garnaks," she muse. "But no, I haven't heard anything specific. Perhaps the local Arvek Nar know something, and would be willing to help?"

Ga'Elian smiles and says, "That sounds good, Rona." Then to Vaalyun, "I would be a little surprised it it were the abyss or the hells that portals might open to. Could be, but undead seem to mostly be animated or such on this plane... except for ghosts and shades, that is."

Raethon says, "The arvek may not be fond of being called out for their past, but then again....they may realize they could use their knowledge against their former controllers. Tread lightly.""

"Would the hobgoblins /be/ willing to help?" Vaalyun asks, "I don't have any contacts here, I've only been in the city a few months now." He looks around at the others, and says, "Obviously I shouldn't joke about planar incursions in this company. I didn't seriously expect..." A pause, and he says, "Nevermind. You never know, and I'm superstitious enough not to tempt fate."

Yelrona grins. "Oh, I _absolutely_ recommend tempting fate," she chimes in, a lighthearted note in a heavy council. "The trick is to tempt it to _help_. And you're right about the arvek, of course," she nods to Rae, "they would have to be approached with diplomacy. I can ask around," she offers. "I'm not sure that any of my contacts know much about Illotha... but it can't hurt to ask."

Gull shrugs. "I new a gobber back in Seagarden, but no hobs. I'm a bit new to this part of the world." He glances up at his seagull again, before returning gaze down. "I do agree, though, that it might be best to tighten up and get a little more proactive about dealing with undead."

Raethon says, "For all we know....the Arvek may get insulted if you DON'T ask for their help. they only liberated Blar recently and.....even I can't make out how they think."

Boshter has arrived.

"I'm sure that some would love to help," Kira suggests. "We just need to ask them to know who to ask." It makes perfect sense to her, even if it sounds a little odd.

Ga'Elian nods, "It seems wise to me, too, to seek the aid of the Arvek Nar, but that's not where my strength lies. No, I'll be happy to track, to scout, to do forward reconnaissance and report back, and if I am discovered, I'll test my bow against the enemy. Still, I'd rather learn the situation and then bring word back to coordinate with the team before attacking."

Sailing through the air with the greatest of ease, the flying Arvek skids out on the ground after having been bodily thrown from the Temple of ANgoron.

"Hm. Perhaps I should not have tackled the priest," he announces as he rights himself, brushing himself off.

"Insulted if you ask, insulted if you don't? I suppose asking makes sense." Vaalyun says. Only to be interrupted by someone getting thrown out of a Temple, and directly into a gathering of priests. "Speak his name, and he shall appear..." he murmurs.

Rae watches as the orange Arvek flies from the temple of Angoron and lands RIGHT in their midst. "Vardama...you have a great sense of timing." he then chuckles. "Hello Boshter. You are.....two of the subjects that have come up. Your service to Vardama....and being an Arvek. It seems Yelrona has discovered a problem in a nearby farm......a Grave Knight." He then gestures to Yelrona. "Rona? The floor is yours."

"Oh!" Kira startles at the sudden flying, and even more sudden landing of the Arvek. "Are you alright? Hello."

"Well, I can ask around, like I said. Maybe the gods will choose to --" Rona cuts off as an Arvek sails into the middle of the conversation. Raising her eyes heavenward she says "Subtle. That's what I like about you, boss. Always subtle." She offers the man a hand up. "Yes, it's usually best to avoid that. But you're right on time! We were just talking about how we could use your people's help right about now."

Gull smirks at Raethon. "I was there too, you know. I kept our young warrior alive, stars alive." The witch looks embarrassed, briefly, before rubbing the back of his neck. "But, er, Rona probably has the better idea of the situation. Grave knights aren't really my specialty."

Raethon smiles to Gull. "hence why I gave the floor to Yelrona. I mean no offense, Gull." He then blinks once. "And you're a witch."

Ga'Elian steps back to avoid getting bowled over by the flying hobgoblin.

Stretching out after popping to his feet, the very, very tall Arvek Nar, that is Boshter, brushes himself off a bit more and then. "WELL! Helloo! I see many adventurers in the crowd today!" He points at Kira. "YOU!"

Yelrona looks over the tall Arvek. Of course, compared to her, everyone here is tall, even Raethon has half a foot on her, so his height is not her primary consideration. "Boshter, is it? I'm Yelrona, nice to meet you. We were just talking about an undead infestation of Alexandros, and possible involvement of the Garnaks or some similar group in the Shadowfell celebrations. I was hoping you might know more about such things, as a Chord... or perhaps know people who know people from Blar?"

Vaalyun walks away from the group for a moment and returns with a few pitchers of drinks. All this talking is thirsty work. And there's some good Althean bread, too. "Vampires and undead, oh my. We naturally thought that the Vardaman would be interested in knowing about a nest of undead."

His seagull taking back to the skies, Gull gazes up. "Well, witch or no, it's bothering me that so many undead attacks are occurring so close to the city limits. I understand that Dragonier is nearby, but I think we need to organize some kind of defense." He shifts his weight as he speaks, seemingly uncomfortable.

Ga'Elian muses, "If only we could make it rain holy water for a day."

Yelrona wonders. "I bet the artificiers could work out a way to do that..."

"...but it wouldn't help much indoors, or underground."

"Wait, did you say Garnak's?" Boshter's attention is distracted from Kira to peer at the otehrs.

"Garnaks? Like...actual Garnak vampire Garnaks?" He peeeeers.

Raethon says, "Yelrona mentioned them when it came to the Arvek. And....rather than assume, the consensus was to ask Arveks for help. If you didn't mind being asked, given your past connection with the Garnak Vampires. Whether there were actual Garnaks....it wasn't said." he then looks to Yelrona and Gull."

Vaalyun pours himself a drink and takes a seat on a convenient bench. He nods to Boshter, "Yes. Like Vampires. There is a festival of the Vampire Queen within the next tenday, and we're concerned about that. It's one of the reasons we were happy to see you."

Yelrona pours herself a glass of something not too unreasonably warm from a pitcher. "Exactly. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe? But Shadowfell is coming, after all, as Vaal says... that's a big vampire unholiday. And we were just talking about undead activity near the city..." she relays the story to Boshter to catch him up, quickly, "...so it seemed best to find out what we can."

Kira assumed that Boshter was pointing at someone behind her. It's not until after he turns and she looks behind to realize he might not have been. She blinks and turns back. "Me? Oh, there were undead found, and talk turned to vampires. Someone mentioned Blar being liberated from them, so we thought those who helped could help us!" Paraphrasing, but she's smiling wide. It's most of everything, she thinks.

"Oh. Yes. Shadowfell. I am hoping there are no Garnaks here! We would need to punch them very hawrd if there were." He makes a punching ge4sture, nodding at Kira.

Ga'Elian looks around. Keeps listening.

"We won't know what is going to happen until it does, unless anyone has seen or heard anything about what the Cursed One's followers have planned." Vaalyun comments, on the subject of the Garnak's and Shadowfell. "But I think we should all be on our guard."

Yelrona nods in agreement. "And keep our ears open. I can serve as an intelligence clearinghouse... anyone who hears anything, let me know, and if you want me to keep you informed, let me know, and I'll pass information along."

Gull nods, agreeably. "Makes sense to me. I'm going to keep an eye out for undead, myself. Might not do much, but thinning their ranks is always a good thing, Shadowfell or no." He stretches, sleepily. "But for now, Agewe and I have some sleep to catch. No sense hunting undead tired!" He waves to the group.

"If I see or hear anything, I'll share," Kira nods and assures Yelrona. After that, she looks to Boshter and his air punching, looking a little confused. "Oh, yes. Punching vampires."

Yelrona says, "I will go see what I can dig up. My contacts don't know much about the undead, but they know a _lot_ about criminal activity." She chuckles, as though at aprivate joke, and makes her goodbyes."