conversations: human
conversations:  {table=head]Player Name|Character Name
  Wyntonian| Annika Wershander 
  userpay| Tahlik 
  MCerberus| Dreston Leysmith 
  Herpestidae| Taeko 
  Hastur Avaddon| Kaiwan [/table] 
   Thundereach. Location? At the crossroads separating the Kula Mountains and the forests of Mytis; while not such a trade route as its southern sister-city, Avren, it still has its wide share of travelers. Defensive capabilities? Enough to hold its own against invaders, though its Guard is more trained for combat and war, rather than subtlety and diplomacy. Population? Roughly 20,000 people, split amongst Orcs, Elves, Humans and Halflings, give or take the people who are born and the people who die each day.
  
  Missing persons thus far? Twenty-three.
  
  People who have answered the call for help? Five.
  
  You all file into the Stormfront Barracks; a large block of a building, used to house officials of the city who deal with relations with other cities in the Kingdom. Sitting in the waiting room, are the five of you, in miscellaneous chairs in a wide, rectangular room on one wall. On the opposite wall are five doors, and separating you from it are bookshelves upon bookshelves and people moving back and forth from one door to another to outside and to inside and back again all around. In the middle of the room is a wide, circular desk holds three clerks, who, with amazing speed and clarity, deal with the incomers and outgoers. The door in the middle of the far wall opens, and out comes an Orc; gray skin holds down muscles, atop of which is a rather calm face, and a bald head. He waves at the five of you to follow, and retreats back into the room. 
conversations: Cardea:
conversations: human
conversations:  With silence and eager haste Kaiwan twists his head to the left and then to the right.  He looks at his comrades as if in search of some permission to go ahead and act on his own.
  
  In respect for those around while being in the vicinity of a public building, Kaiwan has his cowl pulled back to reveal his full face.  Strands of twisted matted hair fall forth in front of his eyes, obscuring them from view.  It is not hard to see however, that something has him on edge.  He is uncomfortable here.  Perhaps it is the presence of authority figures.  Or maybe still, it is just the fact that he doesn't like being surrounded by so many people in general.
  
  He rises to his feet slowly, twisting his head once more as he does so, letting forth a faint popping noise as it cracks.  He hobbles forward quickly, looking more like ape then man as he walks.  His fine yellow robes flow gently upon the ground behind him.  Kaiwan enters the room with curious intrigue.  Looking around frantically, he takes in it's aroma and sights without further word.
  
  (Edit: Clarification: His movement is akin to that of an ape because of how he leans over like a hunchback.  His hands do not actually touch the ground to support his movement however, and other then this, his features are purely human).  :)
conversations: Hastur Avaddon:
conversations: human
conversations:  Tahlik's gaze wanders around the room, ending up looking over the group. Only a few had answered the call. This warforged felt uneasy yet he supposed it was better than him alone. As the orc waves them forward Tahlik trails the rather animal like human that sets out first.
conversations: userpay:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taeko was  just  a little intimidated. She appeared to be the youngest one here. She didn't want to be the first to move, but not the last either. She follows the ape-man and the... golem? into the room.
conversations: John Cribati:
conversations: human
conversations:  Annika watched the hunched man in the robes warily, her hands near her weapons. The girl she had long since judged to be dangerous, but not an immediate threat. The giant....she'd talk to him later. In the meantime, she followed the hulking machine into the room, nodding respectfully to the orc.
conversations: Wyntonian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Kaiwan pauses and looks back at those still sitting in their seats looking lackadaisically into nothingness, obviously distracted with something obscure and important on their minds.
  
   "Come my friends!"   His voice flows like nails on a chalkboard to your ears, deep and filled with icy intent.
   "We should hurry.  No desire to waste the time of Mr. Orc!  Nooooo.  No desire at all."   His neck bobs and his dead eyes stare lazily at you for a moment while he talks and then twist about to catch a glimpse of something else in the room.  He smiles in a friendly manner, and ushers you along with his long bony fingers.
  
  He hobbles back into the room, nodding politely at the Orc, and bowing his head in submission, careful not to make too much eye contact.
conversations: Hastur Avaddon:
conversations: human
conversations:  Annika forced herself to relax.  Yes, this man is probably mad, but he's probably harmless. For now. Mostly.  She found his scent a little disturbing, and detected the hint of the arcane in his manner, having lived her formative years surrounded by it.
conversations: Wyntonian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Walking inside, it is apparent you are not to be there long. There are no chairs in sight for you to sit on. Instead, there is a small table next to a simple stool, which the Orc sits on. On it are some papers. One large window occupies the far wall of the room. The Orc looks at the five of you.  "Good afternoon. I am Dr. Teethbearer. I'm going under the assumption that you all are to help with the... disappearances."  
conversations: Cardea:
conversations: human
conversations:  That would be correct. 
conversations: John Cribati:
conversations: human
conversations:  Tahlik gives the orc a slow nod. " That I am. One who I hold dear has disappeared. I wish to see him and any others I can returned. "
conversations: userpay:
conversations: human
conversations:  Kaiwan approaches the window slowly, speaking as he walks.
  
  " The recent troubles which plague our community has taken its toll on all aspects of life here.  Fear grips at the hearts of the common wealth, and as such...  I am without profit these days. "  He gazes outside, and up into the sky, as if searching for something.  A smile forms on his lips, and he turns around to his host.
  
  " A man cannot stand idly and watch as his good neighbor is drowned in the pale shadows of horror, can he? "
  
  Kaiwan takes a deep bow before the doctor, and exclaims with glee: " For let philosopher and doctor preach, of what they will and what they will not, each.  Is but one link in an eternal chain, that none can slip nor break nor over-reach...  Good Doctor, my services... " he says as he rises to his full height, " Are at your complete disposal... "
conversations: Hastur Avaddon:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taeko shrugged at the various explanations I just thought it would be interesting. 
conversations: John Cribati:
conversations: human
conversations:  Annika remains mostly silent, save for an affirming noise at the Orc's question and a slight nod.
conversations: Wyntonian:
conversations: human
conversations:  So!  Shall we begin my friends?   Kaiwan says as he hobbles over to the table, resting his bony hands upon it.
  
   I have many many many many many questions for you in regards to this...  situation, as I'm sure we all do.  AND OF COURSE I will be keeping all transferred knowledge of these matters to myself, and not go spreading any rumors to the local press in any manner, my good Mr. Orcsy friend.   He smiles showing a mouth full of perfectly white healthy teeth...  Oddly well kept for his disposition and mannerisms.
  
  Kaiwan takes a step aback from the Orc for a moment.   BUT HOW SILLY OF ME!  Dr. Teethbearer, you have told me your name, but I have not shared MINE!  You may call me Kaiwan good sir.     He produces from his ensamble a piece of scroll, some ink, and a feather quill.   Shall we begin imminently with our...  questions...  Or was there a particular place you wanted to start? 
conversations: Hastur Avaddon:
conversations: human
conversations:  Annika also procures a small pad and a quill from inside her bag. " I have my own curiosities as well, Dr. Teethbearer. As, I am sure, do the rest of my fellow applicants. In the spirit of sharing names, mine is Ms. Annika Wershander. First off, I would like to know everything you can tell us about this investigation." 
conversations: Wyntonian:
conversations: human
conversations:  " Thalik. " The warforged doesn't say anymore and only looks at the orc expectantly.
conversations: userpay:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Good! Good. We need the extra hands."  The Orc picks up the stack of paperwork, and hands a few sheets to each one of you. On it are blank spaces. He gestures to some quills in an ink pot on the small table next to him.  "Please, sign as I talk. Currently we have three more groups of volunteers working on this case; you will be the fourth. You will be looking into the disappearances in the Northern part of the city, near the Argyle River. People there are a bit quieter and hush hush, so you'll have to apply a bit of force if you want anything out of them. If you find anything, you are to send it to us immediately.
  
  "When you are done, hand me the sheets, and I'll hand you your badge."  
   
   Spoiler 
  Sorry about that; lets get this ball rolling.
   
conversations: Cardea:
conversations: human
conversations:  Tahlik nods as he reaches forward for the quill to sign. Force he can do. " I suppose if force must be applied do so sparingly unless we've a solid lead? Methinks people wouldn't be happy about the... damages. "
conversations: userpay:
conversations: human
conversations:  Annika reads the sheets carefully, and agrees to sign it.  "What else can you tell us about these disappearances? Any correlation between the victims? Any identifying marks left at the scene?" 
conversations: Wyntonian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Hmm...  
   
   Spoiler 
  Search Check for any suspicious wording in the article.
   (1d20+2)[ 14 ] 
   
conversations: John Cribati:
conversations: human
conversations:  Kaiwan glanced briefly at the papers before him and then began to fill it out blindly without any thought.  Even if the pages were the craftsmanship of a devil's hand, Kaiwan held no intent to meet any obligations presented before him.  Besides, so what if he signed his name.  It didn't actually mean anything, right?
  
  The scribbles presented barely passed for common, but were legible none-the-less.  The man in yellow handed the papers over to his host upon completion with a certain look in his eyes and a easy smile.
  
  He waited silently henceforth to see if there would be any more pleasantrys to deal with before actual business.
conversations: Hastur Avaddon:
conversations: human
conversations:  "The only lead thus far, and by poor proximity, is Grognar's Grog owner, Grognar Stouthammer. The last disappearance occurred right in the alleyway by his Inn, and we've already pressed him for information.
  
  "The only correlations has been what has been left behind. The ground is colored a plethora of colors, which, for all our efforts, we cannot cover up, except for Illusions, and even then, only temporarily, and a sheet of paper left at each scene. The other teams have checked them, so if you wish, I can show you as well." 
  
  The Doctor takes Kaiwan's papers, and checks them over with much indifference. 
   Taeko 
   
   Spoiler 
  Nothing out of the usual. Though, you gather following information:
   
   You may not discuss any information you gain during your investigation with anyone except for: Dr. Teethbearer and those he designates, those of other search squads, and your own squad. 
   You may not do anything to disrupt the public opinion of: The Town Guard, any established business or the Throne. 
   It is asked that you share any relevant information pertaining to the investigation with your squad and Dr. Teethbearer, along with those he designates. 
   
   
conversations: Cardea:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taeko signs her name on the document and hands it over.  Here you go, Mr. Orcy man. 
conversations: John Cribati:
conversations: human
conversations:  "I think I'd like to see those papers, if possible. Also, what caused the color changes at the scenes? Was it magic, some sort of illusion? If it was much more powerful than the cover-ups, that would explain why they didn't work for very long."  Annika continues to roll the ideas around her head. More often than not her past seemed to hold more harm than good, but a rudimentary magical education was proving somewhat useful.
conversations: Wyntonian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Dr. Teethbearer takes Taeko's papers, nodding as it to confirm that, yes, he is an Orc.  "From what our City Mages have found, its of the Transmogrification school. And that it gets more and more powerful the longer we have an illusion placed over it, until it... for lack of a better term... devours it."  He pulls out a few leafs of paper. He hands them over to Annika.
  
  They're a bit worn; brittle, hard, and turning yellow with age, but nothing out of the ordinary from first glance. 
conversations: Cardea:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Is there any correlation between the number of people missing at each crime scene and the size or number of these...  rainbow blotches?"   Kaiwan asked leaning forward with one eye slightly more open then the other in a inquisitive manner.
  
   
  "Any other questions I'm certain we can find the answers to on our own very soon.  I'm certain you have lots and lots and lots of work to take care of around these parts without playing catchup with us, hmmmm?"
   
conversations: Hastur Avaddon:
conversations: human
conversations:  Despite his inanimate face plate it's almost as if Tahlik would be furrowing his eyebrows. " A magic that eats other magic? That sounds... powerful to say the least. " Mostly now he waits for the others to finish pouring over the new sheet of paper. He isn't to good with such things.
conversations: userpay:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Moving this along. Sorry; just moved to California.
   
  
    "No correlation as far as we've been able to tell. The only thing that determines their size is how much illusion we try and put over it."  With a professional demeanor, Dr. Teethbearer stands up, collecting the papers back onto his person, and opens the door, motioning you all out. A man stands at the door, barely a man at that, holding a small wooden box with several chunks of metal inside: Each one is in the shape of a feathered wing, made out of iron, with an inscription:  Deivoor Met .
  
   _/_/_/_/ 
  Traveling across the city, you find yourselves on a cobblestone road named 'Ravenswind'. A quieter part of the city, and probably a place where one should keep their coinpurses a bit... closer. The only traffic that this street sees is the occasional carriage that comes by, or the occasional nondescript man running from one of the many alleyways and side passages, to another. On this street there are plenty of houses, but only aren't boarded up, and even fewer look hospitable. Down the road, quite a ways away, is a single sign that reads 'Grognar's Grog', though you can tell that it was originally meant to just read as 'Grog Grog', seeing as the 'nar's' part is painted on, rather than carved. 
conversations: Cardea: