{I think I may have missed something where Ria told me they'd be AFK for awhile. Since it seems like the rest of the group is close to ready to move on, I think we should do so. If those of you/us involved in the Elanna/Prinne/Xarces/Alizome scene wish to go back to it, we of course can do. I recognise that this creates a bit of a schrodingers Xarces's situation, where the celestial may or may not be inside the plantgirlbelly until it is observed... I don't quite know what to suggest here. How about you play it whichever way you like, Xarces. In any-case this will be the scene when you get off the train (again, for pace I've filled in the answer to some obvious questions - it feels a bit like this scene somehow replays what we did with Zorakatra, but it is necessary for the story to move forward, so...}<br/><br/>As you leave the lightning rail, a small gnome - either a child or a teenager, it's hard to tell - dashes up to Alizome. They hand her a folded note, neatly addressed to 'Alizome d'Thuranni', and, in a flash of evasion, they're gone between someone's legs and lost in the crowd. The note reads, in equally beautiful copperplate: 'Your services are requested. Come directly to Kern's Rest and Revelry to discuss arrangements. Be prepared for travel.' Below it, printed directly onto the paper, probably at the time of manufacture, it reads: 'A House d'Sivis Service.'<br/><br/>Kern’s Rest and Revelry is an average-quality hostel jointly operated by House Ghallanda and House Thuranni. In addition to multiple performing stages and rooms for rent, the establishment incorporates a number of private rooms that have witnessed every sort of secret dealing. The private rooms are rumored to be magically protected against observation, though some believe they simply<br/>incorporate the more mundane approach of thin lead sheeting within the walls.<br/><br/>The hostel is quiet when your group arrives, with a lone bard playing for patrons lingering over a leisurely lunch, though the hour approaches midafternoon. The host is a perky young half-elf who quickly recognizes you. She welcomes you, ushering the party up a short flight of stairs and into a balcony room that overlooks the stage below.<br/><br/>The host leads you to a second-floor room, partially open to the floor below and with an excellent view of the stage. The sounds of a lute carry above the faint din of the kitchen clearing and resetting for dinner. A number of chairs are arranged closest to the balcony’s edge, and a low table against the back wall of the room is laden with fruits and pastries.<br/><br/>A middle-aged human with dark hair and neatly trimmed beard stands near the chairs, apparently enjoying the musical performance. He turns as the door opens, gesturing to the table. “Please, help yourselves. My name is Sur’kil, and we have business to discuss, which will be more relaxing for everyone if your stomachs aren't empty.”<br/><br/>[image]http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/GrokMeAmadeus/surkil.jpg[/image]<br/><br/>After you've eaten your fill – Surkil merely nibbles on some of the meat pastries – he addresses you.<br/><br/>“I am what you might call an independent researcher. I have recently uncovered hints and rumors of an ancient site dating back to the so-called Age of Demons. I would like to employ you to investigate this location, and to retrieve a relic that I believe might yet remain there. This task is not without some degree of danger, which is why I require the services of individuals such as yourselves,” Sur’kil continues. “The location, while nominally still in Khorvaire, is somewhat remote, and so I would like to procure your services for a period of at least four weeks. You<br/>will have free choice of any treasure found at the site with the exception of the relics I seek, for which you will be rewarded in full. I can offer you each a base fee of 250 gp per week plus travel expenses. I will provide half up front.”<br/><br/>Where will we be going? “I would rather not discuss it until we are on our way – I'd prefer to avoid drawing the attention of other groups. Once en route, I can ﬁll in as many details as I know. I will say that travel will be via a chartered vessel of House d'Lyrandar – the<span style="font-style: italic">Swiftwind</span>.”<br/><br/>Why us? “The pay is commensurate with the level of danger involved. Those in my profession make it their business to identify up-and-coming explorers of adventursome spirit and personal reliability.A report of your capability and discretion reached me shortly after you boarded the lightning rail. Your activities have not gone unnoticed. I'll admit...” he pauses, “I'd previously contracted with a group of adventurers who came highly recommended from the village of Mistmarch. They'd performed some small service in the Faded Forest, and earned the village's gratitude. They were never heard from again.” He brightens. “But I'm sure such capable creatures as yourselves will make short work of such difficulties.”<br/><br/>What sort of danger? “Wildlife and primitive tribes, both expected to be hostile.” He grins. “Dinner will likely be a self-service affair.”<br/><br/>What kind of relics? “I'm interested in tablets or slates with ancient writings, lost works of art or symbology, and other equally exciting finds. There are likely other items to be found at the site, and these are  ”<br/><br/>When do we leave? “When we have ﬁnished our breakfast and these negotiations are completed.<span style="font-style: italic">Swiftwind</span>departs on the evening tide. Korranberg can doubtless furnish any minor items you may need to purchase with your advance.”<br/><br/>Can you pay more? “It is a fair wage, and my research indicates that you will be well compensated by your share of the wealth to be found at the site.” DC20 diplomacy<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">If Sur’kil’s attitude is helpful (a DC 20 Diplomacy check): “I could be prepared to pay as much as 350 gp each per week. I trust that you are worth that much.”</div></div></div><br/><br/>{Each of you is provided with a pouch containing 200gp, and instructions to board the<span style="font-style: italic">Swiftwind</span>before six o'clock this evening. The ship must be leaving the harbor by seven, with the turning tide}.