Lovely 004

Xho, 9:53 PM

It's been a weird couple of days. Three of you stepped into a bar, were hired by a mysterious assassin to repel lake monsters, and then spent the night babysitting a wealthy addict. This morning you've tried to meet your employers (?) or at least, the owners of Lovely Creatures, and between you, you have met nearly all of them. You added a small bird person to your number. You split up and spoke with various people and now you are meeting up again around 8 or 9 p.m.

Xho, 9:53 PM

There are people at the bar and people at the tables, though not a ton of them.

Xho, 9:54 PM

Some of you may have news or questions for the others.

Pharolvir, 9:54 PM

Pharolvir will go and order a drink.

Pharolvir, 9:56 PM

Pharolvir has also changed his look. He's wearing high hair in a high ponytail, dressed in very fine purple robes and has applied some make-up back on.

Xho, 9:56 PM

Verandis takes the order and makes the drink. "New look, nice!"

Pharolvir, 9:57 PM

"Thank you.  It has pockets."

Xho, 9:58 PM

Verandis: Always a must.

Chance, 9:58 PM

...how did you get by without pockets?

Ann, 9:58 PM

Ann Nesia will join pharolvir and chance at the bar setting the rat down on the bar

Pharolvir, 9:58 PM

"Where I'm from, men traditionally don't have pockets.  It ruins the line of the clothes, I'm told."

Xho, 9:59 PM

The rat sits back on its haunches.

Pharolvir, 9:59 PM

"We carry bags or have servants hold them."

Chance, 9:59 PM

Oooh, la dee dah.

Xho, 9:59 PM

Verandis: Half the point of wearing clothes is pockets.

Pharolvir, 10:00 PM

"I am pretty sure many women in the Underdark would love the idea of men not having clothes at all, so I don't think that argument will hold water with them."

Pharolvir, 10:00 PM

"These robes are very nice and loose, as well.  I feel very free to move."

Xho, 10:01 PM

Verandis: I'm fond of robes too. And you can always layer underneath them.

Pharolvir, 10:01 PM

"Exactly!"

Xho, 10:02 PM

Now, I know some of you had things to tell some of the others. And Chance went shopping, so I know he bought some stuff. I will need to know what he got.

Chance, 10:03 PM

Chance decided to wait for the others, he just sepnt some time roaming around the city.

Xho, 10:03 PM

Oh, gotcha!

Ann, 10:06 PM

So now we are all here apparantly  we have to talk to Ylyndar

Pharolvir, 10:06 PM

"...we do?"

Chance, 10:07 PM

Yes, why?

Ann, 10:07 PM

About who hired us and the lake

Pharolvir, 10:07 PM

"...maybe he knows something about this Vittorio."

Pharolvir, 10:07 PM

"I guess it could work."

Xho, 10:09 PM

Verandis: He's probably in the client reception area. … that seems like an odd term, but I've never liked the word "brothel." It gives people entirely the wrong idea.

Pharolvir, 10:10 PM

".......................ok.  ...that's.....ok."

Xho, 10:10 PM

Verandis: Narthex?

Pharolvir, 10:11 PM

"...who?"

Xho, 10:13 PM

Verandis: No, no, it's not a name.

Xho, 10:13 PM

Verandis: It's a word for the entryway area of a temple or a church.

Pharolvir, 10:14 PM

"Oh.  ...really?  I'd never heard it before."

Pharolvir, 10:14 PM

"...well, I guess we should head to the Narthex?"

Chance, 10:14 PM

Everyone has heard it.

Chance, 10:14 PM

Chance has definitely not heard it.

Ann, 10:14 PM

I haven’t

Pharolvir, 10:15 PM

"Which floor, Verandis?"

Xho, 10:16 PM

Verandis: Well, the establishment goes all the way up but the floors mostly don't connect. The narthex--yes, I do like that better--is through those double doors there.

Xho, 10:17 PM

He gestures toward the doors; they're kitty corner from the entry to the bar.

Pharolvir, 10:19 PM

"Thank you, Verandis."

Pharolvir, 10:19 PM

Pharolvir starts heading for the double doors.

Xho, 10:19 PM

Verandis: Good luck. Don't let him get shouty at you. I'll sit on him if I have to.

Chance, 10:20 PM

After we're done with this Shihan gave me the name of a place we can check out to get some decent gear.

Pharolvir, 10:21 PM

"Oh, that could be helpful."

Pharolvir, 10:21 PM

Pharolvir enters the room.

Xho, 10:24 PM

You head into one end of a waiting room; the other seems to include the door to the outside. This side of the building is very different than other other side's black and white decor. It's an elegant place, with a sort of vertical planter covering the majority of one wall, with lots and lots of different plants in it, leaving the room looking fairly lush, and the plants have a barely-noticeable scent.

Xho, 10:26 PM

There are also small trees and other plants around, and you can hear some birds singing from inside some of them. The space itself is open and inviting, with little sitting areas of mahogany and deep brown upholstered furniture. It's brightly enough lit that it looks almost like natural lighting; probably accomplished through magic.

Xho, 10:27 PM

There's just one person in the room; it's a woman sitting at a very beautiful mahogany desk that matches the rest of the furniture in the room.

Xho, 10:28 PM

The floorboards are the same rich wood in a complex inlaid pattern; it's probably expensive and it looks immaculate.

Chance, 10:29 PM

Hmm. It looked bigger in the brochures.

Xho, 10:30 PM

The woman at the desk is sitting down, so it's hard to tell how tall she is, but she has elegant gold jewelry on, including earrings that hang and connect to multiple piercings on each of her elven ears. She is dark haired, with medium dark skin, and has frizzy hair bound neatly in a white cloth; she's wearing a somewhat diaphanous but not revealing white gown.

Xho, 10:30 PM

Woman: Welcome! May I help you?

Pharolvir, 10:31 PM

"Yes, I'm sorry.  We were looking for Ylyndar."

Xho, 10:31 PM

Woman: Oh, I think he may be busy at the moment. Let me check the schedule.

Xho, 10:33 PM

She pages through a big book and runs one gold-painted fingernail down the page. "Oh, no, he's not taking clients yet, that's right. I'm sorry, is there anyone else you'd like to see?"

Pharolvir, 10:34 PM

"...Um...I don't think so.  We were hoping he might know something about a man named Vittorio?  Possibly of the d'Amici family."

Xho, 10:35 PM

Woman: Oh, you're not clients?

Pharolvir, 10:36 PM

"No, I don't think so.  We're sort of employees, I guess."

Ann, 10:36 PM

Tagget and verandis said we should talk to ylyndar

Xho, 10:37 PM

Woman: Oh, I see! … well, I don't see, actually, but I'll contact him. One moment.

Xho, 10:38 PM

She picks up a pen and writes something on a narrow notebook next to the schedule book, and then watches the page for a moment. More words appear on it and she nods. "He'll be here in a moment. Are all of you in the same party?"

Pharolvir, 10:39 PM

"Yes, I believe so."

Chance, 10:39 PM

Chance nods.

Chance, 10:39 PM

We are adventuring buddies, yes.

Pharolvir, 10:40 PM

"We haven't adventured much, yet, I guess.  You could say we've only been to the backyard and back."

Chance, 10:41 PM

We have embarked on an adventure of interpersonal dynamics.

Ann, 10:41 PM

People don’t usually almost die in backyards

Xho, 10:41 PM

Woman: … I'm not sure what that means, but it does sound interesting.

Pharolvir, 10:42 PM

"Who are you?"

Xho, 10:42 PM

Woman: My name is Nefret; I'm the receptionist here. It's nice to meet you.

Pharolvir, 10:43 PM

Pharolvir chuckles a bit, then stops abruptly. "Nice to meet you as well.  I am Pharolvir Tarsyn Elisar the second."

Chance, 10:44 PM

I am Seventh Last Chance, it is a pleasure.

Xho, 10:48 PM

A medium dark-skinned man steps in from a door behind the desk. He has brown eyes and chestnut-brown hair down to his shoulders, and he's wearing a set of very fitted red robes, high-collared, with gold-embroidered edges. There are slits up to the waist on both sides of the robe and it's clear he's wearing plain, dark pants (and boots) underneath. (I thought I should note this since pants are not to be taken for granted on this side of the building.) He is wearing a golden amulet of Sune.

Xho, 10:48 PM

He is also wearing a frown. It doesn't seem to be a frown at anything specific, just a default expression of thoughtfulness.

Xho, 10:49 PM

He's got some elven blood, most likely, judging by the ears, but also seems to be part-human, judging by the five o'clock shadow.

Xho, 10:49 PM

"May I help you?"

Pharolvir, 10:50 PM

"Hello.  My name's Pharolvir Tarsyn Elisar.  These are my friends Seventh Last Chance and Ann.  We were hoping you might know about a man named Vittorio."

Xho, 10:51 PM

The frown deepens.

Xho, 10:51 PM

Ylyndar: I don't believe I've ever heard the name before.

Chance, 10:51 PM

(22 insight on that.))

Xho, 10:52 PM

He seems to be telling the truth!

Pharolvir, 10:53 PM

"He claims to have a vested interest in this inn and hired us to investigate the lack out back."

Ann, 10:53 PM

Your brothers thought you should know

Xho, 10:54 PM

Ylyndar: Excuse me?

Pharolvir, 10:54 PM

"Perhaps they were mistaken."

Xho, 10:55 PM

Ylyndar: You said he hired you?

Chance, 10:55 PM

Chance ,who has the very catlike superpower of being oblvious to people's moods, nods and goes right up to him, showing the ring. "Yes.  He gave us these as well."

Pharolvir, 10:56 PM

"I don't think he needs to--Ok."

Xho, 10:56 PM

Ylyndar looks at it, briefly. "D'Amici. Damn him."

Pharolvir, 10:56 PM

"Ulisse's not involved.  I am...reasonably sure."

Chance, 10:57 PM

Nobody knows him, apparently. We keep asking every brother who he is and no one knows.

Xho, 10:58 PM

Ylyndar: He's a good liar, that's all that means.

Pharolvir, 10:58 PM

"I suppose Vittorio never did actually say he worked with or for any of the brothers."

Ann, 11:00 PM

He said something like he was “friends of a sort “with the owners

Xho, 11:01 PM

Ylyndar: It must be him. Wh... nevermind, we shouldn't have this discussion here. Follow me.

Chance, 11:02 PM

Chance shrugs, and goes with! He puts a folded origami frog on Nefret's desk as he walks past.

Xho, 11:03 PM

Nefret smiles. "Thank you!"

Pharolvir, 11:03 PM

Pharolvir follows too

Xho, 11:04 PM

Ylyndar leads you down some very elegant hallways (they all look a bit like the narthex), which appear to be well-soundproofed, as you don't hear or see anyone else on your way. Finally he unlocks a room and steps in, waiting for you all to follow.

Pharolvir, 11:04 PM

Pharolvir does so

Xho, 11:05 PM

Inside is a very sparsely decorated sitting room; there's basically nothing there but one overstuffed couch, one chair, a table and bookshelves stuffed with theological works. The only decoration is a couple of weapons hung on the wall, and frankly, they look more practical than decorative.

Xho, 11:08 PM

Ylyndar takes the chair and gestures at the rest of you to sit down.

Xho, 11:08 PM

Ylyndar: Describe this person to me.

Chance, 11:08 PM

He was an assassin! Black clothes, black gloves, all of that.

Pharolvir, 11:08 PM

"He's an elf.  He has long black hair, tied back, I think."

Chance, 11:09 PM

Chance looks at the other two for a more comprehensive physical description.

Xho, 11:09 PM

Ylyndar: Damn him. Damn him. What kind of game is he playing at? Did he pay you?

Pharolvir, 11:09 PM

"He did, yes.  About 10 platinum a piece.  So you do know him?"

Xho, 11:10 PM

Ylyndar: Of course I do. He's using an assumed name but it's most certainly a former friend of mine.

Pharolvir, 11:11 PM

"...you're talking about Ulisse.  I am pretty sure it's not Ulisse."

Xho, 11:12 PM

Ylyndar: You know him, then? How well?

Chance, 11:12 PM

We spent the night babysitting him and making sure he didn't swallow his tongue.

Pharolvir, 11:13 PM

"I have gotten to know him a little better."

Xho, 11:14 PM

Ylyndar: Well, I know him better than you do. This has his fingerprints all over it.

Xho, 11:14 PM

He glowers at the floor for a moment, clearly thinking.

Xho, 11:15 PM

Ylyndar: This is an unforeseen difficulty.

Xho, 11:16 PM

Ylyndar: I may have to find him and deal with him myself.

Pharolvir, 11:16 PM

"...I mean...it could be a benefit."

Pharolvir, 11:16 PM

"That seems unnecessary."

Chance, 11:16 PM

…. do you want the haunted lake?

Chance, 11:16 PM

I mean, that is what we were hired to deal with.

Ann, 11:17 PM

I dont know why you would want a lake that tries to eat people

Chance, 11:17 PM

Right? It seems inconvenient.

Xho, 11:19 PM

Ylyndar: We do need someone to watch the lake for us, but I want that person or those persons to report to me, not to a wretched, dissipated addict.

Pharolvir, 11:19 PM

"I feel like we're making a lot of assumptions."

Chance, 11:19 PM

As far as I know we are not reporting to said addict.

Chance, 11:20 PM

He didn't even recognize us despite hitting on Pharo the night before when he was drunk-slash-high.

Xho, 11:20 PM

Ylyndar: Especially not that one.

Chance, 11:20 PM

Ulisse was drunk-slash-high. Pharo was sober, I think.

Ann, 11:20 PM

The person who hired us left before setting terms about reporting or future payments

Pharolvir, 11:21 PM

"I was sober, yes."

Xho, 11:21 PM

Ylyndar: That just makes me more certain.

Xho, 11:21 PM

He takes a deep breath and then exhales slowly, relaxing slightly as he does. Very, very deliberately.

Chance, 11:22 PM

You could hire us.

Chance, 11:22 PM

We already have scored one great victory against the lake.

Xho, 11:22 PM

Ylyndar: … yes. That is an option.

Pharolvir, 11:22 PM

"I have already made some findings on the lake which I've shared with your brother Tython."

Xho, 11:23 PM

Ylyndar opens his eyes again and looks searchingly at each one of you. "You do seem capable enough, but given that I've had extensive background checks and references from every other employee here..."

Xho, 11:23 PM

Ylyndar: You did? What were they?

Pharolvir, 11:24 PM

Pharolvir tells him about the water purity and his theory of the simulacrae.

Chance, 11:25 PM

Lake's haunted.

Pharolvir, 11:25 PM

"It is not haunted."

Pharolvir, 11:25 PM

"There is an arcane solution here, I am fairly certain."

Chance, 11:25 PM

It was built on an ancient burial ground.

Pharolvir, 11:25 PM

"Somehow, the water within the lake, despite being unenchanted, remains 100% pure."

Pharolvir, 11:26 PM

"...possible, but unlikely."

Pharolvir, 11:26 PM

"Also, potentially irrelevant."

Pharolvir, 11:27 PM

"Or, the water forming the creatures remains pure, at least."

Xho, 11:27 PM

Ylyndar: This is beyond my arcane knowledge but if Tython agreed, it seems likely to be correct.

Xho, 11:27 PM

Ylyndar eyes Chance. "What do you do?"

Chance, 11:29 PM

What don't I do! I am a powerful magic user, a magnificent shot, and a tolerable houseguest.

Xho, 11:30 PM

He turns to Ann. "And you?"

Ann, 11:40 PM

Whack things with a stick, talk to animals

Xho, 11:41 PM

Ylyndar: … that's an interesting skill set.

Xho, 11:42 PM

Ylyndar: How do you all feel about Sune?

Pharolvir, 11:42 PM

"I only just heard about her earlier today."

Ann, 11:43 PM

Haven’t heard of her myself.

Chance, 11:44 PM

I am not a terribly religious person, but she's one of the good ones!

Xho, 11:44 PM

He nods.

Xho, 11:44 PM

Ylyndar: What about sex workers?

Pharolvir, 11:45 PM

"...I am expanding my opinion."

Chance, 11:45 PM

Quite favorable!

Ann, 11:46 PM

No issues here

Xho, 11:47 PM

Ylyndar: Good.

Xho, 11:47 PM

Ylyndar: This is a temple and those who mistreat people here will experience the very literal wrath of goddess, I assure you.

Xho, 11:50 PM

He looks at each of you very intensely!

Pharolvir, 11:50 PM

"...sounds fair."

Ann, 11:50 PM

Ann Nesia nods

Xho, 11:52 PM

((Chance?))

Chance, 11:53 PM

Oh! Yes, understood, giant intimidating man.

Chance, 11:53 PM

Anyway, sex workers you don't mess with. Same as you don't mess with urchins or beggars.

Xho, 11:53 PM

He isn't really that big, but he seems much larger than he is. He's kind of intense!

Chance, 11:54 PM

(Chance is like, 5'5".)

Xho, 11:56 PM

Ylyndar: Good. Don't commit any crimes here and we should be fine. You're hired. If that bastard Ulisse shows his face here again it's going to meet my sword.

Pharolvir, 11:56 PM

Pharolvir says nothing.

Pharolvir, 11:57 PM

Pharolvir prepares to kick Chance if he says anything.

Chance, 11:57 PM

Chance does not!

Pharolvir, 11:58 PM

"It's nice to be working for you then, I guess."

Chance, 11:58 PM

Chance generally seems to find the interpersonal drama very boring and not worth keeping track of.

Xho, 11:59 PM

Ylyndar: How much do I owe you?

Xho, 12:00 AM

Ylyndar: How much did he give you?

Pharolvir, 12:00 AM

"10 platinum."

Chance, 12:00 AM

Well, we were paid up front, 100 gold.

Ann, 12:00 AM

Each

Xho, 12:02 AM

Ylyndar: Good, I'll double it.

Pharolvir, 12:03 AM

"That seems unnecessary."

Xho, 12:03 AM

Ylyndar: I trust that will be acceptable.

Xho, 12:03 AM

Ylyndar: You need to be working for me, not Ulisse d'Amici.

Pharolvir, 12:03 AM

"...ok then."

Chance, 12:04 AM

Totally acceptable!

Chance, 12:04 AM

I much prefer this more official form of employment over the 'shadowy gentleman' style.

Xho, 12:06 AM

Ylyndar: … he isn't still here, is he?

Pharolvir, 12:07 AM

((Nevermind, Pharol wouldn't say that.))

Ann, 12:07 AM

I haven’t seen him since this morning

Chance, 12:07 AM

No idea!

Pharolvir, 12:07 AM

"..."

Pharolvir, 12:10 AM

"...I do not know where he is right now."

Xho, 12:11 AM

Ylyndar: … do you know where he was?

Chance, 12:11 AM

Chance shrugs! "Here last night, that's all I know.  "

Xho, 12:13 AM

Ylyndar: … getting a bouncer wouldn't work.

Pharolvir, 12:13 AM

"It seems entirely possible for you both to exist in the same building and never cross paths."

Xho, 12:15 AM

Ylyndar: This is a sacred place.

Pharolvir, 12:15 AM

"...even the bar?"

Xho, 12:17 AM

Ylyndar: … is he staying here?

Pharolvir, 12:18 AM

"Ok, we're here to help you with a lake of strange arcane properties.  Not play babysitter."

Xho, 12:19 AM

Ylyndar: But you said you did babysit him last night. Was that here?

Chance, 12:19 AM

It was!

Ann, 12:19 AM

Yes shihan showed us to a room for him

Chance, 12:19 AM

Shihan asked us.

Pharolvir, 12:20 AM

Pharolvir facepalms.

Xho, 12:20 AM

Ylyndar: Which room?

Chance, 12:20 AM

Chance shrugs.

Pharolvir, 12:20 AM

"We don't remember."

Chance, 12:20 AM

Lola probably knows.

Pharolvir, 12:20 AM

Pharolvir kicks Chance.

Chance, 12:20 AM

Ow!

Chance, 12:20 AM

Chance hisses.

Chance, 12:21 AM

What was that for?

Pharolvir, 12:21 AM

Pharolvir whispers "Are you trying to start shit?"

Xho, 12:21 AM

Ylyndar: … there's no use hiding him from me, I will find him. I'll find him even if he's spelled himself.

Pharolvir, 12:22 AM

"No reason for us to be involved, though."

Pharolvir, 12:22 AM

"If you're really so desperate to deal with him, talk to Shihan."

Pharolvir, 12:22 AM

Pharolvir stands up. "I believe we have handled our present business."

Xho, 12:23 AM

He narrows his eyes at Pharolvir. "What's your stake in this?"

Pharolvir, 12:24 AM

"He is a challenging Spider Chase player."

Pharolvir, 12:24 AM

Pharolvir does not look away from Ylyndar's gaze.

Xho, 12:27 AM

Ylyndar: And?

Pharolvir, 12:30 AM

"Will you throw him out if we told you where he's staying?"

Xho, 12:33 AM

Ylyndar: … I hadn't decided between that and just cutting him in half. But I doubt he'd stand still for that.

Pharolvir, 12:35 AM

"Then I don't feel I need a stake.  Remaining neutral means not telling you as much as it means not hiding him.  Now, you're paying us to handle the lake, so we need to go supply ourselves for that mission."

Xho, 12:35 AM

Ylyndar: … I don't know what he said to you to make you advocate for him, but you're going to be disappointed. I'll leave him wherever he is now, but you tell him if you see him to stop interfering. We don't need his help.

Pharolvir, 12:38 AM

"I will relay the message...boss."

Pharolvir, 12:38 AM

Pharolvir turns and leaves.

Chance, 12:39 AM

Chance looks at Ann, then smiles. "Well!  This was fun."

Chance, 12:39 AM

Chance waves and leaves.

Xho, 12:39 AM

Ylyndar: Thank you.

Ann, 12:40 AM

Ann Nesia follows chance out

Xho, 12:41 AM

Okay, you guys head to... shopping. We'll gloss over that bit, and you can just tell me what you got, and I think that's it for the night. I know it's not much, but.

Chance, 12:41 AM

That went well!

Chance, 12:41 AM

Also don't kick me again.

Pharolvir, 12:42 AM

"Think before you speak again."

Chance, 12:42 AM

Think about what! I just made us more money. You're welcome.

Ann, 12:42 AM

He was going to find out anyway

Chance, 12:43 AM

Exactly! You're the one that took a side.

Chance, 12:44 AM

The first time Lola mentions it it would have come out anyway.

Pharolvir, 12:44 AM

"It seems a foolish way to run an inn to me."

Ann, 12:45 AM

That’s up to the brothers

Chance, 12:46 AM

Anyway, it means were are officially employed now!

Ann, 12:47 AM

Exactly