Chapter 1: Expedition

[DragoonWraith]

Liltar looks fairly angry, and visibly grits her teeth, but nods curtly.

Those who can see her can tell quite plainly that Yára pushed Liltar into agreeing to the terms.

At Singorn's question, Liltar barks a sharp laugh. "It is known that mortals fear what is not known. Darkness in that place the sun loves best has you worried, but to us it is just another thing to avoid."

[Darkone]

Johnathan's eye twitches for a moment at the mention of 'mortals,' but he stays quiet until a lull.

"Only the rumors, Lord," he says crisply. "Monsters appear at night, raid and attack, disappear by dawn. Some say they're sticking around. That's all we've heard, hopefully someone else can elaborate."

[sirpercival]

Singorn looks at Liltar with lidded eyes, but it is a look of pity, not anger or scorn. "I had hoped... but never mind, it is clearly fruitless."

To Jonathan, he replies, "Yes, that is the gist of it.  To oversimplify in the name of being concise, there is an army of strange creatures attacking my southern borders.  I have been unable to ascertain the origin or methods of these creatures, and am sending a group of adventurers to the front lines, in an attempt to resolve the situation.

However, that is not my plan for you.  I have another task, which requires great discretion, ingenuity, and a large helping of danger.  I must ask you all to swear secrecy before I proceed with my explanation.  I will of course give you the choice of participation in this endeavor, before or after you have sworn."

[Concerned Ninja Citizen]

"I swore to keep your secrets when I joined the Agentes. I will not stop now. You have my oath."

[Harald]

The centurio said nothing. He debuckled his gorget, and pulled out a plain silver medal. On the front, was his name and rank. He showed up the other side, where it was written :
"Tantum nex officium terminus."
He put back his medal under his armor, and stand again at attention.
Once your word given, no need to say it again, unless you want their very weight questionned.

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Only in Death Does Duty End.
Of course, that's what google says, as I've never learned latin. If anyone can correct this if needed, you're welcome.

[Darkone]

"Of course, Lord," Johnathan replies. Celia in turn simply nods quietly.

[DragoonWraith]

"I already agreed, did I not?" Now that her piece was done, Liltar seemed impatient. Who on earth would she tell his secrets to even if she wanted to? It's not like there were many candidates out there who would likely be able to promise what Singorn could only "look into" anyway.

[FireInTheSky]

Of course.  My oath of fealty demands it, and I stand by that oath.  During this back and forth, and even while he is speaking, Lord Kensington has gone back to absentmindedly tracing patterns on his hand with his fingers.

[linklord231]

Your Grace, you know that my loyalty knows no bounds.  I will face down any foe in your name, and even if I am captured and tortured I will defend your secrets with my dying breath!

[MetroMagic]

When Lord Kensington steps out from behind CaraVela, she purses her lips and shakes her head in amused disapproval, glancing among those involved in the conflict and then giving the Astronomer an extremely cross-eyed look as if to say, “Don’t  you see it?” like a private well-worn joke between them.

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Lord Kensington: “Look, there’s another shooting star!” {Spot +28}
CaraVela: “Where?” {Spot +0}
Lord Kensington pointing, then pointing again: “Right there. Look, there’s another one! Did you see that?” {Spot +28}
CaraVela: “Where?” {Spot +0}
Lord Kensington: “My dear, we’re in the midst of a meteor shower, don’t you see any of them? There!” {Spot +28}
CaraVela, pointing to a neighboring section of the sky: “Ooh! I saw that one… I think. Was it a cherry red color?” {Spot +0}
Lord Kensington, gently: “Yes… one of the five in the cluster that just flashed there was cherry red. The other four were more blue, probably hotter.” {Spot  +28}
CaraVela then turns to point at the near-invisible, nonreflective moon just coming up on the horizon behind them, which the knowledgeable see primarily only by how it blocks the starfield. Kensington knows CaraVela almost certainly can’t see it, though he can spot its black-on-black outline reasonably well from his expert knowledge of the stars and talented eye, and infer the rest; she must know from her maps, if she knows at all. “How about that one?” {maps, yes, but still Spot +0}
Lord Kensington: “Ah… that’s no moon, it’s a space station the moon, not a meteorite.” {Spot +28)
CaraVela: turns back to Lord Kensington and gives him an extremely cross-eyed look, saying in a playful tone: “Are you *sure* it’s the moon?”

When Singorn asks about the Shadow War, CaraVela pauses, staring off and tapping her forefinger against her lips briefly in thought. Jonathan and Liltar answer before she is done, and then CaraVela nods in agreement, continuing to nod as Singorn outlines the situation. Singorn concludes by asking for a pledge, and once again CaraVela waits to respond till those senior to her have spoken, the Centurio, Merrion, and especially Lord Kensington.

She curtsies again to Singorn. You have my pledge in this, of course, if you need one... yet… if secrecy is paramount, are independent pledges needful from the minds unseen? If so, I confess not to know of another mind unseen within, but if one should unfold I pledge further to do what I may to keep secrecy regardless.

My lord, you asked about the Shadow War and I quickly reviewed what knowledge came easily to the surface of my thought. My memories are very deep, and the best result may need Magical aid. I can take a little Time to plumb the depths of my memories, if you need it, but I can only give myself that Magical aid once or twice a day… so you may have some other question you prefer that I delve for you.

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CaraVela’s best Knowledge roll was 31, so I’m assuming that she only recalled pretty much what others already said. She can buff herself up a lot higher, but she can only cast that Magic twice a day, or only once if she puts all the buffs into one roll. So… if a much higher number still wouldn’t get much more information of value at this point, maybe Singorn wants her to focus on something else later?

[Flay Crimsonwind]

The scales on his spine tingled as the request was put to him. To pledge himself to the God King, even in secrecy, was something that he could not even have dreamed of doing, especially at this early stage where he was still a nobody in this city. It pleased him greatly, scared him none at all, and caused his blood to fire at the idea of a dangerous task for such a magnificent being. "I swear, on all that I am and all that I have been, that all that I will be shall keep your secret, good King." He spoke every single syllable of the pledge slowly, remembering it from the pledge he took to his family and ways before he had undergone the ritual of rebirth. It was the single most important day in his life, so he had been told. The glory of this day and the promise of deeds to come made this a close contender, though, and he could think of no pledge remembered or improvised that might hold so much meaning and significance.

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Though i kind of went into it while describing his scales under the arcane sight thing, let it be formally stated that he is expressing both Emerald Dragon and Silver dragon ideals. Thus his bardic knowledge.

[MetroMagic]

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Though i kind of went into it while describing his scales under the arcane sight thing, let it be formally stated that he is expressing both Emerald Dragon and Silver dragon ideals. Thus his bardic knowledge.

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Interesting! It’s possible that the Magus, with his sensitivities, might sense the Incarnum Dragon ideal upon CaraVela… just a Wyrmling, though. And she speaks the tongue, or so she said. And she was friendly to him, made a point of talking to him. Possibly an odd set of facts for him to file away about his new companion.

[sirpercival]

The God-king sighs, then nods. "I thank you all for that. What I am about to tell you is a state secret.

There is a city beyond the Curtain, called World's End. It is a holding area for criminals in permanent exile, which I founded two centuries ago when a traveler turned up with news of a small island on the precipice beyond the Curtain.  News from World's End is infrequent, but I cannot rule out the possibility that the creatures attacking our border from the Obsidian Desert are from somewhere beyond the Curtain... especially because the residents of World's End spare no love for me and my Empire.

My task for you is to travel to World's End, and determine as best you can whether one of the exiles, or their descendants, has brought about the Shadow War.  Your mission must remain a secret, and you will likely face opposition from the locals. This is why I have chosen the most capable among you for this particular assignment.

I expect you will have questions, before we begin to discuss specific details."

[DragoonWraith]

Liltar tries very hard to express, nonverbally, the fact that she has no questions and furthermore could not imagine why anyone else would.

[Darkone]

"Only one - would you know of anyone there we may contact?" Johnathan asks. "Having an in to the locals would be useful."

[Harald]

I do have questions, your Majesty. By which mean shall we go there and come back ? How will we be able to transmit meaningful reports to your Highness from there ?  And what kind of ennemies dwells there in exile ? What kind of actions are we allowed to execute in your Name ?
The stern officer was, as expected, direct to the point.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Enemies, we can expect to be abundant, though I too am curious as to how we should get to and fro. No doubt your Majesty has thought of this, and has a plan." He tried to speak with more confidence than actually came out. This was exciting, and beyond any form of danger he had previously engaged. His battles against the multiple trolls had been child's play, and bandits are nothing to a true warrior. But this would be all of the greatest enemies he could have ever have hoped to even hear stories about, much less meet. The foes of the King himself. These battles would be numerous, and brutal, and glorious. In his mind, the Beast rumbled with a pleased growl, eager in it's anticipation.

[FireInTheSky]

A city beyond the curtain!  How interesting!  I have done some traveling in my time - Lord K. sneaks a knowing look and a wink at CaraVela - but there's always somewhere new.  (I wonder what the sky looks like from there...) He trails off for a second, with a speculative look on his face, but then picks up again. I have several questions, your majesty, as it appears other members of our group do, but I am guessing that many of them will be answered in your "specific details," as you said, so I will hold off asking them until we have more of the story.


EDITED to include CNC's potential questions.

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Here's a list of questions off the top of my head, while I'm thinking about it (so that I don't forget later). Also included are questions already asked by other party members. Note that Lord K isn't asking anything at the moment, I'm just getting these down as things to get answered before we leave.

• Local contacts? (asked by Johnathan)
• Transportation to/from? (Heironymus)
• Transmission of reports back to Singorn? (Heironymus)
• Kinds of enemies in exile there? (Heironymus)
• How far are we allowed to go in Singorn's name? (Heironymus)
• Knowledge (Geography, Local, N&R) of World's End (Merrion)

• Government/Police/Jailers? (Kensington)
• How does the city survive? Singorn sends supplies every so often? (Kensington)
• How would someone escape? If you can get there magically, couldn't people escape all the time? (Kensington)
• Are the exiles free to roam the city, or are they held in some kind of prison there? (Kensington)
• Does Singorn have any knowledge of creatures beyond the veil, which leads him to suspect this as a possibility? For that matter, do I? (Kensington)

If I think of more, I can edit them in.  Or, if anyone has questions to add to the list, feel free to copy this into subsequent posts.

[Concerned Ninja Citizen]

Merrion strove to keep his face impassive as he takes in the outline of their mission. A penal colony beyond the curtain! Made up of the most dangerous criminals in the empire, exiled together. And they were tasked with infiltrating this place and determining if someone there was the mastermind behind the shadow war. This would be a challenge that called for all his skills and those of the others in the unit. He could not help becoming somewhat excited at the prospect.

He held his tongue, however, agreeing with Lord Kensington that questions could wait until the briefing was complete.

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Most of what Merrion would like to know is covered by FITS's listed questions. Beyond that, he is interested in any specific information on the physical layout of the island and buildings constructed their as well as similar information on the organization of the exiles, notable people, factions, etc.

[MetroMagic]

CaraVela listens to everyone’s responses, again waiting her turn, but her expression has been very thoughtful and distant, and her color has been draining. At last she speaks gravely, looking quite pale. My lord, for this mission to remain secret, even from the locals, then you do not intend for us to act there on your behalf, as some have suggested we might, at least not outwardly. Your intent for us is clandestine, else we would not gain the confidence of the locals to find out anything of value. And so you intend to send us there, not as your official agents, but as… at least some of us… as exiles, do you not? By whatever means exiles are sent. With the hostility and uncertainty that new exiles must meet from the established hierarchy that will have arisen, in a city where all come as criminals, and new outsiders are new dangers. I understand the need, if that is your wish and plan.

I expect many of the current exiles have not the means to return, given the challenges of penetrating the Curtain even with messages as you say, and those who might, consider the consequences of return to be a deterrent. You gave them life with exile beyond the Curtain; I can only guess that was in preference to death on this side of it. But you mean for us to return… which brings me to my question.

CaraVela’s voice becomes faint. What we may learn about each other in this mission… will that remain as secret as the mission itself, as part of our pledge? She avoids returning Lord Kensington’s knowing glance.

Perhaps I run ahead too far… and worry needlessly.