The Church of Alvis

Trinal smiles and says "Of course. I should be back in a few hours at most."

After going and supervising the gate work, and doing whatever other spellcraft needs doing for the day, Trinal will head back to the quarters.

"Don't know that I'll be much help but I'll give it a go."

History
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Stavis looks at Tony's sketch. You do remember seeing similar sketches in various bars and taverns around the realm. You aren't sure that it is a secret society so much as a symbol indicating that the place of business will accept payment other than money. It ha snot been in wide use in over 200 years now, but when travel and trade caravans were more common accepting coin from other kingdoms were a dubious proposition, so the symbol let travelers know that the business would be willing to accept value outside of normal money including labor for goods and services.

"Ah, haven't seen one in a while. My Master Theron told me it would mean being able to pay with things besides money. A Bard such as myself would mean a guarantee of food and drink for my playing and entertainment, even if the normal agreement of tips wasn't enough."

"Though my Master did tell me it wasn't a Bard exclusive thing, normal bartering as well as forms of manual labor where accepted as well. I'm unaware of it having ties with a secret society but could see the potential that a traders guild was the backing behind the symbol as I doubt the Brans would want to deal with all the goods they could have been offered in trade.

"Though from personal experience would want to confirm with the Bran as I've come a cross a handful of places that have stopped accepting alternative payments, either from the tavern changing hands enough times, or generations having come and gone since the symbol was placed. They tended to place the mark on important support beams and the remove was usually not worth the effort."

Stavis will look up to Tony with a bit of a smile "In any case could mean pretty much free drinks depending on how you want to look at the activities done to earn the drink."

"Well, considering that Tony Plush has already earned free drinks for the duration of our stay from one of the patrons there you needn't worry about what shenanigans Tony Plush might get into just for a few free beers. The age suggested it wasn't anything likely to worry about, but it comforts Tony Plush to know that there isn't a more sinister meaning to it. Especially given the enemy literally at the gates."

Stavis won't stop working but will respond with "Ah. I see, well I would suggest the friendly advice of not over indulging the kindness as it would seem a bit silly that one of the other members of the crew ended up in the stockades or a cell when I was not."

"Granted the warning would be needed more for Ham'mon than yourself but better safe than sorry."

When he gets back for the evening meal, Trinal will look at the symbol and, one assumes, verify what Stavis and Tony have already figured out.

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Syric will make his way to the merchant to find an instrument for Stavis before heading back to their allotted space for the evening meal.

Whiteness wrote:Syric will make his way to the merchant to find an instrument for Stavis before heading back to their allotted space for the evening meal.

You find the shop that Victae directed you to. She was right about it not having much selection. You look over a few items and decide on the flute like thingy. Mostly because the drums look a bit large to haul around, and you think the lyre is not in very good shape.

You head back to the hall the group is staying in. Franklin and the dwarves return about the time you do. Tony and Stavis are sitting at the table.

Stavis will ensure that in setting himself up to help Trinal that he is facing towards the door and leave plenty of room for others to eat. When it gets time for the evening meal will ask Tony get out the Everlasting Provisions and ensure the group declines any bread offered by the Citadel should they provide food.

As Stavis works will greet everyone as they arrive, including the dwarfs though adding to them "Not that I am against you all staying here, merry assumed you all would seek lodging else where. If that is your desire and are merely short on founds I'm sure the group would be willing to help with that." Stavis will then indicate he is willing to provide funds should they be willing to accept his offer before going back to work to let them think it over amongst themselves.

The dwarves nibble some bread then go to lie down.

Franklin sits near Stavis and asks "Why not take what bread they offer"

Stavis will continue working but respond "Because we have Everlasting Provisions, granted maybe not as tasty as freshly baked bread but they have been under siege for some time now. Would rather they not waste the food supplies on use when we can provide that for ourselves." clearly suggesting that he is including the Dwarfs in that we and after a short pause "Especially since it would seem they have no desire to collect the remnants that could be used elsewhere, granted could be they are more than self sufficient with their supplies or because of the Drow in the room."

"Suppose you have a point." says Franklin. "So I've been meaning to ask you guys, when the gate is completed, what should I do?"

Stavis stop what he is doing to give Franklin his full attention "That depends entirely on you. As far as I am concerned you have proven yourself to be counted among the Phoenix Guard should you desire to stay as part of the group."

"I am assuming the rest of the group will want to continue to help here since merely completing the gate will not solve all of the issues here, for which you would be welcome to help."

"For myself I image as soon as humanly possible I will be sent through the gate and will help coordinate things on that end to help the Citadel. Also likely to see if the King of Silverdeep is among the Dwarfin kings in the alliance or look into locating him if he isn't. Either way seek an audience of some kind to pay back for the materials procured for the gate's construction here and my idea and plan of setting up a gate at Silverdeep. For which your aid would be welcome on either front."

"As always you have the ability to choice a different path all on your own."

"Though would suggest at the very least meeting with the Professor and any other he deems needing to hear what you know from Brackton no matter what choice you make. May not seem like you know much of any useful information but there is no telling how long its been since information from Brackton has made it to the Southern Alliance."

Franklin listens and looks down at the table. "I'll have to reflect on that. I left Brackton mostly as a means of survival. I know you guys are doing good, but I'm not sure if I can be an adventurer like you guys. I'm more suited for rank and file military or guard duty I think. I'll meet with your Professor sure, but after that I might volunteer to be here, or maybe down in Waterdeep."

Zelvo chimes in "When the gate is open we will be seeking out the Dwarven diaspora attempting to unify under the Dwarvish king, and Franklin when you are considering your choices, maybe you can throw in with our lot. You're a good lad, and we could use you."

Franklin repsonds "I'll take it under consideration. Silverdeep isn't far from Brackton and despite all its flaws, Brackton is still home."

Stavis will nod his head before getting back to work "Sounds like the best plan for you than. With Silverdeep reestablished would mean the eventual plan of freeing Brackton from Bloodarmy control, which wouldn't hurt my feelings as I too enjoyed the meetings of quite a few of the people from there."

Evening comes and the group settles for bed.

Syric had an invigorating workout with Victae's soldiers and picked up some tricks on using a bastard sword.

Any night time assignemtns or anything or just roll on?

Stavis having gotten some rest during the day will continue to work thru the night until what would normally be third shift, he is willing to go without any additional light source should the others request it be dark for sleep. He will also ensure that at the very least Victea is told of the sounds he heard in case her knowledge of the Citadel could help locate the source but willing to accept that he is merely hearing things at this point.

Trinal's going to get some rest to prepare for the next day.

Syric sleeps well after his invigorating workout.

The next morning as you awake and do your morning rituals you are joined by a commander you've not met before.

"I'm looking for Syric and Tony." He says from the door to the large room.

Presuming that Syric gave Stavis the flute earlier and after having had some to eat will be playing softly where he setup his work space. He will stop playing when the commander arrives and go ahead and start getting back to work by having Trinal confirm his work so far to ensure a good enough quality as well as fix any problems.

Blackferne wrote:The next morning as you awake and do your morning rituals you are joined by a commander you've not met before.

"I'm looking for Syric and Tony." He says from the door to the large room.

"Who are you and do you give orders here?"

"I'm Colonel Hoffstern. I give some orders, but take others. I'm going to guess you are Tony. Let me be brief, Sergeant Meneldur indicated that you might be of aid in a project I'm working on. Trinal is too busy constructing the gate, and the drow would not be permitted to leave per the General's orders. That leaves you two, and perhaps the dwarves and Brackton guard if you deem them necessary. In broad terms the project is surveillance and potential sabotage. I can go into more detail back in my staging area." He says looking confident and relaxed.

Trinal looks up from his breakfast. Chuckling, he says "Spying on someone and breaking their things?' Tony, I think you just found your new best friend. Be sure to take the stone in case you need any help."