Fel Redstorm

Fel drains his drink and slams it down on the bar for another. "That's awful kind of 'im to let me pick. Spears are good for battlin' it out--you get a poky end and you get a blunt end. I look forward to combat in the morn. Too bad he ain't here for a pint, I might've liked to drink with him tonight, tomorrow morning, and tomorrow afternoon." He grins, buzzed.

Upon hearing the agreed time for the trial-by-combat Old Man Fish taps Jameson to get his attention "While I'm certainly in no rush to leave this very second exactly how long are you planning to remain in port? Does the Sea Dragon require repairs or are you simply refilling the ranks?"

Jameson replies, "Just crew. It doesn't seem they were out to sink the ship, just claim lives. Who really knows what they were after, though.". He shrugs.

Lug chuckles at Fel's misunderstanding. "No, I meant what weapon do you fight with? Balin Thain fights and trains with his urgrosh, but Lug doubt you use that weapon. What your weapon?

Iso motions over old man fish. "It seems we'll be stuck in town tomorrow while the brawlers sport about. What little knowledge I have of this town leaves me with little to do all day, and I was wondering if you knew of any manner in which I might occupy myself for a day?"

Fel Redstorm

Fel points to the greataxe strapped to his back. "I'll try swingin' something akin to this. When do we start?" He nods to Iso. "Like the bard, all this standin' around's got me itchin' to do something."

Terek Malagaar

Having decided not to partake in another drink, Terek nods to Old Man Fish after he raises a question to First Mate Jameson and after the mate replies the rogue decides to speak up as well. After all, if these were to be his new shipmates he best be sociable about it. "Indeed. The trolls seemed to have no interest in crippling the vessel, nor did they appear to wish to take it over, once on board most of their attacks were focused on the crew of marines and sailors as if they sought to claim as many lives as they could before being driven back." He scratches his chin as if in thought, but beneath the table his other hand has moved to linger over the place where the troll had left a large wound. "We'll have to work on better positioning, and move quickly to handle the threats as they come over the rails, cause once they're on board their numbers quickly become more than just a nuisance." The rogue seems to trail off in thought for a moment allowing the man time to respond.

Jameson seems about to answer the observation of Terek, when the bar becomes deathly quiet. As you all turn toward the door, you can see what looks like a mage entering. There isn't just a look about her, but you can FEEL her presence. Whispers about her identity die as fast as they start. Lug leans into the group and says quietly, "That is the Academy Chancellor Iris, so watch what you say to her while she is here, though it may be better to say little to nothing." Curiously, there is no trace of Lug-this-Lug-that in his voice, and he seems to realize that, giving a slight grin with a quiet "hmph". He goes back to cleaning glasses.

As Chancellor Iris gets closer to where you are, you see a better view of her. Wearing a robe of blue with gold hems, and a simple leather belt with a gold buckle, you see ivory-white skin, brown eyes, and long, curly hair black tied at the top, but long down her back to her waist, Iris is average height and human. She is carrying no weapons. She walks matter-of-factly up to Strom. Strom bows low on his stool in respect, but she curiously does the same to him. She says simply, "Strom, I have need of your resources." The Gnome motions for her to go into the back room he came out of when Iso finished his song. She looks over your group as she passes, her eyes darting among your masterwork weapons, clothing, and adventuring gear. A look of interest passes over her face as she clearly recognizes some of what sees, but she says nothing.

As the two disappear into the back room, you can hear a door close and the feeling of her presence leaves the room. Low talk returns to the bar, mostly about why such an important person in the city-state would come to this bar. Others whisper about her rumored age, and lineage, be it Rakshasa, witch, succubus, irda, dragon, and other rumors.

A few minutes pass, and Strom comes out alone. He signals Jameson over to him, and signals for Leana to come over, and you can hear him ask in a low voice of Jameson. "Instead of arena fights, I have a job to test your new potential recruits and Terek. I can assure you that if they complete this task, you can trust them on your ship for anything you would need. But they need to leave now, and go the Academy. Jasmine will see them to their destination."

Jameson purses his lip as he regards the well-tailored Gnome. "Sure. I have no problems with that." He turns to you all as Leana reaches the group. "Well, how do you guys feel about a small job before we leave port? I have no idea what is in mind."

Iso puts away the lute he had been tuning. "My hands were not for idleness made. I'll accept your task."

Fel Redstorm

Fel nods at Iso's words. "Feel the same. Can't say I was too excited to trim a dwarf's beard." He eyes the back room door, wondering to where Iris disappeared, then shrugs. "If the situation demands urgency, we should be off right about now, yah?" He loosens his axe from its sheath, so it will be quicker to draw.

Old Man Fish watches with noted disinterest as Chancellor Iris walks across the bar and disappears into the back room. When Jameson makes his request he nods a few times before saying "Well since myself and young Iso here have already secured ourselves a position on your ship what's in it for us to help the academy?" He is able to hold a straight face for about three seconds before a smirk breaks his visage and he begins to laugh. "It was a joke. You young'uns today take everything far to seriously. Sure I'll lend the wizard a hand. Wouldn't be the first time a real spell caster has had to bail one of those book-worms out of a bind. She give any clue as to what trouble they brought upon themselves? Out-of-control golems? Senior wizards turned into poultry? Black Tentacles cast within the girls dormitories?"

Strom smiles slightly as he helps Lug dry glasses, listening to the stereotypes of academic wizards gone amok. "Some wizards are like that, sure. Not these, though, they are a different breed. The Chancellor does not permit useless members, distracted to irrelevancy by ephemera, to remain in her employ. I'm not sure this city would have made it through this second Demon War were it not for the Academy wizards. Though there are so few left these days, what with the Shifters actively hunting and ambushing them constantly."

Strom puts the drying rag into a belt loop. "I'll let her describe her own job, but the toll on her ranks has allowed Shifter elements to gain a foothold within the city walls, and that is bad news not just for her rank and file, but for the overall city. I believe she's going to do some sort of operation against them, having gained some useful intelligence about them, but she didn't give me details here."

At this, Strom leans in and says in barely a whisper to Fish. "Note that there are many rumors that swirl about her constantly in the city. One thing that is not a rumor is her personal power. Taking her for granted would be your final mistake. That woman is dangerous at all times, but especially if her beloved city is threatened...and she's also not a mage. All of her so-called mages and her are actually psions." He pauses to let the title sink in. "Most people wouldn't recognize a psion from a wizard, from a sorcerer, and they don't hide their particular affiliation of magic, but this city's dangers are unlike many you have probably faced, and the Shifter threat is unlike typical dangers faced on Faerun or your own Kara-Tur. If you are still up for the challenge, the Chancellor is never cheap on rewards, but watch yourself on this mission." He raises his voice again. "You should all watch your backs on this mission."

Iso stands up. "No tale unfraught by peril is worthy of the ear. When can we meet face to face with this chancellor, and receive our mission?"

Leana jumps at the opportunity. "I'm all for it!" she declares, "We start right away, right?" To this, Nea pecks the top of her head. "Dinner!" the familiar squawks.

Leana scratches her head. "All right, all right. I'm sure we can find something you like anywhere."

"Shifters and mages, hm?"

Should I be rolling for this stuff? I imagine a bard would know about this sort of thing.

Ooc: please use the Ooc thread for non-IC chatter and questions. It keeps the IC thread cleaner. Thanks.

Fel Redstorm

"There's also the matter of payment, contracts, and whatnot," Fel says. "I mean, I'm all for crackin' skulls right now, but I'd rather garner some coin and some permanent employment fer it if I can."

Terek Malagaar

"Now there's a sentiment I can agree with..." Terek says, now standing a pace behind and to the side of Fel. "I'm quite sure the benefactor can afford to pay the lot of us. And while I long to set foot on the Sword Coast I feel it better off to get time working with the crew in on dry land, give us a chance to work out the kinks, a'fore we find ourselves besieged at sea once and have a repeat of our last.....less-than-vitorious.... encounter." The glances from one member of the group to the next, taking a closer look at them now than he was able to garner from the booth with the first mate. "Names Terek... he says extending a hand towards Fel who happened to be closest.

Bump.

Fel Redstorm

Fel starts at the voice appearing suddenly from behind him, his hands immediately going to the haft of his axe, a gesture he quickly and smoothly turns into a clasp of Terek's hand. "Terek, you say? Well met. Name's Fel, and I'm here lookin' to join the, er, crew. Happy to put in time adventurin' on the soil, if it'll prove my worth and prevent me from having to shorten a dwarf a bit." He proceeds to introduce the other applicants, and buys the group a round, cheersing the Sea Dragon's future.

As he is introduced Old Man Fish extends a boney hand to Terek. "So your one of the lads from the Dragon's previous voyage eh? Quite the story that one - or so I hear. How many was it now? One hundred? No one thousand Sahuagin raiders! All bore into battle upon fiendish sharks yes? Was it true that they were aided by the kami of the sea itself? Or that a Garegosu no Bakemono rose from the depths to sink you? They say a fifty wizards gave their lives to return the ship to port." The old man falls silent for moment as he gauges Terek 's response before continuing; "Although in truth I would like to hear your version of events. Outside of the rumours I know little about what to expect out there. It will be good to hear firsthand what we are up against. Of course I suppose that story will have to wait until this business with the Chancellor is resolved..." He glances at the door to the back rooms his face turning sour as he does so.