In the books at the Fernwood

Log Info

• Title: In the books at the Fernwood
• Emitter: Seyardu
• Characters: Seyardu, Aya, Cesran, Jinks
• Place: AO7: The Fernwood Pub
• Summary: One evening in the Fernwood, Seyardu is working on some book bindings while enjoying a very small dinner. Aya returns to the Fernwood, and finds Seyardu upstairs, enquiring about what the sith-makar was doing, and her rather simple food. The sith-makar likes the less expensive fair in the lower market area, but the talk quickly turns to recent events, with Aya being mentioned in the book that was found in one of the investigated homes. Seyardu is shaken up by things, almost defeated, which Aya tries to refute with her own reasoning, which seems to only make the sith-makar worry more, though she accepts most of the advice. After a while, Seyardu resolves to continue investigating matters, as Cesran enters the pub too. The two invite Cesran up, or rather, he hears his name and joins them, having magically enhanced hearing. Seyardu tells him of the various attacks of the fiends, which he was not aware of, as well as his name in the book too. He desires to help, and offers to look into scrying magics to discern possible locations. Jinks shows up afterwards, having lost most of his possessions in gambling related endeavors, but thankfully, he still has enough to afford some consolation in the form of a cold drink.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: The Fernwood Pub *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

It was later in the evening after a cooler day, a welcome change from the heat that had taken hold over the city. Even still, the pubs of Alexandria were ever busy, filled with those looking for meals or drinks, or to chat with friends, and unwind in general.

Out of place, as they usually seemed, was a silver sith-makar at one of the tables on the balcony, overlooking the tornmawr. There was little to the table save for a glass of water, a plate with bread and a small bowl of butter, and a few scraps of leather and other materials, surrounding what looked like an incomplete, blank book that she was working on sizing.

Aya prefers the cool and dim of the evenings to the heat of the day. She emerges from a room and steps onto the mezzzanine, glancing out over the patronage. The sith is somewhat conspicuous, perhaps moreso alone at the table. This piques Aya's notice as well as lifts one brow. "Good evening, peace on your nest. Are you enjoying the..." she takes in the simple bread and water with her eyes before glancing upwards, "meal?"

The silver sith-makar turned quickly at the question, more so to the sound of someone nearby than the question itself, and it takes her a moment to process things. She nods slowly and smiles to the relatively familiar Mul.

"Ah, Aya, yes? Peace on your nest." She greets in turn, looking to her meal a moment before she continues. It is enough food for myself, and it is good. The bread here is baked fresh, it as good as that which one might purchase at the market bakeries. The butter is still, strange, but from what I am aware, it is a good addition."

Aya dips her head in acknowledgement and affirmation. "I am, and the food is pleasant enough without requiring a noble's ransom." She approaches, adding, "I prefer cheese with breads over butter, myself. Is it the food that brings you here?" Her eyes lower to the sith's table once more, "or the shelter to work?"

Cryosanthia has arrived.

"Yes, the price is certainly a benefit, it seems wares and food in the lower markets are usually cheaper on the whole. But the quality of the meals here is not lessened in spite of it." Seyardu replies. "There are many things to be worked on, and the owner saw fit to let me work on my book bindings here, as long as I do not use any glues which would drive away any customers with the scent."

"I have tried the cheeses at a few places as well, but they tend to be on the more expensive side, likely due to the time required to be made. Have you been well, Aya? It seems there has been much happening here, in a short time."

They stop to take a look down to the room below, before they continue, not seeming to see anyone listening in, and remembering Seldan's words from a previous day.

"The nights are rarely dull in Alexandria," Aya notes with a curl to one corner of her lips. "If it is not one vile force attempting to conquer, destroy, or corrupt, it is another... though I must admit that the potential power or resurrection of a god is a significantly more lofty goal than usual. I am well enough."

"Yes, it seems people tend to go out more at night due to the illumination of magical lights. They were not commonplace, back home, and most knew better than to venture out at dark, regardless." Seyardu replies, with a glance to some of the lanterns set up around the building. "That goal does seem quite difficult, and one that draws attention. Have you spoken with Seldan, at all? I was with him and you in the temple district the other day, before, whatever happened."

Aya ahs softly and nods. "I still find the idea preposterous, but that others would seek power from the shards or attempt to reubild a god for their own ends... that I do not doubt for an instant. As for the watcher at The Moon's temple, I don't believe it was truly real. A puppeted corpse or very convincing illusion, but the mind was not present there. Controlled from the gnome's attic across the square, perhaps."

Seyardu listens, tearing off a piece of bread and dragging it across the butter to eat while Aya elaborated. "So it wasn't truly there, at least, not on the roof. That lines up with previous thoughts. They are being more careful, or at least did not wish to risk presence with Seldan so close beneath. Even still, they waited before he was inside." She sighs. "They may not attack directly if he is even close at hand, or retreat instantly, as they seem capable of."

"He is formidable," Aya agrees with a nod, "and moreso against their kind... but he is only one. He cannot be in all places at once. If they know where he and others of the temple are and when, they know when and where they can strike without interference from the temple. That is a dire concern."

"That is correct, and they are becoming more and more aware of where and when they might be." She replies quietly. "Have you spoken to him since? He has some things he was looking at that were found, which may be important for you to see."

"As for myself, it feels it is a liability for me to go places on my own. But most spots in the city have guards, which as much as I do not wish to admit, their help is necessary."

Aya now shakes her head. "I have not. The Silverguard and I do not convene regularly. Not by plan, at the least. Our meetings are rarely under the best of circumstances."

"Seek him out when you have the chance, though I am sorry it is not good circumstances again."

Seyardu sighs, tearing off more of her bread as she fell as quiet as she could manage, leaning in close to the Mul. "There was a book, and it has names and schedules in it, yours included."

Aya begins nodding at the first part of the whispered words, though one brow arches high at the end. "I was aware of some part of that, though not the last. Interesting." The other corner of her mouth lifts afterwards in bemusement all the same. "Cause to seek him is enough. I should hardly be the one to break the tradition by bringing joyous tidings to him."

Imane has arrived.

Imane goes Out <O>.

Imane has left.

"I wish I had more glad tidings myself to share, but it seems little is for me, these days." The silverscale notes, sighing again. "It feels like a questionable idea to volunteer at the Althean temple at times, and a hearthguard is supposed to be someone dependable."

"When these matters are resolved even, I do not even know what I will do myself at times."

Aya's bemusement abruptly vanishes as her expression flattens. "Do not allow them to dictate your actions. They are your choice. When you surrender that, you grant them victory. Take care, and be aware, but do not cease your duties on their account."

"You as well? It seems everyone is intent on me not giving up." They note, shaking their head and tearing off more of the bread. "It is easy to say, but it as if I can run into them anywhere, and just encountering them could be deadly. Sjach, he offers to be with me in town, but I worry that puts him at risk as well. I can't even hurt them, when I tried it was like nothing even happened. And as much as everyone says, I still worry about putting others at risk."

"It's a choice; as easy to make as it is to say," Aya corrects her. "The only power others have over you is that which you give them. A fight you cannot win is a poor choice, but it is still a choice. Subjugating yourself removes all choice." Now her lips curl upwards anew. "I didn't say you must fight them off, only that you should keep control of your own actions."

"Perhaps, in some way it is a choice, but what do you do, with a choice such as that?" Seyardu asks, looking to the Mul and shaking her head. "If i cannot fight them off, or get them to leave, then wherever I go, there is danger, and I cannot just ask to have a guard with me wherever I go, it would not be wanted, either. Yet it seems like so many adventurers here think very little of others around them, sometimes even of what they are asked to do."

Morgan goes Out <O>.

Morgan has left.

Aya's brows arch and her head tilts. "Was there never any danger to you, anywhere, before now? Did you require escort then? This city oft holds more danger than most, on any day or night, but it isn't absent elsewhere."

"Was there danger? Yes, most likely, but not beings from another plane which leave your name gouged into bodies. And sometimes there were people around who would help in what I was doing. I certainly hope most cities don't have troubles with devils roaming the streets and abducting people for torture, among other things." They reply, sighing again. "I've never had to be concerned about such matters as that in the past, no."

Aya nods. "Fiends are no trifling matter, of course, but treat them as any other threat you are aware of. There are many who would aid against them; all the temples if not the entire city, I expect. None expect you to fend them off alone. If all those named were priority targets, and had they the numbers and plan, they would have isolated and slain us all some time ago." One shoulder rolls. "As we still stand, they lack some or all."

"Treat them as any other threat, I wish to believe you, but when they show up, nearly kill you, and leave, it's hard to treat it like any other threat."

The sith-makar shakes her head. "But then the'll continue to cause problems still. There was ten months, and the basement of that building was filled with their work. It's all I can do just to try and keep track of what they're doing, and trying to watch out for them every day, it's tiring."

"Until we learn a time and place to act, we can only react. It isn't ideal, but it is the situation." Aya makes a vague gesture to their surroundings with one hand. "They have been about, as I understand, for some time. Remarkably patient; strangely so, from what I understand. They could hope to weaken with fear, or complacence. Whatever their plan, I only encourage that you to keep your resolve and not grant them any advantage. Though, as I said, it is all a choice."

"It still does not feel like a choice. Or rather, it is a choice between two losing options. I feel as if I am gambling with lives, Aya, and if anything happens around me, it will be my fault." They say, turning to look at their food now. "If, I am tired of that." She adds simply. "Lives for my own."

Aya's lips purse. "They will take lives, have taken, regardless. That is their doing, not yours. The winter, the sea, the wilds all take lives. These are no more your fault than the fiends would be. We are only responsible for our own actions..." a pause as her eyes shift slowly about the room " ... though many are content to place blame from rumor or tale..."

Her eyes return to the sith-makar. "In any case, if you feel all your choices to make are poor, then look to find new options. Choices are rarely easy, but some are often hidden -and- difficult.

"Perhaps there is some choice, somewhere. If I can figure it out, even if it's not something I'm capable of dealing with myself."

"I came here to help people, and it feels as if I have so little to show for that at times. But every moment they are still around is my fault in some capacity. What would you suggest, then? If my options are such, what would you think would be the best course, aside from just aknowledging there are ashwings out there that could, ah, they may have better things to do, which is not a comforting thought." She falls silent, and takes a drink from her glass.

"If helping others is your goal, there are many ways to do so; small measures and large." Aya offers a slim smile. It isn't broad, but at least it is even. "The knowledge that they are here, and have plans, is not comforting. If they are conniving, they may well have revealed themselves just to make their presence known. Doubt and fear are powerful weapons, afterall."

As to the question, she takes a moment to consider. "I believe the best course is to continue to learn what we can of their motives and goals. Discovering, with some certainty, -what may be- is more productive than fretting over -what could be-. I would choose to arm myself against my concerns. One frightened of the water should learn to swim, if only enough to reach land, rather than avoid the water. Those fearful of what might lurk in the dark should learn what threats -do- hide in the shadows and how best to confront them and not simply choose to never leave the light."

"There are ways, but things need to be balanced, yes. It is reaching the balance that is the challenge, especially when something like current events weighs down nearly every choice. I am, trying, to think things are alright in some manner."

"The rational fears are more difficult to deal with than those that make no sense, as you can not so easily dismiss them. It is as if I am trying to arm myself in some manner, only to realize how out of my own realm of capabilities I am. If I continue looking into things, I am just one encounter away from dying again." They finish with another sigh, looking tired. "The only way I have been getting decent sleep is by staying the temple of Daeus, and even then it's not ideal."

Cesran has arrived.

"We are all one misstep from death," Aya notes flatly, "always. A falling stone, slippery height, a stroke of lightning, a bad morsel of food..." She gestures at the plate and shrugs. "An eager armed ally with poor aim? Anything is possible. Learning about our foes is what I would do, but you may not feel it the best choice for yourself. If so, find other options."

"Those are, a lot simpler matters." Seyardu sighs. "It's good to learn more about them, but I can't insulate myself from the threat. I, think I understand somewhat of what you're saying. Perhaps finding out more is the right choice, if I don't go on my own at least. It has to be done by someone after all, and I'm sure there are many getting the information necessary who are putting themselves equally at risk, if not more."

Cesran makes his way into the pub and looks around the room to see who's all ready inside. He heads to the bar and gives a nod of greeting to the bartender. He lifts his hand in greeting towards Aya and the silver sith-makar as he lets his staff rest against the bar for a bit.

Aya nods to the sith, full-width smile forming again. "Someone, or several. What one doesn't discover, others might. You are not alone." Nor are they in the Fernwood, of course, and she takes a brief glance about from the table she stands at (and the sith-makar is seated at). She notes Cesran's gest and acknowledges it with a nod. "Case in point," she adds to Seyardu with the nod.

"There are people that told us of those suspicious houses, and I would not wish to make their work for nothing." Seyardu nods again, taking some more of her bread in one hand. She looks to where Cesran is and waves to him from the balcony. "Ah, yes, Cesran. I, or we should speak with him, as he was mentioned in the notes."

Cesran has a seat at the bar and orders a meal and a drink and has a friendly chat with the bartender who took his order. He does hear his name and he motions to the bartender that he'll be up on the balcony. He picks up his staff and heads up to join Aya and Seyardu.

"Good evening to you both." Cesran greets them as he makes it up to the balcony. "I heard my name is there something that I can assist you both with?" The dragon head on the end of the staff nods politely to the pair.

"Evening," Aya turns to greet Cesran as he nears. "Whether it is good or not varies by point of view, it seems. We were simply discussing the recent events regarding the unwelcome visitors to the city."

"Peace on your nest, and good evening, Cesran." Seyardu returns in greeting, nodding to the staff as well. "The evening itself is good, regardless of circumstances. It is not a bad one, at least." They add on, before finishing off the bread.

"You heard your name down there? I thought we were being quiet enough up here. That is a bit concerning, I did not mean to be too loud. Perhaps I was just losing focus, perhaps."

Cesran taps the circlet on his brow, "Yes one of the features of this is that I'm much more apt to notice things and hear things. Comes in hand from time to time. I'm sure you probably were being quiet, I am just aided by magical means. As for recent events in the city has there been more demon attacks? I was involved in one, have there been more?" He asks curiously, "If so I'd be happy to help put an end to them."

"Well, that is good, in that case." Seyardu sighs, more out of relief than anything, and remaining relatively quiet. "There have been three recently, in total? One at the temple of Serriel, one at the riverside, and the most recent, at the markets. If you are willing to help, and it is safe for you to do so, any insight would be helpful, Cesran. Your name was mentioned, in a ledger that the erinyes had upon them."

"I'll try to keep my voice down then." Cesran says a bit more quieter, "Yes I was involved at the one at the temple of Serriel, had to deal with a nasty enchantress who almost got the better of me, but fortunately I was able to resist her spells when it mattered most and help drive her and her minions off with the help of a celestial ally. We did face off against erinyes, you were able to get a ledger from them, very interesting, do you know who owned it?"

"Then that was the least recent, out of the three. I will fill you in on what I am capable of sharing." The sith-makar explains, stretching a bit before she continues. "The second, was at the riverside, and likely involved the enchantress you mentioned. Three of the erinyes, alongside them and several smaller devils, bearded devils. The ledger in question, it likely is penned by the erinyes who are watching the temples in the city, as well as certain people, yourself included."

"And the third, in the market district, one of them tried to attack me, but was driven out by others. In the basement of the building they were in were several bodies, and it was where the body of one of Serriel's lancers had been, before being laid out as a warning elsewhere."

Jinks has arrived.

Cesran leans against his staff as he listens to Seyardu fill him in on what's going on. "I see thank you for telling me about it. It sounds like something must be done about them before they attack again and can hurt more people. If you wish to gather others together you'll have my support, even if it's just to lend aid rather then directly fighting them."

"Something needs to be done, but we do not know where they are hiding, and they are as likely to run if threatened." The silverscale notes. "Any aid in tracking them down would be appreciated. And Seldan has been looking into the chains we found at some of the buildings they were staying at, but he hasn't fully investigated them yet."

Cesran listens, "Well I have a spell called discern location that could be used to track them down. I could also attempt to scry on them as well to get a better understanding of where they are at and any information about their hideout. That being said, they are probably fairly well prepared to block my divination attempts, but we can try them." He offers as his food and drink comes and he moves to have a seat to start to eat.

"It is a possibility, yes." Seyardu nods along. "We were able to physically find the locations, but that was when they were not there, and they were warded, regardless. That is, good to know, it may be a possibility. If there is anything to go on, I will try to let you know."

Multi-colored lights spill over the threshold as the Fernwood's door thumps open, muted by the glow of the interior lighting even before they wink away entirely. Jinks lowers the hand that was hosting the cantrip and fidgets a few coins from his sleeve with a roll of his fingers. He's tired but straight-backed and the silken collar of his shirt is stained with blood dribbled down from a wounded ear. His order is muttered quietly when the keep spots the new, small patron.

Cesran is up on the balcony talking with Seyardu and having a meal. "I'll prepare the spells in the morning and let you know how it goes." He sees the multi-colored lights as the door opens and he spots Jinks entering. He can also see that Jinks is injured and he gets up to head down to the first floor, "Jinks what happened? Is someone chasing you?" He asks as he looks towards the door.

"I hope that there will be some new information, then."

The question made her turn, and wave to the gnome. Despite everything, he was still injured, so she tried to get his attention from upstairs, heading down, if necessary.

Jinks flinches when Cesran speaks, turning to look up and back with a start. "Eh? What? Oh, no. No." He waves at the tallman in half-greeting and turns back to the bar for his drink. "Rough night at the games," he explains, wiggling fingers oddly naked; not a ring in sight. "After the coins, rings, and bracelets they had the cane and crown. They weren't happy with the appraisal of a gemstone and took the earring instead." The gnome tilts his head to highlight the damaged lobe. "I had to rob a blind beggar for drink-money." He laughs and offers a tired smile, assuring the barman it was a joke when they take pause. "How's your evening, tallman?"

Cesran nods a bit after listening to Jinks, "Well I'm glad that you are all right, although it's too bad you had a rough night. If you'd like a drink go ahead and put it on my tab. I'm good, just catching up with Seyardu on current events." He says as he heads back up to the balcony to continue eating.

Cesran has left.

"Ah, is this part of gambling?" Seyardu asks as the concern gets the better of her and she walks back down. "it is quite bloody, are you sure you're alright? That can't be comfortable regardless."

The gnome's smile widens at the notion of being 'alright' after losing whatever sum of money has left him dressed-down so, quite enjoying the irony of it all. "Gods, no; I'm a pauper. Well. Compared to this morning. You learn to leave the things out of reach that you need to survive when you go to these things." He tilts the squat glass in hand to an angle, admiring the color of it. When he drinks it's a slow game, a subtle sort of pleasure delay before the liquor touches his lips and his eyes flutter closed. His features relax when he finds that warm hearth in a storm-cursed night. It's a fight to come back from that. To not just stay lost in the moment. "Mulria was a right c-- She had her vengeance tonight. Coyote can't win every game. Did you know the cane had a secret compartment for poison? Beneath the jewelhead and the crown, you could screw it off. I never got to properly enjoy that."

"Enjoy that for what now?" The sith-makar asks, looking down to the gnome. "That is interesting, but I can not think of any good reason for you enjoying something like that. It is good you have enough money left for food and drink, if you are ever out, there are free meals during the day at the temple of Althea. But I can't see why you would put up so much in wager, only to lose everything. Perhaps it is for the best, though."

"The thing was practically an object of worship; the ruby a heart, the crown of the cane the crossed chains. Imagine employing such a thing to lay low one of Her lot." Jinks explains, turning one way and the other before finding a People-sized stool and having a seat. He gestures for Seyardu to find a place before he continues, finding his most-recent wind at the sounds of his own voice. "The 'veil choking out a call for succor or reprieve; some last minute intervention of False Hope as their tongue goes black and eyes bulge. There would've been a poetry to that," he points a finger holding the glass out and loops it to draw a circle in the air. "A symmetry."

---