View source for Info Exchange at the Fernwood Pub

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          The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two stories above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.

          The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.

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 Cesran          A tall dark-skinned man                               0s   54m
 Murder          A goblin woman in gold and silver chainmail.          3m   57m
 Skyler          Sky pirate himbo. Auburn-haired, with grey-green eyes 1m   3m
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Cesran has reserved a couple of tables towards the back and out of the way of the regular patrons as he has put out a call for those willing to share information about the recent goings on in Alexandria. He was helping others when the news of the Spell Cannon being used to fell the great undead dragon Heth. Worse yet it has seemed to leave a fracture in reality hanging in the sky above the Heartlands.

Cesran immediately rushed back to the city and had been looking for old allies and contacts to get a hold of. Unfortunately, it seems that he has been unable to reach them. Rather than rely on hearsay and rumors, he has decided to try to get information straight from the horse’s mouth, adventurers. Cesran posted information about the meeting on the board at the Explorer’s Guild and to try to sweeten the deal, Cesran included an offer of free food and drink for any that came. 

So Cesran has reserved a couple of tables and let the staff at the Fernwood pub know that anyone sitting at his tables that their tab would be covered by him, prepaid. Cesran stands staff in one hand ready to meet those adventurers that would like to come and share their information. He hopes that his invite will draw some old friendly faces, but he’ll be just as glad to meet some new ones.

Free food? FREE DRINK?!

The only thing more irresistible to Skyler Skywalker, (former) Air Pirate and current Gentleman Adventurer is fame and glory. He definitely falls more into the new face category, but he's definitely friendly enough looking with a certain empty-headed charm to him, and unlike last time Cesran talked to him he's wearing clothes! Snug trousers, black boots up to his knees, a leather hat with a wide brim pinned up on the side, and a large leather greatcoat with various bits and bobs that hum with sorcerous power.

He offers a grin and a cocky salute with the hat pulled off. "Hey! So is this where the free food is?" He asks brightly, before correcting himself, "I mean, the place where we can share information?"

The rain is the least of people's worries. The wet and puddled streets are quieter now, less bustle and more hustle. People are loathe to stop long, lest some new void monstrosity fall into their lap.

This situation doesn't stop the Goblin, she still travels the streets unafraid, unbowed. Murder gives the door to the Fernwood a push, and steps in, giving herself a full body shake, sending droplets of water flying. She eventually finds her way to the back.

She stares at Cesran for a long time before moving to settle into a chair. "You been gone a long while.", she says softly.

Cesran hears Skyler and he offers his hand to dashing looking Gentleman Adventurer, “Yes this is the place for sharing a good meal and information about the current going on in the city of Alexandria. I’m Cesran and this is Ral-sara, and we are hosting tonight’s informal get together. Please go ahead and place your orders at the bar and let them know that you’ll be sitting over here.”

The dragon headed staff gives Skyler a once over, “Glad to see you found yourself some clothes to wear.”

Cesran hushes his staff, “Now now, remember tonight is about camaraderie and exchanging information. Learning what we can about the current situation.”

The wizard’s eyes spot Murder as she makes her way in towards the back, “Murder it is good to see you again. Yes I have been gone for a long while. I’ve been traveling, helping others that needed my help. When I heard that the Spell Cannon had been fired, Heth destroyed and the aftermath I rushed back here to find out what is going on. Please help yourself to some food and drink from the bar, once everyone is settled we can begin.”

"Don't be jealous." Skyler chides the staff, as if he communicates with people's weapons every day. Which, to be fair... This is Alexandria, and he's dealt with some really weird shit in his time here. A staff attempting to get shady about him rocking a loincloth? Not that weird. "Just 'coz you're built like a stick, doesn't mean you gotta hate on all this." And he motions to his body, jutting one hip out before grinning and winking before turning to Cesran. "I'm Skyler Skywalker." He says politely, even as he heads towards the bar to get himself some food and drink, "And yeah. It's been shit bananas here last couple of weeks. Not even getting into people apparently coming back from the dead like an itch in a whorehouse." He wrinkles his nose, "Met some creep named Kol that didn't understand no meant no so I had to club him like one of those baby seals the Jade Islanders gank for their fur. Oh, hey, Murder. Cookie?" He grins toothily at her.

A loud gurgle can be heard from the Goblin’s midsection, and her cheeks colour. She immediately orders hot stew, fresh bread and butter, and hot apple cider from one of the staffers who wanders within earshot.

"They're all gone.", she says, sounding a little sad. "Ga'Elian. Yelrona. Azog." She sighs. "Svarshan. Serene. Silmeria." A hard swallow there. "But Sandy and Mikilos still roam. They may have their hands busy at the moment, as you might expect. Perhaps you shall find them soon."

Murder stares at Skyler then, and before she can reply, her cider arrives. She slurps heavily at it, before staring again at Skyler. "No thanks, just ordered stew. Fireball?" Her mouth opens and fire licks at her teeth and lips briefly, before she slurps a bit more at her cider.

Cesran chuckles a bit as Ral’sara glowers at Skyler and starts to open her mouth as wisps of smoke start to curl out. He gently raps the staff against the floor, “That’s enough.” He says before he turns back to listen to Skyler, “Nice to meet you Skyler. I saw your performance yesterday at the Colosseum, you fought valiantly.” He ahs, “I had not heard that the dead are rising on their own. Are the dead coming back corporeally or as vengeful spirts? Or are they void apparitions?” He asks as he motions for both Skyler and Murder to sit and join him. He frowns for a moment at the Jade Islanders comment, “Not all who come from the Jade Islands approve of such practices and have strived to work in concert with the local druids to see such barbaric treatment of animals end.”

Ral-sara snorts, “Now who needs to stay on task.”

Cesran sits down at one of the tables as it seems for the moment it will be just Skyler and Murder, perhaps more will come later. “Yes those were the first people that I looked for, unfortunately they are not to be found. I tried to reach out via magic, but alas even that has come up short. I even reached out to Steel Von Ironblood, but I was unsuccessful. Good to know that Sandy and Mikilos are still around. Sandy is well Sandy and Mikilos is one of the finest practitioners of magic I know. I had hoped that they would have come tonight, but perhaps they are just running late. If not I shall endeavor to locate them.”

A server comes over to deliver the food that Cesran has placed an order for, stew and biscuits with a freshly made Green Hornet. Cesran nods his thanks to the waitstaff, “Thank you.” He turns towards his companions for the evening, “Thank you both for coming as well. Rather than beat around the bush I’ll go first and let you both know that years ago I had a vision of Heth’s death and the aftermath of it. I was experimenting with using magic to try to defeat Heth and although it was a failure one of the byproducts of it was a vision of what the world would be like if Heth was destroyed.”

"No thanks. I got plenty of fire when I wrassled Aelwyn." Skyler tells Murder, a touch smugly, "Society called it the single biggest fundraising event they've had in recent history; we raised enough to pay for most of the operational costs at a dozen Temple-run refugee camps for the rest of summer." He shrugs one shoulder, "I figure if we don't get this shit sorted by the beginning of autumn, we'll have bigger fish to fry." Beat. "Do you have fish and chips? And I'll take some of that cider."

He side-eyes Murder when she talks about people that are no longer here, the humor in his distressingly thoughtless gaze waning slightly. "I'm sorry to hear." He says with surprising earnestness, "I lost someone recently, and am beginning to realize just how short the life expectancy is in our profession." He grimaces, touching a small red armband, "We lost Carver. Corey tried to bring her back, but..." He bites his lip, "She never was one to sit still."

He shakes his head, and turns to focus. "I don't know if they were void-sent or not; I was in the temple district when we got attacked by the creeper and some winter-bitch that turned into snow when we hit her. Whatever they are, Kol responded like a vampire." He reaches up to touch his sword, "Enchantment on my blade worked against him, as did holy symbols. And the snow-bitch got pacified when I poured alchemical fire on her when she was a pile of snow."

He finally gets his food, and adds, "A lot of people are just flat out exhausted. The spell cannons seemed to work, but I know we had cultists infiltrate several key points." He scratches a scar on his jaw, "Bunch of tentacle things. Tried to eat Rune, but I think she gave it indigestion. With her daggers. As in killed them dead."

Murder's expression is wistful. "I do not know if the others have passed on to the next world, or have simply strayed to far away places. I hope they are well, if they yet live."

Her meal arrives, and she digs into the fresh bread with a greedy CRUNCH. "The Jade Isles are where my tribe is originally from, long before I came around. We treat animals with respect."

She looks sad again at the mention of Carver, and she nods. "I have put up a hundred and fifty thousand gold towards resurrection costs and other things, but I doubt it's enough. I am sad Carver is gone, she was a good person." A lengthy sip of her cider follows before she continues.

"But if she died in combat, she is automatically welcomed to Hero's Welcome. Angoron would regale her with song, drink and story. May her ancestors and forebearers, and those that follow her, know her glory." The cider mug is held aloft in toast.

Her gaze goes to Cesran then. "I knew the spell cannon was bad news. Asumit was waiting for them to fire the cannon, he was going to invade with a massive army of demons. Asumit is dead and gone... but I always wondered what became of those demons. Were they waiting for the cannon to be fired, to pounce when we least suspected? They should have destroyed the cannon ages ago... Though then Heht might have done worse... but I don't think the cannon should have been allowed to continue existing. It seemed like Heth was drawn to it like a magnet to a lump of iron ore."

A huff. "I am surprised the city is still here, to be honest."

Ceran smiles, “I’m glad to hear that it went so well. I’ve been doing my best to help others with my magic, however there are only so many Magnificent Mansions that I can cast in a day and it always seems to be more of a bandage than a solution. Yes, we’ll do our best to get this shit sorted as fast as possible. I am sorry to hear about your friend, if you need assistance in raising her. I do have the knowledge and magical prowess to perform the correct spells, if her soul is willing to come back. All I ask is that you provide the reagents needed. If is not then there is little I can do to bring a soul back.”

The wizard listens keenly to Skyler talk about the enemies that he has faced. “Interesting, good to know the type of enemies that we will face, not only those of the undead variety, but also of elemental nature.” He sighs, “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, there are always those that will choose to work against the greater good for the promise of great reward or to be spared with the opposite is true.”

Cesran pauses to eat some of his meal as he listens to Murder and he nods, “Yes the spell cannon has been problematic over the years. It is a double edged blade, a deterrent from attacking the city, but also a weapon capable of great destruction in the wrong hands. I would agree, if it were up to me the spell cannon would be disassembled, it puts a great big target on the city. If one could take it over then they would have that awesomely terrible weapon at their disposal. I am heartened to hear that Asumit is dead and gone. The last thing I did before I left the city was to fight a demon that had been summoned by him I believe. A terrible demon with some magetech tablet that could scry on anyone by name alone with almost perfect accuracy. Thankfully a group of heroes that I was part of was able to trap and banish him back to the Iron Hells.”

Cesran takes a deep breath. “I suppose that’s a good segway into what I have to share. I apologize if the details are vague, it was many years ago and although I can see it perfectly in my mind’s eye, conveying information has never been my strong suit. I’m more gather and collect knowledge than disseminate it. I have also died and been raised twice and that can put a strain on the mind and soul. I shall endeavor to do my best to impart the information as best I can.” He moves his hands a bit and a small illusion appears above the table.

The scene is one of utter desolation as the ruined form of a monstrous terrible dragon, nothing but bones lies on the ground, “This is what I and other I was with experienced, a vision of the future if Heth was destroyed. I had just started to reach the zenith of my magical power and had been pondered using a Wish spell to rid the world of Heth once and for all. I did not cast the spell, as I wanted to research the possible outcomes to make sure this was the right thing to do. This was the answer that I received. Heth’s very bones are marked with runes that seemed to call forth monsters from the void. We were attacked by such monsters and had to defend ourselves.” Cesran animates the illusion to show the battle that took place and the runes that he saw on the bones of Heth. “Thankfully we were able to do so with some injuries. I am glad that Heth was not destroyed over the city, but still the vision that I participated in it hangs heavy in my mind.” He turns to Skyler, “Did you see any runes on those that you fought before, this Kol and winter woman?”

"She died spitting defiance in the face of a serial killer, his blood literally on her tongue." Skyler says softly, "It was horrible, and it was glorious, and for however long the Harpists keeps me from Her embrace, it'll be the standard I hold myself to." His lips thin, and he takes a deep drink of his cider.

In regards to the spell cannon, Skyler frowns. "I was part of the group that infiltrated Dragonier and exposed Heth's plans." He offers, a touch diffidently, "I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of what I saw, or what the cannon could have done if it went bad, but I felt the malice, I saw what Heth intended..." His hand trembles slightly, cider shaking a bit before he sets it down and clasps his other hand over it to hide the reaction. "What the Deathless Dragon planned would have made any fallout from the cannons looks like a summer festival. It drew the attention of Heth and his brood, sure, but that meant we knew where to concentrate the resistance and it gave opportunity to ensure the evacuation of civilians from those areas."

He frowns at the illusion, and shakes his head, "Honestly? I don't recall runes or anything like that, but I was busy with a vampire trying to rip my neck out without consent." He says with a shrug of one shoulder, "Kol melted when we backed him up into a fountain that Khepri blessed or something, and the winter witch just sort of went poof when Kheppie talked to her. Apparently whatever the vision you saw, the result is that villains and people that were defeated are returning. Dunno if it's an undead or void thing, but I expect it'll get worse before it gets better. What's to keep this Asumit from returning, for example?"
You paged Skyler with ‘Deathless Dragon is that Heth or one of the Gods?’
Skyler pages: Heth!
You paged Skyler with ‘Thanks. I had to ask because Cesran has a think where he won't call the gods by name less it draw there attention, he always calls them by one of their other names.’
You paged Skyler with ‘think = thing’

The Goblin's eyes glow red, briefly. "It is the void that is bringing back dead villains. Animus came to me in a vision and said that we must slay as many of these void touched monsters and villains as possible. Killing them would release some of the void stuff animating them, and in doing so, we would free Taara from whatever curse that has her bound."

The Goblin drinks down the last of her cider, and holds the cup up, wiggling it at one of the wait staff, a call for a refill.

"When we free Taara, we will put right the balance of the world, and Animus himself will be restored. This is from a god who is not dead, but not yet alive. His words not mine."

"As for Carver, she went out fighting, which is the most valiant thing you can do. I was put here on this world for a purpose, and that purpose has been made clear to me. I can finally fulfill my promise to Angoron."

Cesran raises his glass at Skyler’s words before he takes a drink, “Here is to Carver then, she truly lived and died a hero to the very last. Again my offer stands if you need my help bringing back your friend, just call upon me. I won’t be leaving the city until this is done.”

”No doubt, I cannot fault the city for protecting itself against a threat such as Heth. I have faced his brood and his minions before in the past. It was an impossible choice, but that choice was made and we will have to deal with the consequences. That’s my intention today is to start to learn what is going on in the city so that I can help. I have a great store of magical knowledge and power that I want to use to help protect the city and the people within it.” Cesran says in between spoonful’s of the delicious stew.

”Let us hope that his death was final and permanent so that he cannot be brought back. If he does come back then we will send him back to where he belongs, the Iron Hells.” Cesran says before turning his attention to Murder, “I too had such a vision and as a former worshiper of Animus it is hard to believe, but I suppose that’s what faith is all about. Are they still arguing about the Shards of Animus that were falling? I was called away while they were still searching for more of them or is this a result of those shards?” He asks curiously, hoping that Murder or Skyler can fill him in. “Or did those stop with the death of Asumit?”

"I'll let Murder field that one." Skyler says ruefully, as he begins to neatly devour the fried fish presented to him, his manners surprisingly elegant as he does so. For all his wild ways, he *was* nobility once, after all. "To be honest, the mission to investigate Dragonier was the biggest operation I'd been on, and it was completely unrelated to what we found."

He leans back, glancing from Murder to Cesran. And despite passing the ball onto Murder, he does interject a comment, "You might reach out to Telamon Lupecyll-Altlon and his wife, Cor'alana. Telly is a diplomat and his wife has all kinds of fey connections."

The Goblin has been inhaling her stew while the other two were talking, and she is definitely no noble, there is no elegance in how she eats. Food go into mouth. That's the only goal.

"The upside to this is... all of these monsters and villains have been killed. We know they can be killed again, and aside from some void surprises, we know their powers and weaknesses. I think we can do this." More stew is shoveled into the Goblin's maw. "I don't know much about the bits of Animus... I was hunting demons at the time, heck, for a short period of time, I /was/ a demon. But I got better." Murder side-eyes Skyler a moment. "Telamon and Cor'Lana are preeminent sorcerers, like myself, and are good people. They'd have more information than I. But I think they collected all of what could be recovered of Animus' shards."

Cesran hmms softly as he thinks about all the information that has been presented to him so far, “If you can speech of it, what was your mission in Dragonier, if you can’t for reasons of secrecy or if it brings back unpleasant memories, I understand. I have seen somethings that haunt my dreams. Thank you I will reach out to Telamon and his wife Cor’alana about it. I would be interested to know what they have uncovered.”

The wizard takes a drink of his Green Hornet and he chuckles, “I’m glad you got better, I don’t fancy fighting a demon again, but the last one I faced there is no way that he is coming back, his soul was literally devoured.” He wipes his last biscuit around the bottom of his bowl to soak up the last of the stew, “You are right Murder, we know how to defeat them and we’ve done it before, just because they have some void surprises doesn’t mean we won’t have some tricks of our own. Thank you both again for sharing all this information with me. It feels good to be back in the city, even if it’s once more in danger. At least there hasn’t been any talk of making the city disappear again. That’s the last thing we need.”

"Oh, I wasn't sworn to secrecy or anything." Skyler says airily as he waves a bit of fish to dismiss that concern, "We were helping a red dragon with a favor or something." He frowns, adding, "I didn't pay too much attention to the details. Harkashan and his partner Rune were on point, along with Eztli, who was the contact for the red dragon." He frowns, "We left the first opportunity after we stumbled across Heth doing... something... to the spirits of the dead dragons that were interred in some vault? I don't know, I'm just a sword-swinger."

Murder sits up and lets out a little belch. She cants her head then, her expression distant. "I have to head out. Wilfred is barking up a storm and that's not good..." She leaves a single gold coin on the table. "For my meal... if not, tip the servers, yes?", she says to Cesran. "Good to see you again... hope to see you soon." A glance to Skyler. "Take care of yourself."

With that, she heads for the door, a pair of wings appearing on her back... and she leaps into the air... and flies out the door.

“I see, perhaps now that Heth is no more we can mount an expedition to Dragonair and find this vault. Perhaps studying it could give us some insight into what Heth was doing before he was destroyed by the Spell Cannon.” Cesran says as he finishes off the last of his stew and mentally marks the names of people to talk to that might remember more details on of the mission than Skyler.

Cesran stands as Murder gets up to depart, “It was a pleasure seeing you again Murder, thank you I’ll pass it on to the waitstaff I’m sure they will appreciate it. Thank you too for meeting with me Skyler, please stay and enjoy, I’ve already paid for the tab, anything extra the staff will let me know about. I’m afraid I too must be off to being to do research into the information that you’ve given me this evening. I hope both of you stay safe.” He says as he gives the gold piece to the waitstaff near the table and he takes his carpet of flying off his back as he heads towards the door, staff in his other hand. Cesran lays out the carpet just outside the pub and stepping on it, he takes off into the city.