Porthca Landing II: Lost & Found

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Valerie looked up at Ander as he spoke to her, nodding as she listened to him entirely. She found it comforting to be able to finally let her hair down, so to speak. In fact, as the thought struck her, Valerie reached up and removed the pin that was holding her bun in place, finally allowing her chestnut brown hair to fall free. She shook her head and straightened her hair out before smiling hestitantly up at the large paladin. “Yes... I suppose you are right. And to be frank, it was rather exhausting keeping up the act for so long. To be honest, I was worried that I would be stuck speaking like the Knight for good.”

Valerie laughed before looking down at her tunic with a grimace as the others made their way out of the room. “One moment.” She twirled on her heel, and her form shimmered and morphed until it appeared as if she were far better dressed, in a form fitting blue dress and immaculately done makeup. She smiled to her companions. “Nowhere near as good as the real thing, but I will not make you wait for hours this time.” Valerie followed, several paces behind her friends.
 
Tyrius thought carefully as Niradnam explained what he'd found in his research. He noticably perked up at the mention of original copies of legends speaking of where a master thief would store a hoard of stolen treasure.

"That's great news!" said Tyrius, unable to restrain his enthusiasm, "We could take some time later and look over everything you have. It'll be a great help!"

Tyrius then realised how many plates were spinning. Pyria, Lestone, Valerie. 'Which reminds me, she's probably scared half to death and we're sat here drinking coffee,' thought Tyrius, 'but if I just get up and go that's rude. Also, its really Valerie's secret to share. She might not want my parents or Niradnam to know. Virra's gone up, maybe the others will come down?'
 
Silverbane Manor | First Floor Dining Area:

Nodding towards Tyrius, Niradnam continued to carve and eat slices of his apple, glancing up as the others from before joined the dining room. The group at the table nodded and murmured "good morning" towards Virra and Ander, yet at the sight of Valerie they each looked confused.

Baldrus stood, "Pardon me, my Lady, but I did not expect us to have even more guests this morning? May I ask your name and purpose here?"
 
Valerie’s expression briefly flushed red before she glanced over at Ander and then smiled to Baldrus. “My deepest apologies Master Baldrus, but I am afraid that we have already met.” She cleared her throat and then spoke in a familiar country drawl. “I was the Knight that ya escorted ta his chambers last night.” Switching back to her normal voice, she gave the two masters of the house a warm, apologetic smile. “I am so terribly sorry for my earlier deception and rudeness. My name is Valerie Rhitegast. It is an honor to meet you properly, Master and Madame Silverbane.” She gave them a curtsy. “If you wish, I will find other living arrangements. It is quite the affront to lie to such gracious hosts, and I am afraid that I have little excuse other than my own foolishness, but I do swear to you that my intentions are aligned with your son’s.”
 
Seeing Valerie enter the room, Tyrius let her speak before adding on once she was finished. "She showed us just now in the study. Honestly, the fact that she was using an illusion doesn't change much. She still fought alongside us." Tyrius gave Valerie a once over, looking to see if the ring was back on her finger. Catching sight of the little thing, Tyrius realised how frightened Valerie might be, considering Eliza's reaction to studying the ring and his own vague warning before he'd taken off.

"I know it's a bit - strange." Tyrius said, realising it was the second time in as many days that he was attempting to sweet talk his parents into letting a strange magic woman stay, "but Valerie - Knight or no Knight - is a good friend and ally."

'And we still need to talk about Pyria.' Tyrius thought, wondering how time passed in the demiplane and hoping they weren't going to reconnect her door only to find Pyria died of old age.
 
Eliza focused on Niradnam during Valerie’s reveal. If the Silverbanes welcomed her, maybe it will finally convince the elf that maybe he didn’t have to be so worried amongst them. She wondered why his secret irked her so much. Maybe it was because she went through life in her true form and expected the same from everyone. But that didn’t really make sense, she was only a half-orc, still unusual but still very much normal as she increasingly found in her travels.

Maybe she was too harsh on Niradnam last night. Didn’t he have a right to his secrets like everyone else? She chewed her lower lip making up her mind. Her only responsibility to the group was making sure that he wasn’t secretly evil or something and she had more than delivered. Why didn’t he also have the right to share his secret when he felt comfotable like Valerie?
 
Silverbane Manor | First Floor Dining Area:

Baldrus raised an eyebrow at Valerie, especially when she mimicked the voice of the Knight, Moriana seemed less aware while Niradnam and Elizabeth didn't seem to understand at all. The black cat Egnaro padded across the room, jumping into Niradnam's lap as Baldrus sat in his seat once more, rubbing his brow with a sigh. "Lad ... ya really don't need to go through so much work tryin' to sneak ladies into the house." The Master and Madame shared a silent look for a moment while Elizabeth stood to inspect the "newcomer", a biscuit in one hand.

The woman walked a circle around Valerie before reaching out to touch the fabric of the dress, only to pass through it as she let out a soft "oh!" in disappointment. Swallowing a bite of the biscuit she held, Elizabeth spoke up, "Was really hoping that was real you know -- don't really get to see such fancy dresses around here."

At the table Niradnam offered a piece of apple to Egnaro who sniffed before turning away, "Lady Virra said the Knight was 'exotic', she didn't mention quite how interesting you truly were. It's a pleasure to meet you ... Lady Valerie?" He pointed to his throat, "Is the voice another layered spell or something else?"

Seeming to finish their quiet conversation, Moriana looked towards Valerie, shaking her head at Tyrius, "You are quite trusting, Ty. It would be a mark against our family name and hospitality to deny you a roof over your head, given we already offered to care for you as hosts." Madame Silverbane rested her chin on her hands, "However, it is tiring for so many surprises to be placed upon us all the same."
 
Valerie blushed at the implication Baldrus had made and quickly interjected. "Oh, no, I'm sorry Master Baldrus but it is not like that at all. In fact..." She trailed off as it became apparent he was no longer listening, and then looked over to the woman who was approaching her with a smile, although she was a little embarrassed at having the illusion seen through so quickly. "Yes, unfortunately I only had room in my luggage for one such fancy dress, and it is rather too formal for breakfast. Perhaps if we stay for dinner? To be honest, I am unaware of our plans for the day." She then gave her a grin. "I will say, however, the real one is far fancier than this."

Turning then to the man with oddly colored eyes, she smiled and laughed. "A pleasure to meet you as well, my lord. No, it is just a talent I possess. It was a game my grandfather and I used to play that happened to become rather useful as of late." She cleared her throat a little and then spoke in Baldrus's voice. "Just gotta get a sense fer how they talk, an' then all I've gotta do is try ta figure out what they'd say." Returning her voice to normal, she looked at him curiously. "I must apologize, I do not believe I caught your name earlier."

She then turned back to Madame Silverbane immediately at hearing the issue resolved, and frowned apologetically, giving them another curtsy. "I understand, and must say once more how truly sorry I am for my deceit. I swear it did not come from a place of malice, but rather a lack of foresight on my part."
 
Silverbane Manor | First Floor Dining Area:

Finishing off the biscuit she'd brought with her, Elizabeth smiled widely, "I hope to see it then!"

Niradnam chuckled at Valerie's display, "Perhaps I shouldn't speak too much then, my voice might get used against me! As I told Lady Eliza earlier, I'm no lord, just a humble scholar of Azarad here looking for knowledge. My name is Niradnam Helvuan, and this little fellow," he scratched under the cat's chin, "is my traveling companion, Egnaro."

Baldrus waved off Valerie's comments, "Eh ... this house has had stranger things happen, just makes it harder to accomodate guests if we're unaware. Still, you raised a good point earlier -- what're all you youngin's planning for the day?"
 
Tyrius knocked back some more coffee and looked at the others, "Going to try and at least help in the fields in the morning while everyone's settling in and Virra's busy raiding our closets looking for skeletons or maybe another demiplane to find some werekittens then spend the afternoon in the library."

Looking to Niradnam, Tyrius asked, "So, how long have you and Egnaro been a thing?"
 
Niradnam's comment got a laugh out of Virra. "Well, none of us are ladies, but don't let that get in the way." She took a seat next to Tyrius and poured herself a glass of juice, getting ready to pile up a decent breakfast on her plate when suddenly the young lord began to make some rather rude assumptions about her. Already cross-legged, she folded her arms as well. "Well, you're wrong about a couple of things. The first is that you're not gonna catch me dead in the library. Second, I'm fine to go help in the fields too, as soon as I'm done with those closets." She stuck out her tongue. "Thanks for the permission, though."
 
Seeing Virra bristle up, Tyrius gave a small smile, "No problem, though if you don't go in the library, you won't find the biggest skeleton of them all." Realising how that could sound, Tyrius turned to his parents, "Virra's a private investigator, we met in Porthca. Don't worry, unless we've suddenly taking to shoving undead sea creatures in our closets while I've been away."
 
Evening of the Tenth Day | Wyford:

Splitting after breakfast, the group set to their work, Banrigg offering to help the fields for the day.

The Knight and Ander wandered the town and few taverns, not finding much in the mornings as most were busy working, yet as the day passed the crowds grew. Ocassionally in their wandering they passed Virra who looked quite giddy at learning every place she could in Wyford: The Rare Crocodile Jewelry shoppe, the Elegant Imp leather worker's shop, the Armored Dog Smithy, Scarlett Witch Wood Carver, Savage Aim Bowery, Sleeping Staff Tailor, Brewed Leprechaun Potion Shop, Singing Fish Instruments, Royal Chimera Bookshop, Adventurous Titan Goods, Silver Boar Animal Store, Toasty Coin Bakery, and finally the two taverns of Wyford: The Leaping Hag Flagon and the Restless Devil Inn.

The Restless Devil is where the Knight and Ander find themselves surrounded by tired field workers and others coming in for drinks and dinner. Listening and talking amongst them, the pair overhear similar to what Richeye Defallion had mentioned before and seen themselves: the bandits are getting bolder lately, even with Thomas' expeditions to try and thin their numbers. When asked about symbols of Lathander, most reply they try not to get close enough to notice such details, and mentions of captives make men go silent -- perhaps thinking of their own loved ones who disappeared with attacks.

Eliza, Tyrius, and Niradnam spend the remainder of their day in the library digging through books. Eliza and Niradnam focus on researching the items the thief had supposedly stolen or been rumoured to steal over the years, while Ty found himself spending the day distracted by old nursery rhymes and other tomes from his childhood. The pair track down tomes of legendary items with sudden endings to their tales -- strange bags that held creatures within them, belts that granted strength beyond measure, cloaks that make wearers flicker in sight, rings, necklaces and tiaras drenched in enchantments, even creatures in the forms of tiny fingurines ... weapons and instruments, stones and staves, wands and armors ... While studying the lists and books, Niradnam gets a very excited look on his face, like a child finding a toychest, but his smile fades as he mentions, "Unfortunately I highly doubt all of these would be there ... and that if the hoard has been found that anything is even still there."
 
“My parents always told my stories of such items. Their dream was to one day enchant an item that had a fraction of the magic and power these were rumored to possess.” She stared in awe at one of the illustrations in the book. “The skill and knowledge their creators had. The time they needed to perfect their craft.” Eliza stared at her notes covered in her precise penmenship and tried hard not to drown in such hopeless thoughts again.
 
Evening of the Tenth Day | Wyford:

Niradnam nodded, "I've only seen a few items considered magical, and hardly any of them were on the scale of these ... it would be amazing to find them, I can't even imagine the feeling of having crafted one."

Evening of the Eleventh Day | Wyford:

While the group split once more for their respective tasks, shopping, selling off items and so on, they eventually convene once more only to set out on their intended stakeout for bandits.

Eventually the sun lowers and they move, preparing themselves to be on lookout. Time passes ... thoughts start to filter in of maybe nothing's going to happen ... until -- there's ... faint movement through the field... the farmers and workers are all asleep, what could it be?
 
After a frustrating day of being subjected to boring academic talk, the stakeout felt downright relaxing. Even though they weren't talking much, Virra was content to smell the night air and hope that trouble found its way to them eventually. When she glimpsed something stalking through the field when everyone on the farm was meant to be asleep, she was awake in an instant.

"Ooh, ooh," she whispered, grabbing Ander by the sleeve. "Over there, I saw something. Can you guys see it?" She pointed out where she'd seen movement, hoping Eliza or Banrigg would back her up.
 
"who dares tread in my fields after dusk?" Magnolia projects her voice into the minds of whoever has this luminescent blade. These brigands are prowling around the fields at night, no farmers would be awake this late. Hopefully the whole speaking in their brains thing will scare these idiots off.
wait what if they don't speak common?
nah, everyone speaks common, that's why it's called common. Maybe I should throw some primordial in there to sound scary?
"<fluffy bunnies will eat your souls!>" If they speak Terran this is going to be really akward...
 
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Hearing Virra and Banrigg mention the rustling, Tyrius impulsively cast Expeditious Retreat on himself, muttering the incantation under his breath. Glad he didn't surge, he waited until he could see a sign of bandits before he'd start firing off his more potent magic.
 
"Your field?!" Ander shouts out loud, probably startling his companions who were in sneak attack mode. "By the dawn, friends, I don't think we've found a bandit." He holds out his sword to see the halfling before him. "I'm sorry ta scare ya, Ma'am. We were stakin' out the farms to try to catch bandits." The giant of a man spoke halfling about as poorly as he spoke every other language.
 
Virra jumped a good foot in the air after Ander's shout. "Wait, what? Who's not a bandit?" she demanded, then stopped short as the shape came closer and revealed itself to be a halfling woman. "...Oh." Still on guard, she put her hands on her hips and moved closer, assuming her interrogation stance. "Well, well. Who might you be, wandering around these fields at night? And just how did you speak to my friend Ander without the rest of us hearing?" she asked in a lofty voice.
 
"I am the spirit of the field! Ooooooooooooo." Magnolia doubles over with laughter; A mane if curly red hair falling over her face. Taking a second to wipe a tear of mirth from her sparkling green eyes. "Yondalla bless me, that was funny. I never thought I'd find someone speaking my language that was over four feet tall."
Switching back to the common tongue, "Magnolia Underbow, call me Mags, professional wanderer and cleric of the open road. Now who the heck are you and what are you lot doing skulking in fields this late at night?"
 
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“We want to help Wyford with their bandit problem.” A short half-orc speaks up from behind Ander. “I guess we were able to manage the last group but...” She looked around nervously. The only thing giving her some measure of solace was the brilliant night sky. No matter how her world seemed to turn upside down she could depend on the moon and stars to stay constant.
 
Virra looked at the oooooing halfling long and hard, then turned away to stifle a giggle. Okay, she was good. Virra could appreciate the use of "heck", too. "Well, it's good to see we have a profession in common," she admitted, turning back to give Magnolia a second look. "Like Eliza said, we're out to rough up some bandits. If you're not one, you're probably okay." She couldn't help but smirk. "Sorry for walking all over your god, by the way."
 
Hearing the conversation going on, the red headed sorcerer kept his head down, content to let Expeditious Retreat fizzle out if it wasn't needed. 'Guess Niradnam had the right idea of staying indoors,' thought Tyrius to himself, 'This could've gone bad.'

"Err yeah, just looking for bandits," said Tyrius, trying to made his voice sound deeper than usual in an effort not to be immediately recognised. 'I still haven't convinced mum and dad to let Pyria stay - last they need to hear is I was about to Shatter some poor Wyfordian because I thought they were a bandit.' "You had any problems with bandits out here? My brother-" Tyrius stopped as he realised exactly what he was about to say and thought better of it, "works with Thomas Silverbane. They're gonna start cracking down on bandits so we're just, you know, going around the local fields trying to make sure there's not many bandits about at night."
 
Viera makes her snort back a laugh. "nah ya crazy, I'm a cleric of Yondalla. Just travel around a lot," she explains.
"Kinda hard to be a bandit, brigand or Highway-man when your God is all about hospitality and life."
Tyrius gives her pause, what's he on about? Hiding something, just can't figure out what...
 
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