Author: Laurajlmars
Title: The Best Laid Plans (Part 2)
Date: 2009-09-30 13:22:57
Type: Logs
Synopsis: Lord Templar Weringa Borsail and Warlord Kharad Tor discuss a threat against Allanak and a number of available options, unaware that they are being overheard. A log from the summer of 2007.
Title: The Best Laid Plans (Part 2)
Date: 2009-09-30 13:22:57
Type: Logs
Synopsis: Lord Templar Weringa Borsail and Warlord Kharad Tor discuss a threat against Allanak and a number of available options, unaware that they are being overheard. A log from the summer of 2007.
Terrible, biting sand whips around you.
A Grand Onyx Floored Entrance Hall [NESW]
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar is standing here.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stands here, rigid and alert.
The fiery-haired, flat-nosed man closes the door from the other side.
You search for a good place to hide.
You attempt to hide yourself.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female locks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
A foreign presence contacts your mind.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"Go to them. Find my mind if there's any trouble. I'll be nearby."
You are no longer following anyone.
You search for a good place to hide.
You attempt to hide yourself.
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar steps in, looks around for a moment, then shakes his head and leaves.
Stepping aside quickly, the cynipri-skinned, dwarven female says, in sirihish:
"Opening on behalf of an Officer of the Academy."
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stops using her slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female unlocks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female opens the door.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female fastens her slender ruby-red stone key around her wrist.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female nods at the rugged, stubble-bearded templar.
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar walks south.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female closes the door.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female locks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
You sense a foreign presence withdraw from your mind.
You feel terrified without his protection.
After a long moment of standing, petrified, in the middle of the hall, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak forces one bare foot forward, shaking all over.
You slow down and start moving carefully.
n
Grand Onyx Floored Hall [NESWU]
The svelte, ringlet-haired woman is here, patrolling the hall.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak creeps up the stairs on soundless feet, both hands gripping the railing so tight her knuckles blanch.
u
A White Marble Foyer [NESWUD]
The pepper-haired, square-jawed man is here guarding the ascending stairwell.
You search for a good place to hide.
You attempt to hide yourself.
You feel your thoughts focus.
You think:
"As long as they...as long as..."
Feeling yourself struggling for breath, you think:
"I needn't...as long as I can feel him glow."
Feeling betrayed, you think:
"How could he do this? How could he leave me?"
Groping her way blindly, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak crawls into a wall niche bearing a statue of black onyx, huddling motionless behind it.
You feel your heart hammering in your throat.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak presses her back against the wall of the shadowed niche.
You feel as though the only thread that connects her to sanity is fraying.
s (almost crawling, feeling her way with bare feet)
The Academy Lounge by the Bar [NEW]
The keg-bellied female dwarf stands to the warbraided man's right.
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man is sitting at a small, pale cylini table.
The chiseled, auburn-haired woman stands watchfully here.
The blockish, olive-drab dwarf stands to the warbraided man's left.
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar is sitting at a small, pale cylini table.
The plump, brown-eyed woman stands here behind the onyx bar.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, peering across the table to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I do however, think it is time to take action against our neighbors in the not-so-nice part of the city."
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak creeps silently along the edges of the room, feeling her way to a pillar near the warbraided, smoke-eyed man's table.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, uplifting a brow at the stone-faced, able-bodied templar as he rasps softly:
"Ah, you do? Has something transpired to change your sentiments?"
Bare toes gripping the porous marble, fingers curling around obsidian lamp stems, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak nimbly, silently climbs straight up the side of the curving wall, bracing herself in a large stone arch.
Your new ldesc is:
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak is braced against an arch, above the heads of many.
You think:
"They'll see me, they'll see me, they'll see...they'll see...see me, don't see me, listen, listen, listen..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a soft smile:
"Sharak and Horoz are dead, we can fully focus on the situation here... heal the city of that festering sore that has lingered far too long now."
You think:
"Remember, remember, remember."
You think:
"Oh! I can't see. I can't move. Can't feel. Can't...I am...a rational creature. Am I a person? If all of this is true?"
Feeling wild, you think:
"Looks better when you can't see it, nothing but specifics, poor decisions, help!"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"You and your men are fully with me in this, I imagine?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding deeply:
"You know that I agree. We certainly would be, yes."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, lifting another piece of steak from the plate:
"Excellent."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar eats a portion of his half eaten kank steak.
You think:
"Don't see me. Don't look up."
You feel your arms trembling.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, after swallowing:
"Templar Samos doesn't feel it time, or something. Well, I do and actions are going to be taken."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, with a vague gesture of one spike-knuckled hand:
"Lord Samos recently spoke on the matter with his Red, the Great Lord Shalak, who believed it was still not time."
You feel ill with fear.
You feel like throwing up.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding deeply:
"Aye, he has expressed as much to me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man with a sideways cant of his head:
"Well."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, shaking his head once:
"I've not yet been summoned to a Great Lord since my inprocessing to the city, my previous or any other."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"If my actions are to be stopped, I imagine I will be told as much after some of them are dead. I have the names of all those Gin wishes protected, we can start there."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly:
"Excellent. Those will be more valuable to us than the top layers of scum we'd have to skim through going in blind."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, extending five fingers, one at a time:
"Hek, Marin, Corin, Hazim, and Vel."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a faint nod:
"Those five should cut his feet out from beneath him, forcing action on his part."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding once:
"Hek attacked me a few weeks ago, and has fled to Tuluk, last I heard."
You feel dread clutching at your throat.
You think:
"Were they to know."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, raising his brows:
"Tuluk is it..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a single shake of his head:
"Unpleasant."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"He had rampaged in the Elemental Quarter and hid from the militia in the Commons. I confronted him and tried to convince him to surrender for a stay in the jail, but he chose instead to try to butcher me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a light smirk:
"Aye... do you know of any of these others?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"And in the aftermath, Marin spoke to me psionically. He claims to be in charge now, with Gin demoted, but when I demanded he forsake the bender, he grew irate."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, with a faint smirk:
"And promised to have me assassinated."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a single shake of his head:
"That will not happen."
You think:
"Quiet! Let go."
You feel your panic drain away.
You feel vacant, crystal clear, empty.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak's knuckles slowly whiten as they clutch, unmoving, the stem of the obsidian lamp.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, still smirking:
"He warned me to test every drink and bite of food, for my first slip would be my last. He didn't realize I've had that done routinely since I was eight."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar curls the corner of his mouth up in a grin before nodding once to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, lightly clearing his throat before rasping on hoarsely:
"Marin has two rooms in the tenament building on Merchant's Road."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"The other tenants there are all gemmed mages, some borderline rogue, I'm told. He keeps the east room on the second floor, and claims the west room there is under his protection."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a faint nod to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Very good... any idea how often he visits them? Or does he stay there permenantly?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, simply:
"If Marin says he is in charge, well, im not going to hesitate in breaking down his door and cutting his head off with first opportunity."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, shaking his head lightly:
"He seems to spend more time in Folley's or the sewers, but when I had reports from a person renting in that building, he seemed to visit perhaps once every two weeks."
A motor tic briefly contorts the left side of the warbraided, smoke-eyed man's face.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Know anything... alright?"
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar looks over the warbraided, smoke-eyed man's face for a moment before shrugging a shoulder.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Know anything about any of the others?"
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar looks at the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, as he works his jaw to relax the spasming muscles in his face:
"I knew a Vel once, but he was an al'Seik tribal. I somehow doubt it is the same one..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a shake of his head:
"I seriously doubt it'd be the same one... we really need to find out more about those who are in the Guild now."
You feel completely vacant now, without conscience or memory, functioning only as a vessel.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding once:
"I shall see if I can match faces to those names. There is also Quick, of course. The elf."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I've probed Gin a couple times now with things that tempt him... each time he has had me pass it off to one of his men, or to someone I trust that can take it to a messenger of his own."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, scowling:
"Yes, Quick... the Nilazi."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, shifting his jaw:
"Gin is a powerful mindbender, Lord Templar. I withstood the worse the High Lirathans had in the War, but he was able to break me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I have heard... what was he capable of against you?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"We sparred for half a day, perhaps... he repeatedly trying to break through my barrier. Finally, in an instant before I could re-erect it, he slipped in..."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar furrows his brow and tilts his head forward in a single nod.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"He was fully capable of ending my life."
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man purses his lips thoughtfully.
You feel nothing good emanating from the sudden silence.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, scowling:
"Bastard... is a blight to the city..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, shaking his head once:
"Too many have suffered their wiles and used them, instead of snuffing them out to get the job done themselves."
You feel every sense but your ruined eyes on high alert.
You feel the cold marble of the wall beneath your bare feet.
You feel the scent of ocotillo wine tingling in your nostrils and the back of your throat.
You feel the stringent taste of smoke and whiskey lingering in the air.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding simply:
"I could not agree more."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, peering at the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I am glad someone in this city seems to still agree with me, Warlord."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, exhaling a single gruff chuckle:
"On the contrary, I have long sought someone's agreement with me on this issue. You opposed it so ardently when we last spoke, I admit to being quite pleasantly surprised now."
You feel the words you hear being funneled, without understanding or comprehension, into a safe place in the back of your head.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man as he wags a finger back and forth:
"If you remember, I agreed they had to be brought down... but it was not the right time then, as it is now. We have no other immediate dangers to the city and its peoples, other than them."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Why we would wait when there are so few other meaningful places to turn our attention to, is beyond me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding seriously:
"Gin's violation has tapped a temper I usually keep in check, I admit, and the Guild's affiliation with the undead is deeply disturbing for all of the city."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar clenches his jaw and tilts his head forward with a firm nod.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"What I would give for the old days of poisoned daggers being the biggest problem they posed."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"Ah! Here, here. That was a Guild I much prefered to deal with. I have heard rumors that a similar undead presence has been amassing beneath Tuluk as well."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Insideous mindbenders, Nilazi, outright attacks in the city to our very Noble blooded!"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, nodding once to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I've read such reports myself. Would not be so disturbing if we did not face the same here ourselves."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding:
"Do you know a woman named Felicity?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a single shake of his head:
"Not at all."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Who is this Felicity?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"A whore from the alleys. She was southside to arrange some purchases with Kadius, and also asking questions about the abilities of some mages who were at the bar."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Affiliated with any of the Guild?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Or do you propose we try and use her against them somehow?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish:
"She appeared diseased... whether it was the onset of the 'cold dead' or something else... I do not know"
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar wrinkles his nose and tilts his head forward with a single nod.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar:
"No, I believe she is affiliated. She warned a Drovian against snooping in the alleys, and told him 'Samos knows everyone of importance up there anyhow""
Rapidly, silently, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak's chest rises and falls.
You feel air automatically filling your lungs, leaving them, returning.
At a small, pale cylini table, the stone-faced, able-bodied templar speaks, pursing his lips and glancing to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
You start trying to listen.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar:
"I am much less troubled now to be like minded with you. I shall attempt to get some eyes and ears inside the alleys, and watch for these 'protected' here southside."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a firm nod:
"Once spotted, find my mind immediately and together we will waylay them wherever they stand."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I may need some funding if it can be spared Warlord, my bank account grows slack lately... the people fear the taxes I impose and the beatings, far fewer do they break HIS laws."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly:
"With pleasure, I shall seek your mind. Funds? Yes, of course, let me contribute to this effort."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Speak with the gemmed Valla, see if she will report on Marin's coming and goings from his apartments."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Snap as well, after the beating he took by them I am sure he'd gladly take part in this endevour... without being ordered."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"They both live in the same apartments on Merchant's Road."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding a couple of times:
"Aye, Snap. He is the one Hek attacked just before me. He should recognize that I stood up for him."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"We'll need to use every angle we can in this. I'm not going to let anything stand in the way."
You feel your limbs and position turn gradually to ice, frigid and unmoving and painful.
Feeling pain wrack your motionless limbs, you think:
"Hurts, must be seen, no pain could be so silent."
Finishing off the last bit from the plate, the stone-faced, able-bodied templar eats his small portion of a kank steak.
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar puts his pile of coins into his pouched belt.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, scowling:
"Still owe them back for the death of Templar Shiran."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly:
"And Lord Templar Evaren Sath, Lord Shiran's replacement."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar clenches his jaw and nods once to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"He led a small group into the sewers. They killed him down in that muck."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"If any assault is to be made into that lair now it'll be in scores, Scorpion and the Jade Cross."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"When we next meet, I shall transfer some funds to you. I am afraid I exhausted the coffer I keep here in my office."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a firm nod:
"Excellent, during this work keep yourself well protected... as you always do. I shall pray to the Highlord and HIS Blessing will be with us."
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man nods firmly to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar:
"I have lost many good Scorpions to the Guild in the last three years... all stabbed in the back by a knife, or having their lives ended by a foe far from site. The rest of my men have been preparing to deliver a reply."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"The Guild will be smothered by HIS swiftly beating wings in their most merciless state, Warlord."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar stands up from a small, pale cylini table.
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man stands up from a small, pale cylini table.
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar says, in sirihish:
"Walk beneath HIS wide-winged shadow and all will be well."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar walks north.
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man walks north.
The blockish, olive-drab dwarf walks north.
The chiseled, auburn-haired woman walks north.
The keg-bellied female dwarf walks north.
You feel your entire body aching with long confinement.
You think:
"Roc, don't forget me."
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak continues to sit braced in her perch, rocking back and forth slightly.
A foreign presence contacts your mind.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"You okay?"
You feel yourself coming to.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak gradually unbends her fingers from around the lamp.
You feel movement slowly returning, blood circulating painfully through your frozen form.
You suffer from use of the Way.
You contact the rugged, stubble-bearded man with the Way.
The figure in a hooded, loose black silk greatcloak slides down the wall, landing lightly on bare feet.
You feel your iron limbs turn to flesh once more.
n (creeping along the wall)
A White Marble Foyer [NESWUD]
The pepper-haired, square-jawed man is here guarding the ascending stairwell.
You suffer from use of the Way.
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"Please get me out."
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"Did they find you?"
You feel wretched.
You suffer from use of the Way.
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"No."
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"*a wave of relief* Good girl."
d
Grand Onyx Floored Hall [NESWU]
The svelte, ringlet-haired woman is here, patrolling the hall.
s
A Grand Onyx Floored Entrance Hall [NESW]
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stands here, rigid and alert.
The fiery-haired, flat-nosed man opens the door from the other side.
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar has arrived from the south.
The fiery-haired, flat-nosed man closes the door from the other side.
You now follow the rugged, stubble-bearded templar.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female locks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"I'm in the entry. Where are you?"
You feel your icy cold and vacant demeanor melting under a nearly hysterical wash of relief.
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"I'm with you."
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"Go."
Stepping aside quickly, the cynipri-skinned, dwarven female says, in sirihish:
"Opening on behalf of an Officer of the Academy."
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stops using her slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female unlocks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female opens the door.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female fastens her slender ruby-red stone key around her wrist.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female nods at the rugged, stubble-bearded man.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man walks south.
You follow the rugged, stubble-bearded man, and walk south.
A Grand Onyx Floored Entrance Hall [NESW]
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar is standing here.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stands here, rigid and alert.
The fiery-haired, flat-nosed man closes the door from the other side.
You search for a good place to hide.
You attempt to hide yourself.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female locks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
A foreign presence contacts your mind.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"Go to them. Find my mind if there's any trouble. I'll be nearby."
You are no longer following anyone.
You search for a good place to hide.
You attempt to hide yourself.
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar steps in, looks around for a moment, then shakes his head and leaves.
Stepping aside quickly, the cynipri-skinned, dwarven female says, in sirihish:
"Opening on behalf of an Officer of the Academy."
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stops using her slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female unlocks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female opens the door.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female fastens her slender ruby-red stone key around her wrist.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female nods at the rugged, stubble-bearded templar.
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar walks south.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female closes the door.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female locks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
You sense a foreign presence withdraw from your mind.
You feel terrified without his protection.
After a long moment of standing, petrified, in the middle of the hall, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak forces one bare foot forward, shaking all over.
You slow down and start moving carefully.
n
Grand Onyx Floored Hall [NESWU]
The svelte, ringlet-haired woman is here, patrolling the hall.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak creeps up the stairs on soundless feet, both hands gripping the railing so tight her knuckles blanch.
u
A White Marble Foyer [NESWUD]
The pepper-haired, square-jawed man is here guarding the ascending stairwell.
You search for a good place to hide.
You attempt to hide yourself.
You feel your thoughts focus.
You think:
"As long as they...as long as..."
Feeling yourself struggling for breath, you think:
"I needn't...as long as I can feel him glow."
Feeling betrayed, you think:
"How could he do this? How could he leave me?"
Groping her way blindly, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak crawls into a wall niche bearing a statue of black onyx, huddling motionless behind it.
You feel your heart hammering in your throat.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak presses her back against the wall of the shadowed niche.
You feel as though the only thread that connects her to sanity is fraying.
s (almost crawling, feeling her way with bare feet)
The Academy Lounge by the Bar [NEW]
The keg-bellied female dwarf stands to the warbraided man's right.
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man is sitting at a small, pale cylini table.
The chiseled, auburn-haired woman stands watchfully here.
The blockish, olive-drab dwarf stands to the warbraided man's left.
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar is sitting at a small, pale cylini table.
The plump, brown-eyed woman stands here behind the onyx bar.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, peering across the table to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I do however, think it is time to take action against our neighbors in the not-so-nice part of the city."
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak creeps silently along the edges of the room, feeling her way to a pillar near the warbraided, smoke-eyed man's table.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, uplifting a brow at the stone-faced, able-bodied templar as he rasps softly:
"Ah, you do? Has something transpired to change your sentiments?"
Bare toes gripping the porous marble, fingers curling around obsidian lamp stems, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak nimbly, silently climbs straight up the side of the curving wall, bracing herself in a large stone arch.
Your new ldesc is:
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak is braced against an arch, above the heads of many.
You think:
"They'll see me, they'll see me, they'll see...they'll see...see me, don't see me, listen, listen, listen..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a soft smile:
"Sharak and Horoz are dead, we can fully focus on the situation here... heal the city of that festering sore that has lingered far too long now."
You think:
"Remember, remember, remember."
You think:
"Oh! I can't see. I can't move. Can't feel. Can't...I am...a rational creature. Am I a person? If all of this is true?"
Feeling wild, you think:
"Looks better when you can't see it, nothing but specifics, poor decisions, help!"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"You and your men are fully with me in this, I imagine?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding deeply:
"You know that I agree. We certainly would be, yes."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, lifting another piece of steak from the plate:
"Excellent."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar eats a portion of his half eaten kank steak.
You think:
"Don't see me. Don't look up."
You feel your arms trembling.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, after swallowing:
"Templar Samos doesn't feel it time, or something. Well, I do and actions are going to be taken."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, with a vague gesture of one spike-knuckled hand:
"Lord Samos recently spoke on the matter with his Red, the Great Lord Shalak, who believed it was still not time."
You feel ill with fear.
You feel like throwing up.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding deeply:
"Aye, he has expressed as much to me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man with a sideways cant of his head:
"Well."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, shaking his head once:
"I've not yet been summoned to a Great Lord since my inprocessing to the city, my previous or any other."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"If my actions are to be stopped, I imagine I will be told as much after some of them are dead. I have the names of all those Gin wishes protected, we can start there."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly:
"Excellent. Those will be more valuable to us than the top layers of scum we'd have to skim through going in blind."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, extending five fingers, one at a time:
"Hek, Marin, Corin, Hazim, and Vel."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a faint nod:
"Those five should cut his feet out from beneath him, forcing action on his part."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding once:
"Hek attacked me a few weeks ago, and has fled to Tuluk, last I heard."
You feel dread clutching at your throat.
You think:
"Were they to know."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, raising his brows:
"Tuluk is it..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a single shake of his head:
"Unpleasant."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"He had rampaged in the Elemental Quarter and hid from the militia in the Commons. I confronted him and tried to convince him to surrender for a stay in the jail, but he chose instead to try to butcher me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a light smirk:
"Aye... do you know of any of these others?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"And in the aftermath, Marin spoke to me psionically. He claims to be in charge now, with Gin demoted, but when I demanded he forsake the bender, he grew irate."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, with a faint smirk:
"And promised to have me assassinated."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a single shake of his head:
"That will not happen."
You think:
"Quiet! Let go."
You feel your panic drain away.
You feel vacant, crystal clear, empty.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak's knuckles slowly whiten as they clutch, unmoving, the stem of the obsidian lamp.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, still smirking:
"He warned me to test every drink and bite of food, for my first slip would be my last. He didn't realize I've had that done routinely since I was eight."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar curls the corner of his mouth up in a grin before nodding once to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, lightly clearing his throat before rasping on hoarsely:
"Marin has two rooms in the tenament building on Merchant's Road."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"The other tenants there are all gemmed mages, some borderline rogue, I'm told. He keeps the east room on the second floor, and claims the west room there is under his protection."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a faint nod to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Very good... any idea how often he visits them? Or does he stay there permenantly?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, simply:
"If Marin says he is in charge, well, im not going to hesitate in breaking down his door and cutting his head off with first opportunity."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, shaking his head lightly:
"He seems to spend more time in Folley's or the sewers, but when I had reports from a person renting in that building, he seemed to visit perhaps once every two weeks."
A motor tic briefly contorts the left side of the warbraided, smoke-eyed man's face.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Know anything... alright?"
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar looks over the warbraided, smoke-eyed man's face for a moment before shrugging a shoulder.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Know anything about any of the others?"
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar looks at the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, as he works his jaw to relax the spasming muscles in his face:
"I knew a Vel once, but he was an al'Seik tribal. I somehow doubt it is the same one..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a shake of his head:
"I seriously doubt it'd be the same one... we really need to find out more about those who are in the Guild now."
You feel completely vacant now, without conscience or memory, functioning only as a vessel.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding once:
"I shall see if I can match faces to those names. There is also Quick, of course. The elf."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I've probed Gin a couple times now with things that tempt him... each time he has had me pass it off to one of his men, or to someone I trust that can take it to a messenger of his own."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, scowling:
"Yes, Quick... the Nilazi."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, shifting his jaw:
"Gin is a powerful mindbender, Lord Templar. I withstood the worse the High Lirathans had in the War, but he was able to break me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I have heard... what was he capable of against you?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"We sparred for half a day, perhaps... he repeatedly trying to break through my barrier. Finally, in an instant before I could re-erect it, he slipped in..."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar furrows his brow and tilts his head forward in a single nod.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"He was fully capable of ending my life."
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man purses his lips thoughtfully.
You feel nothing good emanating from the sudden silence.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, scowling:
"Bastard... is a blight to the city..."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, shaking his head once:
"Too many have suffered their wiles and used them, instead of snuffing them out to get the job done themselves."
You feel every sense but your ruined eyes on high alert.
You feel the cold marble of the wall beneath your bare feet.
You feel the scent of ocotillo wine tingling in your nostrils and the back of your throat.
You feel the stringent taste of smoke and whiskey lingering in the air.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding simply:
"I could not agree more."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, peering at the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I am glad someone in this city seems to still agree with me, Warlord."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, exhaling a single gruff chuckle:
"On the contrary, I have long sought someone's agreement with me on this issue. You opposed it so ardently when we last spoke, I admit to being quite pleasantly surprised now."
You feel the words you hear being funneled, without understanding or comprehension, into a safe place in the back of your head.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man as he wags a finger back and forth:
"If you remember, I agreed they had to be brought down... but it was not the right time then, as it is now. We have no other immediate dangers to the city and its peoples, other than them."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Why we would wait when there are so few other meaningful places to turn our attention to, is beyond me."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding seriously:
"Gin's violation has tapped a temper I usually keep in check, I admit, and the Guild's affiliation with the undead is deeply disturbing for all of the city."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar clenches his jaw and tilts his head forward with a firm nod.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"What I would give for the old days of poisoned daggers being the biggest problem they posed."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"Ah! Here, here. That was a Guild I much prefered to deal with. I have heard rumors that a similar undead presence has been amassing beneath Tuluk as well."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Insideous mindbenders, Nilazi, outright attacks in the city to our very Noble blooded!"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, nodding once to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I've read such reports myself. Would not be so disturbing if we did not face the same here ourselves."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding:
"Do you know a woman named Felicity?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a single shake of his head:
"Not at all."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"Who is this Felicity?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"A whore from the alleys. She was southside to arrange some purchases with Kadius, and also asking questions about the abilities of some mages who were at the bar."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Affiliated with any of the Guild?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Or do you propose we try and use her against them somehow?"
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish:
"She appeared diseased... whether it was the onset of the 'cold dead' or something else... I do not know"
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar wrinkles his nose and tilts his head forward with a single nod.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar:
"No, I believe she is affiliated. She warned a Drovian against snooping in the alleys, and told him 'Samos knows everyone of importance up there anyhow""
Rapidly, silently, the figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak's chest rises and falls.
You feel air automatically filling your lungs, leaving them, returning.
At a small, pale cylini table, the stone-faced, able-bodied templar speaks, pursing his lips and glancing to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
You start trying to listen.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar:
"I am much less troubled now to be like minded with you. I shall attempt to get some eyes and ears inside the alleys, and watch for these 'protected' here southside."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a firm nod:
"Once spotted, find my mind immediately and together we will waylay them wherever they stand."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"I may need some funding if it can be spared Warlord, my bank account grows slack lately... the people fear the taxes I impose and the beatings, far fewer do they break HIS laws."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly:
"With pleasure, I shall seek your mind. Funds? Yes, of course, let me contribute to this effort."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Speak with the gemmed Valla, see if she will report on Marin's coming and goings from his apartments."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"Snap as well, after the beating he took by them I am sure he'd gladly take part in this endevour... without being ordered."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"They both live in the same apartments on Merchant's Road."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding a couple of times:
"Aye, Snap. He is the one Hek attacked just before me. He should recognize that I stood up for him."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"We'll need to use every angle we can in this. I'm not going to let anything stand in the way."
You feel your limbs and position turn gradually to ice, frigid and unmoving and painful.
Feeling pain wrack your motionless limbs, you think:
"Hurts, must be seen, no pain could be so silent."
Finishing off the last bit from the plate, the stone-faced, able-bodied templar eats his small portion of a kank steak.
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar puts his pile of coins into his pouched belt.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, scowling:
"Still owe them back for the death of Templar Shiran."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly:
"And Lord Templar Evaren Sath, Lord Shiran's replacement."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar clenches his jaw and nods once to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"He led a small group into the sewers. They killed him down in that muck."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, to the warbraided, smoke-eyed man:
"If any assault is to be made into that lair now it'll be in scores, Scorpion and the Jade Cross."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, gruffly:
"When we next meet, I shall transfer some funds to you. I am afraid I exhausted the coffer I keep here in my office."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish, with a firm nod:
"Excellent, during this work keep yourself well protected... as you always do. I shall pray to the Highlord and HIS Blessing will be with us."
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man nods firmly to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar.
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the warbraided, smoke-eyed man say in sirihish, nodding firmly to the stone-faced, able-bodied templar:
"I have lost many good Scorpions to the Guild in the last three years... all stabbed in the back by a knife, or having their lives ended by a foe far from site. The rest of my men have been preparing to deliver a reply."
At a small, pale cylini table, you overhear the stone-faced, able-bodied templar say in sirihish:
"The Guild will be smothered by HIS swiftly beating wings in their most merciless state, Warlord."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar stands up from a small, pale cylini table.
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man stands up from a small, pale cylini table.
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar says, in sirihish:
"Walk beneath HIS wide-winged shadow and all will be well."
The stone-faced, able-bodied templar walks north.
The warbraided, smoke-eyed man walks north.
The blockish, olive-drab dwarf walks north.
The chiseled, auburn-haired woman walks north.
The keg-bellied female dwarf walks north.
You feel your entire body aching with long confinement.
You think:
"Roc, don't forget me."
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak continues to sit braced in her perch, rocking back and forth slightly.
A foreign presence contacts your mind.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"You okay?"
You feel yourself coming to.
The figure in a dusty hooded, loose black silk greatcloak gradually unbends her fingers from around the lamp.
You feel movement slowly returning, blood circulating painfully through your frozen form.
You suffer from use of the Way.
You contact the rugged, stubble-bearded man with the Way.
The figure in a hooded, loose black silk greatcloak slides down the wall, landing lightly on bare feet.
You feel your iron limbs turn to flesh once more.
n (creeping along the wall)
A White Marble Foyer [NESWUD]
The pepper-haired, square-jawed man is here guarding the ascending stairwell.
You suffer from use of the Way.
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"Please get me out."
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"Did they find you?"
You feel wretched.
You suffer from use of the Way.
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"No."
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"*a wave of relief* Good girl."
d
Grand Onyx Floored Hall [NESWU]
The svelte, ringlet-haired woman is here, patrolling the hall.
s
A Grand Onyx Floored Entrance Hall [NESW]
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stands here, rigid and alert.
The fiery-haired, flat-nosed man opens the door from the other side.
The rugged, stubble-bearded templar has arrived from the south.
The fiery-haired, flat-nosed man closes the door from the other side.
You now follow the rugged, stubble-bearded templar.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female locks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man sends you a telepathic message:
"I'm in the entry. Where are you?"
You feel your icy cold and vacant demeanor melting under a nearly hysterical wash of relief.
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"I'm with you."
You send a telepathic message to the rugged, stubble-bearded man:
"Go."
Stepping aside quickly, the cynipri-skinned, dwarven female says, in sirihish:
"Opening on behalf of an Officer of the Academy."
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female stops using her slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female unlocks the door with a slender ruby-red stone key.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female opens the door.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female fastens her slender ruby-red stone key around her wrist.
The cynipri-skinned, dwarven female nods at the rugged, stubble-bearded man.
The rugged, stubble-bearded man walks south.
You follow the rugged, stubble-bearded man, and walk south.