The Vulgar Swan

[ProfGremlin]

ThreeBee looks off after the well-dressed gentleman as he exits the tavern and ponders Ceorl's 'What could go wrong?' "Remember the last time? The tunnel with those javelins?  And the big rolling rock?" The mighty dwarf rubs his shoulder in memory.  "Ouch," he laments.

At the sound of the leprechaun's cheery voice, ThreeBee looks over and down.  "Heya, Dinkle."  He appraises the leprechaun up-and-down, taking in his gaudy attire, "You look festive.  Doing the twitchy-fingers thing with the carnivals again?"  He leans over and offers a massive paw to the diminutive leprechaun.

As Asterix slides off his stool to commence with adventure-making, "Hoy, Asterix! We should finish our drinks first. And our food," Threebee looks over to Glasha and the kitchens longingly.

[zanshin]

'Welcome Dinklepatrick!' exclaims Ceorl 'Our mighty band is assembled now we have our missing D.As Asterix has so wisely stated , we are off to see the Wizard!'

He starts humming a strangely familiar tune, generously drops a copper piece into the tip bowl, and follows Asterix as fast as his legs will carry him.

'Keep up!' he shouts back to ThreeBee.

[khaboom]

"Well, it's always either that way or the other way, like as not. Any which way, 'tis a sore thing indeed to eave a tavern that's not dry! Hey ho, until the morrow!" Dinklepatrick doffs his hat to the tavern. "Parting 'tis such sweet sorrow, me beauty!"

[oldtoby]

Leaving the comfort of the tavern, you make your way through the city. One of you at least would know of the place where Grappan Voltuz resides, though no one it is said has ever seen the reclusive wizard. Not too long in your journey that everyone finds themselves walking along one of the tall walls that rings the wizard's abode. Beyond the wall can be seen the top of the tower; a plain edifice of dark smooth stone with nary a window or crevice to be seen. There are no guards seen at the gatehouse nor anywhere else. Thieves avoid the place for many have tried to sneak in and steal away what priceless valuables such a wizard as Grappan Voltuz may possess, yet none have returned to tell their tale.

You arrive at the guardhouse, a heavy lacquered door with thick fittings and a pitted iron ring knocker set into the jaws of a dragon's head.

Actions?

[nebless]

'Well since no one else is going to and frankly some of you can't even reach the dang thing, I guess I'll knock' Asterix says as he grasps the knocker and gives it a good thud.

[khaboom]

"I was going to ask for a piggy back, to be sure, but now you're doing such a grand job, I'll just cover your back, so I will." The leprechaun retreats a few paces and hides behind someone's leg.

[zanshin]

'Excellent knocking Asterix!' says Ceorl, looking warily around and readying his twin katars inside his pockets.

[khaboom]

Dinklepatrick watches Ceorl fingering the punch daggers and takes a small step back, bunching his muscles for action and peering fiercely at the door...

[ProfGremlin]

ThreeBee peers after the others as they disappear through the door. He slips off his stool and heads after them, snagging a mug of something frothy from a nearby table as the serving girl thunks it down. "Glasha has another on the way," he tosses over his shoulder. The mighty dwarf repeats his not-so-sleight of hand with a leg of some well-cooked, unidentified meat as his boots take him thumping out the door. He shoulders the portal aside, careful not to slosh his beer, and stretches his legs to catch the others up.

From his position at the back of the group, Threebee finishes his beer and ties the empty mug to his belt.  The bone he had gnawed on through the streets now a mutts prize after being tossed down an alley.  The resonant sound of Asterix's knock pulls the dwarf's attention back to the door before them.  Glancing down at Dinklepatrick's voice,  "You can ride on my shoulder if that helps, Dinkle," ThreeBee rumbles, "Might give you a better vantage point."

ThreeBee studies the stonework before them wondering who the stonemason was and quietly appraising the work.

[oldtoby]

Once the iron ring touches the wood surface of the door, there's a deep resonating booming sound that seems to roll out and away from the other side. A long fretful moment later there's a slight metallic click and the door wings in to reveal a middle-aged Hobb, a female wearing the simple clothes of a servant. She looks straight ahead without focus for both her eyes are milky white.

'You have something for me?' she asks, holding out her hand. In her other is a plain walking stick. When given the piece of paper with the address, she traces the embossed symbols and quietly nods to herself. "Welcome to the a abode of Grappan Voltuz, sirras. I am Letas. Please cover your eyes well with these scarves," the Hobb states as she retrieves a handful of thick dark cloth strips. "The grounds are guarded by...things best left unseen. Do not peek and no not react beyond a passive gesture. Follow only the sound of my walking stick tapping the ground."

It is clear that Letas is not answering questions and calmly waits as you tie on your scarves. Once ready, you slowly follow the tapping of her walking stick until a breeze lets you know you are in the courtyard. Soon there is the sound of claws or talons skittering across stone, a feathery noise as one of you feels something quickly brush up against a thigh before it is gone. Then there's the padding of something heavy, a shuffling breath warm against one's hand. The there's the sound of something large slithering around you, a sibilant hiss before it too is gone.

The tapping then stops and there's the sound of an immensely heavy door groaning to a close. The voice of Letas is heard, "You can remove your scarves now." Once your eyes are uncovered you see yourselves in a long, very dark corridor, the only light coming from a lit candle in one of Letas' hands. Behind you is the door, a rather tall door crafted out of some unknown metal covered in symbols.

"I must warn you. My master is afflicted with a curse even he himself cannot cure. Do not look directly upon him. To do so is to suffer a fate worse than dying. Do not speak false, for he will know. You've been warned. Follow me then."

The Hobb turns and leads you deeper into the corridor until it open up into a square chamber, its walls made of the same thick stone. Soft light comes from four smoking braziers, one in each corner. In the center atop a small dais sits a heavily robed figure, its cowled face hidden in shadow.

"Come in, come in," a voice unlike any your hears have ever heard. Its deep and almost disembodied and it seems to come from every corner of the chamber as it speaks. A hand lifts in the darkness and slowly waves you closer. "Come forward. I wish to see you better."

"Its been so long since I have had proper guests. You are the ones Leamas chose. Very well. Please then, tell me your names and why you wish to take on what will prove a perilous mission. I will take this moment to take your measure."

Actions?
OCC: If anyone wishes to chance a peek under the scarf while crossing the courtyard or take a good look at the wizard's aspect, tell me and we'll discuss an appropriate and horrible punishmentfor doing so ; )

[khaboom]

Dinklepatrick accepts Threebee's offer with alacrity and whispers a promise of jars of the dark stuff to come. He leaves any beastie-peeking to bigger folk and behaves for once. Imbued with lofty dwarf-born courage, he gives his name proudly and clearly, adding, "I was getting to the mind o' thinking 'twas time a wee fellow set out to make something of hiself, so I thought. So here I am, at your service, your worship, ready to roll life's dice and hear the rattle of me bones."

[nebless]

Stepping forward and giving a slight bow, 'I am Asterix, a warrior born and I seek fame and fortune', 'Especially the fortune part.'

[ProfGremlin]

ThreeBee shuffles in place, glances at the others and unconsciously fingers the tankard tied to his belt. "Most just call me ThreeBee," he croaks, craggily, "Since our last adventure," he rubs his shoulder in memory of the javelins, "I've been hauling stone for the city works. My friends," he looks around at the others, "Are eager for new tales to tell. Someone needs to keep them safe."

[zanshin]

Ceorl is suitably intimidated not to try his luck, but he does use his other senses to see if he can pick up anything about the environment (smell or sound) and tries to count the steps in his head.

Once his blindfold scarf is off, he bows gracefully 'Ceorl, expert treasure finder, negotiator, professional adventurer and doer of deeds requiring derring, at your service Magister Voltuuz. For the right price of course'

[khaboom]

OOC - I'm getting the impression this is not proving easy timewise. Hope all is ok with you.