The outside of the home was dingy looking, pealing paint revealing the refurbished ship wood; the rebarb enforced windows provided no view inside due to thick curtains of contrasting rich black fabric, and heavy door with a single round window of translucent glass. But looks are deceiving, and the inside was as lush as a manor on the surface. Tapestries lined the walls, interspersed with paintings and shelves of nick-nacks or small sculptures that was child made. 3 plump chairs of soft fabric and a comfy couch circled a short table stacked with open tomes and a used mugs. A table with 4 seats divided the room, and mark the beginning of the kitchen. A drow male at the stove turned to greet the newest visitors, his oven mitted hand holding a pot of steaming stew filled the room with is delicious smell. An open door in the lead to a hall that held 3 doors. At the counter next to the cabinet was Maya, pulling out a set of plates. Jinx smiled nervously as her entrance into the home alerted the children who came streaming out one of the closed door to welcome the visitors.
"Am I early?" glancing around the room with a quick scan, "and I brought one of Cal's best," handing a bottle of elven wine to Maya after the plates on the counter. "smells delicious."
"Just in time. My mother is upstairs. Zek wont be joining us. He is taking Unriel back to the Promenade. They said you wanted to stay?"
"yes. That pirate said something of interest and couldn't get it out of my head. Why they had the old human woman. I've heard stories about…"
The main door opened again to Zarae entering sheepishly, knowing she was late, as was her tendency.
"I had reasons," Zarae started when Maya raised a snowy brow at her.
"was it glistening in the Gloom light?" Maya then chuckled but motioned for her to join with Jinx who was taking a seat at the table. The comment got a blush from Zarae; stories of her bad habits must have made it here too. "Did Lady H say something?"
"she might have mentioned it to mother about hiding particular items when you were around. A story about a chest filled with random items not belonging to you?"
"I can explain," Zarae started, then shook her head, "ok maybe I cant explain. But it is not entirely my fault."
Maya just shook her head as her the male drow began pouring rothe and vegetable stew into bowls.
"this is Nashin," Maya introduced the male, then the two children, "Seldszen our firstborn, and Xuna."
The boy, who looked like a 13 year old human in age, was just like his mother in looks and built like his father, on the shorter side with untamable hair. The girl looking closer to 3 or 4 was just like her father in looks. Seldszen waved but was more focused on his bowl of stew. Xuna was shy and hiding behind her mother's leg while watching the 2 strangers.
Zarae studied the childrens' behavior. Or how they didn't fear her and how their mother was opposite everything she remembered of her own childhood and drowling years. The drow rogue didn't understand the painge of emotion welling in her chest or the slight change of hue in her eyes. Maya caught on, giving her daughter a hug and sending her to the table. While Maya didn't grow up like most drow did as her mother was loving and kind, she heard the stories from her mother's life who struggled while raising Maya.
"By the grace of the Dark Maiden we can break the cycle of our families into better than we had."
While talking Maya missed a small hand reaching up to grab a tiny crimson moss cakes with cave jelly, before finishing their bowl of stew. Nashin softly smacked her hand reminding her dessert after supper.
"But something is going to eat that hand," Maya in loving way leaned over to her daughter who giggled with her mother pretending to eat her hand.
Stew was dished out just as Aunrae headed down to join the group around the table. She pointed at Xuna, knowingly but unseriously, only eliciting another giggle from the girl.
"bel'la dos, thank you for meeting here. Let us eat then talk when these 2," indicating her grandkids, "are out of the room."
"why cant I ever participate. I am not a drowling!" Saldszen whined.
"you are not proving that now," Maya reprimanded, "but you know the dangers. Especially with this recent mission. I promise you will be allowed when the time and age is right."
The boy huffed, but couldn't argue. He's heard and seen enough the dangers they could get into with the rival groups of the city. Even heard about Umriel's death during the latest mission. He knew his parents were trying to protect him but it seam unfair he could not help yet. He's begun training with his father, learning to wield a sword. The growl from his stomach distracted him enough to forget it and dig into his stew, bringing forth a large potato like veggie to his lips.
The group ate while several stories were told among the group, Jinx eagerly telling stories of her homeland and the famous adventurer of her tribe, her grandmother. Stories of _As eagerly as she told she asked for stories from each. Zarae listened but kept her personal stories to herself apart from answering a few questions the tabaxi asked. Most her first two decades were painful to recall, and the hurt of losing her twin brother was still raw. Living on the streets after her house destruction wasn't anything to glamorize either. The things she did to survive she wanted to forget, not relive them. She was willing to speak a little about coming to live with the Eilistraeens in Lith My'Athar after Jinx spoke more about her time among the followers of the Dark Maiden.
Bowls were emptied, dessert filling children's bellies and a couple of the adults, and Aunrae called for the group to move onto the serious matters. Seldszen took a small meal to the woman resting upstairs after they heard her awake and moving around. The children in their rooms, and everyone gathered around the short table in the living room, Maya chose to start the discussion.
She spoke about the recent news of the slaves, able to save the majority of the dying people. They had been sent to the surface city of Waterdeep to start their lives over. The lost at voyage were several men and a few children. Sadly the mission had left 2 of their own dead and several others severely injured but recuperating in the Hall of Healing.
"what of the old woman?" Jinx asked less tactfully than she intended, "I saw how bad she was before we got her out."
"physically healed. The rest will take time," Aunrae answered, "but she did talk to us more about why she was separated. Which is why I wanted you 2," directed to Jinx and Zarae, "to join me here today. Eris told me that a dangerous group is searching for a legendary place, which is why she was in the captian's quarters. They believed she had a means, clue or map about it."
"what place?" Jinx asked her curiosity peaked.
"was this about the papers we got? Or what I thought was a name?" the drow rogue asked.
"correct. This Cult, we believe is calling itself 'The Coming Chaos'. And it is they who are looking for this place, the Vale of Dreams or shadows."
Nashin spoke, "dare we ask what the Cult is after?" a small bit of sarcasm considering the amount of cult that rise up and try to make a name only to die out.
"that is where Eris was fuzzy about. She could only recall hearing 'tarrasque' and a few names: Helmyn Yupu and Bevurth Ossabish. She thought the phrase 'Waker of the Beast' was a title or position."
"you think this Cult wants something with this mythical beast or they think the place has the beast?" Maya asked.
"or are these 2 different goals?" Nashin considered.
"what is the human have in this?" Zarae asked.
Jinx seamed to be in thought. Aunrae unfurled a parchment with runic shapes and scribbles next to them. Others were crossed out and some had naturally faded or been partially erased as if trying to figure out a puzzle or formula. One specifically resembled a tattoo Eris had on her forearm, that Jinx pointed out. More of the parchments were laid on the table, each person grabbing one to study.
Jinx set her sheet down, "you didn't answer what the Vale was; why it is being sought. Is there something about it?"
"Legend tells of the Vale of Dreams, supposedly locate in a Valley of Shadow. Adventuers have been seeking it for centuries. Myths claim it is on another plane or its own dreamscape. Other tales say the Vale is in an exotic far away continent or a place only the ancient elves know of. Whatever or where ever, its sacred pool contains the power to make dreams reality. Other stories claim is makes the drinker a god; some say it grants a wish or gives all knowledge or unlimited power," the priestess recalled.
"so the Cult thinks it has access or new found knowledge?" Maya asked.
"that is the thought. Centered around Eris and these runes and the markings on her arms."
"you thinks she has a key, or maybe a map piece actually carved or inked into her skin?"
Nashin, fingers tapping his charcoal colored chin, "Still doesn't connect to the tarrasque. Not unless…"
"what if they want the power or ability to awaken the beast?" the rogue interrupted.
"that is what I was thinking too."
Jinx sat back on the couch, fingers interlocked on her lap, "are we hunting the Cult or the location? Either way, you got my interest. I've always wanted to find a mythical location."
"maybe we do both. That way we hedge the bets. We get the information to stop them is they find the place. Which they have a new clue with the tattoos."
"what exactly do these tattoos speak of?"
"And how did she get the marks when no one else has found anything on it?"
"That is what we are wanting to find out. I have 2 people in mind that can start you on a path to looking into this. And at the least, stop the Cult"
"who you thinking of?" the druidess asked, "Lyra?"
Aunrae nodded, "she is a skilled diviner. Finare Nhaendrin is knowledgeable about ancient locations. And I think he can point you a direction to look."
"supplies? More company?" Zarae inquired.
"I planned to supply yall with some equipment, and Zyne is waiting for your arrival. He is a skilled sorcerer and one of my good friends."
"the dwarf?"
A nod from Maya while her mother was writing on a piece of parchment. Nashin had began cleaning up while the ladies finished planning. A chest was pulled out of a hidden trap door in the wall. Inside where a few pieces of equipment of high quality, including magical jewelry, travel gear, potions, and a few scrolls. When all the research papers and gathered information was stored in a bag of holding. Jinx was gifted with an amulet of non-detection, an invisibility cloak, and better set of swords to go with her elven bow. Zarae was given a ring of protection, cloak of displacement, and bracers of unending daggers to replace her dagger holder. A set of sending stones went into the bag, followed by a rod, a wand and several potions. Both rogues then made sure to have the general adventuring supplies plus odds and ends- bag of ball bearing, expendable pole, sovereign glue and universal solvent. What wasn't seen by the priestess entering a pouch was an engraved silver 6" rod that Zarae was sure calling out to her. the older priestess handed a parchment of names, contacts and people she had in various cities. Inside was a special token, a pendent sword set atop of a full moon with filigree around it. If there was doubt about their loyalties amongst any of the contacts, this would prove their words.
before the rogue were leaving, Maya put out a hand at the young drowess. Jinx was about to grasp it in a hand shake when Zarae sheepishly handed over a mithril bracelet, a tiny pouch of 3 gems, and a set of silverwear.
Incredulously, "when did you find the time?" the tabaxi had to ask after laughing. they hadn't been joking about the sticky fingers.
The 2 head out of the manor making their way for the High Tide, the largest alehouse entered by by invitation only. Perfumed soaked cloths covered their nose and mouth to mitigate the ever present stench; something they learned the native inhabitant did also. The streets were calm, less Skulkers out and about from earlier trek through the roads of Skullport. a silhouette ahead floated across the street, grinning before moving on. A few turns and up a couple rope and board catwalks. Rounding a corner was the 2 story building. Built atop a brewery on the level below, the High Tide was known as the largest alehouse in the Port of Shadow. The wooden sign with a mug above a stylized wave. The dark red wood door opened as a grey dwarf exited, or tried to exit. He tripped on the doorway too tipsy to catch himself before falling and rolling onto the rope log bridge. The moving weight bounced the bridge but the agile rogues kept balance. Jinx rolled the dwarf over, making sure he didn't slip off. Zarae helped, using it the movement to check a pocket for anything important. Another grey dwarf was standing in the door laughing at his buddy's antics, "He asked for it."
Shaking her head, the drow walked by the passed out dwarf to head inside. A goliath stopped the girl asking for their invitation. Before either rogue could speak, a familiar dwarf voice was vouching for the 2 and they were allowed in. The aromatic scents of brewing ale, toasted malts, and boiling hops served to banish the worst of the reeking funk wafting from the Sargauth, and the residual heat from its kettles and fermenters marked the alehouse more comfortable than any of the city's other taverns. deep booths and secluded tables fill the pub, built for discouraging eavesdropping. Zyne motioned the girls to follow him twords the back table. Half the booths were full, predominantly of wealthy patron. An unassuming kobold named Gnawlip was clearing tables, rarely given a second glance by anyone. As Zarae followed, she mentally noted each person, marked doors and window and especially every visible and potential weapon.
Zyne was seated after both the girls slid into the booth then waved over a waitress.
"the brews are the finest in all of Undermountain; or at least the outrageous prices seam to imply."
A skinny well built brunet halfling walked over after seeing the dwarf having his guest arrive. "what we having?" she asked preparing to write the orders. 3 ales were ordered and set before each in relatively short order.
"how did you get in?" Jinx asked after a long gulp of her drink. Zarae was inspecting the liquid, dipping a pinkie in and tasting to test for poison.
"aye, don't ye worry. Elenor takes care of me. I tip her well too," his comment directed to the suspicious drow. The black bearded dwarf leans over to whisper an answer the question, "it aint just good looks. I gots me some family wealth. If you didn't notice, low class aint allowed in. but ye got enough coin, ye get much done," draining half the large mug in one gulp, then wiping the foam off his mouth.
"so what ye 2 wanting? Lady A said ye needed help and I been needing to get out of this city get the road under my feet again. Plus everyone needs a good mage.
"Know of any?" Jinx laughing.
"harr harr," he mocked, "I got me friend at the docks able to book us passage on a ship. We could also travel to the Promenade and use a portal."
Zarae sipped the drink, not sure she like the taste of the ale, preferring sweet wine. "I suggest visiting Lyra first. Lady Aunrae said Lyra was most likely in eastern Calisham still. She was searching for Finare's location but would message us when she could."
"aye. Know how far Calisham is from here? Ye definitely want to use a portal to cut the distance."
"actually," Zarae started, "I have not been on the surface before. So I have no idea."
Zyne coughed over his drink.
Jinx replying, "I am not from this country, or continent. My time across the ocean has been limited as to freedom. The drow called the forest Yuirwood, near I think the Sunglade? We used a moonportal to the temple before traveling here"
The sorcerer dwarf coughed again from ale in his throat. Blinking rapidly twice while he stared at both the girls in front of him. "seriously?" then grumbled a few words in dwarvish.
Jinx shrugged as their wasn't much else she could say.
"it take many tendays to get that far south. I don't want to walk that far. If we want to take a portal, we take a boat on the river to the temple"
"it's about a day to day and half travel through the tunnels."
"I think ye can make it in 6 hours by boat," Zyne retorted to Jinx.
Stammering out a response, "I…um…would prefer…not taking… water path," not wanting to admit her hydrophobia with bodies of water. But she couldn't hide the fear in her teal and amber eyes. Her tail was swishing only adding the readability of her agitation.
The dwarf stared at the cat a long moment, a silent understanding between them, then agreed travel by tunnel might be best.