RP: Skyhold Meeting
RP: Skyhold Meeting
Location: Adventurers Guild, Alexandria
Sora comes into the adventurer's guild, humming a bit to herself. The small human has her greatsword strapped to her back, the sword bigger than she is, as she moves over to take a look to see if there are any jobs she might qualify for.
Ga'Elian stands at a table in the guild's common room and says, "Thank you all for coming this evening. We have received disturbing tidings from the Desolation about a possibly missing caravan bound for zskyhold prison, despite public denisls by the prison's officials. There have also been rumors of a missing company od Shattered Shield mercenaries. I, personally, plan to travel there to seek tracks of these missing travelers. The floor is open. Anyone have more information to share?
Miles, who just prior to the meeting was at a table going through a large stack of correspondence and muttering to himself. "Well, for starters, I can tell you why they're keeping mum on the caravan; they don't want a panic getting out. The caravan was a prisoner transport, but the caravan was destroyed and presumably, they escaped. I was hired a while back right after it went missing to look for signs of the prisoners or the guards, but all we found were some killer chicken-lizard things. But well, they don't send common criminals to Skyhold. They don't send common -anything- to Skyhold, really."
Sora is sort of just standing in the back now and listening. She really doesn't know much about what is going on, bit is curious, so is listening.
"There wasn't really a trail so much- the only sign of habitation we found was a campsite, and it didn't look as though it had been recently used. The things' bite had a petrifaction effect- turned you to stone with enough, but there weren't any statues around that I recall." Miles frowns again and rises in order to pace. Maybe he just thinks better in motion. "The odd thing to me is how hard they're moving to make sure no one can find out who those prisoners were; I tried to work backwards- find some high profile arrests that might match with the timing of the caravan, but nothing I've turned up seems to both fit the profile for Skyhold and what information is there about the Caravan, which suggests they even captured our hypothetical Very Important Prisoner quietly."
Ga'Elian says, "A-ha. Yes." He explains, "I was just curious if the things that you found might lead back to a summoner." He rubs his chin, "So then, this thing about the Shattered Shield soldiers, have you learned anything about who hired them or where they were last seen?"
Sora doesn't have anything to add, but feels that she is learning quite a bit at the moment so she just takes a seat and continues to listen.
Miles shakes his head, "Afraid not- I've been working the escaped prisoner angle almost exclusively. I did stumble across a tidbit that suggests Illothans might be involved- possibly one of our escapees." He shrugs, and pauses in his pacing. "Part of my research was writing home for gossip. Got a letter from my grandmum that said there was a character running around near one of the southern reaches outposts that kept talking about Shadowfall, how the darkness showed him the light, and that's crazy cultist babble if I've ever heard it. If searching in the Desolation doesn't turn up anything, checking down there might be of use, though I get the impression that some people aren't happy with all the digging into this going on, so if we're -really- lucky, and we keep poking at it with sticks, someone will jump us and provide some much needed details about what's going on, eh?"
Ga'Elian looks like his interest has now been piqued. He perks up a bit and says, "I know very little of the cult of the False Lady, but I suppose they likely have some base of operations. I think that, if I don't make any noise by dropping names and such, they might not suspect that a lone ranger like me is onto anything. I'm not really very good at trying to get people to reveal their secrets, but I think I do have some ability where the seeking of physical evidence is concerned."
"I'm damned poor at subtle, on the other hand." This is probably an understatement of considerable degree, between Miles' size and the rather distinctive armor. "Might be best to try and nail down some of the others looking into this, too; I've seen the same names come up a few times, and no doubt you have too."
Ga'Elian nods, "Heh. Yes, I can see that. I have heard of Samlanann Liahanna and Erik Hägarsson, but have yet to make connection with either. In fact, I was hoping they might have made it tonight."
Sora shrugs a bit, "Well if you need an extra sword, I offer mine, I haven't had much to do since I arrived in the city, and am willing to help." says the small lass with the biiigg sword.
"Ayuh, mostly the same names," Miles settles back into his chair, with another shrug before telling Sora, "The more the merrier. Extra swords are all to the good when planning to be ambushed in a dark alley by thugs working to unknown purpose."
The music in the background, issuing from a twelve string zither-like instrument, comes to an end. The dark haired Hin that had been playing looks up at the small group of conspirators. With a steady, but soft-spoken, voice Shaoqing speaks up. "It sounds as if you are missing a few key members of your team." Pushing back a few escaped strands of hair the musician settles delicate fingers back on the strings. "Have you sought out other assistance?"
Ga'Elian looks at the musician, "Well, I never claimed to be in charge of the effort, but I am aware that some of us have been making independent inquiries based upon the posting that was put up. I just figured we'd get further faster if we put our heads together. Do you have anything to contribute?"
Shaoqing gives a shake of the head. "I am unaware of the situation, having only recently arrived in this city." Sharp nails pluck absently at a few cords. "It just seemed that you are lacking one of the subtler arts. Or I may be reading you wrong. I am unfamiliar with so many races in one place." Looking up at the small group Shaoqing offers a smile. "I am not one for subtlety, but I am knowledgeable of many obscure facts. Perhaps I can help?"
Ga'Elian replies, "I think anything you could do to help out would be most eagerly welcomed." Then turning back to the room at large, "Maybe we could all meet near Skyhold in a week or so?"
Ga'Elian goes on, "That might give us each a chance to poke around a bit first."
Miles stretches. "Yeah, I think the intention here was mostly just "Get the word out" and try to draw in everyone looking at the same set of circumstances together. Which it didn't do so well at, by all appearances, no. More eyes on the issue is always good, especially when it's a head-scratcher like this." A frown. "I'm not sure Skyhold itself is the problem, but sure."
Folding a cloth around the instrument before slinging it over a shoulder, Shaoqing rises in a careful and graceful motion. The white and red gown hangs loosely, and a pair of swords hang on the left hip. "I will find this place Skyhold then." With a slight bow the musician speaks. "I am Shaoqing. Call on me when the time comes."