The Ring of Fire

[Eltee]

Spoiler:

Zero stress, man. People do silly things sometimes, just like characters.

[CBR JGWRR]

Spoiler:

Hmm, either this or an ALMSIVI intervention needed...

She tried to calm herself down, and then replied:

"I'm not sure how much news has spread - in Kvatch, we knew basically nothing, except that some fighters guild members had got involved in a fight with mages of questionable morals, and had taken casulties, so I was told to go out and try to help. If it helps, it was the city guard who told us, but we don't know who told them. When I arrived in Chorrol the Guild there told me more about what the contract was, and that last they heard the team was heading to Skingrad. A city gate guard said that members of the guild had come into the city, so I figured they would be here..."

And then she saw the other dunmer's fingers on her dagger, and her eyes widened in fear and worry, completely missing what the imperial said.

"Look, please, I've told you everything, there's no need to take a dagger to me." As she unwittingly backed herself into the corner of the room.

[Eltee]

"Lady. Hello." Andreo, taking a few more steps forward, annoyance clearly flashing in his hazel eyes. "You've found us. Calm down."

[CBR JGWRR]

This time she heard the imperial. And she was now very relieved.

"I... I have? Great! I'm sorry for being all flustered up earlier, is there any way I can help?"

[Eltee]

"Don't worry about it." Andreo said, before looking over toward the fireplace. "I'm not the person to talk to; Vitellus Donton is heading the expedition. He's right over there." He pointed.

[Avron the S'wit]

Llythanda remained silent, watching the two with a studious glare. If the newcomer was waiting for a reply, she wasn't getting it from her in any form her - although she did lower her hand back to the curve of her hip, where there it stayed. But one thing was for certain: the guildhall lobby had never felt so damn small.

[CBR JGWRR]

"Thank you."

She then proceeded to walk towards Vitellius, wondering briefly why the other woman had been as hostile as she had, before putting her mind back on task.

[Deandra]

Spoiler:

CBR, a few things. Velavesa never went to Chorrol--that would have been way too much traveling for her, and a messenger would never have made it from Chorrol in time. She also hasn't heard anything about any necromancers. And she hasn't been wandering around for a week, considering it's been less than a week since they even got the contract.

Here's what your character actually knows: There are fighters from the Chorrol branch of the guild, and they arrived in Skingrad a day ago. Yesterday, a merchant who was in the West Weald Inn on his way to Kvatch overheard them talking. He got to Kvatch last night and gave a friend of his at the Kvatch guild hall a tip that maybe there would be work for them in Skingrad. So now you came over to investigate.

Let's say the entire last conversation in this last page consisted of Velavesa saying she heard of a big contract that involved fighters from Chorrol.

One last thing, and this is just about style. Ideally, you should be able to read the posts in the RP and they'd flow like a story, where it doesn't really matter who posted what. Saying "she" does not make sense if you don't first write out your character's name. We can guess who you mean by "she" because you have a female character, but we shouldn't need to have that information. Please write out her name anyway, at least at the start of your posts.

I'm sorry if I am coming off as overly critical, but I've put a lot of thought into avoiding plot holes and inconsistencies. I realize I wasn't overly detailed in my explanation of exactly what your character did or didn't know, and it didn't help that I happened to be offline when you were posting a lot, so I certainly don't blame you. However, in the future, if you're confused about what your character knows (as opposed to you, the player) please send me a PM to ask, or post in a spoiler tag (which will allow others to help you if I'm not around). I know it's a long story so far, and I don't expect you to know it all yourself.

Skingrad Fighters Guild
"I'm surprised word has already spread all the way to Kvatch," Vitellus said with a neutral tone. "You're from the Kvatch branch? Well, I won't turn down your help. It seems that in addition to two of our group getting killed, two others have recently gone missing. I'm sorry I can't offer you much pay, but if you help us fulfill our contract, I'll make sure you earn a decent reward--I'll pay it from my own bonus if I have to. I'm Vitellus Donton, leader of this expedition. We're looking for the Ring of Phynaster, a powerful artifact that was only recently discovered to be in Derelict Mine, which is filled with goblins."

=======================================================

Just outside the Fighters Guild
Zandralia decided that the best way for her to help the group was to visit her friend, the Breton mage Corinne Morin, who had a house in the Chapel District and had a full set of equipment for enchanting. Haaji followed after her, loyally.

=======================================================

The West Weald Inn
Galras shifted uncomfortably in his seat and dabbed at his damp leather armor with a napkin. "I am really starting to doubt how much the Fighters Guild will be able to do against both goblins and necromancers. Maybe going to Umbacano about this ring wasn't the best plan."

Galras and Severio spent a while discussing everything the fighters had done since starting the expedition, and discussing tactics.

=======================================================

Castle Skingrad
Mercator grabbed the floating skull out of the air and forcibly placed it back on his desk.

"As the castle steward, I address most cases anyway. I can drop the necromancy and kidnapping charge, and you can pay a token fine for the obstruction charge, and she'll be free to go. But if you're going to continue doing whatever it is you've been doing, I will have to ask you to leave Skingrad, or don't expect any more favors from me. I can't risk being exposed now that the Mages Guild is taking such a strong stance against necromancy. And for me, it's more than just magic I play around with because it interests me. I believe we can serve a higher purpose with our work."

[Musicman247]

"Are you quite sure we need Valeronicia?" Alandier asked with a disinterested look on his face. "She got herself arrested. She's clearly a detriment to our goals."

[The-Shadow-One]

Tedrin frowned. "How much of a fine?" he asked.

[Deandra]

"She's got enough armor to make a good shield between us and the goblins," Simande said frankly. She fished around in her coinpurse. "Would a hundred be enough?"

"Yes, that's fine. Let's go down to the dungeon, and you should hand me the money once we are there so that we can record it officially," Mercator replied. "But first, let me give you something. Times are changing."

The steward opened a cabinet under his desk and pulled on a board, which revealed a hidden compartment. From there, he extracted a thin book with a dark leather cover embossed with a thin circle. He handed the book to Simande. Simande eyed the book suspiciously, and her expression didn't change as she flipped through the pages and put the book away in her bag.

"Let's go now," Mercator said, and he held the door open for the others.

[Musicman247]

Alandier watched Simande read the book with curiosity. Drelesa whispered into his ear, to which he turned and whispered to his half-sister. They stood and walked out of the rom, Alandier behind Simande and Drelesa following Andaril.

[The-Shadow-One]

Tedrin followed Simande, skipping as he did so.

[Deandra]

The necromancers headed down into the dungeon. A tall Nord guard was seated at a desk, and another lounged by the doorway.

"Yurrek, there seems to be some confusion about your newest prisoner," Mercator said to the guard at the desk. "I heard from a witness, and I'd like to see what charges have been filed."

The guard pushed a heavy book towards the steward, and Mercator spent a few minutes reading the report. "Yes, there has been a misunderstanding. Please record that the charges of necromancy and kidnapping have been dropped. This woman, Simande, will be paying the fine of one hundred septims to clear the final charge. Please escort the prisoner out here and return her belongings."

The guard by the doorway wore a bored expression as he went to fetch Valeronicia. When he returned, holding her by the upper arm, the guard pointed at a chest and said, "Your stuff's in there. Hurry up now."

[CBR JGWRR]

Spoiler:

Krosis, I'll keep all of that in mind. I'm not very good at this am I...

Velavesa nodded to show that she understood Vitellus. "Thank you mr Donton. What are we going to do about the missing members?"

[Deandra]

"One, or maybe both, seem to have been kidnapped by necromancers. We're going to the castle to question one of them that has been caught already. We should be ready to go shortly," Vitellus said.

[CBR JGWRR]

Velavesa nodded again. "Ok, I'll await your lead then."

Spoiler:

Goodnight...

[JVElEven]

Valeronicia huffed annoyedly.

"I still don't get since when necromancy has ever been illegal," she grumbled to herself as she fetched her stuff and began doting over her books, cooing gently.

[Eltee]

Andreo cleared his throat. "How are you, Llythanda?" He asked quietly.

[Musicman247]

"Will you hurry up?" Alandier snapped at Valeronicia.

[JVElEven]

"No," Valeronicia said blankly, beginning to put a confusingly large amount of books into her bag, at the same time trying to fasten on the breeches of her iron armour.

[Musicman247]

"I told you she is more trouble than she is worth," Alandier said to anyone who was listening.

[Avron the S'wit]

Llythanda looked at Andreo blankly, for a long moment silent. "I'm fine," she said finally and simply, forcing herself to hold her gaze on him. She swallowed. "And so are you. Good."

[CBR JGWRR]

You don't seem very convinced... Velavesa absent mindedly thought to herself after hearing Llythanda's reply, before moving to the fireplace to warm herself up.

ETA -

Spoiler:

Deandra, are we allowed wards? As far as I know they aren't in Oblivion, but they are in Skyrim, so are we alllowed to use them? Sorry if already covered...

[Deandra]

Spoiler:

CBR: If you've got restoration skill, sure, but you won't be very good at using them, because wards aren't a well-known spell in Cyrodiil.

Those of you who survived the big battle: either pick one existing skill to upgrade to Expert level (meaning you're exceptionally good at it), or pick one new skill which you'll be a Novice at (meaning, you can only do the most basic things with it). Congrats on leveling up!

At the Fighters Guild, Andreo, Brutus, Alicia, and Llythanda thought about what they had done during the fighting earlier, and what they could have done differently. Andronus, who was outside, and Severio and Galras in the West Weald Inn, were having similar thoughts.

Valeronicia and Alandier had also learned much from their experiences.