(Prologue) It was a dark and stormy night......

[Keeper]

When Raul returns to the bar, he immediately seeks out Kiaphas.  "He didn't want to turn me over. He wanted to cut me a deal.  If I can have my purse back, I'll buy you a drink and tell you all about it.  I could use some advice as to where the most profit lies in this one."

[Mr Teufel]

"As to profit, I cannot help you," proclaims Kiaphas. "You should not seek profit in things of the earth. Gold is of the earth. It is but another stone, which will sink you beneath the waves with it's dead weight! Seek ye instead for the profit that Gurthor provides those who are guided by Him."

He grins suddenly, handing Raul his purse. "However, not everyone is suited to His ways, or drawn in easily by His tide. And I'll have that drink, thanks, while you tell me about this skullduggery you're surely up to." He pats Raul's shoulder heartily.

"Fear not my indiscretion, lad. I'll not tell others what ways you wish to use to gather shiny metal. And somehow, it makes me nostalgic..."

[Keeper]

"This time, the profit may not all be in metals." started Raul as he finds somewhere to sit with Kiaphas where they can talk quietly without being overheard.

"Yon sailor, one Thran Fynlass, has himself a problem.  He has a mate on the island who is diverting gems from the monks' dig and he was to collect them, until the monks chose another ship to supply them.  His pal is the guy in the letter from the Abbot who is about to be removed from the island for suspected larceny.  So he needs a clean man to collect for him and walk off the island. Someone unlikely to be searched."

"So, clearly, I've agreed, but I've still got two options, since I'm no longer interested in just collecting money for its own sake, nice as that is, either I assist Seaman Fynlass; which has the benefits and risks of the old game; or I assist the monks to retain what is theirs, or at least what they think is theirs, which at the moment only gains me good boy points and two potential enemies.  I'm inclinded to not make a decision yet, perhaps not until i see the goods, as a third option may present itself and I don't think I have to decide anything right now."

"I'm not even sure what these gems are.  They might be just that, but it sounds like there is a lot of old magic on this island we're going to."

"What would your take have been, if you were not now a reformed character, Kiaphas?"

[Mr Teufel]

"Thirty percent, lad, and not a copper less! Hah!" Kiaphas chuckles at his own joke. "It's a shame you didn't follow that drunk to see where he went off to. Might have helped see if he was on the level, or is just part of someone else's larger plan."

He takes a swig of the ale, grimmaces at it's poor quality, and leans close. "Now, if you're planning to take up this offer, I'm thinking you shouldn't play by the rules that drunk gave you. Walking onto the ship with the loot is a sure way to get caught in a trap, methinks. I'd make other arrangements to get the booty on board." His black brows furrow. "Perhaps I could summon a sea otter to take it from a secluded beach to the far side of the ship, where you could string a fishing line...?" And he grins again. "Hah! I've still got it!"

[Keeper]

"You know, I was thinking of something very similar to that."  Raul grins broadly and claps Kiaphas on the shoulder. "Let us leave the issue for now and see what happens, when it happens.  Now, I really need to go and make sure that Ivor is not getting into any trouble. Shall we rejoin the others?"

[Fabian]

Alarian addresses the room "Well, it would seem we are all agreed. I for one am eager to be off as soon as we may."

Let's get to that island.

[Alex]

Ivor looks up, an almost surprised look on his face as Alarian speaks.

"What was that? Oh, yes, erm.. when are we leaving?"

[Balgin Stondraeg]

And so, after a few more minutes the most reverend brother Salian Berden (and both his acolytes) depart. The sage Naedath Kelden also takes his leave, hobbling away into the night, supporting himself heavily with his staff, but not before arranging to meet the group at the docks in the morn.

As the carrousers in the tavern begin to drift away, so too our brave adventurers find their way to their own sleeping ararngements. In the morning they generaly gather themselves and make their way, individualy or in small group, towards the docks.

This thread has now been locked. The action continues here, aboard the Grey Gull.