Superior Flour Limited Inc.

In the back corner of the Rusty Spoke Tavern and Inn, Turki sits at a table. A very crudely carved wood nameplate sits on the table which reads, "Turki - CEO and President - Superior Flour Limited Inc". Turki finishes carving another name plate and sets it down. It reads "Horven - Chairman of the Board - Superior Flour Limited Inc" Turki sets it down and motions to Horven to join him at the table. "Horven, my good friend. My last investment in Flour did well, but no one should rest on their laurels. I purpose that the two of us join together and look for another investment opportunity. What do you say? Also we should see who else might be interested in an opportunity of this kind, which might require some...um...movement in the shadows."

Azazel joins in on the table finaly happy to use his high charisma score for something other than eldritch blasts 

Turki carves another name plate: "Azazel - Treasurer - Superior Flour Limited Inc"

"One investment opportunity that I can think of is Lord Ivanson's local residence. No reason not to take advantage of his time in town."

<I'm seriously rofling about this whole thing. Well played folks.>

"My mother used to bake things in her spare time while I watched, maybe I could help with flour."

"Um...yes Naomi...your horse saddle talk on our last investment opportunity was...helpful. But some of the business we do may not...um align...with your beliefs. Business is not always the most ethical. But if we do anything for charity I will surely count you in."

OOC: I'm so into this I'm outside.  IC: Horven took a swig from his ale (he had been drinking rather continuously since they came back from the dragon-slaying in a mix of celebration and newfound wealth) and grinned at Turki, slapping him on the back. "Investment, you say? Why, I'm all about investment, you know! I once 'invested' money in a little contraption a Gnomish friend of mine liked to call the "Locked-Thing-Explosive-Opener-Upper" or LTEOU for short. Let me tell you, that investment certainly paid off. As for moving in shadow, I suppose I could do that. I'd have to leave the lute at home though; sometimes the temptation for a little ditty is too much!"

"Horden, please my friend, I know your talent lies in your words. You can always use your lute to distract...I mean entertain, the guards" 

Naomi stands with a puzzled face towards Turqui then holds up her saddle slowly.

"Yes, your saddle is very...um...pretty!"

"Oh, you know distractions are my specialty. I also, of course, have a couple of sleep spellsongs up my sleeve for whenever the guards feel restless. So, tel me, where is our first...er...flour delivery?"

I do believe we should attempt to plan a session with all of us present when would everyone be available (because this weekend I am availiable so long as we plan it ahead)  

<< Can't do this weekend at all, I am traveling. We also need a target first. >>

Yeah I am having problems coming up with something, open to suggestions.

I know of a certain someone who has a lot of loot that didn't die :P A certain lamia.

Idea 1) Lord Bollrim arrives with a boat full of loot to buy cattle Idea 2) Rob ship/wagon trail heading for Fort Boulder Break Idea 3) Centuars send us to 'liberate' some treasure from the Gnolls

Need more details for 1 and 2 no idea who Bollrim is and boulder break guy's seem scary 

Bollrim is the reason Illoa is Udrus and is responsible for Illoas husband's death. And he is nice not scary!

Bollrim is nice in the same way that Ikseliad is moderately evil

I meant iiskelliad was nice, which does not preclude him from being moderately evil :-)

I'm a big fan of Iiskelliad, he's very polite

"Perhaps we can have a discussion with Torland. See if he has any ideas? Or maybe we approach the Trade Guild and offer to be eyes at Fort Boulder Breaker?"

Azazel walks in with a new person by the name of Rocky and tells of How this one is both Dexterous and stout so he would be a great new member and that if any stolen goods need to be sold they can be through the flour company or azazel's shop. Rocky introduces himself to Turki saying is it a pleasure to meet such an an esteemed businessman in udrus  (In Cant, Thief for hire, no magic, strong)

Turki stands up and gives Azazel a strange look. "I am not quite sure who Orion is, or why you are talking to the wall but I understand that you wish to take a quieter life. Rocky, we will gladly welcome you to the company as an intern." Turki shakes Rocky's hand. "Given the recent events in Urdo, I wonder if there is some opportunity. Perhaps the Imperial Trade Company will bring in a new shipment of supplies, or maybe we can take Fort Boulder Breaker as the riches there from the spoils of the war are going to be vast."

As the members of Superior Flour Limited Inc. sit around their table in the Rusty spoke, plotting and scheming fruitlessly, the room falls quiet as the hastily repaired door claps open. Iskelliad strolls in and pulls up a chair to the table as if he is a regular member of the group. Before anyone can protest he holds up a finger for silence, Knight Jericho and Ale'kiem hurry in from the street, both looking haggard from the recent attacks. Ale'kiem looks over the group hatred evident on his face, he interjects through Knight Jericho's greeting. Staring directly into Turki's eyes. "Listen here you horrible little rat, if it wasn't for assurances of the General here that you will prove profitable eventually I would have had you gutted in the street after the fire at the warehouse. Do you really think we don't know it was you?" He sits back into a chair staring daggers at the group but remains silent as Iskelliad speaks up. "Errhrmm yes, but happily you will be known as the saviors of Udro soon. And none of us can get what we want if Udro is destroyed will we?" He eyeballs both his companions as well as the group of adventurers before continuing on through the sullen silence. "So you may have realized that the undead attack was perfectly timed for our moment of weakness. But from what intelligence we have been able to gather it was just a probe. Their are still building their strength and we must not let them wipe the Empire from the continent a second time." Knight Jericho leans forward his eyes intense and frightened, "It appears a Master Vampire is seeking our destruction. Iskelliad and his man Bordun sought it ought to destroy it, but even their considerable strength was not enough to best it and its forces. Master Foresthold has turned some of the best minds of the Trading Company towards the problem and they think there is a way to defeat them. But there are several complications and risks associated with it." Iskelliad takes off his general's hat and places it gently on the table, and looks earnestly into each adventurer's face "You will not only be risking life and limb, but your very souls. The very memory of your existence. We would not ask this of you but at the moment our resources are deeply depleted and your are our only assets who have a reasonable chance of success. Far to the north of here is a temple, guarded by a sphinx. And as you may know they have a great deal of mastery over time and space. What we need is for you to convince this sphinx send you back in time and for you to acquire the personal holy symbol of this Vampire." He takes a deep breath and forges ahead,"But that is not all. And this is where your particular talents become applicable, as you may know time travel is a particularly odd bit of magic, you can't just go back and smash and burn everything you like. The multiverse doesn't appreciate such unsubtle manipulation and such attempts always end quickly and completely." "What he is trying to say is that if you cause too much a disturbance you will be wiped out of existence, completely irrevocably gone!" Ale'kiem says through a sneer. "Indeed it is, so extreme care and subtlety most be used in the acquiring of this artifact. With it in our possession the fight against the Vampire Master should be an achievable victory. The fate of the Empire, of Udro, of everyone in this bar will be in your hands. Come to Fort Boulder Breaker when you are prepared we will send you on your way the best we can." The three rise and make their way to the door, Iskelliad realizing he has left his hat makes his way back to the table and whispers through his overly large smile, "One of my peers has aligned himself with the undead, Alethar is the cleverest among us. I expect he will try and stop this plan but I cannot take any direct action to stop him. Be on your guard." He leaves a piece of paper on the table. TO DO Convince Sphinx Travel to approximately 80 years ago Make way to hobgoblin city Steal the Hobgoblin General's Holy Spear and replace with replica DO NOT DISTURB FABRIC OF TIME AND SPACE UNNECESSARILY (or you will cease to exist and the plan will fail) Make way back to current time

As the general walks out, Turki shouts out, "I take it this is more than a 'silver favor'. If I do this can I assume my debt will be settled?"

<<I love this development!!! Way to go Matt!!!!! >>

"Well gentlemen, I think this changes things dramatically. Despite my reservations for working for the...um...general, it seems we have no choice but to take on this rather scary mission." Turki turns to Rocky, "Sir if you would kindly fetch Azazel, I believe that we have no choice but to attempt to use his services." Turki faces Naomi, "You are a true warrior, Naomi, and I would gladly have you at my side in any battle. But I am afraid skill with swords and goats may not be much use in this quest. We will need deception, stealth, and probably a great deal of illusion." "Horden, your sleep spells will definitely come in handy. Any other trickery you can bring to bear, would probably help? We may also want to open up some more positions in our company, and expand our operations. I will also need to gather some equipment." "That being said, as drastic as this situation seems now, I still think there is an opportunity for profit in this venture. I have an idea..."

Horven shakes his head somewhat sadly and puts his drink back down. "Turki, I'm sorry to tell you I'm retiring. After heading off against those hyenas or gnolls, rather, I just seem to have lost something of my lust for this sort of deadly life. If you need me, naturally, I'll be here in the bar, but in the meantime, might I offer you the services of an...acquaintance I've made?" He motions to the side of the room; as he does, a small, disheveled and very smelly halfling steps forward, biting his nails furiously. Without relinquishing the nail, the halfling says, "Hello good sirs! I am Enicorin Longbough, astronomer and, er, magic enthusiast. I have not the way with words that dear Horven does, but I do have a bit of mind control up my sleeve and a bit of persuading power of my own. What do you say?" Horven grins cheerfully as the halfling finishes his little spiel. 

Turki stares for a long moment at his friend. His eyes appear to be a bit watery. "This is so unexpected...Horven I don't know what to say...I will miss you sir. Um, yes of course, I will gladly accept your friend into our ranks. Mr... uh what is your name, sir?"

Horven puts a hand on Turki's shoulder, his eyes also watering up. "Don't worry, I'll still be here, just not...you know...off in the wilds with you lads. Any time you need me, I'll be here in the bar. Maybe I can teach that silly little bard a few tricks, eh?" He laughs a little sadly, then downs his drink, taking his hand away. Standing up, he does a little two-fingered wave at the table before hurrying up to his room, clearly somewhat upset. Enicorin steps forward again, hand still not having left his lips. "Enicorin Longbough, my good sir! You know, they say a bad memory is a sign of stupidity. No offense, of course." 

Knight Jericho enters the room once more "Did someone say...deception, stealth and probably a great deal of illusion?" Malzahar then takes off his Knight Jericho disguise and changes his face back to normal. "Those seem like the very three things I go by in life. Nice to meet you flower pot, or I guess I should call you...no don't worry no need to introduce yourself. I been spying on you for quite some time" Malzahar for a brief second changes his face to one that matches Turqui's own then with a scratchy version of Turqui's voice says "Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...This...this will be fixed with time." after tuning the voice to match Turqui's he says "Hello, my name is Malzahar and I don't know if I could bake some cookies but I'm interested in why you would need Deception, stealth and illusion for making cookies. Sounds almost as if you're trying to cheat someone out of a good sale." He chuckles.

Turki takes a moment to collect himself. "Enicorin, Malzahar it is very good to meet you both. We can discuss your official titles within the company at a later date. For now we are under pressure. I take it you heard the request from our Jackal General to the north. I feel, out of civic duty, that we cannot deny their request. But my instincts tell me that this will not be a simple quest, and that we will need many weeks to complete this, and should be well prepared before we set out. "Since I am somewhat unfamiliar with the ways of Time and the Arcane, I wonder if anyone here would like to explain in more detail how we do not interfere with history."

"Also, have any of you ever read the children's story 'Backeth to the Futureth 2'? If my memory serves me correct the character Biff-efth managed to get hold of a betting slip, and made a great deal of money off it. Perhaps we can learn something in the past that may be useful in the future. Say maybe a secret tunnel that goes underneath the newly rebuilt Imperial Trade Warehouse. Or something else of that nature."

Perhaps, when messing with time we shouldn't change much. I don't want flies to rule the world because we got some extra cash.

"I am implying that we gather information in the past, which can be used in the future."

"er present"