((Posting this in the Fellowship RP because I think anyone out of guild that Nklos would talk to, like Markoss, will still be able to see it here.))

((This is a summery, or a snip it of a conversation with you if you were close with  Hoch.  I think the would specifically seek out Jaggie, Lily, Points, Valie, Zolt, Red, Eopia (if she keeps up with the forums) and Alutris.  Sorry if I am forgetting anyone who was close.  I'll edit you in later and deny leaving you out.))


Nklos runs up to you, he looks a bit worried and begins to fill you in on his last trip to the Phoenix.  "I bumped into Hoch, got him to come up the ramp and join a few of us for drinks after his meal.  He was being, no more odd than he has been the last few months.  He did not have his notes any more though, which seemed odd seeing that he still seems to have the short term memory issues."  Takes a deep breath after spewing all those words out.  "Any way all of a sudden he goes 'Urggg' and starts sputtering.  Then he rips his sleeve up and there are these ... lines springing up on his arm, and on his face."

"So everyone kind of pauses, looking at him.  Ask if he is okay.... So his head snaps up suddenly, and his eyes go wide, and he looks right at me and screams 'Nklos!' then he looks around to see who might be around watching him.  'Find me!'  Then he makes this look like he is in pain, and barks out one more time 'Find me!' and he vanishes.


So I figure, as far as I know Hoch still is not at all with the arcane power.  And as far as I know divine powers can only teleport you to your sanctuary.  So I kind of rushed out and searched but could not fin any, so I have complied a list of all the religious places I know of.  In the market there is the Silver Flame Cathedral.  Lots of places to hide in there.  They might also have something hidden under House Jorasco's land that I don't know of seeing that they owned that before House Jorasco got it from them.

The Sovereign Host has a place in House Deneth, it seems pretty simple though, but should still be watched.

House P has the Temple of Vol, and another Host worship house.  They might have a place for the Undying Court as well, but if they do, they have kept it away from me.

Not sure if the Lord of Blades has any... sneaky little holdings.  I would not be surprised if he did, but I have not really come across any of his crew here in town.  Do you know of any?

Oh, and I checked Hoch for Brain Bugs just about every time we have talked, and he has come up clean, so I doubt it is the inspired, but that is still something I won't risk leaving unchecked.


I really have trouble believing your average orc tribe or kobold worshiping the dragon below would be able to take Hoch, but I don't want to rule that out.  If you have any idea where they might hold ceremony.  (Also would ask Jaggie and Lily to talk to the tribes they are cool with in the hills.)

Those cover the major religions in town.  And the most likely.  But I don't want to rule out evil druids either, and this continent has so many nexuses... nexi?   Any way, if we could get the local tribes to keep an eye out. 


If that does not turn out any results I'll start mapping out the religious organizations in Khorvaire.

*snaps to attention at Nklos' words, then glances around at everyone and whispers*  I... followed Hoch one time, when he left the Phoenix.  Just after his... return.  He was staying cooped up in the Tower of the Twelve.  If he was in pain like that, it might not have been his own magic that transported him!  It seems worth sneaking around there and finding out what they know.

*pats her sword hilt*  Just let me know where I can help the most!

((Assuming for the time being that Nklos is talking to any and all of us at once, like in the same place, because his description was a not very specific. If this is not true, let me know and I can edit. Either way, it is very plausible that Al would at least be hanging out with Red so... Oh, and I guess I'm also assuming we're in a setting with a table. But that's not really a consideration and can be easily reworded if need be.))

        Aluatris listens patiently as Nklos' says his piece, leaning slightly towards his in curiosity. Her eyesbrows shoot up in surprise, both at the explosion of words and the words themselves, that she makes no effort to hide. A faint appearance of confusion also crosses her face.

        "Alright, slow down..." She says softly and massages her temples as she tries to process his words. "You said there were... lines on his arm and face? That doesn't sound very good. Did he look like he was in pain? Well of course you probably wouldn't know that, since he disappeared so quickly..."
 
        Slamming her fist down on the table, she growls "Dammit, why is that man always getting himself into trouble!?" 

        She takes a few deep breaths to steady herself, then nods at Redalia's words and looks back up at Nklos. "Something about this whole situation just seems... odd to me. He's tried to keep his problems to himself before, but it still doesn't seem like Hoch to port away so quickly, especially him telling you to 'find him'. I don't know what's going on," Her lips curl into a tight-lipped frown as she continues, "I feel like I haven't known what's up with him for a while now, but I don't think it's an innocent game of Hide and Seek. Though, I wouldn't put it past him to freak us out for his own games. I just... don't  know."

        Dispelling her frown, Al's lips nonetheless remain slightly pursed in concern and her eyes blaze with determination. "So where do you suggest we start?"

((I intentionally left it ambiguous Al.  Was not sure who would want to be involved and if some people wanted to join in, but be on their own, this way I could have told them separately.))



I hadn't thought of that Jaggie love, that he might have been ported out, not by his own magics.  It makes more sense too. 

That is good thinking you too Lilly darling.  I don't know of Hoch's family name or anything, but, I don't imagine that the creepy elf mummies have got that many they favor.  I am sure if we can get word to them, they'll know who we are talking about.

For the foxies... I don't know.  They don't seem to like anyone, but *Pauses looking around at those assembled.*  I probably have the most experience with them.  So I am willing to talk, though I would not mind bringing someone more charasmatic with me. Unless, well Red you go out there but you mainly do it working for the Twelve right?  (Unless one of you have working for them in your story.  I've done most the flagging quests hard I believe, maybe an elite or two.  And have done the raid.)

The twelve, I have long been an honorary member of... and I was thinking... if need truly be.  I could try to join them.  For better access to their records and such.  And Al, isn't that where you said that you saw Hoch staying before?

A flury of activity livened up the twelve’s tower.  Members of the twelve rushed back and forth, scrambling for something – or so it seemed to the stranger in the Adept’s rest.

 

He calmly snuck into the entryway to the library and leaned up against the wall, a spectator to the desperate scene.

 

After a few moments a blue opening formed on the east wall revealing a darkened chamber beyond.  He could see a small table with a body covered in a drapery laying on it, and an arm dangling to the ground.  The arm looked grey and pasty, with swollen lines running up and down it.

 

An Elf came through the doorway, with an expression of despair and disappointment on his face.  The Elf looked up at the man and walked over to him.

 

Once he stood in front of the man he reached into his robes and pulled out a substantial purse and handed it to the stranger.

 

“Kailie said this is for you.  Your services are no longer required.”

 

The man took the purse slowly, hefted it up once or twice then tucked it away into his belt and gave the Elf a nod before turning around and departing the area.

 

‘This was the strangest and easiest assignment the Baldes have ever given me’ he thought to himself as he exited the tower and headed into town. ‘The Aereni are not known to be this…I don’t even know how to describe it to myself.  They were both terrified and awed by whomever that was; I wonder what really happened to him.’

 

Thoughts consumed him as he disappeared into the streets of Stormreach.