Quest for the Gemgark

Two more had arrived. A tall, bored-looking guy in robes (almost certainly some sort of mage) and a Spitesprite - a very rare sight. Aureole had never actually encountered one before - she had only heard tales of their exploits, no doubt exaggerated folklore for the most part. Supposedly the lot of them were assassins, and good ones at that. The fact that this one wasn't even making an attempt to hide seemed strange. Then again, the landlord at the counter seemed well acquainted with the race. Perhaps they were simply more common in these lands - Aureole had crossed half the world just to reach the city of Klangsbor in the first place.

Whatever the case, here one stood, the apparent victim of (possibly deserved?) discrimination from the landlord. Aureole's inclination was to simply stay back and watch things unfold, but, then again, it could have been that the sprite was seeking the same treasure she was. What other reason was there to head to such a sleazy tavern in the middle of Klangsbor in the dead of the summertime? Perhaps, Aureole thought, it would be best to make herself known, to attempt to make some friends for the journey ahead. No normal adventurer would likely ever reach the Gemgark - either Aureole was completely crazy, or it would be the best idea for her to become acquainted with the unusual ones.

Maybe it was both.

Cloak drawn around her, Aureole sidled up to the bar and took a seat right next to the scowling landlord, whose hand was now resting atop his bludgeon. He seemed to take little notice of her, his attention locked elsewhere. Aureole ordered some cheap ale from the bartender, though she had very little inclination to actually drink the foul, urine-smelling beverage that so many patrons seemed to enjoy. She had never much liked alcohol.

"What are you, deaf? I said get out, sprite."

The landlord soon felt something sharp pressing against his stomach - a dagger held by a lower arm of the very-definitely-not-human woman seated next to him. "Let her in."

The landlord looked extremely taken aback. "What did you... You in league with it?"

"No. If she meant harm, she wouldn't be out in the open right now. Let her in."

"You say you're not in league, and you have a knife to my stomach."

Aureole waited for a moment, then sheathed the dagger. Without a moment's hesitation, the landlord grabbed his blackjack and took a swing at Aureole's head. Fortunately, as landlords at seedy taverns aren't especially known for their agility, Aureole dodged the blow entirely, just before a sudden gust of air knocked the baton from his hand. The weapon flew over the bar and smashed several bottles of various alcoholic drinks as the landlord gazed on in both anger and utter befuddlement.

"Let the Spitesprite in, and you'll get no more trouble."

"Fine. Okay. Sprite, don't try anything. I'm watching you." The landlord spat on the ground again, glaring alternatingly at Aureole and Idealana.

"Sorry about the mess," Aureole said to the bartender, leaving several gold pieces on the bar before getting up, her drink untouched.

Readjusting her highly concealing cloak, Aureole walked toward the Spitesprite, exuding an air of utter indifference. "Hello," she suddenly said to the sprite as she passed. "I don't suppose you're here looking for... a certain powerful artifact? I believe we may be able to arrange a deal..."