[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Sorry about the delays... I've been dealing with more than I expected the first week of the semester. This'll be a short update, more in progress.

11 hours.

Sandra was annoyed. Raven and Lilith were whispering to each other again, and Esmerelda was eyeing this twit up and down, admiring his boyish figure. And Mara, with the patience of Ilmater, was tolerating his nonsense. "So you're saying," she burst out, "That you want us to give you twenty thousand gold pieces, and in return you promise that you'll help us find that mage? Yeah, and I have some land in Maztica I'd like to sell you."
Lilith stepped forward delicately, and before Gaelan knew it she was in his face.
"You do understand what you are asking of us, yes? Raising this kind of fortune is no mean feat."
"Aye, I do, but I'm sure it'll be no problem for ones such as yerselves."
"Indeed... You're an intelligent man, Mr. Bayle. I am certain that you are well aware that a group that could effortlessly produce twenty thousand gold pieces could just as effortlessly trap your soul in a tiny jar for all eternity if you should double-cross us, yes?" Her icy eyes bored deep into him.
"Y-yes, ma'am. I assure you, my intentions are true." Lilith gave Mara a nod, who cleared her throat and said, "Mr. Bayle, we agree to your terms."
"Just hope they get to you before me if you do betray us," Sandra cut in.
"Coo! Well, now that that's all taken care of, you don't mind if you see yourselves out, do you?" The group exited, one, two, three, four, and met for a brief strategy session. They agreed that the best course of action would be to scatter and assess the climate of Athkatla, and each find a way to bring money into the group the best way they knew how. Mara nodded, then paused. "Wait, but where's Esmerelda...?"
"I need no powers of divination to predict that she is 'negotiating' a discount for us," muttered Lilith.

Mara

Mara, ever meticulous, decided that the best way for her to go about her task would be to familiarize herself with the city. It was indeed a lovely day, marred only by the attempted bandit ambush as she went along her merry way. Upon entering the Bridge district, she was met with the wary Aegisfield. He was an amiable enough fellow, and she was glad that Lilith was not around to point out that he was named after the shield of a great dead goddess. Upon hearing of an unsolved murder case, she correctly decided that it would be child's play for a woman of her intellect to piece together whatever puzzle the guard had left unsolved. After discussing the matter with several locals, she came to the conclusion that the tanner held the answers she sought. Briefly considering notifying Aegisfield, Mara decided that she was more equipped to deal with a serial killer than a city guard. She was, in fact, correct.. The traps and monsters within were enough to completely drain the spellcasting energy she had for the day. She notified Aegisfield of her brilliant detective work, and then wandered into the Five Flagons Inn for a much-needed rest.
Mara: +11 hours

Raven

The excess of the Copper Coronet called to Raven. There was a foul energy about the place, one she was determined to investigate. Approaching the owner of the place, she thought she had isolated the cause, but was quickly proven wrong when she was whisked into the back rooms, apparently for "VIP treatment." Gingerly stepping over the charred corpse of the former slave master, Raven reflected upon the fact that it would be the last mistake the establishment would ever make. She almost wished that the owner saw the motley crew she had assembled to help her take out the beast master: Two phase spiders and a monstrous wolf-like creature, animals freeing animals. The encounter was intense; the minotaur in particular came as a surprise to her. She had used up many of her spells in the fight, but it was worth it to see the slaves go free. She agreed to investigate the matter further, but first, she decided, she would need a little nap.
Raven: +10 hours

Lilith

"What in ALL THE HELLS is the matter with you?! I am BUSY! Or perhaps you'd like to lend a hand?" Lilith was safe for the moment, at least, protected by a shimmering blue globe that was shielding her from the mad cleric's Hold Person spells. The Cowled Wizard seemed not to even hear her.
"Again, you must not practice your magic in this city without the proper authorization."
"What about this guy, here? He's offing people in the middle of the street, and you don't care? Incertis... Does this count as authorized? I'm saving my life with your supervision." Lilith was now giving the wizard her full attention, and only her hands were aimed at the cleric, almost casually flinging magic missiles and an acid arrow at him.
"Citizen, this constitutes your one warning. Cross us again at your own risk."
"Yeah, nice warning you gave that Imoen kid. Very well, wizard, I am certain we shall meet again, one way or another." And then the annoyances were gone, both the white-cowled one and the one draped in purple. Fortunately, she was very close to her destination: The base of the Shadow Thieves. They pretty much welcomed her into their base with open arms; apparently all parties in the matter were following the philosophy of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. Upon being briefed by Renal the Bloodscalp (who was named after a popular line of conditioning treatment in Silverymoon), Lilith set out towards the guildhall of Mae'Var. What will she find there? We'll find out in the next installment! Ooh, I'm so excited.