Never See the Light of Day

A 4e Eberron Campaign

Each of you have done minor tasks for Sairya d'Deneith, Sentinal Marshal of House Deneith.  Occasionally you have worked together, in groups of two or three, with Ulgfar always working with Mbertar.  Primarily your tasks have involved simple guard jobs, the public face for House Deneith in jobs that require soldiers or bodyguards, but not sensitive enough to require actual members with the Mark of Sentinel.  Today you have been brought together for a special mission.

Three hours have passed and there has been no sign of Sairya, her loyal servant Urth, a warforged bodyguard and confidant laced with adamantine studs, has assured you that Sairya was busy but on her way, and ordered whatever any of party wishes to eat or drink within reason (large reason, but reason none the less) from her host of servants who seem to flock around her mansion attending to every little detail two or three times.

And so you spend your afternoon, lounging in her floating mansion high in the skyway, the highest section of the city.    Eventually you find yourselves seeing something none of you have seen in quite a while, an actual sunset, as the sun descends into the ocean, and more stunning than you've ever seen even out of the city, a breathtaking sight  from her balcony thousands of feet in the sky. 

"A breathtaking sight", a voice interrupts, a voice you recognize as the soft but commanding tones of Sairya, Sentinal Marshal and bearer of a Siberys Mark of the Sentinal, nearly every inch of skin covered by the swirling blue mark of House Deneith, "wouldn't you agree?"

Sairya waits until the sun finishes descending past the horizon, then asks you all into her study, a lavishly decorated room filled with comfortable chairs and couches arranged loosely in front of her oak desk.  "I hope you managed to entertain yourselves while I was busy, I have high hopes for your division , all of you are stars just beginning to rise in the sky of House Deneith.  Most of you know each other, if only briefly, those who don't can introduce yourselves to each other later, while you're preparing.  While you were here, I was busy requesting the final items for the mission I think you would be perfect for."
 

 

Urth chooses that moment to open the door, his footsteps thudding loudly as he strides over to the desk, managing to bump into quite a few bits of furniture, which, for the most part, he slides out of his way with no sign of effort.  "The package has arrived by House Vadalis gargoyle, my lady", the large metal behemoth says as he holds out a leather bound satchel to Sairya.  He then promptly strides out, closing the door behind him.

"Excellent!", she says as she quickly unbuckles the satchel and pulls out a small pink gemstone hanging from a silver chain.

Mbertar notices that the satchel has bits of dried blood on it, as if a previous bearer didn't fair so well.  She also notices that the gemstone seems to hang funny, as if it were being pulled in a direction other than quite down.

"We have lost an heir to House Deneith, a young woman who has already shown a Mark", she continues, "There are some who question the need for a team such as yourselves when we have vast armies and trained swordsmen, I believe this mission will prove that the House needs a middle ground between soldiers and the Marshalls.  Luckily for us, this should be an easy task, as this Eberron dragonshard, if dangled always points towards its companion stone, which she wears.  We haven't heard word of ransom yet, she vanished in Platinum Heights in the Upper Wards this morning and as of yet, all attempts to find her have failed.  Luckily, I remembered the amulet she wore and retrieved her sister's paired amulet from the countryside.  Due to the special nature of this mission, I'll be paying you double your normal fair, 100 gold each, more if exceptional dangers pop up.  We don't have time for many questions, but I'll answer what I can, provided you hurry!"

Sairya nods to Mbertar, "As you will, Let us hope it doesn't come to that", and tells you the location of Lauren's father's estate, about an hour out of town by lightning rail and another half hour after that by foot.

From the ledge in Skyway where you all stand, looking at the floating skycoach in front of you gently bob, it makes you more aware than ever of how very high Sharn is. 

Looking upon the City of Towers is a bit disconcerting from so high and while up here there is still some remaining signs of daylight, down below the city is like a massive maw of a great creature.  The upper levels are only now relying on the magical torches that are spaces evenly across bridges and courtyards, while the lower levels never saw sight of the sun at all.

The driver of the skycoach, a half elf with dark hair and a shrewd look about him, glances between you all and his boat, "Hmm, gonna be a tight fit", there is barely enough room for you all in the skycoach, but you'll manage.  "So where to, Platinum Heights?"

Knowing that the amulet was pointing down Ulfgar says "Knowing where we can find her guards is good information, however we must decide quickly between getting any additional information from the guards or following the direction of the Dragonshard". Feeling that the direct action would be the best one he says "We should follow the trail of the Dragonshard. If we need aditional details I don't think the guards would have enough to help, however it might be helpfull to talk with her father to find out if he has any enemies he suspects in this abduction"