Sapphire:Sessions:20181117
Ahn-Lee and Kimtri are on an important assignment to break up a conspiracy against Duke Ellington that involves thieves from overseas. The pair clear over 100g in "finder's fees". They tracked the conspiracy to a high-level thief and mage. The guildmaster sent four additional people on their team who, Ahn-Lee noticed, bore the "undercover" colors of the DarkGuard. He recognized one of them as Rain, a well-known mercenary who had been liberated from the gladitorial pens in the Troubled Lands.
The assault, which lasted several hours, wound through the warehouse district. The target had two skilled acolytes and a number of minions. Ahn-Lee and Kimtri cut through the minions, but two of the DarkGuard were taken down (and one later died). The mage turned his Missile Shield into Missile Reflect. Kimtri wounded the mage but was badly injured; Ahn-Lee killed the mage. Ahn-Lee drew blood on the thief, but the thief managed to Teleport away. Rain was unhurt. Ahn-Lee took Kimtri to a Temple of Zeph to recover.
The next day the guildmaster sent Ahn-Lee to speak with a man. The man set a small globe on the table and gave it a half-twist; there was an audible buzz. "This place is now secure. It is warded against eavesdropping." Ahn-Lee: "You're trying to trap me?" "No, you are free to leave." The thief had gotten away with a box containing a certain artifact. The man is hiring Ahn-Lee to bring him back the box and the artifact and kill the thief. Because of the thief's blood taken from Ahn-Lee's knife, the man has been able to obtain a crystal that always points toward the thief no matter what his form. He give this crystal to Ahn-Lee. He warns that the thief can shape-change, and he is presently in a "magic crazy" area where "weird stuff" is going on. Ahn-Lee replies, "I'll need an hour."
Ahn-Lee spends that time picking up several Magic Resistance potions from Azzhik. Azzhik also gives him an experimental elizir that may disrupt a mage's connection to mana.
Ahn-Lee goes to the Green Lantern Tavern where he meets a mysterious cloaked, hooded figure whose features are blurred. A crow flaps down and perches on the figure's shoulder. The figure explains that they will teleport to the Troubled Lands in three stages with a 20-minute period between each stage. After the second stage, though, the figure collapses. Ahn-Lee: "What'd you screw up?" "We are six miles from the area of the disturbance. I can't get you any closer.... The crystal indicates direction but not distance, though its indicator gets steadier when nearer.... I will meet you here at this time tomorrow."
Ahn-Lee jogs away down a market road that winds through farmland. He easily avoids the occasional patrols. He sees smoke rising from a distant forest. About six miles later he pauses to drink a Magic Resistance potion (which lasts one hour). He follows the crystal indicator to a hill topped with standing stones. Five groups are encamped around and atop the hill. Ahn-Lee decides to conceal himself and take a nap while he waits for twilight.
However, only moments later a young woman clad in armor taps him on the shoulder, saying "Weird time to take a nap. You look like you plan to sneak up on our camp.... I am Alexandra, one of Sonya's mages. You triggered one of my spells." She describes seven people, repeatedly emphasizing that three of them were elves (perhaps because of Ahn-Lee's half-elven features) who had spoken with Sonya and then descended into the hill along with the other four faction leaders. "Sonya told me to look out for others." Ahn-Lee: "That has nothing to do with me. I'm just passing through." Alexandra describes Shawna and Ahn-Lee says, "I recognize her." Alexandra tries to cast some spell on Ahn-Lee and is openly astonished that it fails. Ahn-Lee: "It's time I went up there. Will you escort me? They won't shoot at you, will they?" Alexandra mutters, "By the way, somebody else just slipped in" but she doesn't explain herself.
Alexandra distracts the sentries as Ahn-Lee gets close to the entrance. He peers down the dim tunnel, then makes a dash for it, bouncing from wall to wall down the steep ramp to the moss-covered platform. He faces a heavy oak door with a small keyhole. No one followed him. The compass ports toward the door, dipping slightly. Ahn-Lee knocks and there's a click from the lock. He readies Tiny Crossbow and pushes open the door.
Cal Lindross, the goblin, looks up at him. Ahn-Lee: "I guess I'm late." Cal points in the direction Shawna went and explains that he was instructed to stay here and guard two of the other faction leaders, who are injured.