A Fireside Chat in Shenden

Typhon arrived in Shenden, just as Saros had hoped. Saros was sent here to investigate Typhon and assess the threat he posed to the immediate situation in the Scavenger Lands. Saros intended to do so by directly confronting him, and the havoc he had caused within Shenden during the past week was his way of summoning Typhon to this location. He was unsure if it would work, but alas, Typhon stood at the entrance of the village watching as guards rushed to the assistance of villagers fleeing the complex that Saros had just set ablaze.

Saros emerged from the shadows, dressed in his typical black robe and carrying his staff in his right hand. He walked toward Typhon and the two men that flanked him on horseback. The crackle of flames from the burning house behind him drowned out the sound of his footsteps. The glow from the flames cast a shadow in front of Saros that was twice his height and it flickered as the burning continued. The timing of this meeting was optimal for both parties: Deathknights preferred the darkness and Saros preferred the blanket of stars on a clear night.

Saros looked up from the ground, the lighting from the fire cast his entire face in a shadow over the hood of his cloak. "Typhon, I'm glad you could make it. Our next meeting was long overdue."

((I would like a Wits + Awareness check to see if I recognize anyone in his entourage and also to assess their strength.))

Kirkland 17:45, 23 July 2009 (EDT)

Saros does not recognize either of the mounted horsemen, although he does note that they are both armed with fuel bolt launchers and perfect slashing swords set with black, opalescent hearthstones.

Typhon smiled wickedly as Saros approached, replying to his greeting when Saros spoke it.

"You put on quite a show, Saros. I was wondering how much time would pass before the Gold Faction decided to get involved. I thought to myself at first mayhap you had come searching for Ayesha's old undead lapdog, Arkanian, as he calls himself. But that's not the case - you're no longer interested in Arkanian, are you? That's your first mistake - he's far more dangerous than I."

Typhon allowed for a pause in the conversation, though his expression made it clear he did not intend for the silence to be interjected upon. He slowly began walking toward the burning house, his two horsemen bodyguards matching his pace as he walked. Saros strode alongside Typhon as the deathknight continued.

"I won't patronize you with anecdotes of the generosity of Thorns or its willingness to play the rules of the Confederation of Rivers - you know better, just as I do. The fact that you sought me out makes your intentions transparent enough -- I understand why the Gold Faction might be interested in my affairs, but I can assure you, as I have assured Nexus and Lookshy, that the Scavenger Lands' greatest threat does not reside within the walls of Thorns. You need only look west, to Marukan, where an insane Solar Exalt schemes even now to claim Marukan, and indeed, the East for himself, or North, to the Ebon Spires of Pyrron, where a far more unstable lord of darkness is assembling his forces as we speak, with every intention of marching on the Scavenger Lands at first convenient opportunity."

He stopped when the pair could feel the heat from the burning house, surveying the scene for a moment. He looked again to Saros.

"It stands to reason, then, that I have little incentive to offer you information unless you prove that you have something to offer me."

Typhon halted his speech to Saros abruptly, turning to the horseman at his right and issuing an order. "Finish what Saros has started - burn down this village. This place is sacred ground to Thorns now."

The deathknight turned again to Saros as the horseman rode forward and lit a torch on the fire Saros had started. Using this flame, he lit the straw roofing of a nearby house, and proceeded onward.

"You have as long as it takes the rest of these homes to burn to make your case and ask any questions you might have. You're welcome to save the inhabitants, but I fear it would cut drastically into the time it would take to make this deal. Fortunately I believe you do, in fact, have something to offer me."

Typhon intentionally let a silence hang as another wicked grin graced his flawless features - a piercing scream could be heard behind him as Shenden's citizens awoke to find themselves amidst a raging conflagration.

"Arkanian is perhaps the most elusive man in Creation - it is with much chagrin that I admit he has eluded Thorns' best efforts to find him. You, however, have been made privvy to his whereabouts in the past, and have spent more time with him as of late than I. If you agree to bring me Arkanian, I would be happy to discuss the state of affairs with you - from my point of view, and candidly. You are welcome to assure Arkanian that, at least for the time being, I have no interest in seeing him dead or returned to the clutches of my master."

Typhon raised his right hand, waving in an inquisitive gesture.

"What do you say, Sidereal?"

Dan 00:06, 1 December 2009 (EST)