Pilfered Poetry

[Indygo]

Indygo steps up to the message board near the street with a few nails pinched between his lips, a hammer in hand, and yet another copy of a posting.  The dwarf grumbles seeing the tack still embedded into the board from his last advertisement that was once again removed.  Carefully placing it straight and square on the board cautious not to cover messages left by others, he takes a nail from his lips and presses it firmly into the wood taking a swing.  The hammer stikes smack-dab on the knuckle of his thumb causing the dwarf to holler out in pain dropping the remaing nails on the ground.  Sucking on his throbbing thumb he frowns seeing the flyer dance away in the gentle breeze.  Indygo tosses the hammer to the ground after a few choice words scurrying after the paper.  Attempting to trap it with his foot the parchment teases him with his every effort as it flutters along the grass. 

At last the dwarf successfully snares the paper taking it to the board once again.  Picking up his hammer and retracing his actions he notices he has no nails.  He looks up to the crystal, mumbling as if to curse Laanx before letting out a frustrated chuckle.  Indy removes the nail from his previous post and prepares to affix the message.  He taps the bent nail with extreme caution taking care not to smash his still throbbing thumb once again.  The nail bends further as he taps making it difficult to sink flush into the wood.  The dwarfs face slowly turns red as a glyph as he steps back and swings wildly at the posting in a deperate attempt to hang his paper.

Ultimately the bulletin is hung, crinkled with a partial foot print from its escapade accross the lawn and showing small divots from Indygo's misplaced hammer blows.  The dwarf waves a hand at the board before muttering "...good enough..." and sliding his hammmer in its place in the loop on his belt.  He rips his pack from the ground slinging it over his shoulder and bobs off down the road inspecting his purple thumb...

[edited for spelling]

[Indygo]

Indygo sits in the shade wiggling his toes in the grass as he looks to the Explorers booth noticing it is manned by a long time friend.  They share a wave before the dwarf makes his way over to greet Mordaan.  As they catch up Gag happens by, pausing to join in the conversation.  Its not long before Rheos and Hangatyr appear, mixing into the group.

As they converse the topic of Indy's lost book surfaces.  "Still searching for the theif Indygo?" Gag asks the dwarf.  "Indeed I am!" Indygo replies.  "I have not heard any news of him. I put up flyers on the message board over there, only to be stolen as well." says the dwarf as he gestures to the message board in the plaza.  Gag encourages him "The more eyes know, the less corners will be unseen." inspiring Indygo to continue making copies to post.  The disgruntled dwarf turns to Rheos asking of any news from the Way of the Hammer.  "Nothing so far brodr, I haven't heard of any more sightings.  The brodrth are watching but no reports have reached me yet." Rheos informs.  Indygo scans the plaza in thought "Perhaps a higher reward would help peak the interest..." he says as his words trail off.  Mordaan responds "It might only result in a lot of false leads.  What might be the title of this missing book, if you don't mind me asking?"

Indygo goes into details on the book and how it came to be in the hands of another as Aelderon approaches, a ylian he met recently in Kada's.  He enters the circle with a bow "Excuse me gentlemen."  He turns his attention to Indygo "I just wanted to let you know that there is a very smelly dwarf that has a poetry book much like the one you described."  The group turns their focus to the plainly clothed ylian.  "Where was this neighbor?" Rheos inquires.  Aelderon replies shyly "There is this stonehammer white and smelly beard he has."  Aelderon pauses "Ill mannered... I saw him at Kada Els."  Mordaan teases the group, the mojority of which is made up of dwarves "Well...being a dwarf, he might still be there." and encourages the group to investigate.  Aelderon continues "I told him about the reward.  I thought maybe he would bring it to you.  He wanted to barter...I refused but when I recoginized the book and took interest in it he refused to sell it.  He acted like there was no book...he was quite drunk and strange."  Aelderon assured the group the book he saw was still in good condition as far as he could tell.

"Did you get a name from him?" Rheos asks firmly of the ylian.  With a nod Aelderon responds "He told me a name but it was hard to understand, he was very drunk...I believe it started with an I." mentioning there were others in the pub at the time.  "Was there anyone else around to see the dwarf when you spoke?" asked Indygo.  Aelderon acknowledged "Yes, he seemed to know a fenki that was sitting there, two tables away."  Indy prods the ylian "Did you get their names by chance?"  Aelderon scratches at his chin struggling to remember "Z....Zalia? No..."  Mordaan chimes in "Zayla?!"  Gag discloses "Zalya is a waitress in the Stonehead in Gugrontid."  "I'm sorry I cannot be of further help, but I'll stay alert.  If I hear anything or see anything I'll let you know." Aelderon assures the dwarf.  Indygo nods with a smile handing Aelderon a small pouch "You have done well my good ylian, please take this small token of my appreciation."  Aelderon graciously takes the small pouch of tria before bowing and taking his leave assuring them he will update them if he hears any news.

Indygo looks down the road toward Kada-El's "I think I will take a stroll through town to see if anyone else has seen this dwarf."  Rheos jumps in "I'll take a ride out to Gugrontid to see if this Zalya is around."  The group says their goodbyes as they disperse and head their seperate ways.  Indygo scans vigilantly as the clanging of the hammers of Harnquist's shop fade with every step...

[LigH]

* Esanor adds a nicely written but brief note:

I am sorry that I can only reply very briefly, mainly because I did not witness most of the progress, so it is mainly word-of-mouth to me... but just to not let this report die:

Two weeks ago, the remaining brodrs of the Hammer (who was not on duty in outer lands) gathered to raid Hydlaa for the thief, knowing that he would probably be in town to make the least bit of fortune to survive. We roamed Hydlaa in different areas without success first. When I left the sewers, I had to hurry to the courtyard for a governmental meeting, so the following was only told to me.

Returning to the plaza, a few of us finally saw the suspect. I believe he was described with a limp. While he was observed, unfortunately, he had enough time to meet a customer, and sold the book before they could reach him. The customer was described as robed Dermorian [or Nolthrir, with the same 3D model] with fierce red eyes, riding a Drifter.

Last week now, when I returned home, I was confronted with a shocking detail at the door to the Hall of the Hammer: There was a sheet. Rather half of it. Torn out and blood stained. Containing the dedication from Illysia to Indygo.

Chances are low now, that we will get the book back in an acceptable state...