It was an unusual fall rain, on a night with no moon. A dense cloud cover formed, nearly invisible in the dark sky above, slowly concealing the stars. The occasional flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a mellow bellow of distant rumbling thunder.

The market, usually bustling at all times of day, was nearly empty. Vendors slammed their windows, doors and shutters shut, as stalls all closed down the main street like falling dominoes. Market-goers rushed in all directions, their coats and empty bags above their heads, hurrying to escape the sudden onset of rain.

Dalanor flipped up his hood and dashed down a side alley. His boots splashed in the puddles of the narrow sunken cobblestone path. He quickly strode the length of a full block, then turned the corner and paused. He hunched over the piece of paper in his hand, dimly lit under the magical glow of a tall black street lamp. The directions to the warehouse were blotted by drops of rain and the ink was beginning to run. He pushed the note back into his pocket and pressed on.

The alleys and streets were dark and all looked alike. His pulse quickened at the thought that he might not find it. The warehouses behind the market were quiet at this time. Any sound from other poor souls attempting to traverse the dark wet maze, went silent under the cover of the rainfall and thunder. He paused again to catch his breath at an intersection between paths.

It was then that he heard it. A voice, faint at first, carried through the rain. A woman's voice singing, louder now, more distinctive, a powerful high soprano that drew him closer.

"...That voice which calls to me and speaks my name..."
(( MUSIC CUE: Phantom of the Opera - Sierra Boggess & Ramin Karimloo ))

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SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Dead Bards Society
Participants: Two or more
Location: Sol City
Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown

Description: Citizens have reported sightings of apparitions and hauntings of the most unusual nature: It appears some Bardic Virtuoso aspirants have met a violent end, but refuse to leave this world behind without a good story. Find and handle a ghost who is bringing the civilians trouble, whichever way you see fit. Some believe the ghosts can be persuaded… if you can impress them. You can try to impress the ghosts by singing, dancing, telling stories or with heroic acts of bravery. Others will say the pointy end of a sword is always very persuasive.

talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/6810/fall-renown-open#:~:text=Dead%20Bards%20Society

Marik made her way down one of the back allies, there was no sign of life anywhere. If it wasn't for the lights peeking thru a few cracks she would have thought the city of deserted.

“Is it always like this here?” Shoto, Mariks eight-legged friend asked from his resting spot on her shoulder.

“On the contrary, this city is normally always busy.” She told him and she searched for some form of life. They were currently in Sol City, the largest and busiest city in Charon. Regardless of the time the streets were usually crowded, to see it so deserted was unsettling.

“So do you think it's possible that guy was telling the truth?”

“I don’t know, still seems pretty farfetched. But let's keep looking see what we can find”

The two continued down the alley towards the main street, the cloud hid any stars that would have been visible as the lightning started to light up the sky. The smell of rain was in the air, as an eerie silence settled. She passed the center of the of the marketplace and honestly it looked like the owners left in a rush, and she doubted it was due to the rain that had settled in. She caught movement in the corner of her eye as Shoto moved slightly on her shoulder in the direction where a hooded figure stood. She paused in step, watching for their next move.

“Do you hear that?” Shoto whispered

She focused trying to hear what Shoto was talking about…singing? It was very feint, was it coming from the hooded figure? As it got louder it seemed like it was coming from multiple direction at once, but it was the same voice. A women's voice, it was beautiful, it was enticing, nothing like she had heard before.

"...And do I dream again for now I find / The-"

Lightning flashed and a loud thunderclap resounded. The dark shadowed outer walls of the warehouse lit up temporarily. The beautiful voice of the soprano which rang out into the empty alley was drowned out by the storm. Part of her verse was obscured, and her finish rolled together with the after-rumble that followed.

"-is there / Inside my mind..."

This is it. I've found it. Another flash of lightning. The rain intensified.

I need to get out of this rain, but how do I get inside this warehouse?

Dalanor's hood and jacket were beyond damp at this point. He scoured the sides and back of the warehouse in search of a door. The doors were all padlocked and he cursed under his breath having forgotten the warehouse owner's key.

I've come too far to go back now.

He looked around for another option. The quick investigation produced results. Up above was a long rectangular window that was cracked open.

I don't have the skill, practice or dexterity to scale up a wall that high, but there is another option...

After a few instinctive sideways and backwards glances to see if anyone was watching, he snapped his fingers, and with a deep whooshing sound, an exact clone of him appeared standing next to his side [1]. The replicant knelt down and interlaced his fingers palm upwards, providing Dalanor with a foothold and then a lift, for a high boost up to the window.

With a pang of guilt in his gut at the surreptitious entry, Dalanor barely pulled himself up and in (a surprisingly successful athletics check). He landed a short distance onto a hard wooden floor on the second level. The replicant outside dissipated with a sparkle.

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[1] Replicant (Space Domain)

SPOILER: Click to show

You snap your fingers, summoning a perfect copy of yourself, mimicking the exact way you appear when casting the spell. This copy is physical in form, can speak and mimics your exact personality. This form can move around, away from you and even interact with its environment. This clone can even cast spells and attack, however will deal no damage with any of its abilities or strikes. As soon as this copy takes damage, it will vanish.