"Sharks'll git 'em fer sure, they been biting everyone."
"Dang scary wit that pole thingy ya got...Mr."
Darius shrugs and looks at the Dragoons, "Sorry fellas, I tried."
He then continues on about his previous business.
The guards rush to the area most are looking in the water trying to spot the the air bubbles or disturbed water areas. When an officer comes up to address Darius. He stares at Darius face making eye contact, "Thanks for the effort, even though it failed, he's a slippery bastard." he is clearly getting a measure of the man. "I'm Lieutenant Whatley and you are?"
There are a lot of eyes on you now Darius, the people from the wharf have taken an interest.
"Darius," he says, extending his hand to the man.
There are a lot of eyes on you now Darius, the people from the wharf have taken an interest.
"Well Darius, it takes a brave soul to step up to try to apprehend the most notorious pirate on Razor. It's good to see someone has a spine." his last words were meant for other on the wharf to hear. "You fresh off a ship?" He glances over a the the Mother's Blessing.
"Aye," he says, casting a nod towards the Blessing. "Just docked. Looking for a person before we get settled in," Darius adds, continuing by describing the woman they seek and her last known location.
"What's the name or address...I know the parts of the city well." His demeanor is becoming a little less stiff.
There is some rumbling along the edge of the dock as the dragoons and some interested onlookers try to spot any signs of escaped pirate.
"Her name is Amaya. Was told she lives on the outskirts of town," Darius replies.
He tells you. "Go north to the end of the wharf, then head east in the outskirts that address isn't that far inland from the water.' He nods. "I'll be sure to tell Commandant Boneduece of your aid. If you are looking for work." He points back southward to the large fort. "You can find me there." With that he turns his attention back to his squad who are working the edge looking for any signs of the escapee.
"Much obliged. Good luck with your search," Darius says.
Once clear of the docks and prying ears, Darius says, "Well that worked out. Got a good word in with the guard. Being on their good side could be very much a boon."
Astrianna was focused on the parade as the man set to be hanged was led before the crowd, and she actually gasped in awe as he dropped his manacles. Her cheer of excitement was likely overshadowed by the responses of the rest of the crowd, but she was clearly rooting for the escaped man. Her walks back to the group, her eyes shining with the light of adventure. "Ha! Did you see that? Can't believe you tried to stop him Darius, did you see how he dropped that officer with his fist?"
She regards the dragoon neutrally, giving him a nod. "Lietenant Whatley you said? A pleasure- I'm Astrianna. Thank you for the directions." The bard waves the rest of the group forward.
"I'd say we've all had our fun, let's tie up the business with the Captain and spend some coin!" She begins to saunter away, the image of the dashing pirate still in her head.
Astrianna turns her head to Darius. "The law pays decent. Can be safe if you don't stick your nose too deep into the filth. Which, of course, is the only time it's exciting."
"Don't get me wrong, my dear. I have no intention of signing on with them. I just don't want them to have a reason to be against us, just in case we desire their help later," Darius says to the bard.
Astrianna gives a small "Ah" turning to look at Darius squarely. "I saw Falken look at you. Looked at you hard, even. The lieutenant isn't the only one who knows your face now."
"Make a friend in one hand, enemy in the other. It's the way of things," Darius says.
Before David leaves the ship he intends to “Cash Out” his voucher for his pay while on the ship. He’d prefer to take the money in exchangeable gems or something equally portable – if possible. No matter what he does then he’ll keep his wealth as “close to the vest” as possible.
There was a lot of things I would have liked to do before leaving the ship and mingling with the townsfolk; unfortunately, due to some medical issues, I wasn’t able to make any postings on the board earlier today.
I know you don’t allow Ret-con, so I’m hoping for a little bit of leeway on the actions via the post as I certainly would have done things a bit different if I was able to be on my computer earlier today. Please let me know if that’s alright, or not, as it will likely effect what I do with the rest of my actions.
Thank you.
David will move into the town with his comrades. Naturally, Alabaster insists on accompanying David when he hits shore to make sure that his human doesn’t get into any trouble!
As David hears about the man who – by all accounts – seems to have been falsely accused of killing his own crew – he considers going to the trial to observe what happens. He is not someone who likes the idea of people that have their rights and freedoms robbed without a good reason…
As they walk he notices Darius’s actions; unfortunately he doesn’t have the chance to speak to Darius.
However, as this captain dashes past them, David will take a moment to attempt to slip something in the man’s hands secretly as he runs by...
The item is a bag with 500 GP worth of gems/coins in it.
While that is a lot of money to David, in this town the man will probably not get very far.
He doesn’t know if the man is innocent or guilty, but based on the evidence, he feels that the man has gotten a raw deal and is trying to rectify that in some way.
All the crew would have been cashed out before leaving the ship.
As Falken dart to his left well out of the way of Darius' glaive he snatches a small leather coin purse from Dirk's hand right before he dives into the water.
Well, hopefully he got some use out my little hex to get out of here...
After the dragoons have moved on....
"Wasn't that like something out of a play Astri? If not, it should be. A wrongfully accused man a dramatic escape against seemingly overwhelming odds. The only thing missing was that he should have paused long enough to kiss a lovely girl and throw another taunt out at the guards chasing him. Maybe you could make a song about it."
Astrianna beams at Embri, nodding. "That is exactly what I was thinking! Have you ever seen The Tale of Zandu Zoltan? It's a Varisian story about a man who is accused of being a werewolf by his brother, and attempts to have him hanged with a silver noose. Because he was such a good fellow, though, a small group does not believe the accusations and the love interest enlists their help in freeing him. His love and the man escape together into the wilderness. Turns out he actually was a werewolf, though, and ends up disembowling her." The bard chuckles, amused. "Ah, those Varisains. I've actually performed that play before, I could adapt it to Falken and the Razor Coast... If I had an acting trope I could make a killing performing it..."
Bri laughs aloud. "That would be an interesting venture for us. You could help to train us and we could become a traveling theater group and perform that adaptation. How funny would that be?"
Darius chuckles and grins at the girls and their fawning over the dashing bandit, but says nothing and continues along towards the woman's house.
Astrianna grins, clearly amused by the thought. "Quite hilarious. Can't you just see Adriel on stage as the dashing hero, making all of the women in the audience swoon over him? Darius would make a great protagonist- he's got all that muscle and intimidating aura. You, Embri, could easily play all of the sweet, lovely parts. Sath would make an excellent foil for you, Embri, accentuating your feminine features and making you desirable as the love interest. Now Hawkins- absolutely have him as a narrator, can't you imagine him cooly walking on stage, hands folded behind his back, providing exposition?" She gives a musical laugh, clearly caught up in her fantasy.
Sath, Dirk, and Adriel notice there is quite a bit of talking, sleight motions,and some gawking looking at Darius and others in the group as you proceed down the wharf. Darius' intervention has caused a bit of stir on the docks, some favorable and some unfavorable. There is even an occasional indifferent reaction which is probably the worst of all. You hear some chatter on your walk.
During your walk you see Thalios speaking with a few men near the wharfmaster's office. He coolly turns his back to Darius as you approach.
While you walk you see casks of whale oil roll down gangplanks to the waiting arms of muscled workers. Hefted onto broad backs, they wend their way to any of the numerous ship’s chandlers dotting Tide District. Within the chandlers all manner of goods are available for purchase: oil and baleen, whaling and fishing supplies, rations of dried meat, casks of water crates of oranges, the latest ladies fashions from far off Westcrown, the finest forged steel from the smithies of Stoneheart Mountain-dwarven and gnome enclaves across the sea-and even ice, freshly carved from the Face of the Frozen God, to cool a glass of sylvan wine on a hot summer’s day.
You began at ii:3 (south dock, near left side of map) and you are now near the wharfmaster's office (just past mid way)
Oblivious to what Dirk did, Bri continues along in her good mood, discussing the absurdity of all of them on stage with Astri.
Despite his earlier heavy handed flirtations, Bri still gives Thalios a smile and a friendly wave when they pass him by.
"Hmm, wonder what's up with Dondrel? He still mad about something on the ship or did he not care for your interaction with the dashing escapee?"
As Darius walks along the docks, he scans the buildings he passes, trying to get a feel for where the finer houses and businesses reside, which districts are home to the wealthy of the city, as well as where the poorer districts lie.
Astrianna has an eye on the goods as they are loaded off the dock, pointing out the dresses that come off the ship to Embrianna. The ice also intrigues her, and she wonders where they are procuring it from.
As they walk by Thalios Dondrel she is a little surprised as he turns her back to the group. Astrianna puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles loudly towards him, giving him an enthusiastic cat-call in an attempt to get his attention. "Show me more of that backside Thalios! Give us a shake, baby!" If he looks over her way the bard winks, but continues walking.
"Who knows, that man has his own way. If I had to choose though, I'd want to stay on his good side. Of course, he'd reply that all of his sides are good. He wouldn't be wrong."
"Well, I suppose we all did get a good view of him from all sides. I definitely saw more of him than I have of any man for some time now."
"I saw far more than enough of him- you could club a baby seal with that thing of his..."
Sath walks down the wharf and once again she wonders at how differently Darius must think from her if he thought that trying to stop the pirate was a good idea.
"I know not what his life was like before the Mother's Blessing but even if he thought the man guilty, why would he get involved in a situation where we know none of the players or the truth of the matter?" she thinks to herself.
Bri starts giggling loudly at Sath's comment. "Oh that is a hilarious mental image there Sath. Though he would certainly rather chase one of us round with that club of his rather than a baby seal."
Adriel walks along and laughs heartily at Sath's quip.
My dear, I don't know which is worze. Your obvious blushing at the man's proportions or the fact that in the ensuing time since, THAT is the best task you can think of.
Astrianna laughs at Sath. "I wrote that song about him for a reason!"
As you make your way towards the end of the docks you see warehouses stuffed to overflowing excess crates and barrels in a bizarre spider web of cargo and netting. Amongst the disorder, three men in patchwork rags strut like beggar-kings through a maze of cabbageladen crates left to rot in the noonday sun. Dirt and blood cling to the three, who appear to the novice eye as little more than footpads, but a sharper glance reveals blackhandled daggers sheathed at their waists and the flash of fine boiled leather beneath tattered shrouds of stitched muslin. A rat the size of a mastiff slinks along the shaded crate-tops nearby, scampering behind the three like a child struggling to keep up with its family.
"Not blushing at all spellsword, just commenting on the fact that his 'club' is even larger than your ego- that is saying something!" Sath quipped and chuckled at any discomfort the comment might cause in the braggart magus.
Sath becomes instantly aware and starts to slide out her dagger from its resting place in her sleeve...
Bri says quietly: "Not our monkeys, not our circus. Let's not involved with anything unless we are in danger ourselves. Also, I really hate rats still. Nothing like having a swarm of the buggers give you the willies everytime you see one again."
A dislike of Vermin? Nay dear rose, rat is a preferred morsel of Vipers and Predatory raptors? We should more think of them as 'Familiar Food'
As they make their way towards the women's home Adriel and Thrasher continue to scan the way for threats, chattering back and forth in a birdlike language, the party will note the Familiar and Magus do actually appear to be having a conversation.
"Hey there, no need to slide yer dagger, we're where we're suppose t'be." Two of the beggars keep an eye on Sath. "Yeh lost, need some directions? The one talking raises an eyebrow. “perchance a little something else then, something very special to take yer mind off things?" One holds up a small pouch.
Astrianna gives the excessive warehouse a once-over, concentrating a few moments on the "beggers." "I agree Embri- besides, I don't want to be in any circus, far too low-class." She mumbles.
The bard attempts to placate the warehouse runners. "Pardon him gentlemen, he's a bit jumpy from our crossing the Razor! We saw Olaus the Grey Dragon- snatched a man clean off the deck and left the rest of us! Does things to your head." She holds up a hand, politely declining. "No thank you, we're just passing through."
If I'm going to hit the local flavors, I'll find out who the reputable dealers are around here first.
"No thank you gentlemen. I have a good many things that I need to keep my mind on rather than off."
Ok, so not robbers then, just sellers of illegal narcotics then. Slightly less dangerous I suppose?
Bri will keep on walking with the group.
The man looks left and right, "Crossin' can give ya the willies, got just the thing to knock off the edge. Since you're new to town cut ya a guud deal 10 gold, not the usual 20. Finest Dragonsmoke in Port ladies."
Astrianna bites her lip, extremely tempted by the offer. In her experience, that was cheap for any illicit drug. If the high going price is 20, he wants to sell for 10... I could double my money on this.
She reaches into her haversack and pulls out a Taldan platinum piece, expertly flicking it off her thumb towards the man. She discreetly holds out her hand for him to toss it her way.
The dealer's hand deftly catches the coin, he eyes it for second and bites the edge. He nods twice and tosses the small pouch to you. Inside the pouch you will see earthy roots and dust of the substance. "Smoke it, inhale." He nods and the group ducks make around the crates.
Astrianna snatches the bag from the air, and opens it quickly. She checks the goods before tying off the pouch and tossing it in her haversack, giving the man a nod. The bard continues walking, saying nothing else about the incident.
David continues to travel with his companions.
As they walk, he looks at Darius thoughtfully after the man gives his motivations for what he did at the wharf. David listens carefully to that explanation, but shakes his head for some reason. It is clear that after hearing why Darius did what he did that David did not agree with that reason and motivation.
Meanwhile, the party seemed intent on going to a specific point with a specific goal.
Saying little, he continues to walk with them.
As he does, he rubs Alabaster absently as the cat continues to ride on his shoulder.
When he notices Thalios turn his back on Darius after the exchange, he marks it – the action seeming consistent with his own theories regarding the escaped captain, coupled with the multiple facts that were already self-evident.
However, the time for such conversation has long-passed so he merely continues to walk on.
As the company advances he observes some strange men step up to offer unsolicited product to them on the dock, he makes sure his coin is safe but doesn’t do anything but listen, not interested in the merchandise.
When he sees Astrianna purchase some, he watches her and then watches the men disappear into the streets.
He looks at Astrianna as he strokes Alabaster.
”I wouldn’t smoke that unless you check it’s quality first… It’s probably just crap to sell rubes that are F.O.B. – but it could be laced with other stuff…” he says with a shrug.
Then he rubs Alabaster a little more, and waits to see what his companions will do.
Astrianna gives Hawkins a dismissive gesture, as if she's heard it a thousand times. "I don't try new stuff until I've done my research. You're right though- it's probably garbage, and I don't plan to smoke it unless I just scored the sweetest herb in all of the Razor. Some hung-over sailor would be more than happy to buy it from me for oh, 20 gold pieces though... Maybe 30 if they're desperate."
Astrianna gives Hawkins a dismissive gesture, as if she's heard it a thousand times. "I don't try new stuff until I've done my research. You're right though- it's probably garbage, and I don't plan to smoke it unless I just scored the sweetest herb in all of the Razor. Some hung-over sailor would be more than happy to buy it from me for oh, 20 gold pieces though... Maybe 30 if they're desperate."
David shrugs at her comment.
"It's possible that you’re right – but if you want to push narcs on sailors for fast coin… Well, that can be done, and done well… But I’d rather trust my own product for that rather than an unknown variable,” he says with a nod.
David looks at his companions and sighs.
He turns to Sath at this time –
”It was not a good idea to try to have stopped that sailor…” he says slowly.
”Not only was the man innocent, but the people that Darius assisted were corrupt,” he adds with a bored tone.
”I think that – at best – they will not matter because they are naught but underlings and have no specific instructions to mark our actions and docket that information to be used later. However, it is my opinion that there may be worse issues then mere thugs looking for an easy mark and instead, I think that what will happen is going to be trouble because of how we were perceived to have acted.”
He yawns, clearly tired.
”I think that they will see our actions as both a sign of weakness and evidence of gullibility. Consequently; they may attempt to exploit our stupidity.”
He glances at the men who approached Astrianna, than he turns back to Sath.
”We were directed to this part of town by the dragoon Lieutenant Whatley. I do not trust him or his instructions – I suspect that the men who we passed pay him protection money so he will look the other way and that he will occasionally send them fools to attempt to rob or deceive,” he adds with a nod of his head at the folk who sold Astrianna the goods.
He looks at Sath.
”Of course, most of my guesses tend to be wrong… so who knows? But I am very uncomfortable at this time,” he adds slowly.
David then turns from Sath and looks at his surroundings with obvious suspicion.