Ravboom eyes Mal with a jaundiced red eye. "Ravboom no say yes unless Ravboom know what or who being hunted, and how much who or what is worth, and why it is hunted." Not a no, for certain, but a typical bounty hunter response.
Exotic furs...as to the exact details...Varitus shrugs dramatically...
There is a profit to be made.
Varitus grins again.
Zirul follows the group, will get inside ASAP when the group does.
Exotic, meaning a way to attract attention and a way to make friends of all kinds, even ones with benefits.
Ravboom snorts. "Bah, Gold and Silver are fit company. If you're trying to get into a woman's skirts, you can pay me to help you, or pay her to bypass the issues. Beyond that, I have no interest in helping you chase skirt." Ravboom seems a bit dejected and mutters something under his breath.
"Damn weird whatever it is, no better than a damn drunken whoring tiefling. When I find that bastard, I'm going to kick his nads up between his bloody ears."
Zirul is laughing on the inside. A goblin that knows how to get women? They aren't very social in the first place, nor do people trust them, few are lucky enough to even make friends outside their race.
Zirul goes to seek shelter. Everyone tagging along?
No...not trying to get under a woman's skirts...did you think that could possibly be a problem?
Varitus rolls his eyes.
I'm talking a business venture...gold for you...fame and fortune for me...but this is hardly make it or break it.
I just figured you might like in on some gold to be made...but...let's discuss this somewhere...warmer.
Once inside. Well, what about the idea of making other envy you? Gold is to be made, but imagine how many people you can make jealous, the more people you make jealous the more expensive it will become, supply and demand, the higher demand the higher the price.
"Geralt good to see you again so soon. Joza here was just checking out how hot my body is. You care to check it out yourself." Jack's smile widens as he speaks knowing full well what he just said.
Mal looks over at Zirul...Yes, that's about the size of it. The more exotic...the better.
Joza tries to stifle a laugh as Jack makes his invitation to Geralt. "You really should, Geralt. Don't worry about me; I think there's enough warmth for the both of us," she says, trying to keep a straight face.
, your young charge keeps his money clenched tight in his fist as you head towards an inn for shelter.
Zirul was heading the way so
Okay, so what does the inside of the restraunt look like? Do I see taxidermy animals, does it look like texas roadhouse, does it look like someone's home? You also said tiny, what you mean by tiny?
The Hunter's Backbone is a long, low building with smoke billowing forth from two chimneys. The door is wide enough for three people to enter abreast, and crested with a huge pair of mounted antlers that curve down on either side of you like the branches of an inverted tree.
The inside of the place is quiet but comfortable - there are only three patrons other than yourselves, two humans and what looks like an orc, and the bar is tended by a human female with rather boyish features. She greets you as you enter, both in voice and with some sort of hand gestures.
The interior of the building is made mostly of wood, with tables and furniture aged, chipped and seemingly soot-blackened. The walls have no preserved trophies, but do have a fair amount of mounted skulls, horns and teeth. Some of the animals represented you recognise - some you do not. The artwork on the walls isn't what you were expecting, though - mostly it's cubist representations of what might be weaponry, the spaces around each depiction filled with dense text so crabbed as to be illegible.
Unless it looks like the boy can't beat the cold and wind, Rav is heading back to the inn. To Mal, he shrugs. "Ravboom will consider, Ravboom is not hunter, Ravboom is Bounty Hunter. Ravboom never consider bounty on animal before. Will need to know more about animal. Only fool hunt prey without knowing about it." He then heads off into the driving wind, leaving Zirul and Mal to find their own shelter. He will walk in front of the boy, taking the brunt of the wind.
You find the Four Queens to be spacious, loud and decorated with old playbills and work notices. The young Gnat hoists himself up onto a stool and orders himself an ale. Upon receiving a clip round the ear and a scowl from the bartender, the young one amends his order to a hot milk. You can tell from how fast his little prize coin is disappearing that he's going to be terrible with money if he ever makes more than a few coins a day.
Zirul explains that he is from out of town and kindly asks the woman about the animals and the weapons, what they are, what they do, where to find them, about them, whether they are worth a fortune, etc. He explains to her that he himself has an interest in the mountains and animals and that he also has an interest for mountain climbing.
, the woman behind the bar suggests that you seek out one of the higher mountains - Revik's Maw or Yattataska, most probably - and climb up to one of the Myrianic shrines that are found nestling among the peaks. Both mountains mentioned, she goes on to say, would prove a serious test of skill for even the most experienced hunters, and the shrines are kept stocked with trophies to be claimed by those that can reach them, allowing one to prove his achievement to his fellows.
Mal will head toward the inn, looking to pick up some cheaper cold-weather gear along the way.
Damn...wind is getting crazy. I have to wonder...is that normal?
...just musing to himself as he pushes through the wind.
Ravboom shakes his head at the boy. He shrugs though, kids learn through experience, not through lectures, in his experience. When he uses up all his coin, and Ravboom won't buy him food, he'll learn fast.
The goblin eyes the waybills and work notices. Looking for anything regarding a bounty. When done, he hops up on a stool, using the bar for leverage to lift himself up onto it rather than climb it like the boy did. "Ravboom think need stools for shorter people. Ravboom take cider and jerky, horse jerky if have, cow if not." The goblin pops a couple of coppers on the bar. "Ravboom wonder if you see this man?" He shows the drawing of his bounty.
Zirul is interested
I'm not that experience yet? You seem to know this stuff, would you go with me some day? Or maybe when closing time comes, would you go with me? I'd be honored to travel with someone else who knows their stuff. I'd also like to go hunting sometime, but I never had the time
He says all this with enthusiasm.
, the barmaid takes a cursory look at the picture before looking away... and then her eyes flick back over to it and she smiles widely.
'Yes, I know the old devil. What's he done this time?'
The woman gives you an odd look, but replies with good faith.
'Umm... no, I think I'll be fine just going home after my shift, thankyou. But if you're interested you should ask around for Helles - she knows the mountains better than anybody, and might take you up on your offer.'
She returns to cleaning and stacking glasses.
Ravboom blinks. "WHERE!" The goblin explodes up onto the bar, literally standing on it to get eye-hight with the woman.
Then he seems to realize that might not be the best approach. "Ravboom sorry, Ravboom been hunting for 3 months now. Ravboom know man be wanted for drunk in disorderly in 14 cities, be wanted by 6 noblemen for sleeping with their wife and daughters, sometimes both, sometimes same time. Ravboom know one noblewoman want him for fathering child. Ravboom know be have one contract violation be wanted for. Ravboom could go into disgusting detail, if want, but overall, Ravboom assure you 'old devil' be legit bounty. Wanted alive for contract violation and fatherhood."
The woman seems taken aback, even confused - and not just because you clambered up onto her bar.
'I... maybe I was mistaken. The gent I know with that face, that's Keffrin Akish... He's got a bit of a reputation with the local girls, and I know he travels a little, but I don't think he could have done everything you just said, disgusting detail or no... Mostly keeps to himself these days. Lives up near the Plaza of Lacing, if I remember right, but... no. I really don't think it could be the same person. I'm sorry.'
Ravboom looks disappointed. "This man would not have been here at all for most of the last 8 years. Ravboom have that on excellent authority. Would have come here between 4 and 6 months ago. Ravboom will, however, warn this 'Kefran Aykash' that there is someone using his face. Ravboom think others might have blamed Aykash for things not done, might have info Ravboom not hear yet." Ravboom climbs back down on his stool, and puts a silver on the bar. "Ravboom thank you for information."
Do you know where I can find this Helles? He asks before she leaves.
, the woman shrugs.
'Damned if I know - she isn't in town very often, and I don't know where she lodges even when she is around.'
Zirul uses Knowledge Local to see if the character Zirul would happen to know this Hellen
, you rack your brains trying to recall ever meeting or hearing about this person before, but draw a blank.
Hmmm...maybe I could be of some help tracking this guy down...most of my fans are philanderers...or philandered...sometimes both...
Mal looks thoughtful.
Zirul knowing that this is a place for mountain types, asks others about mountain climbing and hunting, he tells them that he is new to it and is interested. He is looking for anyone who can give him good advice. He approaches in the friendliest manner possible.
Before Geralt can respond to her unusual statement, Joza suddenly shivers. "Brr! The wind seems like it's picking up - maybe we should go back to the inn and continue our conversation there. It sounds like we have plenty of potential leads if we're looking for work, based on what Jack was just telling me and on what I've heard myself."
Feeling the chill even through his coat and the newly-acquired fur-lined leather armor he has decided to start wearing, Geralt nods to Joza and Jack.
"Sounds good to me. C'mon, hot body. The rest of us are turning into ice bodies."
Although he can't fully feel it Jack can tell by the look of his comrades and the weather it is definitely getting colder."Let's go then, I'm not sure how long this thing lasts. So getting indoors is a good plan."
As the rest of the day fades toward evening, you wile away the hours at whatever drinking-holes you wandered into. They crowd quickly as the majority of other citizens have the same idea, battening down window-hatches and stoking up various fires so that no matter where you are, you're warm and safe. It's not an overly common occurrence, they tell you, the wind getting this strong - but when it does happen, they've learned to take the weather seriously. People that get caught outside have a tendency to freeze to death, no matter how hardy they think they are.
However, once the day is nearing its close and the wind dies down you can venture back out onto the streets, new knowledge about the city gained and probably with a few new contacts from being cramped up alongside people for hours. Either way, your more permanent resting-place calls - and a meeting for you to discuss where exactly you're planning on going...
Varitus spent at least part of his evening performing...and pursuing somebody's daughter.
...toned down a little ...
...but is ready to go once the storm abates.
Despite his uncertainty over whether he could provide food or not, there is an impressive spread waiting for you when you return to your accommodation for the evening. Huge chunks of meat garnished with spices, fresh vegetables that must have been imported from the lower slopes and side-dishes of mountain-grass soup, various flavours made from the boiled stems of high-growing plants. Your host greets you jovially, and with open arms.
'Lads,' he calls out as you enter, 'and lady, of course - this lot is for you. And for you...' he turns to ravboom, handing him an envelope, 'Something a little more.'
It takes very little time for him to come out and explain the reason for his grand gesture. The transit authority investigation has been put on hold pending new evidence on the nature of those that attacked the train, but reports from other places around Jevenwist suggest that they may well be a psioterrorist group with a grudge against the continuing advancements of alchemy in the reason, judging by the other places they have targeted. The spread is a thank you from the transit department as a whole, a way to officially recognize the importance of your little group saving two trains full of passengers, even if it did necessitate a loss of cargo. Your host fully expects there to be a reward once more information on the nature of the attackers has been uncovered, but for the meantime suggests you enjoy the free food.
'You've been out all day,' he remarks once you are all settled at the table. 'Mind if I ask what you think of our city here? And, uh, just what kind of things you've gotten up to?'
Ravboom takes the envelope, and then points to a nearby table and tells the boy to grab food and eat it over there. He puts him on the opposite end of the room from Mal and Zirul, and gives the pair a look while the boy is watching, so he can figure out that he's being protected, not run off.
Once he opens the envelope, he looks inside quizzically, pulling out little sheafs of paper and holding them up to the light, flipping them over and looking at them the other side through. Then he pulls out a note, and looks at it, doing the same thing, looking at it from various angles, rotating it, folding it, and then shrugs. "Ravboom no read. Why people keep give Ravboom stupid paper." The goblin shoves all the miscellaneous paper back into the envelope with a disgusted look, and then shoves the envelope into his pack. "Ravboom ask Jeza read stupid paper later."
Ravboom looks up at the innkeeper. "Ravboom think city very cold. Also think there be many many boxes like one on train going to Alchemy Guild. Also, Ravboom think city need better watchmen, Ravboom saw stupid criminal try to rob alchemy shop in broad daylight with owner in store asleep, and witnesses to crime watching." The goblin looks thoughtful. "Ravboom need run personal errand in morning, but think more gold be found trying to find out and trash train attackers. Ravboom think attackers choose Ravboom's train because mystery box on it. From what Ravboom hear in tavern tonight, sound like attackers no like Alchemy Guild, and mystery box was going to Alchemy guild. Ravboom think two related, look into one, look into other."
Ah...yes. It is cold. I think furs might become...even more popular...
Varitus grins broadly...licks his lips...spears a piece of meat with a fork...nibbles at it...and leers at the boy in amusement.
Do we know where these people are? Asks Zirul.
His headache still at a manageable level of pain, Geralt listens to Ravboom's description of events and his theory, his ears perking up.
"Wouldn't mind learning more about what's going on behind the train attack," he says. "Weird guys with disappearing swords? You know something interesting is going on there. Plus they tried to kill me, so a little payback feels appropriate."
Joza nods in agreement with Ravboom. "The two certainly do seem connected, based on that information. Not to mention if this group is as large and as serious as they seem, I highly doubt that they'll turn tail and run just because one of their operations was ruined. It might be worth trying to find out more about their motives, as well - the men on the train seemed to think that they were acting for some sort of greater good."
Suddenly remembering that they (her included) had been asked a question, she smiles apologetically and addresses the innkeeper. "Cold certainly seems to be the word of the day and one that I'm sure you've heard often from travelers, but cold it is - very cold. But nothing that a person can't get used to, in time. As for the city itself, it's amazing - I've never seen anything like it! I'm looking forward to learning more about where things are and what goes on here."
'Then you might be in luck today, lady,' the station-master announces jovially, 'As there's a demonstration by the Guild Students up by the Hackendar Square. Alchemical displays for the masses, they say - one way to show that research marches on, no matter the climate. And I'm not talking about the weather, neither...' he bustles off to attend to another guest upon hearing his wife calling him, leaving with a clumsy tip of his peaked cap.
Maybe...it's time to learn...a little something...about alchemy...
Varitus gets up to wander toward the door.
Zirul just follow Varitus.
"A demonstration this late in the day and in this weather? Must be quite the show," Joza marveled. "Certainly not something to miss...possibly for more reasons than one," she added as she gathered her things and made to follow the others.
Although the wind is still bitterly cold as you leave the warm safety of the inn it is tolerable with your furs, and you begin making your way towards Hackendar Square.
Ravboom follows along, waving for the boy to follow so he can explain city stupidity to Ravboom. As they exit the inn, he digs in his pouch and pulls out a couple of pieces of paper. He hands the two pieces of paper to Joza. One has pretty pictures and numbers on it, while the other has hand written notes. "Jeza Feline? Jeza read, yes? Jeza explain to Ravboom why someone give Ravboom paper as reward?"
Geralt has never seen a public demonstration of alchemy before. He doesn't know much about the practice except that it costs a lot of gold to buy the stuff it makes. What kind of stuff would they be showing? Fireworks?
A pang from his skull reminds Geralt to be thankful he could focus on anything at all, and he follows along with the others.
Zirul will slip away from the group for a minute so he is out of sight. He tries not to get caught stealing from an NPC, he wants to pickpocket something, even if it is just a small item or a little gold. And he examines the situation
Afterwards Zirul returns to the group.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I can read that for you," Joza says distractedly as Ravboom hands her the papers. As she takes a closer look at what Ravboom has just handed her, her eyes widen and it takes her some effort to maintain a more-or-less neutral expression. "Why, it looks like a thank-you note from our man with the box - it's unsigned, but I'm fairly certain that's who wrote it considering they also had a thing or two to say about your methods for problem-solving."
She pauses a moment and hands the papers back. She begins speaking again, this time attempting to speak softly so that only Ravboom can hear her. "These other papers are money - 4000gp to be exact. A reward; I imagine the note was addressed to you since your name is probably the only one he heard yesterday. Now, your name *is* the only name it was addressed to so what you want to do is up to you - but keep in mind that the others might not see it the same way if they know you have this and didn't, uh...share, so to speak."