Ananias leans in towards the fire and the old man. "I believe there may be... though we don't quite understand what it is. I worry though, Master Croon. I fear what you might find under these waters."
Merchant from Caliphas and a grim fellow? an you tell us about each and how long ago they were here? We came looking for two men.
Anna is glad to be on solid ground, and quietly wrings her clothes of excess moisture. She then sits at the fire to warm herself, hiding a roll of her eyes from the odd man when he talks about his underwater device. When he mentions sunken treasure, however, she sits up and pays attention.
The switch to the suspicious individuals restores the chill in her that the fire had just started to remove. She shivers, but stays quiet, waiting for the man's answer.
You get the feeling that this man is very passionate about his work, and yes, you get the feeling that he is harmless. On top of that, he seems to suffer from a lack of sleep and compensate with coffee.
"Umm, let me think. The merchant been here for a while. A few weeks I would say. The other showed up two days ago... or was it three. Not sure now. Rude fellow anyway, don't see why anyone would want to talk to him." When Ananias mentions his worries. "Oh, I will be fine. I'm not going there without some preparations. If any critter decides to try to eat my vessel, I have a few tricks to dissuade it."
Perhaps you could show us where this merchant lives? Tolvan asks And where that rude fellow was last seen. I suspect someone needs to teach him a lesson.
Danica sits by and listens to the conversation going back and forth.
During any opportunity the inquisitor does what she does best....casts Detect Evil, uses Discern Lies and Sense Motives.
"There are many strange people in Ustalav of late. More than is typical, it seems." He catches Tolvan's eye. "We would very much like to meet this dour individual, and make sure he has honorable intentions here." He nods. "It would please us if you would tell us how to find this man."
"It would also please me very much if you would show me your machine." He looks at the man with genuine interest. "I promise, I am no competitor; I have no intention to steal your design. Though I have some limited understanding of Engineering, I think a device such as this is far beyond my comprehension."
He isn't evil, and also not lying.
You get the feeling that this man is very passionate about his work, and yes, you get the feeling that he is harmless. On top of that, he seems to suffer from a lack of sleep and compensate with coffee.
"I don't know where the merchant lives, but I know he is not at the inn. As for the other, he does have a room at the inn. Maybe in town they can give you more information. I tend to stick with me." At Ananias suggestion, Horace studies Ananias for a moment. "Umm, maybe later. It is not ready to be shown to the public yet. But tell you what. Since you helped me get to shore safely, you shall have a the opportunity to ride along on its maiden voyage."
Ananias leans in to Kimberly. Whispering, he asks "Does 'maiden voyage' still mean what it always has?" She confirms it, and he nods and coughs.
Responding his attention to Horace, he offers a suggestion. "Maybe its... ahhh... sophomore voyage?"
"That's good news, finally," Anna says upon learning that their quarry may be within reach.
She tries to look enthusiastic about riding on some strange contraption designed to go under water, but doesn't put a lot of effort into it. Ships were supposed to stay afloat. Sinking was something to be avoided. She wasn't interested in the maiden, sophomore, junior or senior voyages of the thing.
"As exciting as that will be, I expect we'll need to be leaving very soon once we find... the fellows we're looking for. No idea when we'll next be around these parts, so don't hold yourself up on our account. Okay?"
Kimberly is actually pretty relieved that everyone is ok. she listens to the information and is not to interested in that contraption.
hoping to change the subject some, I am glad you and your, ahh, machine, are ok. but if we are to find these merchants we best be on our way.
Horace seems a bit sadden by the group reduced enthusiasm about being part of his machine first voyage, but he recovers quickly. "Yes, well, There are still lots of stuff for me to do and you are still a few miles out of Illmarsh. I thank you again for all the help." He presents his hand each and everyone. After shaking hands with everyone, he walks back to his boat.
Getting back on your horses, you continue on the road. About three miles later, you enter the small town of Illmarsh. Because of the late hour and the bad weather, the place almost feels deserted. Little to no house have lights coming from their windows. finding the inn is relatively easy, as it is one of the three main building facing the town square. This once-fine two-story structure now show its age and surrender to the elements. You notice more then a few warped boards and missing shingles. The sign above the door depicts a fisherman hauling in a net full of fish and a curvaceous mermaid with a knowing smile on her lips.
Anna steers her mount toward the back of the inn, hoping there are stables and some hands to tend to their horses while she and her companions go to the inn to procure rooms.
She tosses a handful of silver coins to the stable hands to shelter their horses, then grabs her packs and takes them inside.
As you walk into the inn, the noise of ongoing conversation dies as everyone inside look in your direction. What you can assume is the innkeeper start walking toward you. "Can I help you people?" The rest of the room go back to talking between themselves, but you can still notice side glance in toward you. The innkeep stand in front of you, arms crossed on his chest waiting for your answer.
The inside of the inn isn't much better than the outside. The main room is dark and gloomy. Here and there are fish trophies and fishing gear decorating the dark walls. On the other side of the room are stairs heading to the second floor. There is a giant iron pot in the fireplace and the smell of fish is heavy in the air.
"Goodness, yes!" Anna responds, playing up being a weary traveler. She pulls off her gloves and moves to the fireplace to warm her hands and begin the drying process.
"Your food smells wonderful. We haven't eaten since before midday, when this dratted rain started pouring buckets down upon our heads. Your establishment is gods-sent," she tells the innkeeper.
Ananias has an odd sense of the room. He stays quiet, allowing the attention to rest on Anna as much as possible. Does Illmarsh not see many visitors? Or have they been warned against us?
"If it is food you want, take a seat over there." He points at one of the empty table away from the others. Once the group is sitting down, he brings over enough plate for everyone. Looking down at your plate, you know you are getting some type of fish stew, but what kind would be hard to tell. He also provides some cups and a pitcher of watered down ale. "That will be seven silvers each for the meal. If you want to spend the night, I have three rooms left at three gold a night each." With that, he walks back to the group he was with when you entered.
Anna's feigned enthusiasm falters a moment at the outrageous prices the innkeeper charged. She stifles her outrage, however, and merely effects a bit of surprise. "Oh, my! These prices are as high as the finest district in Caliphas! You must hold yourself to an exacting standard! Very well. I'll expect fresh towels and sheets brought up immediately; turndown service in exactly one hour; our chamberpots emptied at first light; and our breakfast meal brought to our rooms an hour after that."
She smiles politely but sternly as she takes on the air of a noble expecting no hesitation from her servants in seeing her instructions through. She studies closely the innkeeper's reaction.
At Anna's words, Ananias stiffens, standing just a bit taller. Anna speaks as if she knows this world! I don't think she's bluffing....
The innkeeper looks at Anna with an air of annoyance. "Yeah... sure." Some of the other customers chuckles lightly at your request. You are pretty sure that none of this request will be done. From the look of it, he is the only one working here and he doesn't look like he cares much about the business.
Anna bats her eyes as she looks affronted at the lackluster reaction. "Good sir, then I take it that you do not know who I am? Why, I am Annabelle Giuseppe, renowned flutist and entertainer. Show a little more enthusiasm and I may deign to grace your establishment with a performance."
She regards him with an arched eyebrow, waiting to see if his attitude changes.
Regardless of his reaction, she returns to the table with the others. "Don't look at me that way. I feel the need for a performance after all that travel. If they don't appreciate it, that's their loss. Just be polite and I'm sure they'll come around."
Kimberly looks a little embarrassed as Anna continues her conversation.
As takes a seat after pulling up a stool beside her. she sets Teddy on the stool and places a bowl in front of him.
she then quietly whispers a prayer to Pharasma over the food presented before enjoying what she can.
"Lady, I don't care who you are and why you are here. Nobody asked or want of your entertainment. Now eat your meal, spend the night, and be on your way in the morning." The tone of the man leaves no doubt that he want this conversation over with.
Danica listens to the conversation. At the same time she looks around trying to determine if she or her friends are in any danger.
Anna arches her eyebrow at the dismissive tone of the innkeeper. Her demeanor becomes serious. "So, you have no one here who has stayed longer than a day? Not a single patron?"
As the man changes his tone and raises his voice Tolvan turns to him. The wizard's eyes turn to ice. He speaks flatly. His voice is low and threatening. You will apologize to the lady or you will see a wizard enraged. Hew begins a spell and arcane sigals begin to fill the air.
"Tut tut, you're making a scene," Anna says to Tolvan, waving a finger at him. She smiles at him but puts a slight plea in her eyes asking him to back down. "We're guests here, and we know how to behave."
She produces a slightly tarnished silver flute and holds it up. "Besides, I like a challenge."
She plays a few notes on the instrument to gauge the reactions of the patrons.
The uncharacteristic rage cools in Tolvan's eyes with Anna's request but he maintains eye contact with the inkeeper, still obviously expecting some words of recompense.
Danica scans the room, looking for possible threats. She sees no real danger, only unharmed fishermen and farmers. Anna continues her questioning of the innkeeper, but before he can answer, Tolvan interrupts and threatens the man. When Tolvan starts casting his spell, almost everyone in the room stand up. The innkeeper backs up a few steps and his annoyance turn into anger. "I knew you were trouble. Your kind always are." Anna's words calm the rest of the room a bit, but the innkeeper is still visibly upset. He looks around, trying to figure out what the spell was. When he doesn't see any effect or danger. He turns back to Tolvan. "Threaten me again in my establishment Elf, and I will make sure that the sheriff deal with you." He then looks at Anna. "One night, you get one night, then I want you out."
You are a small and rude man. You will get none of my coin, and you should pray you never need my help. Tolvan says in a sour mood. If you do not know how to be courteous to your guests I recommend you get out of this line of work. Tolvan gets up and to leave, casting another spell openly (message on the party), preferring the damp evening to the smell of the inn.
Anna stares after Tolvan once he leaves, then snorts to the room. "Bodyguards. Amiright?"
She puts down an assortment of coins, making sure to get rid of a lot of her copper pieces. "We'll take one room, then."
She nods to Ananias. "Why don't you follow him. We'll be fine," she whispers, gesturing to Danica, Kimberly and herself.
She sits down now that everything's settled down, and surreptitiously studies the patrons in the bar, hoping to spot the merchant from Caliphas or the unfriendly stranger. Also, she keeps her ear open for snippets of conversation.
Once outside and away from may prying eyes Tolvan will vanish (Invisibility) and fly to the roof of the Inn where he will cast his rope trick, settle in and watch from the window. He will allow the rope to coil up on the roof where, if he wished, he could lower it to the ground to allow someone else to join him. <<I am close.>> he sends through the message spell.
Ananias hesitates, glancing at Kimberly with a worried eye before his eyes meet Anna's again. He tentatively nods... "Madam" is all he says as his eyes glance again to the innkeeper. He heads out the door to follow Tolvan.
He looks around for the elf.
As Tolvan and Ananias leave the inn, people start sitting back down again. The innkeeper still looks upset, and after a while he walks to the bar and pours himself something to drink. Eventually, the people start talking again, first in a low voice, but gradually the volume increase to the normal expected of a group that size. At first the conversations are about what just happended. Then it gradually switch to fishing and trade.
The little tidbits that Anna is able to gather is that the fishing as been poor lately. It seems to affect the morale of almost everyone in the room. There is also something else that peeks her interest. Once in a while a few people mention something about neighbors down the bay. Later in the evening, people start to leave. The innkeeper cleans up the tables. He walks over to those of the group still inside and drop a key on the table. "Room four, upstairs on your left." Without any other words he heads back to work cleaning. You notice that two people walk up stair instead of leaving like the others.
Outside, Tolvan does see Ananias step outside the inn.
Danica plays along. "My lady, playing for these folks, even though if requested, is beneath you and a waste of your time. The road was quite taxing for you and you should get as much rest as possible. As your bodyguard I will suggest not to put yourself out there." Danica walks around to scope out the place. Her trusty temple sword and nunchaku are visibly holstered on her hip even though she has a lean, lithe stature, she has a confidence of an experience warrior.
"My lady..."Emphasizing 'My lady' in her tone to show her importance, "we should eat in our rooms."
Danica whispers to the team. <Two guys just walked up before us. I'm smelling ambush.>
Anna's brow furrows at Danica's warning. <I'm not so sure. We certainly made an impression, but I doubt they think us an easy mark. Maybe they're my requested turndown service?> she smiles. <More like, they're other guests here. Anyway, no sense to not be cautious. I'll use my ring when we're out of sight>
When they go upstairs, if it looks like there's no one surveiling the hallway, Anna activates her ring and goes invisible. Then she starts checking out the rooms, listening at each door.
In the mean time Tolvan messages Ananais. <<I am on the roof. If you wish to join me I can lower a knotted rope.>>
Walking upstairs, Anna sees a single corridor with three doors on either side. The doors are numbered one to six. Listening at the doors, Anna can hear noise coming from door one and two. All the other doors are silent.
Anna lets Kimberly and Danica go ahead of her into their appointed room while she stays in the hallway for a short while to listen at the doors. If she's able to overhear nothing of interest, then she slips inside their room right before her invisibility wears off.
Ananias takes the offered rope and climbs up into Tolvan's interdimensional bedroom.
"This is convenient; very nice." He nods and smiles. "There sure have been some nice inventions since I was here last."
You can put your bedroll here. If there is trouble I can drop us into the hall directly below us. Tolvan comments.
Anna peels off the last of her damp clothes and stretches before getting ready to sleep. "I didn't hear anything suspicious in the other rooms. We could wait a few hours and I could try to sneak into the rooms to investigate whether they're our marks, but it's risky." She sighs, shaking her head. "The town's got problems. Most are fishermen, and the catches have been poor lately. So it's not totally surprising that they weren't in the mood for entertainment. I could have picked a better ruse, probably, but I didn't know."
Kimberly stayed away from all the confrontation. she stayed off to the side, much like the shy little girl that nobody really plays with. (something that she is apparently used to).
She makes her way to the room when it is time. At least we can sleep in a nice bed this time, better than the lumpy and cold bedrolls we usually use. and the food was ok. we can be thankful for that at least.
Danica accepts Anna's explanation about the 2 men that left but she keeps it in the back of her mind, the suspicion does not leave her.
When they enter the room she walks around and does an inspection, looking for entrances and windows. <Anna, Kimerbly, you guys can sleep first for the first couple of hours. I'll roll out by bed by the door. I need to sit and meditate.... commune with the Bright Lady.>
Danica will sit in lotus position with her back against the door. She will use her perception abilities to hear if anyone tries to come through the door.
The night passes quietly. The next morning, those that were in the inn walks back down to the common room. Already there are the two men from yesterday, silently eating at a table. The innkeeper is behind the bar cleaning some fishes. On the counter, you see some bread, fruits, and pitcher of water. There is also some honey. Looking outside, you see that the sky is still gray, but that at least it stopped raining.
Anna slinks downstairs and grabs a chunk of bread, then drizzles it with honey. Taking a big bite, she sidles over to the two men.
"Hey," she says between chews. "So, do you have to leave, too? I've never heard of a 'one night only' policy for an inn, have you? How do they plan on staying in business?" She chuckles a bit, then extends a hand. "Annabelle. And who might you two be?"