Catalina leaves the library before too long and without searching too thoroughly. She approaches her companions, "The Librarian does not appear to be in. Perhaps, we should take this time to gather provisions and try for him again, tomorrow." She takes a moment to take inventory, "I would like to find a weapons shop to replenish my arsenal. Those interested may join me, but someone should find us rooms at an inn before there are none left to be had." She turns to the dwarf, "We could all use some rest in a proper bed." After a moment she seems to brighten, "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some bargaining to do."
"I will find the rooms. Just ask around for the "little man" and I'm sure you'll find me."
Arik chuckles dejectedly and walks down the road in search of an inn of acceptable comfort.
"Alright Arik, try and look at the Inn's with the best stable and I'm sure Mus'ad will be at that one. And stay out of trouble, okay?" Pavok grins as he waves his finger at his dwarven friend then looks to the ranger, "I'll join you Catalina, I need to see the blacksmith and get my head clear."
Pavok will ask the blacksmith if he work in his shop to finish up a couple of his side projects he started at the fort.
Mounts are only allowed into the inner city if you are a wealthy noble of the city. So I presume you stay the the outer wall tavern where Al Gasreed was stabled. I presume you will not be joining the others in this case?
Samal decides to join you and the two of you find a decent place to stay for one rupia a night. The innkeeper chuckles. "You back? I never thought I'd see you again Drugan. What can I get you?"
Catalina deduces that the spear should be work quite a bit of.....something, coin, rupia, hard to truly tell but you are pretty sure you can get a good value for it.
The two of you arrive at the smithy. A Shaitan is hard at work at the forge with a younger looking female Shaitan who seems to be helping. They tower over you. The girl looks too you. "Welcome, what can we do for you."
"How about whatever I had last time?"
Barely daring to hope, Arik continues.
"Say, you seem to know me which is more than I can say. I am told I took a nasty blow to the head a few days back and I can't remember a damn thing. What was I here for? Do you know where my companions have gone and for what purpose?"
Once the barkeep gets a good look at you. "You look rough. I take it you had no success at getting into Aridia. Well I have a mug of ale for you." He passes you a mug. "Bonked your head and lost your friends huh? Darn shame. Oh you said you don't remember? Well you and your comrades were looking for the land of Aridia. Something about bringing glory and riches home to restore the family name and all. Parently you been tryin for some time. You had six of your little buddies followin you around actin like you were some kind of Sultan. How bout you just retire. No gettin into Aridia while the war is on. Say, heared you had some skills with metal working. You should get a job at the smithy. Weapons and armor are in high demand right now, what with the anubite raids and all."
"That is good advice. I will look into it. Thank you for the beer." Arik takes Samal by the arm and leads her to a table far on the other side of the room. "We'll wait here for the others. I'm sorry I can't be better company. I need to think."
The Shaitan girl smiles bashfully. "My name is Saiza and that man over there is my master Urok. I help him around the forge and learn his secrets. I am basically his apprentice. He says I'm real good but I know I have a lot to learn yet." She sundenly seems very interested. "So your a human blacksmith. Those are rare. Are you good? I am sure Urok would let you use the forge."
Saiza giggles and blushes a bit. Urok straightens up and turns to you. "I have other things I can attend too." He looks to Saiza "You can work with the man but be sure a the orders I left on the table there done before nightfall." Turning to Pavok. "You can use the Forge at 5 Rupia an hour. That will make up for what I am unable to finish today. If Saiza has information for you, she is responsible for the costs of that." With that he heads inside.
Saiza turns to Pavok. "This way, I will adjust the heat rope for you and a few other pieces. Then I need to look over the order form and then we can work together." She seems quite excited as she sets up the forge to human heights.
Catalina, you find mostly armor and various household odds and ends. Not much in the way of weapons but a strange sapphire cube with strange markings etched into it.
Pavok gives a nod to Urok, "Thank you sir, 5 rupia an hour sounds like a great deal. May the forge father bless your creations with great strength." He then holds out his arm out to escort Saiza to the forge, "Lady Saiza thank you for your assistance, once we finish my projects I will make sure we finish your orders. I can't wait to trade secrets with you my dear." He gives her a wink.
As Pavok works on his current projects, he looks over to Saiza as he asks "Has you and your masters orders gone up, since the anubinite attacks started? I know from my travels it seems blacksmiths are scarce in these lands, I don't if they leave first or no one wishes to take up the hard work one endures when crafting."
Mu'sad tires of the market and finds a beggar child, sending them towards the inner city with instruction to find Arik and tell him where he has stabled with Al Gasreed. He then finds some food and settles in to give his steed a thorough grooming for the first time in many days.
Arik sits in a quiet corner of the inn, brooding over a dark beer.
Ricdak walks into the inn, and walks up to the bar, ordering a nice, dark beer, as he is accustomed to. Once he has his drink, he downs it quickly before ordering another. His second beer in hand, he turns to survey the inhabitants, and, to his utter amazement, sees another dwarf. He'll quickly walk over to him, still amazed that there's another like him.
Hrmm..... You look familiar. Where have I seen that mug before? after a few moments of thought, it clicks. "AH! The caravan. You were one of the later add-ons Yalandere sent out for. I don't think we've spoken, yet. The name's Ricdak. Ricdak Soulaxe. It's a pleasure. The dwarf puts out his hand, ready to give a hearty handshake.
A slight halfling, wearing travelers clothes caked with dust and sand, his red hair wild and slightly mad looking, walks into the inn. He brushes most of the dust from his clothes and bends to see to the red hair on his feet, brushing it clear as well. He straightens up, sees the two dwarves introducing themselves and squints.
"By the gods and all the archons in Absalom! I know you lot, don't I? Wait, wait. The Caravan, right? I knew it! Tam Hardwick, master armorer at your service! I say, barkeep, I'll take a mug of anything wet and preferably cold that you have. And food! Oh gracious I'll take three of whatever the special is!" He pats his stomach, which is surprisingly flat considering his meal choice and nods to the dwarves. "So, I've just traveled an unfortunate long distance. Any news of the other caravaners?"
Arik starts at the gruff voice that can only have come from the throat of his kin.
Torag spare me, all I need now is another shame keeper.
Arik shakes Ricdak's hand, "The name is Arik." He allows himself to be distracted by the halfling. "Yes, I travel with several of out caravan mates. They should come here before too long."
"How is it you survived and where have you been? Any news of Yalandere?"
Ricdak is surprised by the arrival of the small one, extending his hand to him as well. I remember you. Ricdak Soulaxe's the name. I'm somewhat of an armorer myself.
It's good to know that there were other survivors. I thought I was the only one. But it takes a little more than an ambush and a desert to get rid of Ricdak. And regarding Yalandere, I've heard nothing about him since the ambush.
Tam shakes Ricdak's hand and frowns at the same time, "I didn't see any other survivors. Thought I was the only one. Of course I was slightly not myself at the time, so it's hard to separate what I saw.."
Well, ye've seen 'em now. How many are ye travelling with, Arik?
The red-haired dwarf takes a large swig of his beer, scratching his beard. A large amount of sand falls out, although he doesn't seem too concerned about it. He's not so close, however, that any would get in your drink.
"Three of 6 remain and we've picked up a local in the process."
Arik is aghast as sand pours from his cousin's beard. "I'm sure the inn keeper could oblige you with a bath Ricdak. You are lucky enough to wear a beard, the least you could do is keep it clean."
With Arik is a Lamia. She gives a toothy grin to the newcomers. "I am Samal. Your friend Arik found me out in the desert and gave me a fellowship to join. Now I move along with them helping them find their missing leader. You are Ricdak and Tam? Nice to make your acquaintance. Will you be joining us in our journey?"
Ricdak nods. Torag knows I need one. But it would appear, with your lack of beard and concern for mine, that you miss your own. Why not just grow it out? Who's stopping ye out here?
Ricdak is surprised as the Lamia begins talking. Apparently, he was so engrossed in conversation with his kin that he didn't notice the giant beastie. So I take it you're the local he's talkin' about then? I'd imagine that, now we've met up with others from the start of our journey, we might be joining up, yeah. Beats wandering around alone, that's fer sure.
"You know full well why I do not grow a beard. I am forbidden it. This may not be our home, but Torag and the stone of our people still hold sway in my heart. Whether I would have it so or not, it seems."
Arik drops his eyes a moment, shakes his head, and changes the subject.
"You have the look of a berserker. I am a student of rage too, do you have a thought as to a weapon I might choose? I am partial to the look of those big, single-edged swords. I believe the western men call them falchions? Would that be a good choice? I confess I know little of weapons except how to swing them."
"I thought about growing a beard once. The gods didn't seem to care, but there was a comely lass who told me 'Why cover up that beautiful face?' and I took her advice. Of course, until she advised me of the fashion of piercing certain parts of the body best left unpierced. Still, she was a looker." Tam sighs and smiles at the lamia. "What brings your kind to this sort of place, miss?"
I hold little value in the ways of our people any longer, although Torag keeps the forge of war burning bright within me. If you wish to follow your forbiddances, so be it. I simply see no need.
Turning talk to that of battle, his eyes gleam. "Aye, you've got me right. I was in the berserker corps, all right. The falchion's a fine one, with a great edge and all, but I much prefer the weight and swing of this particular weapon.As he explains, he produces a metal ball roughly the size of a loose fist, connected to 10 feet of thick iron chain. You recognize it as a weapon of the past, the Dorn-Dergar.
And if ye're set on a blade, I'd recommend one o' these, he says, producing a large axe, often used by dwarven troops with a shield, although he doesn't appear to have one on him. The weapon is a Dwarven Waraxe, often used by dwarven troops.
If ye're looking to pack light, though, you'd be wanting one of these little numbers. He produces now a significantly smaller axe, a Dwarven Maulaxe. While it's edge is similar in shape to that of the Waraxe, the back end has what looks to be part of a large sledge attached to it.
Lad, you made the right choice. I can't see a beard fitting you very well, let alone piercings where they don't belong fitting on anybody. He gives Tam a friendly slap on the back, forgetting that Tam was likely not as sturdy as a dwarf.
Tam nearly falls off his bar stool, but somehow manages to hold on. "Indeed. If something pierces there, I imagine that would just about be the end of me!"
A large, dark haired, whiskery fellow steps through the door of the inn and takes in the smell of what's cooking. "WHOOO! That sure smells good!" Finding himself a table, "Waitress?! Ma'am?! Would you please bring me whatever you've got that's meat, I'd shor 'preciate it! And somethin' to drink too. Thank ya." He nods and smiles. Looking around the place he notices some familiar faces, "Well I'll be..." Rising from his chair, he moves over to where there are several short folk gathered. "Now I know I've seen you fellas around someplace, I just can't seem to place it. Don't you hate that when you know you've seen or met somebody before and then you meet up with 'em later on, you can't quite remember where it was you seen 'em?" He asks, smiling as he shrugs. "That's alright, my name's Joe. Joe MacGillicuddy. You can call me Joe. Or Mac. Whichever."
This one is far too loud. I wish they were all like Pavok.
Arik smiles warmly at the human newcomer.
Ricdak turns to greet the human, putting his hand out when he sees his face. "I remember you.... You're from the caravan too! Joe is it? My name's Ricdak. Ricdak Soulaxe. What a coincidence we've got here, huh fellas?"
Ricdak collects his weapons from the table. "If you'd like me to make you one of those, you can go ahead and ask, Arik. I'd be happy to help."
Saiza sighs. "All the good weapons and armor smiths have been drafted to Aridia. Blacksmiths are scarce because of that obsessive war of theirs. We are abandoned. Holding our own but it is only a matter of time before the anubites overrun all of Aradina. This is our home and we will defend it. Beside, there is no where else to go. We are backed into a corner. So its a fight."
Unfortunately you can only tell the spear is made of normal metal and wood. Maybe the smithy owner would know more. He is inside. You should seek him out and ask him. Make a Diplomacy check. You can either take 10 or roll. Your choice.
"The caravan! That's right! I knew I'd seen y'all somewhere! Whooo! Boy that's a relief. Thanks for that, Ricdak. I 'preciate it." He nods in thanks.
Realizing she'd never seen anything quite like this she finds the smithy and approaches him, not wanting to seem too eager she presents him with the weapons she found, "Excuse me, I was hoping you could help me," she stands in the wake of the towering figure and pulls out the spear and sword she'd found at the fortress, "I have an idea of the value of these items, but I was hoping you could confirm it."
She pauses for a moment before continuing, "I also discovered this amongst the wares in your shop and was curious... what is it?"
Samal seems surprised at the newcomer but never the less she answers the question directed at her from Tam. "I was banished from my family and s was left wandering alone in the desert. Then these carvaneers rescued me from eternal loneliness. I am forever grateful to them."
Samal is a typical Lamia. Her upper half is that of a gorgeous scantily clad female. Long tozzled brown hair. Her emerald cat like eyes and cat like teeth. The lower half is that of a powerful lion.
Samal has a little more to her. Her body shows signs of malnutrition due to not having much to eat while surviving alone in the desert. Then there are the scars ALL over both her bodies. Mostly Claw scars and dagger scars. She looks good inspite of those problems and seems really perky and positive.
Tam smiles at the lamia with a charming grin and nods. "Loneliness is certainly a terrible fate. If you ever feel a bit lonely, perhaps you and I could do something about that," Tam almost purrs to the lamia in a low voice.
Hearing the boisterous newcomer, Tam turns and smiles. "Good to see you survived, Joe! They serve a wicked ale here if you're thirsty." He holds out his hand to shake.
[ooc]Didn't know if you saw my post on modifying the weapons rather then crafting if that would take less time, I'm cool if its the same thought I would ask. Let me know how far along my crafting is.
As the time pasts he begins to wash up, "I thank you Saiza for you help and your more importantly your company." The scarred paladin gives her a warm smile and asks, "Now a good meal should follow up a day of hard work like this, would you care to join me?"
"Takes more 'n a little desert heat to bring ol' Joe down!" He shakes Tam's hand with a firm grip and then slaps him on the shoulder. Turning his attention back to the woman-creature, "Sorry to hear about your family, ma'am. That shor ain't mighty nice of them to be leavin' you like that. Real sorry to hear that. If there's anything I can do to help ya, you just let ol' Joe know." He says with a wink and a smile. "Alright, I'll think I'll take that drink now!" He motions to the waitress his new location.
Saiza nods. "We've been at it as a hobby for a while now but since the war it has become a necessity. I learned more in the past year than ten in the pre war period. I like being this useful, just wish it was during more pleasant times." At the mention of a meal Saiza agrees. "I would be happy to join you." The two of you make your way to the now bustling Tavern Arik was said to be at. Inside you find Arik, Samal, and a few others you remember from the Caravan. More survivors yay.
The smithy looks at the things you have. "The spear is a magical spear capable of some extra damage but not much else. That stone you have is a water elemental stone. Breaking it summons a water elemental. I can sell the stone only it is going to be quite expensive. Even more than that spear is worth. Simply put the spear is a +1 spear. Sell value is normally 1000gp. Here it is a little funny with Rupia. You'd get around 2000 rupia for it most likely.
At the tavern the waitress eagerly serves your large party. And a party you have at that.
You are soon joined by the paladin Pavok and a beautiful Shaitan girl standing somewhere between ten to eleven feet tall. You havs quite the ruckus going on now.
Samal smiles warmly at Joe and Tam. "Thank you. I thought I was going to die out there. It is nice to see so many good people willing to accept someone of my origin. We Lamias are not readily liked by most people. My family despises the gods. Because I chose to be more open minded of gods and people is why I was banished. So much hate in my family. I just never understood why."
"Hate for hate's sake, can only breed contempt of life. I am very glad that you are not party to such thinking Samal. Now, I think I shall eat something before this beer goes to my head."
Arik orders a plate of cheese, 2 roasted onions, a whole chicken, and a loaf of sweet black bread.
Aye. Hate's what changed the duergar, from what I've heard. Sorry lot they are.
The subject having been changed to food, Ricdak rubs his generously sized stomach. I'd rather like something to eat as well.
Ricdak orders a similar meal, asking for a large sausage of some sort as well, if they've got it, along with a few more beers.
"Well, I never had much traffic with the gods. I mean, I figure they're out there and I'm right here and no reason for the two to meet. But I don't hate them. Seems like too much effort for too little result!" Tam tucks into his food as well, happy to have a meal that doesn't taste of skinny desert rabbit...