Duardlara shrugs noncommittally. Quietly, "A favor for a friend. Seems to be a hard place to reach, though."
Maret seems to understand your hesitancy but adds softly. Ah, a favor from a friend. Traveling around here is never easy with the weather and all but... Well as a favor from this friend let me warn you that from the little I heard Whitethrone is not really a place I would want to be right now. Although never a real friendly place I heard that that marshal order is the norm now with a new branch of the military there.
"Thank you for that information about the town being under martial law. That is distressing, but useful.... One last thing before we go, Maret. We are seeking a gentleman who lives outside the town... Uncle to Nadya... ... do you know of him and where we might find him?"
Maret looks surprised that you mention Nadya's uncle. You mean Ringeirr Malenkov. Sure I know him, my husband was his wife's brother. Last I talked to him he was in the fishcamps on the outskirts of the city. I offered him the chance to come live here if he wanted to ever since his family was taken from him. Oh but I bet you don't know about that. The Winter Guard took his wife and child. They were never seen again and he remained near the city ever since looking for answers. If you do find him tell him what happened here will you please. It is times like this that family, even if not directly by blood, needs to stick together.
You can tell that she is a great source of gossip and likely could spend the entire day talking to fill her grief of losing her husband.
"Is there an easy way for us to approach the fishcamps without alerting guards from the city? We have to see Mr Malenkov before we try to enter Whitethrone. And of course we will advise him of what has happened here. Perhaps he might reconsider his decision to stay near the city in light of recent events."
The fishcamps are not watched as the people there have no standing with the city. They are considered slightly higher than slaves as they are free folk but that is it. Few rights and even thoughts are directed at them. As long as you do not approach the city gates directly you should be safe.
With that the group makes ready to head out. The last couple of days of travel are surprisingly easy. Perhaps it is the proximity to Whitethrone that has throw off any hunters or it is the fact that none of the last party has returned yet to tell of your whereabouts. cutting through the landscape you finally arrive at one of the tributary rivers that leads into the lake upon which Whitethrone is located. Over the river is a bridge and at the foot of the bridge is a sign in common Hallit and Skald. "Papers required now. Inspection with out cause strictly inforced."
Pondering the sign three creatures, freshwater merrows to be precise, that were previously unnoticed climb up from the banks of the river and accost you. The closest one to you shouts out in skald first and finally broken common if no reponse, Papers!! Now!!
Jetro looks at the others. Uh...do you have any papers?
Xanxan hangs back for a moment, delighted at the sight of freshwater Merrow not because they're nice, they're not but because its a new sight for him.
I'm sorry mate, was that what they said? them to the merrow, he says...
I. Am. Sorry. Can. You. Say. That. Again. More. Clearly...
"What papers would those be friends?" - Helgash steps forward - "We are mere passers by, looking for a place to rest our weary feet - if you tells us how to obtain such papers we will do so" - he smiles.
The lead merrow's voice gets louder as he obviously thinks louder is clearer.
Turning to Helgash it takes him a minute to figure out what you said. When it clicks he growls, No papers! Need payment. Pointing to Sheilah and Xanxan. One stay, rest go or...as he counts on his fingers before finally oming up with a number ...47 gold... each
By the way the other 2 stand there with jowls quivering and drool forming it is quite easy to know what the fate of Xanxan or Shielah would be.
Venja casts message and includes all of the party in the spell, whispering so only the party can hear her "Should we just pay them and be on our way?
"Fourty seven gold each..." - Helgash ponders for a few seconds.
"Very well then" - he nods towards the creatures - "I believe we can produce such sum - but of course we expect you to produce the aforementioned papers in exchange, so we do not risk being in the same situation a few miles down the road - I am sure you understand"
it's only money, beck says. maybe, if'n them forget we was even here, we can pays eh in better than gold?
We have ice diamonds, 100 gp a piece, or just use gold?
Jetro rolls his eyes.Fine.
"All is fine and well - but I do want said papers in exchange for such a steep fee" - he insists.
The merrow is completely dumb founded that you a asking him for papers. He can't comprehend what you are asking for. You no papers... Uh, gold now.
Clearly anything else is too much for the merrow to comprehend and you won't get papers. He even changed th amount you were to pay.
Excellent! We will make sure you get your papers! Excellent work doing your duty to Whitethrone. Jetro hands over 4 gold.
Before he changes his mind again on the price, Venja steps forward and hands over 4 gp to the creature, making a great effort not to take a deep breath, as the thing looks like it might smell bad. She slips past the merrow and waits for the others beyond it.
Xanxan contemplates stealing the four gold back. I suppose they might get upset if I slipped up.
Helgash has a hard time disguising his smile, but complies in silence - "Very well" - and produces his four gold.
Duardlara counts out four gold and drops them in his hand carefully one at a time slowly to make sure he can count them.
Once across the troll bridge, the group soon enter a forest of leafless birch trees, and after halfa day oftravel, the city of Whitethrone comes into sight. The city of Whitethrone is built high atop cliffs overlooking Glacier Lake. The cliffs make fishing in the city impractical, so Whitethrone's fishing industry is carried out in small shantytowns a few miles east ofthe city. Life is hard and desperate in these small communities, but there is less direct oppression from the Winter Guard (and the Iron Guard before it).
Arctic gulls fill the overcast sky with their cries over this small shantytown. Ramshackle huts are erected on the cold ground, hard packed and barren from generations offoot traffic. Dories and other small fishing boats are moored to dilapidated piers nearby or pulled ashore on the gray pebbled beach of Glacier Lake. The pervasive smell of fish is everywhere, sometimes fresh, but often with the underlying stench of centuries of decay.
Small groups of fisherfolk congregate on the piers or around shacks, engaged in whispered conversations, but with watchful eyes on what transpires around them. An occasional child can also be seen, toiling to repair nets or performing some other chore.
Venja whispers to the others, "So we're looking for this Ringeirr Malenkov not only as Nadya's relative who might get us papers, but to let him know what transpired at Maret's home in case he might want to go to her in this time of need. Even though we are only on the outskirts of Whitethrone, we should still be wary of spies from the city. I'm sure as outsiders we are likely to be looked on with suspicion, too."
maybe we leads with that? Tells dolls we be lookin feet her brother-in-law, named Ringierr. As that were just random chance what we found her. Say that we is cousins of her eh? Beck suggests, then adding, one o' the humans or someone what can pass as human at least
Beck takes a look around, and gushes the place. Years, decades, in fact, of professional hobo-ing educating his steps, as he walks with the others trying to find Malenkov.
Jetro and Beck you both know enough that ironically Whitethrone is somewhat dependant on the fishcamp to provide sustainable food for the city. The amount of food stored in Whitethrone is such that you don't think it would do any good in the short term to stop the fishcamps and thus affect the city.
You do realize that should all of you approach together you would likely alarm anyone you met a they would think you are city guard, bandits, or worse. Even the mere presence of Sheelah is going to cause people to be alarmed and avoid you if possible.
Beck, you are right that it should be someone that at least could pass for a local or at least human to get any information at all.
We should go in small groups to avoid suspicion.
"At least in pairs. So we can watch each other's backs."
Ayup.
"Agreed" - Helgash nods.
Beck, you are right that it should be someone that at least could pass for a local or at least human to get any information at all.
"I would suggest Helgash with Duardlara, Venja with Jetro, and Beck with Sheelah and Xanxan"
Jetro tries coaking Sheelha into Frostborn's haversack. :)
Sheelah looks at looks at Jetro, pasa over and licks her chops, waiting for a snack.
Duardlara looks quizzically at the archer and scratches Sheelah behind the ears. With a small grin, she offers, "Maybe if she was a tabby, my friend."
"Well then, shall we go find out what we can and look for master Ringeirr, Jetro?"
Aye. *clomp clomp*
Xanxan moves along with Sheelah and Beck then, "Should we use the excuse of being some sort of entertainers then?"
Oh aye! I can play me pipes and Sheelah can dance! Beck plays a little tune
...on his broken pipes, whistling and wheezing as he makes a pathetic attempt at music and the cat groans and tries to cover her ears... Well, maybe not. But we can say we are without showin nuthin...
We'd likely not want ta be making too much o' a splash as we try ta find Nadya's uncle, Beck adds pulling his cloak around him, shrouding his face, and pulling his hood over his horns.
The party splits off to small groups of 2 and 3 as discussed in the hopes of getting the most information possible...
Helgash and Lara
Even with Helgash's obvious outsider looks and mannerisms he, along, Lara, are able to convince a local woman who was drying some fish to talk to them. I know of who you ask. A nice man most of the time but always seemed to find trouble, or trouble always found him. Why just the other day I heard tell that he was arrested for disturbing the peace. I wasn't there personally mind you but that is the rumor going on around here.
Venja and Jetro
Even though the 2 of them look the most normal and Jetro could be considered a local, the approach they used was all wrong. Perhaps it was Snow peaking out from beneath Venja that alerted the locals that not all is as it appears. The few people that they gett o stop and even acknowlege them respond gruffly, Don't know or care right now. Can't you see that I have enough to do already than to try and find some guy that you lost. Now get out of my way and go bother someone else. You think that they do know something but are too scared to admit anything in public. Scared of you or others though you aren't sure of.
Beck, Sheelah, and Xanxan
Apparently the song and dance routine is something that the fishermen have not seen at all as even the idea of a show brings a smile to some faces. Life is hard enough around here that any excuse for a little entertainment and joy is appreciated. A little boy who looks at Sheelah with huge round eyes asks, Is she safe? Can I ride on her? Does she like fish? What is her name? Can she do tricks? Is she yours? How can I get one? What, oh that man you are asking for, yeah I saw some guards take him away. I don't know where though. Now can I ride her, please? Now, can I , can I ? huh, mister can I ride on her? Please... The begging continues for a good 5 minutes as you look for his parents and see no one willing to claim him.
From each of your locations you can see the docks where people are working at nets or boats. Although the docks seem full there is 1 section that has cleared out quickly. On it you see 6 people accosting another man. You can't hear what is being said but from the looks of people's faces they are avoiding that area.
"Thank you, ma'am. Have a nice day." Touching Helgash's arm, Duardlara indicates the docks with a nod of her head.