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The scent of the salt in the air is strong, nearly oppressive. The sun is slowly setting on the horizon, and for what seems like hundreds of miles, there is not a cloud in the sky. Almost directly above your head, the yellow blur of the Ring of Siberys is backlit by the moons.
The Tethered Wench lists gently back and forth in the evening breeze, bumping periodically against the long pier. Sea birds squawk and cry nearby held a respectful distance away by the machinations of some Cannith device. Long lines bedecked with multicolored lanterns stretch from the foremast to the after; their magical flame competing with the heavens.
Aboard the ship, the press of bodies has yet to become overwhelming, though nearly two hundred people of various races are present. The Stormreach equivalent of the social elite sit at some of the very few tables on top of the forecastle, a human bouncer protects their privacy by collecting a modest five pieces of gold from anyone wishing to join them. At the very front of the forecastle a pentet of Phialarn musicians work their magic on their ancient elven instruments.
The rest of the revelers sit at tables on the main deck, where the two center masts have been removed to make more floor space. Here and there between the tables serving girls of a dozen different races, are tethered by long ropes to iron rings set into the deck. Their nakedness covered only by a short skirt and a pile of gaudy gold necklaces. A heartfelt laugh circulates around the ship when one of the patrons attempts to take more than his plate from one of the girls, and she promptly breaks his arm. The laughing grows louder as two Jorasco Halflings trot over to start haggling with the unfortunate would be victimizer on a fair price for setting the bone.
Later a hush falls over the whole ship as the hill giant bouncer has some loud words with a Minotaur carrying a large box at the base of the boarding ramp. Everyone relaxes when the hill giant gives the bull man a friendly slap on the back and lets him on board, though comfort partially fades when he reaches the deck, and people notice the incredibly large axe strapped to his back. He slips comically through an overly small door into the foundations of the forecastle, and after a moment mirth and merriment overcome any concern.
Dinners, drinks, and desserts continue to flow out of the various hatches which access the below deck kitchens. For a moment, as the last light of the sun slips below the horizon, it is easy to imagine Stormreach as one of the great-civilized cities of Khorvaire. That impression is shattered when a small fight breaks out near the starboard rail. Knives, then swords are drawn. A scream. A flow of blood. Then stepping out of the shelter of invisibility, a half-giant bull rushes all the ruffians over the rail into the water. He looks down at them and laughs. Then with a shrug, he touches the amulet he is wearing and fades away again.
The Phialarn musicians finish their set, and begin packing up their instruments. Then, into the void of sound their ending left behind, a long hollow note begins. Wordlessly, the pitch and tone carry emotion effortlessly. Then the source of the music is revealed, the minotaur reappears, carrying in his hands and odd bellows-based instrument. His song continues without words, building from loss and sorrow quickly to mirth and excitement. In moments he is nearly dancing about the deck. When his first song ends, he begins taking requests from the audience, singing each beautifully.
Brick wanders into the tavern shortly after the bloody fight, drenched in seawater and covered in mud and seaweed. Walking directly up to the bouncer, he bluntly asks, "Where am I?"
Ruuz pushes back his gray hair and looks in his coin purse at the last money he has. "Well might as well go out with a bang." he thought. As he walks toward the Tethered Wench a small fight can be heard followed by a load splash and a knowing smile spreads across his face, this should be a entertaining night. As he walks up the gangplank to come aboard a large warforged that looks like it just walk out of the sea is talking to the bouncer. Ruuz takes a step back to avoid soiling his boots with the water mud dripping from the warforged and waits to be let aboard.
Brick wanders into the tavern shortly after the bloody fight, drenched in seawater and covered in mud and seaweed. Walking directly up to the bouncer, he bluntly asks, "Where am I?"
"Uh?" The towering hill giant looks down at your rather disheveled apearence, then in an obviously deliberate exaggeration of an accent.
"Dis be da Tethered Wench, de finest floating tavern in all o' Xen'drik. Me thinks ye be lookin' for work seein' as yer kind be needin' neider foo' ner drink. Best ye be wonderin down dere to the public house and warshin' some o' dat much of ye."
He points to a small builing, no more than a hundred feet from the root of the pier. He is adamant that you won't board the ship in your current condition.
"Hroak, an' ye be wantins on board as well?" The Bouncer seems to have dismissed Brock from his forebrain, and is now speaking to Ruuz. "Have ye some fun, but be makin' no trouble."
Ruuz nodes to the giant and walks toward an empty table below the forcastle. "If I can't afford to sit with the elite I might as well get as close as I can." Ruuz sits down and tugs on the rope of the closest tethered wench and tosses 2 gp's and 2 sp's on her tray "Get me some descent food and drink if you could" and swats her on the backside as she walks away. Ruuz turns his attention to his fellow patrons looking for someone interesting.
There were a few hours left of sunlight. Beren lifted his face to the wind and let the ocean breeze dance trough his tangled locks and the sun play against his hairy skin. He had gotten used to the strong smell of brine. It was a clean smell, a free smell. In the distance, he could start making out his destination-the port city of Stormreach in Xen’drik. Pretty soon his mission would start anew. He let out a throaty growl in anticipation.
The sun was now low in the sky and twilight was around him. As the ship floated into port and debarkation began, the smell of brine was blanketed by the stench of the city. Garbage, fish entrails, & sea avian droppings skipped past his nostrils.
Beren stepped off the ramp and onto land. His legs felt wobbly as if now the land was floating. He adjusted quickly by closing his eyes and taking a quick breath realizing that it was just a trick of the waves.
With his mission now unhindered by the boundaries of water, Beren was determined to visit every filthy bar and inn until he found his quarry. He breathed in heavily through his nose just in case he would pick up the scent of the wretched orc. Instead, he noticed the strong smell of good food and drink a few piers down and realized how hungry he was. Now more aware of his surroundings, he was able to pick up the sounds of merriment, revelry, and elven melody. At closer inspection, the tavern that was also a ship, seemed less than scrupulous.
He turned to his friend that he met on the ship and looked up at her to meet her eyes. “Valessa, it’s been nice getting to know you over our voyage.” Then he turned, his eyes focused and hard, and he looked at a ship shortly down the pier. “My mission starts anew, and it will start at that bar.” he raised an arm pointing at the Tethered Wench. Then Beren blinked, and his eyes turned softer and a smile took form. “I noticed they have one of those seals you were mentioning from those food halflings. Means good food, right? How about one more meal and drink to wash it down before we part ways? My treat. The environment looks unsettling, but if we stick together we should be fine.” As Beren says this, he hears the clang of battle on the deck followed by some patrons pitched over the side to splash into the ocean below. Beren side glances at Valessa, whistles, then smiles as he walks toward the line to wait to board.
Raustikin watches as the unfortunate aggressors are dumped overboard. He shyly looks away from the half-giant bull who gives Raustikin a warning look before disappearing. Raustikin quietly counts four more pieces of silver onto the unpolished wood table and stares at one of the waitresses. She notices, rolls her eyes a bit, makes her way to Raustikin and replies curtly, "Want the same?" Raustikin barely nods. After a while the waitress brings another glass to the table with a swirling pink and blue fluid, which Raustikin begins sipping right away. This is his third drink. Soon the edge will be forgotten momentarily. He looks on at Heavenly, his favorite girl at the Tethered Wench.
Ruuz take the last bit of bread and sops up the remaining bit of chowder in his bowl. Looking at the last bit of his third cheap drink he waves the serving girl over and throws two silver pieces onto her tray "Could you get me another drink and you can keep the other piece for yourself". This time she playfully slaps his hand in rout and walks away with a coy smile on her face. "Well some what disappointing so far" he thinks to himself "But the night is young and I still have money to spend"
Ruuz nodes to the giant and walks toward an empty table below the forcastle. "If I can't afford to sit with the elite I might as well get as close as I can." Ruuz sits down and tugs on the rope of the closest tethered wench and tosses 2 gp's and 2 sp's on her tray "Get me some descent food and drink if you could" and swats her on the backside as she walks away. Ruuz turns his attention to his fellow patrons looking for someone interesting.
The waitress turns quickly in response to your swat, and you catch the hint of trained reflexes in the move.
"Listen landlubber, Since ye be new here, I be givin' you a warnin'. The boss doesn't like it one li'l bit when the girls working get accosted by the customers, so ye be keepin' yer hand to ye self. Ye catch me meanin'?"
She uses her nose to point at the man with the broken arm.
Brick wanders over toward Ruuz at the exact moment he is rejected by Heavenly. He sees the changeling's form slip a bit, and is instantly intrigued.
"Hello. Did you know that this is the Tethered Wench, the finest floating tavern in all of Xen'drik? Who are you? What are you?"
The warforged then glances down to the rather well-crafted greatclub he has been dragging behind him. One edge of the weapon is worn down from rubbing abainst the ground for so long. Brick appears puzzled.
"Would you happen to know what this piece of metal in my hand is? I've been carrying it for the past seven weeks, and nobody told me what it is for. All I know is that my creator gave it to me before he left me in the road."
After listening to a mostly intoxicated orc named Zruptoo for 10 minutes, the orc finally gets to the punchline of a joke about an Aundairian, a Karrnathan, and a Thrane on race to Xoriat. Putting a hand over his solid stomach, Beren feined a great belly laugh along with the orc and his kin. Thinking the whole time, 'tonight when I see you and your friends in an alley, I am going to slit your throats one by one you stupid orcs'
Beren then glanced across the deck to see how Valessa was doing, and gave her a wink.
"Well I had to try" Ruuz yells back as the waitress walks off. Ruuz looks up as the warforged he saw outside walks up, definitely looks at little better cleaned off but it still looks like it was made by a crazed artificer living in a junkyard.
Who are you? What are you?"
Ruuz shifts through the visage of an elf, human, and goblin and says "My name is Ruuz and I am what ever I want to be freind."
"Would you happen to know what this piece of metal in my hand is? ..."
Ruuz raises an eyebrow as he shift into his natural form "Your creator forgot some things when he got to creating that brain of yours huh?" Before the worforged can answer him he asks "Where exactly was this road at that started walking from?"
Ruuz raises an eyebrow as he shift into his natural form "Your creator forgot some things when he got to creating that brain of yours huh?" Before the worforged can answer him he asks "Where exactly was this road at that started walking from?"
"Auruldusk, I think. I've heard it's near Thronehold, but I don't know what that means."
Ruuz nodes to the giant and walks toward an empty table below the forcastle. "If I can't afford to sit with the elite I might as well get as close as I can." Ruuz sits down and tugs on the rope of the closest tethered wench and tosses 2 gp's and 2 sp's on her tray "Get me some descent food and drink if you could" and swats her on the backside as she walks away. Ruuz turns his attention to his fellow patrons looking for someone interesting.
The waitress turns quickly in response to your swat, and you catch the hint of trained reflexes in the move.
"Listen landlubber, Since ye be new here, I be givin' you a warnin'. The boss doesn't like it one li'l bit when the girls working get accosted by the customers, so ye be keepin' yer hand to ye self. Ye catch me meanin'?"
She uses her nose to point at the man with the broken arm.
Witnessing the backside slap, Raustikin stands up. Once he sees that Heavenly is able to take care of herself, he sits back down, embarrassed that he drew any attention to himself. He continues to watch the man conspicuously, even after a strange warforged walks up to the man and strikes up a rather eccentric conversation.
While glancing around checking on Valessa, Beren noticed a large warforged speaking to a changling who was mystifying the big construct with various personas. Beren made a mental note to make contact after the changling had a few more drinks. The creature's unique skills may assist him in getting closer to some orcs and leading him to his quarry.
Valessa looks askew at Beren at his offer of a meal. “Nice of you Beren, but I can pay my own way, right?” She inwardly winces at the tactlessness of her words, but she hopes that Beren knows her well enough by now to not take offense.
“Best hang on to your money Beren,” she says more softly. “You’re probably going to need it in this place.” She looks up in some dismay at the Tethered Wench. “I won’t eat much anyway.”
As she and Beren wait in line to get onto the boat, she tries not to stare at the Giant bouncer. It’s strange – she’s studied giants, amongst other things – for the past couple of years, but has never really had the opportunity to see one up close. As cosmopolitan as Sharn is, you don’t get giants walking the streets, at least not in Menthis. Having seen one up close, Valessa is not sure she wants too many repeat occurances of the opportunity. They’re just so … big.
Valessa stares in some shock at the scene before her, particularly noting the restrained, almost naked serving girls. “House Ghollanda certified my left foot!” she mutters. “Oh, someone needs to hear about this!”
Despite her assertion, she is somewhat cowed by the event – some of the University parties she attended were pretty wild, but here she feels out of her element; the giant, the singing minotaurs, the naked female flesh, the press of bodies, the myriad races …
Noticing that Beren has ordered some food, she does the same, speaking to the waitress somewhat defiantly, looking her straight in the eye, unlike many of the other patrons. She makes sure to order a cheap, non-alcoholic drink. While she’s certainly not adverse to some hard liquor, this is a place she wants all her wits about her.
Seeing that Beren is following up his usual obsession with orcs, and making a bee-line for a small group of the hulking humanoids, Valessa makes for a relatively quiet spot against an outer rail, near, but not too near, the “elite” end of the boat. Resting her drink and the remains of her small (but quite good really) food platter on a nearby timber bench. She reaches into her pack, pulling out a notepad and a charcoal pencil, and begins scribbling away, drafting a self-rightous letter of complaint to House Ghollanda’s ethics committee.
She looks around, and listens to nearby conversations (though the hubbub of voices and the minotaurs loud music make this difficult), but does not try to initiate any conversations herself unless approached. She tries very hard to project an aura of busyness, hoping not to be approached.
Nearby, she notices a handsome man being rather familiar with one of the waitresses, but Valessa looks away before he can make eye contact with her. She smirks somewhat when the waitress rounds on him, admonishing him for his eager hands, before the man is accosted by a very tall, somewhat rusty looking warforged, She cannot hear the pair’s conversation, but suddenly realises that the handsome man is in fact a changeling, as he shifts through several forms. Huh. Typical.
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Spot check to see if the waitresses' bonds are truly manacles or just decoration (roll 19+5-2 drinks =22) After dinner, Beren will walk around the ship and use his nose. Survival check to try and smell my quarry if he/she is around (roll 4+10=14). If no sign of quarry, then I will try to gather information regarding if there is a predominant section of the city where orcs congregate and if they noticed any orcs recently debarking from ships out of Sharn. (roll 4+2+5gp spent = 11) Beren will also listen in on any conversations in orc that he overhears in passing while gathering information (roll 13+3-2 drinks = 14)
Spot check on the bonds shows that the girls are simply tied to the deck, no manackles on them, just a knot in the end of a silk cord around their ankles.
You don't find your quarry here...
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I've lived in Stormreach for six months, but I haven't been around much except for the local bars and marketplaces. I'm not very good with names. I don't have any ranks in Knowledge (local) - would you still like me to roll?
Unskilled knowledges can only get info that is DC10 or less, if it ever comes up, make the roll and consider 10 the max you can get. There may be exceptions, I will point them out specifically.
Okay, so I got a 9 (rolled 10 - 1 Int)
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She reaches into her pack, pulling out a notepad and a charcoal pencil, and begins scribbling away, drafting a self-rightous letter of complaint to House Ghollanda’s ethics committee.
"Auruldusk, I think. I've heard it's near Thronehold, but I don't know what that means."
"You walked from Thronehold? What you just decided to walk south until you reach here? I bet the sea devils were in a uproar over you." Ruuz takes his fourth ale from Heavenly and takes a quick drink and leans back in his chair. "Sit down my metal friend and lets talk. First what do people call you?"
Valessa starts in surprise, and looks around again, trying to see if she can figure out what the girl is talking about. Turning back to the woman, and keeping her voice equally low, she whispers "I'm sorry? What do you mean? Do you mean...." her voice trails off as several possibilities begin to occur to her.
"Ooooh, I so love a changelings, they can be so, healthy" One of the girls insinuates herself infront of brick, fawning over Ruuz.
"Tell me all about yourself," she coos, while waving her glass at the serving girl.
"Tell me all about yourself," she coos, while waving her glass at the serving girl.
"Well how about you sit down with me and my new acquaintance. We were just talking about our pasts." Ruuz pulls out a chair and tosses 5 sp on the tray for the ladies drink. "I was just telling my constructed friend that I am originally from Sharn and have just moved down here on behest of a private collector to find some relics for an exhibition he is putting on. How about you, what is a lovely lady like your self doing in a city like this, not a place most people come for theater and dance?"
Valessa looks askew at Beren at his offer of a meal. “Nice of you Beren, but I can pay my own way, right?” She inwardly winces at the tactlessness of her words, but she hopes that Beren knows her well enough by now to not take offense.
Beren lets out a throaty laugh. "Always the independant. I knew you'd say no." Inwardly, Beren was just thankful he talked her into joining him for one more night of friendship in a big city.
Unskilled knowledges can only get info that is DC10 or less, if it ever comes up, make the roll and consider 10 the max you can get. There may be exceptions, I will point them out specifically.
"Tell me all about yourself," she coos, while waving her glass at the serving girl."Well how about you sit down with me and my new acquaintance. We were just talking about our pasts." Ruuz pulls out a chair and tosses 5 sp on the tray for the ladies drink. "I was just telling my constructed friend that I am originally from Sharn and have just moved down here on behest of a private collector to find some relics for an exhibition he is putting on. How about you, what is a lovely lady like your self doing in a city like this, not a place most people come for theater and dance?"
"Oooh, that is so exciting," she coos, scooting very close to you indeed. You aren't surprised at all when she places her hand on your thigh. "Tell me more," she continues, "does this 'private collector' pay you well?"
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Unskilled knowledges can only get info that is DC10 or less, if it ever comes up, make the roll and consider 10 the max you can get. There may be exceptions, I will point them out specifically.
Your discreet inquiries net you information on a place called 'Muskor dur Rast', which translates as 'The Misplaced Shadow', well that is one translation, the other doesn't bear repeating.
Muskor dur Rast is the closest thing to an orc hangout in Stormreach, although it open to anyone, it maintains a Shadow Marches appearence, which is something that only appeals to certain clientele.
Apparently, there was a brawl there two nights prior, and the place is still closed for repair, should be reopening soon.
"Oooh, that is so exciting," she coos, scooting very close to you indeed. You aren't surprised at all when she places her hand on your thigh. "Tell me more," she continues, "does this 'private collector' pay you well?"
Brick watches the ineteraction of Asaylia and Ruuz with interest.
Realizing he is getting no more information from the intoxicated orcs, Beren decides to look around for other modes of information. He has a new clue, Muskor dur Rast, but wants to see what else he could learn while he is at the Tethered Wench.
"Dak urgul feg'gula pozo!" Beren growls in a guttaral tone, then smiles. He thumps the big orc, Zruptoo in the chest, laughs, and walks away.
If you speak orc:
Stumbling away feigning drunk, Beren makes sure he is out of line of sight of the orcs before he makes his next move. He thinks of the changling, but looking in that direction he notices the shaperchanger has company so decides against a meeting. Then he looks to the forecastle. 'Well that was one place I have not been yet', he says to himself. He pulls his hair back and straightens his attire, just like back at Fort Orcbone, so he hopefully appears more sophisticated.
Beren approaches the human bouncer, and in his most articulate voice he says "I believe this will cover the cost for a better view of the city." He hands him 5 gp.
When Beren reaches the forecastle, he plans on looking for a place along the rail where no one will notice his face. When he feels confident that he is not being watched, he will shift and use his scent ability in hopes to pick up the trail of his wretched quarry.
"Tell me more," she continues, "does this 'private collector' pay you well?"
"Alas I have just got here so I only have a down payment to put together a team before we head out into the jungle. I don't get the big payday until I bring something back." Ruuz throws an arm behind her and pulls her a little closer and takes his money purse and discreetly tucks it into one of his many pockets in his coat. Can't be to careful even with a beauty hang on your arm he thinks. "I am having a little trouble putting together a team because of the potential danger in an expedition of this type but I am sure someone will be interested."
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When Beren reaches the forecastle, he plans on looking for a place along the rail where no one will notice his face. When he feels confident that he is not being watched, he will shift and use his scent ability in hopes to pick up the trail of his wretched quarry.
18+
22+
25+
"Alas I have just got here so I only have a down payment to put together a team before we head out into the jungle. I don't get the big payday until I bring something back." Ruuz throws an arm behind her and pulls her a little closer and takes his money purse and discreetly tucks it into one of his many pockets in his coat. Can't be to careful even with a beauty hang on your arm he thinks. "I am having a little trouble putting together a team because of the potential danger in an expedition of this type but I am sure someone will be interested."
"My father always told me to be warry of dangerous men, but I so prefer to simply wear them..." Her words trail off as she burries her face on your neck, and begins gently nibbling on the skin. Her hands are drifting up and down your body. "Mmm, tell me more about you secret mission."
Bluff 18 + 5 = 23 (holy @#$%, I am going to burn all my good rolls before I get to my first initiative roll.)
Since I am not trained in Slight of hand I can't roll to hide my money, just hoping she is too drunk to see or care.
Ruuz: 18+
Everyone else: 15+ (auto for brick)
18+
22+
The warforged is completely oblivious to any subplots at this juncture.
He turns his attention to the attractive woman near (more accurately, on) Ruuz.
"Hello, lady. Who are you?"
Raustikin sits back as the changling focuses on another lady. He watches them quietly and attempts to listen to their odd conversation. He drops four more silver on the table to order his last drink of the night.
Out of the corner of her eye, Valessa notices that the changeling now has some woman fawning all over him. Shameless! The warforged still stands awkwardly nearby.
As it seems that the waitress is not going to provide further details, Valessa reaches into her coin purse to pay for another (non-alcoholic) beverage – and is dismayed at the dull clink of coins. Taking a glance into her purse, she curses softly under her breath. Where did all her money go? She would have sworn she still had another ten or more gold pieces, but no.
Damn, that meant she would need to make a decision on what to do sooner than she had hoped – or at least go crawling to the University enclave to find accommodation.
Perhaps she should stick with Beren, she thought, looking around for but not seeing the shifter. He seemed to have money, seemed to have a plan. She was no hunter, but if she wanted to be a serious explorer – well, she’d need to learn, and the shifter had skills he could teach. It was the whole killing orcs thing she wasn’t so sure about.
Sighing, she paid the waitress another 3 silver peices, and asked “So? Details?”
Beren's finite heritage-enhanced senses slowly retreat and his bestial features fade. There was always a sense of loss after shifting. But then Beren smiled a wicked grin. 'I was right to come here,' thinking to himself. Now speaking low, practically under his breath, "I found you." His eyes got hard as he peered out over the city. "Now I am going to kill you." For the first time in a while Beren was happy, and very, very hungry. Looking out over Stormreach, he tries to better pinpoint the direction and area of the city where his quarry left another clue.
"Mmm, tell me more about you secret mission."
"If I tell you it won't be a secret anymore now will it" Ruuz looks up the warforged as he watched his new interest crawl all over him. All of a sudden he just realized he was pretty much sitting in front of a young child and the situation started to feel really weird. "Well it seems our friend sitting here wants to know who you are" Ruuz tells her as he tries to calm her down and get her for the most part back in her seat.
"If I tell you it won't be a secret anymore now will it" Ruuz looks up the warforged as he watched his new interest crawl all over him. All of a sudden he just realized he was pretty much sitting in front of a young child and the situation started to feel really weird. "Well it seems our friend sitting here wants to know who you are" Ruuz tells her as he tries to calm her down and get her for the most part back in her seat.
"--" Asaylia is about to speak but...
"ASAYLIA!" A distinguished, by which I mean old and bald, man has walked up to the table, and grabbed the girl by the arm. "No daughter of mine will be whoring or thieving while I am still this side of Dolurrh."
He roughly reaches into her pocket, pulls out a purse and tosses on the table. "I am truely sorry, sir."
With that, he stands her up, and begins marching her off the boat...
"But DADDY!"