"Now you come to mention it - lets roll them out here and see what we've got?" grinned Kincaid.
Terex does his best to hide his reaction to the depiction of Kotelia.
Well it looks like I was right about what the "Death City" is... he comments to his squad, unhappily.
"I think this map is really all we need," he states after looking it over for a few minutes. He wants to look longer--really, he wants to stare at the map for hours, and then go and look up everything he can about the places described.
Though given what they think of Kotelia, he's not sure how accurate that would be. Still, that does lead to a question.
"Say, Nate, Gethraxxis, is there a library here somewhere?" the pseudodragon asks.
"Oh dear. Well Kapitan Bel'gra'grah did warn us about merchants spreading rumors. Undoing that will take quite some effort, but perhaps at a later date. Until we know how these rumors started and the extent of them, they'll be impossible to counter." thought Kincaid. It saddened him greatly to see the city's reputation besmirched so.
"Well Terexaltherin, we actually just left the library. The shop is both a library and store, you can pay 1 silver per the hour to read the books while you are in the store where the dragon can see you. Things got a little stricter after a certain farie dragon got bored just reading the books. But back to the map do you have any idea where you have been and what you want to explore next?" Nate says curiously.
"Oh." Terex sighs. "I guess what we really need to do is go back home and get something to trade, then come back and trade it for some money."
To Terex, Kincaid thought "Perhaps, might come as a shock to our latest additions given what's on the map. Maybe we should venture another direction first and build up some trust first?"
Terex broadcasts Kincaid's thought to the rest of his squad, then replies, We're a long way from Kotelia right now. If we just take the long way back and explore some more while we travel I'll bet we'll have enough time to build trust before it becomes an issue.
To everyone Kincaid says, "We should probably talk about what we do next. We promised Nate we'd go exploring and to my mind that's exactly what we should do. Only question is where next? I note there's a town roughly north from here called Mestru. Currently that's just a name on the map for me, wouldn't it be exciting to find out what's there?"
Mestru is a town of hobgoblins who are loyal (ish) to the Dragons in the Capital, the same ones that the Druvei rebelled against. The hobgoblins are not very fond of draconic sorts who aren't loyal to the dragons of Falgrensith
"That town might not be good for us. Mestru is inhabited by hobgoblins who are mostly loyal to the Dragons in the capital, the once the Druvei rebelled against. They are not very fond of draconics who aren't loyal to those dragons so helf of us might have problems getting into the city, I do however don't know how bad it is for us to enter the town. We can try but we might have a fight on our hands if we get to close." Nate explaines as Kincaid points to the town.
"Oh," Terex says, looking at the map with newfound suspicion. "It's a good thing we didn't end up there. What about this Sethaleash place?" He flies over and taps the spot on the map with a tiny claw.
All Nate knows about it is that it's a catfolk city.
Geth has been there once or twice, it's relatively peaceful catfolk who were either exiled or left Taxxi. They are fairly easy to get along with. The city uses The Death City as cover, staying as close as they feel safe doing so and using the Death City's reputation to scare off large forces who might draw attention. They lose a few people every year to the Death City, but it's safer than dealing with minotaurs and dragons.
"I don't know anything worthwhile about that town Terex. So far my knowledge covers it's a city of catfolk." Nate says shaking his head.
"I would enjoy meeting catfolk, they would have something in common with Kasha." Hylar muses, partly as a joke but moreover as something that he would be more on par with versus a city of dragons.
"They can be enjoyable based on my own family, but my clan perfers to live out in the open on the wild plains. I guess the dragon part of my drew me into town and the comfort of a library with good books to learn of the world."
"Your family doesn't live here?" Terex asks, his curiosity piqued. "Where are they from, then?"
Kincaid wasn't bothered particularly where they went, certainly this conversation was enlightening, "Hmm OK lets give Mestru a miss, the catfolk sound friendlier for sure. Could we visit your folks on the way there?"
"I'm not sure where they set up camp at this time, I've been in the city for a few years so I mostly only see them when they are close by and needs to trade."
"Nevermind about that then. Anyway it seems like Sethaleash is a good a destination as any. Does anyone need to make any preparations?" asked Kincaid. There was a certain irony in them planning to leave no sooner then they had got there, but for most of them the proportions of this place meant they'd never feel comfortable here.
"I'm ready to go. We still have food and supplies, just need to refresh the water in my waterskin." Taking another look at the map, Rokas start pondering. "Also, we should stay clear of any fight as much of possible, less we get mistaken for those assassin people are so afraid of. Lastly, if we can, maybe head back to the Gnoll's tower? To check up on them. See how they are doing." Looking at Terex Rokas tries to sends some thought. And show to our new friend that our home isn't that bad.
"Travel?Yes, I like travel. Where is this tower? Is it big? Pretty? Shiny? Do tell!" once again the little fey dragon runs around in circles and promptly sits down after his questions, awaiting patiently for an answer
"It was in bad shape when they establish their home there, but did some good repair on it. Nothing amazing, but it gives them a secure place to stay." Rokas look down at the map. "It's some distance west of Sethaleash, in the woods. They are a bit wary of newcomers, but since we meet them before and that you are with us, you should be fine."
"That makes me happy. I like meeting new people"
Kincaid pondered this idea and suggested, "I wonder if we can't help the Gnolls somehow, the hunting was poor around there. Maybe we could see if anyone here would be willing to trade with them?"
"Well, the first trick would be to convince them this isn't a city of demons, and convince the hunters from town here to get along with them," Terex points out.
He mentally agrees with Rokas's thought.
"It sounds like we have a plan! I kind of want to explore here more, but... we'll have to figure out what we want to do about money, and then come back, I think."
"I'm not sure this was the city they were talking about. Jastuppaksi or Apejän would fit more the direction they told us." Looking back at their two new members. "Do you guys know anything about those two places?"
"Hmmmm. Not very good with names. No no. So I can't help. But if it's new places I will be happy to help explore!"
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"Never heard of a city of demons except for Kotelia but that's mostly just stories of what goes on beyond the walls. I've never met anyone whose actually been inside and see what happens, all we know is that, that city draws troubles like a fire draws moths, so ofcourse those stories gets out here."
"What stories are you talking about?" Terex asks, trying to act innocent. "We've heard some contradictory things about Kotelia."
"They skin you, stuff you with all kinds of bad things, then make a puppet out of your skin.... blehg! No fun at all!"
"I think somebody has been pulling your leg Gethraxxis..." replies Kincaid easily before thinking, 'Damn what the heck has happened to give Kotelia such a reputation?!'
As calmly as he could, Kincaid asked, "So uh what do the Dragons in the capital make of all this then? Why do they allow a city of demons to exist?"
The inn keeper, loaded with plates, begins to put them down and pipes into the conversation, apparently able to speak several languages herself. Her reply is in trade tongue. "I heard that they are going to deal with it now that they have dealt with those filthy ogres. My mate saw wings and wings of dragons flying west a few months ago, and then not quite as many flying back, many with figures clutched in their paws." She nods, snorting a bit of smoke out of one nostril. "They'll get all the information they need out of those demons and raze the city to the ground, you mark my words." She comments, and then heads off to get the mugs of ale and water.
"I think somebody has been pulling your leg Gethraxxis..."
"Not a funny joke, should make you laugh, not try to run away." he huffs
Oh. Terex's mental broadcast to his squad wasn't really a word, just... an expression of shock. Oh. That was when they attacked... but I didn't hear about people being taken away... we have to report this!
"Hmm I never knew the attack force returned with prisoners, perhaps they where after fight snacks." Nate says somewhat with a grin.
"I never understood that, eating so much meat. So much nice tings out there, snacks. Mmmmmm, sweet stuff.... mmmm, yes"
"Yes Terex we do. We should also send the map to be copied." thought Kincaid back to Terex.
Terex shudders. "I hope not! Do the dragons really do that? Eat people?"
He realizes how the question sounded. "Um... they probably do, don't they?"
Rokas is startled by the innkeeper's words. "Maybe I didn't understand well enough. Wasn't your city at war with the dragons at one point? When those dragons are done with that big city, aren't you afraid they would come back here?"
So I think we should learn all we can the rest of the day today, and then leave in the morning tomorrow and send a report once we're out of sight of the walls, Terex broadcasts to his squad.
"I will send what energy I can spare to the scroll case so as to lessen the burden later." Hylar says. He tends to keep it well charged, but in case he needs to he can send in more energy.
"So, Nate, Gethraxxis, since we've got a bit of time before we'll want dinner, is there anywhere else in town you'd like to show us?" Terex asks.
Kincaid was interested to hear if they had any suggestions but he also had a question of his own, "Would be nice to get a bit of a tour of this place. I've never seen anything quite so, uh, roomy! On the way perhaps you could tell me if you've come across any centaur towns in the region. The gnolls thought there was one somewhere to the south and east of them."
"Oh, hon, the centaurs are about 2 weeks south of here, maybe 3." The innkeeper comments as she refills your mugs. "They have a trade post on the edge of their territory..." She leans over, and touches the map. "There, Only Mee or something like that."
"Thank you!" replies Kincaid. To the group, Kincaid suggests, "I'd still like to visit them, although I don't mind when."
"Well nothing really that interesting here but if you like I can take you to the blacksmiths' corner of the marketplace, looks like you might benefit for a little repair and browse the stores." Nate suggest. "Otherwise I'd suggest you restock on supplies for the travels."