Adran replies, "My name is Adran. My friends and I are visitors. We have come to see how things are going here in Faubourg. There have been rumors circulating all the way back to Karcau that there might be problems here. So we have come to see for ourselves and to help if we can. And if things are going well then we will simply take in the sights and transact a little business."
"As far as the local sights go, this is a lovely and impressive temple. It must have taken quite a bit of effort to build. I assume it was one of the first buildings the townspeople built when they settled here?"
Grimm follows his nose to the shed and asks the fellow.
"What you keep in here? Smells like a pack of dogs!"
The shed is locked but as Grimm approaches a faint growling is heard.
Dont touch that!! Leave, leave now!!
He turns and yells into the temple.
Bandits! Help!
The man, likely a servant, seems to have decided you are above his pay grade so to speak, and continues to yell for help but it's less strident.
A woman in her 30's hussles out backed by some servants and an acolyte by the looks of things. The woman and the acolyte are dressed in clothing consistent with Erastil. The woman has an air of confidence and authority.
Hey... What are you doing? Don't you know mercenaries and caravan guards should check in with the constable ?
Mala observes the situation and shakes her head in disbelief. She tries to calm the man, "My name is Mala Salazar, and I travel under the blessings of the Dawnflower. We mean no harm, and certainly are not bandits. We seek aid and information. "
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Rex looks at the man. I am now getting tired of this. We are hero's not bandits. Do you think I would talk to you if we were bandits. Rex starts to look sad.
Why are you people so mean as to think that we are evil! Why can't you ever just accept others. Why can't you just listen! You are not helping anyone here, and are hurting many! Just bring us the temple leader priest guy and we will talk to him or her!
Rex notices the woman, and hears Mala... Sorry.
She calms down.
Welcome to our temple. I am Mishnah and priestess of Erastil. Forgive me for your welcome but you are dressed as guards, soldiers or possibly bandits and we are understandably nervous of such. Errr, perhaps you could return when you are not in such warlike garb? If you don't have official business here maybe even check in with the constable?
She addresses Rex.
My son, the world is not always as we would have it and villagers are often subject to unwanted "guests". Toughen up some and learn to deal with initial rejection in favour of building a relationship of trust.
Mala slaps her hand on her armor, "I think she's referring to this Rex."
Turning back to Mishnah, "We will speak with the constable. Thank you for the advice. But first, tell me sister, do you know of two men who recently came to town? I believe they may have purchased a house near the mayor's?"
Dont be pendantic boy - your companions, including the priestess of Sarenrae are armed and armoured.
In any case how can I be of assistance? Please be aware that for the moment I'm inclined to hear you out - more so if you have official business otherwise perhaps we can schedule a return visit hmmm?
Turning back to Mishnah, "We will speak with the constable. Thank you for the advice. But first, tell me sister, do you know of two men who recently came to town? I believe they may have purchased a house near the mayor's?"
No doubt you've heard we tend to keep to ourselves and so my knowledge is slight. I will not gossip but simply state that they do not worship with us and seem to be about at odd times of the day
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Getting the impression that she is not going to offer much help right now, for whatever reason, I'll pull my cloak a little tighter around me, hiding my armor and hammer at my belt (and holy symbol), I'll play up the uncouth dwarf a bit, "Lets get somethin' ta eat, yur killin' me here. Lady don' like ya, so let's go, an stop botherin' the pretty girl. Maybe if ya learned to pick up an axe instead of yur fancy bat poo and hocus-pocus,. . . An', who cares about dogs. Everyone loves dogs. Dey help yah kills the bad thin's and helps you get supper for yur cla, yur fam-il-ee. What's wrong with that? Loyal friends, you ask me."
Mishnah, huh. A priestess that has a servant. That's. . . interesting. Still, too many other things that we don't know to just assume she's off the path But, Mishnah. Mishnah. He thinks, trying to make sure he remembers that name for later.
Well spoken sir, she says with a gentle smile in response to Becketts words.
Any other questions?
Adran replies, "I'm a sage. Asking questions is part of my job description. I apologize for alarming you with the weapons and armor, but we have just come into town and haven't even arranged for rooms yet. Also, given that we were rather viciously attacked last night while on our way here, some of my companions may feel they have reason to be nervous. While they have since recovered, we came close to losing two of our party to poisoned spears being wielded by strange beings of a type that I have not encountered before."
"I would like to come back and talk with you later as I am interested in the history of the town and the temple."
Grimm just grunts, and walks away from the 'offending' shed. He looks askew at Beckett when he starts his 'rustic' dwarf act, but again just shrugs and ignores the woman.
"Come on, lets see this constable. Maybe he can straighten things out a bit."
Oh?, she says, all concern Describe them, the creatures?
Adran replies, "Like some sort of cross between a snake and a humanoid. Scaly skin, two arms, two legs, but the overall impression was much more snake like than lizard like."
Terrible, she says seeming worried and concerned.
Come back when you are ready, she mutters as she heads back into the temple.
Adran says, "If everybody is going to freak out over our weapons and armor maybe we should rent a room first and leave our stuff there while we meet with people. It may be cramped, but I would suggest that we all get one large room that we can stay together in."
See the constable then, says the man with the firewood, They've got a place for you caravan guards.
You head back to the building first pointed out to you.
This nondescript square wooden building has heavy shutters closed over the windows. The door looks stout, but stands open. No people are visible. Behind this building is another long, low structure. You enter the building to find a man in splint mail talking to a pair of unarmoured men seated at a table playing cards.
Ahhh - tis yourselves, says the armoured man with a confident smile. I was going to get deputies Donavan and Hulbar and go looking for you. I'm Constable Grover Ruskadal. That building out back is for caravan guards who don't want to spend coin bunking down in the Inns. Rules are simple in the bunk house. No fighting and No Booze - You want to drink? Do it somewhere else, like the Inns. Other than that there isn't much to worry about - you can grab some water from the river, strip down out and wash up if you like, there's a stall in the bunk house.
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Been a while since I've been in the barracks, remembering both good and bad times from his past for a moment, as he nods, signing in if needed.
"Can you suggest a good place to eat, and a chapel for us puoua folk?"
(realizing we where just there, Im more looking at his take on the temple and inns.)
"Maybe a little extra work while we are here."
Adran signs in if it is required. Then he claims a top bunk in the bunk house. He takes off his backpack and leather armor, also leaving his mace and his handaxe with them. That will leave him wearing his common clothes with a dagger in his belt and another hidden in his right boot. Adran thinks to himself, "I should probably get a second set of common clothes. Some way to cast a 'prestidigitation' cantrip might also be a good idea."
The constable gives you all a key to secure lock boxes for your stuff.
They recommend the Golden Sheath for food and drink.
The merchant refuses to quarter here but will make up his mind later. Each bunk is filled with sacks stuffed with old straw. Some of the sacks smell of vomit. Lice is going to be an issue but hey, it's free.
Any questions for the constable ? Where to?
As for work, the Constable replies Not unless you be farmers yourselves and anxious to bring in the harvest, not a lot of other work about.
Temple? Only one here and she's a beauty - been here since the founding of the town. First building that went up my Grandfather told me. They were mostly old soldiers back then, the settlers I mean.
Grimm takes on look (and smell) of the room and turns away.
"To the hells with that! I'm going to see what it costs to stay in a clean Inn."
He heads to the Golden Sheath to see what their rooms and prices are like!
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Mala looks at the constable and says, "I'd like to report a missing person." She looks over at Gustav then back to Constable Ruskadal, "His last guard, Stephain, went missing yesterday right from the Golden Sheath."
Adran shrugs his shoulders, gathers his stuff together, and gets ready to head over to the inn with everybody else. Though he does wait to see what the constable has to say to Mala.
Mala looks at the constable and says, "I'd like to report a missing person." She looks over at Gustav then back to Constable Ruskadal, "His last guard, Stephain, went missing yesterday right from the Golden Sheath."
He frowns.
No one reported such to me, he boots the table where the men play cards.
C'mon, armour on - we've work to do.
There seems to be two Inns in Faubough but as your merchant friend stayed at the Golden Sheaf it seems a good place to start.
The Golden Sheaf inn seems to be a cheerless place, its common room occupied by five farm labourers (if their dress is anything to go by), who sit in two seperate groups talking quietly, and a man who has a large scar running down one side of his face, who sits drinking alone.
There is a price board chalked on to one wall, and the prices are steep to say the least, but naively honest.
breakfast 1 sp
breakfast, fancy 3 sp
supper 4 sp
supper, fancy 1 ep
soup or stew, bowl 2 sp
beer, pint 1 sp
beer, pint, dark 2 sp
wine, pint, watery white 2 sp
wine, pint, watery red 2 sp
wine, Special, pint 1 gp
A humourless man in an apron greets you.
Welcome to the Golden Sheaf - what do you need?.
He looks at Gustav, You came back - nice of you to do so. Welcome. Same room as before?
"Gustav, can you provide a description of the man?" Mala prompts the merchant. "We'll check back later to see what you've found, though we'll probably run into you again at the Inn, since that's where he was last scene."
Mala indicates her readiness to visit the Inn.
"Gustav, can you provide a description of the man?" Mala prompts the merchant. "We'll check back later to see what you've found, though we'll probably run into you again at the Inn, since that's where he was last scene."
Mala indicates her readiness to visit the Inn.
Well, he's big, over six foot tall, grey-black beard, bald he is too. Got a tattoo of a sword on his right forearm, reports Gustav. He doesn't look like anyone around here that's for sure.
Adran would then have accompanied Mala and whoever else was bringing up the rear of the party to the inn.
Adran would go on to ask the inn keeper, "What accommodations do you have for lodging? It is possible we might want to get 5 or 6 people in the same room. If that won't work, what other arrangements could we make?"
We dont hold with orgies here mate, says the innkeeper bluntly, completely misunderstanding Adran or it could be that Adran came across as completely 'wrong'. Our beds won't have the lot of ya doin' the nasty on 'em all at the same time.
We've got some small rooms with two beds - a gold coin a night each or two total, a bigger room with four beds in it. That'll be 12 silver a night each or 4 gold and 8 silver for the room, an' we've a posh room - 4 gold gives ya a big bed but it won't hold all o' ya. The merchant there stayed in one of the small rooms last time and his man had a bunk in the bigger room.
"I'll take one of the two bed rooms. Who wishes to bunk with me?"
Mala nods at the dwarf, "I'll bunk with Grimm." She puts a gold crown down near the innkeeper.
Right you are - a coin for the dwarf too please, he hands Mala a key.
Grimm hands over a coin and heads to the room with Mala.
"Hope my snoring does not keep you up lass! Lets stow our gear and head down to find something to eat!"
Room is upstairs, number 3
You head upstairs to check the room out. Mala seems to think that the architecture is a bit... off.
Older timbers to be sure but work on it the upstairs area coming up the stairs isn't. Repairs maybe?
stair
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1..D |
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2..D D
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4..D |
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D= Door |.| = corridor or roomed area
Adran arches one of his eyebrows and says, "You, sir, most definitely misunderstood what I was trying to accomplish. However, if I can get somebody else from our group to go in with me I'll get a small room for the night."
Adran gets a gold coin out of his coin purse.
Righ' you are sir but none o' that funny business.