A Vision of Brute Squad (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

"Lookin' for a bath. Ho' or col', but with a bucke' of ho', either way." Noa speaks to Jayne without evident interest in her gender. She feels more trailworn than typically talkative.

Bath, huh? You stayin’ the night or just sullyin’ my tub?

"If you are invi'ing me to stay the nigh', you migh' wan' me have the bath, firs'. I promis no' to sully in your tub...", Noa grins, not so much seduction as simple humour. She shrugs, and answers, "I don' ge' to deci', we'll nee' a ship... Prolly stay the nigh'. When is the ti'e? No, I will take the room. And the bath, or even two. I have stuff to wash... kobol' blood on them..."

dip +6, taking 10 for 16

"Maybe you wai' to say a price, until you see me dance. Tha' is, if you wan' a dancer in you taverna?"

A dancer might be nice, she gives you a grin with a couple missing teeth. I have a few rooms, but you’ll have t’ share if y’all are stayin’.

You lookin’ for a boat you say? There be many a boat in this here town, for the right price. I see three boats from where I’m standin’.

Jayne points out a young surly woman sipping ale in the corner, a well-groomed Halfling eating his third breakfast, and an old codger pulling on his tobacco pipe.

"No' mine, no' til after a bath. If you have a room for three, I will take two. An' if you see an elf, with a scarf like mine, or a little, pretty girl, small, but you can still see up her nose...", Noa mimes a superior air, "...sen' them to the room. The girl room. The other room, i's for a red devil, a grey devil, a han'some Ijo, an' a dark guy with a limp. Bu' don' you feel sorry for him. He prolly deserve i' "

I am assuming you all are at the Tavern together...

Well, you're allowed to make that assumption. I'm not. Besides, can't talk that way if they're present, and some of that was good comedy. :)

Accompanying the party to the tavern, Baru secures a table for himself and his companions. He watches and listens patiently as Noamuth talks to the owner. As Noamuth begins to bargain for a room, the teifling stands and joins the conversation, putting a hand on Noamuth's shoulder, "If one of those people can give us passage to Escadar, perhaps we should determine when they plan to make sail before committing our coin...or services...to this establishment. Likely, it will take our ward a few days to finalize the negotiations and we'll have ample time to wash the mud from our clothes then."

He turns his head to address Jayne and places a gold coin on the counter, "For the moment, however, we could all use some cold drinks and hot food."

Comin’ right up, Tall-Red-and-Handsome!

"Aydiamia...", Noa incants, "When di' you come in?", she asks Baru rhetorically. "This the red one. Baru. Baru, this is Jayne. Jayne, this is Baru, who think a boa' is bigger than a bathtub. He's so silly. Baru, we go' be'er people than me, ren' a ship. An' if a captain is sitting, the ship ain' sailing. Plus also, I been days ri'ing nex' to tha' throa'cu'er, an' I'm gon' wash i' off." Aware of the edge that had crept into her words, and regretting them, she gave Baru's arm a comradely squeeze. But her next words were for Jayne.

"Where's the room?"

Jayne shows Noa to a room upstairs. It’s a bit plain, but lavish compared to where you have been sleeping. That’ll be 4 silver, 2 if you just use the tub. Wash room is the third door down.

"Ow!" A darkly handsome Ijo walks into the nearest tavern, limping. He nods at Baru. "Oh hi." He sees a gold coin on the counter and ignores it, putting down a silver. He looks at the, uh, person. The person who's there. "Either one of the good ales or two of the common, and I can tell the difference." He lifts his eyebrows briefly to emphasize his point.

Sitting down, the erstwhile guard grimaces and rubs his left shin. "Does everyone in this town teach their kids to treat strangers like that? What happened to being able to toss a copper and find out where everything is?" He looks aggrieved, certain that he didn't deserve such rough treatment from the local children.

Noa gives Jayne two gold coins. "Thank you. Tha's for two rooms. If we don' nee' them, i's jus' profi'. Star' a tab, I'll try to stay a coin ahea', le' me know if I ain'...? An' thank you, I really to'ally nee'ed a bath..."

Irenal meekly enters the tavern and quickly finds his companions close to the bar. He takes his seat and looks about the room.

"What do you think Bala?" The little dino doesn't respond but simply rests its head on a collarbone.

Kass enters the room gingerly and smiles at her compatriots. She walks over to the table and takes a seat. Praise Sarenrae, I am glad to be back in civilization.

Oy, Dino man, make sure your little pet doesn’t soil m’ floor. I just mopped!

He'll do no worse than any of your customers you old wench

Irenal smiles and nods receptively.

"He's very well trained madame. You need not worry!"

"Say, do you know anywhere that we can rent some storage space for awhile? A week paid in advance, the rest paid when we come back. Maybe a mule, a cart, and its contents, or maybe just a bunch of tents; I don't know yet."

Hmm, well, I got a shed out back, and a small stable too. Since you’re payin’.

A gray devil, a handsome Ijo, and a long drink of elf walk into a bar...

Listening to the banter back and forth, Aesantiel stands quietly just inside the door. She looks at Dasiji, and says, "I will stable the mule before I bathe. I will return shortly."

As soon said as begun.

Noa stopped at the top of the stairs, and settled herself. Usually, the regular ritual of readying her repetoir would bring her calm, but she had left the washing of the clothes until after her bath, and then forgotten about them, trapped in the regular ritual. But there was a scarf she wanted, and it was on the kobold, now. And another that might do, but the kobold was on it, still. She had already wept in the bath, and then kohled her eyes to cover the red, and so she had to control herself while cleaning and drying this scarf, that had bound the creature, when that "Bastar' throa'cu'er", she had said, over the basin, the kohl in great peril.

But she wasn't over the basin anymore. She was at the top of the stairs, and she'd offered a dance. And she'd kohled and rouged and dressed for a dance. So, with a last emptying breath, she went downstairs to dance.

Wound one of you like to find us a boat, or were you planning on swimming to Escadar? Rees motions to the possible pilots Jayne had pointed out in the room.

I would love to! Kass walks over to the table and greets the possible captains with a curtsies. Hello mighty captains, I am apart of an expedition to Escadar, I was wondering one of you might take us there

The people eating in the Tavern look at you funny and then go back to what they were doing.

The people Jayne pointed out are sitting in different parts of the tavern, interspersed with other customers. They are not lined up nicely for you, waiting to compete for your business. You should pick one, approach them, and we can go from there. You can always go talk to someone else afterward.

Noa moved to the tavern's bar, turning about in the last dozen feet as she saw Jayne measuring her look. "No' ba' eh?", Noa asked, smiling. "A week of travel wears even the strong."

Seeing Kass speaking to the captains, Noa asks Jayne, "If you ha' to choose, which of these? Or, another, maybe?"

The gathered locals greatly enjoy Noa’s performance.

Dasiji sizes up the three captains, and decides to approach the old man with the pipe first, since he's either lucky or good (or both) to survive the sea for so long. He bows gracefully. "Greetings. My name is Dasiji Lekaya, and I've been told that you have a boat. I'm with a group of seven seeking passage to Escadar. Is that something you would be interested in? And if so, what kind of boat do you have, and what is your fee?"

The old man turns to Dasiji with crazy looking wide eyes, like he has spent too long alone on the sea. What do I look like, boy, a damn ferry! Seven people! But momentarily you see the wheels in his head turning. Well, this old sailor can handle it. 35 gold and I can take you where you need to go, come hell or high water!

Dasiji blinks in surprise at the old man's off-putting demeanor, but does his best to maintain a blandly pleasant manner. "Thank you sir, I need to talk things over with my comrades, and one of us will get back to you if they have more questions." He bows politely again, and then chats briefly with a random person who looks friendly enough before moving on to the halfling. If he takes half as good care of his boat as he does of himself, it must be in very good shape indeed.

The budding diplomat gives the short well-groomed captain the same graceful bow that he gave to the weird old one, and then asks the same questions. "Greetings. My name is Dasiji Lekaya, and I've been told that you have a boat. I'm with a group of seven seeking passage to Escadar. Is that something you would be interested in? And if so, what kind of boat do you have, and what is your fee?"

"Jayne, can you sen' the halflin' some food? Wha'ever you know he's gon' like?"

Well, I have a very fine boat indeed. I would certainly entertain your proposal. How about we discuss it over this nice food your dancing friend sent over?

Assuming Dasiji sits down for a chat...
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 5 = 16

Normally I would charge more for you lot, but you seem like nice folks in need of assistance, and I do like this wine vintage. Tell you what, I will ferry you across for 25 gold.

I'm a little confused, because Noa heavily roleplayed the preparation, then glossed over the actual dancing. Or maybe hasn't done it yet? Seems like she just came down the stairs and started chatting with Jayne, so I'm running with that for now.

Dasiji looks over and sees a fancy dancer all made up -- then he realizes that it's Noa and his eyes widen. His face breaks into a smile, and he nods at her from across the room before sitting down to talk things over with the pleasant halfling. "That sounds good to me. If my companions agree, when could we leave?"

I had intended more elaborate dancing, but when the GM says they enjoyed it, you don't go making trouble. :) Noa can take 10 for a 20, so yes, they enjoyed it. I thought she'd just walked downstairs, and then saw the bard talking business, so Noa went to talk to Jayne. I'm happy with whatever, and Kass is our best Diplomat, so that's wisdom. Although is seems Dasiji's getting traction. Not sure why Kass' wheels are slipping. Maybe she's talking to that third captain?

We can sail first thing in the morning.

I’ve totally lost what time of day it is. Let’s say dinner-ish.

Well, the halfling had been eating his third breakfast. But who's to say what time that makes it? I often have breakfast for dinner. ;)

Dasiji beams at the halfling boater. "Excellent! I will have to check with the others, but I hope to come back with a yes." He excuses himself with another bow and goes around to the rest of the group; after making the rounds, the young Ijo ends up at the bar with Noa.

"The halfling can take us first thing in the morning for 25 gold. The old guy seemed a bit off and wanted 35; I didn't bother to ask the young woman, since I think this is a good deal. Still planning on dancing?" He smiles amiably.

"Oh yeah, I'ma dance. Di' some while you was set'lin' the mule. He likes you.", Noa said, smiling warmly. "Was talkin' to Jayne, abou' how to make i' goo' for her business. An abou' wha' she thinks of the three cap'ns. She kin'a bein' coy, maybe she rather talk to you."

Noa leaves them, and walks the tavern room, measuring it with a practiced eye...

Noa dances late into the night, drawing a larger crowd than has been seen in a log time at Jayne's Place. She turns stories with her hips and tells legends with her supple arms. Many a lonely fisherman is very appreciative of her performance.

The night is restful, if a little cramped in the rooms built for two. Early the next morning you set sail for Escadar with wind in your sails, and only a little bit of a hangover.

"Well, this is a nice change from swimming rivers, climbing mountains, and trudging swamps!" Dasiji grins, happy to give his legs a rest for once.

"How many days to Escadar? And we go' any plan for wha' next? Oh, 'Siji, thank you. I wen' to talk to Jayne, she sai' you alrea'y go' her to min' the ten's and car' and mule... all the stuff. You alrigh'."

...

"So, wha' we gon' do? Tra'e wor's in our languages? Play cribbage? Irenal, this a wish, no' a complain', alrigh'? Bu' I woul'a been happier, I think, if more of us coul'a spoke to that kobol'."

"I find ships and their crews fascinating. They are unlike anything in my homeland. I propose to spend time trading stories, and perhaps making some music," as Aesantiel lightly touches her flute.

"My experience of sailors so far would indicate that dancing might need to be approached with some delicacy."

"Mos' sailors experience of Gypsy, indica'e the same thing to them, I be'.", Noa grins. "Bu' I thank you, for the warning, and the diplomacy. I's wisdom, approach this Gypsy wi' some delicacy." Smiling again, Noa asks, "You get a ri'mo... a rhythm, going on your flute? Maybe in a cabin, if there don' seem space on deck? I nee' somethin' to dance to, an' it's be'er if i' no' jus' in my hea'. Sometime, dance an' wor's, be'er than a goo' stick."

"You're welcome, Noa." Dasiji bows. "And thank you for your dances! You're very good. And you know, I've been thinking: I'm no musician, but I bet I can keep a beat. Hitting something with a stick."

"We put a soft bea' behin' 'Tiel's flute, and le' Kass sing on tha', an' i' will be so pre'y, I migh' cry rather than dance." Noa nodded in agreement with her own hyperbole. "I's almos' unfair, pre'y enough music, an' you don' nee' clever wor's."

"Clever words..." Dasiji's eyes wander to the other two members of their group, aside from the appraiser. "Nothing wrong with clever words, and I bet Irenal could write them. And I've never heard Baru do more than hum, but he's well-spoken enough; I'm sure that he could read them to a rhythm, if nothing else. I expect that we could tell quite the story, if we wanted to."

"I would be glad to play along - and I am flattered at your appreciation of my meager efforts. I should also spend some time conversing with the sailors. However I believe they will be more receptive if well-entertained."

"You wan' tha'?", Noa asked, then looked at Dasiji, and nodded as though in decision.

She spoke slowly, sometimes haltingly, and said,

Thru beach, and mountain, mire, frost
and beasts that stalked and swam
Dasij, Irenal, Tiel, and Kass,
Baru and Noam

These six... Two threes? A single one?
Three pairs? A weaponed fist?
All sworn to mission all were on
Would do what fate insist

"Only, I can' dance to tha'", she grinned.

Sorry post was lost...

Indeed, thank you for your generous dance as I seemed to make a fool of myself in that Tavern

"Dance for me, i's greedy. I love i'. If I can make i' work for somebo'y, even be'er. An' don' faul' yourself; I don' think anybo'y coul' talk tha' la'y captain into anything. I's why there's six of us, huh? 'Cause sombo'y go' to do the real figh'ing, while I jump aroun' over fires and bushes..." Noa laughs at herself, with Kass.

Upon reaching Excadar, Rees guides you to a waterside tavern where the Society has agreed to meet the Gillmen representatives.

The sounds of the busy tavern echo off the wooden walls of this unusual building. Resting precariously over Escadar’s harbor, the Grindylow’s Goblet offers an unequaled view of the water. In the bar’s center, a thick glass aquarium presents a striking display. Within the tank, a coral statue of a goblin with the lower body of an octopus hosts a school of colorful fish that flit about the nooks and crannies of its tentacles.

It's not long before you are able to snag a table and a drink to wait for your contacts.

Noa takes an overwatch role, not at the party's table, but near enough to respond. She'll drift about using schmoozing until more informed.