"Yes yes, I usually do listen to her words. It is what shes here for. I suppose I was just being optimistic. Let us be off."
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Wealth: 25 pp -> 26 pp
Gene gladly takes his coin back. He gives Prince Akkad his thanks and heads to the warehouse with the others.
The group sets off for the warehouse after paying for the meal.
The market is busy, people shopping, merchants bargaining with eachother. You see the warehouse in the distance sitting on a lone pier across from the blacksmith shop.
approaching the large stone building, it's built all the way into the sea through the wooden pier.
the outside is rather plain and grey, except for the lone wooden door. the building itself is large and square, the building itself is clearly old
Once the Qadiran gets close enough to inspect the buiding in any detail he turns to his trusty adviser. "...Truly? This is how this land rewards their heroes?"
"A shame sir."
"Indeed. Vimana take a mental note: First thing in the morning we go to the governing office and demand more towers. Second, I demand more towels. Third, I demand more trowels. The stone work on this place is abominable." He speaks of course, of the perfectly serviceable materials of the building.
Seka's gaze moved across the wooden door and she carefully reached out and opened it to move inside their new home.
From just inside the threshold, the Aasimar turned her gaze about the space to see what there was in terms of room, sleeping chambers, furniture etc.
She heard Akkad's requirements and she quietly and steadfastly added, "You will make no further demands on the Lady Mayor. If we require additional things, we can provide them for ourselves or make purchases."
Seka began to move about the restored warehouse, again taking stock of what was there and what needed to be bought or constructed.
"Hmm, not a fan of wordplay are we? Jokes aside, I see little other way to improve our housing in the long-term. I can hardly import the materials we would need from back home in a timely manner. Unless we were to install a gate system, but that would be exorbitantly cost prohibitive even for myself." Akkad seems to be wrapped up in the logistics of the matter by now.
Walking through the simple wooden door, you step on a wooden floor into a long hallway.
4 doors on each side of the hallway, 8 doors in total. with one door at the end. this floor is rather bare and dark, only a few torches on the walls.
each room is built in the same small rectangular fashion. outfitted with a bed, a clothing drawer, and a desk.
the room at the hallway's end, a much larger room, seems to be a kitchen, a small square table set with 4 chairs in the center of the room. a staircase lies in the corner of the room leading to a lower floor.
the lower floor is a large open room, the floor lined with stone worked bricks, in the center a sand pit fire place.
"This is incredible," Alata said with wide-eyed wonder. "You could fit five families in here with room to spare."
She approached the stairs and stopped. "What are these?"
Akkad furrows his brow for just a moment before his eyes pop back open. Only after a second reading her face does Akkad realize that Alata is being serious. He decides to nudge Vimana to answer anyway.
"Those are stairs Alata. A set of steps leading from one floor of a building to another."
"How can one house have two floors? Is there another house on top of this one?
After checking the bedrooms Targan opens the door at the end of the corridor to see what else there is to the building.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
"Nice place," remarks Gene, as they approach the 'Warehouse'.
Once inside and after entering the kitchen, he eyes the four chairs in the center of the room and looks back to silently count the number of people in the party. "1... 2... 3... 4. Good, enough for everyone then." He forgets to count himself.
Ignoring the stair conversation, Gene sets his equipment on the kitchen table and begins to take an inventory. The Shadowhunter doesn't seem very happy with what he has and he immediatelly sets to rooting around any cupboards that the room might have.
"There are a couple of things I want to pick up before we leave town. Do you happen to know of a good alchemist's shop, and a good armorer too?"
Gene, you look and find thr cabinet's are all completely empty
.
The Great Big Reset...
One way or another, for your own reasons, you've wound in Greywater hollow. Either that or your a current resident of the small port city, You find yourself in the town center.
on one side homes of those living here, the other half several large shops.
The mayor's house boat sitting on the northern part, and to the south the exit to the village and a small Tavern.
a large crowd gathers around several city guards: Humans, orc's, lizard folk, harpies, and goblin guards. all yelling please step back. All lead by the grizzled paladin guard captain Gnashbone.
you catch a brief glimpse, a corpse long since dead.
Gnashbone begins directing the game, send out a scouting team into the swamps, air and land. Also put out a call for Merc's willing to investigate the old Varisian castle in the northern swamp, we need someone with experience to handle that area. everyone else back to you job's.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Gene observes the scene from a small distance away, leaning against a wall. The Shadowhunter was a known mercenary and, upon hearing the call, knew that one of the guards would come to him eventually.
Coming closer the ronin came closer. He still had a few coins left, but not many, and he felt restless, without a mission. Maybe this would give him a meaning. Stroking his cleanshaven chin he moved closer, looking at the captain put his hand up.
There in the crowd stood a multitude of races from the ever-present Humans to those once considered monstrous. Even among them the wild Elf with her animal hide armor and her tribal markings was an oddity. Alata gripped her handmade spear, panther tooth dangling near its head, and decided to speak with the Gnoll captain.
The spirits have guided me here. Leuthil said they would reveal to me a sign of where I must go. This must be the beginning of my quest. I must have no fear in speaking with the beastman."
"I am Alata of Faelindr," She said with a formal bow to the head. "I seek to join your quest to take the Varisian Castle in the Northern Swamp."
Targan wanders up and nods a greeting to Aryllia if she's there. "Undead aren't my area Captain, but checking out old castles I can do for you."
A figure strides with both vigor and confidence through the throngs. He stands tall among them, but more than his foreign and extravagant raiment, the companion to whom he turns would draw attention in any other town.
"You are absolutely certain this is the place Vimana?"
"Yes my lord." An almost shy feminine voice echos from within the skeletal figure aside the dark skinned man. Pale blue light glows from what would be the eyes of a creature of flesh. The quadrupedal and feline form of the skeleton makes Vimana fairly hard to miss.
"Hmph. It's certainly inauspicious enough. I wouldn't have even given this dung pile a second look on a map. And they put a Gnoll in charge of their guard?" He lowers his voice below the din of the yelling.
"It would seem that way sir." The skeletal sphinx known as Vimana makes no attempt to do the same. The pair push their way to the front and speak.
"You there! Guardsman. The honorable Master Conjurer, Prince Akkad Min-Alqadima stands before you. I require you to offer more information on this castle before offering my aid in return."
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Well, shoot. Looks like a couple of other adventurers are beating him to the punch. No time to be cool about it. Better act now, or else Gene will be out of a job.
"I'm with them", hastily adds the Shadowhunter. He sidles up to the group.
"I would be honored to get the chance to gain glory!"
With that the young Suli raised his head and let his golden orbs been seen from under his hat.
There's only one castle's he could be talking about, Brinewall.
an old and odd Chelish settlement that tried to be built nearly 300 years.
for some odd reason it's always had problems. both political and supernatural.
The harpy guardswoman smiles and nods at Targan before flying off to work.
Gnashbone's nose wrinkles as he sniffs the air, turning away from the corpse to see Alata and a full group of adventurers before him already. He looks a bit surprised, a full blooded elf...by the Dawnflowers light. he shakes his head, turning fully to get a good look at the group before him. Targan, good to see you. you want the job it's your's, it'd be nice to have a local merc taking care of this. Though your not going alone, if this lot's interested as well take'em with you. Gnashbone begins pacing clearly looking over those he is unfamiliar with. stopping first at Akkad, Well then Prince, welcome to Greywater, city of acceptance. The only thing i know about it is it's been around since before Greywater. The rather large gnoll say's with a hint of snark. He looks over Akkads shoulder eyeing Vimana for a brief moment, though he shows no ill will, Very well then, your mission to investigate the old castle, and clear out the area. if you follow the River to the north it leads right through the swamp. I'll get an appointment with the mayor set up for your return,
"The Great Spirit called Dawnflower did not guide me here, Huntsmaster. But the spirits have guided me to this city of acceptance for a reason. I believe this castle is important and I shall gladly join this band of hunters on this quest."
"The castle is named Brinewall. Approaching it's tercentenary. Chelish make. Never completed due to myriad of complications mundane or otherwise. I would recommend caution."
"Very good Vimana."
"Thank you sir."
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Gene overhears the word 'Chelish', and he's suddenly more interested than before.
"What are we waiting for then? Lets get going."
"A hunter must prepare before any hunt. The spirit called Vimana has offered her guidance and we should listen."
The samurai clears his throat and looks down on his unarmored body.
"I would like to return to my landlady and retrieve my adventuring gear. Also buy some food and maybe a rope and other minor helpful items."
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
"Well... Okay, yeah, I guess those are all good ideas. And I suppose I was planning on shopping around myself."
Targan nods at the Captain. Happy to help."
He looks over the others curiously. "Targan Blacklock, I handle traps and locks mainly." He waits on your responses.
Once everyone has replied or not he continues. "We'll be travelling through swamp so don't pack too heavily. Lets get our gear and meet back here in an hour."
He's polite but brisk in his manner.
Akkad folds his arms and peers down from under his hood at the Tian and Chelish men.
"Hmm hmm hmm. I suppose I can afford to wait for you two. Guardsman. Would there happen to be any upper class establishments for me to wait in? Only the best will do." while waiting for an answer, he turns to Alata.
"Would you care to join me? Alata, was it?"
"Yes my name is Alata, honorable Master Conjurer Prince Akkad Min-Alqadima," Alata said pronouncing the titles as though it were part of one long name. "And I have no other gear than what I set out with. I will accompany you to this 'upper class establishment,' servant of the spirit Vimana."
"Yes my name is Alata, honorable Master Conjurer Prince Akkad Min-Alqadima," Alata said pronouncing the titles as though it were part of one long name. "And I have no other gear than what I set out with. I will accompany you to this 'upper class establishment,' servant of the spirit Vimana."
Something subtle in Akkads disposition shifts when Alata finishes.
"Servant? My dear, I am no servant. Vimana serves as an advisor to the Alqadima noble family. Nothing more."
For her part, the sphinx creature doesn't seem to have input on this subject.
Returning after an hour the samurai returns on a steed, armored and armed and ready to move out.
"The spirits guide us and we give them focus and experience in return. It is a symbiotic relationship. To serve a spirit is no dishonor. In fact, serving one fully formed in this world and willing to share a name with you is a great honor indeed."
The Crimson Oar, the only Tavern in town. Traveling Merchants, mercenaries, and what have you usually stay there. You would have passed it on the way in. The Gnoll suggests walking away, waving goodbye without really turning around. By now the guards have dispersed one carting away the body. The town goes mostly back to normal, with people going about there business.
There are shops both big and small in the area around you at thr moment.
if you need to buy anything, tell me what type of things your looking for and i'll take you to a shop if one exists.
Alata's words seem to get Vimana's attention more than the qadirans. The honorable Master Conjurer Akkad Min-Alqadima finds his way over to the Crimson Oar, awaiting the preparations of the remaining people who had volunteered to investigate Brinewall. When the time comes, he re-enters the location the group had met.
AC 20 (T 11, F 19) / HP 32/32 / Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +5 / CMB +7, CMD 19 / Init +2 / Per +1 / Spd 20 ft.
Gene goes shopping for a potion of expeditious retreat, vermin repellant, and a chain shirt.
Targan has his gear in his Haversack and is back by the time suggested, noting Yoshimitsu's horse. "how's he going to handle the swamp and undead?" He asks.
Them town lacks an alchemist, and none are found in the general goods store, though you find a chain shirt while your there Gene. odd as it is the Town blacksmith is closed during the day time.
Alata entered the tavern. Its sights and smells, quite normal to an denizen of Greywater, overwhelmed the wild elf. She gripped her spear instinctively and followed the Qadrian inside meekly.
"What is this place, honorable Master Conjurer Prince Akkad Min-Alqadima?"
I'll never get tired of hearing that title.
"This?" He extends a hand in the direction of the tavern, almost confused by the question.
"This is a restaurant. Customers like ourselves come here to eat food. The good ones come with multiple courses. Let's hope the only option in town is worthwhile. I will be paying for the two of us."
"It's so crowded and closed off. Shouldn't food be cooked outside so the smell can reach farther?" She stepped further inn and took note of everyone at the tavern she could.
"Thank you for the payment. I am still unused to the idea of currency."
Looking at the dwarf the samurai shrugs."Woe to any undead that comes near it. Maelstrom has quite a vicious temper. Also I would advice not to try to pet it. He bites. For the swamp, every castle needs a decent road to reach it. Otherwise you can´t build and supply it."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all for me. Payment for meals falls on nobility. It is one of the lesser burdens a man of my station has upon his shoulders."
Time passes, eventually everyone meets at the city entrance, gear in tow. looking outward at the vast neverending ocean of tree's and swampland.