[dice=perception Adriel]1d20+10
Adriel when you open the door for Astri you notice a human fighter type wearing a fine Breastplate, cloak, and a scimitar eying Astri. He seems to be following Astri, or at least his eyes are following her.
Adriel makes a note of the man who was staring at Astrianna, figuring the fighter was either after an easy piece or actually had an ulterior motive, he lets Astri in and stays by a window throughout Thrashers measurements and subsequent conversation.
When even after that time had passed the man remained, the elf decided to take matters into his own hands while Astri was preoccupied with her fitting.
He quickly casts SHIELD from his wand, activated his flight and replces it as he steps outside.
Been in port but a day and I have witnessed a condemned man flee the noose and been attacked on the first day. State your business with the lady, for she has protective friends who don't like strangers. If staring is your only task, move on or you'll have to stare with one eye.
"Artistic liberties," he laughs maniacally, "it'll give me great pleasure young poet." He finishes his notes and double checks his measurements which you're confident he is just coping a second feel. "Me work will be on par with your grace and beauty."
The bard is amused by his maniacal laughing- she can't be angry at a laugh so boisterous. She sighs as he takes his second measurements, quirking an eyebrow at the dwarf. "Tell me if they've changed in the last thirty seconds, I would hate to be under the effects of a terrible bust-enhancing curse." The half-elf says sarcastically.
She brushes raven hair over her shoulder and looks back as Adriel steps outside for a moment, but doesn't comment.
When the "measurements" are complete, she counts out and hands over the 1,000 gp. When the breastplate is close to completion I will have to commission a rugged and stylish outfit for adventuring. I will be dressed like a hero of legend!
"Pleasure doing business with you, Jasper. I will have to rest of the gold to you once it comes my way. Now, I have to find Thalios and reprimand him for not properly crediting my song."
Slinging her haversack over her shoulder, she begins making her way outside...
The warrior stands just over six feet tall, is well armed with scimitar and knife. He stands very still, like a viper prepared to spring.
Huh? What have we here? A concerned citizen, a brother, a lover? No matter.
The warrior inspects his challenger. Measuring the Elf, he wonders how old he is... and what he may have seen in his 150 fifty years? Ancient. Killing him wouldn't be right unless he did something really... stupid.
My business is none of yours. Neh?
I appreciate her physique like I would horse or hound. Good stock, strong and lithe. I haven't had a chance to check her teeth. The smile is pretty enough. The eyes betray an intelligence, though she seems a bit haughty. Is that the word?
He seems matter of fact.
Once she has paid for and received her purchases, Sath turns to Embri and strokes Emi.
While she waits for her companion to complete her purchases as well- "So Embri, where are you going next?" Sath inquires, hoping maybe the two of them could get to know each other better since she still felt like a bit of an outsider amongst their group.
Astrianna exits the shop, humming a catchy tune that Adriel would recognize as her little ballad of Thalios Dondrel.The song stops and her features darken momentarily as she sees the elf and some human staring at each other, haunches raised like cats deciding whether or not they wanted to fight. Emerald green eyes dart between the two men for a second.
"Lord Adriel, are you making friends?" She asks coyly, approaching the elf with a swagger of confidence and laying a hand on the shoulder not occupied by Thrasher. "May I ask who has upset the escourt of Lady Sparacello during her morning shopping routine? He is on point like a hunting dog, and I do not wish for you to be a pheasant- Hmm, pheasant is not the right animal, you seem more... a mongoose, if you're familiar with the creature. Quick and deadly. Are you a sellsword by chance? You've got that vagabond look about you."
"Of course, I have air bubble scrolls. I create those myself." His eyes wander over your body and he smiles. "Well, how powerful are you looking for?"Bri gently pets her little viper around her neck. "Oh, I don't know that I can handle any that are too powerful. Perhaps you could just show me what you have and then I can decide whether or not I can handle it?"
He pulls out three low level (1st level) scrolls, "Since I created these scrolls, they will not fail you, but I'm feeling a bit generous today and I'll sell them to you 27 gold each."
Once she has paid for and received her purchases, Sath turns to Embri and strokes Emi.
[dice= Handle Animals/Just in Case]1d20+8
While she waits for her companion to complete her purchases as well- "So Embri, where are you going next?" Sath inquires, hoping maybe the two of them could get to know each other better since she still felt like a bit of an outsider amongst their group.
Sorrin ibn Sabbah, desert nomad by birth. Does that mean something to you?
Do not judge your... escourt harshly, he was defending your honor, as he saw it.. He smiles genuinely.
"Never fail me? Well then, surely they are worth 27 gold then."
Bri will pay out the gold for the scrolls. "I will surely know where to come back to when I have need of more scrolls."
"So Embri, where are you going next?"
"Well, I want to swing by that armory place the others are at and check in before searching for a good tattoo parlor. I've been wanting to get one for a while and I bet we can find a place here that can do what I want."
"Do you have any tattoos on you Sath? You never show much skin, so it is rather hard to tell."
bri you know he discounted the scroll cost significantly. Barely above his costs. Your flirting paid off.
You realize that he sells divine items for base rates (CRB) but the items HE creates he charges a premium for, which is probably because of his ego and expertise. In essence he knows he is the best in town and charges for that talent.
"Oh, you two enjoy ink." He makes a clucking sound with his tongue. He wiggles his fingers in the air and the Port Shaw map appears again in the air. "In the Bawd district here...is The Sailor's Kiss, good common and mundane designs. Items that interest the average sailor.' Both of you know this is the shop that you walked by on the way to the Broken Skull.
"Now for local flavor and uniqueness there is Native's Delight in the Silk District. They keep some local Tulita craftsman that are skilled in this Tulita style of tattooing, their ink mastery can dance."
Sorrin ibn Sabbah, desert nomad by birth. Does that mean something to you?
Do not judge your... escourt harshly, he was defending your honor, as he saw it.. He smiles genuinely.
Adriel answers and floats into the air 10 feet or so and Thrasher hops off and begins circling behind the fighter and out of reach 20feet up, And a challenge had just been issued as to identify a reason behind this one's gawking. One that has yet to be answered. I do not like strangers in strange cities who follow us. State your business or I will make you stop following us.
Several people on the street stop and begin to watch the events unfold.
The flight ability you picked up form the witches hex is that an SU or SP ability?
The young man seems surprised at the stranger's rash behavior. But, it does brighten his day... he must be seen as a threat and be coming into his own? Finally!
With a broad smile he yells up to the Elf, Thank you! If you're looking for work, find Sorrin the Osprey!
The warrior steps into the store and approaches the counter.
"Ooh, the Native's Delight sounds just what we are looking for, we are not exactly average sailors you know. I would like to get a few things done, but the most important is a realistic portrait of my Emmy here."
Sorrin ibn Sabbah, desert nomad by birth. Does that mean something to you?
Do not judge your... escourt harshly, he was defending your honor, as he saw it.. He smiles genuinely.
Astrianna shakes her head- his name does not mean anything to her. She was about to say something more when Adriel flies upward, out of her reach.
The bard sighs as Adriel causes a scene,and the people in the crowd begin to stop and stare. She places her hands upon her hips and looks up at him. Her head momentarily turns towards Sorrin as he speaks again, and she does nothing as the man walks away.
"Bladedancer! You're causing a ruckus, get down..." She gestures rapidly for him to come back to ground level.
When he finally descends, she looks over at Jasper Jak's where Sorrin just entered. "Adriel, I believe that man was a sellsword. Darius bailed on us, Hawkins has vanished, and we need some more muscle on the team. You're always going on about proper tactics and protecting us, well who is going to cover our backs? You can't be in two places at once. We should ask him to join us."
Sorrin ibn Sabbah, desert nomad by birth. Does that mean something to you?
Do not judge your... escourt harshly, he was defending your honor, as he saw it.. He smiles genuinely.
Astrianna shakes her head- his name does not mean anything to her. She was about to say something more when Adriel flies upward, out of her reach.
The bard sighs as Adriel causes a scene,and the people in the crowd begin to stop and stare. She places her hands upon her hips and looks up at him. Her head momentarily turns towards Sorrin as he speaks again, and she does nothing as the man walks away.
"Bladedancer! You're causing a ruckus, get down..." She gestures rapidly for him to come back to ground level.
When he finally descends, she looks over at Jasper Jak's where Sorrin just entered. "Adriel, I believe that man was a sellsword. Darius bailed on us, Hawkins has vanished, and we need some more muscle on the team. You're always going on about proper tactics and protecting us, well who is going to cover our backs? You can't be in two places at once. We should ask him to join us."
The elf descends, You are absolutely correct, Songbird. The man has a calm rarely seen in an inexperienced fighter. He carries a Scimitar as his preferred weapon and robbed of any advantage by my height, he had the good sense to retreat indoors. What's more he did so cooly, with no calling me a cheat when he witnessed I was a magic user. He simply broke my line of sight and knows if I follow into a low door he will have advantage. SMART. I like that.
Adriel calls Thrasher back.
The bard nods, and claps Adriel on the shoulder. "I whole-heartedly agree with your assessment. Let's go talk this guy into working with us, then we'll find Embri and Sath." She looks around at the gathered crowd, checking to make sure they did not gather unwanted attention.
Satisfied by her gauging of the crowd, Astrianna moves back towards Jasper Jak's, entering the door with Adriel. She notices that Sorrin was at the counter, getting ready to speak to Jasper. Leaning against the wall next to the door, the half-elf puts her back to the wall, crosses her arms, and lifts her leg to put a boot against the wall as a brace. Emerald green eyes watch him from front of the store- he would not be able to exit without passing by her. She whispers to Adriel. "I want to observe for a moment."
Sorrin hears the door and half turns to see who comes through, audibly sighing. If they insist on a fight, I'll take it outside Mr. Jax. I will not let anything happen to your store.
The young man turns then to confront the two.
So, you have considered and have come looking to work for Sorrin the Osprey? The flying does come in useful... as does the partner-critter.
I'm not looking for a fight and I've come clear across continents so I didn't have to kill more misguided souls. Most importantly, Jasper Jax here has been kind to me, treating me fairly in commerce. If you're planning on wrecking anything, it will be outside.
"Now that's a bare knuckle fight worthy I'd wager some coin on at the Skull." dark spittle spraying the counter top. "In a fair fight me gold is on Sorrin." there's a bit of drool oozing from his lower lip. "Mind y'life's not fair though. Besides ain't gonna be any fighting in me store out out - at least not near my shop - or there won't me no guudies made fer ye. AND you'll forfeit that depos't fer just bein plain ol'stuupid." He reaches under the counter and pull out a bottle of smoky firewhiskey. He pours everyone a shot, "Now drink." As he slams his own down his throat. "Steadies the hand that does."
I don't drink, myself... frowned upon in our culture. But, so is refusal of hospitality.
Sorrin reaches for the glass, eyeing a liquid he half expects to shoot flames at him. Quickly downing it, he tries to breathe.
Smoooothh... His eye nearly pop out of their sockets before he grins.
"A verg'n" the dwarf belly laughs. Slapping the counter top. "Ain't seen one of those in me shop in ages." He winks at Astri.
Astrianna gives Sorrin a winning smile as he turns to confront them, and a musical laugh at the suggestion they fight. "Slight misinterpretation, Sorrin. We are not looking for a fight, nor for you to be our boss. No, I have a different proposition in order. But first, let's have a drink." She pushes off the wall with her foot, swaggering over to join Jaspar and Sorrin at the counter. "Unfortunately there will be no fight to bet on at the Skull, Jaspar- neither Adriel nor myself fight fair and intend to enjoy long lives by doing so. Honor is for dead men, but friends are for life."
The bard is not a fan of whiskey, especially the more potent kind, but appearances are important. She takes the shot of firewhiskey and slams it back, her arm and glass falling back to the table with a dramatic thud.
Barely managing to not choke on the strong liquor, she gives her head a quick shake as the world starts to become a little blurry. Leaning aginst the counter with her elbow, she turns to face Sorrin, giving Jaspar an amused look at his comment. "I lied earlier, I'm no aristocrat, not in the Shaw anyway. Myself, Adriel, and two others are "problem solvers" or adventurers, however you want to view it. Our polearm master recently decided he wanted to take up sailing as a full-time profession, and we could use someone that knows their way around a sword. Adriel and I liked the cut of your jib- you responded well outside and we'd be delighted for you to join our team."
Sorrin instinctively reaches a hand out to her forearm, to steady her. His grip is gentle... realizing she did not require assistance, he released his hold as she finished speaking.
By your reckoning, I'm a dead man walking. Honor laces every fiber of my being, woman. And no one can change that.
If you can stand a bit of honor in your presence, we have a deal. There was a ship I'd planned on buying... you want in?
"Firewhiskey! The root of most guud deals."
Astrianna glances down at the hand on her forearm, but makes no comment or movement after she understands he was simply ensuring she did not topple over. She chuckles at his mention of honor lacing every fiber of his being. "You're an interesting one. As long as your honor doesn't get us killed I honestly don't care."
She raises her eyebrows at the mention of buying a ship. "Oh? Which ship would that be? I was planning on stopping by the harbormaster today to inquire on what's for sale. I've heard of the Rita, the Black Rider, and Gregory Boneduece himself has a captured ship to sell as well. Perhaps more importantly, where would we go? I have some ideas, but I still need to question some folk."
"No, no tattoos- I feel the marking of my skin should only be done for truly special reasons and other than my father's death or our adventure at sea getting here I can think of no other reason compelling enough to do so. But perhaps now I'll have more reasons."
The Baron of the Tide, is the vessel the Commander offers. I know, i know... so flamouyant. Not your style, right? He smiles, swallowing trying to get the taste of the whiskey out.
Honor is not a problem as long as their is sufficient skill to back your principle s, in fact it saves on arguments. You'll no doubt demand standing in front which is fine by me. And you move with even more grace than I, so you MIGHT actually make a decent scout partner if you have any stealth
"Well, come back in day fer yer buddy's armor, now git, I've work t'do." the dwarf laughs and packs three more fingers of chew in his mouth. The brown juice running down his long red braided beard.
I survive and I win, no matter the odds.
Loyalists to my father, Chieftain of a desert nomad tribe... came after me because I spoke up against him. I like to think he didn't send the assassins himself. A few dead nobles and family members later, they came again...
He looks to each of those present. So, here I am. Hoping I've traveled far enough... for their sake. Let's bolt, Jasper's cranky.
Astrianna muses over the name. "Actually I quite like the name. Baron of the Tides. I prefer something more succinct but as far as ship names go, I'd rate it favorably."
The bard doesn't even seem phased by his mention of assassins and chieftains. "I seem to meet a new person every day that has assassins after them, it makes me wonder if I'm in the wrong profession."
She waves the dwarf off. "All right, all right, We're leaving, don't get all choked up on your tabacci." She walks out with Adriel and Sorrin, looking around. "Bladedancer, where did Embri and Sath go? Embrianna better not be shopping for tattoos without me, I will be hurt." The bard places her hands on her hips.
Adriel, Astri, and Sorrin walk towards the Sagacious Samuel's Magic Emporium when Adriel and Astri see the others finishing up with the wizard.
The man and woman?
"Correct, Sorrin. Embrianna is an.. occult wizard, of sorts, and Sath is an aquatic druid."
Astrianna opens the door to Sagacious Sam's, smiling at Embri and Sath. "Ah, there you are. You two missed a beautiful performance by myself in Fiddlesticks with my new violin. Oh, Embri, look! I found a new man, and he knows his way around a sword. Interpret that as you will. This is Sorrin, and he has agree to travel with us for a while."
The bard walks over to Sam, giving him a small curtsey. "Good morning Sam. We're fortunate that Shaw's greatest wizard is up early serving the needs of the magically inclined. " She sighs wistfully, looking off into the distance and frowning. "Can you imagine how abhorrent, how ignorant, how barbaric this Port would be without your council and skill? I shudder at the thought."
Astrianna looks at Sath for a brief moment, then back to Sam.
The bard cups her chin as if suddenly remembering something. "By the way, Sam, may I plumb the cavernous depths of your brain for a moment? Pardon me if this question has already been asked. My companions and I have been looking for something to occupy ourselves, preferably something dangerous and exciting. Would you happen to know where we could find a map to, say, Garr Bloodbaine's legendary treasure horde, by chance?" Her eyebrows raise slightly at the end of her question.
"Do I look like a cartographer?" He's clearly annoyed, "try the Cartographers and Explorers Guild." His sardonic voice adds, "I could summon a roc to entertain you." You get the sense that he would do just that.
he turns his attention back to Sath and Bri. "Good day, you should be pleased with Native's Delight"
Adriel chuckles at the wizards rebuke, clearly he was beyond the normal machinations of even the beutiful bard.
He wondered if it perhaps BECAUSE she was a bard? It was not unheard of that Wizards looked down on Sorcerers and other casters whom did not have to LEARN to use magic.
Come, Songbird. Leave the man to his studies and trade. Plumming the depths of magic requires precious time. I suggest if we are not here to pay for his learned services, we should find what you are looking for in places with less demanding trades.
Astrianna looks legitimately disappointed, sighing. She waves her hands and begins to leave. "Alas, I had hoped your profession of scribing scrolls may translate into other, cartography-related, areas. I did not know there were those two guilds. Thank you for the information." She says with a smile, fully aware he was capable and willing to summon a roc and wanting to do nothing else to provoke it.
Sath was sure she saw that map... I trust her eyes...
Gesturing to her companions, she thinks everyone gets the message it's time to leave before the powerful wizard reduces them to cinders.
Once outside, she looks to the druid. "Did you already ask about the map? He seemed pissed. I was kind of hoping he would share, honestly. Or at least send us to get the treasure!" The bard sighs and steels herself. "I'm being too optimistic. This new violin has put me in far too good of a mood, perhaps. Anyway, where are we going next? Embri, did you find a tattoo shop? If not I want to ask Father Trafalgar some questions, AND Sorrin has his heart set on some ship-shopping. Doesn't that sound grand?"