On the way to the sheriff's office, Norhalo will approach Calathes.
"Your pardon, but I overheard you speaking earlier, before all this...." He gestures around the group, the sweep of his arm taking in the fires and other damage. "...started, about your interest in Thassilon? I would be most interested in discussing the matter with you, if we have time and opportunity after our meeting with the sheriff."
Overhearing the two speaking of Thassilon, Jaed says...
"I am called Jaed. Yourselves?"
As soon as Jaed finishes speaking, you all notice the sheriff take a left turn, heading south along Main Street. A short ways down the road you see two relatively impressive structures. There are people running in and out of both buildings. What appear to be town officials from the western building, and soldiers from the eastern building. The sheriff is walking directly for the eastern building.
Overhearing the two speaking of Thassilon, Jaed says...
** spoiler omitted **
Norhalo executes a sketchy bow to the tengu and to Calathes.
Looking over at Issak, Jaxom says "I'm not sure, never seen him before today" then easing Jedech to his feet He calls out "Aldern, come along. They're gathering in the village square, there will be more safety there in case more of these ankle-biters are still on the loose"
Aldern went with the group to the square in front on the cathedral, but left within minutes.
Just as the group reaches the garrison building, the sheriff comes back out and walks across the street to the town hall. He says, "Come on, the mayor will want to meet you." He doesn't stop while saying this and just continues along, pushing open the double doors. He proceeds up the stairs, taking them two at a time, turns down a hall, knocks on a door and enters.
Once you arrive at the still open door, you see a middle-aged human woman with close-cut auburn hair and dark brown eyes standing behind a desk flipping through reports. Aside from the sheriff, there is also a handsome looking elven woman dressed in well used and well cared for studded leather armor, with a short sword at her hip and an exquisite longbow still held in on hand, an arrow in the other. She is watching things out of the large window behind the desk.
After everyone has entered the room, the sheriff clears his throat and says, "Kendra, I received your message and I believe these are the folks you wanted to speak with. Most of them look to be worth their weight, except the bird man and, obviously, Jedech Crell himself."[b]
Kendra looks up from her papers, one hand massaging a spot you can now see she was recently strike on. [b]"Belor, I know you don't like the man but if he hasn't done anything aside from help out the citizens of Sandpoint, the people YOU are responsible for protecting, then I welcome him to my office, and MY town." She turns her eyes upon the group, examining them each. "Welcome to those of you not from Sandpoint, and excellent work to all of you."
"Issak, how long have you served with the guard now? Don't be surprised, I do my best to know all the guards in town by name on sight." She smiles at the group and continues, "I don't know how or why the goblins infiltrated town, let alone on this day. I have received more than one report telling of your prowess against the goblins and would like to ask something of you all." She pauses a moment. "I have grown tired of the goblins and would like to find a way to keep them away from my town and the people who depend on Sandpoint for protection. With that said, I would like to ask all of you to investigate how the goblins entered town undetected? Why the goblins attacked today? Where did they come from? And most importantly, what did they attack for? Goblins are far from scholars, but they are even farther from being foolish enough to think they had a chance at killing us all. I'm certain there is more to this. Issak, you have served Sandpoint well today, so I release you from your regular duties with the guard so that you are free to pursue this line of investigation." With that, she turns to the woman by the window.
"Shalelu here knows the Lost Coast better than any other I'm aware of. Yes, Jedech, even more than you. I have asked her to assist you with your investigation in whatever way she can help. Now please, leave me so that Belor and I can have a word in private."
Shalelu continues to stand by the window a moment, then without a word she turns and walks from the room, proceeds down the stairs and outside the town hall. She waits for the group there.
Issak clears his throat. "It's been about two years now, ma'am." He listens attentively to her instructions, and acknowledges her orders with a respectful nod. "I will do my best to discover the motives behind this attack." With a nod to Belor, he departs the room, his mind full of musings on the unexpected attack.
He meets up with Shalelu outside. He greets her in Elvish, but switches to Taldane out of courtesy to the others. "The mayor says you're quite knowledgeable...do you have any ideas on what provoked the goblins into doing this? Usually they're content to pick over flotsam from the shore..."
Norhalo bows to the mayor and smiles. [b]"I'm honored to be asked, and will do my best to render such assistance as you might need." He pauses and clears his throat. "A small favor in return, though--my family doesn't travel this way often, but if they do I'd ask that you treat them well on my account."
He bows again and follows Shalelu out.
Outside, he listens and waits for the answer to Issak's question.
After everyone has entered the room, the sheriff clears his throat and says, "Kendra, I received your message and I believe these are the folks you wanted to speak with. Most of them look to be worth their weight, except the bird man and, obviously, Jedech Crell himself.
Consistent with what his new battle companions have seen so far of the scruffy woodsman, Jed reacts with little to no diplomacy, glaring at the sheriff with naked hatred in his dark eyes.
Kendra looks up from her papers, one hand massaging a spot you can now see she was recently strike on. "Belor, I know you don't like the man but if he hasn't done anything aside from help out the citizens of Sandpoint, the people YOU are responsible for protecting, then I welcome him to my office, and MY town." She turns her eyes upon the group, examining them each. "Welcome to those of you not from Sandpoint, and excellent work to all of you."
"Issak, how long have you served with the guard now? Don't be surprised, I do my best to know all the guards in town by name on sight." She smiles at the group and continues, "I don't know how or why the goblins infiltrated town, let alone on this day. I have received more than one report telling of your prowess against the goblins and would like to ask something of you all." She pauses a moment. "I have grown tired of the goblins and would like to find a way to keep them away from my town and the people who depend on Sandpoint for protection. With that said, I would like to ask all of you to investigate how the goblins entered town undetected? Why the goblins attacked today? Where did they come from? And most importantly, what did they attack for? Goblins are far from scholars, but they are even farther from being foolish enough to think they had a chance at killing us all. I'm certain there is more to this. Issak, you have served Sandpoint well today, so I release you from your regular duties with the guard so that you are free to pursue this line of investigation." With that, she turns to the woman by the window.
"Shalelu here knows the Lost Coast better than any other I'm aware of. Yes, Jedech, even more than you. I have asked her to assist you with your investigation in whatever way she can help. Now please, leave me so that Belor and I can have a word in private."
Shalelu continues to stand by the window a moment, then without a word she turns and walks from the room, proceeds down the stairs and outside the town hall. She waits for the group there..
Jed nods towards the mayor, mumbling a respectful, "Yes'm" before walking out of the office, a slight limp showing that he is still suffering a bit from the vicious wound the goblin hound dealt him. After he reaches the out of doors where Shalelu awaits, he gives her a nod which those who know him is as close as the rough trapper and scout ever comes to showing anyone other than Mayor Kendra respect.
"Begging your pardon, ma'am. I didn't get discharged from one militia just to join another. I was hired to escort a merchant to and FROM Sandpoint. if you want me to investigate this little mystery for you, you'll have to talk to my employer. I'm sure he'd be willing to sell off my contract to you."
Regarding Issak, "It's been two years? Time passes faster than realized, at times."
In response to Norhalo the mayor says, "All are treated well in my town, unless they give us a reason to NOT be treated well. I'd even welcome the goblins, if they could control themselves and be of some use."
After what Jaxom said, Mayor Deverin says, "Send them my way so we can come to an agreement."
Before leaving the office, Jaed asks, "As long as you can protect a boy by the name of Silas Argentine, son of the Lord Justice of Magnimar, while I'm busy with this investigation we'll have no problems. As soon as this is over with, I'll need to be returning him to his father." Kendra and Jaed speak a little more on the matter, then Jaed heads outside where Shalelu is waiting.
Once the group has gathered with Shalelu she says, "Let us go to the Rusty Dragon before conversing." And she sets off at a brisk pace down Main Street, taking a left onto Water Street, passes through The Sandpoint Market onto Market Street, eventually entering a an impressive looking, and old, inn with a rusty iron dragon on the roof.
As the group enters the inn, there is an attractive tian woman behind the bar checking the stock before the rush of people arrive. There is a halfling woman making her way around the room, delivering fresh food and drink to the few patrons already in. As she notices you all standing there she says, "Just have a seat anywhere you like folks. We've plenty of space at the moment. I'll be by to find out what you'd like." And she continues her rounds. There are a couple tables along one wall big enough for the whole group.
Once seated, the halfling makes her way over, "Howdy folks, you look like a thirsty and hungry lot. What can I get ya?" She smiles pleasantly and waits for your order. Before anyone else can reply, Shalelu says, "We are here on matters of importance to the town and require nothing more at the moment than to be left alone so we may talk amongst ourselves." She pauses a moment while retrieving a leather bound parcel from her pack, then says, "Give this to Ameiko." and she turns to the group. The halfling walks to the bar, and you see her and the woman behind it speak, the halfing handing over the parcel in the process.
"Very well then, let us begin with proper introductions. I am Shalelu Andosana, a hunter of sorts." She looks around at the rest of the group.
Jaed speaks up, "I'm Jaed. Currently working off a debt to a person of some importance in Magnimar. I enjoy getting into places I'm not supposed to be, hence working off the debt."
As the young girl prepares to leave Jaxom calls out "I'l have an ale and a shot of whatever rotgut you've got behind the bar." pointedly looking at Shalelu.
When the serving girl arrives with the drinks Jaxom tosses a couple of silver pieces on the tray and flashes her a smile "Keep the change." Taking a long drink, Jaxom takes a look at the others over the rim of the tankard. Setting the mug on the table "Aaah. I'm Jaxom Cambourne, a sellsword and wanderer. If the price is right, I'm your man."
"An honor. I am Norhalo, amateur historian and sorcerer, passing through on the way back from Magnimar."
"My name is Issak Rialathel; my mother is of the Mierani elf-folk. I am but a simple student of the blade, serving in the town guard until this morning."
After everyone has introduced themselves, Shalelu asks, "How much do you know about the lands surrounding Sandpoint?"
Dragon’s Punchbowl: This bowl-shaped island is little more than a series of stony ridges surrounding a small lake; wyverns are said to roost in caves here, and rumors hold that a dragon visits the place once or twice a year for unknown reasons.
The Escarpments: These upthrust limestone pavements are bleak, stony regions. The smaller of the two (Ashen Rise) is relatively safe, but the edges of Devil’s Platter are known haunts for the Birdcruncher goblins. Deeper in, it’s rumored that the place is controlled by devil-worshiping bugbears that avoid the light of day but emerge at night from caves to light their fires.
Grubber’s Hermitage: A notorious generator of shipwrecks, Grubber’s Hermitage is a small, isolated thorp of a dozen fishing families. Their ways are their own and they generally don’t welcome visitors; Sandpoint citizens theorize that the place is infested with lepers, ghosts, or worse.
The Moors: The moors that stretch through much of the hinterlands consist of poor-quality soil and stony ground. It is devoid of most vegetation apart from thick patches of tall grass and scattered copses of trees, and wolves, worgs, and worse are said to dwell here.
The Pit: Deep in the heart of the Devil’s Platter is a sunken area ending in a ten-foot-wide hole that drops down into an inky dark. This is generally agreed to be the most likely lair of the Sandpoint Devil, though no one has yet dared to explore its depths.
Wisher’s Well: One of the less-known Thassilonian ruins, this landmark consists of what appears to be a circular stone tower only 30 feet high from the outside, but drops away into a 100-foot-deep shaft ending in a deep pool of water on the inside. Of course, all manner of monsters are said to dwell in the flooded caverns below the well.
The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins that live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five.
To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests that are excellent swimmers.
East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons.
Further east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks.
And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head.
Goblin Heroes: Goblins generally live short, violent lives. It’s unusual for a single goblin to achieve any real measure of notoriety, but when one does, it’s well-earned. Currently, five goblins enjoy the status of “hero.”
Big Gugmut is an unusually muscular and tall goblin from Mosswood who, it is said, had a hobgoblin for a mother and a wild boar for a father.
Koruvus was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, who was as well known for his short temper as he was for his prized possession—a magic longsword sized for a human that the goblin stubbornly kept as his own (despite the fact that it was too large for him to properly wield). Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a “secret hideout” in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced that he’s out there still, a ghost or worse, waiting to murder any goblin who tries to discover his hideout.
Vorka is a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump marsh, a “hero” mostly to goblins other than the Licktoad tribe.
Ripnugget is the current leader of the Thistletop goblins and controls what the five tribes agree is the best lair.
And then there’s Bruthazmus, an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows. Bruthazmus has a particular hatred of elfkin.
"I'm familiar with the five local goblin tribes...didn't get a good look at these ones though, couldn't say which tribe they were without another look."
|
Knowledge (Local):
"Quite a bit actually, like I said before I'm a scholar of Ancient Thassilon, and this region was in the heart of it. For instance did you know that Sandpoint and the surrounding area is rich in Thassilonian relics, and goblin tribes. There's also, supposedly, a mighty beast called 'The Sandpoint Devil' which haunts the Devil's Platter, a limestone escarpment."
Calathes takes a sip of wine before continuing.
"Or that there are five major tribes of goblins in the Sandpoint area: Birdcruncher, Licktoad, Seventooth, Mosswood, and Thistletop."
Obviously excited about being able to prattle on about his field of study, the wizard continues on.
"Perhaps even more interesting are some of the local landmarks, such as:
Brinestump Marsh: The Licktoad goblins, goblin snakes, giant geckos, and a few tribes of faceless stalkers are the primary menaces that dwell in this tangled fen, but persistent rumors of Old Megus the Swamp Witch are the primary reason locals avoid this region.
Dragon’s Punchbowl: This bowl-shaped island is little more than a series of stony ridges surrounding a small lake; wyverns are said to roost in caves here, and rumors hold that a dragon visits the place once or twice a year for unknown reasons.
The Escarpments: These upthrust limestone pavements are bleak, stony regions. The smaller of the two (Ashen Rise) is relatively safe, but the edges of Devil’s Platter are known haunts for the Birdcruncher goblins. Deeper in, it’s rumored that the place is controlled by devil-worshiping bugbears that avoid the light of day but emerge at night from caves to light their fires.
Grubber’s Hermitage: A notorious generator of shipwrecks, Grubber’s Hermitage is a small, isolated thorp of a dozen fishing families. Their ways are their own and they generally don’t welcome visitors; Sandpoint citizens theorize that the place is infested with lepers, ghosts, or worse.
The Moors: The moors that stretch through much of the hinterlands consist of poor-quality soil and stony ground. It is devoid of most vegetation apart from thick patches of tall grass and scattered copses of trees, and wolves, worgs, and worse are said to dwell here.
The Pit: Deep in the heart of the Devil’s Platter is a sunken area ending in a ten-foot-wide hole that drops down into an inky dark. This is generally agreed to be the most likely lair of the Sandpoint Devil, though no one has yet dared to explore its depths.
And finally, Wisher’s Well: One of the less-known Thassilonian ruins, this landmark consists of what appears to be a circular stone tower only 30 feet high from the outside, but drops away into a 100-foot-deep shaft ending in a deep pool of water on the inside. Of course, all manner of monsters are said to dwell in the flooded caverns below the well."
Intelligence check:
"I'm afraid I know nothing at all about your quaint little town. I originally hail from Lastwall and am new to this area." As he listens to the other rattle off there knowledge of the area he concludes, wryly "But it seems other are quite well versed"
"I had also heard about the five goblin tribes, but nothing about how to tell them apart. Calathes--this doesn't sound like a very safe place to live. I wonder why townies would settle here; I suppose it's better than the Storval Plateau." He shakes his head.
"Ah'm Jed Crell .. from aroun' these parts. Trapper, tracker, hunter. Beasts mostly ... but men, too ... when it's needed."
Jed notes Jaxom's order and adds, "I'll have what that fella is havin'. An' some bread."
Int check
Jed tips his head towards Calathes, "The 'alf-sharp-ear has the know of it. Devil-damned goblins are thick in the areas 'round Sandpoint. Isaak, there, is right -- we should take a look at all the buggers to see which tribe they come from ... ".
The scruffy huntsman pauses, then adds in a quieter, darker tone,"Desna 'elp us if'n they are from more'n one tribe, as it'd take some mighty powerful evil to get the vicious little b@stards to hold off slittin' each others throats long enough to mount an attack like we just dealt with ..."
Norhalo idly cleans his nails with a dagger while the others are speaking, somehow contriving to look fashionably at ease while doing so. In the pause after Jedech finishes, he speaks. "May it not be so. However, it falls to us to learn the truth of the matter, however unpleasant it may be. Shalelu, has anyone figured out which tribe of the little rateaters graced us with their presence today? That would seem to be the first thing to find out. Calathes, you only mentioned two of the five tribes infesting the area--do you or Jed know where the other three might be found?"
"You did, and I spoke misleadingly. Birdcruncher tribe lives on the edge of the Escarpments, and Licktoad in Brinestump Marsh. Seventooth, Mosswood, and Thistletop tribes must therefore reside elsewhere, away from these picturesque landmarks. My question is, where might they be found?"
Shalelu looks upon the obvious outlander, Calathes with a little surprise that he would know so much. "You surprise me by knowing so much. I am pleased." She turns to Jedech, "I'm a little disappointed you don't know more. Considering how much time you spend stomping around the area, I would have thought you'd have learned more about it's various inhabitants. Regardless, I can fill in most of the gaps. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins that live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five. To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests that are excellent swimmers. East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons. Further east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks. And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head.
Goblins generally live short, violent lives. It’s unusual for a single goblin to achieve any real measure of notoriety, but when one does, it’s well-earned. Currently, five goblins enjoy the status of “hero.” Big Gugmut is an unusually muscular and tall goblin from Mosswood who, it is said, had a hobgoblin for a mother and a wild boar for a father. Koruvus was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, who was as well known for his short temper as he was for his prized possession—a magic longsword sized for a human that the goblin stubbornly kept as his own (despite the fact that it was too large for him to properly wield). Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a “secret hideout” in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced that he’s out there still, a ghost or worse, waiting to murder any goblin who tries to discover his hideout. Vorka is a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump marsh, a “hero” mostly to goblins other than the Licktoad tribe. Ripnugget is the current leader of the Thistletop goblins and controls what the five tribes agree is the best lair. And then there’s Bruthazmus, an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows. Bruthazmus has a particular hatred of elfkin. We have battled more than once, neither of us besting the other as of yet. I'll not be the one to fall." After all this, she waits to see what the group has to say.
"Hm." Norhalo resheathes his dagger. "It would seem that our best source of information on all the area's goblins would be this ranger Bruthazmus. Since you've fought him to a draw before, perhaps with our assistance he could be subdued and questioned."
"Hm." Norhalo resheathes his dagger. "It would seem that our best source of information on all the area's goblins would be this ranger Bruthazmus. Since you've fought him to a draw before, perhaps with our assistance he could be subdued and questioned."
Jed hawkes and spits a thick stream of blackish tobacco onto the street, then fixes his brown eyes upon Norhalo. "Ain't a matter of fightin' 'im, gypsy, as it might be of findin' 'im. Even if'n we do, it might be in one of his camps ... and you can bet your girly squeals to gold pieces that any one of ol' Brutha's boltholes will be thick with alarms and nasty traps to greet us."
The curmudgeonly scout then dips his head over at Isaak, "Best go with the lad's suggestion and search all the bodies to see which of the tribes be stirrin' so fast and hot. That is, 'less our 'illoostrious guide has already seen to that bit o' sleuthin'..." Jed flashes a tobacco-stained grin towards Shalelu after saying his last bit.
Jed hawkes and spits a thick stream of blackish tobacco onto the street,
Jed hawkes and spits a thick stream of blackish tobacco onto the street,
"If he's that good, it's probably not worth trying to set a trapped caravan for him, then." Norhalo meditatively rubs his upper lip, slouching down on his chair. Then he sits up. "Wait a moment. The mayor asked one other very good question, one that you and Shalelu might be able to answer without leaving the town. How did the goblins get in without being noticed? Yes, the festival drew most of the townies to the main square, and yes, any tracks the goblins left will be hard to find after all the people running around, but it won't be any easier tomorrow morning."
He starts to clear a space at the table, then draws a rough crescent with the puddle of condensation around Jaxom's ale. "Here's the town. Do you think it worth your while to look around the edge for tracks?" He points to the landward side of the rough drawing. "I'm thinking the dog, at least, should leave fewmets and drool, if nothing else. Even if you find nothing, that tells us we have to look elsewhere for their entryway."
Jed hawkes and spits a thick stream of blackish tobacco onto the street,
By the time Jedech spits on the floorboards, you have been in the Rusty Dragon just under an hour. As the spit hits, there are yells from different directions, the bar and the door.
At the bar, the attractive women is scowling at Jedech, and then does a flip over it before making her way towards the table.
At the door, one of the town guard has arrived, Issak recognizes him as one of the newer guards, a young man named Deacon, and he starts making his way across the room.
They arrive at the table at the same time, but before the guard can say anything, she says, "Damnit Jed! How many times do I have to tell you NOT to spit that crap on my floors! You must have forgotten, yet again, to ask Bethana for a bucket!" She reaches behind her back, as if drawing a weapon, but instead pulls one of the rags she has tucked in her belt, and tosses it at Jedech, hitting him in the face with it. "Clean up your mess before I clean it up with you." And she turns and walks back behind the bar, everyone watching in silence as she goes.
After nearly a minute, the room has returned to it's previous level of conversation, and Deacon snaps back to why he is here. "Miss Shalelu, yes? Sheriff Hemlock sent me to find y'all. He said to tell you Father Zantus may have some information for y'all." With that, he smiles and hustles out of the tavern.
By the time Jedech spits on the floorboards, you have been in the Rusty Dragon just under an hour. As the spit hits, there are yells from different directions, the bar and the door.
At the bar, the attractive women is scowling at Jedech, and then does a flip over it before making her way towards the table.
At the door, one of the town guard has arrived, Issak recognizes him as one of the newer guards, a young man named Deacon, and he starts making his way across the room.
They arrive at the table at the same time, but before the guard can say anything, she says, "Damnit Jed! How many times do I have to tell you NOT to spit that crap on my floors! You must have forgotten, yet again, to ask Bethana for a bucket!" She reaches behind her back, as if drawing a weapon, but instead pulls one of the rags she has tucked in her belt, and tosses it at Jedech, hitting him in the face with it. "Clean up your mess before I clean it up with you." And she turns and walks back behind the bar, everyone watching in silence as she goes.
After nearly a minute, the room has returned to it's previous level of conversation, and Deacon snaps back to why he is here. "Miss Shalelu, yes? Sheriff Hemlock sent me to find y'all. He said to tell you Father Zantus may have some information for y'all." With that, he smiles and hustles out of the tavern.
Jed grins at the retreating form of the winsome tavern keeper, tosses the bar rag on the spot where his tobacco juice landed, and rubs it with a toe of his boot. He snatches it up and, if does not see anyone watching him, pockets it.
Jed grins at the retreating form of the winsome tavern keeper, tosses the bar rag on the spot where his tobacco juice landed, and rubs it with a toe of his boot. He snatches it up and, if does not see anyone watching him, pockets it.
Norhalo, seeing where Jed is looking, murmurs an aside to him. "Not bad, for a townie." Louder, "Drink up, gentlemen and lady. Let us go and see what the good healer has for us."
Jed grins at the retreating form of the winsome tavern keeper, tosses the bar rag on the spot where his tobacco juice landed, and rubs it with a toe of his boot. He snatches it up and, if does not see anyone watching him, pockets it.Norhalo, seeing where Jed is looking, murmurs an aside to him. "Not bad, for a townie." Louder, "Drink up, gentlemen and lady. Let us go and see what the good healer has for us."
Jed slips Norhalo a sly grin and a nod ..... it only faltering when he remembers that he, himself, is a 'townie'. He turns his head sideways to give this a think, but is distracted by the tilting of mugs. He shrugs his shoulders and lifts the shot of rotgut, downs it, and chases it with the rest of his ale. He sighs deeply and happily, stands noisily and announces, "Well, now, that'll make a man ready fer business o' one sort or t'other!" Jed then starts to gather up Bessie and his knapsack.
Shalelu is obviously displeased with the way Jedech and Norhalo speak about the bar lady, but doesn't say anything regarding it. "Yes, we should go and find out what Abstalar has to say." And she stands and head for the door.
Jaed puts a hand on the shoulders of Jedech and Norhalo and says, "Careful, I get the feeling there is far more to the woman at the bar, than her pleasing, to a human, appearance." And he heads for the door, following Shalelu.
Shalelu is obviously displeased with the way Jedech and Norhalo speak about the bar lady, but doesn't say anything regarding it. "Yes, we should go and find out what Abstalar has to say." And she stands and head for the door.
Jaed puts a hand on the shoulders of Jedech and Norhalo and says, "Careful, I get the feeling there is far more to the woman at the bar, than her pleasing, to a human, appearance." And he heads for the door, following Shalelu.
Jed starts to give Jaed a sharp retort, but bites it back, choosing instead to give the bird-man's words some thought. He glances back at the attractive Tian tavern-keeper, rubbing one weathered hand across his bearded chin. "You may have the right uv it there, bird-beak. Still and all, she's quite the pretty thing ... and spirited, too." Jed then seems to let the subject drop from his thoughts, turning and following their elven guide towards the door.
Issak sighs and stands up. "Well, duty calls. Hopefully the good Father has come upon something which will help us."
Jaed puts a hand on the shoulders of Jedech and Norhalo and says, "Careful, I get the feeling there is far more to the woman at the bar, than her pleasing, to a human, appearance." And he heads for the door, following Shalelu.
Norhalo waits to respond until outside the Rusty Dragon. "Friend Jaed, I would be surprised if there wasn't. Did you see the way she moved? A silk scarf with blades, that one." He pauses for a moment, then continues in as sincere a tone as he can manage. "I think she is likely a fine dancer."
Jaxom smiles at the barkeeper as he rises to leave "Exotic, yes. But that just adds to the allure" he continues the smile as he appraises the huntress as well.
The group leaves the Rusty Dragon and they notice that in just an hour word must have spread around town. People going about the cleanup are stopping and talking quickly amongst themselves, pointing at the group as they're walking to the Cathedral. Unlike the rest of the party, Jedech is busy watching Shalelu's "features" to notice anything interesting while traveling from the Rusty Dragon to the Cathedral.
Noted for later.
Jaxom smiles at the young woman and walks over to her. "May I help you with your basket?"
Issak notes the unfriendly looks, and thinks to himself, I was just doing my job...ah, well, they're just jealous. Some people...