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Whistling a jaunty tune, Jim strolls towards Gozreh's temple, his spirits undampened by the rain. Eventually he encounters The Groom and Dibbets. "Ho, mates. Find out anything useful?" On being informed of their plans, he nods. "That sounds like the right course to set, for I'm minded to leave the Captain's share with Brother Peg-Leg 'fore something interrupts us."
Dingus ignores his growling stomach and the distant sound of wind and rain against the dome of the temple as he continues to rummage through old tomes and more recent texts on serpentfolk as the day stretches into the afternoon. He finds that it is widely believed that a city of the serpentfolk was buried by the now dormant volcano that eventually formed the island where Freeport is based. Strange artifacts occasionally turn up in sea caves along the coast or buried in the coral reefs that surround the islands. It is reported that the sewers beneath the city uncovered ancient tunnels that lead back to the ancient ruins.
Several scholars contend that the ruins are still inhabited by the degenerate descendants of the original serpentfolk. They worship a bastardized form of the ancient serpent god Ydersius whom they call Yig. It is rumored the god was slain by an Azlanti demi-god and this contributed to the collapse of the serpentfolk empire. Other accounts claim that the degenerate serpentfolk are in league with human cultists who seek to call forth powers from the Dark Tapestry.
Hoisting a howdy to Jim and the Groom, Dibbs is a little circumspect "Didnae find out anythin interestin apart from tha Sister's got a fine pair o'... eyes. Got 'er attention wi' talk o' tha Sea Pact though... and she's willin tae chat bout it laters iffin we bring tha ring. Though I'm guessin it'll be worth gettin the full posse together... I don't trust er as far as I ken spit."
Talk of his boomstick lights up Dibbs eyes with a mischevous glow "She's ready is she?... Bloody marvelous, I'll pop past laters... once I ken take a wee withdrawl from the stash." looking both hopeful and pleading towards Jim.
"Oh an Jimmer... I askid about yer noggin an whether it was fixable an she said she couldnae... recommended the Arse-eye-lum though... now now wait. I still think it's worth a looksee - changed hands when ol Drac carked it... could be some ghosts lingering that Groomy's ol' boney could ferret out eh?"
"It's not the haunts as trouble me about that place, Dibbets. It's the fear of being locked away, kept from sea and sky and unmoored from the discipline I need to survive." He gives a half-hearted chuckle. "When lubbers are lost, they say they're 'all at sea.' Foolish, really, but I'd feel all at sea were I trapped ashore. Though I'd give much to silence the whispers, and perhaps see if they could patch the hole so it don't leak again, hey?"
"Aw hells Jimmer, we ain't goin there fer yer 'ead... I know theres bugger all they could do fer that... Jus more that Drac was there, he were the last Sea Lord... might be a few spirits 'angin about wi' some informations more pertinent tae the matter at hand aye?"
"Good point there. Finding those who knew the Sea Lord AND are willing to talk about it, we might be confined to speaking to the unfortunate that didn't make it to my Queen's ship."
Dingus spends the rest of the day in the library making notes, and referencing possible areas in and around Freeport to begin his search for his ancestors, even going so far as to draw a rough map. He can't wait to get back with his mates, and share all the information he has gathered for their next foray.
Though somewhere deep in his mind he fears that they might have other plans...after all he had done some preparation for the next adventure, which was totally out of character for his group.
Dibbets, Jim, and the Groom cut through the haughty manors and wide streets of the Merchant District thankfully clear of wealthy snobs thanks to the storm. In the Warehouse District, loot is withdrawn and quickly invested in advanced weaponry at Kolter's Clockworks. Afterwards, a cleanly shorn Kaul joins the crew at the Seacat to await Dingus' return that evening.
As the elf snips away Kaul makes idle chit-chat, happy for once not to have to growl his way through a conversation;
"Hur. Gimme the pi$$ wet cobbles o' Freeport o'er the sharks an' snakes o' the sea..."
The thug addresses the barber's question regards Slick's tusk cap;
"Installed o' course... As fer the grill, I'll need tae rustle up the coin... don't carry that kind'o pennies on me hur... but I'm good fer it... jes' make the arrangements when I can get the work done..."
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When taking delivery of his boomstick Dibbets is almost reverential in the way he handles it - taking instruction on the care and loading and whatnot eagerly. For storage of shot and powder he asks the gnome to modify a shoulder bag to serve as sporran tae his kilt - letting his upper body remain bare. The musket is loaded, but lacking primer, and is used stock down as a walking stick.
Once back at the seacat, Dibbs fills in Kauly on his day as they wait for Dingus to join them.
Kaul shoots the grubby halfling a curious look;
"Whass that then Dibbs? A crutch for the gammy hur-hur-hur..."
He refrains from touching for fear he'll lose a digit or two...
Dibbets just gives the scarred half-orc a slightly unhinged grin as he pats the wood and metal contraption on the barrel. "Oh, ye'll find out lad..."
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The pale elf tells Kaul that Slicks silver tusk will cost him 25 sails and tells his to check back in a couple of days. The winds fade through the afternoon, but it is still raining when Dingus returns.
After Dibbets' description, Jim will happily go along. (Besides, there's a 50/50 chance that he's carrying the Sea Pact ring.)
"I dinnae want tae go see the bouncy one wi'out the full crew mateys... Jus in case she or some other berk decides tae dance."
Finally Dingus growling stomach and eagerness to share his newfound knowledge force him to leave the library. He nods to his the desk clerk as he leaves, and frowns as he sees the growing twilight, and continuing rain. "Thank you for your hospitality". "Perhaps we shall meet again soon". Then thoughts of the serpent empire occupying his thoughts, he barely notices the rain as he returns to the Seacat.
Dingus enters the establishment, coming in out of the driving rain to find the others plotting their next escapade.
"Greetings". "I have found out much in my research today". "I would like to leave tonight to research these ruins, but am willing to wait till tomorrow if you wish". Then seeing Kaul's newly decorated smile, Dibbits bang stick, and the look on everyone else's faces realizes that his plans are probably not on the immediate agenda.
Jim listens, nodding, as Dingus excitedly reports on his findings for the day. "You know, mate, you've kept up with us sailors and thugs for quite a bit of time now, but this is the most exercised I've ever heard you get about, well, anything. Count me in. Besides, we might find that--you know--and save ourselves a boatload of sails, hey?"
Dingus looks to the full crew for back up as he heads out to his meeting with Councilwoman Gwyllin. The steady drizzle continues as the crew follows the Street of Dreams to the black iron gates of the Sea Lord's Palace. The Council Guard seem to have been warned that the motley crue is expected and you are quickly led into the palace.
You pass the guard stations at the palace entrance where guards stand at attention in small booths offering shelter from the rain. The entrance hall is richly ornamented with a floor mosaic depicting a sea battle between a ship and giant purple squid. Instead of continuing through the golden doors into the palace proper, you are led to a richly appointed sitting room just off the hall to await the councilwoman.
Gwyllin shows up shortly, disappointingly clad in her floor length aqua gown. She nods as the newcomers are introduced and asks to see the Sea Pact ring.
Jim will have made sure that the Groom has the ring before setting out. He's better with people. Sort of.
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the Groom would have made his revisit to the Clockworks with Dibbets, leaving him a few sails to spare.
the Groom steps forward and holds his fist forward, allowing her to inspect the ring.
"Collected it off a peck of roughnecks. Found it there after the corpse of a Merman told me where to find his killers. Seems he was waylaid trying to get a warning to the Sea Lord."
Kaul mugs a rictus grin to the rest of the crew to attract attention to his new jaw accessory as they enter the Sea Lords Palace.
:
Once inside, the gutter minded thug can't resist a comment when Gwyllin poses them a question;
"Hur... normally ye got tae pay extra like fer a pretty lady tae ask to see yer ring...hur...hur-HUR-HUR!"
The thug erupts into laughter
Steeled to the coarse ways of pirates and even fellow council members such as Lydon, Prescott and Grymes whom the crew have already encountered, Gwyllin doesn't give Kaul a second glance, but casts a spell of magical detection to inspect the ring.
"It appears to be genuine," she notes. "You say a merman brought it with a warning of sahuagin? I wish Mother had bothered to tell me what concerned her, but instead she kept her own council and now I fear she may be lost. I will notify the others on the Captain's Council and look into it. You must tell me if you hear anything more."
"He didn't right say sahuagin. The sharks be circling was the warning. Figure the SeaFolk could handle a few sharks. Must be the SeaDevils that would need the SeaLord's warning coming from beyond a watery death."
The priestess' emerald eyes flick from the Groom to Dibbets and back. "The halfling told me it was sahuagin. Now sharks and sahuagin tend to cohabitat, but aren't necessarily the same thing. I agree with the wet one though, it seems sharks wouldn't be a great concern unless they were metaphorical."
Frowning at the Groom "Ye sure? I thought ye said diffrent..." before turning back to Gwyllin with hand extended for the Sea Pact ring "We'll be takin that back now too aye? An is the best ye ken muster a shrug aught the shoulders like? I'd a thought ye might want tae find ye Mother an see iffin she's inna one piece or lots... unless ye're sittin pretty in her place?"
Letting the implication hang a few moments Dibbs adds "Seems tae me ye might 'ave an interest in fundin some intrepid sailors tae go take looksee eh?" with mercantile eye and wry smile of jaw.
"It be the SeaDevils sure enough." the Groom pulls he hand back. He gives the ring his own brief inspection and then shoves his hand into his coat pocket.
"In a day or three, Dibbets. Got some...research to finish, one might say."
"So now you're sure it is the sahuagin? You sound a bit uncertain. There was a settlement in the NW reef, but they were driven out during the Succession Crisis and haven't returned as far as I know. Of course, nothing has been heard from the merfolk, except your ghost either. If it is the sahuagin, they must have found some assistance. They would not have recovered so quickly otherwise."
She looks doubtful about Dibbets' offer, "I know the ring allows one to travel underwave, but that's only one of you and that doesn't account for breathing or the crushing depths where the sahuagin have likely retreated. I think I'd go with a more experienced group. Maybe the Lobstermen have seen something."
Shrugging "Suit yaself in that regard... ye know where tae find us when tha lobstermen come back in pieces or nae at all."
"Let's see about lunch and talk some options. Find our Dagrit and hear her story over a plate of crabs."
It is a dark night beneath thick clouds as the crew leaves the palace. the Groom's mind is on food as he seems to have missed lunch. Most of the shops on the Street of Dreams have closed aside from the taverns and inns. The crew quickly passes through the Eastern District to the Docks near the edge of Scurvytown hoping to catch Dagrit before it gets too late.
Not too far from the Black Gull in the border neighborhoods known to provide illicit goods to sailors looking for a fast hook up, the crew finds Dagrit's new place, a rescue mission. It's nothing much to look at, but at least there are no gaps in the floor with the sea slurping below.
A number of ragged men sit along the wall outside finishing their dinner. It might not be as fancy as the renown meals at the Mug were, but it smells like Dagrit is still making some tasty food for the down and out. Inside, more men and several women and children sit at long tables. You quickly spot Dagrit, managing the volunteers that are gathering the dishes as clean up begins.
While Dingus is physically with the group, his mind seems to be elsewhere...in fact Richard had to catch his own mouse yesterday, and is not happy about it.
Dingus keeps pulling random notes, and sketches from his belt-pouch, and studying them intently, often running into those walking in front of him, or lagging behind while he reads.
He does put away his documents before entering the rescue mission however. Maybe he'll see someone here with knowledge of his people.
His mind reinforced to the ineptitude of the Gozrehan priestess, Dibbets stumps away withe the stock of his musket thumping against the cobbles. Arriving at Dagrit's soup kitchen Dibbs looks around for both his favorite waitress and whether the beneficence of the mission extends to beverages of the foamy variety.
Initially he hangs back waiting to see if any of his mateys step forrad, or if Dagrit recognizes them.
Jim motions to Dibbets. "Come on, mate. Let's say our hellos." The Taldan walks up to the group of volunteers. "No need to hold anything out for us, ladies and gents. We're friends of Dagrit's, hey?"
The volunteers stand aside and Dagrit spots you with a broad smile which you note hasn't improved since last you saw her. Her bright blue eyes look happy however, as she replies, "They sure are! How have you been, boys? Welcome to my new place. I'm thinking of calling it the Cracked Cauldron, but there's already a Cracked Pot down on the docks."
"No spirits here, but I can offer you a bowl of soup. Why don't you join me in my office and we can catch up?"
At words of the name Dibbets pipes up with "How's about the Backwash? Looks the sort yer servin are the ones left a bit broken by the wave crash eh?"
As they walk Dibbets continues "Dya have any liquor tae wash the soup down wi? An did alla yer staff come along too?..." misty eyed and hopeful.
Dagrit looks a bit pained by Dibbets' suggestion, but leans close so the stray hairs on her chin tickle his ear, "I just might have a bit of whiskey left in her private reserves. As for the staff from the Mug, well they had to make a living and I can't really offer pay for this. They had to find work elsewhere."
She leads you through the kitchen to her sparely furnished quarters in the back. As you enter, there is a chirp and a slight growl as a large weasel-like creature with light brown fur hops off the bed and rears up on its hind legs to eyeball level with Dibbets as it sniffs the air.
"It's alright, Zipper." Dagrit reassures the creature. She stops a minute and glances at Dingus, "You're the one with the S-N-A-K-E, yeah? You might want to wait outside. Tavi are known to go crazy at the scent of one."
Trying to ameliorate "But I didnae... but... eh, what bout a certain waitress.. wi' dishwater blonde hair?"
Finding the tavi's aggressive response to snakes, Dibbs stumps over to give it a scratch under it's chin "Whos a good boy then eh?"
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Still daydreaming, Dingus finally gets what she said after Tavi begins to growl deep in his throat. He didn't seem to like Dingus much either. "Fine". "We'll wait outside then". As Dingus heads out the door, he can't help but reopen the door a bit, and extend his fangs with a hiss at the creature, before quickly re-closing it.
Dingus exits and the tavi rubs against Dibbets' hip until the door cracks open and a hiss is heard. With lightning speed the creature hurls itself at the door assaulting it with pointy white teeth.
"Zipper!" Dagrit shouts and moves forward to try to get her pet back under control. It takes several moments, but eventually the tavi calms somewhat and is led back under her desk where it warily curls next to Dagrit muttering in low chittering tones.
Dagrit glances at the closed door with annoyance, but it fades as she turns to the others. "So how have you been? My project seems to be going well. It took a little time to get folks to cross the doorway, but good food does wonders," she says proudly.
Regarding the assault of the tavi on the door with some bemusement, Dibbs adds "Bit o' ale wi' the meal'd do more wonders... how much is a keg nowadays anyhow?"
"Did ye find out anymore bout the feckers that did in the Mug? Even iffin yer thirst fer paybacks waning... we've still a store tae settle in blood."
Dagrit shakes her head, "Not running a bar anymore. Just a full bowl of soup and maybe a bed for those who need it."
A shadow passes over her face as the mention of the arsonists, "Well, I may be trying to live a gentler life, but I'm still a dwarf and we hold grudges a long time. From what I've heard, they've gone underground while the Watch is after them. Right under our feet in the sewers mind you. Not even the Sewer Guard has turned them up and I've no interest in going down there, but mark my word, if they poke a head up, I'll whack it good." She hooks a thumb at a war hammer hanging on the wall.
Jim scratches his chin idly. "Sewers, is it?" He turns and looks back at the door through which Dingus left. "Dingus! Those places you're interested in, any of 'em happen to be under Freeport?"
Kaul hangs back somewhat bemused by the feud between the tavi and Dingus, Dibb's ham-handed attempt to locate the stacked waitress and Jim keeping them on course...
"Hur... don ye worry Dagrit... next time you see their heads they gonna be on a sticks carried by us lot... hur..."
The thug jabs a digit under his chin whilst sticking his tongue out, to further emphasise what a head on a stick would look like to one and all.