A smile crosses Polux's lips at Taissa's response to the man.
No worries; sorry it happened. Although White Fang is pretty hungry. Also, he's also a little guy who's pretty nervous about being in crowds. After all, the last time he was in a crowd some folks tried to hunt him down and capture him.
He wanted to come over with his mom and his friends instead of sitting in a room filled with nearly 100 people with nothing to do, eat or people to interact with.
However, you're right. You ordered him to remain there and he came over to be with you guys and snack and he didn't listen. For now he'll remain where you ordered him and I'll have that ret-conned with him being there.
I'll remember that for the future. Sorry again.
"You do not instruct or command my animals. I gave him and my Roc instruction and you, stranger, without a by your leave, believe you have right to ask him to move? No. It is not the way. I am Alpha and you are not."
The man listens to Taissa for a moment, his eyes widening in response for a moment at his offer to White Fang.
He would respond, but her comments clearly intimidated him a bit.
The man says nothing, watching Taissa for a bit, studying her for a moment, saying nothing more for a bit as he digests her anger.
"We don't know you. We will not discuss plans or beyond with you. Why would you think otherwise? We would be stupid to trust someone we just met. You presume too much, Rick."
He looks at her for a moment, than he turns to look at Hack.
The barbarian had given him a name and that was enough for him to see the man in a friendly light.
He takes a draw on his pipe thoughtfully.
”Hack of the Clan Corchran, I’m sorry that I’ve upset your friends,” he says with a polite nod.
”My duty was to escort my companions into town and help them while their captain dealt with the local lord here. After that I had no pressing business for some time,” he adds.
”I have had experience in tracking and hunting as well as some knowledge of the local lands – I picked it up during my time with the various Quah’s in the past year or so.”
He studies the rugged lines of Hack’s physique for a bit.
”You know, you don’t seem like you’re the type who hangs out in towns, more of a wilderness man… If you’d like, I could come with you for a bit? My current companions are trusty, but traveling with them leaves me committed to their cause without much flexibility.”
”I’m handy with a blade, bow and gun – and not bad in the wild, either,” he adds.
”What do you think?”
Taissa had no more time to spare the Brevoyian stranger and stood up and left Rick to Hack and Holystone.
She moved to the crowded bar and ordered a meal for herself and some large bones with goodly amount of meat for Daya and Roc. She paid the necessary coin and swiftly walked back to the group's table where her animals dutifully waited. Taissa sat down beside them and waited on the meals to arrive, surveying the interior for information or signs of threat.
To White Fang in particular she discreetly lectured, "Never listen to instruction or order given by a stranger. We know not their motive or purpose. Remember that." She scratched the scruff of the pup's neck to show she was not angry with him and then moved her hand over to Daya and stroked the soft down of her left wing. The animals were under her protection and no usurper would be permitted to overturn her instruction.
Jenner looks wide-eyed between Taissa and 'Rick', blinking a bit. When Taissa walks off, clearly displeased, he offered the stranger an apologetic smile and a spread of his hands.
"The lady is a staunch comrade, but what she says is true: her crew, my crew that is, have made many enemies and run into many who wish us ill. I do beg pardon if it's made us a mite touchy at havin' the interest of strangers unasked for, if you catch the drift of my boat?"
Taissa is a woman of the wilderness and nature, but Jenner is a person of... people, for all of his worship of an incarnation of Gozreh. His inclination is usually to be friendly, and he has long lived his life by the theory that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar. 'Course, sometimes you attract wasps, too...
"And I'm called Holystone, pardon my manners! Well met, Rick of Brevoy. Now myself, I don't mind speakin' to strangers one whit-- fact is, once I've bought a fellow a round and shaken hands and toasted with him I don't consider him a stranger at all!"
Poetic license, perhaps, but all the same. Jenner tries to soothe ruffled feathers as that is his nature.
He strokes his beard thoughtfully and looks to Hack. "Well, now, as for travellin' with us... we'd all have to be in agreement on it, mate, and it don't seem you've gotten off well with the lady, exactly... but would your Shoanti friends not miss you?"
I know not what the others would think of such an offer.
Hack takes out his pipe and loads it with tabacco.
We do seem to be takin' on more people every time I turn my back. It is like takin' on more water than a sinkin' long boat.
He thoughtfully puffs away, being about as thoughtful as he can be, that is.
Do you know what busines your travelin' companions have with the local Lord?
Polux asks Vick for another beer, and joins Taissa at the table.
"What was that all about Taissa?" - he asks in a matter of fact tone - "Some local hero trying to be funny?"
"What was that all about Taissa?" - he asks in a matter of fact tone - "Some local hero trying to be funny?"
Another look of ire crossed her face. "No local. Hunter/Tracker from Brevoy, goes by the name 'Rick' and travels with the visiting Shoanti."
She took a long sip of her cider before continuing.
"He seems to want to join our lot -- has approached Hack with the offer. I don't like him -- he is arrogant and was disrespectful to me. Instead of apologising to me, he apologised to Hack for upsetting his friends." Taissa gave a low growl beneath her breath. "The Spirits will not look well upon him."
Continues to relax and enjoy their drink and the ambiance of the surroundings.
"Arrogant and disrespectful..." - Polux takes another look at the man over his shoulder - "He seems to be carrying on a conversation with the both of them, but I doubt they will entertain the notion of him joining us" - he adds, shrugging and taking another gulp from his beer - "How did he disrespect you?" - he carries on, his tone even.
"How did he disrespect you?" - he carries on, his tone even.
"He proclaims to be a man versed in the wilderness. Yet, he gave personal slight when he spoke to the pup in Worg and called him to his table, without my consent as leader of the pack. There is order in packs and he showed disregard for it. It may mean very little to you or the others, but to an Alpha it is a grievous slight."
Taissa looked to her animal companions and back at Polux.
"Then he believed he was entitled to know of our plans in Beacon. Just like that. I told him that we would not share such information with a stranger, someone we don't know nor trust."
Taissa cast a glance at Hack and Holystone, but her eyes stayed on Hack longer.
"The other two do not seem to have an issue with him or he with them. I suppose drink and some food are enough to strike an accord."
A dark blue light swirled behind her usual brilliant eyes.
Hack looks in the direction of Tai, and he stares at her with a questioning look, and he smiles broadly.
Well, what do your companions seek here in Beacon?
"The lady is a staunch comrade, but what she says is true: her crew, my crew that is, have made many enemies and run into many who wish us ill. I do beg pardon if it's made us a mite touchy at havin' the interest of strangers unasked for, if you catch the drift of my boat?"
Rick shrugs and takes another draw on his pipe.
”Lots of folks are dangerous, I guess. But all I did was offer the pup and the rest of you some free grub. Not for nothing but I think that if a person got touchy when a lad buys him some free drinks or food, well... I think you may have just pissed off the whole bar,” he adds, then glances around at the people who are guzzling down the beverages that the gang had purchased for all the patrons.
”But seriously – I just asked you what you were doing in town. I thought that I was being up-front direct and honest with you all. Anyway, if I wanted to find out for some secret private agenda I wouldn't just go up and chat with you openly."
He thinks for a moment.
"I suppose that if I did want to know about you and wanted to find out secret-like, well… Hmm… Let’s see – you all came in together so you probably arrived together. That means you either came in the south gate, the east gate or the port.”
”I guess the first thing I’d do is send out some mates to one of each point and ask if they saw you come in. Now if you came in on foot you’d likely have traveled and had a pack animal; maybe a horse or mule… likely you’d have stabled him somewhere, so I’d pay off the stable-hand for details on what you did when you came in; but I wouldn’t ask you direct.”
He blows a smoke ring thoughtfully.
”If you came on ship I’d likely do the same thing with the lads on the pier who were lounging around when you offloaded,” he adds waving the pipe around absently.
”But that’s what I’d be doing if I was acting secret-like,” he adds with a grin.
”As for now, I’m just saying Hello and trying to get to know you all and get to know some of the people who live here.”
Do you know what busines your travelin' companions have with the local Lord?
Rick glances at Hack and nods a bit.
”Well, the lads I’m with here are the honor guard to one of the lieutenants of the chief of their Quah – that lad is down here to deliver a report to the local boss of this town and let him know what’s up about issues to the north… Seems that the lads near a place called Riddleport are eager to start raiding now that the snows are starting to thaw.”
Hack thinks about things and glances around, then looks back at the man.
Well, what do your companions seek here in Beacon?
”I think they’re looking for support from this place, maybe some heavier war ships, if possible. The pirate folk in Riddleport have heavier ships then the Shoanti tribesman… the Shoanti have longboats good for rowing up rivers and even deep streams so they can hop off the boat and attack the villagers then shove off fast… The ships from Riddleport are much more powerful and better armed… for ship-to-ship fights the Shoanti folk don’t really have anything but large boats.”
”The corsairs up at Riddleport will be coming out pretty soon, I think.”
”They’ll be hitting villages near the Quah before they strike south, so having some back-up ships on the coast maybe helpful… As for me, I’m just traveling south on account of the fact that the lads north give steady pay, but the work’s been kind of slow. I mean, I like to travel – to see new places. There’s not much worth seeing in a Shoanti village that you can’t see in every other village," he says with a somewhat doleful sigh.
"Now as for me? I like seeing new places and traveling the world… I’ve walked the lands from Brevoy and Galt all the way here… I like seeing new things and meeting new people,” he adds with a shrug.
"Well, now, as for travellin' with us... we'd all have to be in agreement on it, mate, and it don't seem you've gotten off well with the lady, exactly...”
He glances over to Taissa and shrugs.
”She runs with a pack – I should have thought of that; but I didn’t count on her being bonded so close to the animals; but it sounds right,” he says glancing at White Fang then Taissa.
He glances at Hack and Jenner and takes another pull from the pipe.
”Some folk get close to the beasts… they tend to bond with them; to act like them on some level… she runs with Wargs so I suspect she’s got the pack-mate thing going on, you know – runs with the pack; leads the pack and so on,” he says with a shrug.
”As for me I’m not really a “pack” type… I’m sort of a loner-type,” he adds with a grin.
”Maybe me chatting with her pup made her angry?” he says thoughtfully, than he shrugs.
”Of course, that’s just a guess. But I don’t really know,” he adds.
He looks at his mates who are drinking more and getting more rowdy and shakes his head.
”You know, most the folk in this town are either already aligned with others or they’re a bit too dull for my taste, that’s why I figured I’d ask about you and maybe trek with you all for a bit, just to see the sites.”
”Would your Shoanti friends not miss you?"
He chuckles.
”Who knows? But I doubt it. I’m aligned to their boss and he’s home – for now I’m traveling with them south but only mainly so I can see the town and learn what I can of this place, I like to travel after all… As for this crew? Well, I do work for them but I’m not currently doing a job to them. Technically I’m an honorary member of their Quah – but I’m my own man, I’m free to come and go so long as I’m not bound to a job with them, and now that we’ve arrived, I’m not really under contract.”
He takes another taste of his drink.
”I came here with a mate of mine, but she’s trekking in the hills a few miles north of there doing a little hunting. I’ll probably see her a little later, I suppose,” he adds.
He glances at Taissa and notices that she’s talking to a strange lad nearby and watches them for a moment.
”Who’s your friend there?” he asks Jenner and Hack about Polux.
Hack looks in the direction of Tai, and he stares at her with a questioning look, and he smiles broadly.
At first, she gave Hack a dark scowl, but after a moment's contemplation Taissa sighed and attempted to right her lit ire. Hack wasn't to blame and it was not right to unload her ill temper on her trusted friend and companion.
Taissa picked up her cup and drank -- the apple flavour playing across her tongue. She lifted her eyes back to Hack and smiled a little and then continued talking to Polux, "I'm ill-tempered right now. The travels have been long and some of the people we have crossed paths with have not been to my liking. It's best I am away from that table at present for I would not be able to question Rick suitably, feeling as I do. Some days I wonder why I am here", giving Polux a tired, apologetic smile.
Jenner chuckles at the man breaking down the full list of what he'd do were he trying for sneaky. "Man, it's not me you've got to convince!" he says with a wry grin.
He listens to the man's words of travel and all he's seen appreciatively-- Richard seems not unlike himself, albeit focused more on land voyages than his own seagoing. He trades a litany of ports he's visited as well in his sailing-- but he cuts off his tales short of when he met the others. The story of the infected dead, and the cult, and all the rest of their learnings in Osirion, isn't one he is ready to offer freely himself, just yet.
"Hmmn?" Jenner says, craning his head to see who Richard speaks of. "Ah, that's another of our crew! Good lad, but his tale's his own to tale, I only spin lies and my own stories and don't borrow those of others. Well, try not to, anyway, some days I don't reckon I keep it all straight what's me and what's those I've sailed with and what's just stories from drinkin'."
Jenner looks thoughtful at Richard's reiteration of seeking to travel with them for a spell. "Well, we're not sure ourselves where we're bound, yet. If we're headed somewhere where your skills in the wilds could be useful, I'd not turn you down: but it's as I said, all our group would need to be alright with it, mate. I think that, in the lady's books, you were a bit over-familiar, p'raps. And she's no slouch in the wilds her own self, so I doubt she'd feel we needed another along when she's got her pack and all."
The sailor shrugs, and drains half his ale from his mug. "You'll be in town a few days?"
Aye, Holystone here has it sized up about right. I too am no stranger to the wilds, as you noticed. We need to get back and put our heads together on where we are headed. Stay safe, and we will catch up with you if there is a chance we can help each other.
Hack stands, motions to Holystone to follow, and heads back to Tai, Polux and Melthune. He puffs on his pipe as he does. When he arrives, he sits close to the others and speaks in a low voice.
it seems others are interested in our comin's and goins'. Does Vick have a backroom where we can all talk in private about our next moves?
When the tavern serving girl brought the meals to the table, she placed the plated meat and bone on the floor for the animals to eat and picked up her own utensils to start on her fragrant stew. She turned to Polux and asked, "Are you not eating something? I can order you a meal if you want to eat."
Daya and White Fang devoured the meat in easy bites before Polux could even answer.
Hack stands, motions to Holystone to follow, and heads back to Tai, Polux and Melthune. He puffs on his pipe as he does. When he arrives, he sits close to the others and speaks in a low voice.
it seems others are interested in our comin's and goins'. Does Vick have a backroom where we can all talk in private about our next moves?
Taissa had started eating when Hack and Holystone returned to the table.
In between mouthfuls, she quietly answered Hack, "I don't know of a backroom, but from the looks of Vick, I have a feeling he has a private meeting place in this establishment. We may need to ask him directly."
Taissa motioned for the serving girl to return to the table and asked her to see if Vick had a moment to come by their table. She also ordered the same meal for Polux as she had before her.
Then she returned to her food, hoping to finish the meal before their private talk.
Hack looks in the direction of Tai, and he stares at her with a questioning look, and he smiles broadly.
At first, she gave Hack a dark scowl, but after a moment's contemplation Taissa sighed and attempted to right her lit ire. Hack wasn't to blame and it was not right to unload her ill temper on her trusted friend and companion.
Taissa picked up her cup and drank -- the apple flavour playing across her tongue. She lifted her eyes back to Hack and smiled a little and then continued talking to Polux, "I'm ill-tempered right now. The travels have been long and some of the people we have crossed paths with have not been to my liking. It's best I am away from that table at present for I would not be able to question Rick suitably, feeling as I do. Some days I wonder why I am here", giving Polux a tired, apologetic smile.
"Well..." - Polux starts - "Most people tend to think or feel they need to grab every opportunity at making new friends. I don't. Friends carry 'complications', and while meeting you and Hack has been a good thing - heck, I guess I can even say the same about Melthune" - he raises his mug to the woman - "It is not something I look for actively, nor do feel I need to 'give people a chance' to that end - I don't ask for chances, so I think I am entitled to not giving any, if I do not wish to"
Taking another sip from his beer, he continues - "That means I end up not wasting much of my time considering if I like this or that person - I can say I might go off my way for some of those from The Seahawk, but that's about it. Bottom line, I do not feel inclined to speak or question this Rick - I hate smug fellows, though many have called me exactly that in the past" - he chuckles.
"As for what we are doing here... Why does it bother you so much that you do not know it exactly? I don't think we are born with a purpose in life - destiny and all that - I may be wrong, but from my perspective, you build things as you go" - he ponders for a few seconds - "Take me for example, I've done a lot of sh** in my life, many of them probably wrong - one way or the other it has brought me here to Beacon - there are opportunities to make some money, enjoy some blade twirling, and much more as it seems. But I'll take it one thing at a time - first I'll make the money and twirl my blades, enjoy the company, and hopefully do some good to the people of this town. What comes after that I do not know, but I won't worry much about it for now" - he finishes.
"And yes, I need to get some food in my stomach, or the beer will start taking effect"
Aye, Holystone here has it sized up about right. I too am no stranger to the wilds, as you noticed. We need to get back and put our heads together on where we are headed. Stay safe, and we will catch up with you if there is a chance we can help each other.
Hack stands, motions to Holystone to follow, and heads back to Tai, Polux and Melthune. He puffs on his pipe as he does. When he arrives, he sits close to the others and speaks in a low voice.
it seems others are interested in our comin's and goins'. Does Vick have a backroom where we can all talk in private about our next moves?
"Not sure, but we can ask"
Taissa's eyes discreetly scanned the interior of The Floating Log as she ate and waited for Vick to swing by their table. Mayhap she would notice a secret backroom or more of the eyes on them from the current patrons.
"As for what we are doing here... Why does it bother you so much that you do not know it exactly?"
Her reply was soft and thoughtful, "I have never enjoyed being in towns and cities -- around so many people for long periods of time. Now I manoeuvre words and actions, intrigue and confidences ... I am suited to the open plains and woodlands where I understand what to expect. Here, there are plots, liars, killers, profiteers, dark magic on every corner, at every port it seems... I do not know what the Spirits have in store for me or my animals. It was simpler on my own with just the animals. That is all."
She took a long drink of her cider and wiped at her mouth. "I am tired, in my mind. Mayhap a good night's sleep will help return my humour."
To Hack and Holystone she re-focused and enquired, "Are you hungry and require a meal? Or did you have your fill of tarts?"
Nodding amiably to Rick, Jenner follows Hack back to the others, and agrees that a place to talk that's private-like would best suit them.
Melthune returns Polux's salute with a raised cup of her own in reply.
Rick glances at the men and takes another drink.
"You'll be in town a few days?"
Rick makes a non-committal shrug at this point.
”Maybe – probably… I don’t know for sure yet about that… For now I don’t have much going on. If there’s nothing going on I might just shove off… but if there’s some action, there’s a good chance I’ll stay,” he adds with a grin.
Hack eyes him for a moment, then gives him a friendly nod.
Aye, Holystone here has it sized up about right. I too am no stranger to the wilds, as you noticed. We need to get back and put our heads together on where we are headed. Stay safe, and we will catch up with you if there is a chance we can help each other.
Rick nods and takes another draw on his pipe.
Hack and Jenner get up and glance around the room. Hack halts a serving girl moving through the bar.
Does Vick have a backroom where we can all talk in private about our next moves?
The girl pauses and glances at Hack in surprise.
”Sure – it’s in the back,” she says, seeming a little confused at the question.
Polux follows the others for their secret meeting, and actually finds he quite enjoys the whole cloak and dagger feeling. As they find a private area to speak in, he blurts out - "So. What's all this secrecy about?"
Holystone chuckles as he sits down on a barrel in the store-room.
"I dunno if it's about anythin' so much as it is reefin' our sails, eh? A storm might blow, so we're bein' cautious, like."
The sailor considers a moment, sipping his ale (he brought his mug with him). He looks at Taissa and says, almost apologetically, "Strewth, I think the man meant no harm. 'Tis not uncommon, for folk meeting to ask each other their business and the like. Gods know I do it to half I meet!
"He seeks to travel with us if we've got work lined up. I made him no promises, of course-- and in any case, between Taissa and Hack, I think he can know no more of the wilds than we already do. But we don't yet known our own next port, now do we? Not until we meet with the 'captain', as it were."
Jenner drains what is left in his mug, and belches in a comfortable fashion. "'s a boom town, right now. A passel of halflings... say, what do you call a group of them? A half of halflings? Ha! A chatter of halflings? --anyway, there's a regular camp of them out east, pleasant little chaps. I wager they'll find trouble in the town though. Old and new always clash."
He looks mournfully down into his now-empty mug, and looks to see if the others have thoughts... if not, well, he can get to lookin' for little lady Ella.
I will raise thequestion 'bout all these newcomers with the Regent tomorrow. I am interested in stakin' a claim of land for all of us. We need a home base of if we are to work as a unit. Any thoughts on a spot? We may also want to name our little group?
He takes out his pipe and continues speaking as he packs it slowly.
I am all for a large manor or keep bein' built soon enough, but we will need to claim the land first. I suggest somewhere far enough from town so as not to be swallowed with the boomin' Beacon and near 'nuff to the wilds. But we need to be able to get to town quickly. Maybe somewhere that we can defend the town from an inland threat?
He starts to puff on the pipe as he brings a candle to the bowl. He slides the tabacco over to Holystone.
Here, try some of this stuff.
He winks at Tai with a smile.
Taissa called Daya and White Fang and together, they followed the others into Vick's storage room.
She kept her eyes peeled in case their movements were being followed by any of the patrons.
She was content when Polux raised the question regarding secrecy. Taissa was quiet and waited for Hack or Holystone to speak their piece.
The sailor considers a moment, sipping his ale (he brought his mug with him). He looks at Taissa and says, almost apologetically, "Strewth, I think the man meant no harm. 'Tis not uncommon, for folk meeting to ask each other their business and the like. Gods know I do it to half I meet!"
Taissa's deep sapphire gaze pinned Holystone for more than a few seconds before she spoke in lowered voice. "My issue with the man is not over his question into our business, although he was forward in asking and has no right to such knowledge. It is with his insult to me as Alpha of my pack. And Holystone, you and I are quite different - I'm not inclined to such chatter." And with that, she had no more to say on the subject of Rick.
When Hack started speaking of buying a parcel of land to jointly own and work, Taissa's attention turned to that. She really didn't care to talk about the Brevoyian any further. She nodded her head at what he was saying -- It certainly would be better to hear from the Regent himself regarding all the visitors to Beacon.
"The further out of main street, the better", Taissa concurred regarding the distance of the property from the Beacon centre.
As Hack handed Holystone the tobacco, the Northerner's now-familiar wink and smile caught her notice, and she smiled back.
"I have not met this Rick fellow, nor do I really care about meeting. It seems he has made quite an impression on Taissa though" - he chuckles - "In any case, I guess it is irrelevant since he will probably follow along his own merry way, while we trek our own"
Taking also a seat on a crate, he follows up - "You guys know me by now, even though Jenner" - he turns to the man - "We have just met, but I have been travelling with Taissa and Hack for a long time, and Melthune more recently - they know that the few hardset, firm convictions that I possess are not geared towards the greater good" - he holds up one hand and smiles - "No please, let us not discuss my morals. To each his own, right?" - he adds, with a grin.
"What I mean to say is that I'm all for gathering as much information as we can, and it seems we have done just that for the last hours - now... It seems that if Hack wants to set up shop, and I will do my best to aid him, we will need manpower, solid relations in town, and hard cash - that suits me just fine, and from what we have heard the most profitable venture in town currently is “work for hire” as mercenary. We have caravans looking for guards who are willing to earn coin by taking risks on certain missions. If we're willing to travel with a company between two points, which will probably get us attacked by bandits – certain groups will pay big money for protection - that could be an option, though it will take us away from Beacon again, at least momentarily" - he shrugs.
"If we want to stick around, local work mostly involves formally signing on to the Bounty Hunter guild. We sign a contract, we're given steady tasks/bounties/locations to hit, with the understanding that we have to pay off a small “cut” of our findings to the guildhall for the information/contract work - this is something we can do as soon as we like" - he adds.
"Other than that, it is also possible that the Regent has further missions to assign us with" - he reasons - "But to cut things short, and if you are asking what I would like to do, I don't think I have a straight answer - I prefer bounty hunting than caravan escorting, I prefer staying close to town for some time than again moving away, and I'd rather put my efforts into seeing your plans come to fruition Hack, than any other - you are my friend, and that is how it works for me" - he nods seriously - "Bottom line, what I think we are missing, is understanding what our role may be in Beacon, or whatever we may want it to be, and take it from there. On the other hand, we are newly arrived to all effects, so I say we stick with finding out what there is to do and do it, find information regarding what can be built and where, decide on a location, decide on how it will be manned, what size and role it will take - scout the area, clean it, and BAM! We've got a new hold for lord Corchran" - he laughs.
Hack pulls his pipe away, and throws back his head with a hearty laugh.
Aye, my friend, I knew I could count on ya. I am all for anyway to make more coin too. What better way to build a keep? Such a base would allow us to explore any means of money-makin' ventures. Let's see what our good Regent has to say about such plans tomorrow. Holystone? Mel? Your thoughts?
Melthune follows every one into the 'Back room'. As she traverses the tavern, her eyes stray over its interior architecture.
Once inside, she finds some where reasonably comfortable to sit/relax and listens politely as every one chats.
When Hack waves his pipe in her direction and asks her thoughts she takes a moment to gather them, over the settling of her meal and the alcohol she's consumed, before answering.
"When I heard about Beacon and the potentials here. I was intrigued by the possibility of establishing my own holdings. Some where that was mine...not necessarily having to be beholden directly to family and kin and all the complicated politics that entails..." Melthune sighs as some thought.
"I think I told people that?" Then she looks to Jenner and smiles, "Well...now I've definitely told you all that." Her gaze travels around the group.
"I must admit that now, after our encounters in the South, I have an extra reason to want to start up my on holdings. It can be some where to strain people. Work up actual troops. Start getting organized in a way that we can take the fight back to those who would raise armies of ravaged minions." Melthune's gaze goes slightly distant.
"I did offer Amun-ta help in reclaiming that which has been taken from herself..." Melthune shrugs. "Well..having string arms and shields will always be welcome some place."
Taissa took seat on the table housing various sacks of flour. The animals rested on the floor, listening to the people speak.
Taissa's mind floated back to the first meeting with the Lord Regent and the people who formed his committee.
"The Bounty Hunter guild has those green sashes. I recollect their guild master -- he was with the others when we met the Regent, you know, the Human with black hair, thin moustache and beard, fine white skin and brown eyes. He had a crest on his chest ... I can't note his name or whether we were ever introduced. He had a hard, stern look about him..."
"Now, we do require coin to set up a Keep or train soldiers", looking across to Melthune, "But do we want to sign up with this Guild Master and be bound to yet another master whose orders we must follow? The Lord Regent is enough for me. I was never one to be so subservient, even for coin. If I am to risk my life (and that of my pack), I'd rather reap all the rewards that come with it."
Taissa's eyes scanned each face in the dimlit storage room. "Why can we not form our own guild/company and take on special projects from the Lord Regent himself? We could charge our own coin and not have to share it with another Guild Master."
And returning to Melthune's points, she added, "We need a central place to conduct trade and pave out a livelihood. We can buy a larger property -- form an estate like Amurath Khan -- where we each build our own properties but we are ensconced in a protected Keep and can work together for the betterment of us all? We do not say you cannot hire soldiers and train them, Melthune. We can build barracks for this specialised army. But remember, that you must show the Regent that these troops are for the sole use and benefit of Beacon and not your personal bodyguards. The Regent already has barracks and he may feel unhappy and threatened if he thinks you, or we, are forming our own army within his lands."
White Fang looks around as the others chat; he glances up at Taissa's idea of starting their own guild and cocks his head, as if thinking.
Saying nothing he decides to get comfy while the others consider things.
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The company is brought forward to meet with Lord Titus who greets them cordially at their arrival at his hall. While courteous, the man seems to be in a bit of a foul mood, as if something is on his mind more than the usual business that brings your company to him.
Titus is from Cheliax originally. He came to Beacon to help start a new life. He’s a good man, honorable and very pragmatic who is roughly 47 years of age.
Despite being a bit older than most adventurers Titus strikes you as a man who can not only hold his own with a weapon, but is very dangerous with one if pushed. Right now he’s fairly calm and collected when he meets you, but somewhat distracted, though he hides it relatively well.
A pile of papers are before him as well as various maps on his desk. A large board that can be moved about stands slightly to his side and on it is a modest sized map which you quickly recognize as a detailed map of the surrounding countryside for about fifty miles in each direction.
There are various marks and notations on it – though you barely have time for a quick glance.
The map has a clear spot for Beacon itself; there is a dotted line from Beacon in a roughly northeastern direction. This is marked as a road. The road leads about (you believe) twenty miles. It ends at a place now marked as “Wyvern’s Rock”.
There are smaller X’s in red scattered around the map. There are a few X’s in what looks like Blue which are marked in rough intervals from Beacon that are parallel to this "Wyvern's Rock" place; all of them seem to be about 20 miles from Beacon – and roughly spaced in twenty mile intervals (roughly 20 miles in a line from the place called Wyvern’s Rock).
There seems to be some brief writing under all of the X’s and also where the road ends.
The red X’s have various dates and numbers – you suspect that the dates indicate when an attack happened. You suspect that the numbers equal the dead – both “good guys” and “bad guys”. Finally, you see small notes about the make-up of the forces, such as; 27 goblins dead, 7 militia men dead – or; 4 ogres killed, 12 militia men dead, and so on.
Under the mark Wyvern’s Rock it has the name “Anton Zergev” and “82 I, 20 C”.
”Greetings,” he says with a brief nod at you all; clearly he’s less interested then pleasantries than getting to the point at this time.
”I have been told you wished to have an interview with me. I am happy to help any of the folk who reside in Beacon or make it their home. What can I do for you?” he says with a polite voice.
Taissa was able to glance at the maps and board to see the notations and markings clearly from her standing place in the chamber. Interesting information to share with the others after the meeting, she mused. She particularly pondered over the notation marked with the Bounty Hunters' Guild Master's name. Anton Zergev and Wyvern Rock.
Taissa began by formally introducing Melthune and Holystone to the Lord Regent and explaining their circumstance and presence in Beacon. The rest she left to the respective individuals to discuss with Caius. She also informed the Regent that Suny, the Elven lass, was no longer travelling in their company - having set off on a mercy mission for an undisclosed period of time.
She then recounted what they had discovered in Osirion, especially the presence and spread of the ancient dark disease turning citizens into Undead. She recited the words and warnings of Amurath Khan and White Fang (although she left out the part regarding the pup's thoughts on the disease because the Regent may not have been open to hearing they came from an animal). Taissa stressed that the threat could be closer to Beacon then they originally imagined. Finally, she introduced the Worg pup to the Regent, explaining he now belonged to her pack.
Now that the Regent had been informed of their most recent goings on, Taissa continued,
"Lord Regent, I believe you received my missive to the point before we arrived in Osirion. Now we have returned to Beacon and have seen the arrival of ships from Magnimar, Halflings and Shoanti, we would like to know what has happened since we were last in Beacon? Are there some urgent matters that we should be made aware of, Lord Regent, and where our skills and service can be employed forthwith?"
"You're right," Jenner says agreeably to Taissa, "we are very different people! But that is what makes the world a wondrous place, I fathom. Be boring if we all had the same feathers and fur and what not..."
Jenner listens to the discussion of the group wishing to get their own bit of land with his brows raised. It's true that on the ship's voyage, he had spoken with the others over his last fine bottle of his best whiskey, and heard words to that effect-- but at the time, he hadn't realized it was more than merely the desire to settle down. They want a base, it sounds like. Proper estate or whatnot. Bailiwick. Keep. Other landlubber terms he has little familiarity with.
"Blue Lady, but you lot are serious," he says amiably. "Myself, I always wanted a fast ship to call my own, not a patch of soil that you've got to park yourself on, but to each their own... If you need some coin to put towards this venture, well, I've a bit saved, eh? And I do owe each one of you, so say the word, and I'll help bankroll your bit of land as best I can."
***
The Varisian's eyes dart sharply over the map as he listens to Taissa's pragmatic recounting of all they've seen and learned of this dangerous cult. When he is introduced, he offers a low bow and touches his head-scarf respectfully.
When the opportunity comes, he offers another salute. "Your grace! Or whatever title it is you care for, sir, I confess I dun't know much titles beyond those on a ship, sir. But I'll serve as needed, like these mates of mine: I know a little bit about a lot of things, sir, and I can medic someone who's needin' it. If you haven't got problems yet with disease, with all these people comin' into town, you may yet, sir.
"Tho' I'm guessin' you may have more immediate problems, sir, pardon my boldness," he says with a slight tilt of his head towards the map.
Holystone, your help will be needed in settin' up a Keep or other kind of base. I agree that we will need a ship too, and I think that you should be in charge of that. There is no reason we cannot gather enough funds for both over time.
Hack also gets a good look at the maps and markings.
Hmmmm...those markings may help us decide where to stake a claim...
Lord Regent, good to see you again. Our group is again here to serve the needs of Beacon. We do want to stake a claim on some territory to build a keep or manor to aid in our duties. Who do I talk to about a gfood location based upon threats and defensive plans for Beacon?
Polux stays silent for the time being - he is not as firmly set on their goals as his companions, and he needs to ponder how to approach the issue of Snaga... He will wait until the main concerns are addressed, before speaking about it though.
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Titus seems fairly worn out from all of this information; while it is not late it’s clear the issues are just extra stress. However, he is a pragmatic man in many respects. When faced with a problem he does everything he can to fix the problem. When he has done his best he attempts to dismiss the problem – after all; worrying about a problem will not solve it.
He calls for aids to bring in some refreshment in the form of tea; bread and honey. When he notices White Fang he stares at the warg somewhat suspiciously, as if he has had very unpleasant interactions with packs of adult wargs in the past; especially connected to orcs and goblins.
But even before Taissa had a chance to introduce the pup he had been watching White Fang openly, as if waiting for the pup to do something dangerous. When White Fang behaves himself Titus seems to relax somewhat. When Taissa mentions White Fang by name the pup trots forward to the man and wags his little tail at Titus. For some reason this seems to mollify the leader’s concerns about the warg a bit and he can move on to more pressing issues with your group.
"Your grace! Or whatever title it is you care for, sir, I confess I dun't know much titles beyond those on a ship, sir. But I'll serve as needed, like these mates of mine: I know a little bit about a lot of things, sir, and I can medic someone who's needin' it. If you haven't got problems yet with disease, with all these people comin' into town, you may yet, sir.
"Tho' I'm guessin' you may have more immediate problems, sir, pardon my boldness."
The Regent nods politely at Jenner.
”Very good, sir. For now I would recommend talking to the town’s chief priest and the head of the Alchemical shop – your companions are well acquainted with them; they will provide you with names and information on both, I’m sure; if you would be willing to assist them with any potential help in the future?” he says with a courteous nod to the sailor.
”As for problems? Yes – we have had issues during the past two months. Primarily attacks during the winter; trouble with ogres just before you companions left – then attacks from a group of Hill Giants – bad business. Further raids have come down from the highlands to the north and our information indicates that there were various dens of bandits several miles from our borders which we have attempted to deal with using some ideas – but we can discuss them later,” he says with a nod.
Lord Regent, good to see you again. Our group is again here to serve the needs of Beacon. We do want to stake a claim on some territory to build a keep or manor to aid in our duties. Who do I talk to about a good location based upon threats and defensive plans for Beacon?
At Hack’s comment the Regent looks at your group thoughtfully – as if a sudden idea has struck him.
”Hmm… perhaps I misspoke and we can discuss these ideas now?” he says.
”For now Beacon has suffered various attacks because it is drawing the attention from various folk from all over the land. The town itself is not a fortress or keep to defend against raiders who would come down to harass the homesteads that are cropping up right outside our walls; and it has become too attractive to folk that would make camps or hideouts nearby, yet not too close to be able to discover with ease.”
”Because of the raiders that set up camp during the winter were problematic, one of our citizens has proposed the concept of building some staggered defensive structures several miles from our town. The town has conceded the land to him and he is using his own personal resources to build a suitable keep or guard post which he has elected to man and defend.”
”So far we only have one such Keep that has been built and staffed – I confess it is not much more than a palisade fort with a few rough watchtowers and a few cabins to shelter the men. However, the hope is that this structure will grow in strength and time and by next winter when such raids happen again from the highlands, the keep will serve as an added defense and a place where we can use to protect our folk when we search the area for potential bandit dens that pop up during the cold months as men look for food in the winter.”
Titus thinks a moment.
”For now you are welcome to build a home or a similar structure on or near the town itself. But if you are feeling more… enterprising, perhaps you’d be interested in a similar concept? Pick a place roughly twenty miles from the town – oh, we use twenty miles because an infantry man with a full kit on the march can get about twenty miles in one day over decent terrain – so at the least it gives you breathing room, but it also means you’re close enough for aid to come to you, should you need it.”
As Taissa has formally initiated this interview, she attempts now to bring things together more succinctly and learn about what her host might need.
"Lord Regent, I believe you received my missive to the point before we arrived in Osirion. Now we have returned to Beacon and have seen the arrival of ships from Magnimar, Halflings and Shoanti, we would like to know what has happened since we were last in Beacon? Are there some urgent matters that we should be made aware of, Lord Regent, and where our skills and service can be employed forthwith?"
The Regent looks genuinely puzzled at this statement, but waits until Taissa can finish before he answers.
”You say you dispatched a letter from Korvossa?” he says intently, a stern look on his face. When the response is an affirmative – he curses and shakes his head.
”In the past two months we have dispatched trade goods to Magnimar for sale, and they have done the same with us… However neither of us received any news or reports of the ships. It was if someone was attacking or pirating the shipping lanes between here and Magnimar. We weren’t sure until very recently, of course. It would take at least week for a ship to get there; perhaps another week to offload goods and a further week to return.”
”With no response from Magnimar I dispatched lord Gilliean Estel personally with a flotilla of two man’o’war’s and three privateers about three weeks ago to discover what was happening.”
”Their flotilla reached Magnimar and discovered that between their city and ours there has been a gang of cutthroats and pirates who began to harass the shipping lanes roughly about the time that your party would have left Korvossa to head to Osirion – from what you suggested earlier…”
”According to Admiral Estel the group of pirate scum who has attacked all the merchant ships that sail between Beacon, Magnimar and even Korvosa is a gang called... ah - “The Bloody Sword”… It is noted to be connected to folk in Rahadoum; they do various jobs, including enforcement for criminal enterprises and other such actions.”
”Our flotilla’s can act as escorts for trading ships between here and Magnimar, but they cannot do so forever. Soon the scum from Riddleport will stab south to raid both the Shoanti and our own growing town and we'll need them back here to protect against such attacks...”
”More of those details can be discovered by talking to the aids from Korvossa, who have working with Magnimar and us regarding this investigation. The chief officer in charge is from Korvossa and is named… Ah! Here it is… Rinaldo Glabius. He has a company of forty musketeers in town with him from his homeland, as well as a fully crewed privateer staffed with lads from Magnimar and one as escort from that town… He may be able to give you more information on that subject, if you wish it?”
He shakes his head at Taissa.
"I am truly sorry, but we did not get your missive - perhaps you can tell me what it contained now?" he asks her politely.
Lord Regent, establishin' a foothold between ten and twenty miles from town would be a goal worth pursuin', but as I said, we will serve if needed while workin' on the spot.
They had all talked at length regarding the Undead disease and Taissa certainly did not want to rehash the contents of her original, now lost, letter but there was naught to be done but go through the details with the Lord Regent as it was important.
Taissa plainly and methodically explained their exploration and discoveries from the first moment they set forth from Beacon. Since time was of the essence, she believed the Regent did not want to tarry on drawn out stories. She also added that they were made aware of the locations of the goblin dens around Beacon from a reliable source.
"Rinaldo Glabius. He has a company of forty musketeers in town with him from his homeland, as well as a fully crewed privateer staffed with lads from Magnimar and one as escort from that town… He may be able to give you more information on that subject, if you wish it?”
"Aye Lord, we wish it. If your Aide, Cassius, can draft an introduction letter we can show this Rinaldo Glabius as proof of our association with you and Beacon, we shall find him in town as soon as this meeting is concluded. Thank you." If paranoia was rife in Beacon, it would do no good to simply approach this Korvosan and hope Glabius would trust in their word and give them the information. An official letter from the Regent's office would go a long way to hasten cooperation.