Behind the girl clad only in a vivid orange and blue scarf, Pitr swings his halberd wildly at the horror in the window. "Countess, Solaric, Kirk! Jarovich is attacking!"
Will save
Kirk rushes up the stairs, giving the naked girl a confused look as he passes her, to see what all the trouble is about.
Victoria rushes from her room, dagger in hand looking for the source of the distrubance, the only person she does not know is the naked stranger, so she confronts the woman.
"Who are you, and what is going on"
Being a fellow woman, Victoria is little concerned about modesty issues.
Solaric blushes at the sight of this beautiful woman. He avert his eyes quickly, but still speaks to her. "My dear lady, you appear very . . . vulnerable at the moment. Perhaps we could find a place of safety for you. My grace, could you please assist. Perhaps there is a room you could take her to." Doing his best not to look at her, Solaric eases past her and enters the room with Pitr.
"Jendarne! What sort of beast have you summoned?! I am glad to see you are still wearing your scarf, but where is your armor?! Step back and I will take this beast down! Go find Basilli!" Solaric draws his longsword and prepares for battle.
As Victoria loses her concentration, the bulbuos eye vanishes and the darkness retreats.
The girl, still shocked, flees in Victorias arms and follws her into the Countess' room.
There she takes a blanket and wraps herself into it. Since the commotion has ended and the monster hasn't attacked the building yet, she calms down a bit.
What...what in all heavens name was that?
From below the innkepper shouts
What the heck is going on up there?
Zahur looks in the diretion that Ricca was looking at and thinks for a moment before answering her.
Not knowing much of magic and the ability to charm beasts, I think that it would be a purely defensive move. Anyone wishing to come to the castle has to go through these 'dangerous monsters'. Plus aren't the Jarovichs competent magicians? I'm sure they have ways of bypassing this natural defence, not forgetting the fact that it is on mountainous terrain makes it even harder for any assailants to reach it.
Plus seclusion allows you to do things away from peering eyes.
Zahr then proceeds to comb Night while still talking to Ricca.
What about you? Do you enjoy the seclusion that nature provides you?
Ricca, still looking to the mountains in the distance, replies
Mhh, yes and no. I grew up in a tribal society. My people, the U'zul ke Orak or Aurochs Shadows, used to roam the lands to the northwest, where mammoths and reindeer dwell. Then, one day, my tribe was attacked by a large group of ice trolls and snow goblins, commanded by some Irrisen witches. My mother was able to bring me out of the battle, yet she was wounded and died only a day later...luckily I was found by a group of scouts of another tribe before I would have frozen to death.
I grew up with them, yet I always knew that they weren't my family and I would never be a real member of their tribe.
So I left as soon as I thought to have the skills to get along on my own.
I was 16 and proud...and pretty stupid, I think you can imagine that, heh. I was just lucky to meet a band of adventurers who welcomed me to their rows. That's how I met Gorian and the other members of the Righteous Hammer - that's what the party called itself.
I spend alot of years with them adventuring in the more populated regions of Golarion and yet I often longed for the seclusion of my homeland. I guess the decision to live in that cabin so close to Belfurth is some kind of middle ground between seclusion and contact.
And what about you? How come a Garundi has been raised in Karcau?
"Yes, yes come this way...my pretty"
Victoria sits the young lady down on a bed, and pulls up a chair across from her. This time Victoria is paying very close attention.
"Perhaps my dear we can start at the beginning. I am going to ask you who are you and where are you from, but before I do I would like to suggest to you that...I am exactly what I appear to be" Victorias eyes look slightly upwards towards her small elegant horns momentarily "Yet I feel your true purpose and being is a little... less fully open and honest"
Sense Motive =
It seems like the girl has only now realized that you actually have horns protruding from your forehead.
Horrified she puts her hand to her mouth and backs away from you as far as she can on the bed.
I didn't want to cause you or your friends any harm, really! Please don't curse me! after some moments of terror, she slwoly regains at least a slight bit of confidence.
Actually I'm not from Belfurth...my name's Mindra and I'm a prostitute from Karcau. I was hired to seduce this guy with the scarf and afterwards ask him some questions about his father or rather parents.
Well my father was an adventurer and originated from Garund. He did not gain much fame or renown during his adventuring career. My mother, who was born in Karcau, said that he looked his worst while he was an adventurer as if the life did not suit him. They had an on again off again relationship until my mother gave him an ultimatum, either retire or it is over. So he set up a smithy next to my mother's small restaurant and craft store and they settled into an honest life together.
Growing up he would tell me tales of his adventuring days, and with my mother's reluctance he set me off to the academy.
I have a sister, but I haven't seen her in 5 years. She took of adventuring wihtout going through the academy. My family has assumed the worst. Hopefully I can pick up traces of what happened to her while we travel.
Solaric races to the window, to see what's there. He turns around and replies, "I don't see anything out here, Pitr. Are you sure you weren't having a bad dream?"
Ricca listens attentively, takes a gulp of her meadskin and replies thoughtfully
Do you know anything of her further fate? - Like where she went or with whom she grouped? What kind of character is she?
Actually I'm not from Belfurth...my name's Mindra and I'm a prostitute from Karcau. I was hired to seduce this guy with the scarf and afterwards ask him some questions about his father or rather parents.
"Mindra, I have no disdain for you or your vocation, I am not here to curse you for who or what you are. What you failed to notice though, is these males are part of my territorial claim, and whilst they are free to choose mates as they see fit, I will be watching those mates most carefully to measure their worth...and their threat"
"I'm sorry that you have become involved in this matter, deeply deeply sorry. Several people have been hired for the purpose of either harming, hampering, or investigating my fellows, and most of those people have come to rather sticky ends. Now you seem like a likeable enough woman, and as I say, I brook you no ill will, but I need to ask you to tell me who hired you...and whether the hirer has any leverage over you in Karcau do you have family or loved ones who may be used as bargaining chips?"
Your soothing words work wonders and the girl relaxes
Originally I'm from Djarovac, a hamlet at the southern shore of Lake Prophyria, but I haven't had contact to my family for years.
I was paid very well for this job and so I didn't ask many questions nor had moral objections...
It was last Starday when a man approached me, broad shouldered, grizzled, about sixty I think. He told me about my task and paid 5 platinum in advance for it. He showed me your friend and told me to follow him until I'd find a chance to seduce him... I guess the moment I chose couldn't have been worse, mhh?
He said his name was Lamotte and I can remember that he had a strong Taldan accent.
My task exactly was, to ask your friend how much he knew of the time when his father served in the Taldan navy in Cassomir and how he met his wife.
" Jendarne, I am going outside to have a look around. Once you equip yourself, come and join me." The half dark elf sheaths his sword and heads downstairs. Unless something happens in the common room, he will step outside the inn, walk over and look up at the window to room number three. He looks around the streets and watches to see if anyone is present.
Perception
"Jendarne! What sort of beast have you summoned?! I am glad to see you are still wearing your scarf, but where is your armor?! Step back and I will take this beast down! Go find Basilli!"
Pitr fear is suddenly replaced by anger."I'm not your errand boy, Solaric. I can take this thing, besides it's no uglier than you!"
When the beast disappears, Pitr is confused. Not lowering his guard, he surveys the room. "Now where did the girl go? and thought I saw Countess here a minute ago,too. What the Hells is going on, Solaric?"
After the Paladin obviously excuses himself rather than lie, Pitr angrily suits back up and goes down for a beer. "Well, at least there weren't any awkward good-byes," he grins to himself as he finishes his first drink.
Zahur walks over to Ricca extending his hand for the meadskin and sitting by the fire.
Well from what I remember she use to have an amazing voice, when she sang she seemed the happiest person in the world, but the rest of the time she had a sombre mood and was always looking out for herself first. She would often stay out late at night performing at the local bars and getting drunk and who knows what else with the local ruffians.
From what I gathered she left with some academy graduates; a number of them from Jarovich's academy unfortunately.
But like I said, she left over five years ago, and the truth might have changed between now and then.
@ Zahur:
Ricca listens to your story and pokes the fire with a dry spruce branch.
For the first time you notice that she possesses a wild beatuty as the vivid firelight dances over her skin and her tattoos seem to become alive.
So, she is a bard...and rather one of those that play in bars and not at courts. How come she ganged up with some of Jarovich's students and what did your parents say?
@ Solaric:
The street is empty...at least their are no several meter high krakens. Furthermore, the people on the streets don't seem agitated in any way.
@Pitr and Kirk:
After Solaric has rushed down the stairs and left through the front door, Pitr - obviously p.issed - joins Kirk at the bar and downs an ale in record time.
Solaric reenters the inn after looking around outside. He sits down and joins the others.
"I could not find anything outside. Whatever was there is gone now. So, Pitr, who was that woman? Did you even learn her name?"
Kirk joins Pitr and orders a whiskey. He smiles selfishly, listening to Pitr and Solaric's typical banter. He takes a sip of the drink, ponders it a moment, and then shoots the rest of the glass into his throat and addresses the bartender, "Have you got any bottles of whiskey for sale? I'd like one for the road, please."
Solaric glares at the half orc. "Haven't we been here before? I have been working hard to hold my tongue, but I simply cannot ignore this! We have an urgent task ahead of us! Do you think that Ja . . ." Solaric looks around the room and then remembers not to blow their cover. "We have some Wyverns to take care of very soon and you are going to want to be in prime condition. We all need each other and if you are on the road sipping every few minutes, you are going to be lucky to simply stay on your horse. You mentioned getting some training in the shield. This is something I would be happy to do, but not if you are completely besoffen. I propose we start an early morning regime each day at dawn. What do you say to that?"
Kirk smiles at Solaric, "Don't worry old chap, the whiskey isn't just for sipping. It's primarily for celebrating once we've slain that pesky Wyvern we've got on our mind, and collected the bounteous rewards we'll have surely earned." He chuckles at his own joke, legitimately hopeful for the future, but then returns to the present and says, "Seriously, though. I can handle myself in dangerous situations, and I've hit the bottle often enough to know when too much is too much, and when just right is just right, and even when nothing at all is exactly what's necessary. For now, just right is just right."
"So, Pitr, who was that woman? Did you even learn her name?"
Annoyed with soggy blanket Solaric interupting a good beer, Pitr quips,"She did seem a bit young or I would have mistaken her for your mother." Pitr can't conceal a grin as he orders another beer.
"Speaking of women of ill repute and questionable ancestry, where is the Countess?"
"Well thats truly something,and I am glad you chose the sensible road of being honest and truthful. A warning sign for you should have been the largesse of the payment. Whilst I do not snub your talent, the sum of five platinum is rather generous for the amount of work don't you think? Luckily for you I suppose, Pitr is a man of rather basic instinct, although I believe that his gruff exterior does in fact harbour a gold heart, actually a woman such as yourself would probably be fortunate to have such a man, something you might well bear in mind".
Victoria helps the woman get dressed.
"By now things have probably settled downstairs, let us both withdraw to the parlour and avail ourselves of the establishments wine list... but oh my what are you wearing...!
Victoria will tidy Mindra up and ensure she looks as good as she can in such short order.
Whilst amending her wardrobe and makeup to the Countesses standards, Victoria continues...
"I am not certain telling Pitr the full story would be very good for his ego, no you will have to lie, of course all lies must be salted with some truth lest the taste causes our mouths to rebel. You were paid to spy on Pitr, this much is true, and you were to obtain the information about his father, this too is true... but it was your desire for his masculinity that drove you to the bedchamber, not the love of coin - we, you and I, are of a type, actresses and manipulators, but the cost of that cannot be his pride."
Kirk points upstairs, saying "She and Solaric went upstairs a while ago, and then there was some screaming and commotion, and then you and Solaric came downstairs. I can only assume the Countess is still up there, probably with that pretty little thing you met earlier, talking. Or something."
"She did seem a bit young or I would have mistaken her for your mother." Pitr can't conceal a grin as he orders another beer.
"Speaking of women of ill repute and questionable ancestry, where is the Countess?"
With bolts of lightning in his eyes, Solaric glares at Pitr Jendarne coldly and speaks in an quiet even tone that carries an edge that could slay a dragon.
“You have said too much. In the span of two breaths, you have insulted the two most important women in my life. It is only because of your ignorance that I will excuse you. You never knew my mother, Kiana Muralt. If you did, you would not speak unkindly of her. She is the true heir to the throne of Ordranto and has more compassion, courage, and bravery than any person I know. She endured torture, torment, and injustice all for the love of a child.”
”Have you ever met a full blooded drow? They live without mercy and are willing to strike one dead at the slightest of infractions. I will tell you a story, Jendarne. Listen carefully, because I will not tell it again.”
”My mother and I were enslaved to the Zekkaran family, the fifth noble house of the city of Jadeberazzaan. The noble houses of the drow all fight among each other seeking favor with their demon goddess, Lolth. One day, Malestra, the older sister of my father, Lacertak Zekkaran, came to the matron mother’s chamber and demanded my sacrifice to Lolth. The matron mother agreed and her word is beyond dispute. I was to be sacrificed that night in a grand ceremony to help the noble family gain favor with Lolth. My mother was hidden in the throne room and overheard Malestra and the Matron Mother’s plan. Kiana Muralt saved me that night and we escaped from the house moments before the sacrifice by teleporting out through a portal in the matron mother’s chamber. For many months we struggled and fought to survive the wilds of the darklands. During that time, she taught me kindness, compassion, and courage. She also taught me to recognize what is truly important in this life, and how your actions define who you are and not simply your appearance. That is a lesson that I briefly forgot, until a dear friend reminded me of its truth. Perhaps it's time for you to learn that lesson too?”
”But no! As if insulting one woman of great wisdom was not enough, you open your mouth and dishonor her Grace with your implications of ill repute and ancestry. She is not here to defend your words because of her compassion and concern for your safety and because she works right now to save your sorry little life. When will you ever grow up, Jendarne, and realize that the world does not revolve around you? It is time for you to look within and without and decide who your true friends really are!“
”I will tell you a story, Jendarne. Listen carefully, because I will not tell it again.”
"If I thought much of the Gods, I'd thank them for small miracles right there. Look Chatty, I didn't ask to hear your two penny demon opera, but I'll tell you one thing, my friends know how to take a joke. Your damned hide is as thin as it is dark and I wish you'd get the stick out of your arse. Just because we have the same enemy doesn't make us friends especially if you have an inclination to keep bossing everyone around and preach all hours of the day! Now if you're not drinking, get out of here and let us enjoy ourselves!"
Kirk whistles awkwardly and looks down into his drink, fidgeting his thumbs anxiously in hope that somebody else would join them soon.
"Good night gentlemen." Solaric walks away and mutters to himself, "I must remember to never cast gemstones before wild boars." He walks up to the innkeeper and says, "I believe I have not had a chance to check in, do you have a single room available tonight? "
"Well Spooky, I never thought I'd consider you good company, but next to the Dark Knight there you're a barrel of laughs." Pitr sullenly finishes his second beer and orders another.
@ Those in the taproom:
The bartender brings another beer and mutters something about
Typically city slickers...
then he adresses Kirk
Yo, sure I got some good whiskey, friend. I can offer you a bottle of Oldlaw for 10 gp or the Kronstein Finest for 20 gp.
and the leaving Solaric at last
Take room number three...just became available again.
@ Victoria:
The girl thanks you about a thousand times for your mercy and an additional two thousand times for your make-up and dressing tips.
Together you walk down into the taproom and on the way meet an annoyed Solaric who climbs the stairs, obviously enraged.
Downstairs Kirk and Pitr sit at the bar, but while the half-orc seems only to listen Pitr looks quite agitated.
The girl walks over to Pitr and signals him to follow her to a table close to the fireplace out of eavesdropping range. Nervous and uncertain she plays with one of her braids, then says
I, I think you should know that I was paid to get some information from you. she hesitates a moment but then bursts out
But that wasn't the reason why we just...you know, in the days I followed you, I got enarmoured by your free spirit and your courage. I had already forgotten my task and just wanted to be close to you, yet I thought you should know that our meeting was no coincidence. I that doesn't disgrace what we just experienced, maybe...maybe you can forgive me?
Solaric speaks to Victoria as they pass in the stairway. “Jendarne is in a typical foul mood, but he seems completely recovered from the experience. I am retiring for the evening to go study my celestial. If I can be of further assistance, please come and get me. I am in room number three.”
Solaric arrives in the room and looks around to see if they have cleaned the room to his satisfaction. Once he is content, he takes some time to quiet his thoughts, meditate, and enter the temple within to meet the Inheritor.
"Spooky. Is that really what they called me back in the Academy?" Kirk stretches his arms and yawns, then cracks his neck both directions in a loud symphony of popping joints. "I guess if the name fits, haha," he jokes.
Then, more seriously, "I'm mature enough to understand when jokes made at my expense are harmless, and when the antagonist speaking needs to die for what they said. Solaric, though, as well-intending and righteous as he sees himself, suffers from a personality and a creed that makes such things very difficult. I'm not telling you this because I think you don't know, but because I think you should hear it from someone other than the Paladin himself."
Kirk orders a beer along with Pitr's third, not wanting to overload on the liquor for the night. "I guess, what I'm trying to say, is that I know you and Solaric have your differences--as we all do with Paladins--but sometimes it's smarter to just let the stubborn ones play their games, believe what they want, and lead, haha, if that's what they want." He puts a hand momentarily on Pitr's shoulder in a friendly gesture, "I'm not telling you to give up and let Solaric have his way, I'm telling you that bickering with him will probably not be worth your time and effort. I gave it up long ago, and I'm perfectly content to let him walk in front, waving our banner and name around like it was his prize (won in the name of his Inheritor), and believe that our mission is truly a holy venture, so long as I get my share in the loot and my name and face stay out of the spotlight. Our little group has grown itself a name and a reputation, and now we'll be attracting all sorts of opponents looking to question our strength and the depth of our pockets. I'd rather be standing in the back than in everyone's sight, when that happens."
Kirk's gaze returns to his drink, of which he takes a long pull and then sits in silence for a while, obviously unsatisfied with his attempt to communicate something too complicated for even his vocabulary.
Pitr takes a long look at Kirk and shrugs, "He just needs someone to take him down a notch. He may have a code, but that doesn't give him the right to put on airs and keep telling us how we should live our lives. Maybe I've got a code of my own.I had my fill of being told what to do by my pompous bastard of an old man. I certainly am not going to put up with it anymore."
He starts on his next beer when the girl shows up. "Now where did you disappear to?" He follows her over to the fireplace."Paid to spy on me? Who would do that? What did they want to know?"
Kirk perks up suddenly, remembering the bartender's earlier offer. "I'll take the Oldlaw whiskey, then, please. Sorry for the delay. We're suffering from some domestic disputes, in case you haven't noticed. Got that big hunt tomorrow, y'know."
He hands the bartender ten gold coins and says, "If it is to my liking, I might stop by on the trip back to Karcau and grab another. It's much cheaper out here than in the big city."
The girl burries her face in her hands and replies sobbingly
A broad shouldered, grizzled man in his sixties told me to do so. He introduced himself as Vincenzo Lamotte and I'm sure he was from Taldor, I mean he had an that was accent easily recognizable.
He paid me very good for asking you about your parents, aboute the time when they met in Cassomir, when your father served in the navy.
The bartender nods
Yeah I bet it's much cheaper here, heh.
He hands you the bottle and disappears in the kitchen.
As he leaves one of the trapper joins you at the bar. The man, about forty, finely trimmed mustache and large sideburns adresses you with a deep voice
So you're on the hunt, mhh? May I ask what kind of game?
As Victoria and Solaric exhange pleasantries on the stairs, she gives him a polite nod and a knowing smile.
"Good work was done here today, any hard words between you may well have been fuelled by the heat of the moment; let them fall from you like raindrops from a cloud, return again to being light and airy, not grey and full of storm..."
Victoria relaxes in the Inn, staying out of the way, eating and drinking little, and saying even less - instead focusing her efforts on watching the taverns occupants.
He paid me very good for asking you about your parents, aboute the time when they met in Cassomir, when your father served in the navy.
Ptr scratches his chin,"Honestly that's kinda odd. I mean I know my father took off from Karcau for a while when he was young, but he doesn't talk about it. Maybe he did make it all the way to Cassomir in his attempt to regain our family's lost titles, but I guess it didn't go very well if he ended up back in Karcau as a merchant and militia irregular...maybe that's why he is so hard up for me to go to Taldan and I guess succeed where he failed. I wonder if this Vincenzo knew him. Not that it matters, I've got better things to do around here."
He looks down at the bounty before him. "Speaking of which, why don't we go back to what we were doing before we were so hideously interrupted? I kind of expect the Countess was behind that little stunt. Maybe she was jealous."
"Good work was done here today, any hard words between you may well have been fuelled by the heat of the moment; let them fall from you like raindrops from a cloud, return again to being light and airy, not grey and full of storm..."
Victoria's words wash over Solaric like a wave of cool refreshing spring water. All of the frustration, conflict and aggravation he had experienced with Jendarne washes away at the sound of her voice, and her look of compassion and understanding calms him in ways that he doesn't quite understand. Utterly unable to express the relief, comfort, and joy she brings him, he simply smiles broadly and says, "I will." The dark elf stops and watches her depart down the stairs and he notices the grace and elegance with which she moves. He thinks to himself, "I am blessed to have her in my life!" After Victoria is gone form view, Solaric lets out a long sigh and turns to head up to his room.
@Pitr
As the girl uncovers her face you notice, she just pretended crying.
The girl takes your hand empathatically
So you are not angry? You don't force me to leave? Thank Shelyn!
Now relieved she thinks for a moment before she goes on
There is something odd, I only now realize that you pretty much look like this man...of course much younger, but you exactly have his eyes.
Shaking her head in disbelief she sweeps those thoughts away
If your offer is still valid I 'd suggest we go on where we were so abruptly cut off.
With a seductive smile she stands up and leaves for the stairs.
The innkeeper, who observes that, mutters
Room number three is occupied by your friend...take number five then...
@ Victoria:
Still the only people in the room are your companions, the innkeeper and the two trappers. One of them is still at their table, the other one - accompanied by the massive white hound - stands next to Kirk.
Victoria watches Pitr and his paramour chatting and move off upstairs, now sastified that the trollop only wishes to deal Pitr as much trouble as he can probably handle, she can rest assured knowing that all is well.
She now sits and watches the Inn, and the pair of trappers, ensuring her other fellows are safe as they drink to the bottom of their bottles. Whilst she does so, she feeds small tasty morsels to her ever loyal companion Naga.
"We must always keep an eye on these people Naga, they are companions who aid us, and we in turn should aid them as friends. Besides, we will never carve ourselves a fitting empire if we only toil with one pair of hands will we?"
Victoria will be the last to retire for the evening.
Your mother would be proud of you...though you mussst never forget that humansss are expendable.
Satisfied with the morsels Naga curls in your lap.
The following morning, after Solaric's morning prayers, he packs up his things and heads downstairs to find breakfast. He is refreshed and content, although he seems quiet and very reflective this morning.
Following breakfast, the cleric will head out to the stables and spend some time brushing Dart and begin preparing her for the next stage of their journey.
Sense motive
My eyes? What's that supposed to mean? Women say the wierdest things.
Pitr wakes up a little late after a rigorous night. He cleans up, gets dressed, and heads down for a bite to eat and to check on the plan. He waves to the girl."Sorry I can't stay, duty calls, maybe I'll see you around. Stay away from Taldans." He grins as he heads out the door.
While Zahur and Ricca camp outside of Belfurth and are hardly able to drive the cold away, the rest of the party enjoys a wonderful night (some with more, some with less amusement) under the roof of the Three Treasures.
After a small breakfast with eggs, bacon and currant bread you prepare your horses for an exhausting ride. The air is crispy and to the east a large formation of clouds looms above the Kronstein Ridge.
Mindra waits at the door of the inn and calls out to Pitr
I'll wait for you in Karcau! May the gods protect you on all your ways!
Pitr finds a table to himself and orders his breakfast as he not feeling particularly 'chatty' this morning. As he waits he doubts breakfast will live up to his post-debauchery meals at the Madman and realizes he already misses Karcau. He didn't really know what to expect out in the countryside and so far he really isn't impressed.
His thoughts lead to wondering how the Sharkpool is going to fare after its renovaton and he thinks about the Harrower in the backroom and her beautiful and mysterious daughter. He reflexively touches his new lucky scarf and feels its supernaturally smooth, warm fabric. On a whim he digs out his handmade deck and shuffles through the cards. He focuses his thoughts on wondering what the day will bring and flips over a card.
After breakfast, Pitr tosses the Innkeep 4 gp and join the others for the ride out of town.
Let's mount up and depart, my friends. We have some Wyverns to find!