Rameth saunters over to Idorii and pours her a measure of whiskey and offers her a toast.
Gents shince you can'tt haff me. She Ith the besht. he continues his slurring but again is in total control of his faculties
Idorii takes a drink of whisky and pats your arm, then looks over for Dwalindor or Calin.
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Any chance your friends are able to take care of you while I finish up here? Girl's gotta earn a living.
Bah, I don't needs taking care of! Just honoring the memoriesh of losht friends. Rameth takes the hint though and moves off to the other side of the bar and sits, after ordering another bottle of rotgut.
Sitting alone in the corner he pounds down more.
Kyrie, I havent forgotten you friend. We made it through this time, no one died. All our old friends have left us though. Sumak, Albus, even the strange one Azubah you sent to us, all gone. I did meet a friendly ghost and have a new pet. So there is that.
*DRINK*
Calin keeps an eye on the room, to make sure that no one is taking any undue interest in Rameth's activities.
"Drink one for me Rameth. I've had to give it up since I've met Tobbs. Alcohol somehow affects him through the bond.
I don't think those pigmies will ever be the same...."
You don't see anyone scoping out Rameth or dependent on anything until a rough Varisian, covered in weapons, gets up and walks over to his table.
You see him draw his arm back as he approaches Rameth.
This is Fusto, the fellow Varisian who raided the temple of Torag on the previous day coming to greet you.
His motor skills are starting to suffer
He pours a drink for him
Dwalindor, a serving girl drops by and places a good mug of Pahmeti stout on your table, rolling her eyes for your unreasonable hatred of good Osiriani beer.
While you sit and drink you hear a number of things from the excited babble around you. Many groups are talking about taking part in the auction Ibrahim mentioned to you at a famous auction house named the Canny Jackal at the Sunburst Market. The Grand Mausoleum has agreed to verify the authenticity of the goods brought to the auction.
You also hear complaints from some of the adventurers regarding groups of what they believe to be mercenaries wandering through the Necropolis - all Osiriani mercenaries notable by helmets that include a full face mask of bronze that gives them all the same appearance.
Finally you overhear a group of adventurers talking about a cleric of Cayden Cailean who's wandered into town looking for adventure and a party of freebooters to team up with who's been moving from tavern to tavern.
________
Fusto looks at Rameth in dismay.
My friend, what's happened? You look positively morose, and yet you didn't seem to be coming up short of your friends like Marrn was. Did you hit a dry hole in your last tomb?
*DRINK*
Fusto grimaces. For a Varisian thief, which he so plainly is to one of his culture, he's strangely fastidious about public drunkenness.
Today was less exciting than yesterday for us. We got assigned an estate in the Necropolis walls, it was mostly empty except for a few skeletons. We found some art objects but nothing like yesterday.
His eyes grow misty as he thinks of the vault stuffed with treasure he'd discovered yesterday.
But everyone made it out alive, which is good. I'm going to take my portion and head straight back to Riddleport, start a chandlery and grow fat off the pirate trade.
He grins at you, showing uneven teeth in what had to be his worst feature.
You make enough to retire on your end or are you going to keep plugging away around here? Now that Khemet III's opened Wati you know he's going to do the same thing to bring this place up to speed.
Here he points at a Osiriani server.
You know any other people that still have men in skirts?
Realizing that the new arrival isn't a threat, Calin continues to scan the crowd; he's looking increasingly uncomfortable in the crowded tavern.
Rameth slips out of Varisian
No. I'd probably jusht die if I reti-retired. Beshides, I have a fanshy new spear to poke wish.
Rameth laughs
Fusto just shakes his head.
Taking it easy after a big score is basic to me, but whatever gets you there. If you're ever in Riddleport let me know, I can always use people willing to get their hands dirty.
He stands up and goes back to his table.
Meanwhile Idorii comes over after Fusto leaves and puts an arm around Rameth.
So, I hope you're more awake than you seem because I hate to not take advantage of a man in this state.
_____
Calin, a young halfling woman from Marrn and the Dog Soldiers, an all halfling mercenary band that uses dogs as steeds and attackers, comes over to you shyly.
Hi, I'm Kayley. Is that your lion sleeping outside the door?
Awake! The only thingsh, not working ish my tongue...for speakingsh.
He grins lasciviously.
Get your worksh? Tried to get you a jobs here, but they was stupish.
"Well met Keyley, he is. He hasn't eaten any of your dogs has he?"
Idorii grins. I did indeed. A group overly burdened with treasures is looking for some caravan guards back to Sothis. Once there I'm sure I can find a higher paying job, maybe with one of the trading houses or diplomats.
She bumps her hip against you.
Unfortunately they're taking a river barge north tomorrow so that gives us a limited amount of time we could spend doing something more fun than drinking rotgut whisky. If you're man enough?
_______
Kayley smiles shyly. I think there'd be a lot more noise from outside if that was the case. I was just wondering how you managed to tame him? Dogs are pretty easy to train in groups but I've never tried a cat before.
She pulls out a small bottle of halfling spring wine, which you may have seen with other halflings - it's the quintessential drink in Avistan amongst the small folk.
_______
The people gossiping look at Dwalindor, sizing up the fierce looking desert dwarf.
Well met friend. I take it you're a fellow adventurer in town for the opening of the Necropolis? How'd you avoid the groups of mercenaries, they were everywhere? It was like they were stalking people who came out of the tombs.
Well I guess I am going to be pretty tired tomorrow morning. His new focus on the rest of the evenings activities seems to have given him a brief moment of focus.
He rises, and scoops her up and heads up stairs.
Perhaps we can start with a rematch of earlier. No...armor, no weapons...
Calin moves closer to Kayley.
"I wouldn't say that I've tamed Tobbs, he's more like a friend. We found each other when we were both cubs and been together ever since."
"So where did you find Avistan wine around here?"
The tavern scarcely takes notice as Idorii and Rameth disappear up the stairs.
_____
Kayley just grins at Calin's question.
What kind of halfling doesn't have spring wine with them at all times?
She drinks part of her wine and looks at Calin more intently.
So, you go adventuring with a weird group. What did you find today?
"They might be different, but they're good people, I was lucky to run into them. What we found wasn't nearly as interesting as I was hoping for, just the basic artifacts and a few burial masks, nothing extremely valuable."
"To answer your earlier question, I wasn't exactly raised among halflings...."
One of the adventurers shakes his head.
Ha, you'd have known them if you'd seen them, creepy as the Nine
Hells. Looked like they were trying to clear big estates, anything that had historical value. And then they were following people around, like vultures.
Another one puts his mug down hard.
I know you! You wouldn't have those problems working for that bastard Ibrahim!
______
Kayley chatters on happily with Calin, asking about his past.
So tell me, you heard about the Silver Chain? Marrn and the boys and us have been having problems with them trying to muscle in on us and get a "tribute" for working in Wati. Have you guys had any problems?
"I haven't heard of them. We had a little trouble with another group trying to take over our claim but they didn't bother asking for a 'tribute' prior to attacking us. Doesn't sound the same."
"How did you end up handling them?"
I think they were looking for something a little more light weight. We were able to use spears to drive them off after hurting only a few of them. I guess they went looking for other folks to harass.
Kayley takes another drink of wine.
I hear some old merchant is hiring out his own group of thugs though, keeping the competition at bay.
She laughs a little.
Not that real adventurers would be willing to deal with a merchant like that, would they?
"Well, there doesn't seem to be much else to do until the auction. We might be interested in looking into this guy. I dislike thuggery in general."
"Any idea where this merchant is located?"
A beautiful, tall, blonde priest walks into the bar and orders a pint of lager and a shot of vodka for herself and a shot of vodka for the barmaid.
"Let's get this night started, shall we. To Cayden Cailean. May we always remain in your favor”
"He went upstairs with Idorii about an hour ago, I doubt they would appreciate any extra company."
"Kayley, let me introduce Dwalindor. He can swing a hammer finer than any blacksmith."
Kayley looks a bit nonplussed by the flamboyant entry of the priestess and the arrival of the gruff dwarf, but is cheerily resistant.
Hi! You must be friends with Calin here, I'm Kayley! Marrn talked to you about dog breeders yesterday didn't he?
Marrn's the leader of our adventuring band. I was sort of excited to see another halfling adventurer that wasn't part of the Dog Soldiers in the tavern - well, one who wasn't chattering on about Indiana Baggins anyway.
She giggles.
Although you don't see something like that everyday do you?
She points at the priestess who's busy challenging Fusto to a drinking contest at the bar.
"No you don't; I suppose that one of us should go talk to her and see if she's interested in the Cleric position we posted."
With a loud crash the barmaid slumps to the floor. Audia saunters over to the group and looks smugly down at Dwalindor.
"So Mr. Dwarf do you think you're up to the task?"
Try not to get your butt kicked again. Keep an eye out for info that might be of value to us, I will have a bit of coin in it for you. If there is one thing that being a pathfinder taught me is that you can never have to many contacts. Sound good?
He takes a swig of booze...yes this early in the day.
Local local to find the alchemist shop.
Idorii rolls her eyes at the talk of getting her butt kicked, and then absently mindedly twirls a small gold bar between her fingers before flipping it to you as she joins the caravan.
I've always found a bit of coin a good thing, and if I swing back by Wati I'll give you the news. Fair travels!
As you look down to see the gold bar you realize it's one of the ones Ibrahim paid you for the masks. By the time you look up you see her waving, her camel making good time out of the city and can hear a not-quite-elven peal of laughter as she looks at your face.
-----
You find an alchemists walk into a small alchemical shop you see a irritated looking Azlanti with brown hair tinkering with something behind the counter. A rapier is mounted on the wall and he's muttering to himself.
Go see what's up in Wati, maybe there will be some good loot in the Necropolis you can grab we can use to expand our territory she said. Good loot my eye. Not here two days and I find out her damn letter of credit is a fraud.
He doesn't seem to notice you.
She never forgave me for contesting the captaincy of the Man's Promise, that's what it was. Elven hussy, I'll show her - I'll get enough funds to get back to the Shackles and then we'll see how secure Miss-Hurricane-Queen's crown really is.
In the shop Rameth listens, trying to make sense of the chatter.
If you're hearing correctly, the man appears to believe he is a long-time acquaintance of the new Hurricane Queen, Jasmine Rose. He's generally grumbling about being caught broke in a city so far from the sea and forced to make enough money working in a shop to return to the Shackles - apparently he's a very shady character.
He'll studiously ignore you until you interrupt him.
I hear Hurricane Queen rose is quite the $#%! #$#@&!! @#$@!@#%. Rameth lets loose with one of his more colorful swears.
Names Rameth, I am the one in charge of the Maze Minders paperwork as it were. I am looking for some formulae for my book here. I might just have some you are interested copying down as well, in these two spell books I managed to...salvage.
You see a dangerous glimmer in the man's eye after you speak.
Hey, that's a friend of mine you're insulting there you lubber, so watch it.
He takes a look at you as if appraising a none-too-bright nephew presenting himself for a silver piece on his nameday.
Well met, I suppose, my name's Mesdoram, recently of Port Peril and points south and currently proprietor of this...shop.
He practically spits when saying the last word, apparently finding commerce distasteful.
I'm not sure I'll find anything new to me in there, but maybe there's someone who doesn't mind a second hand spellbook out there.
He takes a vial down from the shelf and puts a few drops on a bloodstain on Velriana's book, scrubbing with a spare rag as he tries to get the spot out.
Now, if it's formula you need that I can help you with, I have a wide range of formulae both exotic and quixotic to choose from. From the ever-favorite fire breath to the wonderous wind walk we have it all.
He pulls out a massive book that has numerous stains - you're pretty sure one is mustard - and places it on the counter in front of you.
You should hear what I call my enemies. Rameth shrugs, he takes a hit of his rotgut and offers some to Meso. What brings you all the way out here. Get tired of the ocean of water, so go for an ocean of sand?
A few things I was looking for...though Wind Walk sounds nice, not sure I have the capacity for it...yet. Was thinking of a way to reuse potions, keep cost down that way, Firebreath is always good, I'd like to be able to go invisible, as well as see the invisible.
I might also be interested in some, shall we say less...wholesome items. I hear the drow have a wonderful poison that puts people out for the count. And if you have a lead on anyone that might want to purchase these two spell books, let me know.
You have worse friends than me, pal.
He pulls the book open and flips through it.
Invisibilty to plants, invisibility to golems, invisibility to enraged husbands...ah yes, here, general invisibility and to see the same. I have scrolls in back for purchase and copy purposes. For firebreath I have the version that requires red dragon blood and the one that requires dried peppers. I highly recommend the dragon blood version, but which would you prefer?
He doesn't wait for an answer and then rummages below the counter in front of him looking for something.
Drow...poison...is a little difficult out here. There's a shocking lack of riding lizard gall bladder in the markets. I have the duergar, which substitutes essence of shrieker mushroom, but occasionally that makes people sprout the same mushrooms on their noses. Would that do?
He ponders. Not sure yet on the poison...but good to know it is available. I tend to be the smash it in the face type, but sometimes you do have to be subtle I have found. But if I do, then yes, mushrooms out of the nose is a delightful bonus.
Mesdoram rubs his hands together.
Ah, the straightforward type. Always a pleasure to see someone who appreciates the value of the club to the jaw.
As for the dragon blood version vs the peppers, there's two benefits to the dragon blood - one, the flames are a deep, satisfying yellow-orange, the same as a mature red dragon. The peppers give off a more deep red, orange flame that's far less impressive.
Mesdoram pauses.
The peppers version can also cause uncontrollable flatulence.
I do enjoy a good blunt object to the face, though I recently acquired this delightful spear, I gotta work on learning to whack folks with the butt end of it. Eventually.
He takes a moment and ponders.
Better go with the Dragon blood. I don't care much about the color, but the flatulence might make my new invisibleness pointless.
He looks about the shop. Not sure I can afford it yet, but you don't have any Boro Beads do you? I hear they are fairly common nowadays, that and a hybridization funnel?
Rameth says, starting to let his mind wander to all the fun toys he could make with the funnel.
You gonna drink that or what? He says gesturing to the flask he put on the counter for Meso.
Once Dwalindor begins talking to Audia, Calin turns back to Kayley.
Would you like to get out of here and go for a ride around the city?
Albus grabs a tankard of ale and sits down at Dwalindor's table in the tavern.
Drinking contest?! Did I heard that right?
Um, not. I don't drink from unknown containers offered by strange men. I learned that at Izlamagorti. Twice.
He pulls a box off a shelf behind him and starts rummaging around.
I don't have a boro bead for sale but I do have the flask.
Kayley's smile dimples and you see a twinkle in her eye.
Why that sounds charming Calin.
She hops off her bar stool and signals to Marrn she's leaving with Calin.