Dire laughs at the 'colorful life' comment, " First things first, please call me Dire. Mister Winthrope sounds...more aristocratic than I am, but yeah, at times, it was very colorful. Got a few scars to prove it. Got a nice one right here on my back from a giant boar in YOUR forest milady." nodding to Clari.
"I am happy to discuss my time with the Harriers. I learned a lot in my three years with some good stout men. I know some folks including your own Sir Sylvath have a dim view of mercenaries but I guess Vorn, our leader, was a bit choosy in our missions. Kind of worked out for us I guess as we all did pretty well." Dire motions to his armor and weapons, well made swords and a breastplate with a dragon scrollwork motif on it. "But that is behind me now. I am free to lend my sword arm to whomever I choose."
"I arrived today, just a few hours ago and I don't have any place to stay at the moment. I do have a tent and a bedroll so if there is no place that you ladies can recommend I would be just as happy with a small patch of land to set up. "
"As for your swamp mission, I might be interested if I hear more about it and what is going on. David mentioned something about an undead city out there. Lot of ghouls or some other undead?" Dire chews on his lower lip trying to remember what he knows about undead. He heard a lot of stories from the old timers in the mercenary group.
"I don't speak to em but some of the guys in the band said I had a way with animals and I guess I kind of do. They had me in charge of the dogs and horses within a year. Never seen a griffon though. Lets see..." Dire bends down and attempts to greet the dragon much like a dog, non threateningly, letting the griffon come to him.
She tries not to laugh at the newcomer because it would not be fair of her to do so. But watching him try to tempt her griffon to him was both amusing and sweet.
"Mister...Dire, you can simply ask him to come to you, and if he so desires it, he will. He understands three languages which my father and I have taught him: Common, Celestial and Sylvan. Watch."
Facing her beloved griffon, she asks in Common, "Dior, come and meet our guest, Dire Winthrope. Show him your splendid, courtly manners."
Having listened and watched the man intently, he chuckles internally. At his mistress' behest, he stands from where Kali and Delien have been happily petting him and pads over to the male. He moves in front of him and breathes in his scent, beak open partly. He inclines his head, just so, as if bowing before him and acknowledging his presence. He issues a very low growl in the back of his throat as if warning him against any thoughts of harming his mistress and then he returns to his place by the girls and sits, watching Dire with unblinking eyes.
"Thank you, my protector. I am pleased you have become acquainted."
Then facing Dire and addressing his question regarding the ghouls, "We have had issue with ghouls in the swamp, but to the exact number I cannot say for a fact. A few months ago we managed to kill a small number of them. There seems to be a source of dark magic down there that we have yet to uncover and it may be guarded by the ghouls and other fell creatures. We fortunately did not come across any today but one cannot be too careful when travelling the swamps. We could always do with someone with a keen eye and a keen aim."
Smiling briefly at him and around at the others of the party congregated in the room, she adds, "There may be a room available in the Keep that you may use until you figure out your plans. We generally provide such rooms free of charge for a month. They are simple chambers but comfortable enough, providing safety within the walls of Saravale. I will speak with my fellow Councilmen and advise you further. Another of the Council is present with us tonight, Brett Rowan, the Holbyt standing across the room with the other gentlemen."
”Greetings! I am indeed, Brett Rowan – pleasure to meet ye,” the Halfing begins, reaching out to shake the hand of Dire.
”I’m truly interested to know about ye, and hear more of yer tales – and to say also…” Brett begins, but is suddenly pushed aside, his comments cut off abruptly.
”Hello then, good sir,” says the young girl with the silver hair – her violet eyes ranging quickly over Dire’s face and gear.
”Thou art a stranger in these lands – and proper introduction is both mete and true. My underlings have introduced themselves – yet it would be best to speak rather of who does protect them – and that is, of a certainty – myself,” the girl adds, her voice youthful, but her words extremely intelligent and articulate – even thou her accent is extremely archaic.
”My given name is Anuk-su Seti – of the clan Seti – and thou art a guest in my homeland. I bid thee welcome – and entreat thee to find what comforts that thou art able to discover – even as thy divest from thyself the difficulties of a long journey,” she adds, brushing by Brett and nearly knocking him over as she strides forward with an imperious advance to the front of the group.
”There are may rooms that thy may take for thy own – for a time – especially in mine own citadel on yon cliff bank – the name of which is rendered - in the vulgar' “Cloudwatch Keep” – though it is a hearty place filled with sound foundation and a good station to rest thy head and sup on crust of bread or draught of ale,” she adds, with a broad sweep of her hand behind her – that would direct your gaze to the southern cliffs, if it weren’t for the fact that you are currently inside a house!
”Well – as we are all so introduced – and as thou art consider a guest in the house of the good Grear family – I should say I am well pleased to meet thee, for they have a high reputation in these lands.”
”Um, yeah – that’s all well and good,” Brett says, struggling to right himself properly after Anuk-su’s “introduction”.
”Anyhow – it be damn crowded in here, er… that is to say – it’s pretty crowded,” he adds, glancing to Selendria, who gives him a look at his language – even as he struggles to find a place to stand with so many folk in the small room.
”Mayhap we step outside and take a bit o’ fresh air – let the girls rest up a bit, as they be getting too much folderol with all the commotion – and have a good drink and smoke on the lawn outside,” he adds.
”Tell me Dire – ye fancy a smoke? I got some o’ the best leaf out of Brevoy – though it’s nay match to Cheliax leaf – though that piss-pot of a country can go to hell in all other respects, if ye’ll beg me pardon,” he adds, trying to gather the large group from the tiny common room inside the Grear’s house and move them outside so they aren’t so crowded.
Looking from Anuk-su to the ex-mercenary man, Dire, "You mentioned Sir Sylvath earlier. He and three other silver kobolds form part of Anuk-su's personal guard. There were two others but sadly they lost their lives. Anuk-su Seti is the Council's ward, and, as much as we are under her protection, she and her folk are under ours." She gives Anuk-su a significant look.
"Oh have it thy own way - Mistress of glen and grove, wood and leaf," Anuk-su says with a somewhat haughty wave of her hand in Ariarh's direction.
"Meanwhile - it would be better if we took the advice of the small master Councilman yon," Anuk-su says waving at Brett "And adjourn this meeting to outside the home. Of a certainty this room was not crafted to house so many folk - and the air is fresh and clean besides! Come then - let us away," she adds, turning and elbowing past Brett again as she strides for the door, stopping to pause and look at you all with a look that plainly says - "Um - come on - what are you waiting for?"
"What? Small? Why, I ought to..." Brett sputters as Anuk-su nearly knocks him over - again - this time on here way back to the door.
"Well now, that is a new title, beloved ward o' mine. I think I will grow to like it." She smiles at the young girl, quite accustomed to her "outbursts", and winks over at Brett.
She follows the others out the door to the front yard, watching as poor Brett is once again pushed aside by their darling, exuberant ward.
Brett lets out a harumph as he follows the two ladies outside, along with Dior, letting Selendria tend to her daughters and pack them to bed, even as he turns and pauses, glancing at Clari and Dire.
"Well - are ye two coming out and chatting - or do ye plan on sitting about in the room cooling yer heals - though it should be said the outside be cooler then the inside - so mayhap yer heels be best cooled out then in, if ye take me meaning aright," he adds with a grin.
"Confound it, sir - no one takes thy meaning - aright or otherwise - for it so laced with an abusing of the Common tongue with thy broken vernacular and maligned diction that even a studied grammarian would be poor suited to comprehend thy meaning," you hear from outside - even as Brett stifles a curse and pastes a forced smile on his lips.
Eye's widening at the ability of the griffon to speak three languages, Dire gives him a light touch, "Thank you Dior. Nice to meet you."
" I heard tales of smart animals but never met one before. This place gets more and more interesting."
Extending a hand out to Brett, "Nice to meet you Councilman Rowa...." as Brett is pushed out of the way. " And you as well milady Anuk-su Seti. Sorry about your guards."
"Yeah I think stepping outside would be good, I've been in here for a while and I promised Drevorath I'd brush her. I'll take you up on the smoke too."
"And I'd be honored to take a room at the keep until I get my bearings." Before stepping outside, he nods to Ariarh, "I think I might be interested in your swamp problem, just let me know when and what you'll need of me."
Noting the Draconic name of Dire's horse, she cocks an eyebrow and softly laughs,
"Surely your horse is not that ill-tempered if she allows you to ride her... How long have you had her?"
"And, I thank you for offering your services, Dire. We'll be speaking more of the swamp after introductions are made and stories are traded."
Brett scoots himself out of the home, and gets as comfortable as he can in the front lawn. It is now growing dark - for it is nearly 8:30 - but there are still many houses with lights in the window - all in all, a cozy looking town.
To the southeast of your position you see a crude palisade wall - with about twenty archers standing on or around it. The wall stretches for nearly 100 feet - and it is roughly 8 feet in height - and nearly 4 feet thick. On the side of the city is a raised area - so that the archers are able to look over the wall, and, should the need arise, duck down for some cover.
Brett fills his pipe, and lights it comfortably - if Dire has a pipe - he will offer him tobacco for it -
You hear some fine music coming from the north from what you believe to be the casino mentioned before - it is pleasant, and the sound of laughter and merriment drift your way.
To the east you can hear more raucous noise from the area called "Tent Town" - but it is distant and hardly noticed. It is a bit chilly this evening, and there are several houses with smoke drifting from their chimneys.
Brett hitches his thumbs behind his breeches, and draws a tug of smoke into his mouth, inhaling it before he begins.
"Well lad - ye're here, and a friend of Davey - as I take it - so; what be yer plan now that ye be in town?" he asks politely.
Clari remains rather silent at Selendria's story, and upon the others bursting in, she goes about tidying up remnants of the meal. as the group files outside, she follows, standing at the threshold to listen to what stories are told, but trying to remain out of the other's attention.
sense motive
as clari was about to rant about not being a halfbreed, but caught herself, she is determining how to take selendria's emphasis, likely noting that she is saying child because it is a reasonable thing for her to have meant, and much less offensive...
Clari remains rather silent at Selendria's story, and upon the others bursting in, she goes about tidying up remnants of the meal. as the group files outside, she follows, standing at the threshold to listen to what stories are told, but trying to remain out of the other's attention.
sense motive
1d20+1
as clari was about to rant about not being a halfbreed, but caught herself, she is determining how to take selendria's emphasis, likely noting that she is saying child because it is a reasonable thing for her to have meant, and much less offensive...
Regarding Sense Motive
1. You can notice her age - despite her youthful appearance - she's roughly 130 years of age (elven adulthood starts roughly at 120 years - she's young - but not overly so). She met with David when he was sixteen and he looks like he is now his late thirties - you can infer that for over 20 years she's had to live with the stigma of being rejected by her own people for "not putting up enough resistance" - when humans came for her.
In other words - she is so used to the veiled insults and threats and sneering commentary about her being "less then quality" - she kind of sees it coming, and tries to avoid it politely - rather then get into it with people.
2. Selendria is an experienced Alchemist - and has traveled many parts of the world - from her homeland in Kyonnin to Galt - to Ustalav, to the River Kingdoms - she's had a lot of world experience to teach her about life. It is clear to you that she was not changing the word "child" because she missed the point - but rather - because she understood your point very clearly - and wanted to avoid it, rather then let an argument fester with her daughters in the house.
3. Most mothers are protective of their children. But in this case her children are (in a way) - more then just her children. It seems clear that not only are they her own little girls - but they stand as living proof that a "lesser breed" - a human - loved her for a long time, most likely since he knew here (at that time he was only 16, as you recall), and he loved her so much that he didn't let what happened to her "disgust him" or feel her history was "unacceptable".
You also know that many men would not take a non-virgin (never mind HOW she lost her virginity) as wife - and elves tend to be much more traditional in such customs. Yet her husband ignored such protocol - and married her, never mind her history - because of love. The children she has with him is testimony to that love - and if someone was to malign her - or her children - she would take that insult very personally.
Again - as she is giving you the benefit of the doubt - for now - she is not allowing the chance for a mistake to happen, and an insult to occur; because, if it did - she would have to take action and she does not want to do so in front of her daughters.
Short answer...
You have deduced that she is not allowing you to have the chance to insult her - even accidentally - because she does not want to fight with you over racial prejudices.
To Ariarh, "Ill-tempered? Well I guess some might say that. She's spirited to say the least, has a mind of her own at times but we get along pretty well...as long as I let her think she's in charge..." Dire pauses for a second when Derovath whinny's, then laughs "...or as long as she lets me think that I am letting her be in charge."
Dire takes the pipe when offered and inhales deeply, taking note of the flavor and fullness of the pipeweed before exhaling slowly, "Thanks much. Been a while since I last had a good smoke." He'll only smoke a few times, leaving the smoking to Brett.
Grabbing a thick bristled brush out of his sadlebags, Dire begins to brush down Derovath while talking, "Since you all have been so hospitable to me I'll give you the guilty bard's tale of me and answer any questions you might have about my past."
"I'm from a little patch of frozen scrub and rock just south of Port Ice. If you couldn't tell I have a Issian bloodline, some folks said our family is related to House Suratova but that didn't mean much to my father or my mother. They still had to work hard scratching out a farm. That area isn't very hospitable especially to farming but my dad was determined to make it a go. Not much else to do around there but farm, hunt or go into Port Ice and join up with a pirating band. Now that wasn't an option for me and my brothers and sisters. My dad had a proper moral compass and he instilled that into us as well. Treat folks honest, try to do good when you can, that kind of thing.
I don't care much for farming but I did love to hunt and I wandered all over those chilly hills with nothing more than a hunting dog and a bow. Saw my first dragon when I was 12, well I thought I had, I learned later it was just a drake but still scared and thrilled me all the same. Managed to stay hidden while it swooped down and flattened a mountain goat and proceeded to eat it not 20 yards from me.
After a time, I grew bored with the hills and started to wander farther and farther so far afield I was seldom around to handle my portion of the farm duties. I have 4 brothers and sisters all older than me so I wasn't missed too much. I guess around the time I was 17 I knew I wasn't really cut out for farming and my family knew it too. My dad wasn't to happy about it nor my mom but they guessed as long as I wasn't falling in with a bad lot that I would do alright. I didn't burden the farm and actually brought in plenty of game and furs to keep the place going when the crops didn't come in.
It was about this time that a bunch of strangers came riding through the family farmstead, bunch of men on horses, decked out in shining armor, headed to parts south. They stopped by to water their horses and I found out they were a group of cavaliers patrolling the lands to ward off brigands and monsters. Well I thought to myself, I can handle myself on a horse, I can swing a sword, and by then I could easily pick off a whole band of goblins before they ever got close to me.
I kissed my ma goodbye and clapped my dad on the back, told em I'd send money, and followed after the cavaliers.
Dire finishes up brushing his horse, tosses the brush back in the saddlebag, takes a smoke and continues.
"These guys were the Sacred and Solemn Order of the Sword of Herrig and most of them were really nice. They took me on after I showed them how I could handle a horse and how I could fight. Said they'd give me a chance. Spent six months with them as they patrolled all up and down the Awzera River but not everyone in the order was happy to have me around. Some of the noble born thought a simple farmer's brat like me kind of sullied up the name of the order. Herrig Stout the head of the order disagreed and the grumbling remained just that, grumbling but nothing else."
"Once they got to New Stetvan, their home base, they decided to send me out with a smaller band of cavaliers to get my feet wet. Kind of an official trial run before they made me a squire. We were a few days west of the Sellen River, bivouacing in a small depression in the hills. I had gone wandering as some in the group were those who didn't want me around much. I wandered for a few hours and noticed that the brush and trees had been badly turned up in spots. Large depressions in the ground and such. I didn't know what it was at the time but I knew enough to know whatever had made them had done so recently and was headed towards the camp.
I raced back but when I got there I heard the last dying shouts of my fellow cavaliers as they all fell to a band of giants. Big brutish nasty things who swung whole trees down on man and horse alike. I won't lie and tell you I did any heroics. I just stood there scared as spit in that low scrub and watched as they slaughtered those men.
Don't consider that a bright spot in my life... anyways, after the giants took whatever they wanted I went to see if there was any who were still alive. There wasn't but I did take each of their order badges. I made my way back to New Stetvan and reported to the order the tragedy that had occurred. They accepted all the badges from those fallen cavaliers and while they didn't say anything I thought I could see something die behind their eyes towards me.
After that I kind of just kicked around the order doing not much else, they didn't send me out and the grumblings against me got louder but Herrig wouldn't let them boot me. I got the nickname 'Dire' then, some of the other recruits called me that and it stuck. Eventually I got sent out with another group only this time we headed north up to Silverhall. I thought they had forgiven me for whatever had happened with the last group. While in Silverhall, we had a right carousing time and they got me pretty good and well drunk. I woke up the next morning and they were all gone. Left me nothing but whatever I had in my pack. Innkeeper said they had left out a few hours earlier. He didn't know which way they went and while I could've tracked their horses I saw that they had headed at a fast clip. They did not want me to catch up.
I wandered back to New Stetvan and told them what had happened. Herrig was upset that they would treat me like that and he was sure to berate them when they returned. Thing is....they didn't return. They were supposed to be out for only two weeks. Well a month later it was getting pretty clear that something had happened. They never came back and with their disappearance, the grumblings finally grew so loud that Herrig had to let me go or risk the remainder of the order fracturing.
He lent me a small amount of coin and gave me a reference to a dwarf he knew named Vorn who ran a mercenary band out of New Stetvan. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I learned a hell of a lot from those guys. I guess Vorn was a bit choosy in his missions for us. We were always working, guarding caravans or merchants through Gronzi Forest. Sometimes we'd deliver goods ourselves up to Greyhaven or Highdelve. We even took a job to clear out some land up near Skywatch for a noble who'd inherited the place. Was a dicey bit of business with us taking on goblins, orcs, ogres and even an giant or two. Felt good to put one of those big brutes in the dirt. We lost a few men there but persevered. The noble was so pleased he rewarded us pretty handsomely."
My last mission with them was escorting a merchant, fellow named Saul Iverhorn. He was pretty wealthy, a nice jovial fat guy. You know the type, friends with everyone he meets. Well we were heading south from Stoneclimb to New Stetvan and headed through the northern edge of the Gronzi Forest when we were held up by the local noble brigand, Duma the Sly. Duma has a reputation of being somewhat of a nice fellow but even still when you are robbed by a couple score masked bandits all up in the trees with bowstrings taut, it's hard to give the man a glowing recommendation.
While a few of his men were going through Saul's goods, one of the horses got spooked and started to buck. I guess the tenseness of the situation what with 40 armed brigands and a dozen or so mounted armored mercs on the ground, someone panicked or slipped or something, I don't know but one of the brigands let loose an arrow.
Saul didn't even know what had happened at first, this arrow jutting out of his breast. Like him we were all too stunned to even counter attack. Those bandits could've cut us down but that was the only arrow shot.
We just all kind of sat there even though our resident healer tried to save the man he bled out and died. Duma disappeared in the trees and a short time later, he comes out with a man all tied up and throws him at Vorn's feet. Tells him to take him to the authorities in New Stetvan and have him charged with murder. He also drops a bag of coins and says to give it his widow and children.
They all then disappeared into the trees, never even took anything from Saul's wagon. Vorn had the trussed man tossed in the back of the wagon with Saul's body. I like to think it was a bit of justice for him to spend the next three days face to face with the man he killed. Now we made it back to New Stetvan but Vorn and a few others got tore up pretty bad by some wild boar before we got into town. So much so Vorn was out of commission for a bit and his second in command was running the show.
His second, a man named Hemmet, who I didn't get along with too well, decided to keep the money Duma had given us and divvied it up as part of our pay. It was a pretty sizable sum for each of us but it felt like bloody money to me. I went to Saul's widow after they paid us and told her what I thought had happened and was willing to give her the portion I was paid. She was a good and honest woman though, Saul had done well in the trading business and she had plenty of money. Even though she was still in mourning she told me to keep the money and thanked me for being honest about it.
I went back to Hemmet and told him what I had done and they weren't too happy with me for going against the group and they thought it would get them in to trouble with the local law. I told them I didn't care and would take my leave of them if that is what they wanted. Hemmet made it clear that Vorn was likely to retire and he would take over and more importantly, that I was no longer welcome. For my part, I didn't want to be welcome if he was running the show. "
Dire pauses then laughs again, "Guess that was a bit longer that the guilty bard's tale after all. Oh well, after that I stumbled around a bit and heard about this place and decided to come and see if you all needed a hand. So now you all know my history and where I come from. Any questions?"
She had listened to his bard's tale, trying to recollect stories or information she had heard in regard to House Surtova or the Sacred and Solemn Order of the Sword of Herrig.
"You have managed to keep your integrity when it could have been just as easy to let go of it on the road. Your response to Saul Iverhorn's death and your visit with his widow to return your portion of the coin is testament of that, Dire." She is solemn for a moment.
"At times I judge a person's character in how they treat their animal, in this case your horse, Derovath. I find people are more cunning when it comes to other folk but their true colours show in how they treat or mistreat their animals. You show a respect and a care for her and I find that admirable and telling. Your upbringing, your parents good and moral teachings, they have certainly left a mark on you for the better."
She nods her head and grows thoughtful again before continuing, "Now that you are in Saravale, how will you earn a living? What kind of employ and recompense are you seeking, Dire? I ask this for as a Council we are interested in the folk of our community and how we can best support, nurture or utilise skill."
Dire nods to Ariarh, and fumbles with a buckle on his armor absentmindedly. "Like I said, I'm sort of still a sell sword. Only in this respect I guess the contract would be with Saravale or with the Council.
I'm pretty skilled in the wilds on my own so if nothing else I can hunt and trap and make a decent living. Along with that I could scout out some of the areas you need to have investigated and report back.
I also figure you are going to have more and more settlers and homesteaders come around as this place grows in popularity and they will need to be checked on with regularity as well which in my scouting duties I could do as well.
As you would guess I'm also good with a group and can follow an order, not blindly mind you, but enough to get done what needs doing.
In the future though I think I might want to own a parcel of land or two myself. Send word to my folks and have them move down here to settle. This area looks more fertile that the rocks near Port Ice.
And I do take care of animals when I need to. Dire grins again and pats Derovath on the neck. Derovath for her part snorts derisively.
So...do any of those strike the fancy of the Council of Saravale?"
"The land surrounding the old fishing village and as you ride up to Cloudwatch Keep is fertile and if you have a desire to put down roots and settle your family in Saravale, then that is well and good. We have a diverse community, some good and some not so good but we manage and work together."
Mentally reviewing his skills, she replies to his question,
"Dire, I am certain we can negotiate fair terms and price for your services as you have skills we certainly are in need of, well I know I am. We shall put the decision to Council vote as soon as all representatives are present in Saravale. Councilman Ka'etil Malas'rae is protecting our land as we speak and should be home in two days hence, if all goes well."
Nodding To Ariarh, "Sounds good to me. I'll take the few days to get my bearings, explore the fishing village perhaps, and wander around the town a bit."
Yawning and stretching, his leathers creaking, "Right now though my dinner and that excellent cider Selendria provided have headed to my head. I believe I will sleep like a stone tonight. Who'd I need to speak with to find my room at the tower? It is still an option yes?"
"Aye, you may have a room at the Keep. Are you headed there now, Dire? If so, I will pen a letter that you can show the guard at the gate and you will be granted entrance. We have folk at the Keep who can direct you to the rooms."
"Yes. Unless you or Brett had any other questions, I think I am done with the day."
"I have none presently. My party leaves an hour after dawn tomorrow to travel back into the swamps. If you are still interested, then gear up and meet us here at the Grears. Good night, Dire." She bows her head toward the man and graces him with a smile.
She asks him to wait until she has penned a letter to grant him access to the Keep's rooms. Once written, she hands it to him with instruction.
"Yes. Unless you or Brett had any other questions, I think I am done with the day."
Brett is enjoying the tale, for the most part, saying nothing for a bit, just listening to the story.
”Well – I be right please to here your tale, lad. Truth to tell – ol’ Kae be hard pressed with so many lads to keep track of. He’s kind of in charge of a militia, as it were – but we got no real expert on them that be beating the borders, as were. Sounds like ye got some skill in that, which may be handy,” Brett says, pulling out an apple and munching on it.
”Noy – we don’t know ye from shiny copper piece, yet – but ye do seem fair enough, I’ll warrant. Tell ye what – settling down and so on be a long bit o’ time from here to there – how about instead ye look to the here and now?”
”Just like Ry lass be saying - we’ve had some troubles in that piss-pot o’ a swamp down there – and tomorrow we’re going down and doing some more reconnoitering, as it were. Ye strike me as a lad who don’t take charity – so how about we done hire ye on with some honest work? Maybe ye can come down with us – lend a hand in the swamps looking about – and, fer yer trouble – we’ll give ye some proper coin fer the job. That way – ye’ve something to build on while ye find yer feet here – and we get a first hand look at what ye can do proper?”
As Ariarh is penning the letter for Dire, Brett muses a bit.
”Tell ye what – how about fer lending a hand we start ye with something pretty lean – 200 gold pieces fer the day – and ye get equal cut o’ anything we find? That way – if we find nothing but gods damned leeches – at the least ye be getting some spending money to set ye up in town with a few drinks and maybe a trip to DeVille’s or that lad Otter at the laundry? He, uh – he does shaves, cleans yer linens – and his lasses will give ye a proper rub-down, like yer horse… though they be a bit more – attentive?” Brett adds with a sheepish grin.
”Now – don’t mistake me – I don’t often dally there – except fer clean clothes and some pleasant company – but I’m saying, ye need some easy work – we can give ye the base 200 gold pieces – and equal cut to what we find in the swamp – if we find anything at all,” he adds with a nod.
”What do ye say? Can’t ask fer fairer odds then that, hey?” he says, offering his hand to seal the deal.
Taking the note of instruction from Ariarh with a nod and a thank you, Dire listens to Brett's offer. With a smile on his face, "200 gold for a days work and all the leeches I can pluck off me? I don't see how any sane man or woman could refuse such an offer! I'll take you up on that as long as I get to complain at least once tomorrow about the muck in my boots. After all, it is a standard conditional in most contracts that a sell sword be allowed to grumble about the conditions in which he finds himself. If that is good by you both then I accept your offer."
He shakes hands with them both to seal the contract.
"And after a day in the swamps I bet I'll be happy to visit Otter's to get cleaned up!"
Grabbing for Derovath's reins only to find her pulling them just out of reach and requiring him to grab for them again, Dire heads for the Keep.
"I will see you both tomorrow morning then.
"I will pretend I do not hear the grumbling, Dire", and she softly laughs at the image of the man stomping about, complaining of the muck.
She shakes his hand and then bids him goodnight before turning around to Brett,
"When I was visiting the tent of the cultist leader, Hadad al-Kazeem, I believe Dior may have seen or noticed something that I did not. I memorised a spell this morning which allows me to speak with animals and I would like to undertake it tonight before we retire to our beds. You up for it?"
"I will pretend I do not hear the grumbling, Dire", and she softly laughs at the image of the man stomping about, complaining of the muck.
She shakes his hand and then bids him goodnight before turning around to Brett,
"When I was visiting the tent of the cultist leader, Hadad al-Kazeem, I believe Dior may have seen or noticed something that I did not. I memorised a spell this morning which allows me to speak with animals and I would like to undertake it tonight before we retire to our beds. You up for it?"
Brett cocks his eye at you, and shrugs.
"Don't ask me - ask Dior," he says with kind of a grin.
All good.
When you arrive at the fortress you discover that the cliffs have a long ravine hollowed out of them, like a canyon through the tall cliffs that seems to be man made.
The ground is completely smooth and rises at a plane of roughly 15 degrees - and you are able to ride from the base of the eastern spur of the cliff all the way to the summit.
Every so often you pass windows in the cliff walls that look like hollowed out guard houses. There are lights and people living in them now - but your military mind would guess that in older times, an enemy attack charging up this road would be foiled at each guard tower. The base of which has ample room to house a few horses, and each seem to be about three floors tall - narrow windows for archers, and what you believed to be grooves hollowed in the rock for metal doors to slide sideways and fasten - so that enemies would be unable to simple tear open a door, or batter it in.
These "towers" face each other at intervals every 1/4 of a mile.
When you finally reach the summit, you see a wide flat lane that travels due to west until it reaches a heavily constructed wall on the far western side. The western wall is not carved from the cliffs, but made off well laid brick, with a gate in it. The gate is shut.
To your north and south (or your left, and right) are tall cliffs, about 8 floors high. Each cliff wall looks to you like a apartment building - the first two floors being a large area for stables on your left, and a forge, and what looks like a tavern. On the right you can see the first two floors seem to be dedicated to store rooms and warehouses.
Above them both you see each floor has rooms carved deep into the rock, and stairs will lead you to the upper levels.
By now you've been granted no real trouble - this area seems not unlike a better made town - not a true fortress, at this time - though it could me.
You present your paperwork and are given a guide who takes you up the stairs, while your horse is given a spot in the stable, and when you reach the room you discover it is fairly large for one person - and with an adjoining chamber to it - you would guess this place was built to house a family, if a town needed to collapse into the keep.
As it is - your chamber is comfortable and large, although the only furnishing inside is a crude bunk with a blanket, a crudely made chair and table, and a chamber pot.
The most innovative part of the room, to you - is that all the doors and windows are actually a sliding piece of metal which move directly into the rock walls - via grooves in the walls. You "slide" the door shut, and have a lock on the inside which allows it to rotate and lock into the frame of the door.
The same is true with the windows - though you can see this mechanism can be opened by some form of key - you are fairly confident that you have privacy here.
That said - you are free to sleep, and your dreams are pleasant. You can meet your new companions in the morning...
The morning has risen - all of you have met back at the Banks' home - and are all ready to "dive in" to the swamp/action.
You are all in a bit of a difficult conundrum - while you have 5 magical leaves to use in the swamps to allow you to move quickly and with ease - you have an extra traveler with you...
At this time the make-up of the party is as follows -
Brett (move speed with leaf - 20 feet)
Anuk-su (move speed while flying - 50, on foot 20 with a leaf, 10 otherwise)
Ariarh (normal move speed via Druid)
Dior (normal move speed while flying)
Hank Ironhorse (30 foot move speed with leaf)
Kae's lieutenant (30 foot move speed with leaf)
Mak Morn (30 foot move speed with leaf)
Erdane (15 foot move speed - unless he has a leaf)
You are all able to advance, but you will be one leaf short of the party, unless Anuk-su is willing to fly.
Though she can do this - on the way to the tree - it would make her a target.
Brett theorizes that there is probably little danger during the daylight hours (so says all the reports) - so if she simply flew to the target area with Dior, and waited for you there - it could probably be okay.
This assumes you take everyone - and don't make someone stay behind.
Remember - there are only 5 leaves to hand out!
Note to Kae - your officer, as your other, when he comes with, can gain XP - he does not have to come with, though he can. It's all up to you...
What, if anything, does the party decide to do at this time?
"Well, I'm ready to go Sirs ... Ma'ams.... We ready to take a look inta this cavern?"
Arsinian takes this chance to pick up three torches, in the morning, just in case.
Dire awakes and heads down to the arranged meeting point a little after dawn, buckling the last few buckles of his armor, a sliver of hard bread in his mouth. Seeing the rest there he asks lightly, "Well you all are footing the bill so where do we go and what's the goal? And should I bring Derovath?"
Munching the last bit of his breakfast, Dire begins to check all his supplies in his pack and in the saddle bags.
Brett glances at Dire.
"Nay - don't be bringing yer horse, nor any animal, if ye can spare it! On the first place, we be entering a filth covered swamp - filled with muck and ooze. Yer poor animal'd be slowed by the muck something fierce, that's fer sure."
"Also - when ye do enter the swamp, our main objective today be the entrance of a cave o' sorts. Even if yer horse could get down the hill... ... then through the muck, then too the cave? Caves, caverns, tunnels, canyons and gorges be the last place fer an animal like that! Only a fool be having a horse in a tunnel or cavern, but then..." Brett grins a little "ye've been around, I got a hunch ye already knew all that..."
"Anyhow - so we need to know who'd be taking the leaf, as it were - because the magic in the leaf give potency fer travel and such. We don't want to be hindered - so now we're trying to figure out what to do on that account..." he adds, glancing over the group.
"Any thoughts?"he says, at this point asking mainly about the leaves, and who should claim them.
She retains her "Small" size - she is leaner then Dior, but longer - from tip to tail about 3 meters, though she is about as "thick" around the body as roughly only .5 meters (and her tail and neck near her head slender considerably, like a large serpent, obviously). However, she still weighs the same - roughly 70 lbs... So someone could carry her, if they are able to carry an additional 70 lbs. (not a light load for many; meaning they may be encumbered- depending on how much other gear they are carrying, and depending on how strong they are; which gives penalties to speed) - and, of course - presuming she will allow them to!
Anuk-su is - slightly - a bit strong-willed. She often does things "her way" - even if it may be opposed to what would help the group....
"Anuk-su, dearest, I do not want to endanger your life but it makes sense to have you change into your dragon form and fly when we enter the swamp. You will have Dior flying with you and together you can support and protect one another. But please do not take any chances and fly well out of range of any weapons or magic. In the sky you may become targets, so be mindful, both of you", eyeing her ward and her griffon with concern and affection.
"Therefore, the golden leaves should be distributed between Brett, Henry, Arsinian, Mak Morn and Dire."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
She asks Dior to come back into the Grear's living room for a modicum of privacy as she is not sure what spies the Black Kota have on the streets. She did not mind if Brett, Henry or any of the others were present as she trusted them.
Sitting on the floor, legs crossed, face to face with a seated Dior, she casts .
Opening her mouth, a series of screeches, growls, chirps and so forth flow out. In his native griffon "language", she begins asking questions and hoping to learn more from her beloved griffon,
"My protector, when we were in the tent with the cultist leader, Hadad al-Kazeem, I noticed you looking around, intently staring at something. Can you please tell me what you saw, what you noticed that I may have missed inside that tent or even outside of it?"
"Anuk-su, dearest, I do not want to endanger your life but it makes sense to have you change into your dragon form and fly when we enter the swamp. You will have Dior flying with you and together you can support and protect one another. But please do not take any chances and fly well out of range of any weapons or magic. In the sky you may become targets, so be mindful, both of you", eyeing her ward and her griffon with concern and affection.
"Therefore, the golden leaves should be distributed between Brett, Henry, Arsinian, Mak Morn and Dire."
Excellent! It shall be done...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
** spoiler omitted **
Dior preens for a moment before answering.
”Aye, sister – I noticed many things, though perhaps seeing was not the right word,” he adds with a quick bob of his head.
”The “man” you mentioned? Faugh – sister, you are wise, yes – but your nose is not as keen as it may be,” he begins, then turns to glance at the window, as if noticing something - pausing to watch, always vigilant, then turning back to you after realizing there was nothing of note.
He looks at you for a moment, continuing his answer, but with some uncertainty.
”I could smell it on him, yes... Sister - he was no human… In fact…” Dior pauses again, as if thinking for the right word ”he had a very different type of smell… almost like – almost similar to… well – it was if the good mister Hadad was – he smelled like, well – he smelled like lizard flesh… if that is the right word? I am not sure – his tent was strongly scented with spice and incense – but, I could be wrong – I thought I smelled the strong smell of an animal from him, like a lizard or some type of reptile… “
He cocks his head again.
”No sister – I am not being ironic; though I do not doubt you may have found him to be like a reptile... But, well – I do not know what manner of creature that Hadad creature was, for I have never smelled such a smell before, but I do know this – he was no human.”
Dire nods to Brett, "Yeah I wasn't planning on taking her underground but she's smart enough to know to wait around until I came back out. But I'd agree I think it's best to leave her here. "
"So we hoof it then? And yeah, this breastplate slows me down a bit, hence the horse, but I'll be happy to use the magic leaf if it means not slowing everyone down. "
Brett nods agreeably.
"Slow you down - heh - the real problem be the damned muck and slime! Well - here we go, then," he adds.
The party then descends the rather steep incline and, with careful work, follows the crude trail marked with the sketched map to a large hill.
On the top of the hill is a very large tree - the tree is hollow, and quick work allows the party to move aside well crafted door and step inside the opening...
The time that you entered the room is now (roughly) 10:00 AM - assuming everyone woke up, ate, prayed - the usual... Traveling was faster, as you knew exactly where you were going - and how to get there...
The room itself is elevated from the mire of the swamp outside (hence the trek up the hill). The tree expands above you in - like a hollowed out tree - and the floor is completely smooth rock.
In the center of the floor is a round circular disc, like a lid or a cover... It seems to be a bit heavy - and is currently shut.
It is roughly ten feet in diameter, and seems fairly thick. You'd imagine it would take some strength to lift it.
"Anyone want to lend me a hand searching that bloody thing fer traps?" Brett asks.
to search for traps...
Ironhorse will lend a hand in this matter - having some knowledge in trap finding...
Anyone else to assist?
It seems that Brett had discovered a trap.
The lid has a fairly obvious lever on it - this was the trap. Anyone trying to use the lever to pry open the lid from the side would cause a series of spikes to stab out from the ground in a wide circle around the lid.
Careful searching reveals that a secret mechanism on the opposite side of the lid (away from the door), if pressed - causes the lid to "spin" slowly to the right, instead of lifting straight up.
The mechanism is triggered, and the lid slides slowly to the right...
Glancing down you see the beginnings of a spiral staircase - the stairs are 10 feet in width - and they stretch down into darkness.
It should be noted that, at this time, Anuk-su is back in human form.
"My vision allows me to see only 60 feet down into that darkness. I could cast Daylight but that may alert any creature slumbering or otherwise down there. Perhaps if I cast on the front person's weapon, it could provide some aid in the darkness and it shall not be as bright as the Daylight spell."
First, Ariarh casts so she can converse with Dior, knowing his perception is greater than her own.
+2=16
Speaking in very low chirrups, neither she nor Dior can see overly much in the darkness below.
She turns to her other companions, speaking in Common again, and as quietly as before,
"Dior and I cannot discern what is down there in the darkness, not from this height and the angle of the spiral staircase. Is anyone else able to see anything?"
"If it is any help, give me a weapon and I shall cast light unless, Brett, you think that may warn them of our presence?"
"I brought along some torches as well, if we need more light" Offers Arsinian.
"are you able to move down and scout silently, to let the rest of us know what's down there? I know a trick to talk at a respectable distance, really pretty useful for scouting" he is refering to the cantrip, which he can cast so he and Ry can talk in a whisper from a distance, so she can see what's down the stairs. "If you cast your spell on a blade, and sheath it, darkness will prevail, until the blade is drawn, so someone could also sneak down with you to protect you while you go down there and I'll let the louder folk know what the situation is."
He glances at Brett and Henry when suggesting someone accompanying you, and then Mak Morn and Anuk-su when referring to the "louder folk".
"I've also got a trick that works well as torches too. Not like yours, but decent. Can also send someone the shivers with a strange glowing figure walking about, if ya think it's help..." He casts outside the hole, as a demonstration, the four orbs joining into a human looking figure who takes a couple steps before fading.
Dire looks down the stairs into the darkness. "Looks creepy down there. To bad I cant see in the dark else I'd surely go first." He laughs looking at Ariarh,"but I'll take that light spell on my sword if you want. Cause really, not sure how we'd scout down there without alerting whatever's down there of our presence."
He pulls out both a shorter blade and a longer sword into opposing hands. The shorter one actually already has a light green glow, not enough to cast more than a faint glimmer of light but enough to show it has some minor magics. "The bigger of the two please."
Watching the other fellow cast dancing lights, Dire grins, "Nice trick! Send THAT ahead first. See if anything chomps on it. Just a suggestion."