Blue Heron smiles at the young man with great equanimity.
"Many foul things may prey upon mortals, but that is why there are wuxia. To battle those who others do not battle. To express themselves through the glory of vanquishing terrible foes. It is not for everyone."
She nods at Ayreth's comment. "Mind, Body, Spirit -- they are all in relation to one another. The people in this town are not in balance with themselves. There is no harmony here."
She smiles sweetly at the barkeep, noone is suppose to frown and scowl like that all the time, its not good, maybe she can get a smile in return
"Just some milk or water if you have, thank you so much"
Bart follows the rest into the inn, sticking to the back while the others shuffled forward. When the man offered food though, Bart quickly moved up to the counter and grinned at this Nalan fellow. But right then, he stops himself. Could it be? No. Maybe?
Bart eyed the man warily now, as if trying to weigh the pro's of getting some free food with the con's of potentially being poisoned. Finally he says in a much shiftier tone, with almost child like suspicion, "Warm milk, some bread and some cheese for me. So long as its fresh that is."
"Well, what'll it be?"
Paul looks at the man.
"Coffee, if you got any," he says, tipping his hat.
He swings his chair out from the table and takes a seat, dropping his kit next to it.
The man's scowl lifts a little, and he looks puzzled at the first young woman.He sighs again.
"Sure, long as you don't mind goat's milk. Goats is our thing here in Dustpawn." He looks around the room, passively addressing the others present.
"More of the same, or anyone want somethin' diff'rent?"
She smiles wider now that she got the keeper to at least try to be a bit more friendlier, then nods
I am absolutely okay with goats milk!
Bart looks at the others, then at the man taking the orders. "What the hell's a goat? That like a rat or something. I had rat's milk once. That stuff tastes nasty."
She grins as she starts
It's a small multi colored creature, Huge horns, long sharp teeth, devours anything that moves. Fur is all kinds of diffirent colors, you would be lucky to just see it before it tries to eat your face. Im amazed they actually have milk of it, i hear its divine!
Bartholomew eyes the woman for several long seconds, then looks up to the man giving the orders. He could read that girl at all. Whether or not she was trying, she was a pretty good liar. Good enough for Bart to respect. But the best of liars make sure no one can refute it and while he was willing to believe her at face value, it just sounded to ridiculous to him. So instead of trying to read the woman's lie, he tries to get a read on this Nalan to see if that matched up.
"Are you them?...Are you they? Are you the folk I sent letters to? You must be...Yes. Who else? Please have a seat...make yourself comfortable."
As Paul waits for the cup of coffee he looks at the man.
"Well - we're here; let's talk," he says, leaning back and studying him.
As he watches the man, he cocks his head.
"That reminds me - what the hell's up with the people in this town? Are they trusty, or just crazy?" he says, glancing toward where the bartender went.
"Never heard of a stablehand that refuses good coin to keep an eye on a horse; or a bartender who acts pissed to take money for bringing folks drinks," he adds.
"Oh - sorry; name's Antairis," he says offering the man his hand.
"That reminds me - what the hell's up with the people in this town? Are they trusty, or just crazy?" he says, glancing toward where the bartender went.
"Oh - sorry; name's Antairis," he says offering the man his hand.
Dalviss extended his own hand and eagerly shook Antairis' hand.
"The townsfolk? Not crazy. Lately tempers have been short, possibly due to the disappearance of a dozen townsfolk and some of the goats. I am concerned that the falling star has brought something dangerous to the region."
Im telling you, I'm sure its that multi colored goat thing! It's eating all the normal goats! and the people trying to milk it!
she then smiles
Sorry, just trying to make people smile, it's not good to have such a frown and scowl the whole time
Dalviss extended his own hand and eagerly shook Antairis' hand.
"The townsfolk? Not crazy. Lately tempers have been short, possibly due to the disappearance of a dozen townsfolk and some of the goats. I am concerned that the falling star has brought something dangerous to the region."
David shakes his hand warmly.
"You reckon it's something related to that "falling star" thing? I mean, is it possible that bandits or maybe some of those goblin tribes are pulling more of the same crap as before?"
"Hell, Cheliax used to send slavers in and around here... I figure it could be them again, too," he adds.
He takes out a smoke and lights up, considering things.
"Anyhow, the point is; there's bad stuff going on at this berg and you need help."
He takes a draw of smoke, thinking.
"If you need help tracking the missing folk... Well, if you'd take us out to where people've been snatched we'll do what it can to find 'em," he says.
Bart was suddenly conflicted. On the one hand, he had come here to learn about whatever had fallen from the sky. On the other, people were missing and that meant something dark was afoot. His hand moved to where the amulet resided beneath his shirt and then he made up his mind, stepping forward to speak. "You think they're connected. Why? Do you think whatever came on the ship is taking the people, or is it something that forced the ship to crash?"
"You think they're connected. Why? Do you think whatever came on the ship is taking the people, or is it something that forced the ship to crash?"
Paul glances at Bart.
"You sure it's a ship?" he says with a surprise.
"I mean - I've heard of spellslinger types being able to levitate things... I even heard rumor of some old witch-kings out near Numeria use big spells to have almost a small island floating with things like castles on it... They said that they had riders on it who used griffon mounts and supposedly they used that stuff to try to attack some lads out of the River Kingdoms..."
He muses softly.
"But a ship that could fly? Huh..." he says, as if considering that option.
Then he shakes his head as if to clear it of those thoughts and looks back at the man across the table.
"Anyhow - if you're willing to show us where the people were who got nabbed we'll do what we can to find 'em," he says.
"First thing is to see the place where they got pinched," he to the man.
"Sounds like all it did was fall to me. But what else could it be? Stars don't really just fall from the sky and hit the ground like that, I don't think. Well, at least not that often..." He looks shiftily from one person to the next, grateful his goggles kept his eyes hidden.
"Either way that's what we're here to figure out. But if it is a ship, do you think it was meant to fly straight into the ground?" Bart tilts his head to the side, then chuckles a little, "Though I suppose that would mean they were being chased by -another- ship wouldn't it. I'd still like to know why you think it's one in the first place, but I don't know... anything's possible..."
"Well - we're here; let's talk," he says, leaning back and studying him.
Dalviss cleared his throat.
"...Firstly, let me begin by thanking you all for coming to Dustpawn. I understand it may have seemed like a strange request."
"It appears as though no one else has located the fallen star as yet, but not for lack of trying. The situation has changed somewhat, however. We’ve had several unfortunate incidents since the night of the meteorite."
Dalviss looked at the adventurers around the table.
"At first it was just the livestock that went missing, and then tempers and violence flared among the townsfolk. Then people started going missing - especially those who went to search the impact site. One of the missing people is an employee of mine, her name is Leeara."
Dalviss lowered his voice,
"Finally, four strangers, claiming to be Drumish prospectors, arrived in town two days ago. I suspect they are looking for the fallen star as well."
Dalviss wiped his hand across his brow.
"I’m starting to think the thing that crashed that night in the southern hills brought something to Dustpawn. Something bad.”
"Sounds like all it did was fall to me. But what else could it be? Stars don't really just fall from the sky and hit the ground like that, I don't think. Well, at least not that often..." He looks shiftily from one person to the next, grateful his goggles kept his eyes hidden.
Paul glances at Bart, taking a draw from his smoke and shrugs. Without more information all he can do is guess...
"Either way that's what we're here to figure out. But if it is a ship, do you think it was meant to fly straight into the ground?" Bart tilts his head to the side, then chuckles a little, "Though I suppose that would mean they were being chased by -another- ship wouldn't it. I'd still like to know why you think it's one in the first place, but I don't know... anything's possible..."
Paul blows a stream of smoke out of his lips and shakes his head.
"Look - we can guess what it is all day, but I think the best thing to do is maybe see some hard evidence."
"We need to see where the people got taken from... Was it in the middle of nowhere, or was it maybe on a trail, or near some abandoned mine shaft... I mean - what do we know?"
He frowns.
"Hell, for all we know it might be some hill giants making raids on goatherders for... well... the point is; until we see more, we can't really know anything yet..."
She looks at him, her eyes sparkling, but her face was serious
"What do you need us to do? We now know the back story, but to this point, still don't know what you want from us?"
Bart pops a straw into his mouth as he thinks about it, and so far there didn't seem to be any evidence of a ship. A fallen star could still have answers. After all, Alar was basically that, right? But a ship meant people... "You keep saying star now. The message for the mercs I delivered said ship."
He takes out the straw and eyes the man, not suspiciously, but worriedly. "We're all here, for better or worse, and we want to help. If you're afraid of lookin a loon it's already too late for that too. Be straight with us so we can help ya and Leeara. Why do you think it's a ship? Or thought it was one? All ya described could be greed for something like star metal ya know."
He considers trench coat guy's words, then nods, "We won't be comin ta any decision either way on your word alone. You asked us to come investigate. We can do that and look for your employee at the same time."
Dalviss wiped his hand across his brow.
"I’m starting to think the thing that crashed that night in the southern hills brought something to Dustpawn. Something bad.”
Paul nods.
"Alright - sounds like checking out the crash site seems like a good place to start if we want to find hard facts," he says.
He glances around the table.
"What do you all say to that?" he asks the others.
"Anyhow - if you're willing to show us where the people were who got nabbed we'll do what we can to find 'em," he says.
"First thing is to see the place where they got pinched," he to the man.
"An old adventuring wound messed up my leg, so unfortunately I am unable to join you. I dabble in astronomy and the night the object fell, I observed that the speed of descent and trajectory curve of the object did not match those of a meteorite. I can tell you that the object crashed several miles south of Dustpawn, but I'm not sure of its exact location."
"My missing cook, Leeara, has a room beyond the bar there, at the back. Maybe there is some clue as to what happened the night she went missing, something that I missed when I did my initial search."
Finally, Nalan comes to the group at the table with a beaten tray. On it is several wooden cups of milk, are fair size chunk of cheese and a tin mug with some dark hot liquid. The smell is far from strong, but it is definitely coffee.
He seems to ignore the group for the most part, but nods slightly at Sora as he walks away.
"To the south!" she raises her glass then chuckles taking a sip from it
-Posted with Wayfinder
"My missing cook, Leeara, has a room beyond the bar there, at the back. Maybe there is some clue as to what happened the night she went missing, something that I missed when I did my initial search."
Paul nods.
"Alright, if you show me the room, I'll check it now while these lads eat. I ate my breakfast earlier back at camp this morning..." he adds by way of explanation.
He swings himself to his feet.
"You want to show me her room?" he asks the man.
Finally, Nalan comes to the group at the table with a beaten tray. On it is several wooden cups of milk, are fair size chunk of cheese and a tin mug with some dark hot liquid. The smell is far from strong, but it is definitely coffee.
He seems to ignore the group for the most part, but nods slightly at Sora as he walks away.
He takes the coffee and gulps it down, his eyes flicking to Sora; but he waits for the man to show him to the room.
|
Ayreth has the glass ball running across the backs of her fingers again. She finally speaks up. "I am certainly willing to help people if that is possible. But I would still like to know why we were chosen. Or at least why I was sent a letter. It was cryptic enough to bring me here, I acknowledge that. But I do not know you or your reasons. Or if you are telling the truth."
Yuki gets up and smiles
"Ill help inspect the room, extra pair of eyes wont harm anyone"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I am certainly willing to help people if that is possible. But I would still like to know why we were chosen. Or at least why I was sent a letter. It was cryptic enough to bring me here, I acknowledge that. But I do not know you or your reasons. Or if you are telling the truth."
Paul glances at Ayreth.
He recognizes the wisdom in her words, but doesn't say anything about them at this time; though he is curious to know what the man's response to them will be...
"Ill help inspect the room, extra pair of eyes wont harm anyone"
Paul glances at Yuki.
"Well, I ain't going to turn down extra help," he says with a nod.
Ayreth has the glass ball running across the backs of her fingers again. She finally speaks up. "I am certainly willing to help people if that is possible. But I would still like to know why we were chosen. Or at least why I was sent a letter. It was cryptic enough to bring me here, I acknowledge that. But I do not know you or your reasons. Or if you are telling the truth."
"My dear, I sent various letters out to towns and offices, requesting adventurers for this special task. I do not know any of you personally. However, I still have contacts among the adventuring community at large and was given certain locations in which to make my request for aid. Perhaps that is how you came across one of my summons ..." He let his voice trail off.
Dalviss leant back in his chair and looked upon the young woman with her mismatched eyes. "There are many in town who believe me mad and mock my theory about what fell down from the heavens. Rather than entertain further ridicule, I decided to seek help outside the community. I am telling you the truth as I see it. Something crashed down and ever since things have been strange in town. I would see the truth uncovered. An old adventurer like myself isn't one for being idle and not investigating, especially when my long-time cook disappeared. Dustpawn is my home and I care what happens to it and the people."
Dalviss looked around the empty tavern, except for the small band of adventurers seated at his table. He sighed at the sad sight.
"I can provide you with reward, if that is what you seek. If you can locate the crash site and return back to me with a report, I shall give your party a pouch of gems worth 6,000gp. If you can solve the other problems in town, I shall throw in my beloved halberd as well. If I am lying, why would I offer such a reward? I would have nothing to gain from lying."
"We're all here, for better or worse, and we want to help. If you're afraid of lookin a loon it's already too late for that too. Be straight with us so we can help ya and Leeara. Why do you think it's a ship? Or thought it was one? All ya described could be greed for something like star metal ya know."
He considers trench coat guy's words, then nods, "We won't be comin ta any decision either way on your word alone. You asked us to come investigate. We can do that and look for your employee at the same time."
Dalviss turned eyes crinkled around the edges from age toward the young man of the party.
"No need for impoliteness, son. As I have mentioned, I am an amateur astronomer, and I observed the falling object that night, and meteorites don't slow as they fall, nor does their trajectory curve during descent. I would like to know what it is for certain. It could be ship, it could something wholly different, thus my calling it different names. For the welfare and safety of the Dustpawn community, I require answers and I have requested your assistance. Give it or not, I need a decision before too long. I encourage investigation, and, if you too can discover Leeara's whereabouts, I would be most grateful."
"Would be my pleasure to help with your investigation!" She smiles at their employer, her eyes displaying excitement and curiosity
Gii listens carefully to the conversation going on, adjusting his glasses as he tries to absorb everything. When Nalan brings milk and cheese for the group, he graciously accepts a mug and some of the food. 'A ship? I know not what kinds of magic could make a ship that travels between worlds, but it would have to be quite powerful...' he thinks to himself. Taking a sip from his drink, the Nethian keeps listening to Dalviss and the others.
When the Mineshaft's owner suggests looking into Leeara's room, the cleric nods his approval. "I am willing to assist, as well," he states, looking at Yuki in a show of agreement. "This situation is strange - I feel there may be strange magics at work, here. It is my duty to make sure that whatever is going on here is not the work of some maligned forces looking to disrupt the order of these parts." There is a gleam of determination in the young man's eyes, it is obvious that he considers his being called here to be some sort of higher cause.
The Tien ascetic forgoes the food and remains sitting as some of those summoned go to investigate the room. She reaches out a comforting hand. "My skill do not lean towards investigation. I know nothing of flying ships nor falling stars. Yet, something bedevils your town. If it attacks anything that ventures into the southern hills then it will find us, and we will end it."
|
|
Ayreth ponders over Dalviss' words, seemingly lost in thought. She stops rolling the glass ball over her fingers and focuses her attention on it. After a few moments, she looks up and addresses the retired adventurer. "It is enough for me. The Fates have led us here, and with good reason. The spirit of this place is beset. I shall endeavor to solve the mystery. You have my answer."
Bart rolls is eyes just a little and shakes his head, "Ya misunderstand. I'm helping ya, free of charge. I'm talking a deciding on what it is that fell is all. Money don't concern me. I came here because I was curious, mostly. And now people are in danger..."
Bart pushes out of his seat and grins at the fellow. "We'll find her, if we can. We'll find em all."
When the Doc speaks, Bart grins even more broadly at the man. "Good on ya mister stuffy pants."
Gii fixes Bart with a sharp, disapproving look. 'Brat,' he thinks to himself before turning his attention back to their host.
"We shall start searching, then," he tells Dalviss.
"I can provide you with reward, if that is what you seek. If you can locate the crash site and return back to me with a report, I shall give your party a pouch of gems worth 6,000gp. If you can solve the other problems in town, I shall throw in my beloved halberd as well. If I am lying, why would I offer such a reward? I would have nothing to gain from lying."
Paul nods.
"Sounds good," he says with a nod.
He studies Dalviss for a second - "You show me where her room - like I said, I'm going to start looking it over for what information that I can find."
"Meantime the promised purse is 6,000 gold worth of fine stones... Sounds good."
"Once that's done then we can head out and start looking for the trail to where this crash is..."
No telling how long that trip will be, but it ain't going to be easy to look for tracks and a trail in the dark... The sooner we start, the better our chances of finding out what's going on...
He looks at Yuki.
"Come on, little lady, if you're thinking to help, let's go; daylight's wasting," he says to her.
"My skill do not lean towards investigation. I know nothing of flying ships nor falling stars. Yet, something bedevils your town. If it attacks anything that ventures into the southern hills then it will find us, and we will end it."
Dalviss looked upon the blue-haired woman and gave a gentle nod of acknowledgement.
"Do what you can, as swiftly as you can, that is all I ask."
He studies Dalviss for a second - "You show me where her room - like I said, I'm going to start looking it over for what information that I can find."
Dalviss nodded once more and stood, "For those who would search Leeara's room, please follow me", and he moved through a door at the back of the kitchen and showed them to the room in question. (You may notice he has a slight limp and favours a leg.)
"I will leave you to your search. If you find something of import, I'll be in the tavern discussing business with Nalan. Once we've spoken again, I will show you to your rooms", and with one last look, Dalviss turned and steadily made his way back to the main hall.
As you look about Leeara's room, you notice that it appears to have been lived in until recently - the sheets on the bed are rumpled and an open book lies face down, draped over the arm of a chair. A cursory sweep of the chamber reveals that Leeara's personal belongings are still here, suggesting that she didn't simply pack up and leave Dustpawn. The open book on the armrest of the chair is a worn journal that Leeara's been using for the past several years to track numerous recipes she's perfected.
As you look about Leeara's room, you notice that it appears to have been lived in until recently - the sheets on the bed are rumpled and an open book lies face down, draped over the arm of a chair. A cursory sweep of the chamber reveals that Leeara's personal belongings are still here, suggesting that she didn't simply pack up and leave Dustpawn. The open book on the armrest of the chair is a worn journal that Leeara's been using for the past several years to track numerous recipes she's perfected.** spoiler omitted **...
Paul will leave his companions to finish their breakfast - he's eager to search things and figure out what's going on as soon as possible.
When he comes into the room he picks up the journal and absently thumbs through it, scanning it to discover what exactly it has in it....
Then he examines her personal belongings, specifically studying what type of clothes she has.
If this lady's a cook then she'd likely just have some garb for wearing around a tavern... If she's got traveling clothes that means she's trekking around the terrain and maybe got herself pinched when she was out and about...
He examines the doors and windows to make sure they weren't tampered with as well.
The journal is written in Common and there are no secret codes that you can detect. The pages are well worn, slightly yellowed, some stains, as it is a journal Leeara has been using for many years.
Upon examination of the door and window -- all is normal, nothing has been tampered with. The room is all as it exactly was when Leeara was living there. Nothing out of the ordinary regarding Leeara's attire - a cook's garb and any other items she requires. She does not have many possessions as she lives on a simple cook's wage.
Anyone with any ranks in Profession (Cook) or similar skills notes the following while reading the book/journal:
For those who take time to look through Leeara's journal:
Paul flips through the journal, studying it absently.
When he had made the stew he found some sorrel and some other plants that grew near where the campsite was.
When he notes the time that she spent camping far from the tavern to get the herbs, he looks up at their host –
”She’s got a place nearby that she made camp at; likely to save her the trip when she gathered her spices…” he mutters.
”I reckon we ought to check that next,” he says looking at the others.
He looks at the host.
”I don’t reckon a long walk’s in your plans; but I’m heading out there and see what’s what. Expect me when you see me,” he says, tipping his hat.
He pauses at the door –
”This berg may got more clues in it… If we split up we’ll cover more ground before nightfall,” he says to his companions.
”I’m heading out now, though; any of ya’ll want to come with, grab your gear and let’s get going.”