"Five thousand... ? Hm, a little out of my price range." Eltanin tries to keep her tone casual, all the while thinking if I sold all my belongings and myself into the bargain, I might make that. Not a chance, but keep the options open, girl. "What if I knew of someone who had such a sum, and an interest. Would your offer still be open?"
Roran lifts a brow, trying to understand if they're being ripped off.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+2
Roran belives that 5,00gp is way too much to pay for a pet - even a pseudodragon.
Gwernach whistles. His interest in the pseudo-dragon perked, Gwernach moves closer to the cage. Rather than studying the animal however, he instead observes the quality of the cage. Hoping to learn more of how Devargo got such a creature he asks, Am I ta presume ya bought this one then?
[dice=Appraise]1d20+6
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+8
"Actually it was a gift. Sometimes people like to earn favours with me and I appreciate such tokens."
"Five thousand... ? Hm, a little out of my price range." Eltanin tries to keep her tone casual, all the while thinking if I sold all my belongings and myself into the bargain, I might make that. Not a chance, but keep the options open, girl. "What if I knew of someone who had such a sum, and an interest. Would your offer still be open?"
"That's the price today. Tomorrow it might go down or it might go up. I'm a business-man after all."
Based on what she knows of Devargo, Callie tries to think of items--or information--of interest he might trade the pseudodragon for. She's not entirely sure why Eltanin is so interested, but the way Devargo used the word "pet" was disturbing and she presumes Eltanin would not ask were it not important otherwise.
Based on what she knows of Devargo, Callie tries to think of items--or information--of interest he might trade the pseudodragon for. She's not entirely sure why Eltanin is so interested, but the way Devargo used the word "pet" was disturbing and she presumes Eltanin would not ask were it not important otherwise.
[dice=Knowledge local]1d20+7
Callie reasons that if the information they just bought was worth 800gp, information to the value of 5,000gp would bring a kingdom down.
The usually quiet Roran spits with a disgusted look. "You're a con man. Give us a fair price." Roran doesn't threaten him directly, but the large man leans forward and glares down.
Callie gently and softly chides Roran, "Roran, we came here for one reason--to discuss the ambassador. We got what we came for. Please remember that. Eltanin's interest is... a great learning opportunity at least... but was not the business we came here to do."
"And Devargo is a legit businessman, I'll remind you, and a good one. The game of naming prices is part of what business is about. Please do not insult our host, who has welcomed us into his property."
I do not want this to become a fight, I do not want this to become a fight, I do not want this to become a fight...
She finishes counting and slides the money over while taking the letters, tucking them carefully and securely into a long sleeve-like pocket in her cloak.
The men in Devargo's company showed interest in the group when Roran spoke but settled down when the King of Spiders waved them down with a hand gesture.
"A fair price? Hmmm...let me think. How about you and I play knivesies. If you win, you get the dragon. If I win, you all owe me a favour and I keep the dragon."
"I want a price, not a game. Plus we aren't allowed to cause you any serious injury." Roran says with all the conviction that he would win such a game.
Eyebrow raised, Gwernach stands with his arms crossed observing the exchange. While amus'n, this ain't what we're 'ere for...an ow'n this knave a favor is no'wha am prepar'd ta do.
Sensing this may escalate beyond what the party is currently prepared for, Gwernach steps toward Roran, Tis an interest'n arrang'ment Devargo's put forward, eh?!
Patting the fighter on the back the dwarf smiles in Devargo's direction before turning back to Roran, Ba, as the lady said, it'll hav'ta wait fa anoth'r time lad. The dwarf gives a knowing glance at Callie and Eltanin, hinting that now may be a good time to wrap things up. We've got'ta schedule ta keep. Let's not keep our employ'r wait'n.
"Perhaps we could come back for the game of knivesies when we are freed of other obligations to our employer."
"Yes, that sounds like a fine plan. We can just come back later for some... er... recreational transactions." Eltanin unobtrusively nods at the pseudodragon, trying to convey hang tough. We'll be back, I promise. Do you know where the key to this cage is kept?
"Yes, that sounds like a fine plan. We can just come back later for some... er... recreational transactions." Eltanin unobtrusively nods at the pseudodragon, trying to convey hang tough. We'll be back, I promise. Do you know where the key to this cage is kept?
Devargo does not look at Roran but directs his speech to Callie. "5,000gp it is - unless I change my mind of course."
You make the appropriate noises and movements to suggest you are leaving. Devargo disappears once more down the stairs.
As far as Callie knows, everyone really is trying to leave, so she gathers her things, checks the security of all items, and begins to exit.
There are four thugs with you in the room, and you counted a further half a dozen between here and the dock.
Following Callie's lead, Gwernach takes up his role as 'goon' and escorts the bard to the door.
"Gwernach! Callie! Hold on, this is- it won't wait!" Ellie tries to get the others - including Will, Roran and Valeria - in earshot without being overheard by the guards/mooks. "This isn't just an idle inquiry - the person in that cage just made a plea for rescue. He's being enslaved! Is that quite legal? I mean, is that illegal enough that we could enforce it? I mean, without revealing our- Hells!" Eltanin starts to look around furiously, calculating the flammability of spiderwebs while fumbling two vials - one shimmering green, and one glowing red - from her satchel, before calming back down again.
But she doesn't put the vials away as she speaks, as clearly as she can when getting it all out in a rush of words. "I'm sorry to put everyone on the spot like this, but that pseudodragon sent me a message. Fey creatures can do that, it's common lore. He even promised service - if it is a he - for freedom, which means it's not likely he's influencing my mind. I mean why make promises if he can just get me on his side? It is possible that I'm delusional, I did test that new coordinative amplifier on myself, it could be doing anything to my head, but that was last night and this the first thing I've heard speaking - nono, nevermind, the point is I'm doing something about that cage right now, either breaking it or carrying it with me as I leave. Unless someone has a better idea." She finishes rather weakly, deflating from resolved to abashed while looking around at the others in the hopes that they won't actually wrestle her to the ground.
Devargo has left and you are s-l-o-w-l-y making your way out...
Listening quietly to Ellie's explantion, Wilthorn sighs and wipes his brow. "Listen, I don't quite understand everything you just said, but enough of it came through for me to get the gist of it. It's not hard to guess Devargo's a bit of a creep regarding that dragon. However, I really don't think it's a good idea to pull this right now. With no time to prepare, slim odds of success become even slimmer. Are you sure this can't wait for even a day?" Wilthron gives a sidelong glance at the guards in the room, keeping an eye out in case they're starting to get suspicious.
As you make your way back to Cresida, some of you are still thinking about how to help the pseudodragon - but your task in hand is pressing, so you resolve to do something about it later.
When you return to Citadel Volshyenek and hand over the scandalous letters to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft, she blushes as she reads them and quickly passes them to a clerk for safe keeping, stating that they should work perfectly should the need for some leverage against the ambassador ever come up.
She thanks you again, and hands over 6,000gp. "And keep whatever bribe money you were able to save. I hear the King of Spiders is still alive. I'm not precisely surprised but I wondered if he'd hand over the evidence willingly. You must have impressed him."
"And for going above and beyond in Korvosa’s service, I’d like to award each of you the Pseudodragon’s Mark. It's a medal that symbolizes you are a champion of Korvosa."
She then informs you that she has no more work for you at this time — as things are starting to return to normal in Korvosa at last, but unrest remains in the air.
Smiling widely, Gwernach accepts the medal from Field Marshal Kroft, Thank ya ma'am. He disappears to the back of the group to ponder the pseudo-dragon. We should make good use of our time...
Having now been freed to resume his normal life, Gwernach will linger outside of the Marshal's office on the presumption that the group will want to keep together to immediately make plans to free the pseudo-dragon.
"Um, actually Field Marshall-" Eltanin is quick to speak up when it looks like a dismissal is in the offing, stressed to the point of being distraught, "what exactly is the legal status of pseudodragons in Korvosa? They are thinking creatures, after all, and capable of answering to the duties of citizenry, assuming someone wanted to make them citizens of anything - I mean, is keeping one captive legal? And if someone were to capture a pseudodragon, say for display, would someone else be prosecuted for freeing such a prisoner?"
Through all that rapid-fire inquiry, Ellie is rubbing her hands over her arms as if trying to remove a clinging bruise...
The Field Marshal paused before responding to Eltanin. She then spoke slowly - as if choosing her words carefully. "Unfortunately there is no law against killing or enslaving a pseudodragon. I believe I am aware of the one you refer to. Should it be liberated, that would be fine - we would not be unduly bothered with capturing the criminal that freed it. Should it's owner meet an untimely demise - and be sure I'm not recommended or approving such an action - then once more, I doubt we would press charges. The man in question has an effective immunity to the law - but that has unwittingly removed a layer of protection. If he’s attacked and killed, say, the Korvosan Guard would be pleased that an embarrassing situation had been resolved for it."
"Wider bloodshed, or significant damage to property would most likely result in criminal prosecution for murder — the city’s ambivalence toward a certain person's fate does not extend to the lowlifes who patronize Eel’s End."
You note she was careful not to mention Devargo by name.
"Given a the man seems to be able to control poisonous spiders and is surrounded by thugs, I'd expect had it come to blows you'd've heard of our deaths, not his," Callie says. Remembering all too many rumors of him, perhaps enhanced or exaggerated by what she had heard--or dreamed--during her days of struggling in the throes of shiver, she saw him as something too dangerous to wrestle with if at all possible.
"Any future interactions, we'd have to remain careful but of course also discreet." Callie looks to Eltanin. "If we do end up having little choice but buying the creature you had your eye on, I'd be willing to donate my share of our recent payment to the cause."
Gwernach stands passively near the door as the marshal answer's Eltanin's question. His arms crossed, his eyes shift between Eltanin to Marshal Kroft and Callie as they discuss the imprisoned pseudo-dragon. Clearing his throat, the dwarf appears to want to add his thoughts on the subject but holds his tongue. What he has to suggest about freeing the pseudo-dragon would best not be said in front of the marshal.
As the conversation finishes Gwernach offers, Might I suggest, instead o'go'n our separate ways, tha we retire ta Zellara's apartment?
"I think that's a good idea, Gwernach. We've had a long day and I think perhaps we should relax and chat a bit." Callie turns and nods in thanks to the Field Marshal, and then follows the group out if and when as they decide to leave.
As they leave and are on their way out, Callie sidesteps over to Valeria and says quietly, "Speaking of Zellara's... why don't you have your family move there? You don't seem comfortable in that neighborhood, and it's no place to raise a child if you can avoid it. There's plenty of room at Zellara's, it's in a better neighborhood, and the place is ours for at least a couple months. Given the rate we're earning rewards, that'd be plenty of time to save a nest egg to put them into a more permanent home elsewhere when the time came."
As they walk, Eltanin seems to be cataloging her satchel's contents distractedly. "...that's enough reagent for six energetic vials...if I'm careful, I can add some centipede spleen to the transformation, should be able to get a little more duration out of it..." In the midst of this, she says to Callie "Thanks, but even if everyone contributes something to that pot, Spider-monkey might just raise the price or refuse to sell or whatever. I'm just making sure there's a backup plan. Freeing Majenko - that's his name, if he is a he, of which I'm not completely sure - is the priority. Period. I just want to be ready if that needs to be done over Devargo's dead body."
Happy to be returning to Zellara's, Gwernach is content. His stride is long and relaxed as he listens in on the others.
Eltanin's inventory of items is impressive, but only in a very interesting way. The dwarf has no idea how anyone would have thought such exotic ingredients could lead to such impressive transformations or have those kinds of reactions when mixed together. Gwernach gives his head a shake, Centipede's 'ave spleens?
At Callie's suggestion to have Valeria move her family to Zellara's, Gwrenach gives the fighter a nudge adding, Tha'sa right smart idea Valeria.
Gwernach opens the door to Zellara's apartment and calls out a friendly greeting to the ghost. While he is looking forward to speaking with her again, more pressing matters need to be discussed. With everyone settling back into Zellara's Gwernach turns to face the group. Right! Ta business. Tha way I see it, we donna 'ave tha capital ta buy tha creature's fre-dom. So there's only two ways ta get Majenko - sneak'em out or, as Eltanin put it, do it ov'r Devargo's dead body. The dwarf's eyes narrow as he tries to gauge the groups reaction. I fa one am lean'n ta tha later - Gwernach shakes his head as though to justify his stance, Thar's far too many people 'round to jus sneak in. Trouble is, we can-not fight everyone. Kroft was careful ta warn us tha Eel's End should remain, Tilting his head to the side the dwarf sheepishly adds, Pre-fer'bly without Devargo.
So when we ret'rn, it'll be ta tak'em up on his game o'knivesies. Gwernach looks to Callie, Do ya think ya can talk us inta doin' tha? Waiting only long enough for a nod from the bard, the dwarf turns and points at Roran, Knivesies! That'll be your job Roran. Play ta win! Gwernach's grin for the fighter turns a bit serious, Not tha I don't 'ave every confidence in ya lad, but we gotta plan fa everyth'n. Should it look bad fa Roran we escalate it. Valeria man's tha door - no one else is ta enter. I can silence tha room ta keep tha guards above in tha dark ta wha's go'n on as well as giv'us all a little boost. Gwernach's eyes turns to the floor as he begins to pace a little, Tha'll be a few guards in with'us, I can try ta blind'em forra second or two, like I did at tha shop. On my single, close ya eye's then act. Knowing this will be risky business, the dwarf rubs his face, trailing his hand down his thick beard, I've got a couple tangle foot bags to tie up a guard or two, Eltanin's got 'ere bombs, Wilthorn an Callie, ya swords. We finish Devargo, grab tha cage an walk out as though we won tha game!
The medal stuns Valeria - after what she did, after being discharged from the Guard, she's not sure whether to take it as a reward or a warning. Swallowing her pride, she accepts it with a gruff nod and a barely-muttered "Thanks".
At Callie's words, she clenches her jaw and nods. "I can handle myself there just fine. But Quinta... She deserves better. If I can talk her grandparents into it, it would be a better place for her. A better life. I just won't be able to stay there the whole time to look after her."
Upon reaching Zellara's house, she takes a seat at the small table and stares at the patterns in the wood, apparently lost in contemplation. As Gwernach describes his plan, she seems more and more interested, at first raising an eyebrow in faint bemusement, then chuckling and shaking her head. "Good gods, man. You're making it sound almost too easy." Though her tone is weary as usual, one side of her mouth lifts in a smile.
As they walk, Eltanin seems to be cataloging her satchel's contents distractedly. "...that's enough reagent for six energetic vials...if I'm careful, I can add some centipede spleen to the transformation, should be able to get a little more duration out of it..." In the midst of this, she says to Callie "Thanks, but even if everyone contributes something to that pot, Spider-monkey might just raise the price or refuse to sell or whatever. I'm just making sure there's a backup plan. Freeing Majenko - that's his name, if he is a he, of which I'm not completely sure - is the priority. Period. I just want to be ready if that needs to be
done over Devargo's dead body."
"I'm all for helping the little creature. Just remember he's not the only victim of Devargo's, and is probably amongst the best treated--which is not to say the dragon is well off or to defend the position he's in. Devargo and his ilk have killed and enslaved many... if not literally, then by making others beholden to him through their debts..."--her face darkens=="... or addicting them to shiver. Much like Lamm, but Devargo has a lot more friends.
"Which, mind, is all the more reason to do something about Devargo. But taking him on may mean taking on an underworld of problems. Perhaps I'm overly cautious, but when I imagine the Spider King, I don't imagine just a man with a few insect pets. I see a man at the center of a very tangled and dangerous web. We risk getting caught in it by taking him on.
"If we go in for getting the dragon, I'm not going to take all that risk just to stop there. I want to take the chance to get whatever information or clout we can, rather than just make a token gesture. More lives can be saved than just one... but be absolutely clear we may be putting our lives and that of others on the line to do so."
She paused, then adds one more thing. "I would also note as much as I hate men like him, keeping him as a non-hostile contact in our pockets is not... without its benefits, and may help us should we continue to work for the city. Finding a way to get the dragon without pissing Devargo off has its benefits for us--and may buy us time to learn more about other victims of his we migth help."
So when we ret'rn, it'll be ta tak'em up on his game o'knivesies. Gwernach looks to Callie, Do ya think ya can talk us inta doin' tha? Waiting only long enough for a nod from the bard, the dwarf turns and points at Roran, Knivesies! That'll be your job Roran. Play ta win! Gwernach's grin for the fighter turns a bit serious, Not tha I don't 'ave every confidence in ya lad, but we gotta plan fa everyth'n. Should it look bad fa Roran we escalate it. Valeria man's tha door - no one else is ta enter. I can silence tha room ta keep tha guards above in tha dark ta wha's go'n on as well as giv'us all a little boost. Gwernach's eyes turns to the floor as he begins to pace a little, Tha'll
be a few guards in with'us, I can try ta blind'em forra second or two, like I did at tha shop. On my single, close ya eye's then act. Knowing this will be risky business, the dwarf rubs his face, trailing his hand down his thick beard, I've got a couple tangle foot bags to tie up a guard or two, Eltanin's got 'ere bombs, Wilthorn an Callie, ya swords. We finish Devargo, grab tha cage an walk out as though we won tha game!
"I think that's a good plan. I hope I can convince him to play the game, but he seemed intent on us taking us up on that there and then---then he changed the price back to 5,000 gold. Speaking of with, we should probably have a purse with us that at least looks like we're willing to talk price as well. As I said earlier, I've no problem with winning on Devargo's terms and leaving as his 'friend' for now. But should it come to blows, your plan is good. I can cast ghost sound to help mask any suspicious noises as well, and tonight I'll see if I can practice some other illusions as well... I'm rusty, but all this work has made me regain some of my edge in a number of ways."
At Callie's words, she clenches her jaw and nods. "I can handle myself there just fine. But Quinta... She deserves better. If I can talk her grandparents into it, it would be a better place for her. A better life. I just won't be able to stay there the whole time to look after her."
"You're no more able to stay the whole time where she is right now, either. And it's not about 'handling yourself' in a place like that. You can't afford to have friends or family in a place like that if you can't fit in and look comfortable--and I think you're the kind of person who never would, Valeria. Take that as a compliment."
Gwernach looks at Callie and wonders out loud, Aye, keep'n him friendly's a safe bet, but jus'what would he be able ta provide us with? Eh?! The look on Gwernach's face lets her know he doesn't seem too keen on being put into such a position. There's no such thing as be'n friends with-a man like Devargo Callie. He's tha type tha'll manipulate an make ya turn 'gainst tha what ya hold dear. An for every slave ya free, he'll get three more ta take their place!
The dwarf turns his gaze on the others in the room, his resolve strengthened, Best ta be rid'of 'em. Use tha game as a distraction - lower his defenses like an end it. Turning back to the bard, Mak'n off with more than tha dragon's a good idea too. I wager any information he's got 'll be in his chamber. We'll need ta act fast like ya said, than leave.
"The plan sounds good, Gwernach. I'm not too concerned about anyone allied with Devargo. Except for maybe the Cerulean Society, anyone related to him will be less interested in us than in filling the power vacuum Devargo'll leave.
You get a message from thw Field Marshall - she'd like to meet you to discuss an issue first thing tomorrow morning.
Knowing the message from Marshal Kroft should not be ignored, Gwernach looks to the others. We'll need ta act soon. Callie, can ya be ready by tonight? Eltanin? Wha'bout you?
Callie shakes her head. "To try and recall some spells? No, I don't think so--I'd need to rest to restore after tried to remember it. But if I can't, I can work with what I've got."
She sighs, then adds, "Or Kroft can just damn well wait. We've signed no contract with her and if the guard is so helpless that she feels we are the only six people in all of gods-damned Korvosa that are capable of doing anything for her, she'll just have to wait for us to get our own business done first. We're not her lackeys." Callie knew Kroft's request was likely important, but she chafed at feeling increasingly ordered around by someone she felt they owed nothing to and were effectively doing favors for (even if they were getting paid to do them).
Callie then looks expectantly at Eltanin to hear her thoughts on the plan to rescue the pseudodragon. This was something the half-elf was insistent on, and Callie wasn't going to plan to risk pissing off half the underworld of Korvosa unless the woman wanting to lead the charge was sure of the details of the plan.
Roran listens to Gwernach's plan quietly, getting a grin and nodding. "Aye, that's the way to do it. I'm sure I can beat him in this little game. Not that I'm that quick, but I'll bust his damn jaw if he goes for it." He laughs at Callie's statement that he might deny playing the game. "Then I'll bust his jaw anyways. I don't need to stand over a table with a knife in it."
"Callie, I agree with the statement on Kroft, but it'd be good to tell her that we have some stuff to handle first. Just be rude not to tell her is all."
Agreed. We should ack-knowledge Kroft's request but let'er know we're oth'rwise in-gaged fa tha time be'in. As for tha rescue, I propose we head out first thing in tha morn'ing. I don'na think Devargo's tha type to go ta bed early.
"I'm set for bombs, the Elixir of the Lightening Struck Oak is ready. I have a few others options I can prepare ahead of time. A potion for improving aim, for example." Eltanin seems distracted, as if trying to go over everything in her head at once, but at least her responses seem coherent. "The only weak point I can see right now is the idea that this game will be played in front of a small audience. Spider monkey might want everyone to come and watch. But that certainly doesn't mean that's the only thing that might go wrong - what I hear about battle plans is that they tend to fall apart before three blows have been struck."
Ellie breathes deeply, then seems to center herself, looking her friends in the eyes. "But I guess for that very reason, a simple plan is the best one. One simple plan, and lots of options. I'm ready as I'll ever be."
Having agreed upon a simple plan, Gwernach scans the party. His eyes reflect their acceptance of what lays before them. Taking a deep breath, Right then. Everyone is ta get what they need. We'll leave from 'ere in tha morn.
The dwarf spends the remainder of the day reflecting upon what he has experienced in these last few days. He has tested his influence of the divine forces and found it - exhilarating. A new realization has also occurred to him. With some adjustments, he may be able to access more of the divine than he had previously. To be sure, he references some of his notes and examines one or two texts. Rubbing his beard, the dwarf nods confidently to himself, Aye, tis possible ta achieve such a thing...
As dawn breaks across Korvosa, Gwernach rises and prepares for the day. With the reality of what lays ahead sinking in, a touch of excitement flows through his veins. The dwarf sits and calms his mind - opening it to the divine influences that continually flow through all things. Sure enough, he finds himself able to reach out a little further than he had done before. Brimming with confidence, the dwarf emerges from his quarters dressed and ready for a hearty breakfast of mushrooms and a thick bowl of oatmeal.
Wiping the last of the oatmeal from his bowl, Gwernach takes up quill and parchment. He hastily writes a message for the Field Marshall,
Field Marshall Kroft,
We have received your message. Unfortunately we will be detained for most of the day and unable to reach you as promptly as we would like.
Sincerely,
Gwernach Nickelbeard
Folding the parchment, he tucks the note into his pocket. As the party makes their way to Eel's End, Gwernach stops a page. Instructing him to take the message to the Feild Marshall, the dwarf hands the boy an appropriate number of coins for the task.
Eltanin, for her part, appears to have abandoned both dignity and conversation. Her appearance is unusually messy. She looks in general as if she removed her clothes, went to bed, didn't sleep in any meaningful sense, and then put her clothes back on without looking. Her progression is similarly haphazard, sometimes beside one of her compatriots, sometimes behind, sometimes before, occasionally hastening but then getting distracted with another catalog of her gear. She decided on carrying her new spear but seems to be constantly trying to figure out how to hold it in a casual way. One moment she looks as if she's trying to pass it off as a particularly homicidal walking stick, the next she's trying to imitate a parade-rest posture.
For her to not be conversing is much more troubling, and marks a dangerous change in the usually loqacious alchemist. The implication is obvious. Ellie is simply trying to keep anyone from noticing how badly she wants to kill someone. Anyone, including herself.
After they make their plan, Callie says she is going out for a bit (taking anyone who wants to join her) and heads to the local potion-brewer to buy a few things. While she knows Eltanin also has more than some alchemy skill, Callie assumes Eltanin will be preparing whatever she wants to prepare for the offense. She spends little time on pleasantries, just gets what she needs to get done done and then returns. She does not wear her new badge nor even her telltale cloak--the last thing she wants to do is announce to the world "hey, one of the new heroes in Korvosa seems to anticipate fighting poisonous insects..."
Upon her return, she spends much of the evening trying to recall an illusion trick she is sure she had learned some time ago and after a bit of practice and recollection she is fairly certain she can remember it, and goes to rest.
In the morning, Callie distributes the vials of vermin repellent she purchased and hands them out to everyone. "You saw those spiders crawling all over him... this may not do much to help, but it can't hurt either... just in case things go badly quickly. It should last for a few hours."
She spreads the white paste on herself, makes sure one of her daggers is hidden within her tabard, and is ready to go.
Callie notices Eltanin's frightening silence. "Breathe, she whispers to her in what she hopes is a calming and reasurring--but not patronizing--voice. "We'll take care of this. But winding yourself up before it starts is not going to help."
Amazed that such items could be found, Gwernach looks genuinely impressed. Ta Callie. Am impressed with ya for-sight lass! Taking the vial from Callie, the dwarf follows her example to spread the paste on himself, Hope this'll wash out aft'awards...