"Crows huh? I hear them that's for sure, and they do sound numerous. Quite a cacophony!"
Assuming someone describes their options, as Ascaria can't see far, he adds, "Are folks pretty much going through at random, or are they picking towers? You know, like wagons through one, residents through one, visitors through another, that sort of thing. If there doesn't seem to be a pattern, pick the middle one."
- - -
Ascaria is a Gnome, so he’s short and a bit stout in the belly with very large bulging eyes. He favors button down shirts buttoned all the way up and has a very nice vest (unbuttoned). He also sports a black bowler hat, in decent shape, with a broad yellow band, nearly as bright as his hair.
He wears a fancy mithril buckler on his left arm, but few weapons - just a dagger which looks nice, but sees little use.
He has a substantial pack on his back with assorted odds and ends. He carries his own flagon tucked at his belt, and is quick to produce it when alcohol of almost any kind is offered. He has an easy broad smile, quick to his lips.
His jeweled fingers, sporting fine rings on each hand, are often dirty with charcoal and chalk dust, and he seems to doodle on any surface which will take the crumbly substances. He very occasionally smokes a bit of tobacco from a short bone scrimshaw pipe with burn marks along one side that he keeps in his vest.
A phylactery on his head denotes him as a religious man of one sort or another, though no obvious holy symbol adorns him. He has a fine necklace and outer robe as well. Sometimes, usually on more formal occasions, he may wear a red throat wrap, but not usually. Spectacles aid his extremely limited vision, making it look like he's looking right through you if you're standing next to him, but he's clearly oblivious across a town square.
Eidi casts disguise self extended with his rod, to appear like an old white man with his fists draped like a monk. The cover does not seem to help him with his advanced baldness, but a ribbon covers his eyes, helping him pass as blind, while the ribbon is illusory so he just looks through with ease "So, let's ask them about this Laughing Dawn Tavern!"
Hmm... I like his style.
Slightly less pale from the walk yet no less weary of mind, Mortimer trails slightly behind the party. His leafy clad boots light upon the ground nigh soundlessly despite all expectations given the wearers six foot eight inch (yet lean) frame -- only made to look larger due to the Muleback cords.
As they approach Alhaster, Mortimer is lost in thought, occasionally rubbing what is now starting to resemble a short beard.
That quinoa really sticks to your ribs. I wonder if he can make those fried chickpea things...
...Hrm... I think my robe clashes with my headband...
He looks up at the darkening sky, and frowns.
That looks like little... Feathers (link)... I wonder if Feathers would eat fried chickpea things...
As the approach the gate, he slightly lifts the edge of his Lizard'hood "headband" -- its bind to his forehead enforced by the Smoked Goggles -- to lightly scratch his temple.
"You know, like wagons through one, residents through one, visitors through another, that sort of thing. If there doesn't seem to be a pattern, pick the middle one."
? Fine. Mortimer looks for a pattern.
Upon seeing a visitor gate, he heads for it. Otherwise, he heads down the center.
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The Outcasts approach the Gates of Alhaster, some newly garbed to disguise their true selves, others quite themselves. The oxen pull their carts towards the Northern Gate, suggesting its path is a more utilitarian one, leaving the Central and Southern Gate to consider. The Outcasts make for the Central Gate, for its directness.
The time of day, roughly high noon, allows you almost immediate audience with several hobgoblins who serve as the Gatekeepers. All of them are armored in half plate, masterwork at least, and all of them demonstrate varied melee weapons, all sheathed.
A female hobgoblin, smooth-skulled and long-eared, breaks from her gathering, slightly irritated by the looks of it, as none of the others move to intercept you and your presumed desire for entry.
"Afternoon, to all of you. Welcome to Alhaster, praise Zeech, Son of Asmodeus. What brings you to our city? Are you guests in attendance, or do you have business?"
Aside from the lead hobgoblin, you are aware of the full attention of the others, who seem to regard Solrisa and Ascaria more than the others. They barely glance at Mortimer.
Eri walks up with the rest of the party to the middle gate. He does not make eye contact and gets enamored by things and people and animals. So much so that he comes close to running into the person in front of him on a number of occasions. His movements and searingly intense gaze make people take notice. Other than that, though, his garb is in the early process of taking on the dirt of the road. It looks like he may have helped it along by smearing some dirt and mud on there on purpose. He has some sundries about him and two very nice looking, but dirty quivers.
”Yeh, what she/he said”
Solrisa smiles brightly as she guard asks. And she is delightted to respond.
”I would like to eat some cheese! And ham!” Solrisa squees and she explains how much she wants to visit the city, find a nice inn, and eat some nice cheeses.
Diplomacy
"Yes, to eat and perhaps find some adventuring jobs to do in this place. We probably will check in some taverns and if we find no job we will be gone in less than a week I guess" adds the blinded-Eidi "Do you know of a good tavern for that? Eating and looking for adventures I mean"
His face shiny and bright, Ascaria approaches smiling as the gates come into view. When he praises Asmodeus, he knows he's back in Cheliax.
"Good day to you! Guests in attendance? Why no, we're just travelers of a sort seeking some possible employment in these lands, but what is going on that has guests in attendance? Some fair or party or other? That sounds intriguing!"
Mortimer continues stroking his quasi-beard, looking up at the crow sky. I could live here. He nods. I would like to live here...
He looks at the owner of the hobgoblin voice. What's that? Erm, nice voice? I wonder if all the women look like her...
" -- " He opens his mouth to speak.
"I would like to eat some cheese! And ham!”
"Yes, to eat and perhaps find some adventuring jobs to do in this place... Eating and looking for adventures I mean"
"Good day to you! Guests in attendance? Why no, we're just travelers of a sort seeking some possible employment in these lands, but what is going on that has guests in attendance? Some fair or party or other? That sounds intriguing!"
"Yeh, what he/she said!"
He shrugs noncommittally, then nods.
Or... let's go with all that I guess. He puffs his chest out, inhaling deeply. I hope there are structures here that I can use for chin ups.
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"Eating and looking for adventures I mean?
Two of the hobgoblins chortle. "'Looking for adventure'. That's ripe!! Blind man's looking to get himself robbed blind, if he wanders down the wrong alley." The lead female hobgoblin flashes them a silencing look, before returning to finish business with you all.
"Good day to you! Guests in attendance? Why no, we're just travelers of a sort seeking some possible employment in these lands, but what is going on that has guests in attendance? Some fair or party or other? That sounds intriguing!"
"Zeech's Anniversary, of course. I assumed you were arriving early. No matter. You're free to enter. You are warned to obey our Laws. Claim ignorance of them at your peril. No stealing, no murder, no rape, and no blasphemy. Are we clear? Good." None of the hobgoblins seem interested in answering any more of your questions. They only want to see you departing from the Gate.
Way is made for you, and you pass through the Central Gate, and into the City of Alhaster.
As you follow the central vein into town, as is your want, you come across the first of likely many of the city's taverns, the Angry Rifter Tavern, represented by a long wooden sign depicting an enraged bandit rappelling down the side of the tavern by a rope.
From your research in the Temple Library, you know that the Laughing Dawn Tavern is up the road a ways.
There are several lamp posts that dot the roads, with metal rods that extend from them perpendicularly and at height. They seem purposed to display banners and the like about the city.
Ascaria breathes a sigh of relief at the rules, and says so, "We'll be careful, thanks!" and he scurries into he city proper, ducking occasionally despite himself at the murder above him.
"Let's hit the pub and settle in first. Get a lay of the land, see what's going on, have a drink - and maybe a little lunch, see what the locals are like. I don't want to move too quickly here."
He walks on to the Laughing Dawn Tavern with the group.
Solrisa looks at the hobgoblins, then smiles.
”Right, no blaspheming, and I really enjoy a good one,” she says as they depart with a smile.
She walks into the City, taking in the sights and asking people for directions to make sure the party doesn’t get lost.
”Excuse me, where is the Laughing Dawn Tavern?” Solrisa asks graciously.
Diplomacy
"'Looking for adventure'. That's ripe!! Blind man's looking to get himself robbed blind, if he wanders down the wrong alley."
Mortimer scratches his head, taking the hobgoblin's turn of phrase too literally. Well... if that's the case, that means someone isn't doing their job. He frowns. And so close to Zeech's Anniversary celebration! He scowls slightly at the hobgoblin. Let's hope that it is not you not doing your job.
He looks at the lamp posts dotting the street. Those will work.
Mortimer smoothly scales up a lamppost and starts doing chin ups while Solrisa asks for directions.
Gotta get this out of my system...
An outdated book about the city’s history, it was written by a cleric of Abadar named Rhorsk only a few months before a despotic ruler named Prince Zeech claimed the small province of Redhand as his own.
Some would say that Zeech stole the land away from two nations who sought to avoid direct conflict with each other. A veritable bandit kingdom, a cookie stolen while two parents squabble.
Notes on Prince Zeech are much sparser, alluding to the individual as self-proclaimed son of Asmodeus, bringer of 'the Days of Joy'. A real heartwarming, blurry account of a man seeking to make permanent the protections afforded to more affluent kingdoms with greater means, and even greater alliances.
This all sits in the back of your mind, from your research in Magepoint, as you study the first true citizens of Alhaster- the hobgoblin city guard. For this encounter, you sense Prince Zeech has developed an iron grip over his citizens, as this one standing before you speaks words of her Prince in all earnestness.
You immediately understand that speaking out publicly against Zeech is a recipe for disaster. Perhaps subtle conversations with the public might color in the details regarding this self-proclaimed 'Son of Asmodeus'.
"Excuse me, where is the Laughing Dawn Tavern?”
A couple of young men moving bushels of fresh fruit, from a large cart, to a smaller one, stop in their work, briefly. One wipes his brow, while the other one points down the Toilway. "It'll be on your right, just a ways down. If you walk past the Playhouse, you've gone too far."
Mortimer smoothly scales up a lamppost and starts doing chin ups while Solrisa asks for directions.
From your vantage, doing your pull-ups, you are privileged to a strange sight. At the roof's edge of a building down the Toilway, a singular, winged figure dressed in black takes flight, but not before tilting its head at you, measuring you from a distance. It's lost to your sight within two pull-ups.
Following the carter's instructions, you arrive at the Laughing Dawn Tavern. A faded sign of a beautiful woman with her head thrown back, in laughter, adorns the outside of the rather unassuming building.
Entering the Tavern, you find an old man, balding and bearded, humming to himself behind the bar, which is little more than a plank of wood anchored to two sides of the room. He looks up to address the afternoon visitors.
"A little early for drinks, friends. You should come back when the sun's set proper, and you'll find the atmosphere more appealing."
Eidi nods, a bit rushed " Can I get a cup of early morning milk at least?"
The bald and beard looks Eidi over. "We're not that kind of Tavern, old one. My service is purely drink, at the bar or at the tables. Sorry to disappoint you. If you're looking for a bed and breakfast, you'd do no better than the Angry Rifter. It's meant for your like. New to Alhaster, I gather? Name's Damsk. This is my little haunt, for better or worse."
The old man comes 'round the bar plank, and extends a hand. "Ask for Telgrith, and tell 'em I sent you. He's more like to clean your copperware before he serves you, if he knows you've asked around a little." Damsk's smile is warm, and he returns to his rabbit run behind the bar.
"If you favor a nip before you go? I've got two lagers ready to tap before tonight's crowd."
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Mortimer smoothly scales up a lamppost and starts doing pull-ups while Solrisa asks for directions.
Mortimer does exactly three pull-ups before freezing chin-up. He gazes over the top of the lampost arc before abruptly dropping to the ground.
Though not exactly necessary due to the lack of actual exertion, he wipes his brow. Or -- maybe it's just his eyes. What -- what was that... ?
Distracted, he follows the others into the tavern.
"A little early for drinks, friends. You should come back when the sun's set proper, and you'll find the atmosphere more appealing."
Really? The one time I could really use a sarsaparilla.
Eidi nods, a bit rushed " Can I get a cup of early morning milk at least?"
"We're not that kind of Tavern, old one. My service is purely drink, at the bar or at the tables. ...
Oh well. So much for sarsaparilla.
"If you favor a nip before you go? I've got two lagers ready to tap before tonight's crowd."
Mortimer shakes his head, starts to head out to see what the rest of town has to offer in terms of daytime fare.
[b]"A little early for drinks, friends. You should come back when the sun's set proper, and you'll find the atmosphere more appealing."
Eri turns and walks out. If needed, he waits for the rest of the party and watches people move around town. Hmm. I like being alone in a crowd.
Solrisa eyes the lager, wondering if they have time for a pint or not.’
”Maybe we coulld have one?” Her eyes glitter with mischief...if it would be considered mischief to drink a lager at this time of day, which is mischief to her. it’s close to being scandalous.
Ascaria thanks the barkeep, "We'll be back I'm sure. And thank you for the suggestion Damsk!"
”Maybe we coulld have one?”
Not one to let a woman, er, well, anyone, drink alone, Ascaria pulls up a barstool as well, and suggests a small bit for himself. "Just a half, if you please!"
He faces the group, "We can try Angry Rifter next."
Turning back to Damsk he asks, "Say, where would you recommend we search for lodging? Angry Rifter again, or is there a better place for that sort of thing? With Zeech's Anniversary, I'm concerned about places filling up."
Eidi shakes the barman's hand and smiles him back "Yes, what about Zeech's Anniversary, seems a good moment for business"
Damsk smiles as his offer is taken. The portly proprietor produces a peg, and taps a nearby barrel, before hefting it onto the plank, and fetches five steins, on the off-chance of all five of you partaking.
"Zeech's anniversary, aye. A celebration twenty years in coming, now arrived. I'm sure it will bring folks in to drink, either way."
Damsk has no love for Zeech, by the tone of his voice. The lean on the word 'anniversary' suggests that Damsk thinks the Prince has no place celebrating.
The round man begins to pour the lagers, and hands one to both Solrisa and Ascaria, turning a raised brow to the remaining three dry throats.
"As for inns, well you've got your pick. There's the Ogre's Hideout, and the Deluxury, aside from the Angry Rifter. The Ogre's your lowbrow, the Deluxury your highbrow. Rifter plays it in the middle. Most of the locals tend to stay away from Telgrith's business, for the traffic of foreigners."
When he hears the beers a-poppin, Eri does a quick smile and an about face. "Yes, please."
Ascaria trusts the kind man. He hadn't expected any kindness here, but only hostility. Nice that it wasn't the case. He asks his friends, "So, do we want to stay in comfort, or play it safe at the Rifter."
"I figure the bad people will know we're here soon enough anyway, so we might as well be well cared for, but I'm willing to try the Rifter if you all prefer it."
"Mort, you've been awfully quiet lately, how's about it? Where do you want to stay?"
"Zeech's anniversary, aye. A celebration twenty years in coming, now arrived. I'm sure it will bring folks in to drink, either way."
???!
Mortimer pauses in the doorway at Damsk's words. He turns back into the tavern.
The round man begins to pour the lagers, and hands one to both Solrisa and Ascaria, turning a raised brow to the remaining three dry throats.
Well, I guess it would be rude to decline. He nods once at the barman.
"Mort, you've been awfully quiet lately, how's about it? Where do you want to stay?"
Mortimer thanks the bartender with another nod and takes a swig of his lager pretending it is sarsaparilla. Hmmm. Not bad...
"The ' Rifter, I guess. ' seems to be what everyone is recommending."
'anniversary' -- ruling for twenty years, or is he twenty years old? Mort shakes his head. Gotta be the ruling one. It'd be tacky to force everyone to celebrate your birthday, right?
He looks a Damsk. "Twenty years, huh? So just how old is Zeech, do you think?"
Eidi listens attentively to Damsk "Ohm... twenty years seems a strange span for an Anniversary, what an oddity. So in what will consist the Anniversary celebrations?"
"We are looking for an old acquaintance of us. An elven noble. Where can we find the elven nobles in the city Damsk?" the elder looks for his friendlier words trying to find about Lashonna but using an increasingly careful approach just in case she is prosecuted by justice.
Solrisa chat gaily with the bartender, asking about the festivities and pretty cup ware and the weather...all the subtext flying well over her head. She will sip at her ale, enjoying the romping good time at the bar, something she rarely does.
”And Rae would love this place, wouldn’t she? She’d be so good in a bar fight here! She would love it.”
"I figure the bad people will know we're here soon enough anyway, so we might as well be well cared for, but I'm willing to try the Rifter if you all prefer it."
Damsk takes a couple of steps away from the conversation, as the gnome speaks on 'bad people', really fixating on cleaning the glass mug currently in-hand.
"Twenty years, huh? So just how old is Zeech, do you think?"
Damsk looks sideways at Mortimer, not fully reading the underlying question below the obvious one. "Never had the pleasure of asking him. I'd take him to be in his forties, if he were true human. He claims to be the Son of Asmodeus Himself, so he's been able to muddy the waters on his bloodline."
"We are looking for an old acquaintance of us. An elven noble. Where can we find the elven nobles in the city Damsk?"
Damsk nods, as he thinks he's gaining a sense of your purpose about Alhaster. "Ah, so not here for the celebration. Sure. There are not many elves about town. Your, uh, acquaintance, have a name?"
Ascaria sips his morning beer, Morning Beer! and enjoys himself thoroughly. He waits to see what Eidi plumbs out of their host.
When that conversation is complete, and more importantly when his beer stein is empty, he'll itch to get going. "Let's head to the Angry Rifter and square our accommodations. I don't want to lose a bed on account of delay."
"Oh my memory. This is the bad thing of getting old, you keep forgetting names, how was that name young man?" Eidi taps on Mortimer's shoulder "Losh... Anna Losh? Or was it Lashonna? Oh, I am so bad with elven names..." the blind elder looks back at Damsk and smiles.
"Oh my memory. This is the bad thing of getting old, you keep forgetting names, how was that name young man?" Eidi taps on Mortimer's shoulder"
Mortimer starts at the unexpected physical contact, and rivets his attention on the old blind man.
Huh?
"Losh... Anna Losh? Or was it Lashonna? Oh, I am so bad with elven names..." the blind elder looks back at Damsk and smiles.
Mortimer suddenly finds himself lost in a recent fog of memory. Esobel -- Loreli -- Diamond Lake -- Lorobel?
He shakes his head.
Magepoint -- Balakarde -- Wormy Hell -- Balakarde -- Alhasteri... Leshasteri... Lashonna!
Mortimer's eyes dart back and forth, from the bartender back to Eidi. I hope that wasn't out loud.
Mortimer looks at the old 'blind' man. "Lashonna, it was," he nods, ready to catch the old 'blind' man should he stumble. "I'm sure she'll be glad to see you again!"
Solrisa listens, not having a clue who Eidi is talking about. She’s never been great with names, save a few. Besides, she was enjoying an ale and didn’t want to ruin the experience by thinking too hard.
”Lashonna? Oh okay. I was going to guess My-sharona.”
Eri sips his bubbles and wanders about the room looking at all the things. He is careful not to touch anything or look at anything that is not to be seen, but he looks.
"Hmm. I like beer. Morning beer is pretty great. Maybe we should get some Khava soon. That'll be fun. "
Your drinking session at the Laughing Dawn Tavern extends for a brief hour, as you spend some coin on your drink, and spend your time gathering a little information from the tender.
"Oh my memory. This is the bad thing of getting old, you keep forgetting names, how was that name young man? Losh... Anna Losh? Or was it Lashonna? Oh, I am so bad with elven names..."
"Lashonna, it was."
Damsk pauses a moment, taking each of you in, as you shed a little more light on your interests in Alhaster. "Uh, sure. You're speaking on the Lady Lashonna, then. Her residence is at the end of the Street of a Dozen Smiles. They call it the Mistwall Manor. She expecting you?" The tavern keeper doesn't seem all that interested in your answer, only steering the conversation to a quiet conclusion.
...
Making your way back to the Angry Rifter is easy enough. The establishment already has some foot traffic, coming and going from its front steps. Entering the tavern, you're buffeted about the ears with the raucous sounds of a prospering bar.
Several small tables are pushed together along the eastern wall, where a whole pig sits on a spit, and a couple of men pull its meat to the plates below.
Lads and lasses alike run drinks to and from the ornate bar at the back, which seems to minimize the congestion among the tables, as folk remain mostly seated. For the space of the room, you count roughly forty to fifty patrons, most of them dressed for travel.
From the depiction of the rappelling Rifter on the front of the establishment, you're able to place a lean, older man walking among the tables, leaning in to inquire politely. Likely, the man is Telgrith Vanerath, the proprietor. You are not lost to his perception, and he smiles a smile that speaks 'be with you momentarily' to you all, which proves to be true enough.
"Welcome to the Angry Rifter! New to Alhaster? I never forget a face, and yours are new to me. Are you seeking shelter? Couldn't have picked a more convenient one, I assure you. You'll always find your way back, even in the wee hours about town."
Eidi nods to Damsk and taps Mortimer's shoulder "Thank you. Thank you. Indeed my friend here is right. It has been so much time since we met. I wonder if she can recognize me, I am sure she is still as young and beautiful as the day we first met"
---------------------
The elder smiles back to Telgrith "A nice welcome this is certainly. Yes, we look for some room and also we want to find some people. Perhaps you know something about some adventuring groups: the Watchers and the Blessed Angels"
Ascaria is all smiles as he entered the new tavern. He liked his morning beer, but he prefers the hustle and bustle of an active establishment. "Nice place Mr. Vanerath. Very nice place! Could we also have that table over there?" he points to anything that might contain the party in the busy room. "I'm feeling a little peckish." he adds eyeing the spit-meat.
Telgrith very quickly grabs Eidi's arm, and leads him, and you all, towards the stairs on the left, where the front desk and room appointments are made. "Well, well, yes, you are certainly entitled to our best lodging, as are all my guests."
The wiry man raises his voice on the first response to your requests, which seems to discourage several nearby patrons from lingering their attentions on you for your first words stated publicly.
By the time you arrive at the front desk, Telgrith's voice is lowered. "Now, why would you go and ask about the Watchers and Angels? Are you in trouble with the Law? For they are the Law in Alhaster, and you would do best to avoid their attentions. Please, tell me you're new to town, and we'll be done with this line of inquiry."
Telgrith looks back and forth between your faces, then smiles. "So, you're more than welcome to individual rooms here, unless you care to share? And of course you may sit wherever you please. Once you've paid for your rooms, you're free to help yourselves to the cuts and pours."
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Eidi nods to Damsk and taps Mortimer's shoulder "Thank you. Thank you. Indeed my friend here is right. It has been so much time "
Right, yea. Time to go. Mortimer nods and stands, waiting to 'guide' Eidi by the elbow. He 'leads' the Half-elf by the arm out of the tavern.
~~
"Nice place Mr. Vanerath. Very nice place! Could we also have that table over there?"Telgrith very quickly grabs Eidi's arm, and leads him, and you all, towards the stairs on the left, where the front desk and room appointments are made.
Mortimer, having Eidi by the other arm, finds himself suddenly caught in a riptide.
"Now, why would you go and ask about the Watchers and Angels? Are you in trouble with the Law? For they are the Law in Alhaster, and you would do best to avoid their attentions. Please, tell me you're new to town, and we'll be done with this line of inquiry."
"Wow," Mortimer feigns surprise. "We were just -- I mean. We're new here, and we would like," he looks around at the others, assumimg that they have also been towed with. "What -- "
"So, you're more than welcome to individual rooms here, unless you care to share? And of course you may sit wherever you please. Once you've paid for your rooms, you're free to help yourselves to the cuts and pours."
Mortimer turns back to Telgrith. "I mean -- how much is the room rate, did you say?"
"I didn't." Telgrith smirks, as he pulls out a small, black ledger. "Single rooms are only five moons, for a double it'll cost you eight. Well drinks included, top shelf excluded, and no repast for those who wake late."
"I didn't." Telgrith smirks, as he pulls out a small, black ledger. "Single rooms are only five moons, for a double it'll cost you eight. Well drinks included, top shelf excluded, and no repast for those who wake late."
Solrisa pulls out her purse, weighing it in her hands. It’s somewhat ligther than she thought, but pays for the rooms for the party.
She looks over the place while others chat. She’s just happy to be in company with others, doing a thing together. The community of the experience is more important than the actual mission at some points in her thinking.
”This town is very different, isn’t it Eidi?”
"Ah! So that it is!" Eidi feigns his blindness trying to touch Telgrith's face to recognize him "Good good! We were told they might know about someone we are looking for. All the better if they are the law here, it should be easy to have a meeting with them, isn't it? Do you know where shall we address ourselves?"
The elder does not seem to understand, or just ignores, the tavern man change of mood "These rooms should serve I guess, thanks. Do you have quality mattress? My back is truly in pain" he touches his back in an itching pose.
"Sure, we'll take the rooms - thanks!" he watches Sol pay the man, listens to the elder Eidi worry about the mattress, grabs and passes out keys more or less at random, and then quickly heads to the spit and some ham...
"Let's talk in the room later, for now, let's tuck in!"
"Ah! So that it is! Good good! We were told they might know about someone we are looking for. All the better if they are the law here, it should be easy to have a meeting with them, isn't it? Do you know where shall we address ourselves?"
Telgrith looks a little uncomfortable answering the group's blind man, but answer him, he does. "You're probably better off asking about town for your 'someone'. The Watchers' Compound is closed for training, and the Angels' Aerie, well... if you're of a mind to speak with a Nun, you've got ice running through your veins."
Keys are handed out, and you're pointed to the set of stairs wrapping around the front desk, and up to the second floor, which maintains a strong railing looking over the tavern floor below.
"You need anything else, don't hesitate to come looking for me."
Solrisa ends up paying a bit less than she thought, accepting the goof with a big smile. ”Oh, I’m so silly at times. Here, let me pay you the right amount.”
Solrisa smiles, listening in.
”Oh, talking to Nuns sounds good. I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to one before, I bet they are nice.”
"...top shelf excluded..."
"May I purchase a bottle of the good stuff for me and my friends, please? Or a round if it's beer."
"You're probably better off asking about town for your 'someone'. The Watchers' Compound is closed for training, and the Angels' Aerie, well... if you're of a mind to speak with a Nun, you've got ice running through your veins."
Eri whispers the following via message when we get to our rooms.
"Hey, ah, maybe we should back of on dealing with "The Law" for a bit. Sounds like it might be a hanging offense in this town just for talking about killing cows."
Ascaria eats heartily and when he's had his fill, joins Eri and the others in one of the bedrooms.
Messaging, he nods, "Agreed, we'll have to be careful to start. Shall we go see our elf lady first? That seems the easiest lead so far, right?"
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"Single rooms are only five moons, for a double it'll cost you eight. Well drinks included, top shelf excluded, and no repast for those who wake late."
Mortimer raises his compromised eyebrow while lowering the other one. That's ... very ... catchy?
... The elder does not seem to understand, or just ignores, the tavern man change of mood "These rooms should serve I guess, thanks. Do you have quality mattress? My back is truly in pain" he touches his back in an itching pose.
Aah. Mortimer gently takes the old 'blind' Half Elf's elbow to help him keep his balance.
"You're probably better off asking about town for your 'someone'. The Watchers' Compound is closed for training, and the Angels' Aerie, well... if you're of a mind to speak with a Nun, you've got ice running through your veins."
"Sure, we'll take the rooms - thanks!"
What just happened?
... Mortimer pulls out the room key Ascaria just tucked into his boot and inspects it.
"Let's talk in the room later, for now, let's tuck in!"
"Let's go, Eidi. I think he means 'metabolize'." He takes the Old Half Elf by the elbow once more, and if Eidi allows, he 'leads' him after the others.
~~~
"Hey, ah, maybe we should back of on dealing with "The Law" for a bit. Sounds like it might be a hanging offense in this town just for talking about killing cows."
Yea. Maybe we should just go to the Deluxury. They probably eat cows there. Mortimer shakes his head slightly, before his eyes glaze over again in thought. "Why am I thinking of cows? I don't want to eat cow. They have big sad eyes. Why can't it ever be evil dragon or something? Mortimer shakes his head again. Can't imagine that would be any good... Wait?! -- Dragon --Wings!
Mortimer's eyes suddenly light up. He points to everyone in the room and whispers while mouthing the words,"The Batman. I saw (link) a Batman." Mortimer says, trying his best to describe what he saw doing chin-ups, but it is very clear that he has a hard time trying to come to grips with a winged creature wearing black clothes.
He nods when the gnome speaks. "Yes. To start, let's just seek Lashonna's audience."
"A Batman!? Really!?! That's so neat! I never see things like that!" Solrisa coos excitedly at Mortimer's announcement. "Maybe we should go on the roof tonight and see if we can spot him! That might be fun, especially with all the stars too!"
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Once your rooms in the Angry Rifter Tavern are secured, you set off to locate the Mistwall Manor. According to Damsk, this is where you will find the Lady Lashonna. The sun still sits in a partially cloudy sky, and the city is still quite active in the day's work.
You stroll a ways down the Toilway, until you come across the intersection with the Crow Road.
If you take the right turn, you will pass through Alhaster's Main Marketplace as you stroll towards the Street of a Dozen Smiles.
If you continue down the Toilway, much like the Vein of Diamond Lake, you should eventually pass the main Cathedral dedicated to Asmodeus, as well as Zeech's Palace, before needing to turn right. Zeech Street will allow you to meander past the Aerie, before arriving at Mistwall.
How do you proceed?
Solrisa coos excitedly at Mortimer's announcement. "Maybe we should go on the roof tonight and see if we can spot him! That might be fun, especially with all the stars too!"
"Sure," Mortimer shrugs, cheerfully yet absentmindedly while he studies the fork in the road. He looks to the left, then the right before collapsing into thought, only to look right then left.
"Let's go that way," he suggests, pointing to the right turn." They probably have really good street food that way!" Though he's just eaten, the potential of never before encountered comestibles attracts his more basic instinct. He cracks a hungry smile, and starts heading toward the right.
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The Key is Superior quality, even if it's well-worn, patina accrued across many palms. The Key usually pairs with a Lock of Superior quality, as well. You surmise the metal is probably a mixture melt of nickel and silver. Very strong, stronger than brass, at least.
As you break right, and head south towards the waterfront, you pass a group of four hobgoblins, obviously patrolling Crow Road at the moment. They look you over, one of them turning to watch your retreat as his group continues north.
The sounds of a thriving business community grow louder the closer you get to the centralized square. Before you turn left, and enter the gathered throng, you spy a decently-large building, big words along the side of its exterior, marking it as the Alhaster Shipping Concern. From all outwards appearances, the structure of the building would suggest that it was once the center of export and import business for its practical location along the bay. For the foot traffic you witness in passing, it's likely a brother establishment to the Ogre's Hideout mentioned by Damsk, though Damsk might have left off mentioning the Concern, for his concern.
There are two open air, roofed structures, one central to the market, one nestled near what must be the Playhouse. Both of them allow for more private negotiations of services and wares, while the more commonly-traded goods and services are given more space among the various stalls that ring the square.
You witness open transactions between sailors and prostitutes. You spectate a current slave auction of mainly young halfling girls. You observe several commission tables for recruitment to various ships docked in the Alhaster port. Animals for sale, food items for sale, weapons for sale, furniture for sale... you name it, you will likely find it, if you look long enough, and ask the right people.
There are two more hobgoblin patrols, four members each. This reinforces your initial speculation that they are the Watchers of whom you've heard tell. They seem quite at ease, picking up single pieces of fruit, or small pot pies, gesturing at the stall owner, and smiling toothily as they walk away, having paid not a Star for the trouble.