Let's bury the boy, now... and bury the family later, when we find them. I'd rather not answer questions about what we're doing with a bag of bones.
Marcus gives Lucid the catch, so he can feed the small owlbear.
Khyrn nods at Markus, "Either that, or we could leave the remains with my church. They would be safe there until we return, and we wouldn't run the risk of having him dug up while we search for his family."
The twinkle in Pavo's eye when he hears how much the baby owlbear would sell for shows that Pavo did in fact want to get more gold. That was the reason for him going to the Cairn in the first place. "Sure, I can talk with my friends at the Emporium to see if it might interest them. If not, then someone there should know someone who would be interested."
While contemplating the issue of a buyer, Pavo thinks of a few ideas that would help the group. "Though the Emporium is known fer its exotic and elaborate folk, I don't know if it has the gold on hand ta buy the owlbear outright. I can ask around and see if someone there would be willing to go fer some king of payment plan, but other than that, I don't think we will get the full value of the creature in Diamond Lake. Also, if Smenk is the man we want ta focus on, then maybe we should check out the Feral Dog. Smenk's goons hang out there a lot if I remember right."
Sverrir spits in disgust;
"Feral Dog it is then... I for one am dying for a strong drink... The Land boys bones should stay with us or on holy ground, I'll not bury him alone..."
Your trip into town is uneventful. It's late afternoon when you arrive and the taverns will soon begin to fill with tired and dirty miners. The Feral Dog awaits.
Once the group gets to town, Pavo says, "Let me ask around and see what options we might not have thought about buyers for the cub. I'll meet y'all at the Feral Dog within a few hours." With that, Pavo heads off to first visit the only family he knows, which happened to be his best source for information because it is the staff of the Emporium. Meeting up with Havrum, Ol' Jerem and Janice, it is a merry reunion as Pavo's life had always revolved around the Emporium. Never had be been gone from its halls for more than a few hours. Relating the group's owlbear situation, he delicately plays around how he had come across the fine looking short sword and convinces the others to help him find someone who might be able to buy the owlbear cub they had found on the Land farm.
Actually Pavo, if you're going to the Emporium I'll join you, never hurts to have someone watching your back and it's been a few days since I made a devotion. Once Ramos and Pavo get to the emporium, Ramos sees a roulette table. I'll be right over there buddy, just come collect me when you're ready.
Markus walks with Khyrn. Suggesting they might stop my the wizard's shop to look at some books that might have a map of the old Land place, and who might own it now. Or if there's a town clerk.
After the church.
The Feral Dog
The tavern is full of the usual crowd of boisterous, hard drinking miners. A dozen or so men cheer excitedly over the railing of the pit containing a pair of vicious dogs locked in deadly battle. Their snarls and yelps only add to the din.
Two patrons seem out of place a laughing, lithe elf woman currently engaged in a knife throwing contest the another patron and a large muscular man with a bright red ornately wrought belt, who, from him miming of sword strokes, is recounting some exploit to a group of locals clustered around his table.
Sitting sullenly is one corner is a group of bandaged individuals. One of which, a large half-orc, has the same distinctive brand on his face as you found on the severed arm.
OK, lads... Let's not spook them. I'll go over and show them my map. A survey of the Land property. Markus smiles. The man leans his fauchard against the wall.
Khyrn nods at Markus, "Agreed, they don't look happy so let's be friendly. I'll get them drinks." He moves up to the bar to order a round of drinks for their table.
Was about to do it myself. Excellent! Let's show up, one at a time. Don't want to spook'em.
Markus makes his way to their table. Howdy boys. Old Markus here... Was wondering if you could help me. This is a survey of the Land farm. But...
The cartographer presents his rendition, spreading it on the table.
There's an uneasy shifting of seats at the mention of the Land farm, but attitudes brighten when Khyrn arrives with the drinks
The three men look to the big half-orc and it is he who answers,
"Ya we know the Land place, and that guy over there knows the Land place, and I'm sure you know the old Land place too. Everyone in this Gods forsaken town knows the rotted place. What game are you playing bookworm?"
Presume most of these miners (well the older ones) will have heard or know of Sverrir... the Lesser... "Kegbane" - a drunken albatross for his family etc...
Sverrir tries to keep a low profile, shifting up to the bar and ordering a round of drinks for himself (a boilermaker or three...)
With the din of the tavern, he doesn't even attempt to eavesdrop on the conversation, but initially keeps an eye on his comrades.
There seem to be some empty graves, right here... Markus indicates with his finger.
Just wan'em back where they belong is all. I don't care why they were moved, no questions asked, no fuss no muss, lads. Just 50gp, each if your information is good and they are gotten back. Think on it. Right Khyrn?
Enjoy the drinks.. Rolling his survey up, Markus starts to turn away.
Khyrn looks at Markus with a sidelong glance before turning back to the half-orc and his companions, "Right. Look, we've been contacted by a friend of the Land family, and this matter is not going away. We're trying to get it resolved before it becomes official. A little owl told us that you folks are in the know, and you could point us in the right direction before the higher-ups start hauling people in and asking questions."
"The money is good, boys, and we're good at forgetting names and faces. What do you say, anybody special we should talk to about the missing family?"
Stepping in to the Feral Dog, Pavo has a large grin on his face. However, remembering where he was, the grin is quickly replaced with a serious look. Many a miners have told rather crazy stories about what goes on in this type of place and Pavo was want to not have to face such problems. Seeing Markus and Khyrn talking to a group of toughs he takes a seat and winces when he overhears Markus offering 50 gp per person who knows something. Keeping his mouth shut however, Pavo simply listens in on the conversation while taking in the crowd.
Recognizing two of the patrons as the adventurers from the City, Pavo takes his watery ale and heads over to possibly take the knife throwing elf up on a little competition as he keeps an ear on his friends. He will simply stand of tot he side and watch the knife throwing as he waits for the elf and here current competitor to finish.
Thanks for the game. Ramos mutters, flipping a gold coin to the dealer before walking out of the emporium behind Pavo. As they walk towards the Feral Dog, Ramos laughs quietly under his breath. Pavo, you should have seen that guys face. He chuckles. That's the thing Pavo. Don't bet if your not willing to lose it all. And the anger, the frustration at losing? Well that's nothing more then prayers to my lord, buddy... Walking into the Dog Ramos jaw inwardly drops at hearing Markus offering 50 gold for information. And speaking of losing it all buddy. Ramo's nods towards Markus while leaning in to whisper to Pavo. That's our money he's throwing around!
At the offer of the money, the 4 ruffians exchange glances, an unspoken conversation passing around the table. Apparently a decision is reached and the big half-orc , Kullen, turns his attention back to Marcus and Khyrn,
"Supposing we might have heard tell where those bones might be. You put that coin on the table where I can see it and I'll draw you a bloody map, since you're so fond of the blasted things."
Now fellas, I stated "if... the info is good and they are gotten back". Let's not be hasty.
"Eh, if he forks it over, its coming out of his take" Pavo mumbles back to Ramos before turning to the woman who had just finished her match.
Rubbing his hands together to arm up, Pavo says, "Pleasure is all mine. Tha name's Pavo. Sure, I'm game for a round or two. What's the stakes?"
Thought as much but didn't want to presume :)
At the bar Sverrir downs his second boilermaker, and eyes the third with a grimace as the whiskey warms his blood…
”Another three o’ these once I’m done with this trio ‘keep… don’t worry my coin is good these days…”
The dwur produces another gold coin and waves it at the barkeep before sliding it across towards him.
The big half-orc sneers at Marcus, "Thought as much. I'll not cross...well never mind who I won't cross, but I sure ain't doing it on the promise of gold. Thanks for the drink, now take a hike."
Khyrn holds up a hand, "Hold a moment, I'll make good on it. But, for obvious reasons, I don't carry around that kind of coin in my purse. I'm not that much a fool."
"Meet me in fifteen minutes at Tidwoad's. You bring a map we can use, and you'll get the money. Deal?"
Markus sits down at the table, and leans in.
Look, it's not just the money lads. We'd never lie about that. But along with the money, the honest promise that we'll never mention your names, in case we talk to... Smenk.
There is a burst of laughter from the ruffians. Kullen leans forward, suddenly deadly serious, "People poking around in other peoples' business, best watch themselves. If you've got some coin maybe we can talk again, you know where to find us. Now piss off, I'm enjoying my drink."
Giving a little shrug, he fiddles around in his pouch, looking a little confused for a second or two before giving a sigh of relief and saying, "I'm good for it." Taking up the dagger, he stands at the designated mark and, flipping the dagger from hilt to blade in his hand, launches it towards the outermost ring of the board.
Khyrn stands up and puts his hand on his battleaxe.
"Are you an idiot or just deaf? I just said I had the money," His voice rises considerably, "But I guess I should have expected such stupidity from thieves and grave robbers! Who else did you dig up out of their graves, you scum?!"
Memorized Spells
0th level: create water, guidance, stabilize
1st level: magic weapon (D), bless, divine favor, remove fear
At the bar Sverrir has finished has downed his fifth boilermaker, the beer and spirit mix soaking his beard.
Setting the empty tankard down hard the dwur catches sight of Kullen's threatening leer.
"Skitte! Another round of three 'keep. I'll be needing 'em..."
He grabs the last tankard, takes a deep draught and walks over the his comrades wearing a menacing grin...
Is carrying a tankard...
Markus stands facing Khyrn. Calm down, brother... My fault, I pushed too hard. Let's go, we don't want a fight.
The hell we don't Ramos mutters as he stomps over to Markus. That's where your wrong Markus! Someone pushes you, you push back. Just. Like. This. Ramos exclaims as he shoves the Half-orc away from his friend, while simultaneously spitting in the creatures face.
Initative:
Touch of Chaos: As a melee touch attack, cause a target to roll twice on any d20 rolls made for the next round and take the less favorable result. Usable 7/day
Combat round 1:
26 Lucid
22 Bask
22 Khyrn
22 Markus
20 Ramos
18 Sverrir
9 Todrik
9 Rastophan
7 Pavo
6 Kullen
OUTSIDE! No fighting inside!
|
Already near the bar, Lucid Dimensional Steps to the other side of the bar gaining what I hope is a lot of cover. He will then move/climb if he needs to to see and readies to cast Magic Missile at an opponent that does more than throw a punch. (i.e. pulls a weapon in a bar fight or causes lethal damage.)
Bask looks to Kullen to see how he wants to play this out,
I said OUTSIDE! Markus, flustered, withdraws out of the tavern.