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The grandmother will attempt to negotiate with the scarf person while keeping an eye on the flock, sighing a bit. Kids. How I'd forgotten. Why am I being the parent and not the grandparent? Grandparents get to spoil their grandchildren!
The impossibility of keeping all the 'kids' together has become readily apparent, so Andrietta moves to Plan B.
"If you're going to go haring off, kids, take someone with you. Stick together, we'll meet up at the center of town just before evening."
"Sara, dear, stick with me."
Provided she's able to extricate herself and Sara, she'll make a quick line to the pawn shop, making sure she has the appropriate paperwork.
General Chak finds a number of interesting people to chat with. A dwarven shopkeeper with a resplendent beard, Brion McAlebelly, attempts to sell him various beard and mustache grooming products: waxes, oils scented like sandalwood and cinnamon, brushes and combs. “A discerning gentleman like yourself wants to look your best, do you not? Only 5 gold for the entire kit!” Chak learns that he’s a traveling merchant who’s been traveling with the carnival for the last six months, and that he’s already sold a couple of kits today to a some of the locals who’ve set up stalls here. “Would you like me to wax your mustache for you? I bet we could give it a tremendous curl!”
He also runs into a tall woman with red hair and freckles in her late to mid-thirties. “With the Carnival? No. I’m the local sheriff, Kyra Feldane.” The woman holds out her hand for Chak to shake. “From your question, I take it you’re not from the carnival, either, and know you’re not a local. So what brings you to our little town?”
Even in this set up stage, it appears like there are plenty of food stalls already selling stuff. You can feast on clams, smoked sausage, roasted corn and a variety of other delights.
___
Even though she’s not pleased with her diplomacy attempts, her exotic looks still draw a crowd of children who start pestering her questions. “Are you with the carnival too? Do you fly? Have you always had those feathers?”
An odd looking fellow with big floppy ears wrapped around his body like a protective blanket comes out and calls to the children, “L-l-l-leave her alone! It’s n-n-not her f-f-f-fault she’s diff’rent! You w-w-w-want to see a f-f-flyer, l-l-look at me!” His ears flap madly, and he takes off the ground for a few minutes before he crashes into one of the tents.
“Freak!” The kids jeer at him, and run off, laughing.
“Freak. Yeah. That’s me.” His ears droop, and he sighs and grabs a box to haul towards the freak tents.
___
It’s not hard to get close to where the traveling zoo is setting up. There is a huge pounding as you see a few burly workers putting in the posts for the traveling zoo’s portable fence. Others drag in hay bales. A harried looking half-elf in once fine clothing is directing the roadies who are dragging the animal wagons around the perimeter. “Not like that, you idiot! Do you want to upset the manticore?”
There are a wide variety of animals and other exotic things in the caged wagons here. In the cage labeled, “manticore”, you do indeed see a creature with a lion’s body, draconic wings and a once-spiked tail. There’s at least one cage with three cat skeletons that stay eerily still until someone comes near, and then suddenly pounce, rattling against the bars. There are also a lot of the more common mundane circus animals including monkeys, tigers, giant spiders, and parrots.
In one open area, one trainer is organizing a bunch of tiny dogs as they yap and then leap through a hoop. One little mop of a dog bounds enthusiastically towards you as another trainer chases after it. “Hyper, no! You stupid ball of fluff! Come back!”
___
There are lots of people to beg from. Children and carnies alike happily feed the cute talking raven with whatever food is handy. Vralk gets so many treats that he’s having a little trouble maintaining his flying.
___
Only half the stalls have set up, but the variety of items sold in the winding market is diverse. Some of it is low-end, from a used clothing vendor selling “Quality vintage wear!” But there is also jewelry, artwork, crafts of all kinds, food, tools, toys, candles, sweet smelling soaps, strange curios, rugs, religious relics, historical artifacts (that claim to be from Thassilonian ruins), magic potions, elixirs to help one lose weight, and the like. All of it seems to be somewhat overpriced, and half of the stalls setting up are locals, taking advantage of the opportunity offered. Several of the merchants who traveled with you in the caravan from Magnimar are here setting up, and they wave at Stali as he goes by.
In addition to the stores that are selling actual goods, there a few small games of chance in the market. Although the big game attractions are reserved for the Carnival Midway, Stali sees shell games, cards, darts and horse shoe tossing. Many appear to be rigged, but some look alright.
“Only five copper for the crimson silk?” The shopkeeper looks aggrieved. “Look at the workmanship! Have you ever seen such a high thread count? The silk comes all the way from Tien! However, I am a sucker for beautiful feathered women. One silver, five coppers!”
Andrietta’s ‘children’ are scattering everywhere. Not being able to track them all, she gathers Sara away from the freakshow aisle and the flying panotti, and starts to head towards the pawn shop.
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Gallako is having a great time looking around. He`ll talk with any of the animals who are interested in talking.
Does he think the cats are animals or undead?
untrained so 10
In either case, he'd try and talk to them (will only work if they are animals which isn't THAT likely but ....
"Hello there. Can you understand me?"
Following is typical conversation he has with normal animals (eg, tiger). As long as he recognizes what an animal is enough to know what he can safely feed it he'll give out little treats, little toys, etc.
Will take 10 on handle animal checks for an 18
"Hi. My, what a magnificent <insert name of animal> you are. I am a two leg Crow. Where you from? You happy here? Two legs treat you good? Want belly rub?"
When the dog escapes and runs toward him, he'll try and corner it, bending down so the dog can greet him properly. Handle animal, I presume.
(not using M/W tool since sounds like wasn't time, also Feral Speech is presumably NOT up at this moment.
Assuming that is enough, he picks him up and gives him a firm belly rub
"Hello there Hyper. You really shouldn't run at strangers like that. Some aren't as friendly as I am"
holds him as the trainer approaches
"Hello. I think this guy is yours. I see why he has that name :-). My name is Gallako"
Skeletons are common enough that Gallako easily recognizes the skeletal cats as undead. They don't communicate with you but instead crash against the bars, clawing them and snapping their skeletal jaws.
The real animals relate pretty well to him, though. Hyper yaps happily in Gallako's arms and licks Gallako's face. The trainer rushes up. "Thanks for catching him. He's sweet but DUMB! Man, he sure likes you, though. Have you worked with animals before?"
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Meanwhile, Vralk's raucous calls of the chick stealing the old one's shinies cause the afore-mentioned chick, a small girl of eight with long dark braids, to dash headlong into the crowd. She flees towards the animal pens. Hikaru comes out just in time to see the pointing crowd, and the girl dart past him and the crow calling out about her thievery.
Hikaru, do you chase?
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Vralk, having done his good deed, happily snatches up the shiny clockwork gear after several tries. It's bronze and glimmers in the sun and looks really, really cool!
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“A discerning gentleman like yourself wants to look your best, do you not? Only 5 gold for the entire kit!” Chak learns that he’s a traveling merchant who’s been traveling with the carnival for the last six months, and that he’s already sold a couple of kits today to a some of the locals who’ve set up stalls here. “Would you like me to wax your mustache for you? I bet we could give it a tremendous curl!”
Upon hearing that the man has sold several, he immediately snatches one up for the offered 5 gold before he sells out.
Five gold, that is quite an offer, a deal, and a fair price! I will certainly purchase, buy, and acquire it at said cost!
However, when the man offers to touch his precious mustache does a horrified looking Chak quickly cover it with his hand, snatch up his newly purchases supplies and quickly walks away.
It is only after they part does he wonder if the man was being less than honest with him.
Whenever he saw Brion at the carnival, Chak would be quick to cover his mustache with one hand and give him the hairy eyeball.
He also runs into a tall woman with red hair and freckles in her late to mid-thirties. “With the Carnival? No. I’m the local sheriff, Kyra Feldane.” The woman holds out her hand for Chak to shake. “From your question, I take it you’re not from the carnival, either, and know you’re not a local. So what brings you to our little town?”
Chak shakes her hand and looks her straight in the eye. The look made it clear that he was trying to figure out if this woman was all there.
"It is a carnival, a fair, a circus. Why else would someone come, attend, and be present?"
Even in this set up stage, it appears like there are plenty of food stalls already selling stuff. You can feast on clams, smoked sausage, roasted corn and a variety of other delights.
Chak purchases a wide variety of fare to sample. He probably doesn't eat all of any one thing, but a little bit of everything. As a belevolent leader of his people, he'll offer some of the leftovers to the rest of the crew though.
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Relating to the poor Elephant-eared man, Sarano will pat him on the back, "Its okay Mister, you're not a freak either, we're just different and people don't like different, where are you from? I'm from Absalom, I grew up in an orphanage but Tengus are from the other side of the world. I'd like to go home one day,"
Afterwards she'll hang around with Andreitta, watching how she interacts with the carnivale folk and the town folk that are there. She'll try and stand up straighter and point her beak forward, but then it sticks out of her hood and she notices how very large her beak is and dips it back down.
The General only wonders for a few minutes before the obvious quality of his amazing grooming kit speaks for itself. However, clearly Brion must be a dangerous mustache-curling ruffian. The General and his majestic drooping mustache have made a narrow escape!
After a careful study of Sheriff Feldane, he determines that the sheriff is mentally competent, just prone to friendly 'small talk'. He brings back a basket of interesting food stuffs for the rest of the fledglings.
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"I'm a p-p-p-panotti. We're f-from T-t-t-tian Xia, or at l-l-least my p-p-parents were. I'm Ph-ph-pharden." Then he ducks, and covers his face with his elephantine ear and runs off.
___
She tries to dart past, but Hikaru expertly hooks her before she can get away. "Let me go!" She squirms and kicks at him...
...and misses!
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"You are going to apologies to Grandmother for trying to steal from her... that's only right and fair." He pulls her along to where Grandmother is and stands her in front of the elder tengu.
"Now, girl.. you have something to say to Grandmother... speak now and then you can go." He maintains his grip on her until she apologizes.
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"Wow, this is SO very, very pretty. I better hide it before somebody takes it from me"
Vralk takes the gear and lands on Gallakos backpack. He then opens up the side pouch that is his and carefully places his treasure within it.
"Hi. I LIKE this place. Lots and lots of nice people. They treat me good"
He then flies off to continue to look around
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"You have not heard of Gallako Tankarlyion, famed master of beasts? Why it was I who taught the Lions of Taldor their courtly graces. Yes, you can say that I have some "small" experience working with beasts."
"My friends and I are here visiting from Magnimar. We are members of the world famous Pathfinder Society, a great centre of learning and knowledge. I had hoped to be able to see or even talk to some of your famous wonders, news of which have reached even Magnimar. You have a baby dragon and a GynoSphinx, or so goes the story. Could I perhaps see them?"
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Looking through the wares of one of the toy merchants selling puzzle boxes, Stali hears Vralk's cries. I doubt there can be two crows capable of such a cry. With a small sigh he leaves the stall and it's wares behind, moving in the direction of the noise.
He arrives just as K'Kei is demanding that the girl apologize to Andrietta. Curious, he looks the girl over.
Some of the crowd that's been watching mutter amongst themselves. You hear one woman spit, "Thieving Varisians. Even the young ones are scum."
"I'm not scum. Let me GO!" The girl attempts to kick Hikaru again...
...and misses. "AND I'm NOT apologi--" She breaks off, staring as a teenaged boy, about 14 or 15 years old, comes determinedly in your direction, and then squirms even more. "Oh, crap. Promise you won't tell him what I've been doing? I'll say anything you want!"
The boy runs towards you. "Hey, what're you doing with my sister?"
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The trainer looks awed. "Why no, I have heard of Gallako Tenkalyon. You're not coming to compete for Berthold's job, are you?" He points to the half-elf who is supervising the set-up. "He's the master of beasts here, and a great boss! I can show you the baby dragon, but Jherizhana is our main attaction. A bit of a diva, you know. She has guards, and specific show times and only meets people by appointment."
"I'm Gerald, by the way. So... um, here's the baby dragon. He's kind of sleepy at this time of day, but wait until later!" An immense reptile moves in the cage with a slow but relentless gait. Its feet end in large talons, and ropes of drool hang from its toothy maw. He claws at the floor as he regards Gallako.
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"Good to meet you Gerald. Don't worry, Berthold's job is quite safe, I am very happy with the Pathfinder Society. But I'd love to talk to him sometime convenient to swap stories. I'm sure he is too busy setting things up right now. Perhaps you could ask him if I could buy the pair of you dinner tomorrow night?"
"What an impressive baby dragon that is. I don't recognize its type. Do you know what it is and where it was captured? What is his name?"
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To the boy, Hikaru merely bows and smiles, still maintaining his grip on the young girl...
"This young lady was running through the grounds and ran into my grandmother without an apology... I was merely bringing her back to say she was sorry to the grandmother. That's all... "
he leads the girl, and her brother if he's of a mind to supervise, back to Andrietta, where he pushes her forward and keeps hand on her shoulder until she apologizes like she means it.
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Andrietta looks at the young lady, then at the approaching brother, then at the young lady again.
"It was very kind of you to remind an old woman to keep on her talons at all times. Some individuals I've run into would have tried to punctuate that with a knife to the lung or a sap to the back of the head. Let me show you something, dear, so you'll know to be a lot more careful in the future."
Andrietta will pull out the contents of her belt pouch enough to show the *alchemist's fire* and *vial of acid* that she keeps there for emergencies.
"If someone WAS going to try to dig in for my coins, odds are they'd either get an acid burn or a fire burn, and it wouldn't be comfortable for anyone, see? Now, I'm not saying you were doing this, because if you HAD actually done anything like that I would have grabbed you myself and brought you to the law in these parts, right?"
The grandmother lets a pregnant pause linger... "What do you say to the very nice person who isn't mad at you and who taught you a very important lesson today?" she asks with a quieter almost conspiratorial tone.
When folks start muttering and grumbling about Varisians Andrietta's feathers fluff up a bit and she cracks her neck.
"Why wouldn't Varisians be living in Varisia? Why would you badmouth someone *in their own home*? Someone needs to learn some manners, because that's just rude. I swear. Kids these days. No respect for their elders." She scoffs a bit.
Every time Sarano starts to drop her beak down and withdraw, Andrietta will attempt to nudge her and point to some exciting thing or another in an effort to make her keep her head *up* but not 'snooty-up'.
___
The boy's face darkens like a storm cloud as he looks at the girl, and she slumps like one condemned. "Let's get out of this crowd, and I will make you all tea, and Janira will apologize to you for 'bumping' your grandmother. I am Milandru. Our familes work here."
He leads you away from crowd and towards a cluttered yet neat brightly-colored wagon. He pulls out several folding chairs and sets them up in the shade of wagon. Meanwhile, Janira has started to cry, sliently, as Milandru turns to her furiously. "Why'd you do it, Jani? You know what Miss Almara said to all of us. No stealing from the townies. We have to work here. They already think we're nothing but a pack of thieves."
"I'm sorry!" The girl looks up at Andrietta. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done it, but you were the only non-townies I could find!" She looks back to Milandru. "They're not local either. They're from Magnimar. I heard one say so."
The boy cradles his head in his hands. "As if that makes it better..."
The girl looks stricken. "There were some townie girls and they were all getting little pies from this local lady. They didn't have any money, but she let them give their parent's names and said they could pay later. I was hungry, so I asked for one, and was about to tell her who my family was and she told me that a Varisian like me needed cash. Then she told me to stop dirtying up her stall."
Milandru's face darkens again as he starts some tea boiling in a bright kettle on a small portable stove.
"It was stupid!" The girl ciries. "But I saw a townie pick someone's pocket, and I thought if he could do it, why couldn't we? I thought maybe if I came back with a copper or two, she'd look at me like I was somebody worth looking at!" She bites her lip. "I shouldn't have tried to take your money, though. Then you wouldn't be able to get pie, either."
_____
Gerald leans in, and beams. "We captured him on the plains of the Varisian Countryside. We just call him, 'Baby.'"
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Andrietta considers the discussion and brightens a bit at the offer of tea.
"I'm Andrietta Ebonfeather, and this is some of my flock. This is Sarano, Stali already introduced himself, and Hikaru. We are with the Pathfinder Society, and we are here to talk to the sphinx and the baby dragon your families have as part of the show."
The grandmother pauses for a moment.
"Child. Wait. Janira? I know a Janira. She's a very good person who watches out for her fellow pathfinders. In fact, she's not much taller than you, though the only time she bumps into people is if she's drunk at the Wisp which doesn't happen very often..."
As the tea is prepared, Andrietta will offer part of one of her tea sets to help round out the number of cups so everyone can drink at the same time.
"Magnimar was the biggest city we were at last, and before that, Absalom. I'm actually from a place far, far away where other people try to have a country that's kind of like Varisia called Kwanlai. You're actually very lucky. If you tried doing something like that in Kwanlai and got caught, you'd probably lose a hand when the person found out."
The tone is not comforting, but at the same time not harsh because the kid does appear to be good at heart and honestly trying to do the best with what she's got. And she even admits that it was a stupid idea, which means that she knows that being a good person is hard work.
"The most important thing anyone ever has to their credit is worth more than money, and that's their good name. A good name from hard honest work and being part of a family is worth more than any amount of coin from a pouch, okay?
You shouldn't steal from anyone, if you can possibly help it. Not just because the 'townies' won't like you, but because when you start thinking that coin is more important than people... well, it's not a far slide to thinking that family isn't important either. Or worse.
That the locals are setting up their shops like that is both disturbing and unfair. Sometimes even adults get wrapped up in their notions and they don't stop to think that those notions hurt the people around them. Especially if they're trying to rip off folks and put the blame on you because you're new to town.
Have I been told words to that effect in the past, the whole 'move along, we don't need your type here' or worse, 'dirty bird-folk pay cash up front'? Yes. In Kwanlai, those would be fighting words, even, and you'd have an entire flock on your back for it."
"We'll go to get pie a little bit later when things calm down some. I promise. For you and all your friends, and for my kids, too. And then we'll see how deep the bad is and how much work the baker has to do, alright?"
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Stali waits for Andrietta to finish her lecture.
Getting the girl's attention, he asks her "You do know why what you did was wrong, don't you?" Shaking his head, Stali tells Janira "You need to think before doing something like that!"
Holding up one talon, he continues "First, since you aren't from around here everyone will be suspicious of you. They are suspicious of us as well!"
Holding up a second talon, he continues "Second, you really must pick your targets better. You don't go after someone well armed" gesturing towards Andrietta's katana "or who is part of an obvious group." gesturing to the other tengu.
Holding up three talons, Stali tells her "Third, make sure you have a good escape route, hopefully with someone who can distract any pursuit. That isn't always possible, but it really helps when you can do it."
Holding up four talons, he says "Finally, make sure the reward is worth the risk!"
Satisfied, Stali holds his beak slightly open in a friendly manner.
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Andrietta's response to Stali's roguish commentary is to pull out her quarterstaff quietly, and when he's done speaking she gives him a gentle whack to the back of the skull.
"Don't be giving good kids ideas to be bad people!"
It's clear that she considers the matter closed unless Stali really wants to push the issue.
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Hikaru smiles at the child and her brother and happily accepts the offer of tea. When the apologies and lectures are over, he asks Milandru and Janira about the circus.
"This is a fascinating environment... Tell me all about this circus... I've never been to one before. What's it like growing up in one, and traveling so much? Is there really a baby dragon? Can we see it?" He's full of questions, barely giving them a chance to answer one before he goes on to the next one...
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Flying around Vralk spots some of his friends sipping tea. Although he certainly wouldn't admit it, he is getting quite tired and decides to take advantage of the opportunity to have a bit of a rest and lands on the table
"Hello. I'm Vralk. Tea please. And you're getting pie too? Yes please"
"That chick who took shiney. Why she here?"
Vralk turns towards the Tengu
"Why you giving her tea? She friend now?"
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"Well, it has been nice talking with you but I can see that you are busy and I really should rejoin my friends too. Hopefully I'll see you and Berthold tomorrow night. If you can make it, 8pm at the best inn in town?"
With that, he wanders off and quickly locates Vralk
"There you all are. This carnival is an absolutely fascinating place. They treat their animals quite well, you'll be glad to hear.
And yes, there definitely is a baby dragon. I've seen her myself. I'm no expert so I can't say what type but it is definitely a dragon. Bit dumb looking, mind. I guess a baby is a baby, even among dragons"
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Looking over to Vralk, Stali hesitates before answering. "She has apologized and Andrietta seems satisfied." As he says this he keeps an eye on Andrietta. Hopefully that is diplomatic enough that she doesn't try to knock me on the head again!
Looking back towards Janira, Stali asks "Could you please describe the person you saw picking pockets?" Gesturing towards Andrietta, he adds "Someone might want words with them." He makes no attempt to hide the amusement in his voice as he says this.
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"Ok, we all friends now. Pie!!. Lets go get Pie. Big pie for all of us. Including new friends."
He then hops onto Janiras shoulder and preens her hair, whispering to her
"Sorry. You not take shineys. Can take if on ground, but not from people. ESPECIALLY not from MY flock. Ok?"
Jani thinks a moment about the pickpocket, her face scrunching up in concentration. "He was as tall as Milandru, and he had a big red beard and a floppy hat and clothes that were kind of baggy." She gestures with her hands, trying to imitate the flow and movement of loose and shifting fabric.
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"That's important to know. If you see anyone else trying to do that, either let us or the sheriff know quietly. The sooner we get that figured out, the better for everyone, I think?"
Andrietta will stand up and look to the others. "We should probably recover the General, then go to get pie because I always follow through on my word, then go and get that thing we were asked to pick up. Sound like an idea?"
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Stali tells Jani "Be careful, do not attempt to stop the man on your own. He might have someone helping him! You have given us a description, you don't need to do anything more except maybe warn the others in the circus." If he is a professional, he will have accomplices. Since she is with the circus, she might also have trouble convincing others of what she says.
Looking to her brother, he adds "Try to keep her safe!"
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"Thank you, Chak, that was very thoughtful of you. Vralk, you greedy-guts, you're going to explode if you eat much more, dear! And then we'll all miss you." The grandmother's tone is gently chiding as she watches the familiar's antics.
At the commentary about 'not confronting alone' a slightly nightmarish vision of a group of carnies accosting a hapless local that *might* he a bit shady flashes through her mind.
"Watch the thieves, and don't get a bunch of your friends together to bring them to justice. Local folks will scream they're being 'set up' and try to pin any blame back on you and your family."
Andrietta is used to the far more simple aspect of sleeping under the stars. It's cheaper and usually quieter. As a result she could probably be forgiven for not having 'lodging' at the top of her list of priorities.
"Let's make haste to an inn, first, then. Expect it to be expensive, though, given the mad rush of folks into town. Then we can secure our gear and reduce the risk that we'll lose basic equipment to local pickpockets."
Milandru and Jani promise to steer clear of the thieves. Milandru thanks you for your advice, though Jani looks a little crest-fallen that the pie expedition is delayed.
The whole flock walks back to town, trying out the assortment of treats that General Chak brought back with him. The first few inns that you try out, the Pig's Snort, the Hook & Tackle and the Ship's Wheel, are indeed all full, packed to overflowing. But there are a number of other inns to try, and this is giving you all a chance to explore lovely Ilsurian.
There are tons of riverboats tied up along the many docks in town. In the town center you note a statue of the town's founder, Ilsur. Around the square are a number of buildings of interest, including City Hall, the town jail, an Erastilian temple and some interesting looking shops, though many of these appear to be in the process of closing early for the Carnival.
While the group is wandering, they find the Locked Box pawn shop only a block and a half from the town square. On the door, a sign reads in neat handwriting, Closed Early for Carnival. Be Back at Regular Hours in the Morning -- A.W. The posted hours indicate that they'll be open again at 9 in the morning.
Looking in the windows, you do not immediately see a pearl tiara, but you do see a wide assortment of interesting items, including a wayfinder, a traveling picnic box with all sorts of plates and cutlery, fine watches, an ornate deep blue military-style jacket with stripes and epaulets and fine brass buttons, and some elegant looking broaches and pins. You also see a number of other glass cases, manneqins, tables... This is clearly a very big shop indeed.
As you walk back towards Braeton Docks, you see a fleet of elegant river boats, flags gaily flying, unloading merchandise. The smell of fried clams and onions drifts through the air. These docks are not only busier than the others, but also seem to be the best organized, with uniformed workers all bearing the words "Braeton Shipping" on their lapels carting materials to and fro to nearby warehouses.
Stali and Hikaru sniff the air, and identify the delicious smell coming from a place called the Two Rivers Tavern. Even from this distance, you can see it's a popular place. A large and cheerful crowd of people dine and drink on the tables outside the tavern.
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Stali gets up to the window and spends a little time peering in. Wish I could see further back. With a name like Locked Box, I suspect they have a secure area back there. It would be foolish to break in now, but if the claim ticket doesn't work I should let them know other options are available.
Turning to Andrrietta, he says "I'm guessing you are patient, no need to get in right now?"
It would be foolish to break in now, but Stali thinks he could break in.
Nodding, Stali confirms "Yes, this is the place mentioned in the travel papers. A meal before the circus sounds like a good idea."
Turning to Chak, he adds "I believe you were keeping the papers secure for us?"
A big cheerful woman in her early forties wipes her hands on her apron, and looks you over. "Greetings, travelers! Did you just ship in for the Carnival, or are you here for just a brief stopover? Either way is fine, but I'll need to know if you're in a hurry. We have some dishes that we can serve right away, and others that might take a bit more time to prepare. They're worth a few minutes wait, though. Our garlicky noodles are especially nice, and all the fish is fresh caught today." She guides you to a large table, clearing off the last remaining dishes and wiping it down with rapid efficiency. "My name's Noria, and this is my place. We do carry a wide selection of beers, ales, wines -- even rice wines, but those are a little on pricy side -- as well as coffee, tea and the like. What would you like?"
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At the Inn:
Gallako, for once, manages to speak up before Vralk can ask for something outrageous
"I hope that we'll be here for at least a few days. The Carnival is very interesting and you have a wonderful town to explore. In fact, I believe that you have rooms reserved for us? We're pathfinders, up from Magnimar on Sheila Heidmarch's orders.
Its been a long day and I'd love a beer. What would you recommend that is local, good and, perhaps, a bit different from the norm?
Those noodles smell wonderful. Those together with some fresh fish would hit the spot.
Oh, could I please get a saucer or shallow bowl on the side as well?"
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At the Locked Box, Vralk lands on Stali's shoulder and whispers to
"Not supposed to break into places. That is naughty. Can I come? I can help"herhim
"I think we are all supposed to do things as a group." he softly replies. His feathers are a little ruffled, as if he isn't used to birds landing on him. They settle down after a few seconds.
Nodding, Stali says "I can wait. Some fish and a glass of wine to go with it please?"