Well we had a safe trip so far he replied with a smile
"Tik'Klik"
The golem looks at the other group from the ship, and then dips it's head by bending it's torso. "Tik'Kliye, kliye, Hell... Tik'Hell.. Hell Hello.. hell hell hello."
Dorian goes in and stands quietly in the back, observing the happenings without interfering. He offers a brief bow of acknowledgement to the other team. If the king looks to him he will also bow, this time from the waist and say, "I am Dorian."
Banny gives a small nod in Trelck's direction, one dwarf to another, but doesn't otherwise respond much to the entrance of the other team. She reaches for her second mug of ale, the one Tik'Klik gave her.
Look, drink when you can, talk when there's no food left, eh?
Lord Varreim listens as everyone catches up on their exploits.
"Well clearly there's more to all this than simple travelers. What brings everyone to my shores? I doubt this is all just recreation."
Exploration and ancient loreis all mogwag says with a smile
A twinkle gleams in his eye.
"The very best of motivators indeed. I can tell you without a doubt that the fjord you have landed has many sights to see... but it is the northern regions that are truly astounding. Even my people, scattered across the coastal villages do not often venture into the Skaval Peaks and beyond."
"If you ever seek to visit further north, I would seriously recommend visiting the town of Caerheim to the west. From there, you could easily take the valley route instead of the frigid climbs you'd face here. Of course, you'd need to head into the Vloewd. The Vloewd is an enormous snowbound forest and it is treacherous to say the least."
Curden inclines his head to the others when they enter
~
"The advice is much appreciated. I'd much rather face a foe I can see and fight than something like the cold that will just steal you away in the night."
"Poetic indeed. Are there any question you'd wish to ask me in return? I believe it would be fair."
What is the history of this region, the legends etc.. Mogwag sits like a little kid expecting sotries by the fire
Gustav approaches cautiously, letting the others handle the talking.
What are some of the dangers in this area? Animals, dragons, demons, ghosts, holy places we shouldn't disturb, criminal hideouts, that sort of thing.
Banny just stuffs her mouth with food. If she were to answer the lord's question, her answer would run along the lines of, to make a stinking ton of money off yer land, of course, why do folk send mercs anywhere? and she figures it's likely best not to cop to that.
At one point, though, she will ask with a grunt: "Giants. Your son was talkin' their tongue. You got giants around?"
"Tik'Klik!"
The golem's head spins around 360 degrees and it begins to chatter excitedly in it's odd clicking speech. Finally, it slows down a bit. "Klikstal, Klik'Klik, Stal.. stall... Klikstall... Crystik... crystik... StalKrys... Crystals? Crystals? Crys crys Klikstals Crystals?" It then holds up a hand, which folds open in intricate motions to display a small bit of quarts crystal that has lightning sparking on it's surface.
The lord smiles, and leans back in his chair.
"Our history is a long one I'm afraid and I would not do it justice. Caerheim's druid would be the best to tell you that tale."
"As for dangers, there are many, though not so far south as here. And yes, there are indeed giants but you'll find most to be civilized. Further north however, we have the Drachensblod... a den of dragons of all kinds. Worgs and Bears are common enough and many beasts roam the regions. I'd say the environment is the greatest threat."
"And as for crystals, you'd have to visit north for those. I've heard the Hespelode Deep is rife with veins of the stuff though I've never met anyone who's seen the place."
A pencil appears in the golem's hand, sliding out of the wood in his palm. His arm opens up, and he writes 'Hespelode Deep, Crystals, North' on the inside of the arm before it folds up and the pencil vanishes into his arm. "Tik'Klik! Tikanks.. anks... Kanks.. Thanks hanks kanks thanks!"
Banny scowls at the mention and idea of giants being 'civilized', but has the sense to not say the short obscenity that she's tempted by. Instead she stuffs another bite of food into her face.
But she files away the information into her mind.
"Caerhem? That's a place?"
Dorian appears to be lost in a fit of examination. He's looking intently at everything and everyone that he hasn't seen before, studying it thoroughly before moving on to the next object or person. He's so engrossed that he doesn't appear to be listening (but he is).
Can you help us draw a map of the area around here that you know?
Banny shoots a sidelong glance at Mogwag, then nods slightly to herself. Maybe the elf isn't totally useless.
"Got a kit with me to draw it out, if yer willin'," she adds on.
"Indeed Caerheim is a town. I believe I mentioned it earlier. It lies to the west. Simply follow the fjord wall west and you should reach it."
"As to drawing a map... well, the land is mostly untamed and I am a great believer that discovery is primordial to your understanding of our lands. I have no qualms about suggesting places, but I believe you should be the ones to chart your course."
He hands Banny a wooden carving of a wolf.
"Here is a symbol of our village. It shows that you are our guests for the moment and should help you if you meet our brethren villages."
Since the chief is looking her direction to hand her the wolf, Banny refrains from rolling her eyes at his words of 'discover for yourself'.
"Thanks," she says instead, trying not to sound too terse. It was good food. And allies're better than enemies. Banny pauses a moment, thinking.
It's a long time since she gave much thought to courtesy and etiquette. Contrary to outside belief, dwarves aren't rude; they just have a different standard of manners than humans, and a more serious one. Words aren't said unless they're meant, so no frivolous pleasantries are exchanged... but hospitality is taken very seriously. She's been among non-dwarves for several years now, and considers most of them liars and flakes, but occasionally you hit a good vein.
"What d'you call your own tongue? Doubt we'll learn it over night, but if there's languages common t'yer people, we'd do best to delve 'em. Is there..." and Banny hesitates, because if she offers it, she then considers her offer binding that she'll try and perform the task, "...is there any service you need? You've been hospitable."
Exploring is indeed part of the excitement we seek. he says with a smile
"What do you use for currency, and how might we most expediently earn some?" Dorian suddenly interjects, addressing the chieftain.
"Tik'Klik"
The golem makes a sound, then begins trying to speak again. "Tikter klikter akter akter ter tikal al... al... tar al... altar.. tiktar... altar."
*Chews at cigar*
Still waiting for an answer to my question. OOC tag is broken or this would be blue.
So should be head back to our exploration?
"Yes. Since Banny has the token, why don't you head to the other village, we'll head further north."
Sounds like a plan mogwag turns again toward the chief
oh yes one last question, what kind of currency do you all use? We saw an alter with coins not to far away from here what was it?
"Ah yes, another token is indeed in order."
He hands you another carved token with a smile.
"As for altars, perhaps you refer to the shrines to the aspects? There are numerous ones dotted around our lands but we were not their builders. Praying or leaving small offerings has always granted good luck and fair fortune."
"As for currency we usually barter but we do indeed have coinage, same as you. Their denominations should be similar. However, precious metals and gemstones are usually a much surer method of obtaining goods."
Understood. Then lets head out. Adventures await ! he says with a smile
"Tik'Klik"
Ustav takes the token. "I'll hold this for our team." He turns to William, Dorian, and Trelk in turn. "Shall we be off then?" He bows to the chief in thanks, says an appropriate farewell, and heads out.
Dorian blinks, confused why the chief had completely ignored his question, but then answered it when it was repeated by the elf, Mogwag. Perhaps he is prejudiced against my kind. Dorian thinks, getting up to follow Gustav out.
Once outside he turns to Gustav. "Well, shall we head back the way we came and do some more thorough exploration, then head north?"
I say we head out.
When the map comes out, Tik'Klik examines it closely, and then points North from the current location. "Tik'Klik! Tik'Klik!" The golem indicates it's preference to explore north.
Banny gets to her feet, has a last drink of mead and raises her mug towards the other team.
"Good luck, you lot."
She gives the chief a short nod of thanks for his hospitality and peers over Tik'Klik's shoulder at the map.
"Suits me. Straight and simple. March and map."
It works for Mogwag too
"Tik'Klik!"
The golem seems rather pleased, and bows to both Banny and Mogwag before waving bye to the others. He also waves bye at Craw, shooing him after the others.