Cora fires her crossbow at the Halforc but the bolt skims past him barely missing.
The two pirates continue to squabble over the wheel.
The man at the wheel throws off the Halforc and yells at him. The Halforc yells back but he moves over to a water barrel and fills a bucket.
The helmsman yells some more in a different direction and the guy that ran comes back out on the deck. Still looking up into the clouds for the dragon he dashed over to the flames and starts beating at them with a blanket.
He turns to the helmsman laughing. He puts his hand in the flames and still laughing speaks to the helmsman.
" Ha, ha! Ya got em! Look at them run! " Captain Walren exclaims as he picks up and loads the crossbow Brayken discarded.
Seeing that they have caught on to the fake flames, Markus will stop concentrating and let the spell die off. He will then tap into the depths of his blood to craft the most convincing lie he can.
He then casts message and points at the helmsman, the half orc, and the guy that was trying to put the fire out. "Be gone, vile seamen. Leave us be or the dragon shall return with a fury of pain and suffering. If you wish to live, get out of here immediately."
The Pirates all look about frantically and continue to hold a course taking them further out to sea. The half Orc stares back at the Blavk Mist from the back of the ship until the ship fades out of view in the rain.
About 2 hours later, the city of Tamran draws near. In the dark, Tamran glitters with hundreds of tiny lights, emanating from the windows and lamps that dot the city. It has the look of a new town, built primarily of wood, though some older buildings linger here and there, many showing signs of damage from the war with Molthune to the south. Cracked walls and burnt remnants can be seen even from this distance, fresh scars from the long conflict.
As Ewem ties the Black Mist up at the docks Captain Walren helps every one disembark. " Well, thank you all for your assistance. It certainly was an eventful trip. The way you sent those pirates off... Just great! If your looking for somewhere to rest your heads for the rest of the night I suggest Gar's Last Meal. A good, safe establishment on the docks here. "
Markus nods in agreement, "It was definitely a story for the ages. Thank you for sailing us across the great waters," he tips his hat down to the dwarven man.
Markus goes to Ewem and retrieves his dagger back and carefully places it back in his bag. He then looks to the rest of his peers and suggests following the Captain's recommendation.
As they leave for their resting place, Markus activates his hat and his appearance is that of a slender elven woman in poor clothes. He looks upon the new city and smiles at what could possibly come to be for this group of adventurers.
"I am happy we could be of help." She gives a smile and a small bow. "Thank you for the recommendation."
The Gar’s Last Meal is a fine inn if you can get past the smell of fish. The innkeeper, Puglas Tamall is a grizzled veteran of the lake who is missing his left arm. He asks few questions of those who stay at his establishment. Mounted on the wall behind the bar of the taproom is a giant gar.
" Puglas is the name. Looking for a room or meal and a drink or two? What brings you to Tamran? "
"Just passing through really, so, looking for a room. I'll take a comfortable one tonight. Is that your catch?" Quinn waves at the gar.
"It was nothing. Really." Faunra tells the captain while sheathing the weapons. She brushes her long hair out of her face and sits down like nothing happened.
She gets silent until she arrived at the tavern. Faunra tries to self-consciously not look at the man's arm, averting her gaze from him. "Oh we're from a small town, running an errand." the guardswoman says softly. "Maybe thought we could get some of these young ones to see the world while we're at it."
"I'll take a drink" the elven woman says, sitting down at the bar. Markus looks around the room to see what kind of rush there is. He then turns around to look at the barkeep and starts a conversation. "That's a beautiful catch you've got there on the wall. I bet there's a great story behind that."
" Indeed it is my catch and there is a story behind it. " Puglas says, " Wine or Ale? " he asks the Elven lady before pouring the drink expertly with only one arm.
" It was six years ago, " he begins and the other patrons in the taproom all drop there conversations to listen to the familiar story. " I was out fishing on the lake I'd been dragging this fish in for what seemed like forever. I'd finally dragged it up to the side of my boat and it seemed like it had given up the fight. I reached down to pull it in over the side but, CHOMP! " he makes a snapping motion with his good hand at his missing arm. " the blasted fish ripped into my arm. Took it right off in two bites. Luckily as I fell in the water I managed to grab my knife from my boot. Stabbed it in the guts. After that I had to have it stuffed and mounted. "
"Wine," he replies. Markus is fully focused on the man's story, somewhat jumping at the 'CHOMP' and keeping eye contact. "Wow, you are a very brave man. A woman like myself could never imagine going through something like that, which is why I make sure to travel in a large group. He takes a sip of wine and looks around the room again, and back to the barkeep. "Is everyone here a regular?"
" Why thank you. " he says before looking about the room at the rest of the customers. " Mostly. " he answers " Those sailors over there came in last night. I don't remember seeing their faces before but everyone else is. Dock workers over there, sailors from a regular merchant ship there, The Amaranthe I think their ship is called. They come through every couple of weeks or so and they always stay here. The rest are mostly local fishermen. Were you looking for someone in particular? "
"Not exactly," Markus replies. "Just trying to make conversation. Plus its always nice to meet new people."
Markus takes another drink. "How much do I owe you?" he asks.
" It's two gold and three silver for a room and a meal. Those drinks " he points at Markus's drinks " are on the house. " he winks wiping the bar with his one arm.
Markus pays the man for the room and meal, making sure to thank him for the drink, returning the wink. He then turns around and scans the room again, looking for anyone that might fit the description Reginar.
"Puglas, is there a Pathfinder contact in town. I'd like to try to line up some work, adventuring work, you see."
" What can I do you for... fair lady? " Slurs one of the men as you sit at the table. He seems very intoxicated and seems to be having some trouble maintaining eye contact. Though not all the men and women at the table are so drunk.
Puglas strokes his chin for a few seconds. " A pathfinder? You know I do know one in thier ranks. He comes in here every now and then and I've heard him mention the pathfinders more than once. What was his name? Reginar I think. I haven't seen him in over a month but I believe he can be found most nights at a place called the Forest Bounty. It's a feast hall of sorts. "
"Thank you , Puglas. That is just the info I need. Thank you. Tell you what, I'll take another drink to celebrate the work this is likely to bring about. What's your favourite local poison?"
Quinn is happy to stay the night here, assuming that is the plan of everyone else. Tomorrow we can try to track Reginar through the Forest Bounty.
Quinn casts his eye over the drunk flirting with Marcus. He might be an easy target to lift some coins from - and well deserved too.
" My favourite drink? Try this. " he takes a bottle down from a shelf behind the bar and pours an amber coloured liquid into a small mug. " Take small sips, eh, it's strong. " the drink has hints of sweet honey but burns on the way down the throat.
Over at the sailors table one of the others pipes up. " Don't mind Aglas here. He gets like this after a run in with the damned Razmiran faith barges. "
This guy doesn't look wealthy at all. Old stained clothes and a depressingly small coin purse...
Markus chats up the sailors for a while before suggesting a game. "I bet I could guess what number anyone at this table is thinking of. I'll bet you 1 gold piece I could do it."
" What! Come on? " one sailor says chuckling. Another says " Alright... Any number or is there a range I have to pick from? "
As he's asking about ranges he's also thinking of his number.
"Any number you want, just write it down and don't let me see it." He rubs his head and guesses a number. "73?" he asks, pretending to be upset when he finds out he's wrong. He hands over the gold piece to the man and regains his confidence.
"Alright, I want to try again. This time, a number between 1 and 100, but let's make it 5 gold."
"I'll have what he's having." Cora says, pointing to Quinn. She sips at the warming liquid while she watches Markus stir up trouble.
The Forest Bounty. We need to visit there soon.
" Haha! " the sailor exclaims taking the gold. Looking very pleased he holds it up and most of the others laugh along. " Alright let's go again. 5 gold. " he says smiling.
Quinn watches the elf lady with interest, What is Markus up to?
Markus looks away as the sailor writes the number down, then turns back once he is finished. He looks deep into the man's eyes, putting on a show, as if he is struggling to guess a number. "Alright, I think I've got it," he breaks the tension. "For... I mean eighty...two?"
" Wha! I don't? Agh. " he throws a small pouch onto the table. The other sailors laugh. Clapping the man on the back, one of them says, " how about we play different game now? Dice? "
The sailors whittle the night away with laughing, games and drinking inviting all of you to join if you wish.
"Dice, hey? That's my kinda game, where everyone is made equal by the bones. May I join you?"
"If you want to lose more money, by all means."
Quinn ends the night 2 GP up.
Markus does considerably well. Making 6 GP and and 12 silver.
The following afternoon you all make your way to The Forest Bounty on the northern edge of town. Made from enormous timbers, the Forest Bounty is a long hall, open at both the front and back, filled with wooden tables and benches. Dozens of people gather here, eating, drinking, and laughing. One table of patrons even carries on with a bawdy song that seems to have most of the folk smiling. A serving maid stands at the door waiting to seat people as they come in.
Quinn suggests that we all enjoy a meal together, and that Markus should shout it.
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Markus, now in the appearance of a brutish half orc, exclaims in a loud voice so all in the hall can hear. "I'm so hungry. Let's eat!"
"Very good, my Orc friend. That is exactly how I pictured it."
The waitress looks at you group and gives a nervous chuckle. " Would you like a table? "
Markus smiles to the woman, "Yes! We were supposed to meet up with our friend Reginar. Can you point us in his direction?"
"A table wound be wonderful, thank you." She lets Markus take over the rest of the conversation; as long as he's not trying to swindle anybody he's pretty good at it.
She smiles back, still looking a little nervous. " Of course, follow me, " she turns and heads in, threading her way through the tables and craning her neck looking around. " I didn't see Reginar come in yet but maybe he came in the oth... Oh there he is. This way. "
She leads you over to a table near the corner. At the table sits a robust man, wearing green and brown leathers and cloaked in a large bearskin. A longbow rests against the table next to him. He looks up and with a hearty laugh says, “Welcome, friends. I heard that someone was looking for me. I am Reginar Lacklan. Please sit— I'm sure we have much to discuss.” He sweeps out his arms in an inviting gesture as another serving maid places a tray of roast boar and forest vegetables on the table before him.
"It's a pleasure." Cora sits and happily piles some food on her plate. She eats while the other introductions are made, then clears her throat. "I suppose I'll get right to it than. We heard that bandits dressed as Razmirian priests have cherry picked amulets out of a hoarde of treasure. Is there anything you know that could help us find them?"
Faunra sits and helps herself to a good sized meal as she has not eaten for a while. She gets herself a startling large pile of roast boar and vegetables for a woman her size but someone who works this heavily needs a hearty meal. She nods at the others in recognition with a light grin as he sits down. She's been mostly quiet barring the occasional disapproving look at Quinn or Brayken. The elf hasn't said much the whole trip, still thinking to herself on the mission and what twists and turns this endeavor could take. She's been shifting around nervously since she left her hometown, somewhat taken aback by the city life which she's never experienced before as the others probably know.
Quinn is happy for a good feed, though a little disappointed that Reginar was there on the first night. He might have to make an excuse to visit The Forest Bounty again tomorrow.
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Markus, looking beastly and unkempt, grabs a small plate of greens and politely nibbles on it, pretending not to know what's going on in the conversation.
" My you are blunt, " Reginar replies to Cora. " there is a temple of Razmiran Cultists here in Tamran. They've been here for about two years now and their power here has grown very quickly. Too quickly, even the local guards now turn a blind eye towards them dismissing any reports of wrong doing. "
" Hmm, I do recall that a group of them left town a few months ago heading north. They could be the group that raided your treasure hoard? Are you from the north? They returned about a month later, minus a few of their number, hurrying through the streets back to their temple. About a week ago another group left the temple. This group was led by a blue robed female. I think she's the leader of the temple here in Tamran. They boarded a boat. "
"A temple of Razmir allowed openly? That's disturbing. Especially if they're growing that powerful."
"We're not entirely sure yet. That's a lot of good information that can give us a big lead, thank you. Is there anything else that you know that could help?"
Markus pays very close attention to Reginar's words. "Guards let them do whatever they want? That's terrifying to think about."
He takes a sip from his glass and clears his throat, "Do you think there's a way we could get inside their temple? Get to know them a little better?"
"About a week ago? If we travel light and fast, with some luck we could catch them. More likely we can follow their trail while it is still fresh."
"Maybe it would be better to find out where they are going as opposed to trying to follow them and possibly getting lost," Markus suggests.
"That's true, my half-orc friend. I prefer direct action, you see, and fear that not learning where they were headed will leave the trail as cold and bare as a..." he blushes lightly, glancing at Faunra and Cora quickly rather than completing the common, though base, saying.