"Hey, is cleaning gonna be a regular part of my duties? I ain't no barmaid." The brawny half-orc says with a frown, looking like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed despite the loss of his headache. "I'm a man of certain talents, cleaning up ain't one of them."
After methodically dismantling, oiling, and reassembling her crossbow while reciting parts of Abadar's holy works, Gracey makes her way to the records room: cracking her knuckles and rolling up her sleeves, the devout little Halfling gets to work.
Chef
You make your way to Phil's Butchery near the outskirts of town. You walk in, and the place is immaculate, well as spotless as a butcher shop can be. You see an older man, behind the counter.
Well howdy son. What can I do for ya?
You tell him why you are there, for Chef Vincent's order of beef cuts. He cracks a smile.
Hmm, I sent my errand boy to deliver them yesterday afternoon. He should have delivered them, easily by now. Let me get him for you. Hey, Mark, get out here!
Mark comes out, a young man, no older than 12 or 13, comes out. Butcher knife in his hand, which he puts into his apron pocket.
Yeah, what's up?
The two talk about the order, the delivery and other such issues.
The boy then, like a bolt of lightning runs out the front , past you and out into the streets.
Chef blinks. Come back here! I need my meat!
He darts after the boy, his eyes, keen after hours of trimming food lock onto him with unerring accuracy.
Rubin
You ask the man, at the center or town about where you could find Mr. Flecther. He tell you that his house is about a quarter mile outside the city limits. He is a recluse of sorts. Pretty knowledgeable in the natural world, and surviving on his own. If you left now, you could reach his home by midday, as you actually have to leave the town.
Gracey
Gracey, you start to search through the stack of papers left behind by the previous bookkeeper. You accidentally knock over the stack, which then causes a domino effect to occur which causes a gigantic mess of paperwork to cover the floor.
Chef
Chef, like a well trained chef, you spot the boy as he takes a left and heads down the alleyway. You see the boy twist and weave through the crowd, and then jumps over a hole in the ground. Continuing trying to elude you.
You follow him
As you follow the boy, you see him turn down an alleyway. He sees a wall, blocking his path. He tries to scale the wall, but he is going too fast and slams against the wall.
Chef attempts to soar like an eagle!
But ends up flopping like a chicken as he gives a Wilheim scream and falls down the hole.
Yeah, this job isn't going to work out, I'll just humor the geezer until I find another one though.
"All right, all right, don't get your underwear in knots, bro. I'll take care of it." Kraull says with annoyed resignation as he grabs a broom and heads to the basement.
Gracey stands wide-eyed in the sea of papers, letting out a little involuntary gasp. When all the parchment finally comes to rest, Gracey sighs, mutters a small prayer to Abadar, and dives in near where she thought was the start.
Thank you, Sir! If you happen to see him before I do, please tell him to check in with Mr. Leafly. Rubin hands the old man 3 coppers in gratitude, and stops at his Watch barracks before leaving town. I better suit up and bring my bow just in case. One hears all sorts of stories about the goings-on outside of the town limits. Not that I believe most of it. He follows the vague directions given by the doddering old man in the square, and is quickly out of sight and earshot of town. What was it he said, north-northeast from where the dead stump used to be, then follow the chipmunk tracks to the old honey tree...I hope I can find this place and make it back before my night shift
Chef
The boy, easily clambers up the wall, while he climbs though, his butcher's knife clangs to the ground...on the side you are on.
Kraull
You grab a broom and head downstairs into the cellar. You open the cellar door, and you can see Bash's small stock of ales, stacked neatly in the corner. A few crates and barrels are stacked in the southwestern corner as well.
You begin to knock down the spider webs you see. You knock down one in the northwestern corner, then one in the middle of the room on the ceiling. You see one in the southeastern corner, and when you go to knock it down, a spider falls from the ceiling and lands near you.
The spider moves into the same space as Kraull and tries to bite him on the foot.
Gracey
You take a deep breath, and focus on the task of finding the start of time when the former keeper left. You slowly, and carefully pick through the paperwork, when you spot a receipt from two weeks ago. It details the church's taking over a donation of coin in hopes to boost local sales.
You then sot other papers, 8 days old, then 6 days old, then 3 days old. You seem to be on an amazing pace. Papers start to flow, from one day to the next. You manage to get all the paperwork in order from farthest date to the present. This takes about 6 hours to complete from start to finish. Afternoon has come and gone, and your stomach starts to rumble something fierce. You realize that you haven't had any food since the morning, as you became absorbed in your work.
Rubin
You head to grab your watch ear, before heading out to Mr. Fletcher's residence. You remember what the old man told you...right past the honey tree.
You are about 90 feet from the small, humble home. You see the treeline start to thin out. There are still trees, but some have recently been cut down. Near one of the trees, you spot the bones of a creature. Upon further examination, you are 99% sure they are animal bones, and not that of Mr. Fletcher.
Leaving nothing to chance and not really caring if he left a mess, Kraull drops the broom and pulls out his greatclub. He then proceeds to try to smash the spider with extreme prejudice.
"Man, insects are dumb." He says to himself, not realizing his own ignorance.
Chef scrambles out of the hole and whips a napkin out of his apron so he can grab the knife safely.
Just like those investigator books! Never grab the blade with your bare hand or you could get blamed!
Chef
Chef, you grab the blade. As you look up, you see a crack in the wall, that has crumbled away with time and the help from a few rats. You manage to squeeze through the crack and keep up with the youth.
The boy yells at a few bums in the alleyway, and they all get out of his way, as he takes a left out of the alleyway trying to put more distance between himself and you.
He tries to hide in the crowd, and blend into the others. Too bad his apron sticks out like a sore thumb, as it is covered in blood.
Out of the way!
Chef is the wind, scattering beggers before him as he tries to catch the rascel.
Halt! Stop running! You will only make things worse.
Chef
The youth, looks as you blow by him, then turn around waiting for him to try and escape past you. He finally realizes that you are stubborn as a bull, and relents.
Look...I...had...no...choice, he stutters his words trying to catch his breath.
If I didn't do it, they were gonna beat the bajeezus out of me. Maybe even kill me?! You gotta let me go, otherwise I am toast!
You can see a tear creep from his eye as he mentions the strong threat to his life.
Chef is doubtful but looks sympathetic. If someone is threatening ya, then you need help. Come, let us go back to the shop and you can tell me what all is happening.
Bleary-eyed, Gracey emerges from the records room stretching and blinking. My word, what a mess. Now I just have to tally the numbers, collate the expenditures and donations, then try and balance the ledger, then work out the... Her thoughts trail off as her stomach thunders. Oh. Food first then, I suppose. Maybe I'll try out some local food.
Rubin jaunts along, singing and humming some of the many new tunes he has been composing in his head recently. He hasn't gone too far when just as the old man said, in a small clearing ahead he can see a ramshackle cabin. He doesn't see anyone around, but as he gets closer the skeletal remains of some creature catch his eye. He stops and takes a closer look.
Gracey
Mr. Donga smiles at you.
You can come and go as you please young one. Eat if you are hungry. Please do not think that it must get done today
You head out and you take in the local sights and sounds on lunch. You ask some people on the street about some good places to eat. You are told that the Pink Bunny is a dockside tavern and inn. They have okay food, but nothing spectacular. There is the Blue Salamander Inn whose food is a bit more upscale, better overall service.
There are also a couple "mom and pop" stores. They have penny candies, and basic traveling goods if one is really strapped for coin.
Chef
You gather the boy, who is crying, stuttering as he tries to speak.
B..b..but. I can't face Mr. Fletcher, not after what I did.
You make it back to Mr. Fletcher's butcher.
Mr. Fletcher, you can clearly see is a combination of extremely frustrated and pissed off.
Thank you, Bolognese was it. Now, Bradley, what in the blue blazes that that all about.
After a few tense moments, the boy speaks, and gives up the details.
I am sorry Mr. Fletcher, it's just I got in a bad situation a few days ago. I got stopped while on my way to deliver the meat for Mr. Bash. It was a group of guys, 3 of them. They were older and taller and stronger than me. They beat the crap out of, took the product. They told me if I told anyone, they knew where I worked and were gonna make me pay. I tried to fight back, but...
Mr. Fletcher looks at Bradley, then at you Chef.
I am sorry that you had to chase him down young man. Here is a few silver as an apologies to you. Please, inform Bash to see me as soon as he can so him and I can sort this out as adult men. Once again, I am sorry you had to get involved. Is there anything else I can do for you before you go?
Rubin
With your well trained eye, you spot a wolf, in the brush. It is crouched about 30' from you. It appears to be studying you at the moment, deciding whether it wants to strike or not.
Kraull
You take two mighty swings, and neither connect. You manage to chip a minuscule amount of stone from the floor. It tries to bite you, once again.
If he has been assaulted then this is serious, we can't have thugs steal goods and assault young lads. Chef sighs. Alas, I am no brave guardsman or one of those wandering mercenaries, I will tell Chef Bash of this. You should make sure of this lad's safety.
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Chef
You had back, empty handed. You tell Bash of the on-goings, the situation and everything else in between.
Well, s$+$! There goes the whole days worth of meals! This is serious indeed. I'm going to speak with Fletcher right now, and I am putting you in charge of the kitchen until I return. Just...hell.
He looks around his kitchen, his mind going a mile a minute, trying to process everything that just happened.
Use whatever I have, and make the best of this s$!~-hole we now find ourselves in, understand
Pluck! We're making some egg sandwiches! You know what that means.
CLUCCKKKKKK!
No arguing! Get laying!
Clucccccckk..grnt..grnt..grnt
"Ah ha! Got you now, you insect creep!"
Oh, shoot. I hope he doesn't have any friends around. Nice puppy, I saw some nice plump sheep on my way here, they're over there in the opposite direction.
Rubin slowly brings his bow up and nocks an arrow, while moving toward the cabin with calm determined steps.
Rubin
The wolf, growls as you go past, but doesn't lunge towards you. You make it to the cabin's entrance. You notice the door is slightly cracked ajar. You push the door open the rest of the way, and you see a mess of a place. It appear as if someone or something ransacked his place of living.
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Kraull
Kraul brings his club down on the spider and squishes it. Spider guts cover his club.
A few minutes later, you manage to fully clear out the cellar of all the cobwebs. You head back up, and report back to Bash.
Good job, here's a few silver, and an ale for your troubles.
The early afternoon passes, and evening comes on quick. The bar starts to pack full of regular patrons. Sobriety leaves some quicker than others.
A man, about 6'3" tall with flaming red hair saunters up to you.
You..ain't so tough, you half-human piece of crap!
You can clearly tell the man is three-sheets-to-the-wind...severely drunk he is.
"Time to leave gingersnaps. Don't test me." Kraull with some boredom, clearly unimpressed with the drunk fellow.
Hello! Anyone here? It's your friendly neighborhood bowsmith! Something isn't right here. This place is a bigger pigsty than ol' Bulleybones' Secondhand Store back in New-Stet. I smell foul play. Rubin looks around, peeking under various pieces of cast-aside furniture.
Gracey thanks Mr. Donga, and heads into town in search of sustenance.
It isn't long before the young acolyte happens upon The Pink Bunny: she straightens her robes and headpiece then makes her way inside. Nice enough place. In my budget too, I hope!
"Hello? Are you still serving lunch?"
Gracey
You see the tavern is full of people, but some are getting ready to leave. You see a table open up, and a waitress comes up to you.
Sure love, we are still serving lunch. The, regular chef is out for the day, but his apprentice has filled in well in his absence. He has produced very good dishes, and I see no reason why that would change.
She looks over to the kitchen window, and thinks about what there is left in the kitchen.
We don't have much left dear, but we have some roasted chicken left, as well as sandwich fixings. Does any of that interest you?
Rubin
You get no response from inside the house. You look around, and you see a trail of blood near the corner of the dining room table. It extends in two direction, one to the bedroom, the other to the back door.
Kraull
Hmph...you ain't so tough! he says as he lets out a giant belch in your face. He than pushes past you, and weaves down the street, clearly past his limit and goes to harass someone else.
Chasik then raises an eyebrow in your direction as the drunkard is trying Bash's patience, then is relieved how you handled it.
Rubin readies his dagger as he tiptoes towards the bedroom. Is this human or animal blood? Either way, it doesn't look good. I'd better report this to my captain as soon as possible. But first, let's see where this trail leads.
With a smug look, Kraull dusts off his hands and keeps an eye out for anymore potential problems.
Gracey blushes as her stomach rumbles loudly. "Yes, thank you. I would like some chicken sandwiches, please. Reasonably priced, I hope?"
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LeeVan
You have a restful night sleep in one of the Blue Salamander's rooms. You wake well rested, you grab a hot breakfast of coffee, eggs, bacon and a buys hit for 1 gold piece and 8 silver piece.
You head out to the weaponsmith's shop, and your see Mr. Hammerstone working on the dagger you did some light work on.
Aye boy, LeeVan was it? Get over here and finish the blade you worked on yesterday. Then, once your finished with that, start working on a warhanner for a client o' mine. A plain an' simple warhanner, got it? Now don't dilly-dally and get to work.
Aye Mr. Hammerstone! I'll get right on it! he shouts out before getting to work.
Seems like this town is pretty interesting. He shouts to Mr. Hammerstone while working on the new weapons. Do you get much trouble around the here?
Rubin
Rubin, with dagger drawn, you head towards the bedroom, where one blood trail leads. You get to the bedroom, you are about to push open the door that is partially ajar, when you hear a noise behind you.
As you turn around...nothing. You begin to wonder if your nerves are getting to you. You push open the bedroom door, and you see a depressing sight before you. An older man, in his early 50's in age, lies in his bed. You examine him closer, and you notice multiple small cuts all over his body. A shoddy dagger is found on his bed, and a small vial with a drop of greenish liquid lies on his chest.
Kraull
The rest of your evening goes well, that is until last call is made. After last call is made, a couple stand up to leave, when a pair of men start to talk trash to the couple. The couple tries to simply move by them and ignore them, but they block their way. One of the semi-drunk thugs grabs the woman by her arm.
Why you wanna be with a wimp like him, when you can be with a REAL man girl? Come home with me and I will show you a good time
Get lost, you drunken idiot. My man is more than a MAN, than you will ever be!, as she slaps him across the face.
Hmph, have it your way, you whore, as he raises his hand to wallop her for the insult.
----
If I win initiative.
The thugs tries to slap her across the face, but she ducks out of the way and the thug slaps air.
Chef & Gracy
The waitress smiles, Well that happens to be one of our specialties.
She puts the order into ,you Chef. You look around Chef, and after a few tense moments you spot the final piece of chicken breast in the kitchen. You do a quick prep of herbs and spices, then quickly fry it. After a few minutes, you turn out a well seasoned chicken breast sandwich on fresh baked bread.
Gracey, about 10 minutes go by, and you are delivered a hot, well seasoned chicken sandwich, with a side of fruit.
Here you go miss, I hope the food is to your liking.
Chef, you await the customer's reaction to the final lunch dish served.