Balzeros clasps his hands together happily. "How wonderful! While I am an excellent tracker and overland guide, boats aren't quite my forte. However, depending on where you are going, Durgan tells me you're visiting family? I may be able to still assist after the ride? You see, helping out Mr. Renault's farmstead just gets so... monotonous after a while. This would be a nice change of pace. What do you say? I travel with you and your crew for a bit, then if you want me out, I'm out. Otherwise, I'll stay as long as I'm useful. I know Mr. Renault wouldn't miss me much, especially with someone like the Stag Lord gone!" And getting in the good-graces of these people will be excellent! If things are developing the way those farmers predict, with new management, as it were, the farms could grow further and the forest could be protected! I'd even have time to continue my research into it's history... The possibilities!
As Erevenywg offers a slobbery hand, the Shaman offers the same in kind. "Not everyday a Fey greets you like that! A pleasure, Erevenywg."
________
Fergus was on his way to browse the market when Fergus spies a familiar face among the crowd. While he seemed to be with others, Fergus had not seen him in a long while and decided to say hello.
a dwarf dressed in silken clothes of deep blue color with golden trimmings which hide most of his body features walks up to Durgan arms wide to his sides and a big smile on his face. His pristine beard is long, well kept, and ornamented with gemstones of all kinds and glows with a healthy sheen that you'd be hard pressed to find even in fair elven hair. His hair is up in a ponytail held by a gemstone studded band. His voice, while refined and almost courtly still twangs with a twinge of the dwarven dialect.
By my neatly kept beard! Durgan! I thought it was you lad! How have ye been? Feels like an Age has passed since we parted ways. Fair winds and good fortunes have passed your way since I hope!
As Erevenywg offers a slobbery hand, the Shaman offers the same in kind. "Not everyday a Fey greets you like that! A pleasure, Erevenywg."
By my neatly kept beard! Durgan! I thought it was you lad! How have ye been? Feels like an Age has passed since we parted ways. Fair winds and good fortunes have passed your way since I hope!
"Fergus! Good to see you. I have been back for a few years now. Edrin Lodovka was heading home to start a family, and I also thought it was time to try building something rather than just destroying demons."
His voice lowers. "Necessary as the Crusades are, it is not good for the soul to spend too long in the Worldwound." Durgan shudders a bit. "You know of what I speak, I think. How long have you been back?""Since returning, I have been bringing civilization to the Stolen Lands. Helping merchants, building bridges and roads, ensuring fair and prosperous trade... but also smiting evils such as brigands."
Fergus pats Durgans shoulder Aye, I've always found building things more enticing than destruction, perhaps its in our blood? Haha. And yes, that is true, facing that reality wears on one's mind. I only left recently in the last couple years myself and yet some horrors are still fresh in mind despite my efforts.
When he brings up the stolen lands Fergus rubs his beard in thought. Yes.. I had heard something of that sort was going on in the area from a friend in house Garess. Indeed, its the main reason I am here. I was headed to the city to offer my services in this same endeavor. Though I had not imagined to find you here as well and already ahead of myself, perhaps I should have due to your faith. He stops rubbing his beard and instead starts rolling a gemstone around his fingers as he looks to the others with Durgan.
Are these compatriots in your endeavors? Greetings to you. Fergus says, giving a small bow to the others before looking back to Durgan with a small sparkle in his eye.
hmmm... I hate to ask a favor of ye so soon after meeting, but perhaps if ye have the time you could put a word in for me? Seeing as ye already seem to be working for those that put this endeavor together?
Illthir winces slightly as the fairy introduces herself, glad she had been early to avoid any spit-filled handshakes. But whatever made them happy. And she made a note to not get too close to any giant fire-breathing swans.
"That's an interesting, generous and open ended offer..." she side-eyes Zokon. Hmm. "Perhaps we could talk it over at dinner tonight? It doesn't look like we're getting a ship anytime soon and you might want to meet the entire crew before you sign up."
When he brings up the stolen lands Fergus rubs his beard in thought. Yes.. I had heard something of that sort was going on in the area from a friend in house Garess. Indeed, its the main reason I am here. I was headed to the city to offer my services in this same endeavor. Though I had not imagined to find you here as well and already ahead of myself, perhaps I should have due to your faith. He stops rubbing his beard and instead starts rolling a gemstone around his fingers as he looks to the others with Durgan.
hmmm... I hate to ask a favor of ye so soon after meeting, but perhaps if ye have the time you could put a word in for me? Seeing as ye already seem to be working for those that put this endeavor together?
"There is a charter to govern a portion of the Stolen Lands, and my understanding is that it is not yet finalized. We could certainly use a Magister. I could vouch for you, although I've drawn down my political capital quite a bit. So if House Garess could vouch for you, your position would be even stronger. Our prior candidate for the position has decided against settling down and entering politics at this time.
Alia, my compatriot here at the forge, is one of the company. Alia, Fergus is a distant cousin on my mother's side, and also a fellow veteran of the Mendevian Crusades. He is a wizard and scholar with great knowledge about the demons we had to face. He can handle himself in a fight if need be, and as you heard has some ties to House Garess. Might we introduce him to the rest at dinner to see if he is a suitable Magister?"
Balzeros' smile spreads quickly, the deepening lines by his eyes corroborating his feelings. "Over dinner then! I'll meet y'all at the... Dancing Lion, then?" he suggests. "Near the heart of the town, warm beds if you need them and the chef knows her way around a kitchen!"
________
"Good idea Illthir it's a date, I better get more options first though."
Zokon will ask for prices of each boat he can find that is big enough and will goto forests's edge. If there are none he will engage captain thingamabob at his price.
Durgan spends the afternoon speaking to merchants, trying to get a sense of how things are going in Brunderton and subtly inquiring if there is a problem he can help with in his capacity as a servant of Abadar.
Zokon's persistence pays off and by the day's end he can find a fishing boat captain willing to take them down stream in more comfortable (though smelly) accommodations for about half the price the logger was offering.
Most of the townsfolk seem to shun them. Shops close early, children go inside, and their parents then close the shutters.
One old passerby murmurs the word "Glimmerhold" and then makes the sign of the hammer before retreating out of sight.
The Dancing Lion is an upscale tavern built into a tower as real-estate is at a premium in the hillside town. The side of the tower has a 15-foot-tall, golden-yellow-painted, wooden, heraldic lion silhouette mounted upon its street-facing side. The tavern has an elevated main-floor common room, with three smaller upper floors of for private parties, a basement pantry area with a back-alley access, and a sub-basement wine cellar. The ceilings are a tad higher here than in the Mother Lode. The two lowest of the three tower floors are already taken when you arrive with a large party of out-of-town dwarves notable for their dark scarves that cover much of their lower faces and beards.
Stewed Sausage and Soft Cheese, Tankard of Stout (12 cp)
Roasted Veal with Cinnamon and Poached Eggs, Glass of Brandy (3 sp)
Roasted Deer with Mace and Rye Bread, Glass of Wine (1 sp)
Salted Bear and Dried Watercress, Tankard of Ale (8 cp)
Stewed Mutton and Wheat Biscuits, Tankard of Mead (11 cp)
Steamed Goose with Mustard and Rye Biscuits, Glass of Brandy (1 sp)
Stewed Duck and Dried Lentils, Tankard of Stout (7 cp)
Boiled Eggs and Turnip, Tankard of Cider (8 cp)
Balzeros waits for Zokon to choose a table before taking a seat. He's calling the shots around here, better get used to it.
"Sausage and cheese for me, if you please," he orders at the nearest opportunity. "So what's y'all's story then?" he asks, rather bluntly, as he waits for food.
When she arrives at the Dancing Lion, Alia takes her seat next to Zokon, briefly checking the menu before ordering Boiled Eggs and Turnip. While the cook certainly knew his business and the meat offered was on point - if what had arrived at the table up to know was representative - she preferred different preparation methods, and opted to stick to the dishes more likely to meet her taste.
Durgan joins the rest at the Dancing Lion.
"The mutton, biscuits, and mead, please," he asks the server.
He whispers to the group, "These out-of-town dwarves from Glimmerhall have the locals on edge for some reason. I'm not sure what is going on. But there's quite a number of them here tonight."
"Well, Balzeros," he continues in a normal voice, "I am from Winterbreak. I worked for the Lodovka family for a number of years, served in the Mendevian Crusades with Edrin Lodovka, and since then have been doing Abadar's work in the Stolen Lands. Bringing civilization, encouraging trade, and at least a bit of law where I can. I've focused on practical improvements rather than dogma. Helping build roads and bridges, balance ledgers, brew beer, pilot riverboats... I've done a bit of everything. Most recently striving against banditry, taking down the Stag Lord with this company and some others."
Balzeros waits for Zokon to choose a table before taking a seat. He's calling the shots around here, better get used to it.
The Brunderton dwarves don't like having them in town, but rely upon Glimmerhold's gold, and trade, the way that Glimmerhold relies upon Brunderton for distribution.
Whether or not Fergus notices this particular facet of dwarf social interaction I leave to you. If he's particularly naive, it's possible that Fergus just thinks the locals to be like the dwarves back in Glimmerhold, and that isolationism is just the way of the world. If he is more worldly, then perhaps Fergus specifically did not dress like his fellows so as to better blend in with non-Glimmerhold residence, or it might even be a rebellion of sorts against the cultural dress-code, or maybe he does own a long dark scarf that he keeps in his pack and just hasn't brought out yet.
Serena takes a seat with the party and orders the veal. When her turn comes, she responds to Balzeros. "I am Serena Mistcastle, late of Brevoy, but I hail from the Southlands. I am a warrior of Sarenrae, as if that weren't obvious." And it is obvious. She looks every inch a capable warrior and her tabard over her armor bears the symbol of Sarenrae. Around her neck, likewise, is a silver angelic ankh.
"A visit to the bath house? Why that sounds excellent!" While she had barely had a chance to accumulate some road dirt since their stay in Restov she didn't mind enjoying the finer things in life. Especially not those of the warm cosy kind!
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"Oh dear; deer. I'll take that!" the skald sometimes wondered if ordering ordering food based on bad wordplay would get her into trouble one day, but so far she had been fine. Plus this one came with wine!
"Mm my story? I'm a skald; but with a bit of luck my story will be a great tale too!" the pale half-elf assumes her best tortured artist impression and continues. "When I met these good people I was in quite the dark place - not sure how to carry on ..."
"That is I got myself caught by kobolds. Bleh. Let me tell you; their cooking is *way* worse then this!" she laughed. "Since then I've been hanging around. It's nice; good tales, good companion ship and someone standing between me and bandit arrows."
Zokon smiles as Alia takes her seat next to him and he watches and waits for her to make her order, he then orders "Goose, biscuits and Brandy please." he says to the server
Yes Illthir, the bath house would be a grand idea. I should really try and get used to keeping my appearance up."
He turns to Balzeros after listening tot he others tales
"I'm the bastard son of Lord Tengar Santyev, my mother who lives in forests edge is who we are going to visit. I was part of the original expeditionary group to tame the area and due to that and being a diluted but noble birth, I was selected to lead our settlement, when we get it established. I will need help so feel free to share your ideas, other than that I am engaged to the lovely Alia here." he gives a warm smile in Alia's direction.
Fergus pats his beard, making sure it is neat and tidy before offering his hand to the others.
Well met, and let me extend my congratulations to you both your graces. He gives a courtly bow before he turns to order.
a bottle of your finest wine if you would please. And seared beef with a side of vegetables for me please.
He looks back to the others. My name is Fergus, Fergus Bouldershoulder Ironmug. Like Durgan, I was part of the Crusades for a time. While we rarely had the chance to work together much, we did come to find a distant kinship between us. Recently I have traveled here from my home due to hearing rumors of a fledgling barony of sorts being created. I had come to offer my services in its creation and maintenance, more or less. That is the short version all things told. I figure if you travel with Durgan, ye certainly can't be bad folk.
And seared beef with a side of vegetables for me please.
"Ahem..." Durgan points to the menu board.
Stewed Sausage and Soft Cheese, Tankard of Stout (12 cp)
Roasted Veal with Cinnamon and Poached Eggs, Glass of Brandy (3 sp)
Roasted Deer with Mace and Rye Bread, Glass of Wine (1 sp)
Salted Bear and Dried Watercress, Tankard of Ale (8 cp)
Stewed Mutton and Wheat Biscuits, Tankard of Mead (11 cp)
Steamed Goose with Mustard and Rye Biscuits, Glass of Brandy (1 sp)
Stewed Duck and Dried Lentils, Tankard of Stout (7 cp)
Boiled Eggs and Turnip, Tankard of Cider (8 cp)
He looks back to the others. Recently I have traveled here from my home due to hearing rumors of a fledgling barony of sorts being created.
"What is your home, Fergus? Was it Glimmerhold?" "The locals seem uneasy about the Glimmerhold dwarves being here... do you know why?"
Ah, oh aye yes ahem. Apologies, I meant the roast deer, if you could sear it all the better. Just used to ordering beef and the like you see. Fergus gives a slightly embarrassed nod the order taker before looking back.
Aye, it is. And aye, they do seem that way. Its one of the reasons I make sure to stand apart in my dress.
As for the reason of the unease, it could be a number of things, many back home claim it is jealousy, or just the nature of folk.
He leans back and starts to rub his beard in thought a moment before leaning in close and saying in a more hushed voice speaking almost solely to Durgan. Many years ago I would have believed them, due to my families status, but after my time in the crusades, and after returning home for a small time and spending a short time in the, how to say, less privileged society it is clear to me now that things are not right back home. It is a bleak subject, one I would rather discuss in a more private setting.
Balzeros nods his head as each member of the party shares their story, giving them his full attention. When Zokon asks for his ideas, he looks at him. "Well, I do have some ideas about how best to use the land and it's bounty, but the details of such are probably a little too boring for dinner conversation," he says, then takes a swig of his stout.
"As for where I've come from, I've spent my whole life in the Narlmarches. Many people come to the Stolen Lands, start up a village, then it gets cut down. New people come, see some remains to build upon, then get cut down, and the cycle continues anew. I was born in one such village, lasted about fifteen years before collapsing, keeping your ambitions low and staying mobile was they key to living. After that fell through," he says rather nonchalantly, "I worked with others in-tune with the magic of nature. Years of it, before I fell in with Mr. Renault and his farmers."
_________
Zokon watches the two newcomers, taking in details of how they speak, how they interact with others and any features of their outfits or physical characteristics
He listens to Balzeros and replies
"Thankyou Balzeros, I have a feeling your insights will be most valuable when we take our first steps into building a viable community, it shall be good toh ave you along."
At Fergus introduction he replies when it seems appropriate
"Thankyou Fergus, welcome, yes well Durgan is a good companion and his insights are valued. The crusades you say, that must have been trying times, it's good to have brave companions for the challenges that we shall face, especially those that command the arcane arts."
He leans back and starts to rub his beard in thought a moment before leaning in close and saying in a more hushed voice speaking almost solely to Durgan. Many years ago I would have believed them, due to my families status, but after my time in the crusades, and after returning home for a small time and spending a short time in the, how to say, less privileged society it is clear to me now that things are not right back home. It is a bleak subject, one I would rather discuss in a more private setting.
Durgan nods. "Best to be prudent." If there is a problem in Glimmerhold, we should consider it in our dealings with them, but can't solve it now.
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Fergus gives a smile and a nod to Zokon.
Aye, though I admit, I did not fight as much as those like Durgan would have I think. I aided mostly in studying and in logistics. Both in regards to people and munitions. Though the times where I did fight were indeed the more trying times of my life to date. Recently I have garnered experience as a tradesman. At least a small bit. It is always better to know the general value of things than to be told it after all and I do admit to having a love for finer things. And please, I am proficient in the arcane, but while I certainly am no warrior, I do know my way around the weapons of my kin well if pushed to dire circumstances. Though I admit I do prefer to keep my hands and robes clean of both blood and sweat. The former is certainly easier to accomplish than the later.
The two days come and go. And soon the party finds itself aboard a barge owned and captained by Amdohr Undercurrent, a wild-haired dwarf who's beard flaps in the wind. He and his scowling, hugely-muscled (for a gnome) sidekick Stäbbi, and a dwarf warrior old enough to be Amdohr's grandfather, named Urmrak make up the entirety of the crew of the Chambly. The Chambly is itself a 55-foot-long flat-bottomed river barge (really an almost-raft), with an enclosed warehouse space and a tiny aft cabin for the crew. The party will be riding with the supplies.
"Thars some hammocks in the supply chest you can use if you needs 'em." says Captain Amdohr.
"Grrr." growls the gnome menacingly.
"WHAT!?" shouts Urmak holding a small brass horn that might have been a trumpet in a previous age up to his ear.
Once upon the barge, shortly after getting underway, Erevenywg runs to the front almost falling overboard in her excitement. She throws her arms wide, and shouts "Am I not the Queen of this World!?"
"WHAT!?" shouts Urmak again.
"...First time on a boat then?" Balzeros hesitantly asks Erevenywg. Peculiar... Hope she is as excited about hammocks!
He eyes the water uncertainly. Never liked rivers or lakes. Never really know what lies mere inches below. Only the worst nasties take advantage of it too. "Captain, how long is the float again? Anything we should be looking out for while we are underway?"
Serena takes up residence in the small building for most of the journey, only coming on deck in the morning to pray and once in the evening before bed. When she was on deck, she stayed as far from the edge as possible. She had never learned to swim, and her plate armor would merely drag her to the bottom anyway, so why tempt fate?
Zokon has an eye out for the riverbank always weary of attackers.
He moves around the barge, getting a feel for ways the barge can be attacked and to just mingle with all the people on the boat and practise his talking skills with all sorts.
He snorts a little at Erevenywh's antics
Durgan has slept in the wild many times in his Stolen Lands ministry, so he is not too bothered by having to sleep in the cargo hold.
The dwarf is surprisingly at ease on the deck. Durgan can swim quite well, a skill attributable to growing up on Acuben Isle. He prepares Air Bubble just in case it should be needed.
Durgan offers to help out with navigation if needed, or otherwise just watches the land go by.
"...First time on a boat then?" Balzeros hesitantly asks Erevenywg. Peculiar... Hope she is as excited about hammocks!
"The first time that I remember." says Erevenywg, apparently a bit disappointed that the barge doesn't breath 'the black fire'.
He eyes the water uncertainly. Never liked rivers or lakes. Never really know what lies mere inches below. Only the worst nasties take advantage of it too. "Captain, how long is the float again? Anything we should be looking out for while we are underway?"
"WHAT!?" calls Urmak again holding his horn up.
"Two days." says Captain Amdohr. "We'll be on Lake Stetven tonight, and hold up in a cove I know 'til dawn. Then tomorrow we'll take the River down stream to Forest's Edge."
Durgan offers to help out with navigation if needed, or otherwise just watches the land go by.
"Sure! Grab a pole!" says the Captain. Then he grabs Urmrak by the horn and yells into it, telling the old dwarf to make sure the cargo is well tied down. Urmrak nods and goes about his task.
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Zokon has an eye out for the riverbank always weary of attackers.
He moves around the barge, getting a feel for ways the barge can be attacked and to just mingle with all the people on the boat and practise his talking skills with all sorts.
"Whadjya want, aye?" snaps the gnome.
"You a schemie bigjob? I be Stäbbi." he says, and pounds his chest to make the point.
Hells, where did he find a Gnome like that? Balzeros does his best to avoid Stabbi.
Over the course of the trip, he can be found on the top of the boat keeping a lookout. When it is time for bed, he conjures a shelter made of webbing in the same place to bed for the night. View is decent enough, maybe river travel isn't all that bad!
Anyone who pays attention to his night time routine, notices a faint light come from his spontaneous room for the first twenty minutes or so. During which, the shadow of some sort of small, fluttering creature can be seen until the light is out for good and a gentle snoring begins to flow out.
________
Zokon listens to Stabbi and then keeps moving "Yes stabbi, excellent." giving him the side eye as he passes
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Day passes to night, and true to his words Urmrak drops anchor in a shaded cove within a broad misty lake surrounded by mountains which prematurely darken the skies with their looming presence.
"Ne'er geet out o' der boat, yea greet daft oofs." warns the gnome darkly. from over his back you can see the hilt of broad-bladed sword set its scabbard, a sword nearly as tall as he.
Illthir spends her time relaxing wherever there's place for the skald to sit down and not be stepped on. She writes scrolls, tales and the occasional though as well as practices both singing, flute and fiddle. She really wanted to get better at the last one - but so far mostly managed to scare the fishes.
---
"Mm. Not much good comes out of our lakes from what I've heard. Except well fish." Illthir notes. She also felt a lot more compelled to hop off the boat just because she could - but since she liked not drowning or being eaten she'd stay put for now. Instead she went searching for one of those hammocks. Hopefully they would prove longer then the dwarven beds. Maybe I could splice a pair together otherwise?
Having done her work at the forge, Alia had a little time left, and had finally started work on the arrows she had wanted to make for a long time now.
In the evening, she notices the strange mood of the other guests, and mostly keeps to herself, and the others of her company she knows. This was home, or close to it, for several of them, and following their lead seemed the wise thing to do, lest she stepped on somebodys toes.
On the barge, she is not very worried, quite confident in her ability to swim, if such were needed. Instead, she sits close to the edge, working on the arrows some more, screwing in the metallic fletching to the base of the shafts.
As it becomes night, and they steer into a Cove, Alia wonders. The cove seems fine - why would they need to make actual landfall and risk the barge? It seems more prudent to sleep on the ship, rather than on solid land.
The tone Stabbi took was also very much to her dislike...could it be they were trying to take off without them?...It seemed prudent to post guards and keep an eye on the crew, as well.
Balzeros peers down at the Gnome. "Yeah? Why not Stabbi? Spin us a yarn!" he urges. Wonder how excitable this little nutter is!
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"Ne'er geet out o' der boat, yea greet daft oofs." warns the gnome darkly. from over his back you can see the hilt of broad-bladed sword set its scabbard, a sword nearly as tall as he.
Balzeros peers down at the Gnome. "Yeah? Why not Stabbi? Spin us a yarn!" he urges. Wonder how excitable this little nutter is!
Stäbbi's face scrunches up in consternation (reason enough for some not to sleep well tonight), and then he says sheepishly "Don't know. Ne'er bin off."
Fergus always had liked water. Which was strange for most dwarves. But something about the way it flowed and glistened like a gemstone in the sun always caught his eye. He wasn't a particularly good swimmer, but could do well enough in calmer waters so wasn't too worried. His familiar Ditzy the pure white mongoose pokes its head out of his beard as he enjoyed the small breeze during the day.
Fergus chuckles. Fearing the depths of water is about as sensible as fearing the depths of a mine. He gives a smile to the others for a few moments before continuing. which is to say, prudent, but often unwarranted.