Hearing the discussion of the cost of the healing kit Narciso digs in his own pouch for some coins. "This is a place of business and has to earn a bit of profit to support the family. And a healer's kit is for our whole group. If one suffers we are all lessened by it. Let me pay a bit of the cost as well so the family doesn't have to."
Ferona smiles at Antas, though hers is tinged with a bit of sadness. "I would think that a wise investment Antas. Healer's kits are indeed a useful tool. While I do not have the entirety of the funds required, I can certainly contribute to this cause!"
"Of course" - Grond nods separating also five pieces of gold from the twenty one being returned by the shopkeeper - "Thank you again Bernot" - he adds.
Looking over the old net, Peran examines it closely and starts to make some repairs.
Craft Net:
Still crouching, Naia watches with interest while Peran’s adept hands manipulate the old net. She stands and pats dust off her leathers.
”You good? I’ll go ransack the house for some vittles...”
Naia finds her nan still seated.
”Some tea, nan? I’m gonna rustle up some dried fish and bread for our crew. Maybe some seaweed from the store. You want a bowl of soup?”
Once inside Naia heads to the room she shares with Farra and packs her gear. She opts
to leave her javelin behind for reasons of weight, figuring the harpoon and bow enough ranged capacity.
In the kitchen she wraps some still-warm loaves and leaves of sea wed as well as some parcels of dried fish. Then, delivers a cup of mint tea to her nan, and then ladles out a bowl of soup for her and Peran.
”Mhneer you go” she says, laying the bowl down for Peran.
D'ogryn nods silently as the man leaves the kitchen. His eyes roam to the ceiling and wonders what has happened to his little piece and quiet.
I guess it might be time to move on to a new town. This place just got too damn hot for my comfort. Not safe for those that I associate with. They are at risk...best to see what is left and flee now.
This is what happens when you associate with mouth breathers.
Seeing that his one knife was inadequate for the task to come, the cook
starts to look into the knife drawer.
Chef knives...too big...fillet, too long and flimsy...ahh..these will do for now.
He grabs two simple pairing knives.
short and effective.
Walking slowly up the stairs. D'ogryn takes in his environment.
IF this is as bad as I think...Seaton and then Marker 10
Slowly he opens the door to see what damage has been down.
Setting aside the net for a moment, Peran accepts the bowl of soup from Nala. He takes a deep breath, inhaling the delicious aroma.
"Ahhh...now that takes me back. I remember once, just before the autumn winds really began to whip up the waters, my father and I stayed out almost all night hauling in one of the last catches of the season. It was cold and tiring and we were all worn out by the time he headed for home. Most of the wives of the fishermen had stayed up all night as well, cooking for the men and women of the fishing fleet. I remember seeing the harbour and then being hit by the smell of baked bread, fried pork and warm fish soup. It was one of the best meals of my life...my mother, father and I all together. If only we had known it would be for the last time...'
The priest finishes his soup and thanks Nala again.
Naia sits and smiles at the mention of fried pork, the smile dissolves as Peran ends on a dark note. Crouched down with the sea breeze curling her hair, Naia considers the Seaton sailor.
”Did the ocean take them then Peran, or people? Dizheazhe?” she asks conversationally, slurping her soup, and never one to shy away from importunate remarks.
Looking out to sea, Peran gives a sad little smile.
"My mother and sister were taken by the Black Miasma back in '51. My father died with the Viscount while fighting the sahuagin during the 2nd Uprising. It was the great green wyrm, Sathorexhes that ended his life, but that old drake was consumed in the fight as well!"
A few tears slide down the priest's face, but a fierce smile shows his pride in his father.
”I am sorry, Peran.”
Not being entirely cognisant of the different uprisings and having never heard of great green wyrms Naia is suitably shocked. She hides it behind munchings and slurpings. She counts herself lucky the plague took none of her family...and wonders who, if any, are left of Peran’s.
”Kale!” she shouts apropos of nothing. Scooping up bowls she rushes to the kitchen, dumps crockery/bowls and heads into the garden.
”I am sorry, Peran.”
Not being entirely cognisant of the different uprisings and having never heard of great green wyrms Naia is suitably shocked. She hides it behind munchings and slurpings. She counts herself lucky the plague took none of her family...and wonders who, if any, are left of Peran’s.
”Kale!” she shouts apropos of nothing. Scooping up bowls she rushes to the kitchen, dumps crockery/bowls and heads into the garden.
D'ogryn nods silently as the man leaves the kitchen. His eyes roam to the ceiling and wonders what has happened to his little piece and quiet.
I guess it might be time to move on to a new town. This place just got too damn hot for my comfort. Not safe for those that I associate with. They are at risk...best to see what is left and flee now.
This is what happens when you associate with mouth breathers.Seeing that his one knife was inadequate for the task to come, the cook
starts to look into the knife drawer.
Chef knives...too big...fillet, too long and flimsy...ahh..these will do for now.
He grabs two simple pairing knives.
short and effective.Walking slowly up the stairs. D'ogryn takes in his environment.
IF this is as bad as I think...Seaton and then Marker 10
Slowly he opens the door to see what damage has been down.
[dice=Stealth]1d20 + 11
You come to the door and you hear nothing from the other side. You go to unlock the door and you notice it is not locked. You tense as you realize this and open the door in a flash and step through. You immediately notice that your window is open and the curtains flutter in the breeze.
Your bed is messed up with the sheets and blanket on the floor but not in a mess. Everything in your room has been gone through but it was methodical in nature.
You move in and close the door behind you as you scan the room and see that there is no one inside any longer.
D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.
Time to get out of town.
The Group at Berian's Supply
Your entire group finishes up at Berian's and makes your way out. Bernot again wishes you well and lets you know if you need anything to please come see him or his father.
Soro's
The young man follows his friends out and straps on the healer's kit. "I am sure Peran, if he wants it, can use this." He taps the healer's kit. "Are we heading to the Coastal Road? Where exactly are we meeting again?"
Naia and Peran
After a nice meal and refreshing drinks the two of you get this net repaired. It takes a few hours to get it repaired but it is now serviceable.
It will need some additional fixes on a few of the spots but it is ready for use.
Peran can see that the net was well made. It is not a masterwork item but it is well made.
Rabalar shrugs. "I don't think it matters, really, since the paranoid point was to prevent people from seeing us work together like we just displayed in the store." as he points back in the direction of Berian's Supply. "But, yes, we were supposed to gather on the road outside of town." He sighs deeply. "I don't understand the source of a need to distrust everyone. We all belong to a community, and you have to trust your community to work together as a whole, or you are basically a hermit, whether you live in a village or in a cave by yourself."
"Actually," Ferona's voice is soft yet there is an undercurrent of anger underneath, "since my friends and myself have arrived here I have seen the brutal murders of two women, and been set upon by a vule gang of ruffians intent on OUR murder! This in but two days!" She turns to glare at the olf, "This...community, as you so eloquently put it, has some elements here that should frankly NOT be trusted!"
After a moment she calms herself and asks, "I presume you know of the fastest way to reach this house, correct Rabalar?"
Naia casts an assessing eye over Peran’s handiwork.
”Looks good Peran! Now I have to learn how to throw it without catching it on my own breeches. Or fingers. Or face. Or...anyway, we should go eh?” Naia gives her Nan a quick squeeze goodbye, and farewells any other relatives. She tries not to make too much of the parting, mostly in hope that she’ll see them again soon.
”C’mon Peran, we’re to meet out by the Coast Road. I had a bit of an argument with D’og there, the first time we went this way... I think sometimes I get a bit agitated and...well, say somethings in the heat of the moment, but now that I think about it more I think maybe it’s because....” she continues companionably as Peran either pays attention or not...
"Actually," Ferona's voice is soft yet there is an undercurrent of anger underneath, "since my friends and myself have arrived here I have seen the brutal murders of two women, and been set upon by a vule gang of ruffians intent on OUR murder! This in but two days!" She turns to glare at the olf, "This...community, as you so eloquently put it, has some elements here that should frankly NOT be trusted!"
"All communities require a culling every once in a while" - Grond grunts - "This one will be no different, though I have not experienced the same you have Miss Ferona - I have been very welcomed in this settlement thus far"
The olf watches as Ferona burns some of her frustrations. "Fair enough. But I ask you, how many of those involved are part of the community and how many are from outside? The escaped assassin and his companions were not known to the locals, for instance. Is any part of the community to blame for the choices outsiders make?" He takes a moment and indicates the assembled group as an example of outsiders to be considered.
"In any case, we just take the road out of town. Painfully simple and amazingly easy to watch. If the paranoia has logical support, then there will be somebody watching who will identify the group regardless. Would be foolish not to."
Peran says farewell to old Nan as well and follows Naia down the road to their meeting place.
"There is nothing wrong with speaking one's mind, but being mindful of others...well that is truly a skill we can all work at! As St. Cuthbert once said, 'Sometimes a hard truth needs to be thumped into people's heads!'."
Soros
The young Suel listens to the banter back and forth between his friends and new comrades at arms.
"I am of the mind to cease with the skulking about as well. Everyone knows who we are and what business we are about. At this point we need to shake the bushes a bit to see what falls out of them." He thinks a bit more...what he learned about the dealings that Ferona and her friends ran into present a new set of problems. "I do think that D'ogryn is right. He suspected that there is someone in town that is clearly up to no good. I am just not sure if what we are dealing with points to the guild master at all. Whatever is in that house is highly organized it would seem. Magic, assassins, spies...I mean for goodness sake this is Saltmarsh...a quiet fishing town! What would be the purpose here?" He nods in agreement with Rabalar... "No doubt...there will be eyes on us." He stops and picks up a few round stones that are small and puts them in a pouch. Grond looks at him..."Sling stones...nice ones...I don't like paying for them and these are perfect."
Grond shrugs and they keep walking south to the road they are meeting on.
The group makes their way down to the Coastal Road from Berian's Supply. Rabalar seems to be taking you a point that will put you east of Naia's family home.
Naia stops, hard. Peran realises after a moment it isn’t his words that stopped her, but something she peers at in the distance, down the road.
”Saint Who?” she says absentmindedly. ”He sounds pretty smart anyways.” she continues, almost by reflex as she still considers the distant view.
”Izzat Rab an’ the rest? I don’t see D’og...”
D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.
Time to get out of town.
D'ogryn turns and inspects the door and the room carefully trying to figure out how this person came in...was it the window or the door and then how did he leave. The young man is pretty rattled and is unable to figure out the ingress and egress of the person.
He moves over to the bed and inspects the bed, the top of it, under the mattress, and under the bed without touching it. Looking at how everything was handled.
Again it is hard to discern what this person was doing but it is clear by how the bed has been handled and the arrangement of the sheets their search was methodical in a nature.
D'ogryn turns to the dresser and book shelf. As he looks at it he feels sick for a moment as he sees his family recipe book is missing as are several other items. But that is not the thing he notices first. He notices the dagger that Rabalar gave him sticking in the top of the dresser with a page of his families recipe book (torn) stuck under it. The spring blade and the pair of daggers....D'ogryn looks around and begins to search for all the items he was carrying for the party and realizes much of it is missing.
90cp (Keolandish)
26 sp (Highport, Hold of Sea Princes, and County of Ulek)
1 river opal - walnut sized
2 river opals - walnut sized
2 sneezeweed vials (grenades)
7 freshwater pearls
Gold hoop earring
copper armband
silver earring
2 vials of goblin poison (bluish paste)
As D'ogryn begins to panick a bit and get angry at the situation especially when he thinks the armor is gone he realizes he left it down in the kitchen to dry after cleaning it and oiling it. He also realizes he has the bag of diamonds tucked away in his boot. He looks around once more, pissed at what he walked into, and tries again to figure out how this happened.
D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.
Time to get out of town.
D'ogryn turns and inspects the door and the room carefully trying to figure out how this person came in...was it the window or the door and then how did he leave. The young man is pretty rattled and is unable to figure out the ingress and egress of the person.
He moves over to the bed and inspects the bed, the top of it, under the mattress, and under the bed without touching it. Looking at how everything was handled.
As he breathes and regains some composure he starts to think like a predator and realizes whoever it was came into the door and went out the window. Wait...he looks at the window and realizes they opened it but they didn't go out it. The path of the search implies they started from the doorway and ended at the doorway in a circular pattern.
Naia and Peran as they walk east can in fact see that everyone is here but D'ogryn. Narciso and Rabalar both turn at about the same time to the west and see Naia and Peran walking down the Coast Road towards them.
Once out on the road again Narciso watches and listens to the various conversations. Considering how he and Grond had been greeted at the house he wonders about the spoken concerns. Had Naia been suspicious of them? Maybe, or maybe not. They seemed to be accepted now....
Turning to spot Naia and Peran approaching he just grins and waves. The group was almost all together and ready to continue to the house.
As the group finds a spot to wit for the others, Rab sits on the ground, crosses his legs, and leans back on his arms. He is either sunning himself, or just accepting the world around them, listening to what can be heard, smelling the air, and waiting peacefully.
When he notices the pair approaching, he lifts his left hand in acknowledgement, but stays where he is.
D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.
Time to get out of town.D'ogryn turns and inspects the door and the room carefully trying to figure out how this person came in...was it the window or the door and then how did he leave. The young man is pretty rattled and is unable to figure out the ingress and egress of the person.
[dice=perception]1d20+6+2
He moves over to the bed and inspects the bed, the top of it, under the mattress, and under the bed without touching it. Looking at how everything was handled.
[dice=perception]1d20+6+2
Again it is hard to discern what this person was doing but it is clear by how the bed has been handled and the arrangement of the sheets their search was methodical in a nature.
D'ogryn turns to the dresser and book shelf. As he looks at it he feels sick for a moment as he sees his family recipe book is missing as are several other items. But that is not the thing he notices first. He notices the dagger that Rabalar gave him sticking in the top of the dresser with a page of his families recipe book (torn) stuck under it. The spring blade and the pair of daggers....D'ogryn looks around and begins to search for all the items he was carrying for the party and realizes much of it is missing.
** spoiler omitted **
As D'ogryn begins to panick a bit and get angry at the situation especially when he thinks the armor is gone he realizes he left it down in the kitchen to dry after cleaning it and oiling it. He also realizes he has the bag of...
As Ferona settles in to await their companion D'Ogryn she smiles back at both Peran and Naia as they rejoin the group. "I hope D'Ogryn is not dallying here. Every moment we delay only strengthens our opposition." She nods anxiously as she turns to face the horizon, watchful of others approaching along the path.
Naia frowns.
”When did you see him last? Last I saw him was back at the hall...”
She looks back toward the town.
”Maybe we should send a few of us to find him?”
"Don't know if you'll find him. He's the one who was pushing for secrecy and not letting on that we would be heading out to the old house together. He could be coming the long way around to try to hide his intent. But, if you want, a couple of us can go looking for him. Nice day for a walk, after all."
Soros
He looks back at the harbor. "He was headed to the Merry Mermaid and his room to grab his gear. Rabalar is right he will not move around in the open though."
D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.
Time to get out of town.D'ogryn turns and inspects the door and the room carefully trying to figure out how this person came in...was it the window or the door and then how did he leave. The young man is pretty rattled and is unable to figure out the ingress and egress of the person.
[dice=perception]1d20+6+2
He moves over to the bed and inspects the bed, the top of it, under the mattress, and under the bed without touching it. Looking at how everything was handled.
[dice=perception]1d20+6+2
Again it is hard to discern what this person was doing but it is clear by how the bed has been handled and the arrangement of the sheets their search was methodical in a nature.
D'ogryn turns to the dresser and book shelf. As he looks at it he feels sick for a moment as he sees his family recipe book is missing as are several other items. But that is not the thing he notices first. He notices the dagger that Rabalar gave him sticking in the top of the dresser with a page of his families recipe book (torn) stuck under it. The spring blade and the pair of daggers....D'ogryn looks around and begins to search for all the items he was carrying for the party and realizes much of it is missing.
** spoiler omitted **
As D'ogryn begins to panick a bit and get angry at the situation especially when he thinks the armor is gone he realizes he left it down in the kitchen to dry after cleaning it and oiling it. He also realizes he has the bag of...
D'ogryn sees that his first instincts were spot on. Claiming what was salvageable from his belongings and anything that was left over from the groups short adventures. The former cook makes his way down stairs to claim a few bits of travel food. Enough to last him a few weeks of hard travel. One last look around the kitchen that was his home, he sighs and leaves out the back door.
Seeing that it does not matter hoe he goes about town anymore. He takes one of the diamonds from the pouch and heads to a person that he knows will sell him a horse and some gear.
When all is said and down the young man is ready to leave town for good.
Once he gets out of town, he meets up with the others and drops off at their feet what is left of the items from their adventures.
It seems that not only does everyone know of our business in town but also your enemy knows where I lived. This is what remains of the items we have.
He pulls forth the pouch of diamonds from his boot and tosses the bag onto the pile.
My home has been violated and my family is at risk. I will not put them in harms way any longer. I am sorry but I am leaving town. I wish you luck at the house. You will need it.
With those last words spoken he spurs his new horse into a run and heads out of town.
Grond raises an eyebrow as D’ogryn departs, then looks around at the group in silence.
Naia tries to stop D’ogryn.
”This....is as much your enemy as it is ours. Don’t let a murderer make us fracture - we are only weaker as a whole for it. ” The characteristic Temlow anger, never far from the surface and all too ready to boil over. She fixes the cook with a fierce look.
And don’t try to make it ours alone D’og - you were just as much a part of the group at the House.” she finishes staunchly.
"How is fleeing this town going to help save your family D'Ogryn?" Ferona calls out to the fleeing man. "They are in even more danger than before true, but the real solution is to take the battle to them, not allow them to set the rules. We know where they are hiding. Come it is time to expose them and end their perfidy."
The olf shakes his head. "Your home has been violated, so you choose to flee rather than defend it? Your family is at risk, so you leave them behind to face the risk without you? Your caution suggested you think deeper than that, D'Og. I won't stop you, but I believe you will regret this action.
Naia stamps her foot in frustration, and as ever her frustration cools as quickly as it bubbled over. She becomes thoughful, a wistful look passing over her face as she watches the retreating horse and rider.
”I get it tho’ Rab. It’s not cowardice. It’s fear. Neither of which are rational. I’ve had the range of both in the past three days, and to be honest, at any particular moment I don’t know which one I’m trying to master. On the boat, there’s both, but it’s light and you can see the way forward, smell the target, trust your instincts and the ship, the spray, your body. Here, it’s all darkness and unknowns, and for D’og, every shadow, every shape is a threat. Maybe something in his past shook him up...”
Naia smiles impishly.
”Or it was that ghost he clear jumped through the window to escape from!”
She spits on the ground, her expectoration perhaps a metaphysical line, or spot rather in the sand.
”He’s gone. So let’s go too.”
Farewell D’og, may we meet again and may you find the safety you seek...
Soros
Soros goes to say something but listens to Naia and the rest. He decides to not say what is on his mind. Instead he walks over and picks up all the stuff that D'ogryn left on the ground. He dusts it off handing the waxed parchment with the two scrolls inside to Peran who he knows is a Cleric and could use them. There are two spells inside that might be useful to you. One is called Dancing Lanterns and the other is called Divine Trident. Both are imbued with a good deal of divine power from what I can tell.
He looks at the other documents that D'ogryn found in the house. "These might be useful to us later. Maybe not but we have them." He puts them away in his robe. There is a sack he picks it up...in it are three torches and four oil flasks and the masterwork studded leather armor... Soros picks up the contents putting the four flasks of oil in his pack and the three torches he straps to his pack. He picks up the armor. "Someone will need this I presume? I was able to discern that the armor is enchanted and is the armor from the man we found near the kitchen...the one with the big centipedes in it. Looks like D'ogryn cleaned and oiled it. Appears to be in good condition. If it is in fact what I suspect it to be it should fit any of you as well as your own skin."
He looks to the north where D'ogryn road towards. "May your fortunes and luck go with you D'ogryn. May the gods grant you safety." He sighs and puts his pack back on his back as he leaves the armor laid on the ground for whoever needs it.
Shaking his head as Soros sorts through what D'Og left behind, the olf almost laughs at the armor. He looks about the group. "Only 5 of us wearing light armor to bicker over that. Probably best worn by someone who plans to get in close. Same type of armor Naia's already wearing. The lamaller's heavier. Our leather jerkins much lighter. Seems like an easy choice. Might want to see if we can adjust her current armor for Narciso, while we're at it."
Peran nods to Soros as he takes the waxed parchment.
"My thanks. I shall try to use them in the best way to help the party. May St. Cuthbert guide us to the truth and safely deliver us all from harm."
Soros
"Well, I know how to make it but I am not one who needs to wear it. So that decision is left up to those of you that need it the most. I would think Naia but as you said Grond, Narciso, even our new companions Antas and Peran might have use of it."
He turns and looks at the group. "Lot of changes in our group since we first started this little venture of our. We probably need to discuss at some point what each of us is good at. Like we did in the beginning." He pauses to see if anyone would chime in as they work out who will don the armor.
Narciso is shocked at Dogryn's words, for once too much to even speak. He just listens as the man's friends try to change his mind.
"Grond and I weren't with the team that found the armor, and I do my best to avoid direct melee so count me out."
Naia stares at the armor, somewhat taken aback by the care being shown, and a tiny part of her ego somewhat bruised hoping against hope folk aren’t treating her like a kid.
[b]”Well, Grond is looking more likely to be toe to toe with...folks...so he could wear it?!?[/b[“
Ferona watches D'Ogryn vanish off into the distance wiyj a feeling of trepidation in her heart.
Master Tiver would not have understood this. Fleeing your enemies does not defeat them....I miss him so!
Pulling her mind back to the present she nods in reply to Soros, clearing her throat. "I am Ferona Ardomil, late of the Great Kingdom , now a traveler into the Keolands. I am a very accomplished scribe," here she exposes her Guild Pin for the Scrivener's Guild, "and I have studied many esoteric topics...along with topics of an arcane nature." she smiles grimly, "While a scribe was my chosen profession, I feel I must also add investigator to my growing resume."
In the meantime, Grond checks the leather armor thoroughly - "It is an impressive piece of armor, that much is true. It would most likely provide an adequate replacement to my own - not as resistant, but much lighter and mobile"