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Anibal nonchalantly checks his fingernails for any undesirable materials, and decides to chip in the conversation himself.
"I can't speak for the Pathfinders here, but I am in no position to make such a decision. I would be surprised if anyone here would be, to be perfectly honest. Perhaps you should discuss this with Valsin directly, Mr. Passad?"
He ever so slightly lifts his sight to not seem disrespectful when speaking, but returns to the fingernails soon after.
"Nothing we can really influence, my friend.", he responds to Luurg. "At least I don't believe we can. Who knows?"
He shrugs, and puts the wide hat back on after shaking the water out of it.
As Passad offers a potion of cure serious wounds Metelka speaks up.
“Yes, Temel has his bejeweled fingers in many pies and can offer cheaper wares, but consider the advantages of a business relationship with my mercantile concern: our network is many centuries old, and the quality of our goods is unrivaled. Furthermore, an arrangement with a firm with such deep roots in the Five Kings Mountains would reinforce the military alliance the Society is already negotiating.”
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"im always interested in expanding my network but this isnt the time or place to discuss such matters. Let us talk after you are safe and we have completed this task."
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Luurg seems quite distracted by the pile of coins and gems and doesn't converse too much with the others about where exactly the Pathfinders should lay their business, but his keen ears pick on the conversation just the same.
"You guys trade in fruits? Maybe we can come to some deals just 'tween me and you? I'mma expert, we'll be rich!" His eyes gleam a bit as he takes a bite into a ripe apple with a crunch and a spray of sweet sweet juice.
Metella gives a potion of bears endurance as a sign of good faith. "I was simply stating we can offer better wares at a better price. A deal with the Society would be mutually beneficial."
Near dusk, the captain of the boat points out a pleasant country inn up a hill on the north shore of the Glass River, where a small dock offers a berth for the Abacus.
Passad and the envoys chime in "We will wait out the night in our cabins while you execute your mission at the Gray Revelation Inn."
Before leaving the boat, Amauhak speaks up "I advise you to refrain from violence on Razmiri soil if it can be helped."Metella and Passad, in rare agreement, concur.
A stone path leads from the dock about 200 yards through some light tree cover to the villa. All appearances suggest a very cozy establishment.
A sign above wide wooden gates reads, “Welcome to the Gray Revelation Inn.” The gate leans open invitingly, and the smell of fresh flowets wafts on the cool breeze.
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"Noted.", Anibal responds to the dwarves. On their way to the inn, Anibal addresses the pathfinders. "We probably shouldn't go in together. I'll be in the building in a few minutes, but I'll take a look around first."
With that said, he puts on his wide hat, casts a short incantation and heads heads off into the darkness.
Not in a hurry, he slowly sneaks around the building for a while, checking windows with sources of light in them, and any signs of guards or the like.
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Guy enters the inn with the 'merchant group', an easy smile on his face after providing a Touch of Glory (+4) for himself and any others in the merchant group.
As the Pathfinders make their way to get rooms they pass through the courtyard.
The profusion of flowers planted around this lovely courtyard fills the air with an enchanting fragrance. An oaken door to the north is the obvious entrance to the inn, while south are the broad doors of a stable. Wooden gates allow egress to west and east, and a roofed well lies at the east end of the main court.
As you enter the Courtyard you are greeted by Rosh. Rosh, a slow-witted, mute young man serves as a modestly skilled smith and stable boy. He signs to you with hand motions and grimaces. His a affliction is apparent, and he leads you to the common room.
Dark oaken tables, chairs and benches fill this comfortable, L-shaped common room, and the faint odors of tobacco and ale permeate the air. Narrow windows with panes of smoked glass along the north and south walls allow some light into this welcoming space.
A old matronly woman clad in peasant clothing and an apron sits at the centermost table of this room. Her voluminous white hair is piled atop her head and secured in a conservative bun. She wears a red scarf about her neck and a wry smile on her face. This is Addas Grymble, eldest of the three sisters who run this establishment.
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Guy is not bluffing. Everything he says is the absolute truth. If you still need a roll, here it is...
He's saving his +4 for a diplomacy roll.
"Hello, I'm Guy. I'm a bit of a scholar and am very interested in this new religion concerning your local god. If I could get something to drink I'll just mingle and record what I find out. Is that OK with you?"
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Luurg heads through the courtyard with the others, he gawks a bit at the fancy place, scratching his head somewhat as he figures out why the guy outside isn't speaking. "OOOh! Huh. Can't talk, dats no gud! Can you talk in yer 'ed? Best talkin comes from in yer 'ed anyways." He shakes the guys hand and heads along with the others.
Once inside the actual inn Luurg's jaw really drops "Such a nice hut you have dare Missus! We stayin in dis nice place? You got somewheres Luurg can hang his hammock?" He looks around for some sturdy posts or rafters and pulls on them a bit to test their strength.
"Looking for trade, you say? You may have free reign at my inn, I hopes it meets your needs. Business has been slow, all the farmers and shepherds who frequent our inn are off to Xer for a major market day. We have a single guest room at 5sp a night. We have a fine guest room that fits three for 3gp a night. At last we have a lavish guest room for 5gp per night." As she waits for your reply she looks around at the party.
"We are not religious folk but simply serve without bias all who come our way. As they say, “Hospitality is our creed, though we honor the Living God as our overlord”
"Sisters! she yells out.
Two woman walk out from the kitchen. Eugenia wears a yellow scarf around her neck, a common garment among Pahmet dwarves. Gap-toothed Tarsi speaks up "You must be hungry! Look how skinny you are!" she looks around at the party. " We are canning fruit and making jam, and also have a nice beef stew cooking on the fire if you are hungry."
The sisters look at the party."We will take you to your rooms."
The scarf worn by Eugenia looks very familiar. It looks identical to the one worn by Amauhak.
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Guy sighs, remembering how his mother used to say the same thing, trying to put muscle on his scrawny frame. Then he looks at Lurg and wonders at the woman's sanity.
"Well, I WAS hoping for enlightened conversation, but I'll admit that settling into a comfortable room sounds appealing. I expect the inn will perk up when it gets nearer to nightfall?"
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Luurg's ears perk up and his eyes widen a bit as they mention canning fruit and jam, a small tendril of drool can be seen forming in the corners of his mouth, he takes a step towards the back room from whence they came "Yes dare! Luurg's famished! What sort of fruit n jam did you say den?" He waves the others along as he does his best to keep the speed at which he heads to the back kitchen reasonable.
"Mind if I sample deez tings ok?" It sounds far more of a statement than a question however.
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When Anibal finishes looking around, he walks to the inn's door, clears the mud from his boots on some wet grass and strides into the establishment. The party is already in full swing, and Luurg providing an ample distraction by beelining for one of the back rooms, he grins and walks up to the bar: "Hi there! I'd like a mug of ale and something to eat."
He counts whatever money the service asks for, and adds 2 gold coins and lowers his voice. "And some juicy gossip, if you have any. A man has to distract himself once in a while and this seems like a place to look for it."
Eugenia leads the Pathfinders to their room.
"How long will you be staying? If you have not all ready paid I will need payment upfront. Perhaps later I can share some gossip and this scarf was a gift from a guest a long time ago. "
Silk sheets and a thick comforter cover the large bed in this lavish chamber. These are among the few guest rooms that boast a window, though these are tall and narrow.
Before leaving Eugenia speaks up.
"We allow overnight guest the use of our guest den. We have some apples in our jam. If that is all I will leave you to your rooms."
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Luurg stays downstairs and hangs out in the kitchen, eying up the fruit jams and cans greedily. "So umm... deez fer supper or... I'mma big fan of apples! The healy fruit! Maybe teach me sumtin 'bout puttin jams and dem jars? I can help peel 'em if you want!"
He looks around for a knife to peel with, and anything else he may come across of interest!
Shiva heads off to the stables.
You discover an iron holy symbol of Torag partially obscured by dust and straw near the stable’s entrance.
An expansive smithy is set up in the west end of the stable, one corner of it occupied by a small cot and a neat pile of clothing. To the east stretch a number of stalls for horses and other animals.
You notice a mount and and riding accoutrements are missing. The southeasternmost stall contains an unbroken mare that snorts, whinnies, and stamps its hooves restlessly.
Luurg heads off into the kitchen.
A tasty stew bubbles in a large black cauldron in the fireplace, and the counters are covered with bushels of cherries and apples in varying stages of being made into jam and canned. Barrels and casks of various spirits are found here along with mugs and other tableware. A knife used for peeling sits on the counter.
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Luurg snatches up the knife after a bit of searching and takes a seat in what he hopes is a sturdy chair to eat and clean fruit with the women "So umm... where you get such good fruits? Deez cherries and apples pretty nice n tasty. Farmers you say all off to big market in Xer? Where's dat at?"
He continues to make small talk with the women and help cook, clean and taste test any and all fruit. He doesn't seem very interested in the stew if offered. As odd a sight as it seems, Luurg is really enjoying himself in the kitchen. The same can't be said about the cooks appreciation of Luurg and his habits and consumption level in the kitchen...
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"Guy want to join me in the guest den. We'll see if anything interesting is going on there right now."
Einn takes a seat in the guest den with a sigh. "That was a long trip here. Too much adventure for me." She looks around for anyone to speak with. For the first time her scorpion climbs out of her hair and sits on her shoulder.
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Talking to herself and to ricta."this is strange to be laying out here i wonder wgo dropped it." she bends down and picks up the holy symboland sticks it in her pocket."i wonder if the person who left out on the horse dropped it."
She will investigate the empty stall and around the rest of the stables looking for more clues.
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Guy joins Einn, just glad not to be left alone in a dangerous place. He seems to be a bit nervous even so, sporting a worried expression and checking over his shoulder more often than necessary.
"Nice place. The hostess was accommodating, the food seems better than average, and I like the room. Do you know anything about religion? Who do you worship?"
Lacking any locals to ply, Guy is all too willing to get into a philosophical discussion with just about anyone willing to go there. He also loves a good talk about history, politics, and arcane matters.
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I don't think this is the place to talk about worshiping other gods than Razmir. I can get you thrown out of the country. I am interested in your history. Where are you from?"
Einn is happy to talk about Guy's past if he is interested in sharing. She can't share much about her missions since they have mostly revolved around messing with Razmiran priests.
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"Thuvia, mostly, though I was born in Galt. My parents say I'm lucky to be alive and don't say much about their lives before Thuvia, but I can guess why they left and why they are always so nervous about unexpected visitors. Something I'm afraid I've picked up from them. I joined the church because I love it. I fit in. It doesn't matter that I'm small and suck at athletics, and Sarenrae is by far the coolest deity out there. Most of the clerics. I'll admit, are half warrior, but they have a place for scholars like me too, and I feel like I'm making a positive impact on the world. I'm also a bit of a glory hound too, I'll admit. all those years of being mocked for my size has given me a thirst for recognition. Anyway, enough about who I am. What can you tell me about the history of this country and why it is so dangerous to bring up other deities?"
Anibal goes to check out the other rooms.
Guy and Einn check out the guest den.
This cozy room is dominated by a large replace. A few tables and upholstered chairs offer repose for guests of the inn, and assorted rugs of Qadarin manufacture cover the floor.
Shiva continues her exploration of the stalls and approaches the whining horse. As you approach the horse you begin to notice it is doing the same movements over and over. You feel as though this is a dream.
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"this is strange." shiva murmers as she approaches the closed stall with the horse.
to investigate the stall
to investigate the horse
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Luurg spends quite a bit of time enjoying fruit and jams and talking to himself before he finally looks up from his sticky hands and red smeared face to find he's the only one in the room. "Huh, dey leave already?" He then finally wipes his hands on a rag a bit and heads out to wander the inn to find the others.
As Shiva looks at the horse she sees that it is an illusion. As she gets close you see right through the horse. Some type of spell was cast to put it there. As you open the stall door further a cascade of rocks and metal tools hot you on the head from a trap above the door.
After the debris settle you notice a trap door covered by hay.
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Rubbing her head she will go back to the inn and find her companions.
"yall i found something interesting out in the stables." she will pull the iron holy symbol out of her pocket and show it to them. "there is also a trap door out in one of the stalls i think it would be wise if we all went and checked it out together."
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