Lia blushes a bit.
"Oh, um... I just tipped her for being such a hard worker. I didn't know you were waiting for food."
She relaxes and sits next to the colorfully-garbed man. "She's in the kitchen now, preparing your food. Although I am curious as to why your companion was so... threatening with the cooks."
Aerodus nods. "Absalom, huh? Never been there myself. What brings you all the way here?"
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Venator
”Oh don’t worry, he’s like that, which tends to get us into trouble”
”Business, there is far more to be made here than back home, less competition”
Aerodus
Though not normally one to eavesdrop, Auren kept an ear cocked in the blonde swordswoman's general direction. She was the same girl who had remarked about the quality of the food earlier. And together with the bearded man's oddly dressed friend, the two were conversing just a few feet away.
The young cleric hadn't moved from his spot at the bar, although his back was turned to it so he could avoid eye contact with the bartender for as long as possible. It seemed that the events of the evening were taking a turn for the strange, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to tough it out and stay, or leave and find some other quieter and cleaner place to crash for the night.
"You mean this isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened?" Lia asks, paling slightly.
"May I ask what brings you down this road? I'm riding with a caravan heading to Sandpoint myself." She asks, changing the subject.
Lia pauses, the gears turning in her head.
"Wait--so when your companion threatened to 'lift protection' from those cooks, he was referring to a plague instead of something like a racketeering thing?"
...that would explain a lot, actually.
"This plague you're talking about hasn't reached Sandpoint yet, has it?" She asks, fidgeting in her seat.
Jirani, who had been hovering near Lia and Aerodus when they approached the kitchen, listens intently to the exchange between the fiery Chelaxian and the stranger from "Absalom"...Jirani's home. Not wanting to interrupt the inquisitor stands nearby, moving to see the other newcomers moving about, and noting the half-elf engrossed in an apparently fidget worthy conversation.
Noting the presence of not one but two clerics Jirani nods to himself. He had been called to this place. Seeing other servants of such gods only felt like confirmation that, indeed, something of meaning was occurring.
Jirani listens to the stranger in front of Aerodus and attempts to get a sense of his genuineness.
Venator holds his ground to try to see the thing better, waiting to see if they are digging it out or burying it, and what to they do after. They are free to do whatever they want...
Aerodus says, "Come on. There has to be more than that. Why did you come to Sandpoint specifically?"
Andando strolled through the darkness of night, his black cloak drawn around him. At least it isn't all that cold he thought to himself cheerily. It would be nice to reach this forsaken inn though. I swear I'm getting close.
Following the path for another few minutes, Andando sees the light of inn off in the distance. Approaching at a casual stroll, he spots the caravan out front. Hmm, unusual for a caravan to stay at so small an inn. Best not disturb anyone.
Focused on remaining unseen, Andando reaches the steps of the inn, jogging up them and throwing his cloak back into a more open display of his figure. Time to see whats what With that, he entered the inn, allowing a moment for his eyes to adjust from the dark to the dim light of the inn. Any who look upon him see a man of average height with a slender muscular build. Disturbingly beautiful for a man, his raven hair has a healthy sheen and his eyes are emerald green. He is adorned with a simple cloak over well used and even better kept supple leather armor, blacker than the night. To any really looking they would see the hilts of two blades crossed at the waist behind his back.
Flashing a wickedly charming grin, Andando greets the patrons of the inn, "Good evening." he states while digging into his pouch for a silver piece. "To whom would I speak about the consumption of spirits?" he asks.
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”Well sure, there are so many more things to see in the wilds, less competition and more secrets to find; Adventure is why were here”
Jirani
Aerodus
Venator
”Ay girl, what can I get you?”
Ugghh, they let that troll touch things in here? Striding with a cat like grace to the bar, Andando sits and smiles at the revolting man.
"Good ser I will have your finest wine. And a plate of whatever the cook has prepared for the evening" he says in a courteous voice.
Slightly mortified at the bottle, Andando asks in a sarcastic tone, "What sort of cooks don't "share" the food they make with paying patrons?"
Staring at the reddish liquid, feeling the parched status of his throat, Andando politely accepts a glass of the "wine" thanking the barkeep and tipping him a copper.
Lia cringes as she hears the new arrival stroll in and order a meal.
Should I warn him? ...nah. Let him find out on his own.
She turns back to the colorful man. "You're an herbalist, then? Someone knowledgeable with medicine?"
Almost by instinct Jirani fishes out the silver symbol of Pharasma from his clothes and places it over his clothes, he does this without overt attention almost as if acting on some resolve or notion.
Jirani leans forward to Aerodus from his spot in the kitchen, Sir? A word?
The Garundi man gestures to the warrior to step out of the kitchen with him a moment.
"Looks like this place will have to do," Auren muttered under his breath. Sandpoint was too far away to reach before midnight and he didn't know of any other establishments nearby. But before he could return his attention back to his ignored tankard of ale, his ear caught the word plague drifting over from the conversation he was half-listening in on.
As the Theologian began to edge closer to the blonde and the gentleman she was talking to, he noted the arrival of yet another traveler. Popular place for such poor service. It must be blessed by a total lack of competition, he surmised, cynically. Turning his focus back to the task at hand, he slowly approached the half-elven girl and cleared his throat. "Excuse my interruption, but I thought I overheard someone mention that there's sickness in the area. Is there some sort of epidemic going on?"
Auren almost wanted to ask if the people getting sick had eaten the food from the inn, but refrained from making the sarcastic comment.
Lia turns to address the cleric as he approaches.
"Well, apparently Sandpoint is dealing with some sort of plague. They're doing alright for now, but they're starting to run out of supplies, or so I've been told." She says.
She blushes. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Lia. Lia Vantas." She says, scratching her head.
Turning to the odd Garundi, he sees the holy symbol. He accompanies the man. "What do you want, priest? If you want me to join your church, then I have to say that I'm not interested."
Andando moves to the group, "Pardon me my good people, but did I happen to hear mention of a plague? Horrid and dreadful if so, those poor poor people. Perhaps there is something we could do to help them? Not tonight of course, no, much to late in the evening for the curing of plagues."
Tilting his head in a polite nod, the sandy-haired cleric greeted Lia back. "I'm Auren, a missionary from Absalom," he told her. Glancing at the person she'd been speaking with, he wondered about the strange man's choice of attire, or lack thereof. It was hard to take the guy seriously when he wasn't wearing any pants or shoes, but he spoke of Blackscour which wasn't a topic to make light of. Is he really an herbalist? he thought, questioningly.
As he pondered over the herbalist's legitimacy, Auren watched the newest arrival to the inn approach the small group. Apparently, he was attracted by the mention of plague as well, since news of such a thing was important to travelers so that they'd know what areas to avoid. "It sounds like some people in Sandpoint have contracted Blackscour," he informed the newcomer.
Turning to the odd Garundi, he sees the holy symbol. He accompanies the man. "What do you want, priest? If you want me to join your church, then I have to say that I'm not interested."
Jirani offers a broad smile. No, sir, I am not a cleric...at least not in the way you are thinking. My goddess will have you some day, it is not necessary you commit to her...I pulled you aside because I wanted to bring your attention to a couple of things. I, like you, believe this man hides his true purpose but I have been watching the young half-elf and others meeting with this other man and they seem agitated. I suggest, perhaps, that this man in the kitchen will tell us little else but perhaps talking with this other man, seeing what the others have learned, may greater answer the mystery of the strange tone in this place?
"Um... Blackscour? What's that?"
"Wait... Blackscour... isn't that a fungal disease? It comes from swamps, doesn't it?" Lia asks, if only to sate her own curiosity.
Turning to the odd Garundi, he sees the holy symbol. He accompanies the man. "What do you want, priest? If you want me to join your church, then I have to say that I'm not interested."Jirani offers a broad smile. No, sir, I am not a cleric...at least not in the way you are thinking. My goddess will have you some day, it is not necessary you commit to her...I pulled you aside because I wanted to bring your attention to a couple of things. I, like you, believe this man hides his true purpose but I have been watching the young half-elf and others meeting with this other man and they seem agitated. I suggest, perhaps, that this man in the kitchen will tell us little else but perhaps talking with this other man, seeing what the others have learned, may greater answer the mystery of the strange tone in this place?
Aerodus frowns slightly. "Very well. Let's go talk to his partner." The archer walks to the table, eyeing the half-elf warily and with a scowl on his face. He then turns to the colorfully dressed man. "Maybe you know what's going on around here. Your partner is hiding something. I want to know what. Tell me." He ends this in a growl.
Aerodus's eyes turn a glowing crimson. His blood is pumping quickly, with the faint sounds of 'they lie' and 'kill them'.
As his eyes return to their normal shade of icy blue, he turns to the others. "Did you guys learn anything?"
He detects magic on whatever the box have.
Aerodus looks at the colorful man and nods. "If that's the case, then I apologize. I learned early on that I can't truly trust anyone. It's just a natural instinct at this point. So, what do the locals need this medicine for?"
Watching the red headed archer freak out some and intensify, Andando is unsettled momentarily as light in the mans eyes flare up. He quickly regains his flawless composure though and walks behind the man.
Leaning against the bar next to Lia and flashing a roguish grin at the archer, he responds, "Blackscour, my frightening friend, a nasty plague I'm afraid. I sure though that as long as we all drink enough fluids that come from anywhere other than this bar we'll all be fine."
Having said his part on that he turns to the Lady, "My Lady, I believe you said your name was Lia?" he kisses her hand and then steps back to flourish his cloak like a grand cape. "I am called Andando Morte!" he declares finishing with an immpressive bow.
Aerodus turns to the rogue and scoffs. "Blackscour, huh? Well, maybe if they kept this place hygienic, then we wouldn't be having this problem."
Aerodus looks at the group. "Oh. So now we're introducing ourselves. Fine. Aerodus. Don't ask about my last name. I threw it away a long time ago."
Lia's eyes widen and she chuckles nervously as Andando kisses her hand, folding her arms behind her back. It's not a very comfortable way to sit.
"You know, Andando, you remind me a lot of my Dad." She finally says.
Aerodus seems to be thinking too much that he didn't hear the clinking. But he does notice the chain shirt. He looks at the half-elf. "Tell me, mage, why are you wearing armor? I thought that magic users couldn't wear armor because it restricts their movements."
Lia looks over at Aerodus, a bit confused by his confrontational tone.
"Well, you got the first syllable right. You left off the second."
She stands, drawing her sword and resting its tip on the floor.
"I'm a magus. In essence, I dedicate myself to wielding sword & spell with equal grace." She says with a quick snap of her fingers. A crude stick figure of herself appears in her free hand with a *POP*.
"I guess you could say I'm a spellsword." She says, giggling a little.
A pause.
"Yeah, that was lame. I'm sorry." She says, visibly embarrassed. The stick figure topples from her hand and shatters into nothingness on the floor.
The salt and pepper Garundi gestures to himself, ]Jirani, of Absalom, servant of the Lady of Graves. A pleasure to meet you all.]
Jirani had noted the eyes of the intense Chelaxian but for now he choose to simply be polite.
Not missing a beat as the half elven woman compares him to her dad Andando smoothly retorts "Your father must be a handsome man of refinement, cunning and guile." he responds confidently but doesn't press the issue of Lia's obvious and, in his opion, unwarranted distate of him.
to see if he recalls anything about the plague or Sandpoint.
Aerodus, you seem particularly confrontational my friend, such paranoia is unhealthy, I swear the stress of it will drive you straight into the grave." he says in a friendly concerned tone.
"AHAHA!" he heartily laughs at Lia's joke "Magical indeed, a fine show!" as she drops the figure he attempts to catch it with a quick dart of his hand.
He frowns to himself for a second as the spell is released and the figure falls through his hand though he was positioned to catch it.
Turning to Jirani, "A powerful friend indeed, Jirani" he unconsciously fiddles with a small bag at his belt.