Ah, someone else has heard of the free booze trick
"I'll have the stew, and my, er, pet here will have a plate of raw ground mince" Loupe smiles up at Ameiko.
The large man took himself away from his search halfway through the inn owner's little speech, he listened to her go on about how their food and drinks were on this Foxglove they found cowering behind those barrels, and felt a certain appreciation for the gift she was giving them...then again he's always felt appreciative to girls who worked at inns, after all, they had to deal with people like him.
"I'll have some of that Curry Spiced Salmon, beautiful" Said Karl as he shuffled his shoulders "Anything you can tell me about the town I just helped save?" Asked Karl his voice simmering with a slight sense of confidence, he was surprised how quick he returned to this hero charade, but in all honesty he hoped Ameiko would mention to him something about whatever small underworld presence this town had...if it had any.
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Zander followed Sten and the group back to the Rusty Dragon in quiet contemplation. They do good deeds, but they seem so bloodthirsty, and seem to have roused that feeling in me. I have taken lives of evil beings before, but this time felt different.
The offer of food and free lodging rouses the cleric from his musings. "I'll take whatever you feel my deeds have earned me milady. Thank you."
Ahh I'll have what ever you have that meaty and tasty. Thanks. to Ameiko
Hmm This Karl, is hunting someone too, I wonder who he is looking for.
Looking around for seedier looking characters also.
Tevok could be any of these people in here, be a shame if those goblins beat me too him
Talking to the party, Vishoon, Bounty Hunter here, I'm here to settle some business with a man, Tevok. You all fought well in defending this place, from those vile goblins.
Looking to see if that name means something to anyone.
Dair once more flashes a charming grin at his friend "Hiya Ame! Yea, we fought pretty hard out there. Mr Foxglove, hmm, do I know him?." He ponders that for a bit.
"Anyways, I'll have my usual love." Ame doesn't mind the affectionate term from the halfling, and she returns a slightly playful smile.
Loupe looks abashed
"Thanks Vishoon. I'm kicking myself for not being properly prepared for a fight - and for wasting magic on fireworks earlier!"
"Ahh but these meals do tend to be too fancy for my palate lass, do you happen to have any boar or ham? Maybe with a nice bit of potato and a good salad, maybe as a good salad even. If not then whatever the house special will do nicely. Whatever you have on tap to drink would be a fair sight as well." Sten will sit back and let the rest of his companions speak, listening intently to their stories.
"Haven't heard that name in town...I've only been here for a few days" Said Karl as he shifted his eyes to the half-orc "But should I hear anything about him, telling you would mean a lot to you would it not?" He asked, his wicked grin taking shape on his lips, as a plan comes together in his mind
"The mongrel I am looking for marks his kills with bloody trails made using four fingers, guards in Korvosa started calling him 'The Bloody Four'" Said the mercenary, his voice becoming something akin to a growl of anger when he mentioned the nickname of the killer he was seeking "You hear anything about him or find a body with his mark and I'll share any news I find on this Tevok, deal?" Karl laid his offer before Vishoon, if they were both hunting certain men down it would make sense to cooperate, especially since this half-orc claims to be a bounty hunter, which would be just the kind of person Karl would need help from Would be nice if I found an information broker in this town... He thought as he awaited Vishoon's answer.
Hmmm I wonder why he wants this killer, Probably killed some of his family. No matter if he can help me find Tevok, then all the better.
Turning towards Karl, Deal!
Hopefully this man comes through with some cash tomorrow, so I can get some help finding Tevok.
Turning toward the rest of the table So what brings the rest of you here?
Having closed a deal with the bounty hunter in the group made Karl feel a bit more at ease with the accomplishments of today, but something did not make sense to him, an army of goblins being lead by a human who was interested in the town's graveyard. He knew goblin attacks were common; he even heard that Sandpoint has been suffering such attacks for quite a while, but this seemed more organized...especially considering the enemy they fought. Karl didn't particularly care about the citizens of Sandpoint or the town itself, but while he was staying here he needed the town to be...functional; disarray and chaos made for poor investigating and working conditions, so finding the origin of this attack may just be the key to stabilizing any future plans he had while he stayed here.
His eyes shifted to Loupe as he continued on this train of thought He and Dairkal have been here the longest, and Loupe specifically would actually try to learn more about possible attacks or goblin invasions as they mean more or less gold in his pockets He turned in his spot to face the craftsman and made sure that the attention he was giving Loupe was not secretive or hidden.
"Loupe, you've been living here for a while now, did you hear about any goblin attacks similar to this one?" He asked, his voice carrying a twinge of inquisitiveness that was hidden beneath a veil of disinterest and casualness.
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Seeing that no one answered Vishoon’s question, Zander responds, ”I’m here because of the festival celebrating the resurrection of the temple. I am a wandering missionary by trade, spreading the word of Shelyn. I was a few towns over when I heard of the festival from a merchant. Shelyn is such an underappreciated deity, did you know that? Everyone praises Erastil and Sarenae when the harvest is good, and Desna for the nightly wonders and for safe travels. Torag has an entire race that worships him almost exclusively. Do you know what Shelyn has? A preconceived notion that everyone is a bunch of beatniks or sycophants! They don’t see that Shelyn touches everyone’s lives everyday! An orator who moves people to tears with their words- Shelyn. A craftsman of any type who works their craft into something appealing- Shelyn. Loupe, can you say the drawing there on the wall is not a thing of beauty? I thought not. The inner beauty of people and things are reflected in the actions of nearly everyone, and it’s high time people realize that and respect the woman that flowers bloom just to see her smile!” Suddenly, Zander realizes he’s gone on a bit of a rant, reddens a shade or three, and stuffs some of his dinner into his mouth.
I'm sorry I must say, I don't know this Shelyn, Your clerics probably don't travel to the northern mountains of Isseren much. A cold area with not much food.
And if they did, they were probably killed and eaten
SO who is this temple dedicated to?
"Well" Loupe stutters "Yeah, I had heard of Shelyn, I guess, I mean..."
"Most people focus on baser desires, rather than beauty..."
Sten shifts in his seat at Zander's words."Boy you know nothing of Dwarven gods do you? Why Just because Torag is first among many does not mean we only worship him. Why I give devotion Angradd every day and ask his aid in strengthening my Derger. I pray Trudd strengthens my arm so I may more swiftly break mine enemies upon the ground. Kols keeps my oaths clear, Folgrit my soul from weariness, Dranngvit my vengeance pure, Grundinnar my meetings civil, and even Magrim will see my soul finds purpose when I end. True we revere Torag, who forged the world and gave us life, who's forge fire lights our path and who's anvil clangs are the beat of our hearts. That does not mean we worship the rest of the pantheon any less."
"I believe this temple is dedicated to several deities, Shelyn among them. While I personally worship Lady Desna, I will offer kind words to the Eternal Rose, especially before a performance"
"Well, friends, it's late. I've been up since dawn, and working late the last two weeks. My reserves are empty and my belly is full. I'm for bed."
Ameiko Takes everyone's orders and returns a short time later and hands out the delicious looking fair to her honored guests she looks around the group and says:
" I hope you enjoy the food, if there is anything else I can get you please let me know..and Oh!..I almost forgot the Sheriff just sent his messenger to to ask me to please tell you that he is sorry, he will not be able to make it to the inn tonight after all, but to please stay inside tonight and enjoy the hospitality and he will meet with you all in the morning"
Ameiko then sets another pitcher of Ale on the table and goes back off to the back to finish her duties.
The Inn is has several other patrons all sitting and talking, drinking and discussing the days events. Over in the corner a Bard begins to play a song and a few of the regulars start to sing along. One of Ameiko's hired hands starts a fire in the fireplace and you can feel the room start to warm up as it burns.
Karl Looks around the room hoping to see this Tevok fellow, or someone who might look like he might know. While he doesn't seem to find who hes looking for, He does see a young Lady over in the corner sipping lightly on a mug of Ale. She catches him staring at her and flashes him a smiles and bats her eyes at him seductively.
His grey eyes caught the light of the flame that further illuminated the inn, and the warmth of the fire caused him to feel a familiar comfort, that he had no way of obtaining while on the road or in an abandoned shack, it was a good feeling; one that drove you to forget most of your troubles and hardships, his desire for this kind of atmosphere tried to persuade him to enter this mild trance of relaxation and forget the phantoms of his past, just for one night...but that desire rarely convinced him to completely relax or forget and this wasn't one of those scarce moments when it did. Karl turned his head to the young woman who gifted him with her beautiful smile and swung at him with her flirtatious glances; he knew that look, just like he knew that sometimes there was a trap waiting behind smiles like those.
Not one to not investigate things further; especially when at this point he was desperate for any kind of clue, Karl leaned a little closer to Vishoon "I am going to have a chat with that beauty who has been sending me glances, if I rap my fingers on the table then she either knows something or its a trap" He whispered to the half-orc "If nothing else I'll see if she has a friend who's into half orcs, and feel free to call me paranoid if you wish, I call it surviving" He continued the whisper as he left the table his party was dining happily at, and made his way to the young woman's table at a slow pace; that would give him enough times to think things through, He continued looking at her as his steps made light echoes on the floor Maybe I am being paranoid...why would anyone set a trap for me here? Could be a thief trying to seduce her way to my gold, then again maybe this hero act is paying off in ways I didn't expect...but why me? He continued his contemplation of the matter, till he was standing in front of her, there were fewer shadows in the corner thanks to the newborn light, but enough were around to give this corner a bit of a different atmosphere than the rest of the inn.
"Couldn't help but notice your smile" Started Karl, the tone of his voice gruff but not completely untactful "My name's Karl" He stated, his voice falling to a smoother tune.
Need to wait...of course..typical of local law enforcement...they dont care if they make you wait.
Nodding in assent to Karls request to watch his back
He asking me to watch his back? Odd. But having some one owe you could prove useful in the future.
Vishoon will finish his meal, listening to bard play while keeping watch on Karl in the corner.
He nods to the man he knows as Loupe, as he heads off
The girl looks at Karl smiles and and says:
" Nice to meet you Karl, My name is Shayless...Shayless Vindor..would you like to sit and have a drink with me?
the girl motions to the seat next to her..
Smiles and courteous words were not things the mercenary was used to; what he was used to were fabricated grins and empty words, so Shayless was already approaching him from territories that were mostly foreign to him, which only served to further fuel the burning fire of his paranoia, but it was a blaze he kept well hidden, unlike the flame that burned brightly at the inn's fireplace, which constantly called for attention and crackled at the wood that was served to it as this night's meal.
Karl sat down, returning what he suspected was a genuine smile with a half grin, that caused the scar on the right side to shift slightly with the movement of his cheek She seems harmless enough, or that's what she's hoping I'd think He shuffled his shoulders and fixed her with a relaxed glance.
"Shayless eh? Interesting name" Said Karl "Fits that interesting smile" He continued, his voice settling into a more casual tone of speech, he wanted to jump to the questions, but there was no sense in making her feel this was an interrogation "Karl, you're lucky that you're married; whenever a girl smiles at me I don't know if she really means it or not" Whispered a ghost of his past, but he quickly brushed it away to focus on the girl that was in front of him.
Sten leans in to the collected group."Is he seriously trying to court a female at a time like this?" Sten gave the mercenary a weary look."Nothing but issues comes of talking to a woman without her matriarch present."
Matrtiarch? you mean her mother? What rock have you been living under...Ha Ha Ha Thinking its funny talking about a dwarf under a rock, and hoping the stern looking dwarf can take a joke.
A woman in a bar has no mother or has no need of on,. and I seriously doubt he has courting in mind.
Keeping an eye on Karl in case he may need him
"Hmm, a rock, yes you could say that. Although I would not call the Iron peaks a mere rock, but it will suffice to call it such for your anology. Such impropriaty would not have held ground in our halls that is sure, and nothing good can come of such improper behavior. Mark my words, it will be trouble before it is through." The crotchity dwarf harrumphs in the mercenaries direction.
Shayless smiles at Karl again, and says:
"Im glad you decided to finally come over, I was beginning to think that I was going to have to come sit on your lap to get your attention.."Shayless giggles a bit.."I heard about what you guys did today..how you killed all those mean nasty goblins..I think that is so..brave!..so tell me, Mr.Karl, what do you do for a living?..I myself work for my father in his store..actually I pretty much run the place..my fathers always to ...Busy..to do much work.."(this last part she says almost to herself, you can tell she is getting kind of angry as she she talks about her father).
"Im glad you decided to finally come over, I was beginning to think that I was going to have to come sit on your lap to get your attention.."Shayless giggles a bit..
The boldness of the young lady's words was a bit of a surprise for Karl; Not really expecting this sort of directness from a young, small town girl Getting ahead of ourselves eh? Still that means she had her eye on me for a while now He thought as he listened to her giggle. She was attractive that he could not deny, but its what was hidden behind that pretty face and sweet giggle is what had him second guessing this whole situation.
"I heard about what you guys did today..how you killed all those mean nasty goblins..I think that is so..brave!..so tell me, Mr.Karl, what do you do for a living?..I myself work for my father in his store..actually I pretty much run the place..my fathers always to ...Busy..to do much work.."(this last part she says almost to herself, you can tell she is getting kind of angry as she she talks about her father).
Anger leaked through her voice as she mentioned her father, Karl was all too familiar with anger; if he believed anything she was saying, it would be that latter part about her and her father Daddy issues...why am I not surprised Karl felt a bit more relaxed about the conversation now, but his paranoia wasn't a beast that would so readily go back to its cage.
"I am a mercenary" He answered her, his mind still on what she said about him being brave, at this point he knew that he was either being prepped for a trap or that his act as a hero was paying off, whichever the case he knew that this girl wanted something.
"So you run a store, you must meet a lot of travelers, any of them stand out?" Inquired Karl, if he was going to get any information out of her, now appeared to be as good as time as any to him.
Dairkal enjoys his meal, then gets up and starts a small juggling and magic act, to entertain whichever patrons remain. The little man is quite good, and while he performs he also tells an exiting adventure story or two.
Catching Dairkal's act with the corner of his eye while he conversed with Shayliss, Karl was slowly getting used to how popular the halfling was among the people of Sandpoint, what he wasn't used to though was the displeased look he got from Sten, who was clearly not supporting whatever Karl was doing with this young woman As long as he isn't swinging that beast of a weapon my way, he can glare at me all he likes The ex-guard knew that Sten would not be happy with one behavior or another of his; still that glare and disgruntled look would take getting used to.
Shayliss smiles and continues talking to Karl:
"I meet lots of people in the store, mostly townsfolk, but we have an occasional visitor from other parts stop on..but i guess it depends on what you mean by Stand out?..we had a pair of Dwarven females through here a few months ago..who i think were more than just "friends"..and there is that Elven women Shalelu, who comes through every now and then..you looking for anyone in particular?"
"I am looking for two people actually; I don't have the name of the first, but he has a medium build, a bald head and no eye brows" Said Karl, hoping that the distinct physical description of his wife's killer would ring some bells in Shayliss' head "The second man goes by the name of Tevok" He continued as he tried to dull the seriousness in his voice as to not make the girl too uncomfortable.
"They're not the kind of men you'd want around in any town" Explained the black haired man, deciding to leave out any details he knew...Vishoon never mentioned why he was hunting Tevok, and Karl didn't really care, he had an experienced bounty hunter helping him find the scum he has been hunting and in return he had to help Vishoon do the same, he felt that this was one of the better deals he made since arriving in Sandpoint. Karl's eyes continued to focus on Shayliss If she's really the daughter of the item shop owner, making her happy could earn me better deals He mentally grinned to himself.
Shayliss says:
"Well, the name Tevok sounds vaguely familiar..but i cant place why I would know it..and a man with No eyebrows..I seem to remember someone like that coming through quite some time ago..can you give me a better description of him or maybe his name?..If you want, I could take you back to my shop and search the sales records, we keep a record of the names and dates for our transactions, just in case we need them..and while we are there maybe you could do ME a favor?.."
A famous saying just sparked into the mercenary's mind "Nothing's ever for free But nonetheless he was glad; he was finally making some REAL progress He did pass through here...coming here wasn't a complete waste Almost instantly his head went to scenarios or plans that involved him meeting "The Bloody Four" and ending his life...painfully, but for now he put those thoughts to the side, he needed to focus, that man was still not in his grasp, not yet anyway, soon revenge will be the meal he will serve to him, and it will be cold, bitter and most importantly...final.
If he didn't change his name so much, finding him wouldn't be as difficult, but maybe he's grown careless here? He wouldn't think much about reusing an alias he used before...not in a small town like this He carefully considered the few aliases he learned about when he was still trying to catch him...officially catch him; back when he was a guard "Does the name Alden Frik or Shaw Raald seem familiar?" He asked as he did his best to keep the eagerness inside of him pinned down and away from his semi serious tone of speech "His hands look smooth..hands that never seen any farm or hard work" He continued giving the girl a bit more detail.
"So what kind of favor do you need?" He asked, there were very few things she could ask him that he would not do, especially after she offered him the only solid lead he had since arriving here.
" Well they dont really sound familiar, no..but again like i said we can check our sales record and see if that name pops up anywhere..and the favor I need is very simple..the basement of my store has become infested with rats..and my father keeps saying hes going to take care of it..but hes so involved with what my sister is doing that he is neglecting his duties to the store..(and me)"she says the last bit half under her breath.."A big Strong man like you..shouldn't be much of a problem for you..would it?..i mean there's only a few of them..I'm sure you will be able to handle them on your own, the rest of your party looks like they are all going to bed..so if you want we can head over to the store right now..and you can look at those books and help me with my little problem.."
Smiling at Karl, Shayliss gathers her things and begins to get up and head for the door.
"Alright" He answered her as he eyed her smile, he hasn't got that many smiles from a woman in quite a while, and just like most smiles he received in his life, these weren't for free, while he had no issue with exterminating vermin, he still had to insure that this girl was who she claimed to be...and to insure that he had back-up "wait for me outside of the inn, I'll just let my friends know I am heading out on business" He said in calm voice as he got up from his chair and made his way to the table he originally occupied, only to see Vishoon, Red and Sten sitting there.
Vishoon nods at Karl as he whispers to him. She's met Tevok? I hope she can provide further information. But It seems I am on the right track.
And will wait a min trying to get Dairkal's attention motioning for him to come back.
After a minute to Red and Sten and Dairkal if he came to the tableKarl says she wants him to kill some rats, but is afraid she might be setting a trap for some reason, and would like us to follow at a distance...just in case.
And then will leave and follow Karl.
After informing the half-orc of his plan, Karl made his way to Shayliss in a calm manner, his focus taken almost completely by the names he would possibly find in the books she promised him to look at, and the price was simply to kill a few rats, it almost made sense to him that to get to the bigger vermin he'd have to start with the smaller ones first We'll see how useful this little trip is He thought once he was standing next to the young lady.
"Lead the way" He said to her, his voice hovering between neutral and distant.
Red makes an exaggerated yawn, and stands up.
"The excitement tired me out," he announces to the people left at the table. "I think it's time for me to retire, because I have a feeling tomorrow will be no less exciting."