"Very good. I will see how well my horse survived the waves."
"Aye. Would be best if we made it to shallower waters before we attract more attention." Robin then heads around distributing 14 gold pieces to the various fighters in the scuffle. "But first, it would be remiss to gloss over fruits of the plunder."
When he's done with that, he makes it back to the helm and resumes piloting the ship into the dock of Berem.
Without much trouble, Robin docks the ship at port.
Pursuit leaves immediately upon the ships docking, not terribly enjoying her time on the sea. Once off, she looks around at everyone around her. It has been a very very long time since she has really entered a town. A single look at her face would allow you to easily see she is very uncomfortable and confused right now.
The town of Berem is quaint, relatively peaceful. The curses have not touched this part of the continent just yet. A white layer of marine clouds covers the sky from the sun, seagulls scream and wail all over the docks. You see many other ships parked here. There are small trading posts and gaurds near the docks, watching for any would-be invaders. If you look farther, you can see a tall seaside mansion, a large temple at the distance, a great, stone monastary overlooks the bay from the mountains, and near it a tall, thin tower. You can see windmils, fields, and a town hall on the south side of town.
Here you see mostly humans and halflings about, you do see a couple of elves.
It'll be awhile before you can definately find the prophet Alhazred in this place, but not too long, perhaps people here already know him. Word about him was usually passed in temples, taverns, and by oracles.
oye, captian, ye want me to attract attention? I mean other than what I be already. Might be that that's the easiest way to find where we're to be goin'
Shaani leads her horse off the boat. "I should find stabling for the horse before I go looking around for the prophet. Maybe some of you want to join me, seeing we will probably spend a day or two here atr least, you may want to get a room at the inn?"
Robin pats Thorin on the shoulder. "I cannot deny that would be a sound course of action. At your leisure, Mr. Thunderstriker."
He takes care with the docking and finds his way towards the most notable tavern around.
Pursuit looks at everyone going their own ways and decides to go with Shaani. At this moment it certainly seems as if she knows what she is doing, so why not follow her for now? Without speaking, Pursuit motions to Shaani that she will be following.
heh, ye asked for it. Hmph, shouldn't be to hard, what with me past an all. I'll see ye after I get some information. Thorin looks about as some who know of the dwarf cast their eyes down and move away from him. He grunts as he walks up to an unlucky randomly selected trade post. Then Slams his hammer against the Stone to make a thunderous crack.(literally, like semi-thunder) nearly giving the trader a heart attack.
Oye! Ye think ye can cheat Thorin Thunderstriker eh! Ye 'ought to know better than that! I know ye heard O' me before!
He strikes the ground again making another thunderous crack and glances around to make sure he has got the guards attention.
Well? Are ye gonna apologize, or do I have to make ya?
Ok, so my background is Thorin used to be a pirate, quite a strange dwarf indeed, he always felt more at home on the seas than in the mountains. While he never did anything particularly "horrid" he was well known for his warhammer that rang out like thunder, and his ability to control the very winds and waters that folk sailed on. He killed a few people that fought back, but was, perhaps by dwarvish nature, merciful for a pirate. However many tales about him were spun, and since its not often you see a dwarf on the seas or in the ports he is easy to spot. Particularly his shining bald head. Eventually he repented his ways after some events, and signed up as a privateer which I'll say is how he met, and befriended, Robin, and eventually joined him. If that is ok with him ;)
SO, while he doesn't have any outstanding "jail time" or the like, he is still rather well known from his time as a pirate, and not his past 5-10 years as a privateer. Most any sailor, or coast city guard worth his salt would know the name at least. Or, I assume so starting at level 8 and what all. Of course this is all at GMs discretion. He also has a "pass" to prove he is indeed a privateer and not to be ahem. "Sentenced" for his past. Though this isn't particularly common knowledge, so Most put the name/sound with the pirate tales. Of course captain of the guard/ naval officers etc would likely know about him being a privateer and the like.
Two human gaurds, clad in heavy armor notice Thorin's ruckus.
"Hey hey hey! What's the matter over here."
The second gaurd seems pensive for a moment, then speaks.
"Hey, are you that known privateer? What in Lobona's hallowed ground are you doing here and doing...this?"
Meanwhile, Robin manages to find a tavern a bit past the large fancy manor in town. Despite being a large manor it does not occupy much land space. The tavern has a nice, exterior, it is two-storied and carries the usual charm of your average tavern. It is called the "Salty Whale Tavern".
Tavern map and exterior. Ignore the name on the pic.
Meanwhile there is also an inn here of course, there is a sign near the harbor but a bit of a walk where any of you are, pointing south that reads "Riverside Inn".
Thorin grunts, then flips a gold coin to the merchant.
Aye, Was the fastest way O' gettin' attention I figured. I'm lookin' for a Prophet Alhazred. Ye be knowin' O him?
Thorin grunts, then flips a gold coin to the merchant.
Aye, Was the fastest way O' gettin' attention I figured. I'm lookin' for a Prophet Alhazred. Ye be knowin' O him?
"Oh, him. He's been here this past month, usually he traveled from place to place speaking of doom and monsters. Yet with these occurrences even I start to wonder about those things. He has settled here for the time being, everyone is either tired or indifferent to him by now. He usually hangs out at the Salty Whale tavern but he hasn't gone there in the past two days."
Shaani tugs the horse's rains lightly to set it into motion. She grins at Thorin's display but largely ignores it. Instead she turns to a nearby local.
"Excuse me, could you point the way to the inn?" she asks warmly.
Shaani tugs the horse's rains lightly to set it into motion. She grins at Thorin's display but largely ignores it. Instead she turns to a nearby local.
"Excuse me, could you point the way to the inn?" she asks warmly.
A human woman pauses her path for Shaani.
"Oh? The Inn? Yes it's South of here beside the river. It's called Riverside Inn. There should be some signs around in case you are lost."
"Thank you." Shaani smiles and goes on her way, leading the way towards the inn.
Pursuit follows along as well, making sure her cloak is on and covering her up. Her horns are not entirely hidden, but at a simple pass-over glance one might not see them. Might not be necessary to 'hide' her horns in this town, but for the most part interactions are always easier when they are hidden. At least, it's been that way in her experience.
"Thank you." Shaani smiles and goes on her way, leading the way towards the inn.
The inn is a walk to the Southern part of town. You pass by many houses, and see the temple of Nodens, with it's exterior decorated with motifs of the sea and fishing; seahorses, shells, and bas reliefs of the great divine man of the sea himself. The temple rises an area with many merchants peddling goods. There seems to be a lot of open space amongst the merchants, as if today is either slow or this town has seen more prosperous days. You also pass by the town hall that is tall enough to be glimpsed at the shore. The buildings are quaint and well-kept, they have their usual coastal town charm from this area of the continent. Humans and halflings can be seen doing their daily business.
After the moderate walk through town, you finally reach the Riverside Inn. Just as the name suggests, it is beside a thin river from deeper within the land that empties into the ocean. Despite it's small width, the water is concentrated enough that is babbles it's way over the rocks quickly as it rushes to the sea. Toward the West you can see a moderately-sized waterfall that dumps the water from the surrounding mountains. This town seems to be full of the sound of water moving.
"I will meet you inside, once I put the animal in the stables." Shaani says to the others.
Once the horse is safely stabled, she enters the Inn: "A room and stabling for one horse for the night please." once she is close enough to the Innkeeper she continues with a lowered voice: "We are here to investigate some rumours. Do you know of the location of a man by the name Alhazred?"
When Shaani goes to stable the horse, Pursuit opts to stay outside the inn, sitting down somewhat by the door but not in the way. Only then does she take off her hood and fix her hair slightly.
To pass the time while waiting for the others, she starts to review her research. Hopefully they can find the prophet soon, figuring out the reasons for all these strange happenings would be very good for said research.
"I will meet you inside, once I put the animal in the stables." Shaani says to the others.
Once the horse is safely stabled, she enters the Inn: "A room and stabling for one horse for the night please." once she is close enough to the Innkeeper she continues with a lowered voice: "We are here to investigate some rumours. Do you know of the location of a man by the name Alhazred?"
The Innkeeper drones,"That'll be 10 sp ma'm. We hope you feel at home here at the Riverside Inn. Please let us know if your horse has any medical conditions or dietary restrictions."
She tenses up at Shaani's question, then begins to scratch her own head.
"Oh, him. He comes here once in awhile, he hasn't shown up here in the past five days. He sometimes scares guests with his rambles and last time he was here I threw him out for it. He is most likely found sulking at the Salty Whale Tavern North of here. They say he rented a small cot around here for the past three, or five, or so months. He looks like a man from South of the continent, very tanned skin, wears glasses, wears some pretty fancy clothing like maybe he used to be well off before stumbling into things he shouldn't have and then go mad from it. Some say he used to be a very skilled wizard in divination and still is. Why he's here, I'm not sure."
Meanwhile outside the Inn, a modest-looking halfling man walks past Pursuit, he immediately catches sight of her horns and tenses up before moving along his way. A human man also walks by but is oblivious to Pursuit.
Inside the Salty Whale, Robin looks for answers himself. He approaches the innkeeper, "Pardon me, my good sir, but I seem to be looking for an individual. Do you happen to know a fellow by the name of Alhazred? Dreadfully important I have a word with him."
Shaani hands the woman two gold coins: "Thank you. My horse does not have any special needs."
She turns back to Slashiir "So I suppose we should see the Tavern."
Shaani hands the woman two gold coins: "Thank you. My horse does not have any special needs."
She turns back to Slashiir "So I suppose we should see the Tavern."
"Yes, there are signs around town, you shouldn't miss it."
A stableboy goes out to fetch Shaani's horse for boarding.
Meanwhile the Salty Whale Tavern is quite spacious this time of the day. It is currently some time past high noon. People are still doing their business about town. A few people here are eating lunch and only one other guy is at the bar. The tavernkeeper is tastetesting a new batch of grog. Robin catches her attention.
"Oh! Sir! You frightened me! Alhazred? Oh yes, him. He's usually here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, tips generously. However I haven't seen him since this morning. He came in for breakfast, unusually silent this time. That's the last I ever saw him. He usually says stuff about the old gods being here and all but it's hard to piece it together well. I think I have an idea what he may be onto, and with these recent events all over the world one cannot help but believe him.
Pursuit gets up and follows the other two when they leave the inn. She goes to ask Shaani if they found out anything, and is only now realizing that she has forgotten how to speak anything but the language she uses for rher research. It seems she has been away from civilization for a bit longer than she thought.
Luckily, she has other means of communicating. Pursuit looks at Shaani as they walk and 'speaks' into her mind. {Did you find out anything about the prophet while inside?}
Shaani turns toward pursuit surprise on her face as she has not yet gotten used to the Tiefling's peculiar method of communication: "He seems to have been staying near the Tavern at the other end of town. So that is where we will look."
Fortunately speaking and hearing are two different things, and Pursuit understand Shaani's words just fine. She nods in response, following the other two on their way to the tavern.
Those who care to pay attention, will notice Pursuit getting more and more excited the closer they get to finding the prophet.
Any Idea where e' would be ifn' e' wasn't at that tavern lad? Thorin asks the guard.
Any Idea where e' would be ifn' e' wasn't at that tavern lad? Thorin asks the guard.
"I have no idea, but I think the people at the Salty Whale ought to know where he lives."
The other guard sheepishly added, Uh, sir, so you are Thorin Thunderstriker? The dwarf privateer?"
Meanwhile, the town continues to be quaint. Humans, halflings, and elves populate the place. There is noticeable variation among them, their skin tones usually ranging from light olive to tan, and some darker, among elves you see some of the more bronze-skinned wood elves and one drow. The diversity of course reflects that this town once traded far and wide, it's heyday is long gone but many have stayed behind.
Yet, despite this diversity, tieflings prove to still be a curiosity. As the sight of Pursuit without her hood tends to get some strange looks.
People around town are currently relaxed, yet a few start to anxiously check their pocket watches, sundials, and clocks. Some cease relaxing and get back to work quickly.
Shaani, Pursuit, and Lady Slashiir arrive at the Salty Whale Tavern.
Seeing their previous companions at the tavern already Shaani walks up to Robin, "Had any luck finding our missing prophet, sailor?"
Entering the tavern, Pursuit takes a seat and starts to read while waiting for Shaani and Robin to finish. She would help, but her.... lack of speaking, and current communication method, would probably hurt more than help.
"For lunch? Then has he arrived yet? There are some questions I have."
Upon his companions enter the tavern, he turns and greets them in jubilation. "Ah, friends, I think that we may have found the man we seek. He frequents this establishment, you know!"
"No, sorry sir, he's actually pretty late. Usually he's here at high noon sharp. Lately they say he has been absent on other things, maybe he is on the verge of a great breakthrough? I heard from him that long ago the new gods predicted that the old gods may return when the stars are right, he says it's a prophecy known mostly to clerics but not mentioned to common folk mostly because we'd freak out. He says that there is something...off about the prophecy. Last night he was pouring over star charts of various ages and comparing them. He also mentioned that the disasters are linked, but he isn't sure exactly how since the prophecy makes no mention of them. I once asked him why the new gods are seemingly powerless, and all he said was, 'They are here alright'. I hope none of what he's gotten into is right."
She then starts scrawling a crude town map on a scrap piece of paper. A single house has been circled.
"Maybe you ought to find him yourselves if you are all eager."
The barkeep has handed the party a small map of the town with directions to Alhazred's house.
"We should go find him then."
Robin seemed perplexed by the story, but this prophet didn't entirely seem right in the head to begin with. He takes the crude map from the innkeeper. "Thank you, my friend. Come, fellows, we're soon upon our answers yet!" He tries to stir up the party as he heads in the direction of the circled house.
You and your companions bid the innkeeper farewell and thanks for the directions.
The map leads you on a yellow brick road around some more houses and shops. They look fairly quaint just like the rest of town.
You pass by a small graveyard. It has high iron fencing, and caltrops within the peremiter. Heavy amounts of spiked chain weaves throughout the iron fence bars. These chains in turn, have many locks around. It is so heavily guarded the only indication that this is a graveyard at all was the sign posted on the fence that reads "Graveyard, keep out, do not go near at night time- Bishop Dan".
As you reach around a corner, the houses get smaller and begin to be very basic, almost identical cottages. Those that reside around and in them vary a lot, single folks, travelers, refugees, and impoverished folk. These plain neighborhoods have managed to add embellishment to their facing walls however in the form of wind chimes, good luck talismans, and symbols for warding evil scrawled hastily with chalk, soot, blood and paint.
You finally reach your destination: another quant house, but with no embellishments around. The walls are plain brown, the roof is made of straw, the surrounding plants are dead, and if you look carefully,
It is very quiet around here.
When they reach the house Pursuit is visibly excited. She looks to Robin so she can 'speak' to him. {This looks.... Odd. But we should get inside. The prophet is in there, or there will be clues to their whereabouts inside.}
Robin examines the graveyard. Someone here must be highly superstitious. It was a very good thing he had no business there, as it seemed to be more trouble than could possibly be worth. But it was marked on the crude map as a landmark towards the shack.
Upon arriving, Robin notices the door is ajar. He turns to Pursuit. "I agree, no use standing around like idle sheep!" he exclaims and opens the jar-err the door. "Sir? Are you at home?" He calls out into the plain looking house.
Shaani walks up next to Robin to also take a look inside.
There is no answer, only silence.
The door creaks open.
You see a very small plain room, there are very modest furnishings here. Only a rug on the floor and a few chairs. There is a large chest on the floor spilling with old maps and documents. The sun rays flow out of the windows and reveal unsettled dust floating around.
There is a broken glass bottle on the stone floor to right of the room. It seemed to not contain anything in it.
Looking toward the right you see the room extending to another sub-room divided by an arch. In this room is a large table completely covered by a chaotic mess of bottles, maps, books, models, charts, and crystals. Glass marbles spill on the floor and glass shards are present around the table.
You see a large, old, brown leather swivel chair facing away from you, but you can see the figure of a man peeking slightly, but slumped. His hand hangs limply over the arm rest.
The smell of blood is heavy around here.
Especially coming from that pool of blood beneath the chair that stretches around the table.