"Aubreck holds a position of nobility, and does not want his reputation harmed any further should his family or acquaintances catch wind of this. As for my personal involvement, I have my reasons, of which you will have to trust me. Or not, so long as the tasks at hand are completed."
Micha takes another sip of her brandy, "So clearly, this is not just a matter of retrieving lost property..."
So they are not going to tell us about this prophecy of theirs. Interesting. I'll play along for now. Maybe I can use this later.
Fair enough. What do you want us to get off the ship? And how much are you going to pay for it?
Ha, this little guy doesn't seem to be too good at this. At least this lady does, I like a pro with long legs...
"The Lady's right pal, not gonna accept a job before I hear the particulars. If you gotta bring your guy here then I'll listen, but we want details."
Avicia leaves the glass proffered to her untouched and instead knocks back a bit of the wine straight from the bottle...
I grow tired of whispers kobold, I get enough of them in my sleep as is. Speak plainly or not at all.
Chierak sniffs at his free drink, and then gulps it down in a single move. "Not bad, not bad at all..." he says, turning his attention to the table Mr. Smiley had gestured to. He takes his time, trying to figure out this unlikely pair, and also if they have someone else in the room as a backup or an ambush.
No matter what his instincts tell him, Chierak will wait a moment longer and then approach the table, noticing that he isn't the only one as a drunk human and the dar he had nopticed earlier also walk that way. Now this I have to hear out, this has tbe either really good or just plain hilarious. A ghaal'dar, a golin'dar, and a human walk into a bar. This almost writes itself.
He listens to the proposal and the first answers from the little group that gathered around him. "Not to spoil anyone's fun," he finally says, "but how did you guys decided we were your crew for this job? I haven't been in Port Krez long enough to piss someone off, and I dare say my good looks didn' get me that brandy at the bar either."
To the goblin, he says in a quiter voice (and in Goblin):
The spindly Goblin looks up to the Dhakaani warrior a bit nervous apparently. Then replies in fluent command of the Dhakaani tongue however heavily tainted by the speech of a southern city dweller.
I will hear your man out. I'll need a minor advance if I'm to take the deal for daily expenses. My current funds were ... let's say washed away.
Chierak chuckles.
The kobold sighs. "You certainly are a trying lot. Years ago, when I was in contact with Aubreck, I had him seek out certain items of intrinsic nature for me. The Emperor was bringing one such object home before she was lost to the Tide. The item I seek is a helmet, a black forged crown called a drake helm. I have been tight-lipped on details because I am asking sending you to seek treasure and not keep it for yourself. I have a feeling that Aubreck would prefer to use the helm in efforts to restore his name rather than honor a bargain we struck seasons ago. As for payment," With a flourish he tosses a small purse onto the table, a collection of dragonshards spills out. "I had hoped these shards would be enough to garner your interest. If you are willing, or as the goblin requests, need an advance, I will offer you half the purse now." He scoops the golden and crimson prisms back into the pouch.
"To answer your... less tactful points, Sarazra does not speak your tongue. She claims to have seen individuals matching your descriptions in her visions as she has read parts of the Draconic Prophecy. If you do not believe in such matters, then believe in the payment I am offering you. But trust me that there are far greater things than empty coffers and misguided ships to have brought you all here together. Don't fancy yourself an agent of Destiny? Not my problem, the 'shards remain as my offer on the table."
Zorna quaffs another drink of brandy, grimaces, and waits.
Her eyes grow wide at the sight of the shards.
She chuckles at Saraza's reply to the goblins.
Alright, I'll get the helm if the pay's good. But I have one question: what's this "foretold" deed?
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Sarazra looks up at the elf-maid.
"Sorry pal, first spell I prepared this morning was "Trying Bastard". But trust me, the crews that don't ask questions are the ones that don't come back. I'm not sure about this Destiny malarkey, but your shards there are speaking volumes to me. If this ship has any restless spirits you'll need me, and for that price I'll be there."
Alistair will sit back, shivering slightly. Turning to Sarazra, he'll levy a harsh glare, and speak with no hint of his former inebriation.
"Assuming of course this is all on the level. This might all be an elaborate rouse, seems like an awful coincidence, and I don't take kindly to folk who try and play me. Tell me straight lady."
"Well this is all quite lovely, but would someone please mind telling me what it is exactly that is being discussed with the lovely Sarazra here? I'm afraid I do not speak this tongue. If I am being asked to go on this mission, I would so like to know the details as well." She glances at the shards, "I am sorry to say that compensation alone is not enough to sway me."
Alistair will let out a rough laugh and a smile will worm it's way onto his face.
"Well that's good enough for me."
Turning to the halfling, Alistair will say,
"She's not saying much, only that she thinks we're the ones she saw in her prophecy. Which I guess leads to us being the one's to search for this crown, maybe more."
Taking a swig of wine Avicia mutters under her breath, more secrets and mad whispering...
I'm not so picky as the Gnome. When do we leave? is all Dharatak has to say once the Shards are on the table. This is a treasure beyond anything he has owned previously and he'd actually be quite interested where the Lizard acquired them.
"I have to say... that is something." Chierak mumbles at the sight of the shards, giving the goblin to his side a golden coin without breaking eye contact with the bag of shards "I don't know about the Draconic Prophecies, but I've heard of them, rarely in a positive context - at least for the ones directyl involved. But if all you seek truly is the recovery of a ship, without the need to slaughter some innocent bystanders, then I have to admit interest."#
Then, suddenly, he realized that the lizardfolk had spoken in his own tongue. "Wait, what? Oh... oohhh... "
Micha narrows her eyes at being called a Gnome, "Perhaps your vision is failing, I am a Halfling of House Jorasco, and not a Gnome."
She listens to what Alistair has to say about the prophecy, "How very interesting, please, what else does she have to say about this prophecy?"
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Micha, glancing over, you see the female half-orc that was watching the door has been paying close attention to your table. Unlikely that she can hear any of the conversation through the rabble, but her gaze is fixed on the goings on of your entourage.
The raucous of the Doorstep is cut short as a high-pitched scream emanates from the crowd. A female halfling wiggles her way through the crowd as a stumbling drunken ogress attempts to chase her.
Mr. Smiley's voice booms from behind the bar. "Rhialle! You're banned for the night! You're welcome back tomorrow if She doesn't catch you first! GET OUT!"
While the ogress overturns a table, charging towards the cheat, the halfling is already midstride in bolting out the door.
"That is a good enough cue for me. Let us depart to fetch Aubreck from my ship before these brigands grow ever more violent with their drinking. They should have settled down by the time we return." The kobold hops down from his perch upon the barstool, scooping up the pouch. "If you will indulge me in at least stepping outside, I'll divide up your advance."
Micha can't help but to smile as the halfling makes her escape. Noting the half-orc watching, she asks casually, "I don't suppose there is anyone else already in the tavern that is with you, is there? It seems some find our meeting of great interest."
"No, my crew is aboard the Dragon's Dream." The bronze-scaled reptilian continues to make his way towards the door.
Illyri chuckles at the site of the ogre chasing down the halfling.
Called it!
She gets up to go outside with Zorna, shouldering her heavy bag.
Micha finishes the last bites on her plate and follows kobold outside, glass of wine in hand and Poppy at her heels.
Avicia follows the Halfling out the door and takes another swig from her bottle of wine...
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Smiley just nods at your group as you head out.
As you make your way out the door, the biting rain continues to fall. You manage to catch sight of the halfling skirting around a corner and disappearing into the city. You have managed to get out the door before the ogre, though she isn't far behind... slowed down by her stupor.
Hey you, she went that way!
She points in the opposite direction of where the halfling went.
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Like a rumbling bulette the ogress charges (vaguely) in the direction Illyri points her. Clipping her shoulder as she takes the turn too sharply, she bellows in pain. Several shoved passersby and curses in Giant later, the scene is washed away in the rain.
Zorna and Sarazra pick their way through the streets, going slowly to keep the group together. The rain slides over their scales, but they throw their hoods up for a semblance of warmth as they pick through the alleys and cobbled streets towards the docks.
Micha smiles up at Illyri, "That was nice of you, and rather amusing, too, I might add."
She then sighs to find herself once more drenched in rain. Poppy is going to be in such a mood tonight. I wonder how long this is going to take. I had a fire and a dry place to sleep calling my name.
In an attempt to make the walk a little less miserable, she attempts to strike up a conversation with Illyri. "I rather like your hair, the combination of black and white is striking."
She gives a wide grin and laughs.
Well, I always like to help those in need.
She blushes slightly at the compliment.
Oh you like it, do you? then a little more confidently.Well I was just born with it. My dad was an elf with hair as pale as fresh snow, my mother was human, with hair as dark as as a moonless night. I suppose they instead of mixing, they separated. Not unlike my parents.
"I'm terribly sorry to hear that, but indeed I do like your hair. I grow a bit tired of my brown sometimes. So, where are you from?"
Dharatatak follows his new employer out of the Inn. All the commotion with the Halfling and the Ogre passes him by unfazed, he's from lower Dura you saw folks dying on the streets every day there and it made you a bit rougher around the edges.
Chierak will hastily buy a (cheap) bottle of booze, if possible, before hurrying after the others. At least something to repel the cold...
"Are you aware of any other parties looking for this ship, or this... item?" he asks Zorna on their way through the alleys, making sure that he doesn't walk up too close to the strange lizardfolk. "Not that I'm an expert in salvage operations, but it didn't exactly sound like a secret or anything, and I'd like to know if we're going to clash with one of the princes from here."
The city of Stormreach. You?
"Vedykar, in Karrnath. I haven't been home in awhile, though."
"As I understand it not many sailors are willing to brave the Gray Tide. Anyone seeking the particular item I am must have a long memory... or a terrible grudge."
Avicia kept silent and took another small swig of the bottle...
Neither have I. So what is so special about this item?
Zorna's voice lowers, "By itself, the item is not very special, it appears to be a scaled helm forged of black iron. But with the right shard... a drake helm is quite the boon to those who have Siberys blood." The small lizard winks as he glances over his shoulder at you.
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After several twists and turns through alleys, behind buildings, and all the while avoiding holes in the cobbled streets of Port Krez, you reach the docks. The eternal torches burn few and far between here, and many dark silhouettes of ships can barely be made out resting in the waters. The docks are far from silent, though. Many sailors and laborers are working late into the night, unloading, moving, and reloading cargo and various shipments.
Your kobold and lizardfolk escorts guide you towards the edge of the docks where the bluffs run high. Zorna points up above the docks, and stationed at a rickety tower, is a beautiful elemental vessel, an airship floating in air. Blue light crackling from a a ring encircling the craft...
Frantically Zorna calls out a curse in Draconic, waving his arms and gesturing madly at the ship. Slowly, the magnificent vessel pulls away from the docks and drifts into the night sea air. Beaming proudly, Zorna points to the pathetic dinghy left hovering by the dock-tower. The ship seems more suited to be a lifeboat than a means of travel.
The soarwood vessel remains tied to the tower, but it is clear to even the untrained that The Dragon's Dream is anything but.
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Somehow I am...underwhelmed. How about that other ship? Can we take the other ship?
"My room, paid for by the way, sounds far more inviting..."
Micha takes a long look around, looking to see if they were followed by anyone at the bar, or if there is any sign of an ambush by Zorna's crew.
Chierak mumbles something in Goblin.
Chierak will then try to remember if he's heard anything about the Grey Tide. . Upon seeing the "ship" above him, he will curse and stop walking. "I assume that... boat will bring us to the real ship, yes?"
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Standing at the bottom of the dock, is a lanky one-tusked half-orc whose livery outfit seems far too small for his form. He stands arms crossed, and as you draw closer he speaks, a voice that attempts to sound imposing, if not for the occasional break in pitch as the half-breed boy becomes a man.
"Good evening. I am Vertheg. Are you the lot here to escort Master ir'Drallion?"
The half-orc looks uncomfortable in the rain, but used to such treatment. Although the butler's outfit is almost comical, the way it bulges around his biceps, and the well-worn mace at his belt, leads credence to his position.
Perhaps, perhaps not...
Bluff(for the heck of it)
To Chierak, "The Dream is staying here. If you plan on accepting Aubreck's employ, you will have to take travel up with him."
The small lizard barks back up at his skycoach.