The Anchors Away is a modest to slummy tavern/inn in the docks district of Cassomir. Clearly if they wanted to, the Pathfinder Society could have gone a little cheaper, though finding cheaper might have been more work than was worthwhile for the few coppers they would have saved. As you push open the door, it makes a sound not unlike an anchor chain being upraised, revealing a smoky and slightly rank interior. Oddly enough, none of the tables are in use, save one. A human man in his early forties with long, grey-streaked hair and weathered features sits at his ease with a hearty meal in front of him. He looks up from his food at your entrance to wave you over to him.
"Falcon Gray", he introduces himself. "Welcome aboard."
"My lady, I have not travelled by ship much, spending most of my life on the road, is this a long journey?"
Elorin's concerned inquiry seems to bring Alexis' composure back. Looking up at her tall protector, she gives an empathetic smile and replies, "Even as much as I enjoy the wind and waves it is a long voyage, yes. The Duke's journal indicated that crossing the Arcadian Ocean took The Nereid a week shy of three months."
She walks by your side for a few minutes looking up at the sky as if in contemplation. "Well on the bright side," she finally says, "we shall have plenty of time to grow in our acquaintances. Um... with all of our compatriots that is."
Alexis blushes slightly and suddenly "remembers" to inspect her wayfinder as a breeze from the Inner Sea ruffles her golden tresses.
Eloring smiles and tries to force down the growing feeling of dread at spending that much time at sea, "Ah my lady I look forward to your charming company as well as meeting some of the fine new folk on this voyage. The tales they shall write about our exploits in this new world shall be legendary."
"Tales... that's a bit more of my sister's speciality. I do hope she'll be ok without me..."
Alexis remains quiet for the remainder of the walk until they arrive at Anchor's Away.
"Hmm, well this is... rustic." Alexis tips her head to her gentlemanly bodyguard in thanks for getting the door, takes one whiff of Anchors Away and comments, "I wonder if this is to acquaint us to... what's the term... roughing it?"
The petite scholar gives a small sigh as if bracing herself for what's to come and steps inside. Upon hearing Falcon's greeting, she politely replies, "Well met, Sir Falcon. Pathfinder Kirmoon and my noble protector, Sir Elorin, reporting. Are we the first to join you?"
This short and slender young beauty has the shapely curves of a human, but the refined features of an elf. You can just make out pointed ears protruding from her short, wavy, blonde tresses. She regards her surroundings with eyes of bluish violet before placing a pale finger to her lips as if pondering something. Her clothing is functional yet elegant and you get the feeling that her sea-blue dress would cost your average laborer many weeks' wages.
"Just Falcon is fine, or Mr. Gray, if you prefer," Falcon Gray responds, "and indeed, you are the first to arrive, Ms. Kirmoon...Mr. Elorin. I trust you had an uneventful trip?"
Abbas walks in quiet contemplation into the Anchors Way inn to find Falcon as instructed by his patron.
*the dark skinned man before you wears thin flowing blue robes from head to toe, partially hiding the glint of steel armor underneath. Your eyes are drawn a small silver symbol of the dawnflower that adorns his neck. Sheathed at his waist is a battle worn scimitar, strapped across his back a wooden shield with a symbol of Sarenrae carved into the front.*
Noting Falcon and a beautiful half-elven maiden Abbas raises a hand in greeting and approaches. "Hail and well met Mr. Gray and other new acquaintances," nodding toward the half-elven maiden "Abbas Abbad reporting as instructed. May the light of Sarenrae bless our future endeavors"
Huughhh! Crash! The door of the tavern swings open violently and a 6 foot high living mound of canvas tied up in twine barrels into the room and stands teetering before the young cleric. A curious - rather unpleasant smells emanates from it. Observant onlookers can see that the monstrosity stands uncertainly on two squat little legs - barely visible underneath the folds of the canvas and dangling twine.
"Well, punko! Yer gonna stand there like a pissin' pole or are ya gonna move outa me way? ! And find me a place to sit me arse while yer at it. And by the bristly beard o' yer mother's face git me an ale afore I drop this on ya!"
"Greetings and blessings be on you as well, Brother Abbas, or is it Father Abbas? I am unfamiliar with the hierarchy of the Order of Sarenrae, I assure you, no insult is intended."
He gestures to nearby chairs. "Please, sit. All of you. This establishment doesn't look like much, but the cook is amazing. This'll likely be your last truly good supper for many months, if not years." He waves for a waitress when the stillness of the inn is interrupted by the arrival of the dwarf. "Dear, gods...".
The poor waitress standing near the door grimaces as she mutters a "Yes, sir," and leads the dwarf to a table in the far corner of the common room. Once the dwarf is seated, she carefully wipes her hands on her apron, and sees to fetching the putrid mound an ale.
"I daresay our mining expert has just arrived. Hopefully, he'll be interested in a hot bath sometime between now and our departure tomorrow morning." Falcon violently wrinkles his nose.
Suddenly one of the feet attached to one of the stubby little legs slips on a streak of ale on the floor and the whole bundle starts to unravel in a hurry....threatening topple over right onto Abbas.
Acrobatics check
As it comes apart it careens across the room on a disatrous collision course - but astonishingly - as it unravels the stocky figure of a dwarf can be seen safley guiding the unravelling mess to the floor by a free bench at one of the tables. The sinewy little dwarf has a thick, greasy, black beard and a mop of unkempt hair and swarthy skin. He is wearing overalls with greasy studded armour and black leather boots. A sturdy hammer hangs over one hip. Arranged on the floor can be seen a couple of hogshead barrels, a heap of canvas, a shovel, a pick various other items which the dwarf begins to stuff a away hastily in a sack.
Pools of sweat are collecting on the floor at his feet.
"Mr. Darknugget, I presume, as there cannot be two so similar dwarves in all of creation. Welcome, and feel free to join us. We have all these tables to ourselves, so feel free to sit at any of those spots." Falcon gestures at the chairs at the other (nearby) tables.
"Just Falcon is fine, or Mr. Gray, if you prefer... I trust you had an uneventful trip?"
Alexis prepares to answer, then thinks briefly on the antics at the prior tavern before she and Elorin left. She states simply, "Yes... our trip was uneventful. How was yours, Mr. Gray?"
"Hail and well met Mr. Gray and other new acquaintances," nodding toward the half-elven maiden "Abbas Abbad reporting as instructed. May the light of Sarenrae bless our future endeavors"
Alexis curtsies in return and replies, "Good day to you, Brother Abbas. Princ— Pathfinder Alexis Kirmoon of Greengold, and Sir Elorin."
"Please, sit. All of you. This establishment doesn't look like much, but the cook is amazing. This'll likely be your last truly good supper for many months, if not years."
Alexis accepts whichever chair Elorin offers her and takes her seat. Upon witnessing the commotion of the dwarf's entry, her eyes grow wide in wonderment at both the feats of strength and agility displayed by the dwarf as well as the color of his word choices.
"Ah, an expert in minerology, excellent! ipsum lorem, etc etc."
(Alexis repeats any introductions as needed.)
Panting heavily, the dwarf nods to Mr. Gray. His darting black eyes open wide when they see the holy man he just insulted. He raises his hand in a gesture of....well it's hard to tell...apology? He is clearly out of breath. Those barrels look heavy.
As soon as the barmaid hands the mug of ale to him it returns to her hand empty.
"Wretchedly uneventful. I swear the most exciting thing that's happened to me in the last 11 months of planning sessions, fund-raising luncheons, and back-room boot-licking is discovering this tavern with its wonderful cook!"
Suddenly, Falcon looks off into the distance and sits silently. After a few moments, he seems to return to his surroundings with a grimace and a sigh. "Damn!" He stands up. "I'm going to have to ask you to excuse me. It seems that Baron Fitzhale is getting cold feet with the crates of supplies and animals he's promised the expedition and somebody needs to go light a fire under him. I'm not going to get any sleep until we're actually under way!"
Falcon gathers his belongings together and tosses a silver coin at one of the wenches. "Teri...be a dear and see that my things get upstairs to my room. I should be back in an hour or two. Put whatever reasonable amount of food and drink these fine folks, and the others that will be joining them, require on the Pathfinder tab. Please, all of you, excuse this rudeness. I shall return shortly," and with that, he pulls his cap down low over his brow and heads out the main doors.
Teri the wench begins schlepping Falcon's bags up the narrow windy staircase at the back of the common room.
Upon their return, Alexis gestures to one of the servers and whispers,
Keeping her composure in spite of the aroma of Pete's exertion, Alexis smiles politely begins fanning herself with a small paper fan she produced from her hip pouch, "Brother Abbas, Mr. Darknugget, what led you to join our expedition?"
Abbas nods at the Dwarfs raised hand and takes a seat near him with a smile.
"Just plain Abbas will be fine should you prefer, Mistress Pathfinder. Well since you ask I left my homeland of Katapesh some years ago hoping to find a new place to open a temple, and what better place then the new world where Sarenrae's light shines daily but none have heard the same of the Dawnflower that provides it. Joining this expedition as healer and surgeon seems a fitting means to that end. Though, Sarenrae willing, I will not have to use my skills during our voyage.
Abbas looks to the waitress "Just plain water for me child, thank you."
As Falcon leaves, he encounters a strangely dressed man coming through the door. They exchange a few brief words and Falcon vanishes into the night. The stranger enters, pauses, and methodically surveys the room. He is dark skinned, bald, homely, and human. His clothes are odd. He wears something of a wide-sleeve bluish-grey wrapped shirt, a long deep-red sash, and a split-legged grey and blue skirt. A few small weapons are tucked into his sash.
He steeples his fingers in front of his face and bows to everyone in the room before approaching the table in precise and economical movements. He nods to Alexis in recognition. In richly accented common he says, "May I sit among your table?"
Abbas motions to a empty chair.
"Of course, take seat we were just exchanging tales and introductions."
He nods thanks and takes the proffered chair, saying "Ravarath - from Jalmeray".
"Hail Ravarath, I am Abbas of Katapesh. And this lovely maiden," motioning toward Alex "is Pathfinder Kirmoon. And this interesting fellow," motions towards the dwarf "is Mr. Darknugget."
Rath nods to each person in turn. When Alexis is introduced, he smiles. "I have met the young Mistress before, sadly without introduction. I trust your sister is well, Miss."
"Thank you Abbas for both the introductions and for joining our expedition. Hopefully we won't need your services too frequently, but it's reassuring to know that Sarenrae's light shall grace us thru her servant."
To Rath, she says, "I'm honored to finally make your acquaintance, Rath. I recall seeing you about the Lodge on more than a few occassions but it was always in passing. If I'm not mistaken, I hear that our Venture-Captain himself requested your special talents when selecting his personal bodyguard, that's quite an honor!"
Turning to her own stoic protector, Alexis continues, "Given some... family history... our house's retainer suggested that I too would be wise to employ a skilled bodyguard on this expedition. To that end, good Sir Elorin shall be joining us while also lending his tactical expertise to our sorties."
"As for my in—" she chokes a bit on something, "famous sister... I expect Alis will be along to see us off, but she will not be joining us on this expedition. Since she decided to... dabble in a bit of everything course-wise, she still has another month left before her trials. Assuming she passes, she's been selected to join an expedition to the Mwangi Expanse in two months' time." Alexis sighs, "I do hope she'll not get into too much trouble..."
"Ravarath, yes I recall seeing you about the Lodge on more than a few occassions. I'm honored to finally make your acquaintance. If I'm not mistaken, I hear that our Venture-Captain himself requested your special talents when selecting his personal bodyguard, that's quite an honor!"
Rath tilts his head quizzically, "The honor is to serve, Miss. Your contacts in the Lodge are better than mine it seems..."
He says with a rueful smile, "I didn't know I was 'requested'. While I will act as the Venture-Captain's bodyguard at times, my greater duty is the safety and defense of the expedition... in that regard, I am everyone's bodyguard. It is good to know that Master Elorin will shoulder some of that burden."
"Well met friends, as my gracious employer mentioned I am Elorin, originally from the River Kingdoms. I believe my role is to make sure that all of you don't get eaten by the local flora or fauna. Mr. Darknugget, you look like you need another ale as do I, Teri would you be a dear and bring us two more ales?" He pulls out a silver and give it to Teri in thanks with a quick wink.
Elorin immediately starts to tell Pete some funny story about some mercenaries he spent time with, their clash with a boar in the woods, and the improbably conclusion of a spear somehow getting jammed into the boars rear before running off into the woods and never being seen again, he doesn't seem to notice Pete's rather strong odor...at least not tha he lets on.
"Ah, an expert in minerology, excellent! ipsum lorem, etc etc."
Upon hearing Alexis' words Pete's cheeks blush red, and he bows to her in dwarven fashion and stammers: HIC! Na-na-agem kaldarga zhamuza khmazadunam bargaza...m-m-mmizdalam agatamaza Bolkagitastala BURP!
Aye. Darknugget I am, from the Brazen Peaks down Katapesh way. Or you may call me Pete. I-uh-well I'm at yer service. And thank thee....Elf...for the draught. I thought I was 'bout to die of thirst...thanks lass." He accepts the next mug more grasciously from the barmaid and takes a solid swig. HIC!
As the Elf recounts his amusing tale the Dwarf's eyes watch him with unsettling intensity...eyebrows cocked as he nods and grunts in....is it approval? It's hard to tell...but the dwarf's not laughing.
Rath watches, with veiled amusement, the increasing intoxication of the Pete. From the barmaid, he requests fruit juice and then quickly switches the order to water when Teri looks perplexed.
...Mr. Darknugget, what led you to join our expedition?"
Finishing up his third flagon, Pete reaches out for his fourth...(or is it number 5...we're already losing count). He leaves a handul of coppers on the table for the busy barmaid.
Well. I was kinda hopin' to find out from yerself. 'Twas that highroller Feldspar that sent me yer way to ask ye! But I'll break it down nice and simple fer ye. I be comin' to help ye out, find me some paydirt, and some o' them bootiful rocks they be sayin' are to be found out 'cross the water. That about does it. I'd be kindly wantin' to know what yer about also - if ye please.
Rath turns genially to Elorin, "Master Elorin, as a combatant, with which weapon or weapons do you excel? It would be helpful, I think, to gauge our strengths." All the while, he keeps an appraising eye on Pete. I may have to carry him up the stairs if he keeps drinking like this. He judges the Dwarf's weight - it shouldn't be too difficult.
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Seeing the monk eying him...Pete glares back quizzically. His sharp eyes easily discern the strength of the monk's frame...despite the loose fitting attire. "The teetotaller's a little topheavy methinks" chuckles the dwarf in the foam of a fresh mug. "No matter, those arms are hooge buggers. Only a fool would mess with those. 'OY, Lightweight! Where'd ye get thoze pipes!? "
Rath turns genially to Elorin, "Master Elorin, as a combatant, with which weapon or weapons do you excel? It would be helpful, I think, to gauge our strengths." All the while, he keeps an appraising eye on Pete. I may have to carry him up the stairs if he keeps drinking like this. He judges the Dwarf's weight - it shouldn't be too difficult.
Elorin, only being on his 4th ale, turns to Rath "Rath my good man, I excel at both the blade and the bow." He pulls out two very nice looking (masterwork) short swords and does a quick twirl, trying not to lop anyone's head off in the process and look impressive before putting them back in their sheathes. "To be honest I prefer to put a few arrows in a foe before finishing him off with the blades, now my mother, she was a master bladeswomen!"
Elorin muses to himself a second before realizing he was just showing off "Well that was quite boarish of me, I think the drink has gotten to me. Looks like I have had enough should be heading back to my room at the Black Boar were all of my equipment is. Lady Alexis I will see you first thing in the morning, the rest of my gear is at the other Inn I was stayin at. Good night all." He finishes with a quick bow to Alexis before heading back to his Inn and retiring for the night.
Seeing the monk eying him...Pete glares back quizzically. His sharp eyes easily discern the strength of the monk's frame...despite the loose fitting attire. "The teetotaller's a little topheavy methinks" chuckles the dwarf in the foam of a fresh mug. "No matter, those arms are hooge buggers. Only a fool would mess with those. 'OY, Lightweight! Where'd ye get thoze pipes!? "
Rath returns the quizzical look, minus the glare. Pipes? "I'm sorry, Master Darknugget, I don't smoke tabac."
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"I'm sorry, Master Darknugget, I don't smoke tabac.
Pete bellows out a laugh that sounds like gravel sliding through sluices. "Blimey 'e's daft! No! I mean these pipes!" Pete flexes an arm and points to the bulging muscles there - then points to the magnificent arms on the monk. "I bet ye can make some hay with those trunks! Ha! As for smokey-smoke...I don't mind if I do...."
Pete pulls out a pipe and lights it...and soon great clouds of smoke are billowing all over.
Aye. Darknugget I am, from the Brazen Peaks down Katapesh way. Or you may call me Pete. I-uh-well I'm at yer service. And thank thee....Elf...for the draught. I thought I was 'bout to die of thirst...thanks lass." He accepts the next mug more grasciously from the barmaid and takes a solid swig. HIC!
Alexis smiles warmly at Pete's compliment.
Mr. Darknugget, what led you to join our expedition?"
Well. I was kinda hopin' to find out from yerself. 'Twas that highroller Feldspar that sent me yer way to ask ye! But I'll break it down nice and simple fer ye. I be comin' to help ye out, find me some paydirt, and some o' them bootiful rocks they be sayin' are to be found out 'cross the water. That about does it. I'd be kindly wantin' to know what yer about also - if ye please.
"Ah Feldspar, our retainer mentioned she had some dialog with an individual by that name after we put out a call for experts in the fields of mineralogy and geology. Miss Nell said the man spoke very highly of your skills."
When Teri returns with a steaming mug of tea, Alexis takes a dubious whiff, and arches one golden eyebrow in curiosity. Venturing a small sip, she appears to be pleasantly surprised and nods to Teri in approval.
"As for what I'm about..." she pauses to consider whether it is too lengthy to explain or not, "Well... my parents were Pathfinders, you see. About 15 years ago, the Duke funded an expedition to Arcadia. While there, he and the Duchess made an amazing discovery."
Alexis fishes her wayfinder out of her pouch by its silver fob chain, and pops-free a small chunk of dull grey rock streaked with a silvery-white ore. She places leans forward as if to place it in the center of the table but takes her hands off of it a few inches above one of Pete's empty tankards. Yet instead of falling, it remains suspended in mid-air. "Please, examine it, everyone."
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Rath laughs, "Please forgive! I don't know all your colorful phrases in the common speech. Regarding my pipes, I come from a low caste that does manual labor. Also, I am a monk. Our training is..." searching for the right word, "rigorous."
Rath, having no occult talents, can only watch the object float and wonder at its nature. He vaguely wishes Elorin hadn't left, I would have liked to see his skill with that bow. Turning back to the suspended piece of metal, he tries to think of something relevant to say, "It is astonishing." hoping the opening will elicit more information.
The double doors to the kitchens open. At first, you don't notice anybody step through into the common room, but then realize an unusually short kobold (unusual even for a kobold) wearing a chef's apron approaches the bar.
"Did somebody leave a food shipment out here and let it rot or something?" he yips in a shrill, tiny voice. "What stinks?"
Teri the wench shushes him and nods over at Pete.
"Oh, a dwarf. I understand. Let everybody know that supper will be ready momentarily, assuming my invaded sense of smell hasn't made me totally screw this food up!"
The cranky kobold chef disappears back into the kitchens as Teri comes to tell you to prepare for dinner.
"I correct myself. THAT was astonishing."
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Rath, having no occult talents, can only watch the object float and wonder at its nature. ... "It is astonishing."
"Oh yes, very!" Alexis looks genuinely excited. "You see, my mentors at the academy believe that this unique mineral is coexistant upon both the prime and astral planes. Now as we've been taught, on the astral plane there is no mass or inertia — only thought gives locomotion to form..." The young princess continues to ramble on about flying ships, tools that can be controlled by the thoughts of the artisan, and many other more esoteric ideas. You've never seen her so animated and... happy before. She seems genuinely oblivious to Elorin's story about the boar, his swordplay demonstration, the increasingly large formation of empty tankards in front of Pete, the chef's protestations, or anything else.
At some point she starts talking about the key to regaining her rightful title, but slips into elvish mid-spiel. With Elorin having taken his leave, the rest can only wonder if she'll either finish talking or pass out first from hyperventilation.
The teetotaller's a little topheavy methinks."
The dwarf's words bring Alexis back to reality and she pauses, mouth slightly agape and suddenly caught with nothing to say. After a moment, she realizes that Pete and Rath were talking about Rath's well-developed physique, and she leans back in her seat with a soft sigh of relief.
"So there you have it, Master Dwarf," she finally says, "academic intrigue and family honor."
That's an attractive ring you have there, miss. May I have a look at it?
She removes the ring from the middle digit of her right hand and goes to hand it to Elorin to pass over to Pete just now realizing that he departed some time ago. Getting up, she walks around the table and places it on a dry spot in front of Pete. Eyes growing wide at his aroma, she resumes fanning herself while he inspects the ring. "It is the ducal badge from my father's line. A holy sword flanked by the wings of an osprey, surrounded by a garland of the bayside laurel native to our home province."
The ring's band is made of of copper, gold, and mithril wire worked into delicate laurel branches. They entwine to form the setting for the garland — a hundred tiny slivers of green tourmaline shaped into laurel-leaves and punctuated by tiny flowers of yellow diamond. In the center, a small sword made of mithril pierces a gold ducal coronet. It is flanked to either side by eagle wings cast from mother of pearl.
Since I don't want to go mucking with the story you've prepared, I'll leave the matter in your hands as another plot-hook/carrot to dangle at a later date if you so choose.
Inspecting the ring the dwarf starts chattering away....
...very ornate but beautiful..and detailed..I tend to go for the simple designs ye know?....capture the shape of the stone...the story of the forces tha - the dwarf is still inspecting Alexis' fine jewelry appreciatively when she reveals the Stone!
"Please, examine it, everyone."
Gasp! By the dusky Beard of Dumathoin - Keeper of Secrets*, but that is a wonder to behold! Never seen the like! By me eyes it could be mithril ore, but what magic is this? The dwarf deftly caresses the metal in his hands and brings it to his eyes for close examination. Then he digs into the fold of his tunic and pulls out a leather case. From that case he pulls out a metal instrument and a scale. He taps the ore, measures it at various angles. He takes a measure of its negative mass. He tastes it. He rubs it, smells it. He holds it over a candle flame ever so gently. He looks at it through a tiny crystal glass from many angles. Anyone who hasn't had a chance to examine it yet should be getting very impatient with the dwarf by now.....
Inspecting the ring the dwarf starts chattering away....
...very ornate but beautiful..and detailed..I tend to go for the simple designs ye know?....capture the shape of the stone...the story of the forces tha -
Alexis begins to comment, "Ah, a similar philosophy to Yuelral, the goddess I follo—"
Gasp! By the dusky Beard of Dumathoin... The dwarf deftly caresses the metal in his hands and brings it to his eyes for close examination...
Alexis' voice trails off and she bites her lower lip in excitement upon noting Pete's professional enthusiasm and scientific methods. Content to let him go on as she carefully listens to his finding, she takes up her mug of now luke-warm tea and says to no one in particular, "Yes, I think we've found some common ground*."
* The scholarly princess allows a brief giggle to escape, clearly pleased over her mineralogical pun.
Unlike other settings, the dwarves of Golarion do not limit themselves to worshiping only dwarven gods (despite the overwhelmingly large representation dwarves have among the deities). Yuelral is an elven goddess of gems and crystals. There is no one Golarion god that fits the portfolio of Dumathoin.
The dwarven gods in Golarion tend to focus either on battle or the hearth and home. While I'd say no to creating new minor deities for Pete to reference, feel free to create dwarven heroes or some such.
Alexis begins to comment, "Ah, a similar philosophy to Yuelral, the goddess I follo—
knowledge religion
Rath, unable to keep up with the conversation, politely feigns understanding and delight - remembering the words of his Guru, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
In the meantime, he is trying to smell the Kobold chef's cooking to determine if the meal will be delicious or toxic.