Elorin wonders back in, dumping a backpack loaded down with gear next to his seat "Rath my good friend, I thought better than to go to bed on an empty stomach, so I grabbed my things and made haste to get back here. THe fresh air did me a world of good, Did I miss dinner?"
"A commendable choice, Master Elorin! Going to bed hungry is never pleasant and this may be our last meal for quite some time that doesn't have hard-tack in it." Rath says, "Your timing is excellent. Dinner is about to be served... though I think our cook will be more unique than his food."
Alexis smiles at Elorin's return and greets him in elvish.
She concludes her greeting with a wink and resumes speaking in common, "Ravarath, what's so unique about our cook, I don't believe I've glanced them?" She sips on a glass of wine that Teri delivered not long ago, "Also, what is this... hard tack... of which you speak? It sounds like an unsavory attempt at elvish waybread judging by your context."
"I haven't tried waybread but hard-tack is a similar idea - dense, nutritious food that lasts for a very long time. Sort of a log of meaty, nutty sawdust.. in my opinion. I've been on several boats and it, sadly, is a part of most meals. As for our cook..." he states matter-of-factly, "he is a kobold."
Alexis chokes a bit on her wine as Rath reveals the cook's race. "I do hope *cough* that Mr. Gray's faith in this cook *sputter* is well-placed..."
Alexis holds her wine glass to her lips for a moment, though she does not sip.
As part of the spell Alexis cast, you can whisper a reply back to her if you wish.
Alexis smiles at Elorin's return and greets him in elvish.
** spoiler omitted **
She concludes her greeting with a wink and resumes speaking in common, "Ravarath, what's so unique about our cook, I don't believe I've glanced them?" She sips on a glass of wine that Teri delivered not long ago, "Also, what is this... hard tack... of which you speak? It sounds like an unsavory attempt at elvish waybread judging by your context."
Elorin's greeting.
Alexis raises her glass to Sir Elorin and replies.
"So you say the chef is a kobald eh, I hope this isn't the chef's special roast of succulent manling?"
Fortunately, Alexis was not sipping her wine when Elorin made this comment. She nervously repeats, "Man... ling..." and turns to Abbas with an imploring look in her indigo eyes.
Teri and the other wenches emerge from the kitchens with plates of pan-fried fish and vegetables that smell heavenly. Even the look of the food suggests a 10gp a meal restaurant. Biting into it, you recognize that some of the ingredients are from the cheaper end of the marketplace, but the quality of the cooking more than makes up for any shortcomings in the food itself. Any trepidations you may have had eating kobold food are obliterated after the first bite.
After a few minutes, the cranky kobold sticks his head out the doors to observe how well his repast is going over.
"Alexis my dear, I was only kidding." Elorin wolfs down several bites, "It is really quite good, my compliments to the chef."
Elorin raises his glass and looks to the rest of the group "To our success in our great endeavor, may our words and deeds be only matched by our courage!"
"Alexis my dear, I was only kidding." Elorin wolfs down several bites, "It is really quite good, my compliments to the chef."
Alexis breathes a sigh of relief and offers a quiet prayer to Yuelral before she begins eating. "Mmm..." she dabs at her mouth with a napkin, "is this braised duckling? It's one of my favorites and this is quite good. I shall recommend our master chef's culinary talents to my sister for her next dinner soiree!"
Elorin raises his glass and looks to the rest of the group "To our success in our great endeavor, may our words and deeds be only matched by our courage!"
Alexis nods in approval and raises her own glass to Elorin toast. "And whether in coin or in spirit, may the fruits of our coming discoveries enrich both ourselves and Golarion!"
She tinks her glass against Elorin's (and that of whomever is sitting to her right) and drinks deeply finishing her second glass. After a moment, she attempts to discretely loosen the waist ties at bottom of her 3-panel corset and then requests another glass of wine before she continues feasting.
You are saved from an uncomfortable lull in the conversation by the re-opening of the front door. The light pouring in from the street silhouettes a small frame with a surprising amount of gear strapped to it's slight body. As your eyes recover from the assault of light, a strange sight stares back at you.
Nature in it's most predatory form has apparently walked in off the street in the form of a surprisingly large goblin.
Well-muscled and well-scarred arms cross the chest of a powerful if short frame, and from big round head to bare feet he is covered by mis-matched and sewn-together leathers of various cuts and colors, and you can just see the tell tale signs of a chain shirt beneath the leathers. The parts of the goblin not covered in bone-decotrated leathers appear to be covered in scars, and instead of the craven, furtive posture of most of his ilk, this goblin stands upright, chest puffed up and challenging. Lashed across his back is a full-size human bastard sword, regripped for tiny hands, and a sling wrapped around his waist for a belt.
His massive red eyes drink in each of the room's occupants, and you get the distinct impression you've just been weighed and measured. From one ear hangs a pitch-black raven feather affixed to a chain, and his huge toothy maw is set in a mocking grin. The eyes settle on the quiet visage of Ravarath…
"Biter wasing know Biter wasing smell something foul! If Hunt-master wasing to tell Biter that Skinny Rath wasing on this ship, Biter was'ing to have turned down the job! HAHA!"
The tiny warrior throws his arms wide with whipcord speed, "NOW FRIEND RATH IS GIVING BITER A HUG BEFORE BITER IS'ING GETTING IMPATIENT!"
"Now this should be interesting...this should mark the first time I am not trying to sheath my blades into one of the little guys let alone potentially fighting beside one. My mother would have loved to have seen this. Alexis my dear, another toast to firsts?"
"Rath, if you can speak for our new companion then I say come, sit and join us for a drink!"
In a blur of motion, Rath approaches Biter and they both square off as if sizing up enemies. Then they lock arms and engage in a hug that is somewhere between deep camaraderie and an attempt to crush the life out of each other. It is unclear who would win but the clinch looks painful.
"Biter! Had I been told you would be here... I would have insisted all the livestock be placed in one ship... under guard."
Keeping a friendly hand on Biter's shoulder, Rath turns to the group. "Companions, this is Pathfinder Biter, my classmate and a traveling companion from Cheliax. You will run into few better with a blade... or teeth. Biter, these are Mistress Alexis and Masters Abbas, Elorin, and Darknugget. You're just in time for dinner, sit."
After sitting down, Rath (with the biggest smile you have seen yet) says, "I will tell you one astonishing thing about Biter - He is resourceful. Tell me, Biter, how did you get those pretty Elvish apprentice Pathfinders to how-do-you-say-it double-date with us?"
Alexis rests a pale, slender hand on the front of her corset as she pushes her empty plate away. Gazing upon Biter's entrance, and hearing Rath's words about a double-date with elvish apprentices, she glances at her nearly depleted wine glass then at Rath's glass of water and arches an eyebrow out of mock suspicion.
Then smirking a bit and feeling quite at-ease amongst folks who aren't wound-up over pomp and ceremony, the slightly tipsy princess raises her glass and comments, "Well, this evening is just full of surprises. Come, join us Biter. Although do be careful... if either of you attempt to get too resourceful let me warn you — I'm so stuffed right now that given any roughness I might explode and take half of Avistan with us!"
"Do not worry, Miss. While I don't remember how Biter's date ended, mine was... unfortunate. I think perhaps I lack the skills to appeal to refined women." Rath seems genuinely bothered by this, then brightens, "Nevertheless, Biter's feat was remarkable. We were both hm... unpopular in Cheliax. The Chelaxians match the snobbery of Taldanes when it comes to those of us who don't speak good common."
Alexis waves a hand in the air and shakes her head, "You have not witnessed snobbery until seeing human ambassadors muddle their elvish in the courts of Kyonin. Chelaxians may be devil-worshippers, but I assure you it's for everyone's well-being that outsiders are permitted no further into Kyonin than Greengold.
She seems lost in thought for a moment before mentioning, "As for Taldor, my mother hailed from here actually. It seems a strange thing to think of anyone getting high-nosed over common. Do I seem so to you? For Alis I'm pretty sure it's just a game... making men uncomfortable I mean. Er..."
At her last random comment, Alexis catches herself rambling nonsense and covers her mouth with her finger-tips, eyes wide. She then glares dubiously at her empty wine glass. Drawing herself up in her chair, she folds her hands in her lap and quietly observes the continuing conversations.
"Teri dear I have a request of you." he gets up and walks over to Teri over and wispers in her ear
Eloring returns to his seat.
"So an entire group of Pathfinders, is there a reason why they are sending so many to one destination? I would think they would be concerned about the possibility of loosing so many on one expedition."
"Teri dear I have a request of you." he gets up and walks over to Teri over and wispers in her ear.
"So an entire group of Pathfinders, is there a reason why they are sending so many to one destination? I would think they would be concerned about the possibility of loosing so many on one expedition."
Alexis counts for a moment and looks up with some confusion on her pretty face. "I thought only half of us were Pathfinders. Are you, Brother Abbas, and Mr. Darknugget part of The Society as well? My apologies for not realizing..."
When Teri comes back to refill her glass, Alexis holds her hand over it and whispers.
Alexis absent-mindedly inspects her wayfinder making certain she replaced The Stone™ in the ioun-stone slot after Pete was thru making his observations.
Rath smiles, though it's not clear at what. "No, Miss. I was poorly telling unrelated tales - Chelaxian snobbery is one and my inability to charm women is another. Neither was a statement about you... although since I seem to have slighted you unintentionally. I think this is proof that I lack charm. Please forgive."
Rath smiles, though it's not clear at what. "I seem to have slighted you unintentionally. I think this is proof that I lack charm. Please forgive."
Hearing Rath's words, Alexis looks up from fiddling with her wayfinder, a mild look of surprise on her face. "Oh no, not at all, I took no offense. It's just wine and our upcoming voyage buoying old memories to the surface... You see, my parents actually died during the return trip from their own expedition to Arcadia." She sighs. "To survive such an adventure only to be killed in sight of shore..."
She shakes her head to put the thoughts out-of-mind and returns her wayfinder to its pouch. "Please, forgive this teetotaler for casting rain over our celebration." Alexis gives Rath a smile, her comment no-doubt hearkening back to Pete's quip about the sturdy monk's choice to abstain from strong drink, but it seems a difficult smile for her to manage.
"I apologize Mistress Pathfinder I was not given that particular blessing on this day. But, I shall remember your request during tomorrows dawn prayers"
Hello Pathfinder Biter, It seems Sarenrae has belssed me with yet another interesting companion
"No ma'am I am not part of the society, I am merely hired on for this expedition. That is not to say I would not be interested in joining someday but this is the first time In my travels Ive had dealings with the society."
"I apologize Mistress Pathfinder I was not given that particular blessing on this day. But, I shall remember your request during tomorrows dawn prayers"
"Many thanks, Brother Abbas. While it was thankfully irrelevant here, it may be useful in the days ahead."
"All this talk of Pathfinders, I guess I was starting to assume too much. No matter I was just curious. Now Rath, were did we leave off you asked me about my fighting ability, I am also curious about yours? I have heard of monks but never fought beside one. Is it really true that some of your order don't use weapons of any type except for you fists and feet?"
Guidance is also a powerful 0 lvl spell. Since you can cast it unlimited times my tabletop group pretty much casts it before we open any door, the fact that is lasts a minute works pretty well.
As far as wizard spells go, looks like you have the best one covered, color spray. It would have been nice to have the Druid in for entangle, didn't he say he was bowing out? Nice to slow down enemies so you can make them into pin cushions.
It would have been nice to have the Druid in for entangle, didn't he say he was bowing out? Nice to slow down enemies so you can make them into pin cushions.
"All this talk of Pathfinders, I guess I was starting to assume too much. No matter I was just curious. Now Rath, were did we leave off you asked me about my fighting ability, I am also curious about yours? I have heard of monks but never fought beside one. Is it really true that some of your order don't use weapons of any type except for you fists and feet?"
"Regrettably, that is somewhat untrue. We use fists, feet, open palms, fingers, elbows, knees, and our skulls when necessary. *smile* But that is usually a last choice. Most of my order use a few other weapons as well... although the 'purest' form of the art uses no weapons ever. I am considered too practical to be a true artist. Perhaps when I become more skilled, I will try to forgo all weapons save these." He concludes holding up his calloused hands. "Would you be interested in demonstrating our various skills? I would like to see your skill with a bow and there appears to be a dartboard over there..."
"An interesting thought Rath, but I wouldn't like to impose on our host as such by firing a longbow in a tavern. I don't even have the thing strung at the moment and a miss might cause our stay here to be shortened *he grins back*. I am sure on the journey to Absolom and beyond we will have to find things to keep us occupied!"
Biter has spent this time clearing his side of the table of anything edible... Looking up and nodding blankly when he thinks he's been addressed. Other than that, he consumes what literally must be one and a half his own body weight in food. Realizing there is no more food in reach, his searching eyes rove the room.
Picking food from the farthest back corner of his mouth with his pinky, he finally asks, "So, when we'ings to get going?" his eyes round as a horrid thought occurs to him. "We'ing notting pay for this foodings, no?" A look of sincerest concern washing over his features."
Rath watches with fascination as his friend demolishes all the food on their side of the table, almost missing Biter's question.
"Do not worry. The 'Hunt-master' paid for the lodging and food - just don't eat the serving wenches. *smile* We sleep here tonight. And tomorrow we set sail." He pats Biter's shoulder with affection.
To Elorin, he inclines his head, "As you wish Master Archer."
Noting how much food Biter has packed away, Alexis jokes, "I hope Mr Gray has chartered a whaling vessel to join us on this voyage. I fear Biter might otherwise see the ships' larders emptied in a fortnight! As for weapon plays..." Alexis gestures toward the multitude of empty drinking vessels piled about, and winks, "I suspect that would be as wise as if I put on a pyrotechnics diplay right now. By the by, does anyone know the time? We have a busy morning ahead of us and it will take a while to sleep off this legendary repast!"
"This is the Docks district, yes?" He casts a measuring eye around the establishment, looking at the tell-tale battle damage that any low-end tavern endures "I think this inn is used to coarser patrons than us and I doubt I'm the first to draw a weapon here... but I might be the first to do so as a polite comparison of skills." His smile is kindly as he shrugs "Still, it is of little import and perhaps this isn't the right place. We will all demonstrate our skills when need asks - hopefully." Rath drinks his water and considers that final point.
"Biter, it never hurts to store up some extra food, you never know when your next decent meal might be. As far as the time milady, I would imagine that it is getting rather late by the passing of the numbers of ale's that poor Teri has had to summon. Just let me know when you would like me to escort you to your room as I am about ready to retire as well."
By this time, most of you will have noticed that Elorin appears to have moved to water as well some time ago.
At the long-ears' mention of missing meals and storing up food, Biter nervously glances around the half-empty table, shrugs, and begins scooting around the edge of the table, continuing to devour anything that comes into his ravenous reach.
Then, remembering Rath's mention of the ridiculous double-date, he merrily elaborates on the story, "One thing," Biter says with a shake of his head, "thosing 'pretty elvish apprentices' (Biter punctuates each word with tiny air-quotes) was'ing might having thought Rath to be some far-landing prince… Biter might was'ing have told them that." He gives an innocent shrug and looks meaningfully at the other table occupants, "Friend Rath was'ing in bigging need of a bedding, if you'sing knowing what Biter is to meaning." He holds up two gravy-covered fingers, "Two thing… even for long-legs, long-ears females, those two was'ing some kinda' terrible-ugly." With a wicked bark of a laugh, the goblin hops down onto the floor, taking shelter under his chair and huddling as if cold, "The one that was'ing with Friend Rath sure was'ing having a hatchet nose big enough so that Biter could use it as cover from rain that night! HAHA!" One powerful leap carries him back into his chair once again, "and three thing," Biter turns to look back at Rath, "Biter is'ing still notting know how Friend Rath wake up following morning with no clothes, no date, and in the office of the Initiate's Manager. 'Xactly how muching drinkings did Friend Rath have that night?" Then he begins to laugh.. a manic, full-body, table-pounding laugh that threatens to knock over poor Alexis' (now near empty) glass.
As his laughter winds down, Biter's eyes focus in on Elorin's twin shortswords. Point ing at them with one butter-covered finger, Biter asks, "What? Does'ing Kuuc'Or* eat with those tiny rat-pokers?" A teasing grin settling on his face. "Maybe on the boat Biter is to be showing Kuuc'Or to use a weapon or two." And he taps the huge blade over his shoulder with one goblin paw.
A hunk of meat still hiding on the underside of a bone catches his eye… Biter remedies the offense.
Elorin raises one eyebrow and looks the goblin square in the eyes
Well Biter, I haven't had much use for them in eating, but carving the spleens out of many an adversary, that's a different story. I would be more than happy to spar with you once we get on board the ship, as I mentioned to Rath, we should learn each others strengths and weeknesses so we can best learn how to compliment each other in combat. What do you mean by "Kuuc'Or*" by the way, I don't speak your native tongue?
Biter's grin answers Kuuc'Or's acceptance to mock-combat. Then his brow scrunches up as he searches the right words for the translation.
Running a finger along the length of his own ear while nodding to Elorin's he responds, "Long-Ears." Then he gives Kuuc'Or his winningest smile, which amounts to half his face being eclipsed by razor-teeth.
He grins back Humph, never been much of one for a nickname but if you must I will take it as a compliment.
Not too bothered about the bold, but it does make it easier to pick up on when you are speaking vs. the narrative.
With a slightly confused look on his face, Biter mouths "nick-name", and you can just see the question mark that follows it. Boredom, Biter's ever-present foe, begins to nip at the goblin's mind, so he begins seeking out some form of entertainment.
Spying the dwarf's mountain of gear in the corner, Biter slips soundlessly from his chair and stalks across the room, circling the pile of gear in search for something interesting or new.
"thosing 'pretty elvish apprentices' (Biter punctuates each word with tiny air-quotes) was'ing might having thought Rath to be some far-landing prince... Biter might was'ing have told them that. Friend Rath was'ing in bigging need of a bedding, if you'sing knowing what Biter is to meaning. Two thing... even for long-legs, long-ears females, those two was'ing some kinda' terrible-ugly. The one that was'ing with Friend Rath sure was'ing having a hatchet nose big enough so that Biter could use it as cover from rain that night! HAHA! Biter is'ing still notting know how Friend Rath wake up following morning with no clothes, no date, and in the office of the Initiate's Manager. 'Xactly how muching drinkings did Friend Rath have that night?" Then he begins to laugh.. a manic, full-body, table-pounding laugh that threatens to knock over poor Alexis' (now near empty) glass.
Laughing along, Rath responds, "I don't remember them as ugly, Biter. Perhaps your Goblin tastes are more refined when it comes to viewing long-leg-long-ears? Or maybe, since I'm working with this," he waves a hand casually in front of his own mis-shapened face, "I have lower standards... We can't all be as pretty as you."
"As for me being a 'Prince' - that explains much! The girl asked me about the Thuvian Court. I told her I don't play ball and racquet games often... AND regarding me being naked - I was in a loin-cloth..." a tinge of false outrage enters his voice, "and, as I told you then, I was meditating, which is best done without clothes, and the Mistress' office was private - so I wouldn't disturb anyone. My 'drinkings' had nothing to do with it." He concludes, trying to appear saintly (and failing) while sipping his water.
Without looking away from the mountain of gear Biter responds, "Holding a sheeting of papers of the Lady's daily reports to being hiding your tenders is notting really make a loincloth…" he trails off as he notices what appears to be a loose piece of rope hanging from the halfway up the gear pile and begins to give it a not-so-gentle tug…
He grins back Humph, never been much of one for a nickname but if you must I will take it as a compliment.
Rath picks up something of Elorin's feeling about being called 'long ears' and addresses him quietly, "Master Archer, Biter is a bit rough spoken, particularly in common, but he means no offense. Having learned a bit of Goblin while traveling with him, I find that Goblins name other races by description - long-ears, long-legs, tiny-man, round-head, and so on. It isn't meant as an insult. When Biter truly wants to insult someone he does it with his blade. Please try to tolerate his... hm... eccentricities. He is a stalwart and good-hearted companion - just a bit rough around his corners... er... edges."
Without looking away from the mountain of gear Biter responds, "Holding a sheeting of papers of the Lady's daily reports to being hiding your tenders is notting really make a loincloth…" he trails off as he notices what appears to be a loose piece of rope hanging from the halfway up the gear pile and begins to give it a not-so-gentle tug…
"It was hot in her office and I was fanning myself. And regardless of what was widely reported, I did have a loincloth. I'm not responsible for what the Mistress wanted to see as opposed to what was actually there to see... Biter, stop pulling that rope!"
Whatever response Biter was making regarding the monk is cut short as the rope yanks free a cooking pot, which dislodges the handle of a shovel, which in turn brings down the entire pile of gear with a deafening crash.
Biter sidesteps it quickly , looks up to see if anyone saw what happened, then takes a giant step away from it, trying to don an innocent 'oh my goodness.. what could have caused all that?' look.
Alexis holds her paper fan in front of her face to conceal her amusement at the men's banter, but it cannot hide her smiling eyes or the occassional giggle that escapes her. "I can see that I shall have to learn the language of goblin-kin at some point, it seems a most... colorful tongue."
Whatever response Biter was making regarding the monk is cut short as the rope yanks free a cooking pot, which dislodges the handle of a shovel, which in turn brings down the entire pile of gear with a deafening crash.
Biter sidesteps it quickly , looks up to see if anyone saw what happened, then takes a giant step away from it, trying to don an innocent 'oh my goodness.. what could have caused all that?' look.