The Varisian Sandbox (Inactive)

Game Master GM Tallgrass

15th of Erastus, 4713 AR

It is the end of a hot, hot summer day in Turtleback Ferry. Whether you've walked all day to arrive here or just across the street, you're covered in a layer of sweat. A cold drink and a light meal are unquestionably in order.

Your current destination, the local tavern The Turtle's Parlor, features a large common room with several smaller rooms on the second floor for the guests. A large pane window in the front of the establishment offers a beautiful view of Claybottom Lake.

As you walk into The Turtle's Parlor, you see only four other patrons - two old men sitting silently and drinking, a gnome who appears to be studying some large books and a portly gentleman consuming his meal. It appears you've beat the crowd. There is a young, plain-looking woman who appears to be taking orders and a portly cook in the open kitchen (what tavern would be complete without a fat cook?). Two halflings stand in one corner of the room, one tuning a stringed instrument and the other blowing some soft notes in a flute; they're apparently the evening's entertainment.

You have your goals, your objectives, your purpose. But those are on hold for a moment. For now, you just need a drink.

First to post is the first to arrive.

Huzzah for Midge the Meek!

Glancing at Alonna, Hammas gestures with her head towards the barmaid. Approaching her unobtrusively, something she does very well, Hammas asks for the barkeep. We're looking for the owner, if he's around, and a cold drink for our thirst.

Jeyvara finds herself stretching as she makes her way down the staircase toward the common room. Being cooped up for so long had left the young half-elf restless and she felt the need to get out and relax before moving on in the morning.

She recognizes the woman that takes the orders and makes her way over to her with a smile. "I think I'd like to enjoy dinner out here for a change. What's on the menu?"

After the woman responds, Jeyvara leans in a bit closer and speaks in a hushed tone, "Don't suppose you have any strong drinks in this place? I could definitely use one after everything that's happened lately."

Zora brushes into the tavern, a few steps ahead of her friend. She wasn't afraid to run when it mattered-- like right now, where she was so hungry and in dire need of becoming black-out drunk.

The beautiful Varisian girl takes stock of the people in the tavern-- a half-orc, a half-elf, half-lings and the rest. She waves innocently to them all and barrels into an empty chair at an empty table. While the mountain air is cold, sometimes freezing, she'd dressed a bit too heavily and it had mired her in sweat. Zora takes the moment to undress.

Her piercings and earrings jingle as she pulls back her hood and unwraps the patchwork scarf from her shoulders, looping it around and on the back of the chair and taking great care to not let it touch the ground. She rolls her sleeves up and, for lack of anything else, stretches out in the chair like a cat. Looking back to the door, her face twinges with worry, but then she waves it away and waits with bright anticipation-- for both the serving girl to approach and offer her all of the delicious food, and for her friend to come through the door.

@Rags: You get the acute sense that Zora is waiting on you. What's taking you so long? Come on!

Mister Ragman pauses at the entrance to the tavern. On the one hand, being indoors can be confining, what if there is a crowd? On the other hand: food and drink!
"Food!" Mister Ragman exclaims as he enters the tavern. That's not right, you are supposed to sit down first. Where did Zora go?
He scans the room until he spots Zora, hardly registering the presence of anyone else in the tavern. He makes his way to Zora's table, nearly bumping into an unnoticed table on his way over.

@Zora: Sorry. So we can eat now? I love food.

"We are really hungry." He announces to the room, hoping one of these people is supposed to bring them food.

"Haha!" He barks out a laugh. Laughing seems to put others at ease.

Zora's face cracks up in an expression of laughter, but unnervingly, there's no sound. She slaps the tabletop several times and kicks out a chair for her raggedy man to sit down in. Zora points at it and chops her hand into her palm afterwards.

@Rags: Sit down and I'll get you some.

She gestures a wide circle with her fingers and then a knife and fork. Rolling her eyes, she leans in her chair and waves animatedly to the serving girl-- that was long enough, right? Not getting her attention, she tries harder, miming tossing a lasso and pulling it.

Ragman drops his lanky body into the chair. He grins at Zora's miming act and wonders if he should laugh out loud for her.

Castellus winces as he downs another shot of rum. The taste was bitter to him now - a disappointment to be sure. A few people move about the tavern, but the ol' pirate captain remains at an smaller table, practically sipping at the rum he'd grown an unfortunate allergy to. Did somebody just walk in? ... No, couldn't have. I would've seen. Cale sighed and put the drink down. It impaired his senses far too much nowadays. He needed to start thinking clearer if he hoped to reverse te reputation of what Balthier had done. His name remained unsullied in some parts and some responded with a sense of awe, but it still remained dishonored by that traitorous bastard. It seemed that those who had heard of Cale's death responded to his resurrection decently. This was helping him smear Balthier and restore his own name. He'd need infamy on his side once he got his crew back together.

A crew... Damn it! Cale huffed and slammed his drink down, perhaps a bit too loud for his intention. Where the hell am I going to find a crew to replace those from the Shiv? The assassin especially... Things hadn't gone according to plan upon his return to Ilizmagorti from the Shiv. He returned Kalisama's body to her "brethren" at the Red Temple and was faced with the ire of the Red Mantis. He revealed the location of not only the former cache of loot acquired during his days with Balthier, but the location of the Shiv as well. No doubt that damnable island contained something to sate the religious zealots. Something he didn't send off with the others when they escaped the island. Where would he find a better crew now?

"We are really hungry." Cale glanced over with the rest of the room. Good for you, gent. Doubtful any really care. He glanced back at his drink and shrugged, drinking the lot in one swift swig. Bottoms up.. The drink didn't make it to his gullet before that same man who'd announced his appetite knocked against his table and spilled his drink over him. It was the last insult of the day.

"Could you watch yourself next time, mate? Some of us are trying to drink here." He wipes the front of his coat as the man sits down across the way with his woman. "An apology tempered with a replacement would not go amiss, my good man." Cale called from across the way, shaking his now empty glass and let his free hand fall to his gun, ready for something less than an apology.

I think you took some liberty with my post, but I'll play along, since it gets us interacting.

Ragman could feel a sense of urgency coming from Mister Bird. Is there danger? What is it? Sensations filled his mind, a bumped table, a spilled drink. Ragman became aware that someone was talking to him. The man appeared angry, which Ragman knew sometimes led to trouble.

"An apology tempered with a replacement would not go amiss, my good man."

More sensations flowed from his familiar. A vision of himself, buying this angry man a drink.

"Haha. Yes. Of course I'm very sorry about that. I want a drink too, in fact I've found I need to drink to live, so I can see why you would be upset to lose the one you had. Haha. I'd be happy to replace your drink. Please, come and join my friend and I and we can all drink together.

"A drink! Yes! I'll have a glass of elven wine with a slice of orange and a..." Alonna's voice trails off as she rummages in her coin purse, noting the lack of gold. A quick flush spreads across her cheeks and she waves a hand, glacing around the room. A few strange people - a man dressed like a pirate drinking rum, a young man wearing strange ragged clothes, and a woman, his companion, who appeared unable to speak, but who seemed to be miming food. "Never mind. A glass of water will be all for me, with a squeeze of lemon. But bring something more satisfying for my friend here, would you?" She claps Hammas on the shoulder, grinning. "And also, there seem to be a couple of people who want your attention. They seem hungry. And finally, I know my friend and I would like to see the owner of this fine establishment, so if you could be so kind as to tell us where to find him, that would be wonderful."

That all done, Alonna sighs as she sits down at a table, stretching her legs out. Days of walking had left her aching all over, but it had to have been worse for her horse. She glances at the windows, seeing he was still hitched outside, and smiled. Good.

"Sit, sit." She gestured to an empty seat. "Rest those aching bones. A hearty meal and a cold drink is in order here!" She leans in, blushing again. "And hey, I'll get you that 20gp as soon as we have it, okay? Believe me, I hate being in your debt."

Zora watched the scarecrow talk with a cat's grin on her face.

@Rags: You're such a pushover! That's fine. I wonder if he's a real pirate?

She kicks out another chair beside the both of them and points at it, curling up and draping a leg over one of the arms of her seat. A flurry of welcoming and beckoning 'come on, come on!' gestures ensues from the Varisian girl, at least until she sees the serving girl coming. With a start, she looks at Ragman with wide blue eyes.

@Rags: She's coming! Are you paying or am I? Get your money if you are!

@ZoraI don't think he's a real pirate. The ocean is so far away. Where would he keep his ship? I bet he's with the carnival. Oh, yes yes money. I need to get my money. Thank you.

Ragman opens his belt pouch and pulls out a piece of chalk. He stares at it for a beat, obviously confused as to why he has it. He puts it back in his pouch and feels around until he hears a jingle. His weathered face cracks into a huge grin.

@Zora I'm ready to buy things. What do you want?

He turns to the serving girl. "We are ready to buy things. I want lots of food. Eggs and bread and meat and, um, more eggs I guess. And Milk. And there's a man over there that wants a drink, and I am buying it for him. But I don't know what he wants. And my friend wants food and drink too."

@Rags: If he's got a pirate ship, we should be his pal so he'll take us up the river. She makes a waving motion in the air with her palm flat.

Zora roughly takes the serving girl's hand and begins to write in her palm with her finger. Scribbling with her fingernail for a moment, Zora concentrates on getting the message across. It takes a minute, but afterwards, Zora gives the girl a thumbs up. She should know exactly what she wants, and exactly what not to bring her raggedy friend-- they weren't buying the entire kitchen this time 'just in case we find an empty pantry'. Zora drops the girl's hand to give her a second thumbs up.

The varisian mute looks to the pirate captain and raises an inquisitive brow.

While Alonna looks outside, Hammas speaks quietly to the barmaid and hands her four silver coins, Two mugs of applejack, with some fresh mint if you have any, and two house dinners.

Sitting across from her friend, Hammas leans her walking stick against the table and laughs. You're an odd one. I told you not to worry about it and meant it. Now, no more talk of money, except of 'ow rich we'll be when we find the giant's gold.

Watching the rest of the room, Hammas nudges Alonna with her foot, Our meal may not be too fast, or quiet. Someone is looking for trouble. Her gaze indicating the man dressed like a sailor.

"Drunk, you think?" Alonna asks Hammas, muttering out of the corner of her mouth. "Reckon we could take him if things turn sour, but I'd rather not be throwing flasks of fire in a place like this." She frowns slightly, skimming her eyes over the room, as if calculating something, then shakes her head to clear it. "Ah yes, the giant's gold. When we find it, I plan on paying you back double, and I don't plan on taking no for an answer."

The barmaid greets Hammas and Alonna when they enter. She smiles warmly and says she'll grab the owner when he's done preparing the evening meal. She brings over a couple mugs and places an order for the two meals before moving on.

Seeing Jeyvara come down, she moves to give the half-elf a hug. "Glad to see the lady out and about. We've got a lamb and leek meal this evening - should be just what your body needs to heal itself up. And we've got some drinks with a bite. Have a seat and I'll take care of ya."

When Zora and Ragman enter, she falters for the first time. She glances at the two old men and to the kitchen before reattaching a smile to her face. She walks up, only to be grabbed roughly by the Varisian woman. She starts to pull away, but quickly realizes the woman is simply trying to communicate with her. She gets the general idea and nods, not saying a word, as she's unsure if the woman is simply mute or if she's also deaf.

The gnome looks up from his books and shakes his head. "Please do take care," he says to the Captain and Ragman. "We've no need for violence, no need. You should go elsewhere if you're going to scrap." He immediately goes back to his books.

The perception 15. Is that for anyone who rolls a check now?

Yup. I forgot to give everyone the go-ahead to start rolling.

As the maid brings their drinks Hammas thanks her. To Alonna, Drink up. Minty Jack is just the thing to end a good day.

To Alonna's question, Well, they say drinking alone is a bad sign, and this sounds like how a lot of my dad's stories start. Got that tanglefoot bag or is it on Freewind? Hammas shifts to make it easier to draw her bow, but otherwise remains as she is.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Hammas' ears twitch as they catch the mens' conversation. Ya, I caught that. No wonder he said to sit outside a tavern if you're bored. Curious what that mention of a carnival was about. Pretty small place for a troupe to stop, and out of the way too.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"If there's trouble, it'll be coming from those two, I think. And I've got the bag right here." Alonna nods at her pack, sitting at her feet; the soft leather bag hangs loose from a hook.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Mister Ragman picks up his fork and looks it over. It's like a tiny pitchfork.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Jeyvara returns the serving girl's hug and smiles. "Thank you. Your hospitality is very much appreciated." Seeing that the tavern seems to be getting much busier, Jeyvara will leave the girl to her work and scan over the room for a place to sit.

Her attention is first drawn to the area near the pirate looking fellow and his two new acquaintances. "Well, at least there will be plenty of entertainment if I grow tired of the halfling's performance."

The behavior of the man that had bumped into the pirate's table was strange enough to pique her curiosity. "What a strange man. Shoanti perhaps? Hmm...no. Even they have better social graces than that man."

She smiles a bit to herself as she continues looking about the common room, her gaze eventually resting on the two women that seem to have their eyes affixed to the previous group. "They seem normal enough I suppose. And they look like the traveling sort...maybe they'll have some stories to share."

Jeyvara happily makes her way over to the half-orc and half-elf, overhearing the remarks of the two men as she walks across the common room. She casts a curious glance at the Varisian woman they spoke of; a glance that eventually comes to hide a hint of anger as her thoughts drift toward her Varisian ex-partner.

Jeyvara approaches the two women and gestures toward an empty chair. "Mind if I join you? Just waiting on my dinner and I could use some company to pass the time."

So many posts to catch up to =P

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Zora notices what the men say and scowls deeply in their direction. With a devil-may-care attitude, she flicks both men the tines, her knuckles planted against her chin, and returns her attention to present company.

@Rags: Those two men-- how rude!

@Zora What? Who?

Alonna's face splits into a grin as a newcomer - a half-elf - approaches. "Oh, I see no reason why you can't join us. Pull up a seat, there you go." She leans in, eyes sparkling. "Say, you look like a bit of an explorer. What can you tell us about the ruins in this area?"

"Of course you don't want violence! Neither do I, sir. Merely wanting what's owed to me. I don't plan to wreck your establishment nor should any other patron here." Cale stands, stumbling at first but righting himself as he does. "Many thanks to this good soul here who has offered to replace an old salt's lost treasure. And treasure is exactly what rum is to a sea-dog like myself. Hence the reason it should be shared with all!" Cale tosses down the last small amount of gold in his pouch onto the bar. (Not much. 12 gold.)

Continuing to rant, he stumbles a bit around the rooms before lurching forward and slamming into the table with the two old men. Grabbing a chair next to them, he slides himself down, reaching over to take one of their drinks as his own. "Except for these two men. I find them rude. Lest you gentlemen want to recant your comments? If so, I'd wager an apology to the girl. Don't seem right to insult someone for not wanting to conspire with the likes of you lot. Plus..." He leans in at this last part. "My mother was a gypsy." He sits back and takes another swig of the man's drink, reaching his other hand down to scratch at his torso - right next to the trigger of his pistol. He lets this act be viewed how it may. Was this old salt truly drunk or was he merely playing the part?

Alonna half-turns in her chair at the sound of someone stumbling around. She frowns slightly, reaching down to free the tanglefoot bag and hide it in her lap. Could be trouble soon.

The two old men are shocked by Cale's behavior. "You call us rude?" one of them exclaims. "I'd say your mother was a gyp by the way you act. Like picking on an old man, do ya? I ought have my boy teach you some manners, but I'd wager you'd forget the lesson after your awoke from your stupor. Leave us be."

The scene is broken up by the barmaid bringing out the tankards of ale and plates of food. Almost on cue, the halflings start up with their music, beginning with a rousing song about Abadar's coinpurse. The two old men look at one another and shake their heads. They stand up to leave. "Let's go, Hannigan," the one who just spoke says to his companion. "Seems the carnival crowd has claimed the parlor for the evening."

Moments later, the fat cook emerges from the kitchen wiping his hands on the towel around his waist. He looks to the barmaid who nods her head towards the table with Hammas, Alonna and Jeyvara. "Evening. You requested to see me?" he says, his voice friendly, but slightly impatient.

Waiting just a moment for the men to leave, Castellus smiles and reaches over to take the drink the barmaid brings. Standing up straight as day with no sense of drunken stupor, the good captain looks to the girl and the raggedy man as he lifts his glass to them, walking back to his own table with no trouble whatsoever. It would seem this time that this drunk was truly not drunk. That is until he stumbles again shortly before sliding back into his chair. Cale thanks the proprietor and barmaid for their services before tipping his rum back again. A moment after the swig the low rumble of a song begins to issue forth.

Hammas nods, We're new to the area, and were wondering what you could tell about local happenings or legends. Lifting her mug, Thank you for the welcome drink.

Zora watches animatedly, like a child at a circus show. This was a first! He didn't even look Varisian. Well, maybe it's the swarthiness garned by years working on the hot deck of some ship somewhere. People didn't stick up for her kind, almost ever, unless you were knee-deep in a caravan or carnival or in a dark alley where no one could hear you mutter about how someone's son was going to beat you up. Before they leave, she waves a final insulting goodbye that twists into a second vulgar gesture.

Returning her attention to the captain, Zora struggled to find something to raise in return, settling for a salt shaker. She thought she recognized him for a moment before he fell into his seat again, but nevermind. The dizzying amount of dock hands and ship-dwellers that came to her dockside home in Magnimar meant that sometimes they blended together. That was years ago. Maybe she knew him a long, long time ago.

She waves to her raggedy man-- Wait there, and eat with your tiny pitchfork! -- and clambers out of her seat to join the captain at his table, gesturing to the serving girl to redirect her plate and tankard with her. She drops into the chair and folds her hands under her chin, giving Cale a demure smile before cutting into the food like it owes her money.

You don't have to be telepathic to see she means to say thank you.

That's when she catches sight of Alonna in the corner. Hey! Her Korvosa friend! It'd been what, months? But it was hard to forget her. Oh, gods, she had explosives! Best not to make eye contact, at least for now. Was she mad at her? What was in that bag?! Was there some reason that she hadn't come over to say 'hi?' Oh, dear. Best to pretend she didn't notice, for now.

Zora listens to the captain's song, not wanting to interrupt.

@Rags: Don't interrupt! I'm going to say thank you and see if we can make a new friend. Think about how exciting it would be to live on a pirate ship! This guy is awesome.

Cale smirks at the salt shaker mid-song and kicks a chair out for her as she sits down. He watches the girl eat for a moment and tips his hat at her silent thank you. Don't talk much this one, he says to himself. "Think nothing of it, dear. Just don't like trouble that I didn't start is all. And don't worry..." he says as he places his pistol on the table, "...she's not even loaded."[/b] The good captain pauses a moment before finally relenting. "Captain Castellus Cale of the Fury's Gambit. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss. I suppose that of your friend as well." Cale raises his voice again so as to be heard by the man and lifts yet another toast towards him as well.

She waves a hand over to the scarecrow and points at the seat next to them-- twice, in fact, as though an imaginary argument had happened.

@Rags: You can interrupt now!

Zora turns her attention back to the captain, looking wide-eyed at the wand on the table. She picks it up without asking permission and looks at it for a moment, holding it backwards-- she glances down the barrel with one eye squeezed shut. Nodding pleasantly, she places it back down.

She reaches across the table and grasps the captain's hand. She turns it over and writes with her finger in his palm-- Z O R A. She points at herself and smiles. The captain gets the feeling that she's pleased to meet you too!

Not letting go for a moment, she makes an inquisitive face. The captain, strangely enough, knows that she's asking You brought your ship all the way up river here? That's so neat! Are you heading to Kaer Maga?

"Zora, eh? Nice to make your acquaintance." How did I gather that? She hadn't said anything. Had her tongue been cut out? Was she some sort of mind reader? Castellus nodded as the other gentleman approached.

"You brought your ship all the way up river here? That's so neat!" She asked. Wait a minute... Her lips hadn't moved. What the hell kinda sorcery was this? Cale pulled his hand away almost defensively despite not getting his usual sense of impending doom. Hesitantly he kept his hand back, but answered her aloud.

"If I could claim my any of the ships along these banks, you'd likely not see me on land, dear. My ship is sadly not with me this day. Problems with former compatriots you could say. Lets just say that currently I am a fish out of the water. Albeit no less dangerous than the worst sea monsters ever to skirt the Eye." He nodded though remained partially unsure as to why. "Aye, I am."

Mister Ragman raises his glass to the man who no longer seems angry. He shovels the last of the lamb into his mouth and walks over to meet Zora's new friend.

"Hello. My name is Mister Ragman. That's sort of my name anyway. The kids gave it to me. I've never been on a ship, but I like the sound of it. I'm sorry you lost yours."

He finishes his glass of milk and looks around the room. He sees the trio of women off to the side and notices that they all seem to be half human, which is interesting. He grins and waves at them in the open, guileless manner of a child.

@Rags: How polite of you! Good job.

Zora smiles at the scarecrow and then at the captain. She reaches for his hand again, but he was defensive, so she instead just skirted her chair around the corner of the table to write on his shoulder.

I can't talk, she writes, though, with not even a quarter of the letters it would've taken to get that across... I'm sorry you lost your ship too. I know we're weird so thanks for sticking up for us! We're in your debt. Wanna tell us about being a pirate captain?

She sidles back a few paces but doesn't leave entirely. She flashes him a pair of hopeful gestures: thumbs up! She points to herself, then at the food, then at her ear, rolls her finger and goes to keep eating.

Ragman sees Captain Cale's hesitation at Zora's touch.

"Don't worry about that. That's just how she talks. She talks in your head. I know it bothers some people because they aren't used to it, but she's really nice."

Jeyvara gives a polite smile to the other half-elf as she takes a seat at the table. "Explorer? I suppose that's accurate enough. As for ruins..." Jeyvara trails off, hesitating at the thought of sharing rumors of treasure with another again. Luckily for her, the owner of the establishment arrives at their table just in time. Jeyvara turns her attention to the large man when he speaks and does her best to block out the drunk that had taken to singing.

Seeing the two men get up and leave, Alonna sighs in relief and hooks the bag back onto the side of her backpack. "Thank the gods that's over, eh? Guess that old salt's not as bad as he looks." She takes a swig of her drink and starts eating her lamb and leeks. Hmm. A bit bland, but a hearty meal nonetheless. She sits up slightly as the 'old salt' starts singing, listening with amusement."The Shackles? He's far from home, then. Wonder what brings him here?"

Shrugging again, keeping one eye on Jeyvara, she takes another bite of lamb and notices someone waving. She tilts her head slightly as she looks. The young man she noticed earlier, the one wearing the ragged clothes and the straw hat. She didn't quite know what to make of him. But, he was grinning like a child, and waving in a friendly manner, so she smiled and waved back.

"Local happenings or legends? What do I look like to you? Different week, same..." the bartender says somewhat annoyed before cutting himself short. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Don' mean nothing by it. Just seems you tough adventuring types always assume something about us barkeeps. I don't know much of nothing about all that, though. That little feller over there, though? The one with his nose in the books." He points over at the gnome. "That's the fella you oughta be chattin' up. If you'll excuse me, I've got to head back into the kitchen where I can do some actual good. Good evenin'"

Shrugging to Alonna and the newcomer, Seemed like a reasonable assumption to me. Let's try the gnome then I guess.

Heading over the the bookish gnome, He says you're the man to talk to about legends and such. Say, is anything bothering him? I've never known a barman who didn't know gossip and like sharing it.

Alonna follows Hammas over to the gnome, pulling out a chair. She tries to crane her neck to see what he's reading, but doesn't say anything for now.

Jeyvara looks blankly at her suddenly very empty table and sighs to herself. They're awfully interested in chasing after adventure..." She spends several moments sitting at the table by herself, collecting her thoughts, before grabbing her drink and following the other two women.

Jeyvara approaches the table and stands behind the gnome, sipping at her drink and trying to peek at the book while the orcish woman questions him.

Castellus nods in understanding. "An interesting talent to be sure. Suppose it may come in useful sometimes." He shifts his weight a bit as the only table remaining occupied with people rises and moves to the studious gnome. He keeps a wary eye on them while continuing his conversation. "A life at sea isn't bad, love, and I certainly adhere to that more than inland, you see? However, I'm tracking my old crew down for revenge and the like. Mutiny, you see? They took my ship and I aim to get it back. But I certainly need a crew first, so I'm headed to Kaer Maga to enlist the help of an old mate. I doubt he's still there but it's worth a look. I apologize," he says rather loudly - possibly due to his drink. "Revenge is such a somber tale. I'm usually a much more free spirit. Adventure is never in short supply. Unlike for them lot there." Cale nods to the trio gathering around the gnome.

Zora nods along through his story as she eats, trying to stay polite but too hungry to care. Of course, he's drunk, so maybe he doesn't... Well, he was probably a real scoundrel. She should watch out-- maybe he only interjected because she was pretty? Then again, she could probably roll him out of a tavern window right now. He looked kind of drunk.

He startles her a little as he suddenly ends his tale, and she finishes the plate off and nods again, animatedly, in agreement. She looks over to the others in the corner, crowding the gnome, and then back to Cale.

Zora reaches out to his shoulder and he gets the sudden idea that You know, the road is pretty lonely. Do you want to travel with us? We were with a carnival before, and a bunch of aurochs herders before that, but we've never traveled with a bonafide pirate. She smiles mirthfully in his general direction.

He also gets the sense that Zora is keenly interested in taking a ship back to Magnimar, and that her feet hurt-- something about these two things is connected.

Hear that Mister Bird? This man wants revenge too. I wonder if faeries stole his ship. That would be a coincidence! No, no. Don't worry, I won't ask him that. People always get so offended when I ask them that.

Ragman noticed the trio of demihumans had flocked around the gnome. Gnomes. Ragman furrows his brow with a mix of curiosity and distrust.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 To get a general sense of the gnome's demeanor. I think I can use sense motive that way?

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+8 To get a general sense of the gnome's demeanor. I think I can use sense motive that way?

Getting a hunch! Sense motive's least used but coolest application!

The gnome looks up from his books, blinking at the three women standing above him. He doesn't respond for a moment to Hammas' query, but instead studies all three of your faces. "The barkeep told you that I know about legends?" he asks. "I suppose the unintelligent assume all books are about history, eh?" He closes the book he's currently reading, keeping his finger on the page he was on. "Yes, I am knowledgable on the subject, though it's by no means a specialty. All my years have been spent studying engineering and architecture - some historical, some theoretical. All fascinating. I don't suppose you three are engineers or architects. No. I'd daresay not. You look more rough and tumble types. Always on the lookout for adventure, I'd presume. Adventurers have their place in this world, no question. No question at all. Question...oh...you asked a question. Yes. Legends. What specifically do you have in mind? I can tell you about the area, rumors of treasure and supposed locations of ancient caches of ancient goods - but really, I'd rather tell you of a task with which I could use some assistance." For a majority of the gnome's speaking, it seemed as if he were talking past you, to someone else. It is only at the end, when he mentions his task, that he seems to turn his attention back to you.

The portly gentlemen appears to be listening in on the half-conversation happening with Ragman, Zora and Cale. He doesn't approach or speak up, but he appears to be intrigued by you three.

Why not both? Tell us what you have in mind, and where rumor says the treasure is. Gesturing to the tavern, Seems a odd place for an architect. What brings you here?

The gnome takes in his surroundings before answering. "Yes. Well my...office...is currently unaccessible to me. I am merely - vacationing - in Turtle's Ferry while it's under repair." He pauses and pinches the bridge of his nose before continuing. [/b]"That actually is what I'd ask of you. I have been, for lack of a better phrase, run out of my previous place of employment. It seems there were some powerful people in a powerful Kaer Magan family that didn't take kindly to my research and its products. If you could kindly retrieve some documents I left behind in my haste to leave, I would be in your debt. Should you comply, I would happily share the information I've collected in regards to the area's long-held secrets."[/b]