Xutal orders water, fruit, bacon, and vegetables.
"Thank you very much. Anyone else going for the goblin hunt."
Ri laughs softly and sighs. "I forgot that you had the keenest eyes in town after Shalelu. It is good to see you Ami!" He grins and takes her arm in his, leading her to the closest bonfire.
"I almost waited till tomorrow to come back, once I saw the festival was on. I am glad I did not!" He grinned, shouldering his sister playfully before tossing his handful of dust on the smoldering coals. He bent his head in prayer and gave thanks for the little things in life he had.
When they were finished, he yawned. "It is getting late but we have yet to speak. A mug of something at the Dragon and a conversation would be appreciated!" When she nodded, Ri smiled. "It is good to be back!"
Ri strolled downstairs in to the Tavern and took a seat at a small round table in the corner. He smiled at Ameiko when she arrived with breakfast. He nodded softly when she asked for a favor, eying up the man she indicated. 'He looks able enough. I do not like having to mind someone but he looks like he can fend for himself!'
Ri finished his breakfast and stood, when the woman spoke. "Aye. We are heading that way ourselves!" He gestured at Lou and himself before moving towards the stairs. From a cupboard just beneath the stairs he drew out his pack and bow, the latter of which he began to string. 'I would prefer to go alone but... It will be good to have a group of skilled individuals with me!'
He moved over to Lou and offered him his hand. "Ryouichi. So we are for the swamp. Best you go get your things all squared up lad. We are burning daylight!" He patted the man on the shoulder, before moving to the woman who had spoken.
"Ryouichi Kaijitsu," he offered her his hand in greeting. "We should probably find more people for our group. Any ideas?" As he spoke to her he spent all of his time staring at the wall a good two feet above her head and to the left. 'By the gods that is very little cloth...'
Having returned to her room at the Rusty Dragon to gather up her gear before setting out for some goblin hunting, Kirsteen descends the stairs into the common room.
Gone is the festival dress from last night, instead, Kirsteen has donned her knee-high dark brown leather boots, woolen brown pants and white tunic and shaggy, bear hide armor.
Autumn trotting along at her side, Kirsteen stops by Ameiko. "Good morning Miss Ameiko. If it is okay I'd like to extend my rental of the room. I know I had just wanted it for the night of the festival, but I plan on volunteering to go goblin hunting and may not make it back home for a bit."
Ameiko nods, "Of course. I do offer a 15% discount to Adventurers, so we can settle up the bill when you get back. Also, my brother Ryouichi and kitchen assistant Lou are going as well. Maybe you can join up with them?" She points at Ryouichi who is over talking with Zaira.
Kirsteen looks over to the man Ameiko is pointing at. "Your brother? I don't think I ever got the chance to meet him before. I mean, I know I met him last night, but I didn't know he was your brother then. Thank you Miss Ameiko, see you later."
Moving over to Ryouchi, Kirsteen gently taps him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Excuse me, Ryouchi. Miss Ameiko said that you and Lou were planning to go goblin hunting and I was wondering if you minded if I came along?"
Ryouchi turned on the spot and found himself face to face with the tall young woman from the night before. He smiled awkwardly and inclined his head slightly to her. "The more the merrier!"
"Thank you. Autumn and I are ready to go when the rest of you are."
Venture Captain Tierce almost seems to appear in the middle of the common room of the Rusty Dragon, a board in one hand with a scroll clipped to it and two people beside him.
"Seems like your team is mostly together, you have been designated as Team C. If you can come up with a better name, that's fine by me. I have two people who wish to join you, we have a young halfling Cavalier by the name of Opi.." He gestures to the halfling, and then turns to his other guest.
The blond warrior is large, both in height and in shoulder width. His hair is braided tightly behind him and his beard is trimmed neatly. He wears full chain armor with fur boots, a long sword and a steel rounded shield. "This is Bjorn Svenson, a skald from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. He's also a survivor from the caravan attack last night and wants vengeance so badly that he won't take no as an answer...."
He hands Ryouichi a map, "The old fish road marked on the map should lead you to the main encampment of the Licktoad Tribe. Stay safe out there."
Before leaving he shoots Noro a sly little wink
Ri takes the map, eyes wide, before staring around at the small group. "Well... okay. I guess we should uhm... we should collect Miss Opi and be on the road. Well... once everyone is dressed that is!" He pointedly did not look at the woman who had drawn them together.
'How the hells did I get to be in charge?" He sighed, before moving to the tall Ulfen man.
"You want your revenge and I... I can respect that but if you get me or mine hurt I will kill you!" He nodded softly before offering the man his hand. "Savvy?"
Bjorn stares intently at Ryouichi, almost seeing the rage behind his eyes. "Any blood spilled by my hand will be of the goblins! But if harm were to befall me from a trusted Ally, I will dine on your heart!" He spits into his open hand and grasps Ryouichi's hand in a warm embrace. "Brothers in battle until the end!"
Ri grins broadly and pats the man on the shoulder. "Till the end then. You can lead us to the site of the attack and I can take it from there, yes?" He nodded sharply and turned back to the small group.
He meet Xutals eyes across the bar and moved towards the man. "You look able and seem like you want a chance at some Goblins. Join with us and you will get your fill, that I promise!" He patted the man on the shoulder. "You are Xutal yes? Sandru is your brother? I have heard of you!" He nodded, looking towards the afore mentioned brother. "I am Ri!"
"Lou, Miss Kirsteen, meet us outside when you have collected your things!" He turned to the snake like woman. "I am sorry. I did not catch your name?" He made it a question but did not leave her enough time to answer. "Once you are properly attired please join us!" He was getting antsy being the center of so much attention, he needed to see the sun above his head.
He turned from the group and waved towards Ameiko before speaking in Tien. "Ami we will need some provisions for the road. If you can provide them can you send them out with Lou? I need some air!" He grinned before slinging his pack over his shoulder and grabbing his bow. "I will return dear sister. Have supper waiting!" He grinned and winked before heading out the door.
Bjorn regards the woman refereed to as Kirsteen, "Does your spear sing, little sister?"
Xutal had grabbed the rude man's hand, their was no overt strength in his grip, but Ryouichi felt an odd sensation in his hand. A fraction of a moment later his whole arm was in pain and limp, just as quickly it was normal.
"Respect, Sir Ri. But I must go thru the proper paperwork first and gain permission from my employer."
Sandru claps Xutal in the back, not causing him to move in the least but resulting in a flinch from the recovering brother.
"Don't mind him, he is stuffy with strangers. You can go and I will take care of anything having to do with it. It won't kill you to be a little friendlier."
Sandru looks as if he wasted most of his energy on that and starts drinking more of his coffee.
"Very well I am Xutal."
He gives a slight bow.
"あなたの目を呪う!
"Does your spear sing, little sister?"
"It will sing with the blood of many goblins before we are through."
Kirteen looks over the group she will be traveling with.
Too bad Sandru isn't coming with us. At least Bjorn and Ri look like they can fight, not sure about the rest.
Noro does not even notice Tierce she is arguing with Lou.
"Lou you need to go, your wasting your whole life here, all those years training for nothing"
she hand lou the sword, "take this"
"Noro I gave up the blade years ago, when I thought you were dead"
"Yeah well I'm not dead, and besides you were the only one trained to use father's sword. You know I never learned"
"well if you wern't so hot headed.."
his sentence interuppted by a slap across the face.
"you go, kick some goblin butt"
Lou comes out carrying an ornate Wakizashi bearing the Kasuri family seal on the sheath (also etched on the blade).
he look back at Noro, "come back alive and I may have surprise waiting for you" she tells him.
Lou is ready and joins the others.
Opi noticed the group gathering outside the Dragon and rode over, grinning. "My, my, but what a martial looking group. has Tierce got you hunting goblins? Opi's grin grew wider. "Can we come and play too? I have a few tricks up my sleeves that might be useful to you. I'm what's called an Oracle by some - my spells are often handy. And what I can't help with magic I can usually help with a crossbow bolt. And Khashim here is handy in a fight, too." The wolf looks up at it's rider and huffs.
"Ah Miss Opi I was just about to come find you. Master Tierce suggested you may be looking for a group to join!" He smiled, offering her his hand. "Welcome aboard!" He crouched down before the Wolf. "And you too Khashim. Glad to have you both!"
Zaira had slipped off to get dressed, and comes swaggering back downstairs in her breastplate and dramatic cloak, hair tucked back and eyes glossy and bright,
"Ah! I see our company has grown!" She exclaims gaily, "Excellent. Who knows the way to the goblins, eh? It may be prudent to have some idea of tactics to approach if they are deeply entrenched there, yes?"
"Don't we still need to officially register with the Venture Captain first? At least, that's what the poster said. Also, I kinda thought that we would go search where the caravan was attacked if Bjorn doesn't mind leading us back there. That way we could track them back to where they have their camp and make sure we got the right goblins. I mean, I know that goblins in general are a great nuisance, but we should take care of the ones doing the raiding. Plus maybe we can recover some of the caravan's stolen goods?"
Kirsteen looks a bit nervous to be addressing the group and Autumn sits by her heels patiently.
Ri stares at Kirsteen for a moment before smiling. "I... yes you are right Kirsteen. We need to register with Tierce first. I had cleanly forgotten. And yes, I had planned to get our Ulfen friend here to take us to the ambush site. From there I will know which way we need to go!" Ri nodded.
"Excellent! Shall we?" Zaira is already sweeping off to find Tierce.
Lou looks over his weapon like being reunited with an old friend. He slings the weapon and sheath on his back.
Lets get this over with
Ri nods and follows after the rest of the group, keeping his head on a swivel for any trouble that may happen. "Yes... Lets!"
Sandru grumbles through his hangover to his brother that they won't be leaving anytime soon until the goblin threat is done. "Have fun and play nice" He says as you leave
Bjorn takes the lead and begins heading off out the north gate. You travel on foot for about an hour before he comes to a stop. You can certainly tell this was the spot as parts of the grass are burnt and the remains of two wagons are evident. What remains of the wagons is simply just burnt timbers.
Bjorn looks at the wreckage with disdain. He draws out his longsword and almost looks like he's prepared to stalk off into the marsh by himself.
Zaira does not travel on foot - She takes the time to mount up on her chocolate horse and then trots to catch up, riding behind the ulfen at his own pace. Her lance is propped on her stirrup, and the pennon streams from the end of it as she keeps an eye out on the surrounding area. She sits at attention the whole way, scanning the road and their path with her odd eyes. When he stops, though, she stops as well, shifting on her mount's back and looking towards the marsh that seems to be where their guide is headed.
Kirsteen begins looking around, searching the ground carefully for small prints as Autumn sniffs around.
"I'm glad I'm not a fire Oracle - I suspect I'd be getting some funny looks right about now." Not that the Gods gave you much a choice when they made you a Oracle. They just thrust a dose divine power shoved down there throat, a curse slapped on them to make sure they didn't get arrogant, spun around three times and shoved out a door.
Well, it didn't matter - she liked having her powers, and the fact that lying made her sick wasn't much a downside. She started scanning the ground, murmuring, "Khashim, hunt," so that the big wolf dropped his nose to the ground and started sniffing for a trail.
Xutal notices the horse and woman upon it.
"Goblins hate horses and their lair is in a marsh. You may want to consider that before bring it in."
Ri fans out from the site of the attack, circling slowly, eyes peeled to the ground for any sort of track.
Lou surveys the area obviously not the skilled tracker. but he seems to know the area. or at least the inhabitants.
Toward the Marsh, Walthus the hermit lives there I've seen him around the Dragon every so often, He may have some info on this goblin problem.
Zaira smiles a bit, "Perhaps Windsong will be safe there for our foray into the swamp." She nods.
Ri nods to Lou and Zaira. "Lou you and Kirsteen lead everyone to Walthus's house. I am going to scout a little bit ahead. I wont go far! Lady Zaira keep an eye on things here if you please!"
Ri slipped in to the trees, staying about twenty feet away from the group, in the undergrowth.
Opi nodded to Xatul. "Well, I'm OK - I don't ride a horse. Khashim seems to have found a trail, but I'm with Lou - Walthus probably knows enough about the gobbos to make visiting him worth while." Opi shrugged her shoulders and made sure her crossbow was ready in case she spotted anything unpleasant. The weapon didn't suit her that well, but for now it would serve.
Kirsteen nods at Ri's suggestion and begins heading towards Walthus's house.
"Hopefully Walthus is home when we get there. I'd hate to have to wait around all day for him."
"I will scout as well."
With that he makes his way into the tree's as well.
Zaira salutes at Ri, a little smirk curling at the corner of her mouth. Then she nods and parades her horse after Kirsteen. After all, her horse is always a parade.
As you stalk deeper into the marsh, you feel an overwhelming sense of being watched as the trees begin to close in and cast dark shadows everywhere.
Bjorn spits upon the ground, "What evil is in this place?!"
"Oh, I don't know if I'd call it evil," the Halfling murmured even as she slipped a crossbow bolt into her weapon, "More darkly sinister really. Maybe a druid thinks it's funny to scare people? I'm sure they can do spooky tree stuff."
Still, it was concerining. Opi leaned foward in her saddle and murmured, "Seek, Khashim," and starting searching herself. If there was something out there she wanted to know about it. The wolf raised his head and sniffed, trying to find any strange scents that might mean danger.
Ryoichi slips silently from the trees and moves up beside Zaira, keeping his words low, for her ears alone. "There might be trouble. I saw something ahead. Keep your eyes open. Lets see if we can smoke it out!" He nodded at the woman before slipping back in to the trees once again, picking up the pace a little.
He scanned left and right as he moved, his bow out, an arrow held at the ready but not drawn. 'Could have been my imagination but I would bet gold it wasn't!"
"Well, I don't think it's funny to scare people. Though I can't do spooky tree stuff either yet."
Kirsteen keeps heading towards Walthus's place.
Xutal moves thru the brush keeping as stealthy as he can to join up with Ri. He finds the man with little trouble, like a shadow he moves up behind him and whispers.
"Have you found or seen anything?"
Ri span, raising his bow and readying to fire, before he spots the Monk. He drops the bow again and points to his lips, shaking his head, before crouching down and pointing at the footprint. He mimes for the monk to follow him, before moving in the direction the print is leading.
Xutal draws his own crossbow, loads, and follows ready to shoot at any enemy that should present itself.