During the walk through the town, Javi tries to hide a few furtive looks to either side. He looks down as he walks, masking his whispered words as an attempt to straighten his belt. "Everyone see the people in those alleys? Definitely some people in this city unhappy about the contests.. whether or not they'll come out and say it plainly. We should be careful."
"Ha! Don't Worry Javi, I'll keep ya safe BWAHHAH!" Torgus busts into the Captain's cabin, "HEY FORMER CHAMPION! WE COME FOR SOME DRINKING MONEY!!!"
Torgus busts into the former 's cabin to find him buck naked bar a silken neckerchief and thankfully a pair of linen shorts and singing a rousing drinking song with a surprisingly demure and well dressed Vudrani lady. Morthar turns to the door and throws a bottle at Torgus "DRINK LAD, IT'LL PUT HAIRS ON YER CHEST" and readies himself for a scull-off against his successor to the crown.
The vudrani girl is sitting to one side and is now quiet though smiling genuinely. She is dressed in formal Vudrani style, wearing a colourful and bejeweled suit. She gives the slightest nod at Torgus' entry by way of acknowledgement.
Javi unconsciously rubs his own hairless chest at the exchange, happy to be a part of the background as he takes in the Vudrani girl.
Frakdar just shakes his head at the display and once again wonders how either of these men have survived this long.
Javi notes a small pile of empty bottles rattling on the floor next to a table that bears a few more of a dark brownish coloured liquid.
Javi takes in the bottles, the captain, and the woman. I wonder what we just stumbled in on? And who this woman is.
When no one else seems to be taking the lead, Javi speaks up. "We were wondering about the… cargo we picked up on this last voyage. Actually we were wondering if we could pick up our payment for our part in any of the profits surrounding it." His eyes shift between Torgus and the captain, "The Bear here apparently has a thirst."
Gorak eyes the situation warily, but lets the others take point. For all he knows this is normal in civilized society.
Javi takes in the bottles, the captain, and the woman. I wonder what we just stumbled in on? And who this woman is.
The Bear's meaty paw catches the bottle and with a roar of Triumph Torgus begins to down the booze. After he polishes off a good portion of the booze he looks towards the woman, "DOES YOUR FRIEND WISH TO SEE A TRUE CHAMPION!!!!" With a showey flex he gives her a wink.
Bluff:
Frakdar almost chokes and then bursts out laughing at the absurdity of the whole scene.
The woman chuckles and says something in the local tongue, to which Morthar breaks out in raucous laughter.
Morthar then continues in response to Javi "Aye little one, I should make much... but before I pay, I buy you dinner, eh?" winking at the lass beside him "I know very good place.. and Ariah has many friends who don't know how badly Bear smell yet."
The woman chuckles and says something in the local tongue, to which Morthar breaks out in raucous laughter.
** spoiler omitted **
Morthar then continues in response to Javi "Aye little one, I should make much... but before I pay, I buy you dinner, eh?" winking at the lass beside him "I know very good place.. and Ariah has many friends who don't know how badly Bear smell yet."
"They'll learn quickly enough." Gorak Jests
Javi can't help but grin at the woman's words, only letting a small sidewards glance at Bear slip out.
Morthar then roars "OUT, I'll be dressed in a moment" bustling all but Ariah from his cabin. There are some thumps and rustles from within before the brawler emerges in... a more curious costume. He is bedecked in red and yellow silks in the Vudran style, embroidered and bejewelled... but the most ludicrous part of the costume is undoubtedly his turban. A tasteful shade of lilac, it sits precariously atop his head at a jaunty angle.
Ariah emerges to take Morthar's arm and he beckons you follow as he takes off into the streets with due pomp and circumstance. You can tell from the direction he travels that he's heading into the middle class area of the city.
Dimissing the insults directed at his musk, Torgus waits outside and when Morthar comes up in that get up the bear loses it. The bear wipes the tears from his eyes, "What are you....hahah....wearing?Hahahhaaha, you should go back to arena with that thing cause all your opponents would laugh themselves to death!" With that the bear falls over laughing on the ground for quite some time.
Looking generally confused by the scene, Gorak leans down to Javi and says quietly,
"Is this normal behavior in societies?"
Frakdar looks from the Bear to Morthar and back again while shaking his head.
I imagine any enemies not already laughing at our buffoon companion will be killed by this travesty of fashion.
"Nothing about Bear is normal. Or were you talking about the captain's clothes? Again... can't imagine that's normal."
Morthar takes the guffaws with the stoicism of a duck having water slide off it's back. Still smiling and with the beautiful Vudrani lass hanging off one arm he gives the turban a nudge to make it sit straighter "You'll see"
His attire attracts the same amount of cockeyed ridicule as you gave it as Morthar walks the streets - which he again pays no mind. After ten minutes of withering insults and street jibes, you arrive at the destination The Taldan Rajah and Morthar strides in without missing a beat.
I turn to Javi: Reminds me of a peacock . . . just before it is slaughtered for the feast.
Wiping the tears from his eyes Torgus follows the former champion still lightly chuckling, after hearing the dwarf's comments he slaps him on the back and replies "Good one Frak, I can see it now. Coming into the Ballenwood arena Morthar "The punching Peacok" HHAHAHAHAH!!"
Javi shrugs at Frakdar, "He seems to be confident that he knows what he's doing." His expression clearly says, 'we'll see.'
Javi shrugs at Frakdar, "He seems to be confident that he knows what he's doing." His expression clearly says, 'we'll see.'
"Confidence is not something the bear has in short supply. "
From within the confines of the tavern you hear a muffled "The Lord in Lilac hath returned!" sound out as a sea of voices speak as one.
From within the confines of the tavern you hear a muffled "The Lord in Lilac hath returned!" sound out as a sea of voices speak as one.
Turning Gorak says, "The what?"
Hearing Morthar's new title the Bear quickly cups his hands over his mouth trying to muffle his boasterous laughter.
Javi cocks his head, "You think that's a real title?"
He then immediately gets into caution mode, eyes ranging for threats of any kind.
Stepping within the bar you believe that perhaps your laughter was premature... the interior is even more ridiculous than Morthar appeared. The bar is dripping with cheap and gaudily colored silks and is bereft of high tables, preferring the local custom of low tables and velvet coated and tasseled cushions.
The customers are almost entirely male and non-Vudran... and all bear costumes approaching the level of silliness that Morthar's does. However you note that the size of his turban is a little larger and a little more bedazzled than the others... could this suggest a pecking order? The other men are certainly deferential to him.
Morthar guides you to a reserved table towards the rear, and sits with his back to the corner and perched atop a pile of cushions like a maharajah holding court.
Javi follows Morthar into the strange bar trying to mask a looks of disbelief and confusion. Is this place serious? Or is it some kind of theme-bar for fun?
Not seeing any immediate threats, he lets his senses shift to absorbing the riot of colors and sounds in this strange establishment. As they reach the table, Javi -- taking notice of Morthar's own positioning -- decides to also take a seat where his back is to a wall. Lowering himself, he pitches his voice to carry to Morthar and Ariah over the din of voice, "So what exactly is this place? None of the guests appear to be locals." He gives the big sea-captain a guarded look, feeling like his next question is going to make him the butt of some joke, "Do you actually have some official title with these people?"
Gorak looks around. Obviously completely confused. His feet unconsciously shift slightly into a defensive stance.
Full defense ;-)
Frakdar quietly follows the others into the establishment, carefully scanning the area for any threats.
Perception:
Unfortunately the absurdity of the colors and outfits keeps catching his eye.
With a chuckle in his voice, "BRING ON THE BOOZE AND THE LADIES!" He struggles holding back his laughter to the lilac lord.
Morthar grins like a cheshire cat "This is where the Lilac Lord holds sway! " clapping his hands and calling a less well dressed man forward with a hefty jug and glasses. The table is laid out with bread and small pots of fiery curries, tart chutnies and soothing yoghurt. Any who wish more mild liquor than rum can request it and find it fulfilled.
Morthar's gaze roams the room like a hawk, and when his eyes meet another... a curious sight can be seen. Both raise their glass to forehead, give a brief howl then drain the goblet entire.
Taking a big gulp of Rum and ravenous bite of bread the Brawling Bear looks around a puzzled look grows on face. "Hey Daisy Duke, I see the booze but where are the women!!!!"
Frakdar quietly accepts the food but eats little as it is spicier than he prefers.
When Torgus begins requesting his first course of women, Frakdar simply shakes his head and continues to scan the room attempting to avoid looking at the oddly dressed patrons or the lord of lilac.
Morthar just smiles at Torgus "In good time boy" and continues with his quaint rituals.
When everyone's fill has been taken of food, the table is cleared and the sustenance is replaced with a scantily clad bellydancer who gyrates suggestively, and those who show any degree of interest are joined at the side by an attractive lass who squeezes their muscles and purrs superlatives such as "Oooh aren't you a big boy... Your arms are so big and muscled... what about the rest of you." Shisha are also brought to the table and the girls offer to help you smoke - holding your hands so that yours might be free for drink.
After an hour or more's indulgence Morthar smiles and gives Ariah a pat on the behind before pulling a small envelope from his inside coat jacket. "You boys did right by my ship and crew, and it's only fair you share the profits... I've not got coin, but there's some writs of credit from the local banker boys. Should be good enough for the market lads."
Within the envelope is exactly what Morthar states, a series of five writs - each for 1,500gp of goods or service and secured against the palace. The paper is crisp and clean... only slightly soiled by sweat being against the former Champion of Ballenwood's body.
Gorak show's curiosity which could easily be misconstrued as interest.
Gorak quicklly figures out that the woman is enamored with him. He doesn's understand that she's a prostitute. He thinks she's actually interested. His naiveity shows plainlly, though from his way of dressing so does his lack of funds. He'll follow her lead until A) she realizes he has no money or B) he realizes she wants money. Then he'lll just be confused.
Other than that he eats and drinks his fill.
Leaning to his small friend (Javi) Gorak asks in earnest,
"So, I can trade this paper for goods?"
Torgus drinks enough but doesn't go into any drinking matches he has fought hungover a few times and vowed not to do that again. He mostly takes in the women showing off a few moves know and maybe referred too as the dancing bear, but his group propably the dancing fool. hehe
Frakdar simply eats the food and watches others and the room, once again attempting to ignore the Champion of Ball-in-wood.
Leaning to his small friend (Javi) Gorak asks in earnest,
"So, I can trade this paper for goods?"
Javi smiles at the half-orc before shifting his gaze at the women dancing around them, "Among other things." He looks around at the joint's patronage, then at it's employees, then at the captian and Torgus. Finally he leans back over to Gorak, "One thing to look out for, though. The ladies in here seem to only give their services to foreigners. I'm gonna bet that means mostly sailors. And I'm gonna guess that means they might not be the most discerning in who they serve." He tries to layer all the meaning into his words as he can. "I'd be careful where you dangle your trout is all i'm saying. No telling how clean the water is."
Javi is happy to eat and drink (the casual sort of drinking -- no competitions for the Wasp), but he is both too insecure (young) and shy to want to really engage with any of the women.
The wine and rum is free flowing and women are mostly willing... and a fine time is had by all. Gorak's innocence remains unsullied, as all he receives is above board even in reasonably genteel company. Without the turn to excessive drink the lords of colour remain in sway and the lilac above all.
It is mid-afternoon by the time you exit, bellies full and heads buzzing mildly with drink.