|
The innkeepers welcome you, showing you to simple rooms (how many rooms do you take?), typical for such a place. The cost is 5sp per room. One room can comfortably sleep two people.
After getting your keys, the young man, whose name is Brant, suggests you might like a bath after a while at sea and bathing in only salty water; unless you are too hungry and would rather eat right away. Since it's mid-morning, you are not overly hungry now. There is a bath room, and you can take turns, with the men going first and then the woman, or vice versa as you wish.
Bath or no bath, time flows like ale, food and drink are provided in the main room, and more townsfolk wander in looking for bread, ale or friendship. The girl remains on her stool, eating nothing, and chatting with people throughout her time there. The food is good, and the "Sailors' Ale" is excellent. All in all, you are quite satisfied, despite the suspicious looks of some of the folks in the establishment.
Daxniss agrees that a bath would be needed, as well as two room, " For now I since we are in a new city I would recommend sleeping in shifts. Either Argon and Wrathe in one room and Ssilax and myself in another. Or however you wish to divide the rooms. " Daxniss wisphers to the others.
Turning back to the owner, Daxniss pays for the rooms with a gold coin, along with the price of a bath. It had been a long enough ship ride and Daxniss wanted to bathe in something besides sea water for a change.
After her bath, Daxniss changed into a pair of clean enough clothing, she would have to inquire about a seamstress and a laundry service. That being the case, it wouldn't hurt to find someone who sold clothing as well.
Daxniss returns to the common room and keeps her ears open for any sort of news, the coming and the general mood of the patrons of the estblishment. Daxniss also kept a wary eye out for members of her profession, as thieves did like the drunkards.
Diplomacy check used as gather information
Scrubbing the sea from his body and was an epic undertaking, as he imagined the wash woman was equally challenged by the task of drawing the brine from the worn fabrics of his scholarly robes.
His roommate mattered not to him, as Wrathe trusted all of his companions with his life, and had done so time and time again.
A mischievous glint lights in the Xthian's eyes, and it was a Xthian that had walked away from the Lickety Split. In the depths of his cowl he had relaxed the disguise that had been his norm for so long that he was starting to get a haughty air about him, and a craving for grapes for some reason.
It was good to let his true face see the sun once more.
The girl was not fishing for other patrons, and that was worrisome.
Paying in advance for a bath, waiting until the others had bathed, Ssilax sat patiently at the table the group had more or less claimed. The white furred Dog, sits on his haunches, tongue hanging out as he watches people go by. The dragonkin doesn't move too much, as if seeking to fade into the background. He would chat with his party members while they sat at the table waiting for the next to finish bathing.
Upon reaching the bath room, Ssilax looks around for a few moments, debating on whether or not he would bathe. Shrugging his shoulders underneath his midnight blue robes, he whispers and shape a simple cantrip to clean his body. Same as he did on the ship. With a few moments of thought, he quietly speaks to Dog. The familiar hops into the water with a "Wuff" and a splash.
Ssilax figured if anyone was listening, or spying on the group, the noise would at least fool them. 'I'm really becoming paranoid,' Ssilax thinks, a grin splitting his muzzle behind his cowl. Pulling up his sleeves, Ssliax quickly washes Dog. Letting the familiar get out of the tub, he uses the provided towel to shield himself from the animal shaking his fur dry.
Making sure he was conceal behind his cowl and robes, and that he was dry and pleasant smelling, Ssilax returns to the others. Once their lunch arrives, he takes his meal and and a Sailor's Ale in the shared room. It was much easier than trying to shift his cowl. Returning the cleaned dishes, Dog had made sure to lick them clear of food, in addition to his own meal.
"That was very tasty, thank you," the robed dragonkin says, thanking the apparent owners as he hands the dishes over. He rejoins his friends, noting the increase in people in the short time he had been absent. As he moves back to the groups table, the dragonkin cuts an imposing (rather unintentionally) figure. Between his concealed features, and the height added to his overall frame due to his horns. Still it was nice for him to be able to walk without crouching over, like when he was under the deck of the ship.
"Well, what should our first move be? Familiarize ourselves with the area?" Ssilax quietly asks his friends.
Argon finds he can truly relax, especially after having had a bath in scalding hot water ("Please make the water extra extra extra hot. I wish to be extra extra extra clean.")
He enjoys a meal and two, no, three mugs of ale, speaking quietly to his friends and playing with the almost-dry Dog.
Answering Ssilax he asks another question. "Sure, but should we ask around, or just start looking?"
|
|
Dog somehow finds a way to get between Ssilax and his Towel of Protection, and sprays the Dragonkin enthusiastically with clean dog-spray. It is a simple thing to dry himself off, post-spray.
Daxniss observes a few shady types, who enter the place, look around briefly, with perhaps just a few words to contacts or friends, and then leave. The drunk makes note of this too, but the reasons for this could be many. Typical small town business.
It is refreshing to be on dry land, and to eat decent food and good ale (or wine). Your sailor-calluses have become hard and tough, your skin darker (some of you), and your language saltier. And, you all know you have a short term task to complete, and a longer term one to consider.
Daxniss makes a mental note, as it would seem odd that the drunk in the corner would watch the shady folk. Daxniss let's out a snort, putting it down to her own paranoia at the moment nothing seemed to be chasing the party.
Daxniss felt the grip of a dagger that was hidden up her sleeve and relaxed slightly, while she wondered if the urchin had been sent by someone with the group's description.
"I feel very much out of place currently," Ssilax says quietly to his friends, chuckling at his nervousness. He thinks about Argon's question for a few moments.
"If we do ask around, caution would be advised. From what Ryg.., our friend says, she doesn't live in town. And isn't in the best of social standings" the young Theurge says quietly. "Not very surprising, giving her profession. There was mention of goblin problems in the forest near her home, so that is a lead we can consider." Ssilax thinks out loud.
"I guess the biggest problem is who do we ask? Or do we just walk around the town to get an idea of the area, and what's here." Ssilax fold his robed arms in front of him. "Regardless, I don't want us to just be wandering around aimlessly. That's just a waste of time and effort."
Looking down when he feels pressure on his leg, Dog had lain his head on his thigh, looking happy after his playing with Argon. Not to mention the scraps he had managed to beg. Because Dog was starving, or so he seems to think. Reaching down, Ssilax scratches his familiars ears.
"Perhaps we could go fishing for information on possible work in the area, and see if it directs us toward anything associated with goblins. That will give Daxniss time to ply information forth regarding things that are more subtly attained."
Wrath slowly his index finger around the rim of his wine glass, his eyes a thousand miles away, tethered to this time and place by the tactile sensations of his surround.
"Let us travel in pairs though. I trust not this place."
Argon thinks for a bit, and then says, "I'm not trained in fishing... Who should we ask and... how do we ask? And what are we asking? I suppose we could ask where we can find temples. Or goblins?"
After thinking a bit more, he says, "Ssilax, do you think she has your same..... um ... marks?"
|
|
Time marches on, or rather, in a place such as this, it more ambles.
It occurs to you all as you watch the shadows that this town will soon be in shadow, as the sun moves eastward. The huge cliffs to the south and west will literally overshadow some the town soon, and if you look you can see there is a significant section of town that is already in shadow, though it is only noon. The Safe Haven is farther from the cliffs from most of the town and as such, will remain in sunlight for most of the afternoon.
Daxniss chuckles at Argon's words, and says " Aye there is an art to asking questions. A good porton of the time is spent listening to others and observing. If I was a local of the city I might have some clues as who to talk to. " Daxniss had pitched her voice low enough so that anyone would have a hard time trying to over hear her words outside of the table where they sat.
" There are a number of ways to over hear other folk talk, staff at a tavern, a good act would be to seem drunk. Street urchins can listen to in as well. The important thing would be gather the local rumors, t her coming and going of folk. "
" As for suggestions, well it seems that dark falls early in some spots of this city. If I was going to guess where goblins would like to be a long with trouble of all shapes and sizes, where would you spend your time? " Daxniss a says with a questioning eyebrow.
Wrathe's attention flows across the room, "Is it just me, or is our welcome to this place only restricted to those that receive our coins and those in their employ?"
Glancing around the room, Ssilax shrugs his shoulders slightly beneath his robes.
"Well, we are new strange people in a small, some what isolated island town. I'm guessing we are getting the local Stink Eye because we are obviously not sailors, and are a new element to the town." Ssilax pauses as he considers his own appearance. "And I might be slightly adding to the Stink Eye that is floating our way. It might be best if I stay in the room for the duration of our visit."
Looking over at Argon, the young Theurge nods to his friend.
"She does have a similar mark, from what our friend has said, it's much smaller than mine, and much less..., in your face then mine is. As far as where we start asking around..," the dragonkin sighs as he thinks. "Perhaps a healer or alchemist? They might have had some contact with her in recent time. I don't recall seeing any temples to Nethys, otherwise I would mention checking there." Ssilax trails off as he thinks about what he had seen of the town from the Docks.
"Actually, I didn't get a good look at the city as I was being pulled into Haven," Ssilax says with a quite chuckle. "Did anybody spy any temples. For that matter, I wonder if there are any maps of the island? We still mountain to consider in the near future as well."
Argon is on his fourth ale as he stands, straightens his clothes, and heads to the bar, where a pretty serving girl is. His words are a bit slurred as he asks her, "Hi there, I have a quesstion for you, miss... Are this town have any temples and churches? I'm fairly devout and I'd like to visit... them. All."
Daxniss clamps both hands over her mouth, suppressing her laughter and at the same time, an inhalation of annoyance. Daxniss leans her forehead down and says " This is my fault, I forgot that he can be so forward. "
Stalking his prey in the manner of a great hunting beast, Wrathe descends upon Argon with a single pounce and gently attempts to guide him back to his seat, offering apologies for the Alman's bluntness.
Argon jumps as Wrathe pounces, then laughs at his friend. He smiles at the server girl and sheepishly heads back to the table, saying, "I've never probably drunk thiss much before. It's funny how I feel good but otherwise it's not otherwise affecting me at all. Now I'm hungry!" He starts in on the food in front of him, even though he had let it get somewhat cold. And eyes the young woman again.
|
|
The serving girl comes to the table to ask if anyone wants more food, ale or wine. She comes up between Wrathe and Argon, and crouches down so her head is in between theirs'. She puts her hands on both of your arms, and says, "There are some temples in town, of course. There's the First Vault Temple, the Boneyard Chapel, Sarenrae's Everlight Temple.... Oh, and the little Church of Callistria right behind the Unquenchable Sailor, but I wouldn't trust them not to pick your pocket there. I think they worship that cat goddess there too. And the North Star Desna Church is close by too. More ale?"
Ssilax was still chuckling over the Argon's manner of asking questions. The man was direct after all. 'I guess we should be thankful he didn't ask "Hey where do you keep your Theruges," that might have been awkward,' the dragonkin thinks to himself, a smile cutting a wide path along his muzzle under his cowl.
"I'm alright, thank you," the dragonkin says with a chuckle. Dog looks up at the server and wags his tail.
Mentally, Ssilax had jumped into his mind, sorting through what he knew about the various churches.
Wrathe shoos Daxniss to do her thing, agreeing to keep an eye on her in case things went awry.
Daxniss shakes her head and smiles, saying " I wouldn't say no to an ale, I thank you for the information about where there are churches, and for not punting my friend for being too forward. Perhaps you could enlightened us on some of the more interesting things that have been going on in the city. " Daxniss says while sliding over two silver pieces.
Lost in his thoughts, Ssilax nods absently when Daxniss mentions what's going on in the port town.
|
|
"Nothing much interesting has been happening, I guess. The usual stuff? The mayor and the council fighting about money. Storms at sea. Winter is coming so we need to start stocking up on certain foods, soon." She starts telling about who's courting whom, and what their parents think about it, and who might be pregnant and who might be missing. She mentions who had a beef about poor quality clothing or shoes or masonry, and what they are doing about it.
After a bit, she realizes she'd better get back to work, so she scoops up the silver and goes to help another customer.
Figuring he would only get in the way in terms of matters of the tongue, Wrathe imbibes his fill, though not enough to lose the edge of readiness, and spends his time watching the other patrons of the establishment from the depths of his cowl and out of the corner of his eye.
After gleaming what little information from the serving girl, Daxniss finishes some of her ale. Leaning her head toward Wrathe Daxniss says " We can not spend our whole day here, I'll go stir crazy. I would suggest that you and I go out and find more information. I would suggest all of us go but Argon decided to get himself sauced. Ssilax and Dog would be able to watch our things and Eventually Argon will sober up. "
"I am not sauced," insists Argon. "I had virtually no sauce with my lunch. But you go ahead, I'll relax here, with Dog. And Ssssil."
He smiles at the serving girl again as she passes by.
" Fine, oh working on getting tanked one. " Daxniss finishes with a sly smile. Sipping at her tankard, she looks around the tavern again. Resting her gaze back at Wrathe, she says " This is of course, if you wish to see more of the city today. I would just have you follow me and keep an eye out for trouble, I know how shy you can be. " Daxniss finishes with mirth in her tone.
"That sounds fine with me," Ssilax says with a quiet chuckle. He looks over at Argon, grinning behind his cowl. "She means your getting drunk, goof." the dragonkin says, the sound of his rumbling chuckle is heard once more.
|
|
Plans are discussed in the vaguest of terms while drinks are imbibed and other patrons watched from the corners of inhuman eyes.
The beds on the second floor looked much more comfortable than those on the ship. Argon is feeling sort of sleepy. Dog, on the other hand, is restless. He would really like to go outside and run around. When a one-eyed cat enters the tavern via the front door, Dog barks, and resists the immense temptation to go give the cat a piece of his mind.
Perhaps a half hour later, Ssilax robed and cowled head turns to look at Argon.
"I'm going to take Dog for a short walk, he's been cooped up for so long, its only fair he gets to stretch his legs. Did you want to come and stretch your legs? Or are you content to sit here and make goggly eyes at the server?" The young Theurge asks his friend, the smile on his muzzle wasn't visible, but the tone of his voice gave no doubt that he was grinning broadly behind his cowl.
The appearance of the one-eyed cat a short time ago had prompted this decision. Ssilax was very impressed with Dog's restraint.
"Besides, he's not the only one who needs to stretch his legs," the dragonkin says as he stands up and gets ready to head out the door.
Wrathe feigns cracking his knuckles in a apish manner that's so contrary to his normal demeanour that it's hard not to rolls one's eyes. "Wrathe follow girl...keep safe."
He falls into step with the rogue and follows her lead.
Argon thinks for a bit, and then says, "Yes, walk would be good. Fresh air and sun may need be for my head. Okay." He thinks about what he just said, how it came out mixed up, as he stands and quickly grabs his chair to keep it from falling over.
"Dog's gotta do ... business... too, I suppose."
|
|
The air is indeed fresher, if salty/seaish, and it's good to be out walking around. You have not really walked in a long time, and the last time you did significant walking it was underground.
Daxniss and Wrathe go off to talk to people, and to find out what's happening around town.
Similarly, Ssilax, Dog, and Argon go out for a walk. Being sandwiched between the sea and the cliffs does not leave a lot of room for green space, but they do find at the south edge of town there are some small farmers' fields and pastures. Dog is visibly excited to be out in the fields, and he surely smells a great deal more than the mix of sheep and pig manure and salt air that you less olfactorily gifted people detect. He pees on seemingly every rock and tree along the way, and has a grand time chasing a squirrel up an apple tree.
Looking back, you find you have a tagger on. The girl, still unnamed, is following you, and when she sees you look at her she runs up to you and says, "I was wondering when you were gonna notice me! You going to your new house now?"
Blinking several times in confusion, Ssilax looks down at the girl.
"Our new house?" the dragonkin looks over at Argon. "I don't remember anything about a new house," Ssilax says, looking back to the small human.
"Hello again, little one, what is your name? Secondly, whats this about a house?" Ssilax asks the small human, . He was feeling a bit wary at the moment as the situation seemed a bit unusual.
Daxniss started to look around the city, at first searching for any sort of message boards. After not locating any sort of message system or 'touts', she starts to go through the usual system for information street urchins in the know.
Daxniss was looking for infomation about the possible goblin sigthings, along with any information about tasks or jobs, that adventurers could take on. Daxniss also was searching for information about could lead to where the woman who lived on the outskirts of the city, whom might have some abilities that Ssilax had.
Daxniss didn't reveal anything about Ssilax, just that she was trying to find out more about the city that the group had landed. Daxniss was hoping that the urchins might be able to point her in the directions of others that would know more.
This would help pan out in letting Daxniss know if there was a guild in the city.
Diplomacy check for the hours spent gathering information
Bluff checks if needed to avoid reveling too much about the party.
Sense motive
The enigmatic cowled wizard remains silent throughout the exchange, as his job was simply to watch their backs and warn of danger before it pierces their hearts.
|
|
Daxniss finds that it is very small for a city, very small indeed. In actuality, it is a port town, with perhaps a few thousand residents at the most. It doesn't seem like there is a guild, though there are shady people. There are a few criminals, but they're not generally known, or accepted, and there may be a few on town council who are involved in less than honest dealings, though what those might be is not clear. Being a port town, there are always sailors coming and going, and the dock area, which is not very large, is considered off-limits by a lot of the townsfolk as being too raucous and dangerous. As such, most of the urchins spend all their time there, and any crime outside that area is likely limited to one-offs and specific targets, or drunks going off piste.
What you find out about Momordica (without naming her) is a bit more than what you already know. She lives up on the Plateau of Peril, which is up the path that climbs the cliffs above the town. She rarely comes to town, though some think she does come, only magically transformed into a young woman. She has been having goblin troubles of late, but nobody knows why or in what way. Wrathe notes that a few people spoken to have more to say about her, but do not say it.
The goblins have not come to Blackburn for more than a generation (about forty years).
-------------
The girls smiles and says "I am Piglet. Well, my ma says my name is Rashel, but nobody calls me that. I thought since you just came here you must have a house to live in? If you don't, where will you live?" She moves to pet Dog, very tentatively. Her nose is a little pushed up, but she's not chubby, not in the least.
"Well, hello to you Rashel. I am Ssilax, this is Argon, and the furry one you are petting is Dog," the dragonkin says with a little bow. Dog is blissfully enjoying the pettings from the new person.
"No, we don't live here. Actually, we are looking for a lady whom I and the others where more or less sent to help," the dragonkin pauses and looks in the direction of the mountain. "Maybe climb a mountain while we're at it." the young Theurge chuckles to himself.
"At the moment, we are living out of the inn. Which will be a considerable upgrade from sleeping on a ship." the dragonkin says with a laugh.
Daxniss let's out a sigh, it was more information then what the group had still, the city was indeed more a port town. Inwardly Daxniss shrugs and turns back to Wrathe " I think we have found out as much as we can today. We know where she lives, and the troubles we might face. Unless you can think of anything else we might need to search out, I propose we go back to the inn. "
Nodding along with the rogue's assessment he is quiet for a time, his strange eyes lazily taking in the comings and goings around them.
"Shall we return and ask the others what they might need for our journey, and then move to collect provisions. We can start upon our path on the early light of the 'morrow?"
Wrathe was looking forward to reminding his back of what it was like to be in a bed, and his stomach feeling the reprieve of not being in constant motion.
He would keep his eyes out for a map that provides them more information that will help them to find Momordica's general locale.
"We where just taking a walk. We've been cooped up on a small ship for longer then I care to think about. Plus, Dog needed to stretch his legs. " Ssilax says with a short laugh.
Argon seems more sober now, and he looks around at the countryside. It feels good to see a countryside that is not plagued by evil, though he is concerned there might be goblins, based on what they were told about this place.
He looks at the girl and asks, "So, Piglet is it? What do you do around here? Are you apprenticing for something? Knight's squire? Princess? Sailor? Priestess?"
He's not expecting an answer, but it's possible she has a parent or guardian who is teaching her a trade.
|
|
Wrathe and Daxniss pass by a graveyard. It is in two halves, each half surrounded by a low stone wall, and the two split down the middle by a narrow path that heads directly for the cliffs. Beyond a few trees, stairs can be seen carved into the cliff and climbing it, heading south. Following the stairs, they become a path, and then more stairs, and then a path again leading off to the north. Wrathe notices that the last one above the second flight of stairs is actually one of two paths - one north and one south. Both of the paths cover cliff rocks and are carved into the cliffs at various points; they look like they might be dangerous when slippery, or if in a hurry.
On the way back to the inn the wind picks up and the clouds that had been rolling in start raining a light rain on them.
---------------------------------
Piglet responds to Argon first by squinting at him as if he smells bad. "I'm not a princess. My Da's a sailor and my ma is a servant of the church of Abadar. She says I should be ladylike so's I can find a good man when I'm grown. I'd rather just be Piglet. Are you a knight? You have lots of weapons."
Soon it starts to rain a bit and you think you should head back. If the rain subsides, you can always walk around town a bit more.
Looking up into the leaking sky, Ssilax nods to himself.
"Well, let's head back to the inn. I'd rather not be walking around in soaked robes," The dragonkin comments.
Nudging Daxniss, Wrathe asks if she might inquire into any possible remuneration that might be found in the culling of the orc numbers, and any information that might be gleaned as to their likely location and strength.
|
|
The girl follows Argon, Ssilax and Dog back to the inn, and all get a little bit wet. The inn is warm; they have a fire in the fireplace, for even though it is autumn now, as it gets later it is getting cooler. When the wind comes off the ocean, it can be downright chilly.
The one-eyed cat scurries away as the group enters the main room, so sadly, Dog is unable to spray it with dogwater. Argon has sobered, and it is a bit early for supper so you are not really hungry. The girl Piglet runs off somewhere.
--------------------
Knowledge of orcs, upon asking, is minimal. Apparently there used to be an orc tribe on the Plateau of Peril above the town, but some time ago they moved south and now harass miners on the south of the island. There might be some money in defending the mines, or fighting the orcs, but one would have to go to the other side to take advantage of that.
Wrathe and Daxniss arrive back at the Safe Haven. The main room is getting a bit more lively as sailors and others come in from the rain and wind.
Daxniss nods and asks around, relaying what little information there was regarding the port towns history with orcs. Once the two of them got back to the inn, Daxniss locates Ssilax and Argon, and spends some time telling the others what she has learned.
" Also we noticed that there is a graveyard here, along with two paths. I didn't hear anything about unrest from the departed, we know that our mystery woman doesn't come to town much,and she takes a form of a young woamn. Could be she has a daughter or an apprentice, as for this crowd we might hear more information, or be involved with a possible bar fight which we should try to avoid. "
"Well, Dog marked almost every rock and tree between here and the farm lands," Ssilax says with a quiet chuckle. "And we learned that the young girl you guided us to the inn is named Raschel, or Piglet as she is known." He pauses and scratches Dog's ears. "Otherwise, we didn't learn much."
"I'll be right back, I'm going to switch over to some dry robes." Which meant he was going to go to his shared room and magic his clothing dry. And then stand in the empty room for about 5 or so minutes, so that it looks as though he was changing. He returns to the others, a slightly damp Dog at the dragonkin's heel.
Wrathe uses a slightly undercooked morsel of snack food to emphasize his words, "Anyone have an objection to taking our leave upon the 'morrow and leaving with first light?"
He adds, for those that might be listening in, "Let's cull the orcs' numbers for these people."