For dotting purposes
Dot
Dotting
You wake, not knowing how long you were out. You are hungry and thirsty and alone. You don't know where else to go so you finish your journey to Red Larch. There you are nursed back to health at Mother Yalantha's boarding house. The rail thin woman, Mother Yalantha herself, tended to you as you healed. Her help was not out of kindness though. She expects to be paid for her services.
Rrath rose early, as usual, but more so as of late due to the healing attentions of Mother Yalantha. It was obvious that she needed repair for helping Rrath heal up, but what could she want?
After taking a long piss out in the alley, Rrath dunks his head in a bucket of rainwater, and heads back in for some breakfast.
Mornin' Mother Yalantha. I was hopin' to have somethin' to eat? Is there anything I can do to repay ya for your kindness?
Not long thereafter, a wizard-lookin' fella strides into the boarding house.
"Hmph, fine, but this is yer last free meal. I expect to see some coin coming in soon. There's some things needed doing around here before I send ya off though. You look like a strong lad now that you aren't layin in bed. There's a hole that needs patched up around the back. The boards are all cut, you just need to nail them up."
The 'Helm at High Sun' tavern goes silent as the strange man in even stranger robes enters. There aren't that many people here but they all turn to look at you before hurriedly turning back to their meals in a poor attempt to hide their curiosity. They look to be stonecutters or miners getting ready to head out for the day. The bartender speaks up, "Having some trouble there friend?".
Rrath nods as he slides 5 gold coins across the table to Mother Yalantha.
I'll fix that hole, and like I said, thanks fer fixin' me up. I will bring ya more coin when I can spare it. I was hopin' to latch on to another caravan. Where would postings fer that sort of work be?
Her eyes go wide at the sight of the coins. "If I had known you were hiding those I wouldn't have asked you to do chores! This will pay for your room an then some. If yur lookin for work you can check out either Dornen or Mellikho. They run the two quarries in town. Mellikho is backed up so her workers are working night shifts. Work may be easy to find there. As for caravans coming through, I wouldn't know the schedules but if you wait long enough you can hitch up with one of the stone shipments maybe once they come in."
Your search for the traitor takes you to Red Larch. You hear from passing travelers there are some pirates working on the Dessarin River and one of them was wearing a broach that belonged to your Shevarra. Unfortunately you also hear the pirates are quick to squash anyone who would challenge their place. You could try to find them on your own but perhaps your training has taught you patience. Thinking it better to find out more about these pirates, hang around town hoping to find out where to find allies. You awake one morning and head to the tavern for some breakfast. You are collecting your thoughts when a strange man in strange robes walks in.
Rrath gives Mother Yolantha a toothy smile and proceeds to fix the hole in the wall before heading out and about Red Larch. He approaches and enters the nearest tavern/inn that may have postings for caravan guard work.
dot
Lifting his eyes from the simple meal of porridge, bread, and sliced apple he is currently working his way through, Dasim watches as the red-robed man enters the inn. By Mystra's cold heart, the Three were already testing him by sending a bloody Thayan into Red Larch. Surely this couldn't be the help he was supposed to seek? The Rashemi's dark eyes flick back and forth from barkeep to Red Wizard, narrowing in thought as it appears the haughty spell slinger isn't as well off as he comes across. A penniless Blood Robe, a sign that Mystra truly wants me in an early grave. Popping another slice of apple into his mouth, he wipes his dark hands on a small handkerchief before tucking it back into the pocket of his travel worn charcoal and silver colored robes.
"I doubt anyone will be bringing your coin back soon, Thayan." Dasim says with a slightly forced smile beneath a nose that appears to have been broken several times. "Law won't be much around a town this size. Probably some poor schlub more used to dealing with runaway sheep and goats or otherwise likely to simply fine the shirt off your back."
Pointing to the half loaf of bread and few remaining apple slices. "But if you're hungry....I've some to spare."
Rrath makes his way to the only tavern in town displayed as such hoping to find information on a paying way out of here. The Helm at Highsun has only a handful patrons but two in particular seem to not be getting along. A strange bald man in red robes and a dark skinned man seem to be having an argument. You hear the tail end of an insult as you enter.
Rrath is a massive half-orc, and he walks confidently into the tavern. Catching the tail end of the insult, he gives a chuckle as he heads to the bar.
Ale, please. Any postings in here for caravan guards?
"Ha! Ha!" Dasim laughs at the Thayan's insult and accusation, but the way his knuckles whiten around the shaft of his spear belie the monk's good humor. "You're still breathing blood robe, so no...I didn't take your foul slavers coin. Perhaps you should go find the local constable and leave the honest...and paying....folk to break our fast."
He then looks away from the wizard dismissively, grabbing the last slice of apple from his platter and slowly savoring the ripe, crisp fruit finally noticing the big halforc ordering at the bar.
The nonchalant reaction of the half-orc catches the bartender off guard. He looks confused for a moment before pouring your ale. "Sure friend, I don't have anything about caravan guard positions at the moment. We were supposed to be getting a caravan of trade goods no more than a tenday ago but they never made it. Another should be coming by in a another tenday. You can go ask Constable Tuthmarillar if he knows of anything."
Rrath slugs back a good portion of the al ed and sits to sip the remainder.
Aye, thanks. Where can I find the Constable?
He listens intently to the banter between the than and the other fellow.
Magmoria approaches the tavern hesitantly. Even looking like one of the humans around her, she still feels out of place and vulnerable. She took the form of what she hopes is an average looking woman to try and blend in while she looks for answers as to what is happening in the area. The valley seems to slowly be sliding into chaos as bandits and worse have become emboldened to strike out at the poor people of the area.
Walking in with what she hopes is confidence, Mags take a seat a little away from the other patrons and, presenting a coin asks for some tea, if possible.
A waitress comes and takes your order quickly and disappears into the back.
My rolls from the discussion thread were 13, 13, 12, 11, 18, 08. With the +2 to WIS and +1 to STR that gives me the stats you see on my character sheet.
As she sits Magmoria cannot help thinking of the horrible dreams she had been having lately and now being in the town that figured so prominently in those dreams leaves her feeling nervous and fidgety.
When her drink comes she thanks the waitress and sits back to see if she can learn anything from the patrons of this tavern.
You overhear some murmurs of bandits in the area. You also hear someone telling a story about a kid that saw a haunted tomb.
The bartender nods at the thanks and directs you where you can find the constable.
Hearing the bartender speak of missing caravans, Dasim's attention quickly focuses on what the man is saying. "Caravan went missing you say?" He says to the bartender while giving the Uthgardt a friendly nod of greeting. "I've heard rumors of pirates working the Dessarin River, as well. Might be a connection. This Constable Tuth-whatits, is he putting together some folk to deal with these brutes?"
His hand rubs his short cut beard for a few moments as he thinks, "By the Three, I'd be willing to lend a hand if he is."
Turning back to the Uthgardt warrior he again offers a bow of the head in polite greeting. "Would you mind if I joined you in speaking with the constable?" He waves his hand back toward the Red Wizard. "Mind, you'll probably have the Thayan tagging along as well." His mouth opens into a wide smile. "Seems his coin purse stuffed with rubies, gems and vast untold sums of worldly slave generated wealth has gone missing. Likely the work of these notorious bandits and pirates."
Rrath smiles a toothy grin.
Aye, the more the merrier. Let's present ourself as help, eh? Name's
Rrath. Who might ya be?
Returning Rrath's grin, Dasim nods his head to the barbarian and places his hand over his heart. "Dasim Dakat. Good to meet you Rrath."
Slinging a small pack over his shoulder and a worn, dusty brimmed hat onto his head the monk drops enough coin on the bar to cover his meal plus a little extra for the waitress. He starts to turn toward the door only to whirl back around and grab the half loaf of bread still sitting on the platter. "No sense letting this go to waste." He says with another grin. "After all, can't fight an organized hoard of bandits on an empty stomach." He adds tearing off a chunk before offering some of the loaf to Rrath.
Slowly chewing the bread and waiting for the others, Dasim takes another look around the small inn and notices the quiet, seemingly very nervous woman sipping tea by herself. He frowns in thought for a second and then his face turn a bit red in the cheeks. After a few seconds he walks over to her and offers a deep, courteous bow. "Greetings and blessing of the Three upon you." He says, his voice and manner much more polite than with the Thayan. "My name is Dasim and you have my apologies if all this talk of bandits and missing caravans has made you uncomfortable or upset. No offense was meant. Perhaps when we return from the constable's, I can offer you another pot of tea to make up for disturbing your current repast?"
Overhearing some patrons speaking about bandits and other problems in the area, she decided to follow quietly as they go to speak to the local constable.
The three men exit the tavern and head down the street. A few moments behind them follows the tea drinking woman. They pass by the inn and a shrine dedicated to many faiths before arriving at the business you've been directed to by the bartender. There are four identical stone buildings with the first one having a painted sign of a ham being carved by a cleaver. Heading inside you find a woman busy cutting away at meat. You also find another stranger sitting off to the side obviously waiting for something or someone.
Dot.
"You all he to see Tuthmarillar as well? He's had this poor guy waiting for a while now. Hold on a bit, let me see if I can get him away from whatever is holding his attention." She disappears out the back door and you hear some yelling. A few moments later a young man enters the room. "She told me to tell you to wait here."
Tarandil grins at the others. "Rough times on the road? I had a few near misses myself getting here. Seems a person can't travel safely these days. He pauses for a moment. "My name's Tarandil. Are you thinking of investigating the bandit activity? You three seem to be a bit better suited for dealing with bandits than most travelers. Perhaps we might, for a time, work together if so?"
I am Rrath, an I'm sure we could use the help.
Dasim slips his hat off and nods to the young man who asks them to wait.
"Seems the law isn't in much of hurry around these parts." He says after the half-elf introduces himself. Bowing his head quickly to Tarandil he slides the hat back on his head. "I'm Dasim. The more the merrier, I say."
Magmoria slips closer to the door so she can try to hear what is going on.
How can humans hear anything with these tiny little things! That must be why they are usually so noisy..they cannot hear themselves stomping and shouting!
"Wonderful!" Tarandil exclaims. "May good fortune smile on us all in our endeavors." Tarandil pulls out his lute and begins to play a simple, pleasant tune softly so as not to bother the folks in the next room. "I hope you don't mind a little music to pass the time," he says. He looks at the map Ziyad unfurls, taking interest in the marked locations. "As a scholar have you written on these ancient strongholds or perhaps were these lost secrets of interest to a wizard, Ziyad?"
"I believe I know a little of what you speak," Tarandil shifts a bit, pausing his music to find the right words, "though I haven't had the opportunity to read your book. Unfortunately scholarly pursuits have not always been possible when you travel often. But if I understand correctly, you're talking about things from other worlds leaking out into ours, like demons haunting a place?"
Leg bouncing up and down like a hasted jack rabbit, Dasim gets up from the hard bench and steps outside to leave the bard and Thayan discussing the depths of magical mumbo jumbo. Breathing the fresh air as the door swings open the monk lets the cool air fill his lungs and clear away the smell of the butchers shop.
Noticing the woman standing near the door, he nods in her direction. "If you're waiting for the constable, make yourself comfortable. Seems to be a bit of a wait. Mutton before bandits and all that, I guess." He says with a chuckle.
"Weren't you back at the inn a bit ago?" He says with a puzzled tilt of his head. "I don't mean to pry, but if you're in some trouble or also had a run in with bandits, Rrath and the bard seem like decent folk and we'd all likely be willing to help."
Mags hops back as the door suddenly opens and one of the humans steps out into the street. She attempts to look like she was not standing at the door listening, but it does not take a genius to know what she was doing.
When he speaks to her, she stammers and blushes.
"Umm...no. I mean I am not in trouble...well not really...errr I mean not me...some ..ummm...friends of mine. Anyway, I am here to help discover what is happening in the valley."
She shifts from foot to foot unsure how to go on.
"Helping friends in trouble is a good cause certainly." Dasim says taking a few steps to lean casually against the wall and put the woman a bit more at ease. "And it seems you've come to the right place. Apparently we're all looking into the local troubles." He adds with a soft chuckle at the coincidence. "Likely we'll all have more success together verses apart."
Rrath follows Dasim out for fresh air.
How long is this guy gonna take?,
Just when the group are about fed up with waiting, a large man walks in accompanied by the woman you met before. He takes off his apron and wipes his hands off on it before tossing it in a nearby chair. "Sorry about the wait gentlemen. Smoking meat correctly is a delicate process. My name is Harburk Tuthmarillar. My men and I keep the peace around here the best we can. I hear you have tales of bandits in the area? There are a few places south of town along the Cairn Road that thieves may be hiding but I don't have enough time to go check them out myself. You'd be doing the town a favor if you could take a look out there."