At the mention of the Mother of Monsters, Bydar manages to coax Booker into the conversation. "Wouldya ask tha Chief were exactly it was that they found this here cult? Call me supahstitious, but we oughta check it out too fer some bad juju, ya know? Wouldn' be tha firs time ah buncha loonies coysed tha land fer sum demon," he points out with a concerned frown. They might be ah little ovah zealous fer my tastes, but theys like tah plan and are poyfectly amicable ta each otha. I think I'll stay with them fer awhile, especially if they've got dragons an' tha like in tha future. Always ah hoard when it comes ta dragons.
"Lord Christian, I'm with tha little fuzzy guy on this one, we gotta protect this thing, even if we're gonna hide it. Jus', ya know, tha nature of life, eh? If we leave some protection, ain't nuthin' gonna happen. If we don', we can jus' abouh guarantee it, see? Othawise though," he says raising his hands, palms forward, "I agree that tha plan is righ' as rain!"
"I share Orlog's concern." a look to Brandt, "Forgive me , Brandt, if I over step in asking, but do you think Fenrir would be able to act as a guard dog to the egg? Would it be a good idea?"
Smiling broadly, the Ulfen replies, Aye, he is a dog after all, and while he would certainly prevent any simple person who is not us from approaching the egg, a cult of Lamashtu could probably overcome him. adding more tinder to the campfire, he continues. One or more of us should stay with him, or someone from the council. But until we've got a better idea maybe we should keep the presence of this one quiet for now.
Thinking for a moment longer and looking into the campfire, So if there is a cult of Lamashtu lurking about the area, we may want to keep our eyes out for them. From what I understand, they are awful, and their faith is repulsive to Old Deadeye. I may not be a priest, but he's still my patron. Brandt looks at the party with a feral gleam in his eye.
Bydar nods to Booker, "An excellent idea, sir."
and asks Chief Kip about the location of the cultists if he can remember, what he remembers etc.
*****
When Brandt says Fenrir shouldn't be left with the job alone, he nods. The ranger knows best of his companions abilities.
Thinking for a moment longer and looking into the campfire, So if there is a cult of Lamashtu lurking about the area, we may want to keep our eyes out for them. From what I understand, they are awful, and their faith is repulsive to Old Deadeye. I may not be a priest, but he's still my patron. Brandt looks at the party with a feral gleam in his eye.
"She is a goddess dedicated to abomination, perverting the natural to the obscene, marring beauty not just in form, but in soul, and shattering of the mind," Bydar frowns "Yes, we must be on guard. "
According to the description provided by Chief Kip, the kobolds happened upon the cultists on a hill overlooking the Shrike River near the location marked on your map as Nettles' Crossing. However, the new chief also adds that this occurred some weeks ago, so the cultists may have moved on.
I feel right now we should keep this quiet...I do not think it is a good idea to get people worried about a dragon...egg or not...They may not take kindle to it. That will cause more problems that we are ready to deal with.
I think the egg would be very safe in the catacombs and I feel that we could ask Sapphira to keep an eye on the fella for a short time....
Christian smiles slightly as he looks of towards the north.
...I think we have a solution that will solve all our difficulties. Problem is we do not know if they yet live.
According to the information that the Whitehollows reported...There is a fairy nest just north of the Thorn river camp. ummm...Pervigash or something like that who is a fairy dragon and there was another creature...a fey of sorts...tiger lily...no tiger tigger tut? Anyways they are or were pranksters in that area. There may be a chance that they still live. We could seek out there help with the dragon egg? IF they are alive...
Nodding at Christian's idea, Brandt agrees, It may be valuable for us to take a slightly extended tour of these lands, perhaps no more than two weeks on the road. Start at the Nettle's Crossing and see if we can find evidence of these cultists, backtrack to see if there is anything at the gold mine. Then try to find these Faerie dragons, and return via the temple of the elk?
Looking at the eggs, Orlog was in deep thought when the idea just came to him. "The vault! We found a vault in the tunnels under the fort. We could store the egg there. If memory served there was only two keys to that place. One could stay whit us and one could be trusted to our most loyal adviser for now." He ponders a bit more, thinking on who that person could be. "Not sure who we should pick. But once the egg is stored there, I would be a lot more confident moving back out in the wilderness."
Looking at the eggs, Orlog was in deep thought when the idea just came to him. "The vault! We found a vault in the tunnels under the fort. We could store the egg there. If memory served there was only two keys to that place. One could stay whit us and one could be trusted to our most loyal adviser for now." He ponders a bit more, thinking on who that person could be. "Not sure who we should pick. But once the egg is stored there, I would be a lot more confident moving back out in the wilderness."
Brandt turns to Orlogg as he speaks, excitement building on his face, Orlogg, damnation! You are right! We should use the vault. A great idea. Trust a Dwarf to be so practical in application. Brandt beams at Orlogg.
I'd say either Sapphira or Nanya would be excellent caretakers of the egg whilst we're out on the horse-roads exploring and quelling cultists and securing the aid of fae. Sapphira is the only one who knows of the chamber, and she is our person responsible for ferreting out information at the moment... Brant's energy bubbles up through the Ulfen, belying his twenty four winters, What say you all, I think Orlogg a genius!
Bydar grins at Orlog's idea as well and nods agreement with Brandt "Seconded."
"Yes, that's an excellent idea. Good thinking, Orlog!"
Christian smile brightly as he turns to the dwarf.
A very good suggestion. I think we have just found our hiding spot.
He nods to the dwarf.
I am glad that you thought of that...good work.
He looks to the others
anyone have a problem with Sapphira checking in on the egg every now and then?
No that's perfect I think. We already trust her to keep secrets, this is another just another one.Brandt agrees with Christian.
Provided no one objects, So we will ride back to town in the morning, enter the catacombs by the sally port, hide the egg, and then return into town. Hopefully bringing Sapphira down there later in the day to show her what we found.
Looking to the group, So is it worth trying to track down the cultists and make sure they are not hiding on our doorstep? Should we look for the faerie dragon?
Syretia nods. "I don't like the idea of letting a cult of the Mother of Monsters fester in our lands any longer than is strictly necessary. I doubt their crimes have stopped at stealing eggs."
"Sapphira is a hard one to know, but I think she would be a grand protector if it came to that." He doesn't sound completely sure of her, but is willing to trust in this case. "She certainly might understand the danger the young one would be in."
"The cultists alarm me as well, but more than that- if any of them know where the parents are, it would be they wouldn't it? "
"Yeah, yeah woyks fer me! Store tha egg, then show tha cultists what for, eh?" Booker says, jumping into a fighting stance and shadowboxing an invisible cultist. "I dunno any," he pauses here to duck under what surely would have been a nasty haymaker to the face, "ah yer friends, see? But if yous guys trust 'em," another pause as he delivers a crisp uppercut in return, "then who am I ta say othawise!" The Halfling's head recoils as a jab clips him in the face, but based on the resulting 1-2 combo, you'd wager it was a calculated risk. Wiping his mouth, he raises a fist in the air and plants a foot on the body of his invisible foe with a big grin.
"Glad that's ovah with," he confesses, dusting his hands clean. "We still gonna go tah tha Mites, er are we gonna jus' leave 'em fer anotha time?"
________
Syretia watches Booker's show with amusement, then says "Chief Kip says they are all gone, but it couldn't hurt to double-check. We should put the egg away first, though, unless we'd like to go wandering through even more tunnels with it."
Just before dawn, you break camp and part ways with the kobolds, who return into their home before the morning sun burns their eyes. You return home with your newfound precious cargo. After several hours of travel, you return by early afternoon. As if by serendipity, you find hooded Sapphira waiting for you, standing beside the inn on the northern edge of your small settlement.
"Welcome back. How did it go?" she asks, eager to keep abreast of any new information in the area.
Brandt almost breaks out laughing when Sapphira is the first person they see in town.
Well, its been interesting. Christian's got a job for you, but we need to talk about it behind closed doors. Brandt pitches his voice low to prevent it from carrying too far.
Assuming they can all get behind a locked door, Brandt fills in some additional details, Well, others who understand more of what we did with the kobolds can fill her in, He turns and looks meaningfully at Christian.
But we do know that there may be a cult of Lamashtu floating around somewhere north of us, and we're going to go make sure they aren't squatting in 'our' lands He levels a wicked grin at Sapphira, And evict them if they are there....
"Sapphira, had I not been there myself, I would not have believed it," Syretia says, smiling. "Without getting into the details just yet, I think things went very well."
"Lord Christian pulled off an amazing feat of diplomacy" Bydar admits "Lots of challenges ahead but still amazing"
Brandt's mention of "talk behind closed doors" immediately seizes Sapphira's interest. She invites the party through the inn's backdoor, into the kitchen, and towards a hatch leading into a cellar. Much noise and merriment can be heard from the front room.
"We're already quite popular with the local hunters and trappers," she explains, holding the hatch open with one hand and aiming her other hand's thumb towards the front. "I wasn't expecting to be accepting so many hides, pelts, and other animal bits as payment, but here we are."
A newly hewn wooden ladder descends into the cellar, which still smells heavily of freshly dug earth. It remains half bare, containing only a small number of casks and crates. A single door bearing a sturdy iron lock sits in a niche against one wall.
"Is this private enough? I could invite you into my room over there," she says, gesturing towards the locked door, "but it is rather small."
She lifts a round wooden board that hitherto leaned against the earthen walls.
When she holds it up, you see it bears the inn's name in simple, carved letters: "The Scale and Feather."
"It's all still very rustic and small, but it's a start."
Well done lass. I'd have wanted something more Skald, but I think it fits these folk very well. Brandt chuckles to himself more than anyone, plus who would want to stay at the Taztlwrym's Teeth?
He looks to Christian once everyone else has added in their information, expectantly.
Christian nods to Sapphira as she ushers them away and into the basement of the inn.
"Is this private enough? I could invite you into my room over there," she says, gesturing towards the locked door, "but it is rather small."
She lifts a round wooden board that hitherto leaned against the earthen walls. When she holds it up, you see it bears the inn's name in simple, carved letters: "The Scale and Feather."
"It's all still very rustic and small, but it's a start."
This will do just fine.
He looks around the room admiring the work...You have done well in such a short span of time. Impressive.
When the others start talking about what has happened over the last few days, Christian takes it all in and nodding a silent thank you.
We all played a part in this and it is because of all of us that we were as successful as we were.
He looks to Sapphira.
Where to begin....well first let me introduce you to Master Booker Marmilade. Master Marmilade the is Lady Sapphira and she has a knack for knowing things. She also likes her personal space to be...well personal. If you can respect that...I think the two of you will get along just fine.
Master Marmilade recently joined us on our tour of the Kobold mines to the east. The Whitehollows did a number on the Sootscale tribe that claimed as their home, the old Oaktop Silver Mine. The survivors of the tribe...a few warriors, some non combatives, children and the last of their eggs is all that was left alive. Not a threat in any sense of the word. They were more interested in surviving then causing mayhem.
He sighs slightly...
They are Kobolds and typically an evil lot to say the least but they were desperate and we saw potential in them. A potential that could see them turn away from the cultural norms...
He glances at Orlog for a short moment.
...I hope at least. It is a big gamble but the payoff will be tremendous.
Christian brings his full attention to Sapphira.
We did not exterminate them...we negotiated with them. They will mine the silver from the mines for us in exchange for supplies to help rebuild their tribe. Plus a few things to help them become more organized and self reliant. We also may have been successful in converting them to a new religion. One that is more fitting to them than some random monster that they deem as a god. Only time will tell.
Christian smiles and chuckles slightly
Oh but there is more....much more...and this is where I am looking to you for help.
During the talks we were able to acquire a rather unique egg. From this tiny egg, the great wyrm grows.
As the last words are spoken Christian pulls forth the dragon egg.
The Kobolds rescued this egg from cultists...cultists of Lamashtu. The egg is due to hatch in a short few weeks and we are seeking aid in finding its parents or someone that can raise the creature better than any of us could. There is a faerie dragon just a few days north of here, it is our hope that it can help us out with the dragon egg.
The young mercenary captain looks to the others and then back to Sapphira.
This is where you come in. We will hide the egg in caverns..specifically in the treasure vault near where we first met. I will need someone to look in on the egg to make sure all is well and that it is safe. Is this something you will feel comfortable doing?
You have a way of finding things and I would love to know anything and everything about these cultists. If they are still in the area we need to know and we will have to deal with them personally. With the popularity of the inn with the hunters and trappers...I think you may very well be the person to locate that information.
Sapphira cycles through a range of emotions, albeit obscured by her hood and the dim light of the cellar, as she listens to Lord Christian's accounting of the past couple of days' events.
"You act as though these kobolds mark the first time you've taken a gamble upon someone whom many might try to kill on sight," she quips with a wry smile. "Of course, they can't possible match me for style and skill, but hopefully they will prove useful allies, nonetheless."
An awed quiet comes upon her, even if just for a few moments, when she is presented with the dragon egg.
"Amazing," she breathes, clearly awed by the living treasure. "I can't even begin to estimate how much something like this could be worth. I'm not suggesting we sell it, so spare me your dirty looks. I mean that something like this could earn the favor of a powerful dragon - or at least spare us one's wrath. It's little surprise that you would want to keep it safe."
Talk of the cultists elicits a shudder from your enforcer and spy.
"When I came to the Stolen Lands, before I encountered Master Narthropple's party, there was a woman who tried to recruit me. Even before I saw that she wore the symbol of Lamasthu, there was much about her character that unnerved me. I'm no saint, but I'm no dunce, either. I knew better than to cast my lot in with her. Even if some bounty hunter or knight errant didn't come to slay the lot of us, I wouldn't trust her not to bleed me for her goddess."
Another shudder wracks the medusa.
"I don't know where she lurks or what company she keeps, but I can give you the name that she gave me: Delphine."
"Taking a chance on someone, that is one thing. But an tribe is another matter. How long before one member decides that this alliance isn't what he wants and take over?" Orlog shakes his head. "For know, their leader seems to be smart enough to know the value of working with others. We can only hopes that those teaching will be appreciated by the rest of the tribe."
He looks around the chamber. "On a different matter, I like the underground living quarters."
With the revelation of the name of the head cultist, Orlog smiles. "Well, we have name. That is always a good start."
"Thank you for being willing to take on this burden, Sapphira. We have asked a great deal of you and you have always risen to the occasion."
Syretia listens quietly to Sapphira's tale of her encounter with the cultist. "Almost certainly a pseudonym, given how on-the-nose it is," she comments. "Do you remember generally where you met her?"
"Pleased tah meet yah," Booker says in response to his introduction. He extends a hand, but quickly retracts it when Lord Christian comments on her feelings about personal space. Ain't my business, but I can't 'elp but tah wondah why- MOTHER OF PEARL, WAS THAT A SNAKE?! Rooted to the spot, he keeps a smile frozen on his face. Once the conversation develops away from him and onto the Kobolds and dragon egg, he takes a few steps away from Sapphira to begin inspecting the contents of the cellar.
Ain't no way these guys didn' know that, so they must trust 'er, but GOLLY if that doesn't scare tha pants off of yah! While looking at the various stores, he keeps a particular eye out for fruit preserves. I gotta remembah tah ask Her Scaliness abouh 'er goods. Movin' outta tha booth at tha square and inta ah fine establishment like this would be ah step in tha right direction!
"Still though, ah pseudonym gives us sumthin' ta work wit', see? I gotta admit, I ain't tha most knowledgeable abouh tha Motha o' Monsters, but doesn't she gotta thing fer women? Maybe we could ask 'round town fer anyone who's been approached, yeah?"
________
Booker's right, they may have contacted others around here to fill out their cult. I'm not much for getting information without threatening people, but some of our more honey-tongued companions may be able to shake out a word or two around town? the Ulfen man looks toward Christian, Booker, and Bydar.
Would you be willing to poke around town and see if she's been lurking about? IS there something useful I can do in the meantime? Brandt asks
Bydar looks about the inn with pleasure as they enter the Scale and Feather
"Sapphira, you're working wonders with this place." he says, then smiles as she mention that she, and not the kobolds, are the first gamble with the 'other' they've taken.
"Still though, ah pseudonym gives us sumthin' ta work wit', see? I gotta admit, I ain't tha most knowledgeable abouh tha Motha o' Monsters, but doesn't she gotta thing fer women? Maybe we could ask 'round town fer anyone who's been approached, yeah?"
some of our more honey-tongued companions may be able to shake out a word or two around town? the Ulfen man looks toward Christian, Booker, and Bydar.
Would you be willing to poke around town and see if she's been lurking about? IS there something useful I can do in the meantime? Brandt asks
"Lamashutu and her priests are eager to warp motherhood and the offspring there of into abominations. In that, yes, they have an interest in women, though they often try to convert claiming they glorify women, in truth some of their church mostly treat women, even unwilling ones, as breeding stock. However, it's not what you call organized, their methods and priorities can vary somewhat. The one constant is, it's never good news."
At the mention of being honey tongued, he blushes, "I'll see what I can learn, of course. Delphine and her cult could be quite the threat to our growing community. Any cultists may have even set up a hidden shrine somewhere if they've settled at a locale."
"I encountered Delphine in Pitax," Sapphira explains, putting venom upon both names. "I traveled to that wretched city when I first left home after resolving to find a company of explorers or adventurers to ally myself with. It was my misfortune to instead encounter that woman."
The medusa pauses to remember the meeting.
"In hindsight, I'm quite positive that she was also just a visitor to Pitax. I don't know where her true home might be, but if she's also been spotted in this region, it suggests a range of her operations. If I had to hazard a guess, she probably hails from one of the larger towns or cities in Brevoy."
"Perhaps even she found Pitax to be too vile a place to do her dark work," Syretia says, the ghost of a twinkle in her dead eye.
Not much in tha way o' preserves, I bet tha Marmilades could convince 'er tah sell our stock 'ere! Pleased with his assessment, Booker stands back in with everyone else. "Wells, I guess it's time ta staht combin' tha streets!" he says, clasping his hands together. "We've got our li'l egg tah stow an' some information tah gathah!" An' sum Halflings tah talk to!
________
Listening to Sapphira's words, Brandt grimaces, I am sorry Sapphira, that your path has been hardened by those who make assumptions. We'll extract a little payback for you should we discover her lurking anywhere near here. Maybe check with any midwives we've got first to see if anyone's lurking about?
Brandt puts his hand on Fenrir, Fenrir and I will do a quick about of the outskirts while you talk to people. See if there are any outlying camps we don't know of, or if anyone's lurking anywhere. With that, Brandt climbs out of Sapphira's basement, mounts his horse, and is off to see if anyone is lurking on the edges of town.
"Don't worry about me. I'm no victim," Sapphira replies to Brandt, although she does not sound insulted at all. "Deal with them as you will. The fate visited upon them won't hold back my ambitions."
Sapphira heaves a sigh and pauses, her posture straightening as she seems clearly pleased with herself.
"Anyway, I can also have Mr. Pink keep tabs on the people passing through the inn. Much to my surprise, he's a big draw. Locals and travelers alike seem keen to gawk at the 'big walking bird.' He's a good pair of eyes and ears, even if he's only one man."
Everyone seems busy with their honest work, and you can't pick out signs of any suspicious behavior among them. If the cultists are lurking near your new home, they are not out tonight.
Lady Sapphira. When the rest of the unit gets here...I will have my supply sergeant get in touch with you. He has contacts all over the area that may help you with getting rid of your surplus items....if you are in need of such help that is.
Listening closely to all that is being said, Christian ponders the next course of action.
Well...with this new situation, we have even more problems to attend to.
He rubs his chin as he looks around the room.
We have about three weeks before we become parents of a baby dragon. Which means we have a lot of work to do in a very little time. Now this is my suggestion and I am open to comments and help on this. We are going to be here for a little bit tomorrow at least, getting supplies that we need for the next part of this current mission. So while we are gathering what we need...we can ask a few questions here and there...keep our ears out for a tid bit or two...and those with the necessary skills can actually drop a coin or two in the right palm to find out about this Delphine woman, creature, or what ever the hell she is.
We load up the wagon and head out tomorrow afternoon. The wagon will slow us down some but we will need it for the first part of the journey.
He starts to look at the dirt then looks back up at everyone.
We make our way back to the kobolds and drop of supplies to them. Turn north towards the Sycamore tree to inspect that. Then onto the Gold mine where we can stake an official claim. From there we head northwest toward the Thorn river camp. It is hear that we drop off the wagon and hide it at that camp. It should be safe for a few days. From here we take the horses and travel north to the fairy nest area. We make contact with them and figure out what to do with the egg....I hope. From here we head southwest to inspect he temple of the elk. Then back to the Thorn river camp to pick up the wagon. We can then make our way back home. If and this is a big if...if all goes well we should be back here in about two weeks. I know it is a long time to be away but I would rather not split the party into two group and we really should get some supplies to the Kobolds right away. I am open to suggestions though...
Entrusted with the dragon egg, Sapphira descends into the labyrinth to secure the living treasure within the hidden treasury. Thus, the party is free to spend the evening and following morning preparing for their next expedition.
There is no shortage of wagons at the party's disposal, as many were used to transport tools, building materials, and laborers to the settlement site as part of the initial investment provided by Rostland. Supplies such as canteens, dried fruit and meat, and other essentials of the trail are in somewhat shorter supply in the newly founded frontier settlement, yet you are still able to secure enough to tide you over during this next expedition.
Meanwhile, you chat with the porters and suppliers in hopes of uncovering useful leads regarding this worrisome Delphine. With your village only about a month old, though, the residents are still largely strangers to one another. Families and loners alike remain somewhat insular, at least for now. Thus, when asked about unfamiliar, even suspicious faces around the barony, many of the people you talk to can point out at least one person they don't like the looks of. Thus, you find yourselves with perhaps an overabundance of suspects, even if there is greater quantity than quality to the leads.
Between your own cautious inquiries, as well as the efforts of Sapphira and Mr. Pink, you compile this list of "suspicious women" reported around Charis.
*The baker with the lazy eye ("She's probably some witch or hag, trying to poison us. That's why I only eat what I kill myself!")
*That farmer who only raises red chickens ("Why? It's weird. Why would she do that? You think it's weird, too, right?")
*The innkeeper (Sapphira's response: "You can't see it, but I'm rolling my eyes.")
*The other innkeeper ("Hells, it might be a woman. It's a giant bird! Who can tell?")
*The potter that just arrived from Nivakta's crossing. ("She was probably run out of town. I don't trust her one bit.")
*That vagrant huntress ("Fairly certain they meant Miss Landusk," Sapphira clarifies.)
*The carpenter's wife ("She don't have any children at that age? Something must be wrong with her.")
*The "strumpet" who arrived with a recent merchant caravan ("Town's less than a month old, and we already attracting street girls? Just ain't right.")
*That Vudran priestess (i.e. Nanya) ("Don't them Vudrans worship snakes? Yeah, and don't they not eat meat?")
*The one-handed weaver ("I hear they lopped her hand off as punishment. Must've been a pretty heinous crime, I'd wager. How does she even do her job?")
Well, I did no expect us to have great luck in sussing out a cleric of an evil god in our midst, but this seems to be a lot of hogwash. I Suppose given the nature of many of us in the second-oldest profession, it doesn't surprise me we have the oldest profession in town. I don't know that any of that is worth following up on, maybe if our good Sapphira is willing to keep an ear out and follow up some more?
Saddling his horses, Brandt mounts, awaiting the rest of the party. There was nothing last night, no one plotting secret ceremonies in the woods, no smuggler's trails being cut into the wood out of sight of town, nothing. But we're still small. Maybe we'll get more information if we can find out how big their numbers are from where Kip saw them?
Brandt adjusts the hunting bow across his saddlehorn, while Fenrir rests in the shadow of Lord Christian's cart, one eye watching the party while the wolf hound feigns sleep.
If we can make good time on these stops we should be set with everything, however we may need to adjust stops as we wish. Its a lot of ground to cover, definitely. And should we come across anything predatory, we should definitely bring some trophy back to show the people we're keeping them safe.
Still Astride his horse, Hrimfaxi, Brandt asks the group, What about riding to Oleg's and checking on him and Svetlana? It is only a day off our plans, and could be valuable if they've seen any groups of humans moving around up there. What say you all? With Lord Garess here and Sapphira, I feel as though we're okay for the time being.
Bydar can't think of any immediate improvements on Lord Christian's plans.
However as the results of "suspicious women" comes out, Bydar's eye begins to twitch. "Shelyn weeps" He mutters.
And gives up an hour of sleep here and there if it means correcting somethings gently
*The baker with the lazy eye ("She's probably some witch or hag, trying to poison us. That's why I only eat what I kill myself!")
"Well, as one of our number was a leper and he's one of our finest citizens now, I would advise we judge by action, not affliction. Maybe there's a spell in my power that will assist her."
And he will seek out that woman to see what he can do. And offer to cast a Remove blindness which should help.
*That farmer who only raises red chickens ("Why? It's weird. Why would she do that? You think it's weird, too, right?")
"Mmm it's odd, but I had a cousin who refused to deer with thirteen points on their antlers- thought it was bad luck. Takes all kind, but I am curious now and might ask."
*The innkeeper (Sapphira's response: "You can't see it, but I'm rolling my eyes.")
"Sorry, Sapphira." A wince. "Let me know if you want to talk to someone about that."
*The potter that just arrived from Nivakta's crossing. ("She was probably run out of town. I don't trust her one bit.")
Excitement! "We have a potter? Wonderful... I mean, well, it's an art form as well but I'll say hello to her and see what my own impressions are." Okay. Mostly he wants to meet a potter.
*That vagrant huntress ("Fairly certain they meant Miss Landusk," Sapphira clarifies.)
He raises a brow at that, but will leave Brandt to handle that for now as they seem to be friends.
*The carpenter's wife ("She don't have any children at that age? Something must be wrong with her.")
He'll ask Cavan about how she's doing, and try to get to know her as well. It's possible she's barren, but he's not going to charge in and offer the woman prayers for fertility .. that would be too intrusive.
*The "strumpet" who arrived with a recent merchant caravan ("Town's less than a month old, and we already attracting street girls? Just ain't right.")
He rubs his chin at that. Too many women are slandered just for the way they dress. But yes, it seems working girls are inevitable. Best to say hello and if it turns out the woman isn't in that business, to deflect the slander. That sort of accusation can get ugly.
*That Vudran priestess (i.e. Nanya) ("Don't them Vudrans worship snakes? Yeah, and don't they not eat meat?")
"I definitely need to see if I can get Nanya to meet more folks, let her straighten things out. I'll warn her of the misconceptions." He clearly has respect for Nanya after her ordeal.
*The one-handed weaver ("I hear they lopped her hand off as punishment. Must've been a pretty heinous crime, I'd wager. How does she even do her job?")
Again, delight, "We have a weaver too? " alas, severed hands are not in his power to regrow. But he'll go check on her to see if she is a worshiper of Shelyn as some artisans are.
Suffice to say, Bydar's sermons will tend towards matters of not judging by outer appearances alone. And that everyone deserves a chance to set things right, and then seek a fresh start.
And then if he shows up ready to ride, he may look a bit blinky but not so sleepy that he should be fatigued.
"I feel have so much to do, but a stop by the Trading post might be prudent, and courteous as well."
"All of those ladies sound too particular and easily noticeable to be a spy... Well except the working ladies." He pauses for a second. "Do we have a priest of Calistria here? Might be something we want to look into. If the women are organised, it could be a valuable source of informations."
"All of those ladies sound too particular and easily noticeable to be a spy... Well except the working ladies." He pauses for a second. "Do we have a priest of Calistria here? Might be something we want to look into. If the women are organised, it could be a valuable source of informations."
"If we have one, I have no knowledge of such. I confess, Callistra is one of those gray gods that can bring mixed blessings. They can get very vengeful very fast if they feel wronged whether they have been or not." He cautions , then ponders "I suppose if..ah any illnesses arrive among any voluntarily in the. .ah 'oldest profession' I can help for the good of the community with a remove disease."
"Yeah, yeah, I dunno what any o' these places are, but if yous are sure of 'em, I can roll with tha punches!" Booker says to the plan.
As soon as it is clear that the group has a plan and is parting ways for the day, he heads back to his family's booth. If he didn't know where the center of town was, the unnaturally loud (for a Halfling) calls to buy Golarion's Greatest Preserves would get him there.
"Hey, hey, how're ya doin' Mildred?" he asks, ducking under a thrown glass jar. "Poyfect, poyfect, glad ta hear it!"
"An' yous Ruth? Leeroy? An' Robbie?" he continues, two Halfling children hug him warmly while a third pinches him, giggles, and runs off. "Ok, ok, haha Robbie! It's nice ta ya too!" Jeepers, is this whah Pa feels like when 'e comes 'ome?
"Eddie! Charlie! The twins! 'ow's tha stand an' sales goin', eh? Ain't it tha life? Callin' tah tha crowd, swindlin' rubes, aaaahhh, ain't nuthin' bettah than this! 'ow's Ma doin'? Only three pints deep? Poyfect!"
Pushing in the door to the kitchen, his mother is hard at work making marmalade. Several of his siblings slide past him to resume their work in helping her. she roars at him, swatting him about the face with her sticky hands.
After a few moments of being berated and smacked around a little, Booker finds himself seated at the kitchen table with his favorite meal, pipping hot and in ample supply in front of him. "Ma, 'ow'd ya know I'd be back tahday?"
"Mothah's intuition, tha same way I knows when yer Father's gonna be in from woykin' tha lumbah-yard," she responds, tapping her temple and resuming her work.
While he eats his fill of a hearty beef and barely stew, Booker explains the situation to his family. He has an in with an innkeeper who is willing to sell their product, but we need to pitch her. His relationship is enough to get them in the door, but nothing more. He'll be back in two weeks or so, and, by then, he wants a perfect sample of each of their flavors, a stockpile ready to sell, and everyone ready to wear their Sunday Best.
The next morning, Booker shows up rubbing his eyes as well. Yeesh, who knew tellin' stories ah yer travels woulda incited ah riot agains' bedtime? Good thing I swiped some-ah tha good stuff from Mildred's stash. He cracks open a ribbonless jar simply labeled "The Good Stuff", scoops a dollop out with his lucky spoon and sticks it in his mouth. Immediately, his face twists and contorts with agony until he manages to swallow the concoction down. "Thah's bettah," he confesses, taking a deep breath. Already, he seems to brighten up a little.
Waiting for the others, he leans against the gate and checks his pocketwatch until they arrive.
Brandt meets Booker at the gates, You're certainly early Master Booker, a good sign. So tell me, how's your business running. Well enough that your family will be well if you are gone for two weeks? Brandt dismounts, checking the saddlegirths on both mounts and adjusting packs on the horses.
So the plan is to head back to Kip and his kin, and then make a large loop to the north, Brandt produces a simple map of the area, outlining the potential route they would be taking, That help you figure out roughly where we are going?
Once they are upon the road, Brandt and Fenrir will travel at the front of the party, enough of a distance ahead to give ample warning, but also in sight of the party members.
Syretia joins Booker and Brandt next, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and setting her pack on the wagon. "I'm sorry," she says, trying to stifle a yawn. "As soon as we finished up our meeting I fell right asleep and still barely woke up in time. I guess I'm still getting used to traveling the country."
Christian approaches the group with his horse already hooked up to a wagon. Inside the wagon are several bundles of supplies that are most likely for the new Kobold tribe. There are also some tools as well. Pick axes, shovels and a sledge hammer. There are also some animal feed there as well.
Well good morning to all. I hope you slept well. I think we have just about every thing we may need. I was able to borrow a few tools the may come in handy at the mine when we get there. I picked up just a few bundles of animal feed. I think were we are going there should be plenty for them to graze on as we travel. Are we ready?
I was thinking about the suggestion of a trip to Oleg's and that is a great idea. We could hide the wagon at thorn river and then make for the Outpost. From there we head southwest towards the fairies and the temple?
Booker quickly stows his pocketwatch as others arrive. "Tha business'll be jus' fine! Tha Marmilades 'ave got it covahed! I am but one ah many siblin's pitchin' in, is all," he explains to Brand.
"Oh, I sees it now, yeah, yeah! Tight route fer two weeks, but tha horses'll do it jus' fine." Having delivered his hopeful assessment, he climbs up into the wagon. "If'n ya don't mind, Lord Christian?" Assuming it isn't an issue, he sets about organizing the contents of the wagon, at least until there is a Halfling sized space for him to sit comfortably.
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