The rest of the party is subject to a strange scene, where Dawn is having this constant back and forth between her and the guard. For each piece of loot they had obtained at the tower is pulled out, the answer is always no. From the shield, the magnetic rock, a stray crossbow bolt, the Oil of Magic Weapon, and all the way to a strange sculpture that might be an elephant, or it could be a tapir. It lasts for several minutes before Dawn is forced to concede that nothing she has on hand is sufficient to claim the monster bounty.
Shockingly, the guard has not lost control of his temper and tried to run her through with his weapon. In fact, he seems to be more treating the Leshy as if she were a small child then a creature with the mentality of a full-grown adult. Though even you are now doubting that fact.
"If there's nothing else," He states, booklet now long put away, looking very much ready to leave your group for anywhere else.
Ellium Dorrior, would you know the name? Or who might... perhaps they are someone of note?
Kaliban receives a hard stare levied in his direction, and little else.
"So, I guess we're walking, then, at least to the end of the pier and the road? Maybe someone there will be more helpful."
Dawn sighed and started packing the pile of things around her away. "What counts as evidence, then? I mean, we can't just bring spider bits. You'd never know if it was the right spider."
He nods. "Severed heads of the spiders in question. 10 gold for each one, and proof that the nest was completely eliminated."
Alasayn sighs and says, "My good friend, we are all civilized people here. Can you not trust our word?"
"Civilized people are honest?" Dawn looked confused by that idea, and once more probably didn't notice the complete lack of help she was providing. Looking at the guy, she asked, "Ok, so if we go back and get the spider bits what else will we need to do? I suppose we could make sure the smalls are gone and set the tower on fire. That would be proof, right?"
"Lighting the watchtower on fire is unnecessary, and illegal. Just the severed heads would be fine." He replies. "it's not up to me to trust how good your word is. Try the garrison if you really want too."
"Hmm, Cousin Mary was right. If we had some venom, that might indeed count as proof. Nevertheless, I think it's not worth our time, considering the importance of our quest."
Dawn's eyes widened at the idea that burning things down wasn't only not the answer, but illegal to boot. But she nodded to Emma. "I suppose we do have lots of the yellow ones anyway. We should go do the next thing."
Watching Dew's display, Hilde can't help but chuckle. "Venom can be purchased, and even harvested from living creatures. Not sure it would be enough to prove the point, either. Garrison might be convince-able, they might not. But they might also know something about this Door-e-or person."
The guard before you gives a slight shrug of his shoulders, the strongest hint that he actually possesses human emotions throughout this whole encounter. You have to wonder if all Ulnish soldiers are like this, or this man is just a particularly unique case. "The next ferry departs for the northern bank on the next hour's dot. It operates every hour like that from dawn til dusk. Careful not to get trapped on the wrong side at night if you had somewhere to be."
Dawn hauled her backpack onto her back with a frown. "Do we have somewhere to be? I'm fuzzy on details. I thought the crown person hired us to sort out the winds."
So, when the call goes out... for help with this curse. Kaliban looks around, half-expecting hags to emerge from the water... or be perched on some tree or statues.
When that call goes out, and people answer the call... where do they go? Are there any authorities to check in with? He doesn't want to infuriate the man, but...
His stern expression somehow sours even worse. "Those damn Elish, they really are trying to shove their arses into our buisness then. The Westhersmiths have full authority on all matters regarding the weather in this country, and that includes the 'curse' as you've put it. Leave these matters to them and return back to your country. We don't want your help."
The Elish... why do they meddle? I'm asking you warrior to warrior.
If I'm willing to die in service, yes maybe for glory or coin, too... that's irrelevant as it could help the country either way. I'll be out of your hair soon enough.
What's your name, Sir? An honor to buy you a drink when you're off duty.
"They think being a neighboring country somehow gives them this justification to shove their noses into our affairs. We can handle our issues ourselves." The guardsmen states.
"Daniel Thorne. Honor for you it may be, yet I hold no desire to join you. My duty is to myself as well as my nation." He finishes, overall giving Kaliban the impression he probably isn't the type that drinks to relax.
"This is my country. You might like things how they are, but I don't like that people are going hungry. I'm gonna fix it." The little Leshy looked impressively determined, the swinging Ioun Stones giving off more text than usual as she stared up.
Truth be told, I'm not one for drinking or carousing, myself... But, you ever want to spar, Daniel Thorne... I wouldn't mind learning a thing or two from a real soldier.
Thank you for your time.
Apparently looking for any excuse to exit out of this encounter, Guardsman Thorne politely but shallowly nods his head at Kaliban. Dawn and her vaguely threatening display of kinetic power or wholly ignored as he attends to other duties.
The party now finds themselves alone on the dock some space down away from the Wani, save for Kaliban's horse who stands there with a serene look of boredom only horses can obtain. The path is open at last, but the question that floats briefly past everyone's (except the horse) mind is thus.
Where do we go first?
Let's find this Elish... Duke. This is a border we are city, so..
tensions are understandable.
"Also, perhaps we should talk to these 'Weathersmiths.' They may be able to tell us more about this curse, though they may take some convincing."
Kaliban nods.
"Gotta start somewhere. Works for me."
With Kaliban, Hilde, and Emma coming to an agreement that the party's first destination should be to see the Weathersmith's guild, Dawn and Alasayn will have to cave to majority rule if they had opinions otherwise. The guardsman may not have been exceptionally polite and fourthcoming about information, but he did let you know that a ferry runs from the southside to the north at every hour. You noticed one pulling up to this side on your way in, so you'll have time enough to at least buy a ticket, if such a thing is needed at least.
Unless there was a reason to stay, Dawn was happy enough to go on another boatride.
Looks like more water crossing... Kaliban approaches the ferry, securing passage for the group.
Alasayn shakes his head at the disorganized state of the guard and follows along with the party.
With an essentially unanimous decision from the group as a whole, everyone makes their way down the boardwalk. They're forced to make a small detour onto land at one portion, but there's little trouble for them overall. Along the way they spy a number of smaller ships hooked to the piers, some still occupied by lingering crew while others seemingly empty. Out on the water they spy some more fishing boats skimming along the river, hard at work to bring in a good catch.
Eventually the group spies a booth set up on one pier along with a stray seating. Nearby is the ferry itself, with it's crew currently on break. Having been so soon after it had arrived on this side, there's only one person currently waiting for passage to the other side. The booth itself is occupied by an older half-elven woman with short rust-red hair and green eyes, a smattering of freckles adorn her face. You imagine that she must've been quite a looker in her youth, but time has worn many grooves and lines into her features.
"Tickets to the Northside? A silver a piece to get on." She glances at an hourglass device mounted to the counter, it's sand having barely coated the bottom. "You'll be waiting awhile, just to warn."
Following along, Hilde wonders to herself whether they should be going North or South, but decides they'll probably have time regardless.
"How long until you sail?" Dawn asked curiously. Maybe there was time to cook something.
She squints at her hourglass. "Fifty or so minutes I'd reckon."
Do you come back? We are new to the area, where would you recommend staying in either side? Kaliban pays the silver, and another for her.
Well, one of the questions was good, anyway. We're going to need beds.
"Every hour, from dawn til dusk. There's an inn just on the edge of town alongside the main road over on the North-side, but if you're looking for somewhere to stay the night I'd hit up the Grillford. It's the big building right alongside the market square here on the South-side." She explains, not having any problem managing travelers.
"That sounds like a place that has beds!" Dawn exclaimed, revealing shockingly low standards for her choice of accomodation.
"Interesting though that be, I prefer to wait right here and get to the other side as soon as possible. I have no mission in this place save to get to the bottom of this, and our only clues lie yonder," Emma Jane says, pointing for emphasis. "We can find lodging later."
Eventually the group comes to an agreement at finding proper lodging later, either on the Northern or Southern bank depending on the time of day once they're finished with their business at the Weathersmith's Guild. Seats are taken where available with the party subjecting themselves to a small game of people watching as the hour drags on. Plenty of of people both interesting and plain arrive and pay for tickets to board the next ferry across. You learn from this that large amounts of trade goods employs an extra charge of a single gold piece, though some amount of haggling can occasionally lower the price.
All said and done, in the end the group of five (plus a horse) board the ferry without issue, and are treated to a short leisurely ride over the river. Departing is an even simpler affair as nobody stops you or tries to get your attention. You consider asking for directions to the guild, but with as small as the town is and as tall of a tower your destination is, you all decide to take your chances independently.
Within a few minutes of walking the main road going through this side of town is discovered, where you find a few shops displaying their goods for any travelers taking the highway into and out of town. Turning eastward you find a set of ten foot tall walls walls of stone bricks built in a way that vaguely resembles the watchtower you first visited. Where the highway passes through the walls is an iron portcullis guarded on both sides by soldiers similar to before. You recall from that earlier encounter that the local garrison is integrated with the tower's first levels.
Currently the gates are open, and people passing through the compound are only given cursory checks before being let on their way.
"Guild stuff first, inn stuff second?" Dawn looked at the others to be sure she had some idea what was happening.
Agreed...
Alasayn and Emma Jane, would you mind leading the conversation? Between charm and intellect, it might be best.
"Of course, my friend. Thanks for your confidence." We make our way as directly to the WS Guild as possible, and Emma Jane (and presumably Alasayn) approach whatever passes for a concierge.
”Gladly.”
The group steps up with Alasayn and Emma at the helm. They're stopped first by one of the guardsman on duty, who simply ask a few questions relating to your business with the compound. When you mention your intention to meet with the guild itself you are given a set of directions which lead you to the appropriate entrance into the tower.
Upon arrival, you are met with the a large door that seems to be of solid oak and carved with designs depicting the four seasons. The tower itself is of a square design built in three ten foot layers with each one a little smaller then the previous. A fourth round section that shoots up another forty feet, before ending in a rounded part with two floors. It's stonework is painted white, accented with artistically carved corbeling and sky-blue shindles. The windows appear to be glass rather then the empty frames more common in town.
Entering the tower through the Weathersmith's door leads you into a small reception area, the floor tiled grey stone with a blue carpet laid overtop. Several wooden benches with red cushioning line the room, and there are a few potted plants here and there for decorative purposes.
At the far end of the room is a stone counter where a young woman in burgundy robes sits behind reading some book. From here you can make out she's brunete and wearing half-moon spectacles. In a similar fashion to the other plants in the room, there's a wicker basket containing a type of ivy that drapes down to the floor. The whole room smells fresh and clean, a marked difference to the stale air just outside.
"Pardon our intrusion. My colleagues and I have traveled far in the hopes of speaking with your Weather-smiths on a matter of some importance."
"Hm?" She blinks dazedly as Emma aproaches, not having noticed the group enter at all. She 'oh's!' in surprise while hurriedly placing her book down and grasping under the counter for a different one. Not looking up as the woman quickly thumbs through it, contents unseen, her hurried voice rings out. "Uh, right, I'm sorry. Did you have an appointment already scheduled for today, or are you here to make one?"