"Thank you doctor. You wouldn't, by any chance, do business with groups outside the city, do you?" "Hmmm, noted. If you don't mind, I think we'll get this back to our companions. Thank you doctor, hopefully we can do more for each other in the future!" Sharra 'es moves to help the other doctor with the money.
---Stables---
Well, Bubbles is a hippo and therefore rather strong and quite large. She's trained in combat and is capable of understanding Common and Draconic. She can of course swim, carry and Intimidation Eko pet the rather friendly Hippo who leans to eat fruit cheerfully.
---Doctors office---
I do actually, mostly garderners and Alchemical experts, i can introduce you if you like?
Saasraa nods. "Very good, very good. Do you train and control her in battle? What is your role during a skirmish, engineer?"
"Very well, I understand. All scalekin thank you for your service. May strength of our fathers fill you in your work. If you should change your mind, please let me know. Farewell." Vraxiss says. He then moves to speak with the gnome. "Hello, I am Vraxiss Sharpfang, I would speak with you."
"Just tell us where to find 'em, an' let em know we're coming with gold."
Harkness speaks between grunts of effort to bring the parties haul back to the inn. "First thing... we're buying... is a cart..."
Vraxiss after his statement waits for the gnome to give his name in like manner.
Huffing and puffing as she helps carry the reward, "Definately agree! I thought this is what we had the bigger guys for."
---Stables---
we are both combat trained for front lines, i specialize in the lance. As well i'm rather adept at crafting weaponry fit for warriors as well as armor provided i have the materials. Eko stands as tall as one of his stature can, he's a knightly lizard man speaking in a respectful tone.
--- Docs---
Well, they're all mostly scattered about the surface, the Capital city is my best supplier. He's got a shop on near the Coliseum, it's called the Shattered Phial.Are you sure you don't need help? i have a cart out back. The doctor calls out as the pair carries out the bag of gold that likely weighs more than they do.
---Bar---
The gnome man jumps clearly skittish and startled, he turns his head his voice having a slight stutter to it, you can see he his fingers have a black powder on them and his hair is slightly singed. Oh, greetings. i am Merry. How can i help you Sir Kobold?
Saasraa nods sharply. "Excellent. Whether or not your corps accompanies us, you would and Bubbles would make most useful additions." She says the name "Bubbles" in a deeply serious tone of voice.
Wyxar blinks at it all and continues to eat, enjoying time in a less hostile environment.
"Be calm, I mean you no harm. I am looking for individuals who would be interested in an opportunity to use their talents is a way that will truly be appreciated. Merry, I suspect you are familiar with gunpowder. Are you an manufacturer or the substance, or simply a user?"
Saassraa speaks to the engineer in the stables "Let us return inside and speak with the others. Even if your comrades will not attend, you are welcome with us."
"The cart would be nice! How did that girl cary this? Thanks doctor, we may come back if our more eloquent group members would like to talk if that's ok. Speaking of them, I think we should be getting back."
"Lets get ourselves a tarp for this. Not wantin' ta show every goon on the block what we're loaded down with."
"EY I'm walkin' here! Clear a path people. My fellow pioneers, we return with our 'investments'. Whats next? Besides mornin' breakfast."
Harkness stands guard by the cart while he calls into the stable.
---Outside---
The pair find the cart underneath a large worn tan tarp, the Cart itself is old and rickety but should still work fine. You both push the cart back to the inn, arriving late morning as you do you see Saassraa returning from the stable with a small green scaled rather jovial Kobold with a pep in his step, I doubt they will, Kavak dislikes groups unless he makes them. He's devious one.
---Inside the bar---
The gnomish man calms a little, pulling out leather pouches and mixing various substances in precise increments as he talks to you, not looking at you but working. Both a manufacturer and user, independent from the military. Though i will admit it is hard to sell my wares here... Why Are you looking to buy? you don't look the type to wield Aki'lan's flame.
"Perhaps," Vraxiss replies. "I am a part of a group working to found a new colony on behalf of the Council. Skills such as yours would be useful in a frontier. If you be interested I am going to arang e ameeting for potential recruits for later this evening."
As the two approach the bar, Sharra'es called out to their friend, "Saassraa! Can you get one of our bigger companions to help with our... package? We've just made our way back from the doctors you see."
On the way in, she mentions, "That doctor may be a good contact to have in the future." Once they get their haul back to a room, Sharra'es counts their bounty, leaving the other's to their business.
Saasraa nods to Sharra'es "Certainly. I can assist with that." She heads to help with the load and will ask Eko and Bubbles to assist if the load proves truly prodigious.
Eko looks over the load of coin, Allow me to help, if one of you all will get the door we can grab a table and make this more managable yes? Eko goes over to assist with the load of carrying, he's able to carry the sack over shoulder, for a small lizard man he has a fairly strong physique. You all walk into the Tavern, seeing Vraxiss talking up a skittish gnome and Wyx eating at a table.
Amira raises a hand in greeting, Hey, everything go well?
The oddly named gnomish man Merry, blinks and thinks, I suppose i could join to at least check things out, Some travel could be good.
Over the course of the evening, many of the adventurers either head to their rooms or head out. The later the day the more peaceful things seem to get in this particular location, as if the outside world barely exists. The mysterious ghostly song echoing beautifully throughout
Saasraa greatly enjoys the company then turns in early, preparing to get up early and ensure all possible preparations have been made for the departure.
Vraxiss is lounging in a chair writing in his journal when he hears the music. He perks up and moves to investigate, after knocking on the door of any of the party members staying at the inn to see if they'd like to join him.
Amira looks over at Vraxiss investigating, Curious Eh? She's always sung, since the tavern was built.
The smell of chemicals is strong when Vraxiss arrives at the doctors door. He agrees to head downstairs since he hasn't really spoken with the new people being dragged along for this adventure. Seemingly unarmed, but doctors don't usually carry blades in Lapis. Unless it's the first of the month.
"Yea, so this place is what? Haunted or sum'in? Could charge a ton for the 'Ahm-bee-ahnce' ya know."
Kind of haunted, but the spirit herself is never seen, never hurts anyone. Just sings. People say she's waiting here for her lover who went off to war and never came back She continues polishing glasses and cleaning up, it seems the tavern is emptying for the evening.
"How droll! Does she sing every night?"
Every single night, she's only ever stopped once in the history of the tavern. And that was on the two days before Nar'voths last big surprise attack
"Well let's hope she keeps singing for the duration of our stay."
Seeing that the ghost singing will continue, Harkness is going to go out to buy his stuff.
Harkness is able to find several weapon shops, Smith's, alchemical supplies, and a few magic shops. Being near the end of the day, most are readying to shut down for the afternoon but you have plenty of time to shop still
The empty bar, the Elfsong tavern, full of Adventuring trophies, ranging from a giant insectoid monster, to full stuffed Beholder. The party puts out the call to the contacts they've asked to join their grand adventure, Eko the... somewhat excitable green scaled Kobold armored and ready and The skittish Gnome Merry now wearing a Heavy leather gloves and a thick set of goggles, grey hair spiked upward and looking a tad singed.
The bar owner Amira is preping breakfast for the early morning crowd, and setting new missions and bounties on the board. the party gathers what members remain after losing Wyx and Sassaraa both being called away to attend to other duties important to their individual clans.
The loss is troubling for a few moments, but the party it seems has found members to join the operation in part thanks to their recent deed saving sick Kobold children, and Vraxiss putting word out that there's an expedition.
Arriving a little late to the gathering a Green scaled Kobold, With a more flat and angular head with a crest, More gecko like than the colorful feather reptilian style of other Kobolds, in addition a thin and long prehensile tail. Dressed in studded leathers.
Merry puts up a hand in greeting, there you are, i was hoping you'd show. I put out a call to a contact of mine, to hopefully get some more hands on board the trek.
"Good, good. Are we all here then? I'm not expecting anyone else at least. I see our newcomers all look like they can handle themselves. I suggest we take care of any last minute provisions that are needed before we head out. Meet at the main gate in an hour so we can get going before wasting most of the day."
Sharra'es nods, satisfied with her directing and turns to go make her own purchases.
The green scaled Kobold pushes Merry over a bit to take more room for herself. She is lithe and small even among kobolds. She looks about the table before saying in a raspy voice “Well nice to see some friendly faces!” She leans back so that only two legs of her seat remain on the ground. “I’m Qua, nice to meet those of you who haven’t had the pleasure yet.” Then she looks over to Harkness and says “Glad to see you here, in case I need any patching up.”
Vraxiss goes shopping with the Doctor and purchases a minor bag of holding along with a portable alchemy lab.
- At the Meeting -
"It is good to meet you Qua, I am glad you could join us today." Varxiss says as he extends a hand. He then addresses the group as a whole. "Everyone here know the basics of our mission presume? We have been tasked by the council to direct the settlement of a new colony for the glory and safety of all scalekin. Still, there is place for all who would find a new beginning..." Vraxiss goes on for a good fifteen minutes extolling the benefits of the enterprise for each prospective recruit.
"We got a caravan started-uhh" Harkness starts to say something before he hears Qua. He quickly tries to make himself scarce.
"Let's er, just let fearless leader here do some talkin'. It's important prolly."
He sits in a corner in a poor attempt to stay inconspicuous while the speech goes on.
Qua starts to say something to the Doc but stops as she realizes Vrax is diving into the exposition, coming to the conclusion she should pay attention since she’s new.
Vrax's speech proves inspirational but at this juncture... the Bars empty except for the owner Amira, and those already in the expedition.
Everyone who goes shopping is able to find what stuff they need rather easily. Although Masterwork thieves tools prove somewhat difficult to find, though you do it is annoying to piece together a set using masterwork quality implements.
Sharra'es takes a quick headcount before leading the group into the tunnels. "So, any of you new beings ever traveled this way before? All I know is to go in this direction."
Eko grabs Bubbles the hippo and loads her up with stuff Unfortunately no, im from the east, i do believe we can expect Ankhegs however
“In truth I generally prefer to stay in more urban areas. But I’ve been looking for a change of pace for awhile now.” Qua displays as close to a smile as a lizard really can.
While traveling through the tunnels, Sharra'es slinks off every so often to check their surroundings to hopefully prevent an ambush or at least to not be caught in it.
With packs being carried and everyone ready, the group sets out into the unknown. At first you see signs of civilization, farmland and some abandoned buildings or military outposts, But that disappears within the first few hours.
A Craggy land of underground rivers and giant mushrooms is what lays before you. Large population of ankheg, giant insectoid monsters that spit acid, have nests around that thanks to Sharras quiet scouting you're able to avoid quite easily.
It's hard to know how long you've been traveling being in the dark wilderness of the Under land. The area underneath is vast with no signs of end in sight.Eventually in the Forest of glowing mushrooms the group finds themselves traveling in they come across 3 Different trails heading in three different Directions.
Harkness rolls for:
The doctor will do a basic check-up on everyone heading out provided they have the ability to speak a language and eat bagels. He'll keep doing so to ensure the march doesn't go on too long, but nobody gets lazy.
Harkness makes an effort to get acquainted with local wildlife distributions to see if he can tell what the caravan will be getting into as well. Hopefully, that'll be an obstacle he can know about ahead of time to prevent more nasty surface mongrel surprises. Harkness never did like dogs. Whether through the new recruits to the cause or through studying some taxonomy texts along the way. He spends the duration of this effort muttering about how he was born above a butcher shop.
And finally he'll help someone else give a look to the immediate area for impressions of the land. He may have lived in an urban setting, but it doesn't take an expert to see rocky terrain.
Qua will keep an eye on the wagons for any hints at issues and repair them as quickly as possible to avoid a breakdown of any kind.
Qua is able to keep everything in the carvan maintained over the rocky terrain, accelerating the travel and making it just a bit easier.
Meanwhile the good Doctor after his seemingly mandatory physical, takes a scan of the area. Around he finds some Ankhegs having claimed a nest area by a running river, they seem to be catching fish and smaller lizards for food. Uninterested in you at the moment, much different from the hardened trained mounts the goblinoids of Nar'voth use.
Most of the flora is fungus based, the glowing ones hard and woody, containing a glowing ooze that doesn't seem to stop glowing. There are some interesting herbs that vaguely remind you of herbs like Basil, or parsley but also glow. It seems to be a trend of the plants around the area, bioluminescence. The ground itself near the trail is as you come to find out the rocky part, the thickets of forest seems to be softer, smoother, more sand or dirt like. You're able to determine a safe place to set down for the day.
However the paths ahead, one seems to go into a recently opened cavern crag, the other directly through the Thickest parts of the Ankheg territory and forest
Taking her seat at the campfire Qua will crack open some rations and try to strike up a conversation about how to proceed. “Does anyone have a preference for which path we should take? Way I see it each route has its own dangers.” While she speaks she is whittling what appears to be a stock for a new weapon. Clearly in its infancy and maybe more of a pet project/way to keep her hands busy than anything she’s actively trying to create.
"Hmmm, the danger we know of with the ankhegs or the unknown danger of the cavern crag. I think it's better to go through the cavern crag. I don't think we want to risk getting swarmed by ankhegs. We should gather some of these bioluminescent plants for our journey tomorrow. It might come in handy ro not loose track of our caravan if we get separated beyond the range of our dark sight."
Sharra'es idly watches Qua in her craft for a bit before making herself busy with camp tasks.