Grehunde's Gorget - GM Wayfinder - Outpost III (Inactive)

Game Master Eric Collins - France

You are all members of the glorious Pathfinder Society, maybe even glorious members yourselves?

Having each, separately, received a beautiful invitation for a trip North, from wherever you were, you traveled to the Lands of the Linnorm Kings.

You were so very excited: a boat cruise to discover the fjords, with tall fair-haired Ulfen men and women to serve you, and maybe have nude moments in the bubbling hot springs under the midnight sun!
A great vacation!

But, your hopes are dashed to the ground, like a fine icicle come springtime.
For, upon arriving in the biggest city, Karlsgard, you are not sent off to the coast in a bundle of fine furs.
Instead, you are told to go the northern district of the city, across the Rimeflow River, to Iceferry.
Where you must--
--report to the local Venture-captain of all things?

This vacation does not seem like one at all.

So, maybe you are not in the best of spirits as you move slowly down the iced-over streets, careful not to slip, as scores of Gnomes move around town.

There it is, the lodge.
This is where you are to meet by Venture-captain Bjersig Torrsen.
And the door is opened by--
--a pale-blue skinned Goblin, with eyes as clear as ice water.

"Whaddya you be wanting?"

But he waves you inside, where it warm at least.

You may introduce yourself IC here.

dot

Somewhere under the deck at the table sparsely lit sits a small figure. Its head lies on the desk and slowly raises it blinking with his eyes. He reaches for a bottle and takes a sip looking around himself. It takes a bit of time for him to recall that he is on a ship. He opens a book that was in front of him and reads the last sentence out loud:

"This could be the breakthrough, my latest mutagen shows no side-effects and ____"

Here the writing turns into gibberish. Hopper finds a pen and ink and continous writing.

"Side effects: lose of cautionsness, memmory loss."

He closes the book and hides it in the backpack. He stands up and begins to gather all his belongings. Hopper is a small person around 3 ft tall, which is not unusual for a Goblin. His skin is of light green color and only half of his head is covered in hair while the other half in tattoos of really poor quality. After he is done with getting all of his stuff he heads to leave the ship getting his dog at the land.

He pats her at her head and says "Aergia, let us find the lodge and rest a bit."

Hopper walks down the streets leading his dog. After knocking he eyes the goblin and says:

"I'm Hopper, I got the letter to see Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen. He around?"

The Goblin's eyes open wide upon seeing Hopper.
Its hands go up to its own face, rubbing its pale white-blue skin, staring at Hopper's skin: "You be sick? Bad skin?!"

Then it stares at the dog: "DOG?!"

And then... it SLAMS the door shut in your faces.

Hopper blinks a couple of times on the slammed doors and says in his high-pitched voice

"That was something! Aergia I don't think that Goblin gets along with dogs."

He slams with his fist at the doors and when the Goblin opens he barge in saying:

"I am mighty alchemist looking for Torrsen, if you will stand on my way I will feed you a poison that will change you into a..."

Hopper pauses for a moment and then realize what is the worst that a Goblin can be changed to:
"Halfling! Yes, I will change you into a Halfling! So step aside my dog will do you no harm!"

The door opens-- you see the Goblin, or so you imagine, tied a looooooooong string to it.
No one is in sight.
The string stretches around the corner of the entrance lobby.

Hopper sighs again and walks forwards bringing his dog in.

"You see Aergia, the world is full of prejudice. You are being judged by the color of your skin, by the length of your tusks and many more. Did you know that the term hit the ground running comes from observing Goblin babies? You see goblins life is so short that newborn babies immediately begin crawling and walking as well."

He walks down the corridor following the string, hoping to find someone else then scared goblin.

"I am ten, I begun my alchemical studies at the age of 6. This is the time when human babies stop eating buggers." Hopper shakes his head when saying it.

The pale Goblin pokes it head around the corner: "BUGGERS?! Who spoke of buggers?!"

Hopper shifts his stare to the goblin and says:

"Oh there you are! My name is Hopper I come from the south that is why my skin is rather green. This is Aergia she will leave you alone if you will do the same. I spoke of buggers, but this is not that important. Help me find Captain Torrsen and I am on my way."

says Hopper in a high pitched voice that is nowhere near being nice to hear.

The Goblin smiles, obviously liking Hopper's voice.
But he frowns: "You Green because sick. You sick and you not see Captain when sick. What is South? All is South? Why Green skin in South? Nice healthy skin is pale. And you be in North. So skin should not be Green but pale. Blue. White. Healthy."

"Who's sick?.... not surprised its brass monkeys this far north." a gruff voice speaks from out of a mass of red beard and furs. The beard has been blown to cover his face by the north winds blowing through the city, leaving nothing to see of the face, just hair, furs, a glint of polished armour and a shield etched with the image of a hammer. As the dwarf enters he reaches down and places a large ancient looking battleaxe leaning against the wall, reaching into a pocket with his free hand he retrieves a metal comb and starts to brush out his beard. He grumbles loudly under his breath, "Gotta remember, plaits in the north, keep everything in place, nice and tidy."

His bright blue eyes look around, "Any of you Captain Torrsen, seems that he's cut short me jolly vacation. Damn liberty, thought it was too good to be true, when the society told me 'bout this trip. So where is he then, tell him Granitt's here to protect him from whatever trouble he's in." He shakes his head and his beard flies all over, sending a cloud of dust around him as he does, "And I was gonna have a bath whilst I was here too." he grumbles.

As he surveys around the room, he blinks as he recognises some of the other passengers from the trip, that had seemed to steer clear of him, "Ahh, looks like we're on the same side after all!" he exclaims and smiles awkwardly at the rest of the room.

A tall, dark-skinned man enters the lodge shivering uncontrollably. He has a cloak and several other layers within pulled tightly around himself.

For a moment you think his teeth are going to fall out from chattering together so hard. You don't even notice details like his eye-color because there is frost and snow stuck in his eyebrows, turning them stark white against the contrast of the rest of his face (except his beard, which is also speckled with frost and chunks of snow).

I-I-I... can't feel anything right now. Pretty sure... this where I'm s'posed ta be.

He blows warm breath into his hands and cups it near his face. Just then as he moves his arms you catch a glimpse of a bandolier that seems to be loaded with a dagger, elixirs, tinctures, and others concoctions.

They send a Garundi man to the far north.... sick joke...

He very quickly turns and waves half-heartedly at all present.

Elsha, and very cold.

We are still a few days from when Outpost III starts--
@Midnight GMT, when March 29 becomes March 30 (a bit earlier in the States)
--so I will wait till the official start to give the Venture-captain's speech.
But will start some pre-briefing RP for you to meet and talk if you wish.

Having all arrived in Iceferry, to meet with Venture-captain Bjersig Torrsen, you coming off the cold street into the entrance-hall of a nice wooden home, built in the Ulfen style.
It is an urban variation of a long-hall, made of big sculpted beams.

You see the others you might have traveled with, and imagine they too could be Pathfinders answering their summons.

You also see a very pale-skinned Goblin interacting with one of the visiting Goblins.

Suddenly, you hear: "SHOO!"
And the pale Goblin runs away.

A lady Gnome with a big head of ruby red hair comes strutting in.
(FYI: the blue bolded text above is the sign that I put a link there, you can click. There were some links in my 1st post re. where you are going and such)

"Hello hello! I am--"

Seeing The Mad Hopper she calls out again: "SHOO, I-- oh, sorry, I thought you were one of them.
Apologies!
So, I was saying: hello, I am Lirall!"

She taps the wayfinder dangling prominently around her neck, on a colorful bead chain.

"And I am a Pathfinder.
Like you all, I imagine?"

She makes sure you all enter the hall, and can warm up in front of the fire.

Seeing The Mad Hopper she calls out again: "SHOO, I-- oh, sorry, I thought you were one of them.
Apologies!
So, I was saying: hello, I am Lirall!"

"One of them? Who are 'them' that you refer to? Dashingly handsome, three feet tall pathfinders? If so then yes I am one of them!" Says goblin lifting his chin up a bit.

He then bows stiffly

"Hopper at your service." and then turning to the two other newcomers he smiles broader

"My name is Hopper, you said Elsha right it is a pleasure. And Master Granitt, I remember you from the ship." says small goblin with a whole pallet of twitches and tics.

"Ah, sadly it seems that I was referring to our local ice-Goblins who drive Mahki crazy!
But, I am delighted to meet you, Hopper."

He smiles at the welcome extended by Lirall, watching transfixed as she tries to shoo away Hopper. Then chuckles to himself as she realises her mistake, his gruff voice adds, "Mistake anyone could make! Even Pathfinders like ourselves." before he starts to walk towards Hopper.

Totally ignoring the discomfort felt by Hopper, Granitt holsters his weapon and extends his arm. "Pleasure to meet you Hopper, glad we are on the same side, give me your hand that we may shake our friendship." A hand calloused and strong waits for Hopper's response, ready to shake, his beard quivers as it shows a smile on the dwarf's face. He looks around at Elsha and nods acknowledging the presence of the elf. Friends with elves and goblins, bloody hell, gotta be nice to them. Think nice thoughts, a good hot forge..

Quiet in back is a small cloaked figure. He takes his hood off revealing gray skin and beaty red eyes. He has a on looking sword at his side and a short bow across his back. I hope this is the right place. Where is the back door. How many windows. How many people are here. The dwarf has a shield and an ax, probably a good fighter, dont mess with in direct combat. He looks in direction of Mad Hopper. Oh another goblin. Probably has some hidden weapons, we are sneaky. Looking at the tall fella, This guy is fully loaded, looks like he will use the vials frequently, has daggers but probably not very effective with them.

"Hello peoples and soon to be friends. It will be pleasure to be on this adventure and meet all new faces." Looking at Hopper, speaking in goblin, " I am glad to not be totally surrounded by dirt-lickers, fairy folks, and Pig-faces."

Lirall looks at the newly arrived Goblin, and lets out a very discreet sigh.

"Welcome! I am Lirall."

Lirall mutters:"How many did he summon? And why all the Goblins. As if we didn't have enough here already....

Elsha gravitates towards the roaring fire for obvious reasons. As his eyebrows begin to thaw he watches the interaction between the gnome and the goblin unfold and chuckles a bit to himself. He rubs his hands together and holds them out towards the fire.

At about the time she recovers and introduces herself, Elsha is starting to feel most of his body again. At his height he towers over the gnome but projecting a dominating presence never made him comfortable. So, empathetically and likely unconsciously he bends his knees and hunches over subtly, nodding at the gnome.

Good to meet you Lirall, I'm Elsha Ustosh, from the nation of Nex. I'm happy to be a new Pathfinder recruit, looking for a way to put my humble talents to work.

He talks slowly, and with pauses interspersed as if looking for a word here and there, but really just as an introvert trying to get through a social ritual.

To further get to eye-level with other inhabitants of the room, the goblins, he conveniently drops to one knee in front of the fire and returns courtesy to the goblin greeting him.

Well met, Hopper. Yes, I'm Elsha! Sorry I kept to myself on the ship. I tend to get lost in my thoughts alot, and... don't do well with people.

He nods back and awkwardly tries to flash a smile at the Dwarf, simply attempting to match the courtesy and respect is space.

Elsha begins to really feel comfortable as the next goblin enters and talks of "new friends."

Hmm, I hadn't thought of it that way. I was so worried about looking professional and presenting well for my mighty homeland...

He smiles more genuinely and responds. Indeed, it's a pleasure. And what is your name?

"Welcome Elsha Ustosh," says Lirall. "Now will see if it's true what my momma always said: Lirall, don't let anyone tell you your not as smart as the Nex-t man!"

Elsha laughs sheepishly, feeling embarrassed for Lirall and himself. Ah, ha... that's a good one. You must be a stand-up bard!

He looks away quickly and avoids eye contact with her for the rest of the briefing.

Hopper extends his small hand towards the Dwarf. His hand has no signs of calluses, just a lot of burns, cuts and other reactions from chemical substances.

Hopper smiles broadly saying:

"Please to meet you. What is it that you do? I see the symbol of hammer on your neck. Are you a blacksmith?" asks Hopper I guess that you have Torag symbol on you somewhere. As goblins are not into religion and Hoppers religion is at -1 lvl, so the question

Then he bows to new Goblin, smiling on the reference of fairy folks and Pig-faces.

Then turning to Elsha

"No worries, I myself didn't felt too good on that barge. I experimented with my new mutagen, after initial tests it sounded promising. By after I tried it I passed out. Unfortunate, but now I feel better."

Elsha's eyes light up at the mention.

Ah! A mutagen, you say? I myself haven't delved very far into those, but I do dabble in other elixirs, and volatile concoctions.

He flashes a lesser alchemist's fire vial from his bandolier for just a moment before continuing.

And what had you been trying to achieve with this new mutagen?

Hopper grins broadly, apparently alchemical works being something that he enjoys talking about.
"Alchemist's fire, it's my favorite. I was experimenting with the quicksilver mutagen, trying to reduce a bit the drawbacks of the subject being more fragile. I had a feeling that I was able to accomplish that, but the outcome was worse than expected. You see, the biggest problem is finding testing subjects willing to try it and refer the findings afterward."

Looking around he lowers his voice:

"You know, in the past, I gave away some of my mutagens to fellow agents and convinced them to use it in combat. Off course I warned them of the possible side effect. Unfortunately, they had some trust issues and no one even tried it." Saying that Hopper visibly saddens.

Hopper was a mutagenist, and I hoped that he can be of value by distributing mutagents to the team. But in the end, none of the 'gifted' agents ever used the potion. The time needed to pull it out, drink it and then reach for the weapon seemed to long for everyone.

"Hey we have some time maybe you want to compare our notes? I wrote mine in goblin, but I can quickly translate it to common or draconic if you would like."

This must be the Lodge...
A short-haired,dark-skinned halfling enters the lodge, wearing colorful leather shirts beneath a simple thick cloak pinned with a wooden symbol of Stag with Jeweled Antlers.

He go towards the fireplace, giving a smile in his way to Elsha as he recognizing the fellow Garundi there.

Hello,everyone. I'm Irth, may the nature bless our meeting today

As he finished his sentence, he starts sitting in the ground with legs crossed and observing the Lodge.

Lirall glances at Irth as he sits: "The floor might be a little cold, if you want you can use a chair closer to the fire. But you are warmly welcome here whatever you choose, Master Irth!"

The entrance hall to the lodge is a mainly typical Ulfen abode, albeit a nice one.
Sculpted beams on the low ceiling, simple wooden furniture, a stone fireplace, some furs on the flagstone floor...

Hopper grins broadly, apparently alchemical works being something that he enjoys talking about.

"Alchemist's fire, it's my favorite. I was experimenting with the quicksilver mutagen, trying to reduce a bit the drawbacks of the subject being more fragile. I had a feeling that I was able to accomplish that, but the outcome was worse than expected. You see, the biggest problem is finding testing subjects willing to try it and refer the findings afterward."

Well... Elsha looks around at the room and replies in a low voice. it seems like you might have some test subjects here... he jokes, smirking.

Looking around he lowers his voice:

"You know, in the past, I gave away some of my mutagens to fellow agents and convinced them to use it in combat. Off course I warned them of the possible side effect. Unfortunately, they had some trust issues and no one even tried it." Saying that Hopper visibly saddens.

Hopper was a mutagenist, and I hoped that he can be of value by distributing mutagents to the team. But in the end, none of the 'gifted' agents ever used the potion. The time needed to pull it out, drink it and then reach for the weapon seemed to long for everyone.

Still whispering to Hopper, Hey, don't give up yet! Maybe I'll help convince this group. Stabby looks like the adventurous type who'd be up for that!

"Hey we have some time maybe you want to compare our notes? I wrote mine in goblin, but I can quickly translate it to common or draconic if you would like."

Elsha's eyes light up at the prospect. Yes! That would be great! My book is still rather new, but surely it has a couple of things you could use.

Elsha waves and smiles at Irth as he enters, and quickly returns to his conversation with the goblin mutagenist. At this point he is still down on one knee by the fire.

Wow, this whole group is on the short side. I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb!

"The floor might be a little cold, if you want you can use a chair closer to the fire. But you are warmly welcome here whatever you choose, Master Irth!"

"Ah thanks for the concern,Ulfen Lady..."

Looking at Irth as he walks in, This is a small one, sneaky but nothing of note, must keep an eye on him. "Ah hello friend welcome lets make this a fun adventure." Ah the Muffling under his breath in goblin. "Great now we have a dwarfling with us as well."
Back to his thoughts, This muchkin convention might have issues with parts of the mission.

"Ah hello friend welcome lets make this a fun adventure."

"Yes, Mr. Goblin. I hope our path will lead us to a joyous moments too!"

The Gnome with the bright red hair smiles at being called Ulfen, and rises up onto her tiptoes.
"I can see about getting you some soup and bread... but I do not know if there is time left before the briefing..."

"Keep it after the briefing then, I'll be fine"
Irth drag the chair closer to the fireplace before resuming his cross legged stance

Lirall nods to Irth: "Will do!"

"But, you are right, there is no time for soup right now."

Lirall turns to the wall beside the far end of the fire place, and you now notice several colored cords dangling there.

She selects one of the cords, and you see it has a label, on which is written: “Office”.

"I will--"

--AAAHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
A loud howl--

A second later, a tall half-orc emerges--
--and lays a calming hand on the back of the she-dog.

He gestures for all of you to follow him, seemingly ignoring the Goblins.

Lirall sighs-- and lets go of the rope she was going to pull.

She moves off after the man and his dog.

Oh, wait? What?! Did she just--

Nature 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

At the howl of a big dog, Granitt feels the comforting touch of his battle axe as he readies for action, "Don't worry Lirall, the dogs won't get you." the gruff voice of the dwarf mumbles out.

He blinks and relaxes as the half-orc follows the dog and calms it. "Captain Torrsen?"

With Nature+4, he can't fail that DC

Ah! The briefing will finally start.

He also follows after the half-orc, but being behind Lirall notices something...

Perception, DC15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

He frowns at her kicking a goblin. Sidling up to her and, speaking softly, he asks Do the staff at this lodge not get along well?

The Half-Orc man does not even react in the slightest to Graniit talking to him.

Lirall shrugs at Elsha's remark: "There are not staff!"

Hopper turns around when he hears howling and pulls out his knife when the dog shows up.
Nature: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

As the husky appears and snarls at him, he pulls out alchemists fire and in a second would have thrown it if not the half-orc stopping it.

He slowly hides the potion and dagger saying in Orcish

Then turning away from the dog and it's owner he sees very well what Lirall has done.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

He rushes forwards and kicks the gnome in her bottom. Saying:

"It is an interesting way of expressing friendship that you have here. I just realized how happy you must be for seeing me here."

And with that, he goes to hear the briefing.

The Orc does not even budge an eyebrow when Hopper addresses him, even though it was in Orcish.

But he does smile when he sees Lirall turn as red as her hair.

Welcome all to Outpost III - may you have fun, and roll high!

You all move into the Venture-captain’s office.
The dog sits attentively nearby the Half-Orc. The man looks at you one by one, in the eyes, while speaking very loud.
You see he punctuates his words with specific motions of the hand, waving them around in some sort of… formal moves?

Again, looking at you one by one he asks:
”Are you familiar with Valenhall?”

Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Irth takes his attention to the Captain and his dog.

Society: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

”Are you familiar with Valenhall?”

As the Captain speaks,Irth can't stop getting his eyes staring the Captain's foreign hand movements

Society, DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Ah, sign language! Is somebody along on this mission hearing-impaired?

Elsha quickly glances around the room at the others only to quickly stop, self-consciously, remembering that he won't be able to tell that way.

In response to the Captain's direct question, the Garundi man shakes his head "no". As of this point, of these lands, I've only been introduced to those present here and the stark cold. I suspect I will learn many things on this mission.

Irth does not say anything, but he wonders why they are talking about toilets here.
I mean, everyone know that a Valenhall is an outhouse...
Nat' 1 crit' failure!

Elsha looks around at everyone in the room--
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
--but none of his comrades seem to have hearing problems.

Then he addresses the Venture-Captain about learning many things--
--and realizes that Bjersig Torrsen is reading his lips.

The Venture-Captain smiles, and pursues:
"I know some think the Valenhall is some sort of outdoor toilet"--

Irth blushes.

--"Over 5,000 years ago, Ulfen explorers traveled across the Arcadian Ocean to the continent of Arcadia, where they established Valenhall, a now nearly mythical realm where Ulfen heroes journey to finish their lives.
Even to the present day, brave Ulfen dream fondly of finishing their last battle and sailing off to Valenhall."

You all have heard of Arcadia, though some believe it to be a mythical continent.
It lies to the West of Avistan the continent you are currently in.

All and any may make a Society or an Ulfen Lore Recall Knowledge check.
Since this is a secret check, please tell me if you wish to attempt and give me your bonuses.

Hopper sits at the table and listens to the briefing. When asked about Valengall he begins to think extensively.

Can I ask for a recall knowledge roll for Society +6. Please be informed that I have Dubious Knowledge feat ;) So even if you fail you should give me one true and one false information ;)

"Can you tell us what is the favor that the Grenskuldr family asks for?" says Goblin

Hopper thinks about Valengall is.
Damn all this dubious knowledge, he thinks, is it Valengall or Valenhall?
Or Valenfall?!
Because if it is Valenhall, that's what I read about on the papers I was using to wrap up my unsold mutagens.
I remember, it read that the Linnorm King Ulvass sailed to Arcadia in –473 AR and established Valenhall.
Supposedly, Brave Ulfens dream of making the perilous journey there at the end of their lives. King Sveinn Blood-Eagle recently did exactly this.

The Venture-Captain answers: "Yes, I may tell you what favor they asked for.
I may even tell you what favor I you need from the Grenskuldrs.
To them I’ve asked they get the Society invited to participate in a special event.
Do well on this mission, and I’ll make sure you’re on the list!
As for what they asked me in return, well, Grehunde the Sunchaser never got to sail off to Valenhall— she died in what she planned to be her last battle.
Her gorget was passed down to her descendants, most recently Hlavard Grenskuldr, also a Linnorm King.
Hlavard was an impressive warrior in his youth, but a month ago he sailed off toward Valenhall to set up a shrine to Grehunde there and finish her journey.
He planned to ensure the gorget found its final home in a place of honor.
Unfortunately, something happened to his ship, the Shoreseeker, along the way.
Merchants report that the ship is still partially above water, but they didn’t get close enough to find out what happened.
While his children respected Hlavard’s decision, they would rather not have their father’s body and the priceless family heirloom at the bottom of the sea.
As you might have guessed by now, I’d like you to find the ship and retrieve Hlavard and the gorget.
I’ve arranged a ship for you, the Wandering Hearth, to follow the Shoreseeker’s path through the Steaming Sea.”

Irth tries to regains his calm.

"Well the toilet is always outdoor my home... captain!" - he tries to joke in a whispy,cracked voice...

"... about Shoreseeker , is there any clue about anything or anyone that would try to sink the ship ?"

re. Valenhall, people may still ask for a Society or an Ulfen Lore Recall Knowledge check, giving me your bonuses.

"In these cold climes, outdoor toilets-- but, well, we have other matters at hand.
There is no clue as to who tried to sink the ship I believe.
What happened to it? We don’t quite know.
The crew made it to shore on a lifeboat, but their stories conflict.
Something may have attacked the ship, or it may have just run aground of something, and Hlavard told them to leave while he investigated.
He never lit the signal light that said it was okay for the crew to return, so they made their way back home.”

Granitt puts his axe down and turns to face Cap'n Torrsen, "Aye, sounds a rough old journey we will have, especially in this cold and into icy waters too. Now I don't like the sound of that, do you have anything that will help against the cold, cos already a couple of us are beginning to feel it." Granitt says as he rubs his hands together and beats them around his chest in an embrace. "Perhaps we should talk to the survivors first to get a picture of what it's like before we sail off into the sunset." his eyes turn upward as though remembering some long lost hope or memory.

With a jolt he remembers where he is and looks at the Venture Captain again. That's it, show leadership, show your mettle, the fighting can come later. "An' if we going to search a ship that's submerged, we are going to need some pipe or something so we can breath whilst we're under the water. In the rivers and streams under the caverns at home, when I was a kid, I hid under the water with a reed pipe so I could still breathe. Didn't fool my dad none, he always saw the reed and pulled it up. Blah Dad." He stops when he realises he's blabbering on again, about the good times before the trouble. Best shut up now, some stories should remain hid.

Lirall smiles: "My cousin sells nice fur clothes and other adventuring gear. I am sure that he would be very courteous and see to your needs.
He also sells pipes and pipe-weed, though I do not think it will burn underwater... nor help you breathe.
But I must commend your father for preventing you from smoking at a young age."

The Venture-captain sighs and then looks at Granitt: "The crew are on another ship now, unfortunately. They should be back in about six months... but we can’t wait that long.”