*Splash!*
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A young half-elf woman enters the room and looks around.
"Still not much happening here. Oh look, somone left the window open. Can't let the rain get in."
As she strides across the room to close the window a snowy owl flutters into the room.
"Be quiet Silence. You'll wake that man over there." She points to a large Varisian man. His clothes are soaking wet. "I think he's been here for awhile. He's soaking wet from sitting so close to the window. Let's go somewhere else so we don't wake him."
The owl twists his head almost upside-down and hoots softly.
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As she leaves the room the half-elf gives the owl a stern look. "How should I know where we can go while we wait for our next mission?" she says, once they are out of earshot of the sleeping man. "I would say that we could go to the library and read some more Pathfinder Chronicles but got us banned from there for making a ruckus by chasing that squirrel."
The owl angrily flaps his wings.
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An unkempt man with a scraggly beard and smelling of soil and vegetation wakes up after being soaked with rain from the open window. He glances around looking somewhat confused, rubs his eyes, and sees a half elf and an owl looking at him.
Humph. Guess I should have closed this window. Now I'm soaking wet. Brrr! He shivers from the cold wetness. He then stands from the chair, grabs his cloak from nearby, and dries himself off. I've been here for quite some time waiting for others who will be joining this mission. Must've dozed off. For over a week!?! His eyes go wide.
Wait, wait! He calls out before the half elf can close the door. Where are my manners, Lass? The name's Brunwulf. Archer and woodsman. He sticks out a dirty hand in greeting.
The owl preens his feathers, ignoring the woman completely.
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Recognizing the name, Brunwulf cocks his head. Meadow? Ha! And, of course, your onery owl, Silence. He gives the girl a big welcoming smile and shakes her hand vigorously.
Well met! Yes, well met, lass! And to you too, Silence! He winks with a grin at the owl.
A friend of mine, the druid Roahn, told me about you while he and I were gathering honey for our mead. Told me about your expedition in Aspenthar. You know Roahn. Elf druid. So serious all the time. No sense of humor. Ha! He bellows in his deep voice.
Well, it sure is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
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A slightly pudgy half elf woman, sitting in a corner with a non-alcoholic drink in hand gives a mental sigh as the fun of watching the man at the window get progressively more and more soaked and wondering when he'll actually wake up gets interrupted. She watches the new woman with a critical eye, ultimately finding the woman and her ironically named owl to be a bit too chatty for her tastes. She stands up to her full 5'6" and gracefully moves out of the corner.
"Well I guess the answer to the question, 'how long are you going to sleep' was until an owl and woman wake you up I guess." She walks right up extending a hand and shaking with a solid business like grip. "My name is Zherayiss Taniyia. That's Z-he-RA-yiss, with an emphasis on the 'ra,' and TA-ni-yea, as in 'Yeah, I'll pay you.' You can call me Ms. Taniyia, Zherayiss or, if you prove to not be an insuferable fool, Zhera." She gives Brunwulf a look up and down. "I could get you dry for a few copper pieces. Maybe even warm you if you are cold. With magic of course!"
She turns to the chatty one and the 'rude' one, offering, "I could help you deal with your flying misnomer Silence if he really is that frustrating for you. Be a silver or two though."
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The damp woodsman gives a puzzled look at the newcomer.
Welcome, Zhee-Ray-ess. Zaz-rah-yes. Brunwulf strokes his beard as he struggles with the pronunciation. Sorry, lass. This may take me some time to get it right. Don't worry about me being drenched. Quite used to it, actually. I've spent many a night sleeping in the rain. I just didn't think I could sleep in this here chair for ten straight days. He stretches his arms above his head, twists his torso and many loud "pop-pop-pops" can be heard as several vertebra in his back crack in relief. Ohhh! That felt good. He groans. Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, Zeer-ray-ess.
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Meadow turns toward the other woman.
"Misnomer? Oh no Ms Taniyia. It's not that at all. He can be very quiet when he wants to be. He's just grumpy since we've been stuck inside for so long. Besides I wouldn't want you to do anything to him. He's my best friend after all."
She reaches over and scratches the owl on the head.
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”Goodness, you’ve been sleeping here for ten days!?”
A stout halfling man with a round belly bounces into the study. His green tunic and tan pants bear no sign of the downpour outside, and an array of eating utensils hangs from his belt.
”You must be starving then!” he continues, producing an apple from his sleeve with a flick of his wrist. A second flick sends it flying through the air at Brunwulf. ”It’s a miracle you’re able to stand. Quick, eat that up and I’ll see what else I have here. Anybody else feeling peckish? I’ll restock before we leave the city, and we’ve all got to keep up our strength.” He digs a piece of flatbread out of one pocket and a wedge of golden cheese from another, deftly cutting both up into manageable pieces and passing them around. ”And if you feel hungry again, just holler and there’ll be food - or else my name’s not Pepper Fullbranch!”
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Arun stalks in from the rain, lips clenched together in what barely avoids being a snarl. He's tall and heavily built, but moves lightly; even here in the heart of the Society, his blazing eyes flicker across each of you, scanning for weapons, for weakness. He nods almost imperceptibly in greeting and introduces himself in a gravelly voice, "Arun."
He leans his battered spear against the wall near a chair and takes his seat, drawing a long sharp knife from his hip to clean his fingernails while he waits.
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Ugh. How could I forget? Brunwulf says to himself out loud as he smacks his forehead. I'll be back a bit later. Excuse me, friends. He leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
About forty-five minutes later Brunwulf returns with a cloth sack. Here. You gotta try some of my specialties.
He reaches into his pack and pulls out several pounds of sausage links and a clay gallon-sized jug.
I call these "Brunwulf's Bristle-Back Boar Bratwürst". Here... Wash it down with my mead. I call it "Brunwulf's Berry Bee Brew". It's brewed with boysenberries. By all means, please help yourselves.
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There is a muffled bang and the door to a back room opens. A small, neatly dressed (yet slightly singed) goblin scampers cheerfully into the room, followed by a trickle of acrid smoke. She pauses, sniffs, and starts trotting towards Pepper.
*sniff*sniff* Are those... pickles? That Spoon is smelling?
She clambers onto a stool next to Pepper and starts swaying and singing softly to herself:
Pickles, pickles.
Yummy yummy, pickles.
They are tasty and good to share,
but Mother says it is rude to stare.
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Pepper grins broadly at Brunwulf's offer. "Ooo, don't mind if I do!" A slightly-oversized fork appears in his hand as if by magic, a knife in the other, and a white handkerchief is somehow tucked into the collar of his shirt. "I take it these are primarily pork, but do you mix any other meats in with the boar? What seasonings do you use? Do you smoke it or cure it? Ooo, I can't wait to find out!"
As the goblin enters, the halfling winks. "You caught me! I was saving these for tomorrow, but who knows if they'll still be good by then. Besides, a bit of sour crunch could really help bring out the flavor of this sausage." He produces a sealed jar and pops open the cork with his knife, deftly snagging a small knobby vegetable with his fork before sliding the rest to the goblin. "Looks like we're fully equipped then - a fork, a knife, and a Spoon, eh?" He chuckles even as he presses sausage and cheese between two slices of bread, the pickle still skewered on his fork.
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Brunwulf is pleased that Pepper asked about his sausage.
Well, it is all wild boar. Lots of garlic, a bit of marjoram, and some salt and pepper. Smoked over birchwood. He says proudly.
Humph! Brunwulf makes a sad face. Snack time is over. Looks like we're heading out. Our boat taking us there probably doesn't allow us to bring our own food. No glass bottles or clay jugs, either. Brunwulf gathers up his belongings and makes his way out the door with the others.
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The damp woodsman gives a puzzled look at the newcomer.
Welcome, Zhee-Ray-ess. Zaz-rah-yes. Brunwulf strokes his beard as he struggles with the pronunciation. Sorry, lass. This may take me some time to get it right. Don't worry about me being drenched. Quite used to it, actually. I've spent many a night sleeping in the rain. I just didn't think I could sleep in this here chair for ten straight days.
Zhera pauses for a second, almost seeming to count to 10 in her head. "Ms. Taniyia is perfectly acceptable. And I'd had a bet going for the past two days on when you'd wake up. Seems I owe myself 3 copper for betting it was today."
Meadow turns toward the other woman.
"Misnomer? Oh no Ms Taniyia. It's not that at all. He can be very quiet when he wants to be. He's just grumpy since we've been stuck inside for so long. Besides I wouldn't want you to do anything to him. He's my best friend after all."
The half-elf gives the other woman a long look, "Never guess that with all your bickering, your worse than most elderly couples. But we should get you outside sometime soon. I can understand why you aren't with the rain right now, though."
As the food starts getting passed around Zhera's eyes seem to light up for the first time, as she moves in close enough to the rest of the group to pass things around. Free food? Why, yes, please! She takes some of the flat bread and cheese as well as some of Brunwulf's eponymous bratwürst. She takes a bite or two savoring the savory tastes before pulling over her own pack and pulling out two jars. "Well if we are sharing foods then I guess I can bust out some of my home delicacies! First we've got some dried crocodile from the Expanse, they've been soaked in red pepper oil so be aware they might burn some. Also, I have a bit of pickled viper vine. Only a few pieces at a time though, too much and they have a psychedelic effect!"
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Crocodile? What's that?
Brunwulf asks as he lifts a chunk with two fingers, pops it in his mouth, and sucks the oily red sauce off his fingers. Mmm. Pretty good. A bit chewy.
Suddenly, his face turns bright red as if on fire. Sweat starts pouring from his brow and he coughs and gags violently.
By...the...gods...lass! He sputters between fits of panting.
My mouth... is on fire!!! I've never... felt such... burning!!! He rips the jug of mead from Pepper's hands and guzzles it down. As the spicyness subsides, his face slowly regains it's color.
Meat of a devil, that is. Woo-hoo!
After some very cold travel, you all arrive at the Iceferry Lodge. You are greeted by a gnome wearing her Wayfinder prominently.
"Oh, hello! You must be the Pathfinders that Bjersig sent for. I'm Lirall. Who are you?"
"Hoooaaak, hooooaaak, hoooak." The owl retches several times and finally regurgitates an oval pellet on the floor of the lodge.
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The half-elf blushes furiously. "Sorry about that. He swallowed a mouse yesterday. He normally only does this when he eats something small like that in one gulp. It's all the bones and fur you see. He spits it up about a day after he eats it." She picks up the pellet and tosses it away then gestures at the owl. "That's Silence." She then steps behind her fellow pathfinders, clearly embarrassed.
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Arun's foul mood only worsens traveling through Skald lands, though Zhera's food manages to put a smile on his face. "Hn. I haven't had much that could beat my aunt's ćevapi for spice, but this... This is good.
"The Expanse eh? I hadn't planned to rove there for the food. It'd make a welcome change from all this damned snow and ice..."
***
Arun's mouth twists wryly when he's assumed to be a Pathfinder, but he simply nods. "Arun Holberk, from the uh... Grand Lodge. Don't worry, most of the rest of them are housebroken."
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Zhera gives a small laugh at Brunwulf's antics. "If you don't know what a crocodile is, be grateful! My grandfather's cousin once lost his leg to one. Also I did warn you these can be spicy! Helps in the pervasive heat of the Expanse." She does however cast a spell on some water and hand it over, "Here this should help, a common drink we give to children who ate something too hot!"
Arun's foul mood only worsens traveling through Skald lands, though Zhera's food manages to put a smile on his face. "Hn. I haven't had much that could beat my aunt's ćevapi for spice, but this... This is good.
"The Expanse eh? I hadn't planned to rove there for the food. It'd make a welcome change from all this damned snow and ice..."
Her own mood having turned sour with the dipping of the temperature, Zhera nods emphatically at the suggestion that Arun visits the expanse. "Just be sure to pack insect repellant, oh and be prepared to eat some insects too. Quite a few delicacies once crawled or flew as a bug."
As the group leaves, Zherayiss picks up a set of winter clothes. She then piles on more and more layers of clothing as the trip goes on, finally wearing a the winter clothes, her regular clothes, her bedroll and still asking to borrow someone's blanket if they don't need it themselves. She stomps into the lodge shivering like she'd jsut taken a dip in near freezing water, turns to the gnome and starts abruptly, "I'm FREEZING! Is there a fire? I need to defrost! How in the seven levels of hell does ANYONE live here! BRRR!"
Arun's mouth twists wryly when he's assumed to be a Pathfinder, but he simply nods. "Arun Holberk, from the uh... Grand Lodge. Don't worry, most of the rest of them are housebroken."
Zhera hollers back from the far end of the room looking for a fire and fireplace. "I TOLD you that I hadn't realized my water skin was leaking and that I DIDN'T pee myself!"
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Pepper happily tries the crocodile, barely seeming to notice the heat. "Oh, that's a lovely texture! Haven't had something this exciting since that show down in Sargava - same thing there with the insects as snacks. Or meals, in the case of that one beetle."
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The halfling doesn't seem to notice the cold, his round shape apparently allowing him to maintain his body temperature more easily than his elongated companions. "Hello Lirall! Pepper Fullbranch, reporting for duty. Any chance you've got a snack for some poor starving Pathfinders who just got off a boat?"
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Brunwulf groggily makes his way up to the unfamiliar gnome, clutching his combat gear and belongings in a bundle with both arms. Greetings, Liral. Name's Brunwulf.
Brunwulf's expression turns into a look of confusion. Strange. I don't remember a thing about the two week voyage here. All I remember is going to sleep in a bunk as soon as I boarded, then being woken by the captain telling me we've arrived. Humph. Slept for two weeks. Where's breakfast?
"Well, it's so nice to meet all of you!"
After letting you into the Lodge, she selects one cord labeled “Office” from a bundle of colored cords near the door.
The loud howl from a dog echoes throughout the building, followed by a trio of scampering, blue skinned goblins dashing down the hall. A large husky bursts into the hallway, snarling at the goblins until a tall half orc emerges a moment later and lays a calming hand on her back. He gestures for you to follow him into a meeting room, seemingly ignoring the goblins.
Venture Captain Bjersig Torrsen begins explaining the situation, his dog Mahki sitting attentively nearby. As he speaks aloud, the half orc punctuates his words with phrases in a sign language.
"Apologies for the ruckus. The Frostfurs are talented scouts, but they have an adversarial relationship with Mahki. She doesn’t particularly like them either."
Silence watches the half-orc's hand motions intently, bobbing his head in time with the gestures.
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Well met, Sir Torrsen. It's an honor to finally meet you. Brunwulf bows his head in respect as he shakes the half-orc's hand. His companions are awestruck when they see that Brunwulf can actually be polite.
Sir Torrsen, Do you employ frost goblins here?
Brunwulf watches Bjersig gesture wildly with his hands while he speaks. Bewilderment showing on his face, he has no idea what it means but he listens intently to the Venture Captain.
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"Oh, hello! You must be the Pathfinders that Bjersig sent for. I'm Lirall. Who are you?"
"Hello! Spoon was told that you need some help? Spoon is very good at helping." Spoon does her best attempt at a polite curtsy. It is clumsily yet earnestly executed.
****
A large husky bursts into the hallway, snarling at the goblins until a tall half orc emerges a moment later and lays a calming hand on her back.
Spoon ducks behind Pepper, eyes wide and ears down. Her usual greenish tint has turned a bit lighter.
She un-enthusiastically follows her fellow Pathfinders into the meeting room, staying as far away from the husky as possible.
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"For scouting you say, scouting what?"
"Scouting out the local food scene, I'd wager!" The stout halfling grins and pulls a bit of dried meat out of his pack. He snaps his fingers and holds it up where the dog can see it, then tosses it to the far side of the room to distract the canine from the goblin huddled behind him.
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Silence perks up at Pepper's snap. He eyes the meat intently and launches himself into the air when the halfling throws it, catching it mid flight. He then lands atop a tall credenza to devour his prize free from any interference by the husky.
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Meadow's eyes grow wide as she sees the owl take flight. "Silence no! Not in here!"
She relaxes when she sees that the owl lands without indecent and is contentedly eating the meat. She then turns to Pepper and frowns.
"Pepper I know you were trying to make Spoon feel better but it's not nice to distract a helper dog like that without his person's permission. He's a working dog with an important job to do."