The wanna be wizard is happy not to be burned alive, or beaten to death, or drowned or... well, there was ALWAYS another punishment.
He got back to work and kept his head down.
The foreigner thanks Magda for her assistance as she bandages up his sword wound. He seems quite embarrassed about being wounded by his own weapon, although a subdued persona doesn't seem to fit the man. As he starts to converse, you get the strong impression that his someday tale about this encounter will involve a crocodile at least twice as big.
His Reikspiel is heavily accented, but understandable. "Thank you for rescuing me! When Dafa told me to come to this place, I doubt that being eaten by that thing was what he had in mind for me. On the other hand...many of the things he said were very odd."
The foreigner thanks Magda for her assistance as she bandages up his sword wound. He seems quite embarrassed about being wounded by his own weapon, although a subdued persona doesn't seem to fit the man. As he starts to converse, you get the strong impression that his someday tale about this encounter will involve a crocodile at least twice as big.
His Reikspiel is heavily accented, but understandable. "Thank you for rescuing me! When Dafa told me to come to this place, I doubt that being eaten by that thing was what he had in mind for me. On the other hand...many of the things he said were very odd."
”Who’s Dafa? Is the Ice Queen as beautiful as they say? Do people really ride bears? Did you see the way I drove away that croc that was about to eat you?” Ludger is almost babbling with excitement this being the first Kislevite he’s ever met.
The foreigner seems offput by the sheer volume and intensity of Ludger's questions. Fortunately, he also likes to talk. Through the verbal jarring, you gradually learn that his name is Yevengi Dostal. He seems fond of referring to you (and especially Ludger) as chegan.
The name Dafa refers to the great shaman Dafa, of course! Dafa appears to be from Yevengi's home. Dafa sent Yevengi, the fine horseman! The great warrior! Apprentice to the great shaman Dafa! to this land to learn or do things here...it isn't entirely clear. Among other things, Yevengi was told to "fight the fish that flies" and he seems mildly put off that the crocodile had no means of flight. Dafa had other odd ideas like "Listen for noisy water" and "Make friends! Our lands may need chegan again someday."
You think you might have found Yevengi to be loud and irritating if left to his own devices, though a good sort. With him feeding off Ludger's own behavior....
With no where else to put him, Captain Fein agrees to take Yevengi and the mostly intact remains of his boat to the next port.
Ludger fetches the Kislevite a beer and plops down next to him on the deck. When the bosun tries to get Ludger back to work, Ludger explains he’s completely worn out from fighting a ”Huge Croc and saving Yevengi by himself…”
Assuming he can, Ludger will happily sit and talk to Yevengi no doubt letting slip that Magda and Axel and he are on their way to finding a hidden treasure. ”Maybe Dafa wants you to help us, hmmm?”
Never met a Kislevite, Axel says as he works around Ludger and Yevengi, intent on looking busy (hoping the captain won't think poorly of a hard worker) while soaking up such knowledge as he can.
Yevengi frowns at Ludger's offer. "It sounds nice, yes? But I must say no. Dafa did not mention treasure, and I am needed elsewhere at this time. Must fix boat, travel to Buxhead. Have things to do."
"Until then, though, we are friends! When we arrive at port, I must share drinks with you."
Through your efforts, the Sunfish arrives in port a few days later and Isaak doesn't grumble as he hands over your pay, handing over 30 pennies to each of you.
”Aye friend, let’s go drink to new friends and quests and the bonds between the Empire and Kislev!” Ludger enthusiastically says to Yevengi.
Drinks sound good, Axel says, happy to put this behind him.
Together with Yevengi, you find a bar called the Laughing Pike as evening approaches. It's noisy and well-stocked with customers and a wench directs your group to the last open table. Yevengi orders drinks for your table and takes a long draught off his when they arrive.
"A drink to my new friends and a drink to my Dafa!" Yevengi shouts into the clamor, glad to be alive and among friends. "Just a little for the crocodile, who had to go home hungry as well," he says with a wink as he pours a dribble of his ale onto the floor.
As the merriment continues, one of the bar patrons is set up on a makeshift pedestal by some of the other guests. He looks sullen (and thoroughly drunk) but the room quiets some to see what the man has to say.
The riverfolk wavers a bit on the box before glaring at the room. "Push off all of ye! I know what I saw. I know what I heard." He washes his throat with a long drink before continuing, pointing an outstretched finger to the crowd. "You ever see glowing lights in the water, not on it, deep down in it, you steer clear, right? Ghosts they are, river ghosts. Get too close and they'll pull you down with them!"
The room sobers up at the man's warning.
Yevengi listens to the tale before turning back to his mug. "They are vaiduk, not ghosts," he grumbles. "Silly chegan should show respect for things they do not understand."
Magda was drinking her glass of milk when the visibly drunken man does his speech.
She doesn't pay too much attention at the sailor's rambling, but Yevengi words sounds too strange for her not too ask
"Vaiduk"? What is it? And what's the difference with ghosts? What is a "chegan"?
Axel while not drunk, he's had a few ales and being unaccustomed to social drinking is a bit oblivious.
What are vaiduk?, he asks, messin up the pronunciation.
"Chegan are these people. South. Warm lands," Yevengi says with a big grin.
"Vaiduk is what this man says when he says ghost. But is still wrong. When chegan say ghost, they speak in fear. They know not what they mean. Speak such words by fires, among the people, warm at night. Is wrong."
"A vaiduk has rules. If invited in home, must behave, see? My Dafa teach me these things. Is not safe, but is not fear like ghost."
”Blchh…this drink is as weak as a Snotling”…which reminds Ludger about the fight with the Snotlings which he tells (with a fair bit of exaggeration) to Yevengi. As he relates killing his 19th Snotling of the fight, Ludger like the other patrons are distracted by the man on the pedestal.
When the man finishes, Ludger stands up and calls out, ”where are these river ghosts?”
As Ludger calls out for the location of the river ghosts, the man who was pushed up on the stand glares at Ludger and doesn't answer. Another riverfolk nearby him rolls his eyes at the non-response. "On the river. Somewhere. He' won't say nottin."
Another patron speaks up. "It's out near the bend by the willows. You know the place. That's the spot, by Taal. Has to be. Place gives me the willies. You hear things there. Strange things."
Other patrons start to speak up as well, but the crowd grows too chaotic to pick much out.
Im not drunk enough to attempt ghost hunting at night, he says.
I am wondering what our next course is... I'm enjoying rivers more than farms, though I'm over bilge water.
Im not drunk enough to attempt ghost hunting at night, he says.
I am wondering what our next course is... I'm enjoying rivers more than farms, though I'm over bilge water.
”We might as well take our findings to Lutz then,” Ludger grumbles denied a chance for a nighttime ghost hunt.
After saying your farewells to Yevengi, you find your way back to the Carved Crown. Nothing in your recent travels has made you appear less out of place since the last time you visited the establishment. You draw several stares of varying degrees of disbelief from the patrons and staff. When you ask the staff for Albwin, the servant that guided you to Lutz's home last time, you are quickly led behind the inn once more.
Albwin greets you there, but asks that you return in the morning, as your arrival on this date was unexpected.
"Should I inform the young master that your efforts were successful?" he asks.
After hearing your reply, he leads you back to the Carved Crown and arranges for you to board there for the night, unless you would prefer other arrangements. The amenities of the inn, including a meal, are available for your use.
Times have been hard of late. Your most recent shipment was impounded when an unexpected inspection found small amounts of Spit and Ranald's Delight in the cargo. A further lien was placed on your goods by the local Stevedore's Guild when you weren't able to pay the dock fees.
After a stint in prison while your story was verified, the watch turned you out of your cell and back to the Greater Reik Trading Company emptyhanded. Again.
Your superior in the Company is thoroughly done with you. Didn't even yell at you much this time. Instead, they turned you over to the care of one Lutz Fischbein. You've heard...things...about Lutz. Young and successful enough to indulge himself in his own interests. The sort that probably couldn't have gotten where he is without doing something underhanded, but you'd never be able to prove it. The only other option is to believe that he really is good at his trade, and you are loathe to admit as much. Lately, rumors have been swirling that he is onto something big.
Lutz has paid you hardly any mind but set you up in a seedy tavern down near the docks, letting you stew for the last week with no word of what he wants from you. Until tonight. Word arrived that you should report to the Carved Crown in the morning, and be presentable.
A bath after so long seemed like a luxury most of the time buuuut with his benefactor picking up room and board? He decided to ask for soap, several pails of warm water and a stall outside to sluice himself down... besides, it might wash away any stink the magic may have left.
When Axel asks for his modified stall bath, the innkeeper looks horrified and instead orders his serving girls to fill the indoor bath with hot water for him. He doesn't tell them to bring soap, but Axel finds that they leave it for him in the bathing room.
The innkeeper might have been too professional to let it show on his face, perhaps. The serving girls look outright dubious about this entire enterprise and leave as soon as their jobs are complete.
Would... would it be possible to get these washed?, he says Ponting at his humble clothing... that smells of bilge water.
A warm bath, with clean water, and an healthy meal will do us much good after all this turmoil.Then, a quiet room by the fireplace so I can catch on with my reading
Magda doesn't forget the precious tome of herboristery she found earlier
Would... would it be possible to get these washed?, he says Ponting at his humble clothing... that smells of bilge water.
”Nothing but ale and meat for me innkeeper. I don’t need a bath as I just had a nice swim in the river.” Raising his voice so that everyone around can hear, ”had to fight off a giant Croc single-handidly and save some northerner from being lizard food. Lucky for him, that is the Kislevite not the Croc, I’m a natural lizard fighter.” Ludger looks around hoping someone wants to hear more of his tale.
Ludger is sure that the line would have worked in the taverns he normally frequents. Here, most people are trying to avoid looking at him. The "crazy poor person that the inn won't get rid of act" is not going well.
Ludger does get his ale from an uncomfortable-looking wench.
Hans sat and he stewed in the misery of his situation. He was a merchant, but he had no goods. So could he really be called a merchant? It was an age old philosophical question which could only be solved with copious amounts of ale. He told himself that it was all the halfling’s fault. The little rat had assured him that the Spit and Ranald's Delight wouldn’t be found. But deep down he knew that the blame lay on his own shoulders. Which was too bad, as his shoulders couldn’t carry much more weight. Which is why he now worked for a weasel like Lutz. Knowing that he had but one more chance before his organs were sold to a doktor, he finished his ale and turned in for the night. He had to be presentable come morning.
Newly washed, and with damp clothing he hand washed himself in the tub, Axel accidentally collides with merchant as he rose from his table.
My apologies sir!, he says, worried that there might be repercussions or offense given.
Hans scowled…but softened his expression with a sigh. ”No offense taken.” He said. ”Truly. It’s been a long few months. I would say Handrich watch you, but I don’t think he listens.”
Would you take a beer then sir, to balance the books?
He motions at the recently vacated table.
Truth told, I've not known much except hard months but I hope that I am changing my fortunes.
”Changing fortunes?” Hans said, as he took a seat. ”You had my presence at beer, but now you have my attention. Hans.” He said, putting a hand out. ”Hans Schäfer. And you are?”
Axel Rotendorf, Sir, we are stopping here after a long journey. That one over there, talking about besting a cayman, is the bravest man I have met so far. Ludger. Balls as big as boulders.
”Is that so? Sounds like quite a story. What brings you to these waters? You bought me a drink for the tap on the shoulder. Seems only fair that I buy the next in exchange for a story.”
Axel Rotendorf, Sir, we are stopping here after a long journey. That one over there, talking about besting a cayman, is the bravest man I have met so far. Ludger. Balls as big as boulders.
Ludger decides he doesn’t care for the patrons at all so he was heading towards the door when he spotted Axel chatting with a stranger. He saunters off to them all the time muttering under his breath about how the other patrons are a bunch of snobs and how he’d like to see them fight off a crocodile.
Ludger gives Axel a friendly slap on the back and pulls up a chair at Hans’ table. ”Hi-ho Axel, who’s your friend?” Not waiting for an answer Ludger holds out his hand for a handshake with the stranger and says, ”Ludger Braunlich, treasure hunter, killer of zombies and savior of Kislevites. Pleasure to meet you.”
Taking Ludger’s hand, Hans rose to his feet. ”Hans my good friend. Come, sit and drink. I have a night to spend before I need to report to Lutz, and I think that I have found some good company. Tell me, how did you earn such splendid titles?”
Dont forget beater of crocodiles.
He slaps the table.
Not sure how much of that was bravery and how much of that was pure crazy.
Logically and mathematicaly, if it was "pure" crazy, there wouldn't have been a place for bravery, luck or skill, for that matter. One can't deny you acted selflessly, with total disregard to your own safety, Herr Braunlich.
Magda puts her herboristery book down
PLease try not to make this recklessness your way of life, or your life might be quite shortened. My medical skills have their limits.
Taking Ludger’s hand, Hans rose to his feet. ”Hans my good friend. Come, sit and drink. I have a night to spend before I need to report to Lutz, and I think that I have found some good company. Tell me, how did you earn such splendid titles?”
Ludger is overjoyed to find someone that actually wants to hear his story. Gesturing to Axel and Magda he says, ”this is really all our story because the really interesting stuff didn’t happen until I met these two. Let’s see, there was a fight against a gang of Snotlings, an exploding wagon, battle against crazed wild boars, a bar fight, desperate combat against zombies, and finally driving off a crocodile that was trying to eat a Kislevite.” He nods at Axel and Magda, ”what did I leave out?”
Your Mutti's wise words to not speak too freely to strangers, probably? A rule, I must admit, I rarely seen applied between boys when there's beers around.
The halfling words aren't too harsh, more said in a motherly tone
After a few more beers and a couple of laughs, Hans retired for the night. He was glad to have met the group, for their convoluted tall-tale had done wonders to improve his mood. He had to admit, the exploding wagon was a nice touch!
After an enjoyable evening meeting new friends, you settle into your rooms at the Carved Crown and go to sleep.
SL -2, no fortune reroll
SL 2