Carbour shares all the details of his conversation
Vinyarion whistles a little as he looks at the massive half-orc with a new emotion-grudging respect. Well I'll be buggered by an angry elm...-he mutters quietly before addressing Carbour-Well done my massive associate. You just earned us 500 gold. I must say, the best payday I will have cashed for such little work in...well...ever I suppose. Well done indeed.
Let's head back to the Lodge and inform fair Keila that her stoolie is dead and we can get our coin.
Vinyarion waits for a moment to make sure that everyone else is coming before heading back to the Lodge to give Keila the news.
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/social-traits/clever-wordplay/
Vin should take this instead of pragmatic activator and use for diplomacy.
Diplomacy is a lot more useful than UMD.
Question is my fellow adventurers....is there any benefit to following these two louts
And finding this Kkorg....im not certain Nazeer is dead...
Empathic diplomat is an interesting trait
Empathic diplomat is an interesting trait
Carbour: It looks like you could take cause you only have 1 trait: Fates Favored.
Sacred Tattoo doesn’t count cause it’s a substitute for a racial.
Check my math Vin.
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/social-traits/clever-wordplay/
Vin should take this instead of pragmatic activator and use for diplomacy.
Diplomacy is a lot more useful than UMD.
Who am I to resist the wisdom of the dice gods?
Empathic diplomat is an interesting traitCarbour: It looks like you could take cause you only have 1 trait: Fates Favored.
Sacred Tattoo doesn’t count cause it’s a substitute for a racial.
Check my math Vin.
Correct as usual my liege. Carbour you do have space for another trait. We could do dueling diplomacy!
Question is my fellow adventurers....is there any benefit to following these two louts
And finding this Kkorg....im not certain Nazeer is dead...
I think there is more benefit to collecting the 500 gold Keila owes for getting information as to what happened to Nazeer. If she wants to pay us more to follow these guys or identify who Kkorg is I'm happy to do that when and if there is coin at stake.
I'm thinking of taking some of my reward money and helping further the education of young Otto here. He seems to be a little unlearned in the ways of the female persuasion.
Otto nods at Carbour's story.
Good work, Carbour. I am tempted to follow those two ruffians, myself. But I think it would be better to inform the league, in case they want to assist in bringing the villains to justice.
To Vin's . . . comments, Otto blushes faintly. He clears his throat and says in a noticeably more quiet and less confident tone: The Master says: pleasure is fleeting . . . and a distraction from the path
Just depends what path you are on or want to be on my friend, just depends; but I'm not one to push my own vices on another. Just saying if you are interested, once we get paid out, I'd be willing to show you some different roads to travel.
You lot ready? Let's go get paid.
The group returns to the Pathfinder Lodge and after a short wait receives an audience with Keila.
"What do you have to report?"
Your informant is dead. Slain by some greater felon that goes by the name of Kkorg. Now, I believe there is a matter of 500 gold to be settled?
aye m’lady...tis as the honey tongued tree squirrel says....apparently Nazeer was double dealing according to this Kkorg fellow...and tis likely he ended up on the wrong side of a blade...more than that we cannot ascertain
Carbour bows....
“Well done, but tell me more. How did you come by the information? Was there a body? Do you know where this Kkorg is located?”
She opens a small chest and hands each member of the group a leather pouch with 125 gold. Looks like the chest holds a lot more.
Vinyarion does his best to not let anyone else see his eyes go wide at the volume of the chest. He takes a calming breath-I'm sure my compatriots appreciate your generosity as much as I do, but a job has been completed and paid for. I think it's fair to say that more should be offered if more is requested. None of us is getting by on looks alone and good coin has a certain lubricative quality all to itself.
The coming by of the information I think we can provide as a professional courtesy. If you want bodies and Kkrog, I think you had best dip back in to that chest for some good faith money and tell us more about what we are doing and what you offer in return for our continued services.
we thank you for the generosity m'lady....and as bitter as the pointy eared ones words fall upon your ears, its notheless true...if you ask us to pursue the matter further...i think we will come into further peril...and the unsavory nature of the folks will only be sweetened by coin..our pursuit of knowledge in this matter will come to an end..barring those hurdles...we are but instruments of your will my grace...
Keila's face turns red in anger at Vin's comments, she clenches her fists and takes a few deep breaths before continuing.
"Hmmm, I think I understand Carbour a bit better now, for someone with such a silver tongue you sure do know how to rub people the wrong way Vinyarion."
"Nazeer was supposed to deliver a map to me, if he's dead that's not going to happen so I think I will have you find Kkorg and see if he has it. Mind you the map is likely enchanted to look like something else more ordinary, a ledger or a page from a book or sketch. So assuming you take the job make sure to be careful with any papers you find. You bring back the map and you will each be paid 500 gold. And be careful, Nazeer was tough, if Kkorg killed him then he's dangerous."
Vinyarion is clearly more than a little surprised at Keila's response-If offense was given, I apologize. However, one should not ask questions that might have uncomfortable answers if one is not prepared for the truth.
You ask us here and treat us as simple hirelings; clearly we are not members of the Lodge. Fair enough I suppose, but hirelings expect to get paid and should be faithful within the context of the business arrangements made. For you to expect more, you should give more. We are the ones taking the risks after all, and for us to do so for more than money it is incumbent upon you to provide alternate motivations.
For my part, I accept your offer, and will fetch you this map you find so precious. Gold from maps spends as freely as gold from informaion. I assume my newfound companions will join me?-he looks enquiringly at the other three-However, iff you expect better from me upon my return mayhap you will treat me as more than a hired hand. Given courtesy is as returned as scorn and disrespect.
He pauses for a moment to see if the others are coming before heading back out to the Shadow to discover the whereabouts of Kkorg.
it is you that is joining us Elf,desite your endless prattle that reminds me of the anguished cry of a drowning rat...
we shall endeavour to be worthy of the task you have entrusted to us....one further question....how would you contact Nazeer....would he come to you or was there another avenue of communication
Otto bristles at his party's bitterness.
To Keila: My order sent me to serve. Your cause seems just. We'll find your map.
He exits with the Vin Vinegar and Caustic Carbour.
To Vin:
“You’re talking out of both sides of your mouth Vinyarion. You want to be treated as other than a hired hand yet you haggle for a few extra coppers for information that should be freely given if we are to be allies and peers. And for the record I believe my questions fell within the spirit of our original deal to return Nazeer or determine what happened to him.”
To Car:
“He would come to this district in other guise to meet with me.”
we leave at once
As they leave to the group
ok....ideas as to how best proceed....
Typical blather from the Lodge; trying to twist the facts to suit their narrative. At least their gold is good.-Vinyarion thinks to himself as he stalks calmly out of the building.
Hearing Carbour's question-Seeing no one appears to appreciate my direct approach I will counsel you choose from the following options: Go back to the Rusty Axe and see if we can get the location of Kkorg either directly or indirectly; ask about the Shadow, someone will certainly know although news there is often uncertain; spend some money with a mage to divine his location; some other option I have not yet considered.
Direct approach is fine with me. But what do you think that'd be in this case? By my lights that's go talk to Carbour's new friends. Maybe help encourage a more forthright dialogue.
i would agree Otto
But we need to find out who this Kkorg is first...im not sure those two in the tavern are open to sharing
I bet any prostitute or urchin would knpw Kkrog
I'm saying they are clearly criminals. And perhaps after a thorough punishment for their crimes they'd be open to talking. Or we can try to tail them first. But, take a look around, we'd be spotted sooner than later.
Otto realizes he is forgetting himself and takes a centering breath.
If you want to spend your coin on guttersnipes and harlots for information, we can go that way first. But as the master says: words are wind.
lets go back and find those two....they may not be there...maybe the barkeep would be willing to talk withouth them about...or we look about the district for them...if we ask enough...im sure Kkorg will come looking for us....
i would like to know who Kkorg is first before finding out where he is
Back to the Rusty Axe then:
We all going in?
Yes....all going in
By the time the group returns to the Rusty Axe night has fallen. The tavern is definitely more lively and the group snags the last empty seats which are at a table that sits in the middle of the bar.
There is a different bartender and bouncer behind the bar. Two barmaids work the tables and another 2 bouncers are near the entrance. None of the clientele that were present earlier appear to be present now.
The clientele is mostly human males, but there are several half-orcs, and a couple halflings. There are also a few tough looking females as well as several that appear to be prostitutes.
One of the barmaids comes by the table.
“What’s your poison gents? Beer, ale, mead, wine or whiskey?”
likely some of all the above m' lady...and when youre not busy just some of your company to catch us up with the gossip...weve been away for quite a spell
carbour looks carefully around the room
Vinyarion gives her a salacious smile-Pour me a big glass of you darl'n; otherwise whiskey, hold the h.
Otto struggles to do the math on "hold the h."
He waives off the barmaid for his order and adds: None for me, thanks
Carbour laughs.... youre an odd one squirrel....have a look about and tell me what ya see....
Vinyarion ignores Carbour's jibe, waits for his drink to arrive, and then peruses the room.
Otto will take a look around:
The barmaid giggles at Vin's words and goes to fetch a tray of drinks. She returns in a flash, serving Vin first.
"They're on the house darling."
Perception: People are getting drunk. You see one patron leave with one of the prostitutes.
Is there something in particular that you are looking for?
Anyone not joining the revelry
Watching others
What are the halflings....half orcs doing
To Vin. ya may want to pump the wench....for any knowledge of Nazeer....Kkrog....she seems smitten
Vinyarion looks crossly at Carbour before turning a wistful gaze upon the barmaid and softly crooning:
ನನ್ನ ಸಿಹಿ ಹೂವು, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ದಳಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಬೆಳಕನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಸುರಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ನಾನು ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Continuing in common-My love, thank you for your grace and hospitality; I must humbly beg you for a simple favor. I am tasked by my employer to deliver something to a fellow I have not met. I am told his name is Kkrog. Perchance could you tell me where I might find him?
He then takes a slow sip from his drink and looks at her with longing and expectation.
Otto continues to try to be mindful and in the moment.
She giggles at Vin's initial words, but her attitude abruptly changes and her face becomes noticeably pale when he mentions the name Kkrog.
"Aye, the Irespan piling down by the water's edge that they call the Gull. You'll find him and his gang of cutthroats there. If you're good on drinks, I've other work to do."
She departs the table and goes about her business
-------
The halflings are a a table by themselves drinking pints.
The half-orcs are more scattered about the room but they all have drinks in hand as well.
Carbour sits back
...amused
Enjoying a sip of Ale
well ya charmed thr skirts right off of her didnt ya lol...cutthroats....well....this wont be simple
I suppose the only question is whether to head there now or to get lodging. Thoughts?
Don't see why we should wait, but I'm just one person
well no harm in wandering about there and having a look to see how formidable these cutthroats are....im always up for bashing someones head in...provided its a fair fight....