"So these are the new comer's Duke and Astrid mentioned, I have an idea of what your going to ask.
Your looking for clues to Azmur Keel and his wife, sorry to say but you won't find any as you are or on this path of thought.
Rather you'll find answers on a different path, one that starts either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, and the path starts when you hear something a kin to thunder."
Aurorae squints her eyes in suspicion but catches herself and returns to her amicable behavior. Smiling invitingly, she brings an extra chair to the table and switches to Elven :
The Old woman takes a seat and replies in elven, with a slight accent of some sort....
"Danke, Schatz.
Nun, Nachrichten verbreiten sich schnell in einer kleinen Stadt, wenn etwas passiert.
Was deine Frage betrifft, wer ich bin, ja, Schatz, ich bin Raz.
Ich bin kein Seher, ich weiß nur, wie man auf den Zeithorizont schaut und einige der Fragmente sieht und versteht, die dort sind."
"Thank you, deary.
Well, news travels fast in a small town when something happens.
As for your question of who I am, yes deary, I am Raz.
I'm no seer, I just know how to look at the horizon of time and see and understand some of the fragments that are there."
She's honest, and seems very wise, and as the saying goes "With age comes wisdom."
Rune adds due to her understanding Elven
"So you are, Raz.
Fragments on the horizon of time, well that came out from the middle of nowhere."
Raz replies to Rune
"Verspotte nicht was, du verstehst nicht, Junge."
"Don't mock what, you don't understand, young one."
Kusar watches the exchange and raises an eyebrow then whispers to Aurorae, "Can you translate? I think I heard the word Raz, but it's hard to follow Elven."
"Sorry,", says Aurorae, switching back to common.
"I couldn't resit speaking elven. The lady here is indeed Raz. I asked her if she was a seer and she told me she was just able to see beyond normal limits of time. Which is just my definition for a seer.", she adds with a wink.
"Thank you for the warning," she continues her conversation with Raz in common. "Winry, here, told us you were taking over some of the duties of the druid here. Do you need help? We are kind of stranded here until we recover our pay from the smuggler who hired us."
"Thanks Aurorae." Kusar nods at her. "And pleasure to meet you Raz. Do you mind if we stick with Common for now? I only speak a word or two of Elven. "
When Aurorae suggests helping Raz, Kusar flexes his muscles - more in showing he's capable of heavy lifting than anything else. "I'm more than willing to help in any way I can"
Raz replies to Aurorae
"I am taking over some of Mr Keel until he returns, and I'm handling them just fine, deary.
Oh I did hear something of that nature from Duke.
If your looking for work, you can check around town, I'm sure there are a few places that'll hire you."
"Though I should add there has been a strange energy about for about the past few months in the area.
So far I think the effects are minor, in that they bring out potential from one's bloodlines, but not everyone's bloodlines."
Lairë puts down his fork and takes a moment to finish chewing, pausing for a moment to wipe his mouth before completing. "It sounds like we should just walk around town after our meal. Maybe grab some rooms first and meet back in a couple of hours?"
Rune replies with a bit of a sigh
"Seems so, and not all of us can get a room at the local inn."
"Good idea,Lairë. Let's do that. The Inn first then I'll go and visit the herbalist and apothecary.", says Aurorae, pushing back her empty plate.
"Are we all ready?"
She stands up, bows to Raz: "Thank you very much for coming to see us. We'll keep your advice in mind. We'll no doubt see you around town in the next day or so. Do not hesitate to ask if you think we can be of service."
Then she calls to Winry: "And thanks for the meal and conversation. It is nice to meet friendly faces when you arrive in a new place." and takes her leave, going for the Inn.
As they exit, she whispers to Rune: "Maybe we can share a room. We'll ask for an extra mattress or two and put them on the floor so they can accommodate your size. I don't mind the heat, you know."
Rune replies whispering
"If they even have private rooms, and most tend to be small, and I don't think they have beds or mattresses for folks near 10 feet tall.
And I'd be more worried about accidentally starting a fire with my wings."
Rune then quickly adds
"Me and Kusar only have what 8 hours of the day with our reduced height, and Kusar's lucky in that he doesn't have the risk of starting a fire.
Kusar nods. He stuffs the last bit of salad in his face as he watches the others walk out the door. "Where to now?" Kusar is lost in a daze, content with his delicious lunch.
"Maybe we can camp out at the druids grove if they're not around. Although it'll lack amenities, it should leave you guys undisturbed."
"Okay, If that's what you want.", says Aurorae, pouting a little as she sees her idea of a feathered bed disappearing.
"But that means we have people to see now. Where do each of you want to go this afternoon ? And do you prefer going alone or in group? For my part, I'm fine with going two by two so that we cover more ground at the same time."
Rune adds
"I think we'd need to ask if we could use the druids grove first, since it can in someways be counted as sacred ground."
"The only ones that have to worry about lodging in a Inn, is Kusar and Myself, so Aurorae and Lairë could use the Inn.
Kusar doesn't need to worry about starting a fire and can use a stable or camp anywhere.
Since I risk fires, I pretty have to find a large sandy spot for sleeping. Even if my blanket and sleeping roll are fire proof.
I don't want to risk us getting chased out for a fire like what happened in Hayberg, mind you the weather was did not help...."
"Since we don't know this town it would be best to stick together or go as pairs. While each going their own way is doable, we just all have to watch the clock, since most of have a 8 hour limit before trouble can start up due to appearances"
"Since we don't know this town it would be best to stick together or go as pairs. While each going their own way is doable, we just all have to watch the clock, since most of have a 8 hour limit before trouble can start up due to appearances"
"Actually I was thinking of checking out the river for a little fishing. The change of atmosphere would be nice and it might save us a meal or two... or at least a lengthy wait to get food on the table." And maybe ask around a bit to see if there's a sign of *him*...
Kusar rolls his eyes when Rune suggests he sleeps in a stable. 'I'm not a cow, you know.' But he responds, "Agreed. Let's stick in pairs at least."
He starts stretching his legs. "Well, I'm ready. Did you say fishing?"
"If your both go fishing, why not check if there is a fishery here, they might be able to help you find the best fishing spots."
Kusar rolls his eyes when Rune suggests he sleeps in a stable. 'I'm not a cow, you know.' But he responds, "Agreed. Let's stick in pairs at least."
He starts stretching his legs. "Well, I'm ready. Did you say fishing?"
"Indeed. Let's see what's in these rivers, although we should stop at a general store and get you a rod if you want to join."
Kusar's eyes light up. "Let's do it! Will be good to get out of the city for a bit.".
The half-minotaur will walk over to the general store to buy a rod, almost not looking back to see if Laire is following him.
"Okay, Rune, there's just both of us now. Let's go for the Druid Grove first if that's okay with you. I'll be right behind you." says Aurorae as both men leave to go fishing.
Lairë wraps some of the bread and cheese in a napkin and places it in his satchel to use for bait. "Feel free to join us if you want. We can see who has the skills to catch the largest fish..." says Lairë casually as he starts heading out, giving a slight wave farewell as he heads out the door.
"Let's go, let them go fishing, and I don't mind going to the Druid's Grove.
I just hope we it won't be an issue getting to the grove."
After asking for directions, Aurorae crosses the town back to the river.
Once in view of the small island, she looks for the ways people go to the island. "Can you see a boat or anything to get to the island, Rune ?"
Kusar follows Laier to the fishing spot. "I've never been much for fishing before. Couldn't tell you a salmon from a tuna. What's there to catch in these parts?"
Aurorae you do see a small boat for going to the small island.
To find out what is in that river, I need a Prof(fishery), Prof(fisherman) or a survival check.
Aurorae looks at the boat, looks at the water, then back at the boat.
She drops her pach down, fishes an oiled bag. She puts her pack and weapons in. Standing back up, she drops her cloak and dress down, steps out of them and stuffs them in the waterproof bag.
Bag in hand and buck naked, she calls to Rune : "Race you to the other side!" and dives into the river.
Rune face palms and says to Aurorae
"Not this again, remember the trouble you caused back in Lake town when you went skinny dipping.
At least wear the swimming clothes they gave you before we left, as I don't want to have to fend off the jerks that'll start swarming into the area to get a peek and the problems that come later."
So where are the men going to go fishing?
"I've heard of some old fishing holes up northwest of here. Do you want to check that out?". Kusar questions Laire. "Or perhaps we can fish near the Druid's Isle so not to be far from the others."
Kusar starts travelling up north towards the fishing holes. If there are any local fisherman on the way, he'll ask: "Catch anything good today?"
[dice=Profession (Fisherman)]1d20+4
"Well, it's tough to say without getting a better look, but usually most fast moving waterways depends on the depth of the water. You can usually catch carp and goblin fish no matter what, but trout or perch would be preferred."
...
"I guess we should stay close to the Druid's Isle until we get a better feel for the town. Just in case something comes up."
The men decide to fish near Druid's Isle, and Lairë catches sight of Aurorae just as she jumps in the river.
Neck deep in the water, Aurorae pouts, trying to delay the inevitable :"You sound just like my mum. I should be allowed to wear whatever I want! It's not my fault all those guys had their brain between their legs. "
With a sigh, she heaves her back back on the bank and still in the water, fishes around and takes out something that looks like a sleeveless wetsuit that stops at mid-tight from the front. The back has a large opening and only fastens around neck. It is made in a light waterproof and extensible grey leather.
"Mother had that costumed-conjured for me. She said it's made with some kind of giant-eel skin. At least I could convince her to keep the arms and legs free. But it's a pain in the butt to put it on."
She heaves herself back on the bank and struggle into the suit. Once it's eventually fastened, she stands up and twirls, arms extended. "You're happy now?" she bows, grabs her bag and dives back down, this time cutting through the water with a fast front crawl, pushing her bag in front of her.
"The race is still on, Rune!", she calls as she crosses to the Druid's island.
Salmok waves to the women as they jump in the river. He'll send out his fishing reel in hopes to catch something.
He's just enjoying the day - nothings on his mind right now. "The women look like they're having a blast."
While getting his gear setup and inspecting the water to get a feel for clarity, structure, and vegetation, Lairë notices the movement across the shoreline.
"I-I-I guess you could say that Kusar. But maybe it's better we find a different spot and not mention that we saw them..."
Quickly going back to his gear and keeping his gaze down, Lairë hastily takes out some of the bread he wrapped up form lunch. Breaking off a small piece, he forms a small ball of dough on his hook. Satisfied that it'll hold, he then moves to breaking up some additional pieces and tossing it into the water.
"That'll help attract some fish to the area," he explains matter-of-factly before proceeding to cast his bait.
Rune sighs and whispers to herself
"She still acts childish, no wonder I need to act like the responsable adult."
Rune gets in the boat and starts rowing.
And Rune starts speeding right along the water.
Kusar gets a bite on the line, but gets nothing.
Kusar acts excited when he feels a bite. "There's something here! I caught something!" He screams. But as he reels it in, nothings on the end of the hook. "Drat - must have gotten away."
"Wait a second when you feel the bite and then give the line a good yank. You want to set the hook if you can. But at least we know there's fish."
”It sure is nice to escape for a little bit after that arduous trip and unfortunate ending. Wouldn’t you agree Kusae?”
"Yes, yes. Nice to stretch my legs. Though we really need to find some work soon. I wonder if there's a dragon around here. Wouldn't it be fun to find a dragon's treasure.." Kusar starts to day dream.
Aurorae make it to the small island with Rune not far behind.
Reaching the island, Aurora gets out of the water and waits for Rune to arrive. "Come on, let's look around and see if you can use that place to sleep. Let's also see if people still come here since the druid left."
Looking around, she checks the banks for recent tracks before going to inspect the departed druid's quarters.
.
Rune adds
"Large sandy areas tend to be best for me to setup in."