Val offers Shalelu a friendly hug. ”Shalelu, darling, it would be forward if you walked up and kissed me on the lips. Traveling on the same boat as us is so unforward as to almost be backward!” She laughs to make it clear she is joking, albeit with a quite intentional touch of frivolous flirting. ”As Sea says, we would love to have you along.”
Izomandakus smiles as Shalelu joins the party and the scene develops "Hi Shalelu. It is a pleasure to travel with you. And your relation with the forces at Fort Rannick will be most useful to build up a quick relation with them"
Meanwhile Pachemu sniffs the boots of the ranger and looks up with rounded eyes "I think she likes you" explains Izomandakus.
---
Once at the ship, the redhead looks for a calm corner in the boat with a desk, or something similar, unloads his pack and sets Foxgloves's spellbook over it open in the first page "You and me are going to get good acquaintances through the next days"
Kast does offer a long and lengthy sermon/lecture/diatribe about the ioun stones, their origins, and known and suspected powers. He'll talk until people tell him to stop or when no one else is in the room. He like teaching and his moments of being good at it. Of course, he'd rather be a hero and soldier.
* * *
Kast tenses up as Shalelu comes up to the party, as she's now the superior officer, and now in charge as he sees it. As even 'Mus knows, she's the real hero of Sandpoint, and Kast is a just a guard. He does offer her a Lastwall fistbump after his more formal salute.
"I'm glad you're here Shalelu. I assume you'll be in charge while you're with us. Let us know how you want night watches established, and any other command protocols you wish to employ," Kast says, not minding not to be in charge. "And of course you're welcome to come with us. Of course."
Hasslo turns to Seamus. "When we were in Sandpoint, I ran into Shalelu in the forest outside of town while I was hunting and it was an instant friendship. She taught me a few things about snares while I taught her the names of various plants and animals.". Hasslo takes a second to think. "Don't think she mentioned anything about you though, but we really weren't talking about our companions that much. Trying to distract ourselves from civilization."
When Shalelu arrives, Hasslo gives her a huge hug. "What do you think of my new boots? And it matches my new pack!". The dwarf shows off both of his new items, flashing a wry smile. "These will help me out, I'm sure of it!". The dwarf continues talking, happy at his new items. "Who is Jakardros? Anything we should know about him?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”Oh do not be a prude, Sea! Sapphira would flirt too if she was here. It is all in good fun. We already talked about it and the only stipulation on extracurriculars is that we share notes like good students.” She winks and smiles lasciviously. She and Sapphira are committed to each other and have been almost their entire lives. They both agreed that a little fooling around could never change that. Neither of them are jealous people to begin with. Val missed out on all those teen years of flirting, too.
nervous mutterings… "It would be our pleasure if you accompany us.”
Shalelu smiles warmly, ”Oh, thank you, that’s very gracious. I won’t be any trouble.”
Val offers Shalelu a friendly hug. ”Shalelu, darling, it would be forward if you walked up and kissed me on the lips. Traveling on the same boat as us is so unforward as to almost be backward!” She laughs to make it clear she is joking, albeit with a quite intentional touch of frivolous flirting. ”As Sea says, we would love to have you along.”
She’s a bit nervous during the joke portion of the conversation, but she gets it readily enough and laughs along, a bit. ”Thank you.”
Izomandakus smiles as Shalelu joins the party and the scene develops "Hi Shalelu. It is a pleasure to travel with you. And your relation with the forces at Fort Rannick will be most useful to build up a quick relation with them"
Meanwhile Pachemu sniffs the boots of the ranger and looks up with rounded eyes "I think she likes you" explains Izomandakus.
Shalelu reaches down and pets the pig, giving him a little scratch behind the ears, before looking up in horror…
"I'm glad you're here Shalelu. I assume you'll be in charge while you're with us. Let us know how you want night watches established, and any other command protocols you wish to employ," Kast says, not minding not to be in charge. "And of course you're welcome to come with us. Of course."
”Oh, I have no authority here. I’m just tagging along. If, er, you want me to take a watch I will though. Happy to help out.” she says somewhat quietly.
When Shalelu arrives, Hasslo gives her a huge hug. "What do you think of my new boots? And it matches my new pack!". The dwarf shows off both of his new items, flashing a wry smile. "These will help me out, I'm sure of it!". The dwarf continues talking, happy at his new items. "Who is Jakardros? Anything we should know about him?"
She hugs him back, perhaps to the jealousy of some, but it’s a quick hug, as if with friends.
”Well, aside from the personal connection, he’s a ranger. Lots of rangers up that way - especially at Fort Rannick. See, the Fort was established by Magnimar to provide Turtleback Ferry with protection from the ogres and giants in the region. There’s a band of rangers stationed there - the Order of the Black Arrows.”
”During the 45 years they’ve been stationed at the fort, the Black Arrows have inducted new members often - typically petty criminals given a choice between severe punishment or a lifetime sworn to manning the walls of the fort and patrolling the perilous heights of Hook Mountain. Conditions at Fort Rannick swiftly made honest folk out of most of these criminals, forcing them to engage in a vicious regimen of training that stripped away all sense of their life prior to joining the order.”
”The task of keeping the horrors of the Hook at bay is a grueling one and requires a level of discipline unattainable by many soldiers. They have a reputation for dealing with trouble among the ranks of the order in their own way - coldly and efficiently. Those who disobey commands are flogged nearly to death before being exiled to the south. Those who betray the order are mercilessly executed. Their justice is swift, their reputation fierce.”
”So I would see if Jakardros lives, and why he isolated himself in such a place after my mother died.”
Shalelu obtains a room in the inn as well and, a few hugs aside, before long it’s the morning of Neth 2, Toilday. Around lunchtime, Seamus’ fancy goggles will be ready and your ship is down at the docks awaiting departure. You’ve started payment today, for the whole day, so you can lounge around the boat if you wish in the morning in anticipation of departure.
It’s a nice boat, flat bottomed for the most part - to handle the often shallow passages. But it’s large. There is a sizable structure built on the deck of the vessel, pretty much taking up the whole thing aside from gangways, a small seating area in front with an overhang and a few feet on the aft for ropes and supplies. The staterooms are very small, but well appointed.
There are crew quarters to the rear, and a small galley. Above that, accessed by ladders, is a smaller structure with the wheelhouse and an open area usually used for dining, but also meetings, sparring, or whatever.
The captain, Otis Kalda, is more accustomed to ferrying wealthy passengers up river a day or two, and then back after they’ve seen the sights and had a little vacation. It’s a pleasant way to earn a living. He’s never gone up as far as Turtleback Ferry, but he’s confident his ship, the ‘River Queen’ (he’s not a very creative man), can handle it.
So let me know if there’s anything else you need to do while in Magnimar, and we’ll proceed upriver!
After checking the weather forecast and reading more about Turtleback Ferry, Izomandakus makes sure to pack cold weather outfit for himself.
He also asks the tailor if it is possible to have something for Pachemu ready today.
At the boat, Izomandakus passes the first hours after unpacking going up and down making questions about the moving parts of the vessel and generally talking with captain Otis Kalda about how the boat and the business works.
Kast listens to Shalelu as she speaks, trying to learn more as it might be useful someday after he's retired from Lastwall, if there was such a thing. A nice ranger posting might fit him well when he can only mostly fight.
Kast does buy some cold weather gear, and feels like he should be able to handle things with the camping equipment he's purchased.
"Pausing for a moment, he looks at at Kast, "What are the odds that we'll be camping out in the woods?"
Kast shrugs, looking at the sky as if trying to predict the next few weeks of weather.
”For you guys? Not too likely. We’ll probably have a nice inn at the T’Ferry,” Kast notes, ”But that after, and if everything is normal, then we’ll send word back and I think…I think I’ll continue to the east. No telling what kind of weather I’ll have going that direction. You’re welcome to join me, Seamus. You might find something more interesting than Sandpoint out on the road, and if you want to join me on the ‘Wall, that might be fun too. So, yeah, with that plan, I’m need to be more prepared.” Kast pats his new Handy ‘Sack. ”And with this new sack, I can carry a bit more and have it more organized. So it’s easy for me to stuff that I may or may not need, you know?”
Val purchases a new outfit with matching furs to help protect her from the cold. She obtains a sturdy, long sleeves magenta wrap dress that ends just below her knees, fleeced black leggings, and a darker magenta fur-lined leather coat and matching hiking boots. She even has an ushanka that matches the magenta with creamy fur look. One might be forgiven for thinking she just walked out of a fashion catalog.
She shrugs at Seamus’s question about snowshoes. ”I have shoes. They keep me warm in the snow. I am not wearing those horrendous racket-looking things, if that is what you are asking.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As the group ate their last breakfast at the inn in Magnimar and the conversation turned to the sort of weather that Turtleback Ferry would be having. Seamus ask Val, "Does anyone think we'll need snowshoes?" Pausing for a moment, he looks at at Kast, "What are the odds that we'll be camping out in the woods?"
”For you guys? Not too likely. We’ll probably have a nice inn at the T’Ferry,” Kast notes…
”Oh Kast’s right. Turtleback Ferry has a nice inn - called the Turtle’s Parlor. The place to eat though is Bottoms Up a halfling run tavern.” she looks at the party a moment, ”What, don’t you ever research an area before you go there?”
"Shalelu, do you need anything? If your not sure of what, your more than welcome to come with me." Pausing, quickly looking around the table. "I mean, of course all of you are welcome."
”Sure, I’ll come. I think I’m winter-ready, but it’s always nice to see what is available in the big city.” she amiably agrees to join Seamus shopping.
The river trip is uneventful and pleasant. Unless specifically drawn out, Shalelu keeps mostly to herself. She spends most of her time on the upper fore-deck, enjoying the view as you move up river. The ship has a square sale to help the process along - and though the winds are fickle, Captain Kalda does a pretty good job of catching what’s there so you seem to make good time.
Still, it takes a full week to travel up the Yondabakari River. You stop at the small towns of Wartle and Whistledown. Wartle is a town on stilts, and sports a few successful brothels and a precariously tilted tavern called the Lean-To, which serves a local liquor called Bog Grog. Shalelu passes on the Grog (and the brothels) and stays on the boat most of the time.
In Whistledown much of the town's buildings and its white-walled cottages are sized for gnomes who are very prevalent here. Its name derives from the strange wooden charms which produce haunting melodies in the night winds off the lake, and this nightly music tends to put off most non-gnome visitors, but you don’t stay long and are off into Lake Syrantula after a quick, though somewhat haunted, overnight stay.
You then take Skull River, which is the trickiest part of the trip from the Captains point of view. It’s the shallowest portion of the journey, and for parts of it, he has a constant watch on the foredeck for rocks and other nastiness in the water. But you make it through the river and into Pendaka, your last stop before Turtleback Ferry.
Pendaka is a tiny fishing thorp perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the southern shores of Claybottom Lake. With its single combination inn/ trading post, the Walleyed Wife, Pendaka’s only claim to fame is local baker Olam Keecher’s delicious cranberry turtle egg pies.
Then onto Claybottom Lake where things deepen and open up and the wind is fair - all much to Captain Kalda’s delight.
You eventually reach your destination - Turtleback Ferry! It’s a small village, with about four or five hundred souls, including a surprising number of gnomes and halflings. Primarily farmers, hunters, fishers, and trappers - the community is fairly self-sufficient and so needs little from Magnimar, its parent city.
You’ve got an hour or so before supper on Neth 9th, a Sunday. It’s raining heavily and cold as you pull into the western docks (‘7’ on the map). You can see some folk around the church of Erastil in the southwest part of town as you exit from your riverboat into the downpour.
Every morning Pachemu and Izomandakus wake up and make some exercise on the deck while observing the sun rising.
They do spend the lunch and dinning times with the group chatting and enjoying the nice trip in the boat generally. The boy also profits to ask the ranger "Do you know who are the authorities we shall address to know the current situation in Turtleback Ferry, Shalelu?"
At afternoon, he closes himself in the room and studies hard his books until it is time for dinner.
By the time they reach Turtleback Ferry, he has learned all the spells in Foxglove's spellbook, except for shocking grasp. He gives it a last attempt as a whole week has passed.
The rest of the time, he invests either talking with the group, the captain or drawing the workshop's blueprints.
As for the boat, stops, Izomandakus has a fun night of drinks in Wartle, and buys some fey dust and other magical components to the gnomes in Whistledown.
On each stopover, he profits to talk with the locals he meets about the last news in Turtleback Ferry and the region rumors in general.
When Izomandakus discovers about the delicious cranberry turtle egg pies, he quickly disembarks and makes sure to acquire one of those. After tasting it and corroborating the good mark, he tries to convince Olam Keecher to share the receipt.
If successful, he takes good note of it, if not, he makes his best to reverse engineering the pastry.
On Neth 9th, Izomandakus sets feet on Turtleback Ferry with the rest of the Sihedron Heroes, covering himself up with the coat he bought back in Magnimar. He sniffs the air fresh from the rain "Turtleback Ferry at last! We should hurry up to see if we can find accommodation in that inn before it is too dark"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”What, don’t you ever research an area before you go there?”
”What? Yes, well, no, maybe. I didn’t realize there were guides to such things. What is your source? Is there a Shalelu’s Guide to Varisian Grubstops or something? I guess you get to travel all about, don’t you? Well, yeah, had I known.” Kast would have researched it, if there was a good history or something.
* * *Week trip* * *
During the week, and presuming that Shalelu is willing to answer, Kast will talk to her more about her travels in Varisia outside of Sandpoint, and what she does when she’s out and about.
”Why aren’t you writing a travel book? Might be good tourism for the area, you know?” Kast offers, while mentally taking notes on what she says.
In addition, Kast will spend time reading the books he brought, and when there is space, pestering Hasslo to do some sparring.
”Hasslo, you want to get some matches in? I could use the practice and don’t want to get rusty while we’re on the boat. Hopefully, you won’t hurt me too much,” Kast asks, less worried about getting hurt with Hasslo’s wild swings than hurting the dwarf.
* * *T’Ferry* * *
Kast takes a moment to walk around the town, in the rain, trying to get acquainted with the town. He’ll greet the locals and see if there is anything overtly wrong…though he thinks not.
That’s how he’ll spend the time before dinner.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
On the journey up, Hasslo spends time with Shalelu on the upper deck, watching the world go by. "These Black Arrows sound like tough cookies. I've never heard of them before." The dwarf imagines himself as a Black Arrow. Perhaps he would have joined them but his destiny lead him somewhere else.
As the boat travels upstream, Hasslo starts becoming restless. "I've never been too much of a fan of open water. You know, my father was killed ..." he's silent for a second, recollecting his thoughts, "he was working in a shipyard. I'm unsure of the details, but all I know is a large contraption collapsed and he was caught underneath it."
Hasslo hadn't told the story to anyone before, but with Shalelu, he feels like he can be himself. "Ever since, I've been extremely wary of boats."
----
Later on, he pulls Seamus over. "I've noticed that you seem interested in Shalelu. I can teach you some things if you want to impress her.". Hasslo points out at the trees as they sail by. "See that large evergreen right there? That is a Pseudotsuga menziesii, according to the ancient Thassillonians apparently. You can tell from the needles and the way the top of the tree flops over.". The dwarf continues naming off a few other trees names in 'Ancient Thassilonian' as well as a few animals they see. "Shalelu will surely appreciate you learning these name!"
Val checks in on Sapphira every day with her daily Sendings. She keeps herself physically active every day, doing whichever exercises strike her fancy each day, eventually strolling her way into a full body workout. The focus on physicality helps her from sitting too long with her thoughts and feeling guilty. Socializing helps, too, and she makes sure to hang about with her companions every day, too.
Val does not pass on the brothels, enjoying the opportunity broaden her horizons a bit and bring some stories back to Sapphira.
At Seamus’s mention of the grog, Val gives an obligatory ‘yes’ nod. ”I would hardly be a good Caydenite if I turned my nose up at trying a new kind of alcohol just because it has the horrendous name of ‘grog.’”
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
The boy also profits to ask the ranger "Do you know who are the authorities we shall address to know the current situation in Turtleback Ferry, Shalelu?"
”Sorry, my information is a few months old. I think the high priest of Erastil is well respected by the townspeople, but whether he’s the mayor or sheriff or just a trusted priest I don’t know.”
”What? Yes, well, no, maybe. I didn’t realize there were guides to such things. What is your source? Is there a Shalelu’s Guide to Varisian Grubstops or something? I guess you get to travel all about, don’t you? Well, yeah, had I known.” Kast would have researched it, if there was a good history or something.
”Oh, nothing like that. But I know folks, especially in the outlying towns, and people love to talk about happenings in the next town over. This I discovered talking to the caravan owner I helped on the way here. He’d been to Turtleback Ferry last season, so had some information that should still be good.” she grins.
During the week, and presuming that Shalelu is willing to answer, Kast will talk to her more about her travels in Varisia outside of Sandpoint, and what she does when she’s out and about.
”Why aren’t you writing a travel book? Might be good tourism for the area, you know?” Kast offers, while mentally taking notes on what she says.
She laughs, ”I’m no writer. I can scarcely put two words together without getting them wrong on paper. In my line of work there isn’t much need for it, outside of animal messengers and the like, but those have to be short to fit on the paper. No one would want to read a book with such short thoughts!”
As the conversation shifts, when Val mentions her opinion about 'snowshoes' he adds. "If Val doesn't think she will need Snowshoes, then I will do without as well." Winking at his friend. "But I probably should get a coat and an honest bedroll and maybe a tent, Just in case." Realizing how limited his camping knowledge was, he asks Shalelu, "Um, do you know anything about tents?
”I’ll tell you a secret. Get some spider-silk rope, about 50’, and a grapple just for kicks (double duty you see). Then get a heavy-ish tarp. You don’t have to carry poles or any of that other crap. You just tie the rope off between two trees, or any two things really. Rock outcropping, or even, if you’ve a bit of an overhang, just weight down the top. Instant tent and other useful tools too. Can’t tell you how often a tarp and rope combo has come in useful. Better than a tent!” she grins warmly, happy to share her secrets.
”Oh, get furs too. Layers. Layers are important.”
Spending most of his time on deck, Seamus takes the opportunity to play his lute. Anyone that knows him realizes he is playing more of the Elvish Ballads he knows, instead of his usual 'bar crowd fare.' After a few days just playing he finally approaches Shalelu asking "Shalelu, do you have a favorite song? Faunra taught me a lot of elvish tunes, and of course being in Sandpoint and Magnimar I've picked up a lot of others.”
She frowns, a little, ”I don’t know much about music. I mean outside of the song of birds, the whistling of the wind in the deep forest, that sort of music. That I know. But your lute playing is very nice. Play something else.”
On the journey up, Hasslo spends time with Shalelu on the upper deck, watching the world go by. "These Black Arrows sound like tough cookies. I've never heard of them before." The dwarf imagines himself as a Black Arrow. Perhaps he would have joined them but his destiny lead him somewhere else.
”My yes, the Black Arrows are bad-ass. They’ll take almost anyone, but most are mustered out, or die, in the first few months. They actually have a coin that they give you at one year - it’s a mark that you’ve become a full Black Arrow. I was so proud when Jakardros made it a year. I should have gone to visit him then I know, but you know… things get in the way.”
As the boat travels upstream, Hasslo starts becoming restless. "I've never been too much of a fan of open water. You know, my father was killed ..." he's silent for a second, recollecting his thoughts, "he was working in a shipyard. I'm unsure of the details, but all I know is a large contraption collapsed and he was caught underneath it."
Hasslo hadn't told the story to anyone before, but with Shalelu, he feels like he can be himself. "Ever since, I've been extremely wary of boats."
”I should say so!” she exclaims at the story. ”You’re very brave to be on this riverboat I should think. It must be grueling!”
Val checks in on Sapphira every day with her daily Sendings. She keeps herself physically active every day, doing whichever exercises strike her fancy each day, eventually strolling her way into a full body workout. The focus on physicality helps her from sitting too long with her thoughts and feeling guilty. Socializing helps, too, and she makes sure to hang about with her companions every day, too.
Sapphira is enjoying spending your money to begin establishing the school. Getting things organized was always her strong suit, and she’s diving in with both hands. After all, you’re away, what else is she going to do?
Val does not pass on the brothels, enjoying the opportunity broaden her horizons a bit and bring some stories back to Sapphira.
As to the brothels. Well, what to say. The people are perhaps not as pretty as you’d find in a larger city brothel. But they have less to do, so they’re much more, ah, creative. They have time to come up with new things to try - and so they do.
At Seamus’s mention of the grog, Val gives an obligatory ‘yes’ nod. ”I would hardly be a good Caydenite if I turned my nose up at trying a new kind of alcohol just because it has the horrendous name of ‘grog.’”
Later that evening when Val accepted the invitation to go drinking, Seamus quickly took his lute to his bunk and grabbed his hat. Heading to the gangplank he looks at his friend and smiles, gesturing towards the tavern,. "Val, I'll wager you drink me under the table.”
It’s actually not too bad. Seems to have a bit of oatmeal in it, so it’s not the sort of thing you can drink a lot of. Very filling! Of course, he also has hard liquor if you want something with a little more kick to go with it.
The party hits land and splits up a bit. Izomandakus, Hasslo, and Valena go to check in at the inn, along with the ship’s captain and crew trailing behind. While they wait for you, they’re looking forward to a little shore leave. They heard there’s even a gambling boat nearby for entertainment and drinks - and they won’t be on duty for once! Kast, Seamus, and Shalelu walk the town to get the lay of the land. Feel free to mix up those groupings, I just guessed at who would be where to even it out. :)
On Neth 9th, Izomandakus sets feet on Turtleback Ferry with the rest of the Sihedron Heroes, covering himself up with the coat he bought back in Magnimar. He sniffs the air fresh from the rain “Turtleback Ferry at last! We should hurry up to see if we can find accommodation in that inn before it is too dark"
You head to the Turtle’s Parlor, and shake off the rain in their vestibule before entering. It’s a lovely cozy little entry area, with a few chairs off to one side if you want to lounge - currently empty. The innkeeper, who introduces himself as Cesten Orlandi, is a lithe figure wearing a frown when you enter. He asks, perhaps a little too hopefully, if you need rooms.
- - -Kast takes a moment to walk around the town, in the rain, trying to get acquainted with the town. He’ll greet the locals and see if there is anything overtly wrong…though he thinks not.
That’s how he’ll spend the time before dinner.
You head out to the few thoroughfares in Turtleback Ferry. As you’d expect in the cold rain, there are few villagers out and about, and those that are move swiftly to get out of the rain again. It’s a nice place overall - wide streets and lots of greenery - including a fair number of trees. The people seem dour, but whether that’s because of the weather or some other occurrence you’re not sure.
At one point, you’re passing a woman carrying a large bundle, when a dog barks some little ways away - and she nearly jumps out of her skin. As she looks at you, you see the fear plainly on her face for an instant. I mean, sure, the dog barking was somewhat surprising, but this is a fair bit more than just that.
After that, you realize that, aside from that one woman, people are only traveling in clusters. Which is unusual. So there’s nothing firm you can put your finger on, but things seem ill-at-ease.
Let me know if you want to do anything further before we meet back up with the first group.
- - -
Izomandakus thanks Shalelu for the information and takes mental note of it. Or perhaps Pachemu does.
Noticing his spellbook is quickly depleting of white pages, the boy profits the stop at Whistledown to buy a new blank spellbook of beautiful gnome manufacture, with a fey engraved in the cover and a satyr in the back "Not my style, but it will work, isn't it pig?" Pachemu seems pleased at the new book though.
---
"Nice to meet you good Cesten Orlandi" Izomandakus puts a few coins over the counter to pay in advance "Would you have room for six people? We will pay a couple of nights in advance. And I would personally enjoy having something warm to fill the stomach right now"
After a bit of chit chat and perhaps being presented some warm food, he asks "Has anything out of usual happened in the area as of recent?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kast has nothing else before dinner, but to make plans for what he will do after dinner, which is make a good list of all the supplies that Shalelu and others have suggested.
He doesn't have a tarp.
Nor the right rope. He got some fine hemp rope, but he could have splurged for the fancy stuff. He still thinks he's a poor guardsman, when he was really a rich pre-warrior about to go make a name for himself. He'll need the fancier rope, for sure. How will people take him seriously if he pulls out the wrong kind of rope? What if all the other Lastwallers laugh at him? He can't have that on the first day. He'd have to be perfect.
And what kind of waffle pan should I buy? Which style is most popular in Lastwall? Do the orcs even like waffles? Does everyone carry Moonrods? Are they supplied or do I bring my own?
4 gp 2 weeks fancy elvish rations
10 gp silk rope
1 gp 2* tarp
1 gp grappling hook
2.5 hammer + shovel
6.5 gp various old books, pulp fiction, and romance novels
* * *
Kast seems to be thinking about things at dinner.
Val is whistling to herself as she heads into town with Izo and Hasslo. She feels in better physical shape than when she was a teenager, and her “extracurriculars” have only accentuated her youthful feeling. She often cannot stop herself from staring at other women in wonder, astounded that she could have ever convinced herself that she settled for anything less. Women sitting with hunched backs as they wiped the sweat from their brow, women carrying groceries with children pulling at their skirts, women about the town in their finest dress or suit with blush cheeks begging to be kissed—they were all beautiful, and she was finally letting herself see it. Sapphira had said it would be like this, and she should have known she would be right. She always is.
Sometimes, Val can only laugh at the absurdity of her—of all people—having been repressed for so long. Maybe, if this is what it feels like to truly be in-tune with your heart, so many of the things she thought she was incapable of were just because she was faking it. Maybe she was only a bad wife because she was not with the right person. Maybe she was only a bad mother because she was too unhappy to do anything but wallow in her indulgences. Maybe, once all this fighting is done and she has settled, once she is free to just be happy, she can try motherhood again with Sa—
Or maybe she is just trying to give herself an easy way out again, easy answers that keep her from having to admit to the simple fact that she f!+!ed up. Her coming up with justifications as to why she was unhappy does not bring the girls back. It offers them no consolation, only her, and she already does nothing but console herself. Worthless. She take a drink. Utterly worthless.
By the time they get to the inn, her mood has soured completely, and she is happy to let Izo take the lead with speaking about room arrangements. She has day drinking to catch up on.
Hasslo hops off the boat and is immediately happy. "Ah, this town! Look at this!" he points at the various houses. "I could see myself living there.". In his mind, Hasslo can imagine having a quaint little house, with a flower garden, and a nice little patio, overlooking the lake. Even the rain doesn't sour his mood.
To the captain, Hasslo bows. "Thank you. Will you be joining us here or returning on your way back? Either way, I thank you for your service.". The dwarf bows again before heading in to town.
At the inn, Hasslo pipes up. "Seven rooms in fact! You forgot about Shalelu. Or, is she staying elsewhere?"
Izomandakus looks back at Hasslo "Pachemu and myself, we sleep in the same room. Is that not ok with you Hasslo?"
To the captain, Hasslo bows. "Thank you. Will you be joining us here or returning on your way back? Either way, I thank you for your service.". The dwarf bows again before heading in to town.
”Thanks good sir. Me and my men will be here when you’re ready to return.”
”Nice to meet you good Cesten Orlandi” Izomandakus puts a few coins over the counter to pay in advance ”Would you have room for six people? We will pay a couple of nights in advance. And I would personally enjoy having something warm to fill the stomach right now”
After a bit of chit chat and perhaps being presented some warm food, he asks ”Has anything out of usual happened in the area as of recent?”
”Well, then! Well met indeed! I don’t have a six, but I have two threes, will that do?” you pay for a few days in advance, pleasing him mightily.
”I don’t do food here, but there’s a fine tavern… well, the only tavern now a days… across the street.” he points to a wall, but you get the idea.
During your jawing, you do learn a few things. ”It’s been weeks since we’ve had a visit from the Black Arrows. I’ll be the first to admit they’re not a friendly lot, but they do a good job keeping the ogres and critters in the woods and hills under control. When they came to town though, they came and stayed here I can tell you.”
He’s also convinced that the ogres up on the Hook (the mountain peaks north of town) are the cause of all the rains. Apparently, according to Cesten, they recruited a dragon or something to fly around in the clouds and stir up the storms!
The rest is all small talk, but it isn’t long before the other group joins up. It’s a small town after all.
- - -
Seeing that Shalelu was following Kast, Seamus waves to Val and points that direction, quickly following along behind. As he catches up with Kast and Shalelu, trying to make small talk he asks. ”so Jakardros is stationed nearby, will you try and see him later today or wait until tomorrow?”
”He is, presumably stationed at the Fort. I’ll see how the weather looks tomorrow.” She seems ready to go, but is in no rush either.
”Pardon me ma'am, but were new in town. You seem a little disheveled, would you like some help with you package.” He nods back towards where the sound of the dog barking came from. As he rests his hand on one of the long knives handles. ”If your worried about a wild cur we can protect you.”
Having gotten a hold of herself, she harrumphs, ”Keep your innuendo to yourself young man, I can quite take care of myself.”
Her vitriol is brief however as she adds, ”Thank you.” politely as she moves on her way hurriedly to get out of the heavy rain.
You return to the inn to see if the others have secured rooms before heading to the tavern.
You enter the Turtle’s Parlor, and shake off the rain in their vestibule before entering. It’s a lovely cozy little entry area, with a few chairs off to one side if you want to lounge. The innkeeper, who introduces himself as Cesten Orlandi, is a lithe figure wearing a broad smile when you enter, ”My good sir, are you perchance with the young lad and his, uh, pig? Your rooms is ready sir and madam, and fresh sheets have been laid down!”
He passes you a key.
- - -
…and the party gathers again at the inn briefly before heading to the tavern. Feel free to chat among yourselves up in your rooms and bring each other up to speed on the last little while you’ve been apart and we’ll head over to supper.
"You, me, Val." Hasslo thinks and counts on his stubby fingers. "Then Kast, Seamus, and Shalelu. That's six. Who's the seventh?" Hasslo questions himself. "Never been good with maths," he laughs at himself, obviously questioning his own sanity.
Listening in to Orlandi, Hasslo's eyes light up at the thought of a dragon. "A real to goodness dragon? I thought those things were myths! Can dragons really do that? You know, make it rain like this?"
Then Hasslo asks Orlandi a question. "Do you know a Black Arrow by the name of Jakardros? "
* * *
Prodded by Seamus, Kast retrieves the key(s) and makes his way to the rooms. He pauses only long enough to check out the room and wash his hands before heading down to dinner.
”Well, you did come on a little strong. I mean, you talked to her,” Kast rebuffs. ”She doesn’t know us. We’re strangers. Anyone might have reacted the same way.”
Izomandakus shrugs to Hasslo "Oh, well, it seems we will all have to share rooms anyway, so it doesn't matter"
When the others arrive to the inn he informs them "Ok, we will have to share the bedrooms in couples of two." Pachemu oinks in protest "Ok, someone for a threesome here?"
Listening about what the other group has found, the boy frowns "It is normal people are not used to strangers so deep in Varisia, but anyway it seems a bit of overreaction. Strange"
"The innkeeper, Cesten, told us worrying words about the Black Arrows not having been seen in town for a few weeks already..." she looks back to Shalelu "They might be in trouble"
"She then said something about ogres living in the mountain to the north, the Hook she named it." and opening his hands in a sign of bewilderment he adds "And commented some fantasies about the ogres being responsible of the rain and using a dragon to gather the clouds"
"Anyway, let's go to the important stuff." Izomandakus points through the window "The food is in the tavern at the other side of the square"
Seeing the others, Seamus waves to Val, "Strangest thing, I offered to help a woman that was scurrying along like she was frightened and she said I could 'keep my innuendo to myself.'" He smiled, "Me, an innuendo go figure."
Val nods. "Curious indeed, Sea. We shall have to keep wary."
”Well, you did come on a little strong. I mean, you talked to her,” Kast rebuffs. ”She doesn’t know us. We’re strangers. Anyone might have reacted the same way.”
Val naturally has difficulty imagining "talking to someone" as being "coming on a little strong." "And here I always thought of Kast a thorough boy who does his due diligence. I doubt you would be so quick to minimize if you did not already have a foot out the door to Lastwall." She turns her playful smile to him. "Do you no longer care about being perfect, darling?" If it were her and she wanted to leave that much, she would just leave--personally--but then again she will never understand Kast's by-the-book mentality. He is fun to tease at least.
When the others arrive to the inn he informs them "Ok, we will have to share the bedrooms in couples of two." Pachemu oinks in protest "Ok, someone for a threesome here?"
Val pauses and makes a show of glancing about at the group, finally returning to meeting Izo's gaze with her usual mirth "Not with men, no."
Listening in to Orlandi, Hasslo's eyes light up at the thought of a dragon. ”A real to goodness dragon? I thought those things were myths! Can dragons really do that? You know, make it rain like this?”
Then Hasslo asks Orlandi a question. ”Do you know a Black Arrow by the name of Jakardros? “
”Oh, you’d better believe it! Dragons is magic they is. Jakardros? Name doesn’t ring a bell, but them Black Arrows tend to keep things close to the chest.” He doesn’t have a book people sign. He just lets rooms, he doesn’t worry so much about records and such worries.
- - -As he steps into the Inn Seamus shakes off his hat and cloak, 'My good sir?' Chuckling Seamus elbows Kast, "He must be talking to you Kast." but he does reach out and accept one of the keys, asking, "Which room?" He looks quickly at he halls running off of the foyer, asking, "Which way to the rooms, and which way to the dinning room?"
The man guides you to your room, but adds, ”No dining room here I’m afraid. You’ll have to go back out in the rain - only across the street though so it’s not far.”
- - -
And so across the street you go, bundled up against the cold and wet.
The tavern, Bottoms Up is owned by a garrulous halfling couple, Yads and Berthandy Kesker. It’s filling up for supper, and most of the crowd look to be hunters, fisherman, trappers, and the like. It has a long low dining room with a kitchen in the middle to the right. There’s room, barely, for you to squeeze into a table with Shalelu along but you manage. You’re very close to the other patrons though, so don’t expect any privacy. I mean, no one is actively listening in, but they can’t help it they’re so close.
The food is wonderful though. Small crayfish from the lake, along with tender deer meat from the hunters. Surf and turf of a sort. Tasty none the less and the room is warm and friendly - though there is still some of the unease you experienced outside. The people, though laughing, are on edge. The laughter is forced - like they need to laugh about something but they’re upset.
Though there are other servants, Yads waits on you by chance, or perhaps because you’re a large, and therefor complicated, table. He enjoys talking to people, and it’s hard to get a word in - even to order!
”The rains came early this year. Gonna flood out the crops if they don’t let up soon. Last time it rained this early this much, we got floods. That were, what, 40-some years ago? Turned out there were a witch behind it all - she were tryin’ to turn us all into frogs or somethin’ with all the rain!”
Seems everyone has an opinion on what starts it raining early in Turtleback Ferry.
Val has never had crawdaddies crawfish crayfish nor deer in her life, but she is not precious about trying new things.
"A witch! Did they catch this witch? I certainly hope she is not lurking about still." She keeps a half-joking tone, not wanting to come across too incredulous even as she tries to learn more from him about what has been going on. While she chats with Yads, she tries to ingratiate herself as someone fun to chat with, hoping that perhaps she can obtain further information about the area.
Only once she has had a chance to put him at ease does she bring up the oliphaunt in the room. "Is it just me, or do people seem a little on edge in here? Is there something going on?"
"I certainly not know about any dragon that controls weather, but who knows" Izomandakus shrugs.
"Not with men, no."
"Ok, I guess that means you and Shalelu" then turns at the others "Well, I need some silence to study. I will pick Kast for us. Gender is not a problem here"
---
Izomandakus offers one of the crayfishes to Pachemu cramped at his feet below the table. The pig sniffs the thing but deciding between that and an empty stomach takes the bite "A witch? Do you know where she had her lair? We are looking after supernatural things like that"
Otherwise, the redhead remains pretty silent observing attentively the people around and leaving his ears free for other's conversations.
But ultimately, he gets too engaged on trying to get the meat out of the crayfishes "Oucha, these ones are hard"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"A witch! Did they catch this witch? I certainly hope she is not lurking about still." She keeps a half-joking tone, not wanting to come across too incredulous even as she tries to learn more from him about what has been going on. While she chats with Yads, she tries to ingratiate herself as someone fun to chat with, hoping that perhaps she can obtain further information about the area.
”Oh, they never caught that witch, and that’s the truth!” he looks warily around his establishment as if he might see her at any moment!
Only once she has had a chance to put him at ease does she bring up the oliphaunt in the room. "Is it just me, or do people seem a little on edge in here? Is there something going on?"
He leans in close, and half whispers, ”Black Magga, the monster of the Storval Deep, doesn’t stay in that lake. Underwater tunnels connect it to Claybottom Lake sure as I’m standing here. She comes down to eat fishermen now and then! I’m sure that’s what happened to the Paradise - Black Magga came down and gobbled up all those filthy sinners!”
Izomandakus offers one of the crayfishes to Pachemu cramped at his feet below the table. The pig sniffs the thing but deciding between that and an empty stomach takes the bite "A witch? Do you know where she had her lair? We are looking after supernatural things like that"
”Out in the wilds they say. But they don’t say in which direction.” he touches his finger to his nose conspiratorially.
”Been some weird lights across the lake in the Shimmerglens lately. They don’t show up all the time, but now and then you can see them in the early dawn hours, movin’ around like they was a bunch of people over there carryin’ around lanterns and dancin’ and stuff. Place is haunted, I tells ya! M’be it’s the witch.”
Val takes another bite of her deer and a drink to wash it down while she listens to his answer. "Please forgive me my ignorance, as we are new to the area, but the Paradise? What is that? Or, perhaps, I should be asking what was that?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Val takes another bite of her deer and a drink to wash it down while she listens to his answer. "Please forgive me my ignorance, as we are new to the area, but the Paradise? What is that? Or, perhaps, I should be asking what was that?"
”Oh, why sure, you ain’t from around here. The Paradise was a barge. Went out on the lake nights cartin’ all manner of sinful folk. It was a pleasure barge you see. Filled with food, as if ours wasn’t good enough, liquor… and gambling. Probably whoring too, but don’t mention that to the misses or she’ll go off again. An evil place, it sank a few weeks ago. All lives lost, poor beggars. Drownin’ is no way to go.”
Looking around the dreary crowd, he cleared his throat, "Speaking of dancin' and stuff, do you think the owner of the tavern would mind if I played my lute?"
”Well, I’m the owner, less’n you be talking to my wife, and I says go ahead and play. You’s a handsome young lad. My wife’ll likely take kindly to it too!”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Val gives the innkeeper the surprised, aghast expression he is probably looking for. Part of excelling at socializing is knowing when to give the people what they want. Gossips in particular get a high off the rush of telling someone something they didn’t know and seeing the shock and awe on their faces. As long as you keep paying them with that rush, they will keep coming back for more. And, thinking back on the lamia sister’s letter, she does want more. ”Oh my goodness! Where did such a den of vice come from? Did the owner go down with the ship?” If these lamia are harvesting “greedy” souls, and her method is supposed to be more “elegant,” then perhaps the lamia sister lured people in with gambling and had the whole gambling hall murdered at once? But she said something about marking them, did she not? They would need to have that Thassilonian sigil thing on them? Would they not have noticed? Or maybe it does not have to physically be on each of them? Her head hurts as she tries to make sense of it. She take a napkin and a pen and tries to draw the sigil thing, the seven-pointed star, then holds it up. ”Did the boat have a symbol like this on it anywhere?”
Izomandakus tries to recall any information about a Black Magga or the Storval Deep that might be meaningful here.
"Black Magga you say? It sounds like a local monster. You say it feeds on fishermen? What else can you tell us about?" the boy tries to follow this string of the conversation for a bit.
Until it jumps over the barge and its sinful folk. The redhead gives looks at his companions at that point sharing in low voice his photographic memory with them "The letter said greed here in this backwater has blossomed, this sinful boat seems the kind of place where to start our search"
He then turns to the interlocutor and asks "Where has that barge sunk?"
"Is it just me, or do people seem a little on edge in here? Is there something going on?"
Kast looks around, checking people out.
Sense Motive
He shrugs. "Seems about right to me. Maybe the rains have them on edge," he offers, not having a feel for the place and the people yet.
Kast orders the Surf & Turf, copying Seamus as it seems like it's a good call. He turns his chair so he can eat and watch 'Mus play.
I bet they have good music on the 'Wall too. That's what I bet.
Hasslo eats the hearty dinner. "Surf 'n turf, you say? Its mighty fine, if I do say so myself. Haven't had these crayfish you speak of before. Very tasty."
Listening in to the conversation, Hasslo tenses up. "Is this 'Black Magga' another myth? Has anyone seen it before? Would love to see this creature with my very eyes.". He winks at the halfling. "We are more than capable of taking care of ourselves, so don't you worry!"
Then he furrows his eyebrows. "Can you tell us where it sank? Would be intriguing to go investigate. Perhaps we can find ..." he pauses for a second, almost blurting out 'gold', but continues, "some clues about this Magga creature."
Cantrips (4/day)
acid splash
detect magic
detect poison
open/close
Level 1 (6/day)
liberating command^
chill touch~
grease (Ref 14)
*mage armor
shield
Level 2 (5/day)
spider climb^
glitterdust (Will 15)
mirror image
scorching ray~
Level 3 (5/day)
*greater magic weapon^ (+2)
clay skin
heroism
lightning bolt~ (Ref 16)
Level 4 (3/day)
monstrous physique II^
greater invisibility
wave form (Ref 18)
"We certainly try to take care of ourselves, but it starts to seem we only manage to stumble with problem after problem" Izomandakus then leans back on his sit and smiles seeing Seamus taking the stage.
Pachemu looks for a non cramped area and dances the whole soiree.
"I guess we should talk with the priest of Erastil that Shalelu referred" the boy looks through the window "If it only stopped raining for a few minutes, the idea of heading out again would feel more inviting"
Kast shakes his head, only having the same conversation that the rest of the party has had, excepting for his shopping purchases.
”I was able to easily find tarps here, though could swear they didn’t even exist in Magnimar. Must be more of a frontier need,” he replies with some non interesting trivia.
”But it sounds like we have a lot of fun stuff to do tomorrow, but not sure how we’re going to dredge through the lake for Black Magga, if it really exists,” he wonders. ”But I’m up for whatever in the morning. In daylight we may see things differently, or things not available at night.”
Kast supposes he is ready for bed, and the following morning.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”Oh my goodness! Where did such a den of vice come from? Did the owner go down with the ship?”
”Why heavens yes. T’ain’t no one survived the sinking. Attempts to dive dr’n to the wreck to recover even the bodies failed due to the frightful depth and the particularly vicious fish that live that deep in the lake.”
”Lucrecia, she didn’t make it, the whore!” he all but spits her name on the floor, clearly not fond of the deceased woman.
”Did the boat have a symbol like this on it anywhere?”
”Oh, sure, I seen it here and there on folk. It’s a popular tattoo making the rounds these days. Quite fanciful really, been thinking of getting it myself! If’n you’re lookin’ to get it on your own skin, you should see Wenda. Wenda Leenee. She runs the general store, and has a gnome friend who tattoos people.”
- - -
"Black Magga you say? It sounds like a local monster. You say it feeds on fishermen? What else can you tell us about?" the boy tries to follow this string of the conversation for a bit.
He gets excited and jabbers on, ”Oh it’s a huge black snake, tower over the town it would. It can swallow people, and even whole fishing boats, well, whole! Why it’s breath could kill the whole village!”
Listening in to the conversation, Hasslo tenses up. "Is this 'Black Magga' another myth? Has anyone seen it before? Would love to see this creature with my very eyes.". He winks at the halfling. "We are more than capable of taking care of ourselves, so don't you worry!”
”Oh! She’s no myth master dwarf! Mark me words, if the Black Magga is coming down the Skull like they says she is, we are all of us doomed.” he shakes his head sadly at the proposition.
He then turns to the interlocutor and asks "Where has that barge sunk?"
Then he furrows his eyebrows. "Can you tell us where it sank? Would be intriguing to go investigate. Perhaps we can find ..." he pauses for a second, almost blurting out 'gold', but continues, "some clues about this Magga creature."
”Deep in Claybottom Lake. Any of the fishermen can show you where.”
Standing Seamus pulls out his lute and tunes it, as he walked among the tables he announced, "I learned this song from four halflings in Magnimar, they called it 'Ode to Iomedae' but I like 'The Sun Rises.' I want to play it in honor of our fine hosts."
After the halfling's song Seamus played several of the crowd favorites from his 'Cracktooth' days. As the evening moved along, he started taking requests, until most of the folks had left, daring the rain. He finished the evening with one of the Elvish ballads he had learned.
The people may not be generous with their applause, but they are appreciative, and you make a pretty penny for your time on stage - whether you leave out a hat or not. At the very least, all your meals are paid for by a thankful audience. And Seamus’ reputation grows…
The rest of the evening passes uneventfully and the party can make what preparations they wish for tomorrow…
… Neth the tenth starts slowly, with rain pelting the windows of your rooms and the sun invisible behind the heavy clouds. And of course it’s cold, and sometimes sleety. You trundle across the way back into the Bottom’s Up for breakfast.
Yads walks up to you as you trundle in out of the weather. ”Good Morning! Well met indeed. Come in from the cold and have some breakfast.” He guides you to a table closer to the fire and sits you down. As he takes your orders (the kippers are good this morning) he adds, ”You know I was thinkin’ about what you asked me last night. ‘Is folks on edge’ and suchlike. You know what? People been disappearin' lately. And not just them who’s been going into the deep woods. I’m talkin’ fishermen, travelers, people just out on the roads. My money’s on them Grauls - that family’s got ogre blood in them, and once you get ogre blood in you... you just ain’t right!”
He takes your orders and disappears into the kitchen for a while before returning with thick oily coffee.
”… it just ain’t right I tell you!” he continues the conversation as if he hadn't left.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”Why heavens yes. T’ain’t no one survived the sinking. Attempts to dive dr’n to the wreck to recover even the bodies failed due to the frightful depth and the particularly vicious fish that live that deep in the lake.”
”Lucrecia, she didn’t make it, the whore!” he all but spits her name on the floor, clearly not fond of the deceased woman.
Val just shakes her head in dismay at the loss of life. She offers no commentary on this Lucrecia, as she doubts that her own life choices would fare much better in this man's estimation. She would normally be ready with a snappy comment to take the wind out of his "moral" judgment, but she needs him to keep talking.
”Oh, sure, I seen it here and there on folk. It’s a popular tattoo making the rounds these days. Quite fanciful really, been thinking of getting it myself! If’n you’re lookin’ to get it on your own skin, you should see Wenda. Wenda Leenee. She runs the general store, and has a gnome friend who tattoos people.”
Val keeps up her pleasant facade, even as this latest news deeply disturbs her. She glances to her companions. "Sounds like we should go see this Wenda about her gnome friend, my darlings." She flips Yads a piece of gold for all his good information. "Thanks for all the lowdown on the town. If someone asks about me, I did not." She winks. She honestly does not care much for the man--people like that kept her most mundane affairs on the pages of every Magnimar paper--but good information is worth good gold.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Now that I think, I have heard of Black Magga but I think it is just legend. It is said to be an enormous serpentine creature with a reptilian head, but a body of wriggling tentacles. According to this she lives in the waters above the rise in the Storval Deep." Izomandakus forks another piece of crab meat "Very nasty. May be mythical though with all the powers ascribed to it. Invincibility, immune to magic, and it can turn into whatever it wants under the full moon."
---
The breakfasts passes pleasantly through the redhead's gorge until the talk of disappearances and ogre blooded families makes him choke "Just another thing to check. Stuff is pilling up very quickly. And I thought the guard was busy in Sandpoint!"
"Let's see... we have a sunken barge, a sihedron rune tattooer, a forest witch, strange lights in the marshes, a mountain with ogres calling for rain with a possible dragon included, a family of Graul's abducters, a mythical level beast in a near lake, no news from the Black Arrows, and a lamia-sister cult" he forks the kippers "And that is before even considering the clearly monotonous diet sinking people into the saddests of lives..."
"Where shall we start?" Pachemu jumps by, clearly having the idea of what to do first "Oink! Oink! Oiiink!"