Don't wander too far, Master Swiftheart. I'd like to consult you tomorrow morning, once we're settled in. You've been a fine guide.
Seltyn hands the halfling a gold piece.
Find me for a free breakfast. It's been a long time since I payed obeisance to my patron in a temple. I'm about due.
Seltyn casts Arcane Sight, and spends 9 minutes looking for magical surveillance or any other alarms.
He will also quietly suggest to Alika that she prepare spells to help with an urban scenario. We may be here a few days.
He pockets the gold and smiles. "Don't worry, I'm just walking around the place. We, guides, aren't allowed to walk in the main door. That's for customers. We have a place in the back so that we can rest until you need us again. Just mention to one of the staff when you need me again."
Standing in the street with nothing else left to do, you walk inside. The place is incredible. This is definitely a high end type of inn. There is a small choir singing in a corner of the main room. All the tables a set with privacy screens that would prevent people from overhearing what the next table is talking about. One of the staff walks up to you. "Good evening, are you here just for a meal or will you require lodging as well?"
Lodging and a meal would do well, thank you.
Alistair nods slightly.
!Very well, please folow me." The man guides you through the lush dining hall to a private table. "There you go, I hope this table is satisfactory." He pulls a parchment out from small bag attached to his belt. "This is tonight menu. Someone will be with you shortly about the room. Enjoy your meal." The man bows and walks away.
Looking at the parchment, you find a list of meal options but no prices. After some time, a woman walks up to your table. "Welcome, I'll be taking your order." She smiles as you tell her your order. Once done, she looks at you. "It will be fifty gold for the meal and room. It will also include a breakfast that will be delivered to your room in the morning. Your room is on the fourth floor, door B." She proceeds to bring you your food and the key to your room.
After the meal, you are free to explore your sleeping arrangement. Walking in, you are amazed at what you see. This is more then you imagined. The place is a suite with separate bedrooms. Each bedroom as two beds.
"It still feels odd to me to be living in such lavish accommodations while the city is falling into disarray."
"It still feels odd to me to be living in such lavish accommodations while the city is falling into disarray."
Yes, it does. The halfling will be back soon. We will have to look for the Shoanti.
Seltyn doesn't like this, but what ya gonna do?
Try to act rich, he says to the Varisian.
Garran gives a low, appreciative whistle as he enters the room. "These are some fancy digs. Let's rest for the night, and look for the Cinderlander in the morning."
Kyras enjoys the meal and the luxury of the accommodations without guilt, seeming to almost need it after his stint of imprisonment. He is content to enjoy with offerings of the inn and plans a good night sleep.
The next morning, you are awoken by a gentle knock on the door. Just outside, in the corridor, you find a large tray with more then enough food to feed all of you. After breakfast and other preparations, you walk back downstairs. There you see some of the staff members getting the main area clean and ready for the day. One of the them mention that your guide is already outside waiting for you when you are ready. Looking out one of the window, you see the small halfling sitting on a railing of the porch, lazily eating an apple.
Seltyn goes to the door.
Master Swiftheart, the elf says, beckoning to the little guide.
if you'd like more than an apple, there is richer fare here for you. Come in and eat, if you like.
Alistair thanks the staff for their services and tips generously.
Come morning he is relaxed and prepares for the day ahead.
Master Swiftheart, the elf says, beckoning to the little guide.
if you'd like more than an apple, there is richer fare here for you. Come in and eat, if you like.
The young nobleman politely lays a hand on the shoulder of Seltyn. His words calm and gentle.
Perhaps another time for right now we must tend to matters that need our attention.He turns to the halfling.
He is correct Master Swiftheart. The food is excellent. Perhaps when our business is completed we can invite you to join us for dinner one night. Consider it a bonus for a job well done.
"Oh don't worry about it, gents, I've already had my pick directly from the kitchen." He throws the rest of his apple at the hooves of a nearby horse. "So, where to on this beautiful morning?"
"We are looking for someone known as the Cinderlander. Might you know where we can find him?"
As Garran talks, Alistair watches the halfling and the surrounding area.
hanging in a convenient shadow Kyras has a look around as well.
"The Cinderlander you say? I've heard of him. I don't mind bringing you to him, but this early in the morning, he is probably sleeping off last night drinks in a ditch somewhere." He looks at the group and his eyes fall on Seltyn. "You wanted to visit the Temple of Calistria if I remember correctly. We could do that now and see if your quarry he in better shape after that."
That sounds good.
Seltyn would like to linger, but he'll feel happier when we find the Cinderlander.
He'll visit the temple and stay no more than an hour or so, if possible, then rejoin the group. If anyone wants to go with, that's fine.
Alistair keeps his words to himself, knowing full well how sleeping in a ditch felt like.
The elf returns feeling refreshed, and suggests we find the Cinderlander, who might be awake by now.
After a nice visit to the temple, Gohorn leads you to some less hospitable part of the city. The street are dirty and barely maintain. Once and a while, your guide leaves the group to talk to people on the side of the street. After some time walking, he finally smiles at you. "I think I've located the ditch where your target should be. Shouldn't be too far now." You walk for about another thirty minutes before you see a middle aged man in the middle of the street. He seems to be fighting two young men, and from what you can see, he is beaten the you-know-what out of them. Even from the distance you are, you can hear the very colourful words coming out of the middle aged man. Your guide smiles and point at the fight. "And there he is... The Cinderlander!"
I see why you keep your distance from him, Gohorn, Seltyn tells the halfling. He has an unconventional lifestyle. Too much sleeping in ditches and waking up to fight, for my tastes.
He looks at the group. Let's let him finish his current business. Did anyone bring any booze? He might want some booze after this...
I might have something that would serve in my alchemist's kit. Kyras begins to move closer, wary that the fight could be a ruse to draw in the unsuspecting but also not willing to allow someone they so badly need help from get hurt, or worse.
Garran says, "I can break the fight up pretty well, if you want me to."
I might have something that would serve in my alchemist's kit.
Keep your kit...I think I have what he will like.
Garran says, "I can break the fight up pretty well, if you want me to."
I would advise against such action. We might just become his next fight if he feels threatened or if he just does not give a shit. Let us try a different tactic.
Christian touches the silver mug that hangs from his belt as he looks at the man.
They all were just trying to relax after Cressida's request to secure Trina and keep her safe. Alistair was not happy at all and his drinking had taken a darker path of late. Anger seem to boil to the surface too rapidly these days. Sitting at his table alone with too many empty tankard about him, the handsome man kept to himself mostly. This night was different. A group of four young men had come into the tavern and proceeded to make a home for themselves. Their age was proof enough that they lacked the manners to be respectful of those that worked hard to make a living. The rude behavior and loud disrespectful tone was becoming all to apparent to those around them. One such man had grabbed one of the servers and tried to sit her down on his lap. She of course was not having it and tried in vain to get away. Her efforts did however spill the drinks she was carrying onto the young man. He was furious and showed his anger by striking the woman across the face, which knocked her to the ground. This brought the tavern to a stand still. The young man continued his assault on the woman with his fowl mouth. The words themselves almost as vile as his actions. His laughter for some reason kept the others from coming to the young woman's aid. The man lifted the woman back onto her feet with a lack of gentleness. Alistair could not see straight at all and it took him some time to understand what had just happened. Turning his drunken attention towards the commotion brought a level of anger that he had never felt before. Standing up and stumbling his way towards the group of men brought slurred words out of his mouth. To him those words were crystal clear and of perfect tone for the current situation. To everyone else it was just gibberish. As he got closer the young man took notice of Alistair and directed his words towards him but he only got about half his sentence finished before they were cut off. The dashing nobleman grabbed a silver tankard from a nearby table and let his arm hang at his right hip. Alistair's hand, turning white from his grip, brings the tankard up in a circular motion over his head, completes the circle back down at his hip, and snaps his hand forward. The silver vessel sails through the air under the now empty tray that belong to the server to strike the young man in the throat. He fell to the ground grabbing at his neck in a jumble of pain and emotion. Before his companions could do anything at all, Alistair had reacted. The young man on the far left had a well used rapier touching his throat from across the table. The one on the far right had a elegant black boot resting gently on his manhood. The third young man that was in the middle had a very drunk and very angry nobleman staring at him. Two words were said and those words were understood by all in the tavern.
...get out...
Stepping away from the three men Alistair returned his weapon to its sheaf and looked down at the man on the floor. His jaw was broken and his throat had been cut open from the tankard. He would live but it was Alistair's reflection in the blood stained tankard that gave him pause. For in it he saw how low he had come. The anger on his face. The stains on his clothing from his drinking. The dark circles under his eyes. He barely recognized himself. He returned to his table as the tavern slowly return to normal. A now full tankard sat there untouched the rest of the evening as he stared at his reflection in alcoholic surface. Sometime later he woke up at the same table he was drinking at the night before. All the empty mugs were gone except for one. The silver tankard that had a slight dent in the side. Alistair took a look at the vessel and paid particular attention to the damage side of the mug. Turning it this way and that brought to his attention that there were words etched in the bottom.
Here's to Cayden! May he show us wisdom in the bottom of a glass.
Alistair had heard tales of Cayden but never paid much attention to them. He continued to drink but his drinking had become less angry like. That night brought a clarity to his mind. He started to learn more about drinking than just the blackouts. As time passed by and they continued to save the city...his name changed. He was becoming known as Mug. A simple name. A reminder of a dark time and a reminder of a time of healing.
Alistair comes back to the present and steps forward. In his hand is a flask with some Dwarven runes on it.
Afternoon good sir, care to join some new friends that are in need of your services?
The young nobleman holds up the flask.
Do you fancy yourself as a connoisseur of Dwarven spirts?
Getting closer, you can pick up from the yelling that the two young men tried to rob the older one while he was "sleeping". Alistair gets even closer and offer a flask to the Cinderlander. The man stops for a second and look at the flask then at the man offering it. While distracted, the two young one don't hesitate for a second and just run out of the scene. The Cinderlander walks to Alistair and reach for the flask. "Dwarven spirit? That would be a good breakfast after some exercises." Taking the flask, he takes a couple of gulps then pass the flask back at Alistair. "Not bad, not bad at all. I hope you have more of that while we talk business." He seems to have completely forgotten about the fight from a few seconds ago.
Alika just shrugs. She's not really sure how these kinds of boozy negotiations go, so she just rolls with it.
"Dwarven spirit? That would be a good breakfast after some exercises." Taking the flask, he takes a couple of gulps then pass the flask back at Alistair. "Not bad, not bad at all. I hope you have more of that while we talk business."
Alistair chuckles slightly.
I always leave home with too much.Alistair takes a sip as well before returning the flask to his pouch.
Perhaps you know a place close by that we can relax and enjoy...
He pats his pouch.
...this in a more comfortable environment? Maybe one where we can talk without interruption?
"Sure do! There is a place I discovered last night, just around the corner here. We should be able to talk and keep hydrated." He waves you to follow as he guide you to a low end tavern. Once inside, you find the place lacking in multiple rules of hygiene. The barkeep looks up as you enter. "Back for more Cinder? Pick a table, I'll bring the drinks." The Cinderlander walks to a table and sit down nodding at you to join in. "So, what exactly do you need of me?"
The elf will let the charming people do the talking.
Garran looks about the bar, making sure the chosen table has distance between themselves and any other patrons who might overhear them. "We need to contact the Skoan-Quah, and were told you were the person who could help us find them."
Leaning to speak quietly Kyras adds We hope you will serve as our guide.
"Skoan-Quah? Those are the lore keeper guys." He drinks from his pint and put it back down. "At least you are going after one of the less agressive tribe." He thinks for a moment. "We'll need supplies, lots of water, and horses." He takes a few more gulps of his drinks. "Now let's take about my fees. The Skoan-Quah are pretty secretive. It'll cost you four hundred gold for the trip there and back. Do we have a deal?"
"Skoan-Quah? Those are the lore keeper guys." He drinks from his pint and put it back down.
Alistair nods his head slowly.
yep...those guys.
"At least you are going after one of the less aggressive tribes." He thinks for a moment. "We'll need supplies, lots of water, and horses." He takes a few more gulps of his drinks. "Now let's take about my fees. The Skoan-Quah are pretty secretive. It'll cost you four hundred gold for the trip there and back. Do we have a deal?"
Four hundred...
Alistair rubs his chin for a bit as if thinking. He turns and looks to the others for a moment before giving an answer.I am fine with this fee. Anyone object?
The nobleman pauses for a moment before continuing.
As for horses...What terrain and climate are we looking at here? Some horses fair better in certain environments than others. I would hate to take the horses we have on a trip that they are ill suited for.
Sounds fair to me.
Garran frowns at the price, but Since Alistair and Seltyn seem okay with it, he simply nods in agreement. "We can gather the supplies, if you'll make us a list."
"You will need water, food, and canvas to create shade for you and your mounts. We are looking at hot and dry with rocky terrain. We will avoid the heart of the cinderland. That's the territory of the Sklar-Quah. Those will attack on sight. You have weapons, that is good, you will need them. To avoid the eat, we will leave tomorrow just before the sun rises. We will travel until midday, then we rest under the shade and travel again in the late afternoon until night fall." He finishes his pint and pour himself another.
Very well, then. I will prepare spells for that circumstance.
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"You will need water, food, and canvas to create shade for you and your mounts. We are looking at hot and dry with rocky terrain. We will avoid the heart of the cinderland. That's the territory of the Sklar-Quah. Those will attack on sight. You have weapons, that is good, you will need them. To avoid the eat, we will leave tomorrow just before the sun rises. We will travel until midday, then we rest under the shade and travel again in the late afternoon until night fall." He finishes his pint and pour himself another.
Very well. I will look into getting us some different horses for this part of the trip. We will do well to acquire a different breed than what we have now. A breed that is lean, compact, and light on their feet. On the shorter side...say fourteen to sixteen hands. Maybe some Keleshite, Akhal-Tekes, or Marwaris. I will look into it and see what we can trade for. These breed snort in the face of extreme heat and lack of vegetation. I will also stock up on some supplies, if anyone is in need of something specific now is the time to make that purchase.
Anything our guide says we will need Alistair. Hot weather clothing makes sense. Maybe even a wand of Endure Elements if one is to be had.
A excellent idea. Anyone wish to join me can. I will take care of this and hopefully be back at our place before too long.
I'll go with you. If there's a wand to be had, I'm familiar enough with them to know a real one. We'll need quite a bit of stuff. I can help you lead some horses, if nothing else.
You spend the rest of the day gathering the supplies and exchanging the horses. Gohorn helps you finding the best place to shop for what you need and when night fall, you spend another night in the luxurious inn. Come early morning, the halfling guide you one last time to the agreed upon meeting place with the Cinderlander.
The man's mood isn't really joyfull, but at least he looks somewhat sober. You ride out in the dark out of the city. After a few hours, the sun starts to weight on you. The Cinderlander calls for a stop and dismount. "Let's give our mounts a bit of a break, we'll walk for about half hours the remount. We have probably another two, two and a half hours before the sun gets too strong. Then we rest."
After the midday rest, you ride for long enough that looking back you can't see the city. Under the clear starry night, you camp on the dry ground. There isn't much trees, so making a fire isn't really an option. The night is quiet and while definitely not as comfortable as the inn, you still get some good rest. The next few days and pretty much the same thing but on the fourth day, while prepping the midday camp, the Cinderlander rushes to his horse and grab a wicked crossbow. "Arm yourself, something is nearby."
Seltyn casts Shield on himself.
Look alive. Here we go!
Garran stands, drawing his sword and scanning the distance, trying to find whatever is approaching.
Kyras thanks their guide before leaving the city, giving him a few extra coins. You are a fine guide and you made our stay here restful and efficient. You have my thanks. He offers to shade the lad's hand.
In camp Kyras spends up to an hour each evening setting up small vials and mixing powders and the like.
Cleaning up after a meal Kyras grabs and drinks from a silver vial as he looks about for danger, his keen eyesight from his elven side paying off.
Alistair's weapons appear in his hands rather quickly when he hears those words.