"An introduction would be nice." Helgar said, feeling somewhat overwhelmed from the lively conversations that were breaking out all around. This was all so far from being orderly. She went back to sipping the barleywine, as she thought to herself that it might be some time before such enjoyments could be had again.
The dwarf eyes the man suspiciously as he introduces himself. She considers his words and sees an opportunity and offers, ”Have a seat. A mage ye say do you be knowing any useful spells or is it rabbits and such with you too.”
"I have my secrets, to be sure. And a good selection of spells, as well. Both practical and militant, as the situation may call for...though I am most fond of conjurations. Though to be fair, few of them are as positive or boyant as your spellworkings with the weapons, earlier."
As he speaks, Raedlaf nods and slides a chair up to the table before sitting.
"An introduction would be nice." Helgar said, feeling somewhat overwhelmed from the lively conversations that were breaking out all around.
"Well, I am Rhaedlaf, as I said, and you would be...?
With the ask of how to brew the barleywine he lets out a good belly laugh; "Oh my dwarf friend, that is not possible. But you can drink it here as often as you find safety in Languard's ports."
Einar gives his whiskered face a scratch then takes a slow drink from his mug. “Bein in the business that I am in, I hear my good share of rumors. Some true, some not.” Lowering his voice to the table, Einar uses the other musicians to help prevent those not at the table from hearing him. “A year ago a merchant sent a ship to the southern waters of the Coral Sea. It’s a bit of a journey. Rumors of exotic goods and ancient items… but it never make it home to Languard.” Looking around as he takes another drink; “It seems the merchant is wanting to find her ship. God’s favor shines on you as the captain and first mate are in the private meeting room discussing a crew.”
Refilling his now empty mug, and doing the same for the others; “I know the captain, we have a history of exploration. He uses the Orc’s Head as a refuge and he knows I have a keen eye for skilled man… and dwarf alike.” Sitting back in his chair; “I know no more than that, but I can introduce you to him.”
”Oh! I meant the captain. Einar said, that is, ah...I be Helgar. It is, uhm...a pleasure. Aye.” Helgar stuttered, caught off guard by the magician. Unsure of whether to be polite to Rhaedlaf or to pursue Einar’s lead, she tried (and failed) to do both.
The mage grins and it is unclear whether he'd known what she'd meant before or not, but his manner is friendly and he gives her a nod all the same. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Helgar. Well met, indeed."
Rhaedlaf then turns to Einar, giving him an expectant look, saying, "Would you be so kind, sir, as to introduce these fine people, and myself of course, to your aforementioned captain friend?"
This mage may be a few hairs short of a beard, Arís thinks as she points out to Rhaedlaf, ”She be talking about being introduced to our potential benefactor. But ye be right introductions would be appropriate.” She goes around the table pointing with her chin as she introduces them, ”That hard as rock dwarf is Arn and the one without the beard you already been introduced to is Helgar. The two minstrels are Zalona and Nempura. I be Arís Ironeyes and of course this is good master Einar.”
”But back to business Rhaedlaf. You don’t be consorting with demons or using other black arts?
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The bearded wizard turns back toward the dour-faced dwarf and the smile leaves his face. His tone isn't rude, but it's no longer jovial when he speaks, "I bear no good will towards anyone who practices the dark arts, delves into the animation of the dead, nor with anyone who meddles in matters infernally arcane. I am a wizard of the conjuration school, madam, and I am good at my craft." A pause, and then a slight smirk, "Though I am absolutely horrible when it comes to enchanting things...unlike your talented friend there."
Helgar hid a blush behind her mug and muttered ”I’m nay there yet...” Despite her skills she did not feel comfortable claiming mastery. Then louder she said ”I’ll strive to live up to such praise.”
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”Alright ye can be staying,” the dwarf concedes to the mage. ”But besides eavesdropping do ye be having any other bad habits?
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”do ye be knowing any battle magic or is it just rabbits and such?”
Mostly rabbits, but it's actually useful sometimes as a distraction to have a rabbit hop by... distracts the guards... or monsters... for a moment so you can strike.
And, of course, if you need to reach a tall shelf where the treasure is, I would be useful there as well. It's honestly hard to find an end to my talents.
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”Plus they probably be good for eating too, rabbits that is not guards or monsters. She shrugs and reluctantly admits, ”Reaching stuff could be handy.”
From across the table, Einar begins to chuckle to himself; "Three dwarfs, two humans, and an elf walk into a bar..." clearly tickled by his own thoughts; "There's a joke in there somewhere I am sure." Using what remains in the mini keg to fill the glasses around the table. "Rhaedlaf you say? I had a good friend that was a mage type. We kept each other alive many-a-time. His spells when my axe could not reach, and my axe when they came too near for his spells. He was more of a woodsman, one with nature and all that stuff." lost in his own memories; "Ended up going to the Forest of Gray Spires last we talked... near 15 years ago."
"Bah, you aren't interested in me reliving my glory days. I can set you up with the captain at first light if you'd like to get a good nights rest. Especially for you two ladies." nodding towards the musicians. "You two put in quite the show, your meals and a private two bed room is on me this evening."
Inside you find
Tossing a pouch between Nempura & Zalona that lands with the distinctive clink of coins; "That's for you two. If you decide to no go with the captain there is a room, meals, and more coin than that if you continue to keep the people as happy as you did on this evening."
Pushing himself up from the table; "Anything else? If not, Aila can help you with more ale or wine. She can also help you other four with rooms." He stands there for a moment longer, unless anyone ask more of Einar he will see himself off to work behind the bar.
Zalona walks over to the bar to thank Einar for always being so kind to her, and says she might be back after joining the adventurers for a while.
Then she returns and says
Well, I'm off to bed if we're meeting with the captain at first light. Looking forward to it. This seems like a good crew.
She smiles at all of them, and then goes upstairs to sleep.
Arís gives a short wave in farewell to the elf. The dwarf looks around the taproom as she contemplates leaving, Slim pickings, I guess I not be needing one of those love poems tonight. She makes her way to the bar and pays for a room. She considers ordering a bath but decides, it can wait another week.
The dwarf bows to her companions as she takes her leave, ”May ye axe always be sharp. I be seeing ye all on the morrow.
While the others speak of various acts of preference, she soaks in all of this information, especially the old tale of Einar.
"Nonsense! I love all manner of stories. I am going to pick your brain later. I want to know your friend's name at the very least, and much much more about this warrior past..." she gives him threatening eyes, as though he has kept this secret from her unjustly and had better relinquish it. It is all in good fun though as next, he gives her her money. Now it is nothing compared to what she would earn adventuring, but she plans to make use of her private room tonight.
She laughs a bit as she is complimented and bows. "I'm sure we may come and take you up on your offer of employment in between adventures. Just let the staff know! I once got on stage to do my set and a barmaid thought I was trying to steal the instruments. I ended up getting kicked out by the bouncer. When they realized their mistake, it was too late. I was gone." She shrugs, "Anyways, it seems like we made an impression here. It shouldn't be a problem. It seems like there are a lot of ships coming in tonight. I'll keep working for a bit or chat up your customers to make them feel at home." "Free of charge of course. That's more for my own pleasure and learning,"
"It sounds like many of you are heading to bed already. You must have had a rough day. Perhaps of traveling? Although we are strangers still, you all seem quite interesting. Goodnight to you who are leaving. Those who aren't, feel free and stay while I eat."
When the redhead brings her food, she almost lounges on her seat and picks at it. She will continue to talk to people late into the night, but not so late as to get no sleep. Her own hedonistic desires fulfilled, she crashes and yet will be rousable in the morning.
Arís awoke in a foul mood the next morning, having spent most of the night being serenaded by the riotous snoring of her bunkmates. Awake, and with nothing else left to do, the dwarf makes off to find a bath, Goblin nuggets!! Blast that sodding bard for getting it into me skull about bathing. Elf farts indeed!
It is a little before dawn, and inside the bathhouse of the inn, Aris soaks in a stout wooden tub, relaxing, the warm water soothing the knots in her back. A successful night all in all. I be having to keep me on a couple of them though, she reflects as she begins to nod off, her mind wandering, drifting back on the events of the previous evening.
Roused from her reminiscing by the cooling water Arís begins scrubbing her weary feet as she berates herself and mutters, ”That would have been a great ending to ye story; drowned in a bathtub. Ye Shale brained, wine loving, tunnel worm.” Over the next several minutes Arís continues to curse and fuss while she finishes her ablutions and gets out of the cooling tub. She stands there naked for a few seconds and lets the water runoff her thick well-muscled body onto the cold stone floor before she grabs a towel to dry herself off with.
The clean and fresh dwarf gathers her gear and her makes way to the common room to meet her companions and in hope that adventure lies ahead.
In disgusting display for some, the human bard is wide awake, dressed with a bow on her back, and already laughing delightfully as she tells a humorous story to some old men who are eating breakfast. Listening in, it is a tale about how Martin Speldman, an old coot, lost his leg. The story mainly is about the revenge levels of those who are old and crotchety of age and how they are much more persistent than those of a much younger age.
It turns out, the elderly Martin attempted to kill a giant crab and stabbed it near its eye, but the crab attacked back and took his leg. Reeling in pain, the elder lost the will to fight and the crab left victorious, but the story continues about how day and night Martin would hobble on pegleg down to the beach to find this crab for revenge. It turns out that while most of those of younger age mocked him for wasting his time, one day, some 10 years later, he came back to town with a giant crab leg hollowed and resting over the wooden peg of his missing leg. It seems he had his revenge! Although a true story, the youthful bard embellishes some details to put the elder man in a more righteous light than the true tale.
There is no sleep in Nempura's eyes. It seems she has been awake for a while and sips on some tea with a smell of honey and licorice root. In front of her on a plate are a couple of mango seeds and a few remnants of nutshell. This morning, she appears much as she did the night before, but seems much more readily equipped for adventure. At her sides are nice leather pouches on an adventurer's sash and at her back, a brilliant darkwood bow. It rests on a hook provided by a small backpack that is more cute than bulky and functional. On the table before her, is a large tome that has been read, but now likely abandoned for the sake of conversation. With Aris coming down, she flashes the dwarf a smile and a nod, with a welcoming gesture to join her at a new table.
"Thank you for the tales and for answering my questions. You truly are the best of people," she laughs with pure delight as if it were probably an inside joke. The old men chuckle as well and bid her farewell. She gathers her things and moves to a larger table in the hopes of meeting her other "companions" to eventually go bother this Captain when he comes in.
"Good morning!" she volunteers, despite the darkness of outside still.
Arís nods her head in greeting to Nempura, ”Ye be half right it be morning.” As she sits down at the table the dwarf can’t help herself and sniffs the air trying to catch Nempura’s scent. Some kind of nutty smell, Arís concludes.
She looks around the common room, lips puckered in distaste, asking,”Have ye be seeing hide or hair of our compatriots?”
"Hah," she laughs once more, uncertain or uncaring if the dwarf was being humorous or not. She found it funny, and that is what is important.
"Maybe?" she answers. "I started this morning about an hour and a half ago. I typically will have some tea and read a bit. It's possible one of them snuck out from the rooms then and I didn't see them. I haven't really left this area since Burgin and Yamis came in. Funny old coots. Fishermen from the northside of town. They come here for coffee in the mornings every day it seems."
She eyes the dwarf and her wettened hair and cleaner skin now, "I can see she took a bath. Hmm." Although Nempura didn't take a full-on bath because she just had the night previous, she did have a bit of a soak before bed and washed the sweat from her body. In doing so, she found herself refreshed. The dwarven rogue will find the scents she searches for of almond and oat renewed and fresher than before, but not so much any sign of the shea butter. The scent of cinnamon on Nempura's breath is even refreshed.
The elegant bard deposits her now read book into her satchel on her hip before asking the dwarf a question.
"How familiar are you with shipping vessels and the ocean?"
”I be liking to keep both feet planted on solid earth and not be knowing much about such things,” the dwarf sourly concedes.
"Most dwarves I've met would say the very same. I just thought it was strange because one tale I heard of was of a dwarven captain. I thought, not impossible, but I rarely see dwarves take an interest in the sea. I wonder what led him to that path in life? So...what do you do for work?"
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In the morning bright and early Arn is back at the table where everyone had left him the night before and it is unclear to everyone if he woke up really early or had just slept at the table all night.
Seeing Arís and Nempura Arn slips out of his seat and approaches, "mornin' lassies how'd ye sleep? I conked out at..." Arn's voice trails off then he narrows his eyes looking at Arís and steps closer to her, "Not to alarm ye, but ya smell like a elf!
With a shrug the dwarf replied to the bard, “Every dwarf must be digging his own tunnel. But that one do not be sounding like he be the sharpest axe in the armory.” She is about to continue when Arn approaches and comments about her smell.
The tip of the dwarves ears turn red while she tugs at one of her thick braids. Lips pursed and brow wrinkled Aris retorted, ”I just be having a bath is all.” She looks pointedly at Arn while she makes a dramatic wrinkle of her nose and with a loud snuffle, ”Nothing be wrong with that…. some men would be appreciating being around someone who didn’t smell like a goblin’s loincloth.”
She continues to glower at the dwarf, a poem that be what he needing. Preferably one I can be smacking him upside his granite thick skull with. She mutters a little more shamefaced, ”plus I be waking up early and there be no ale to be found and I needed something to do….”
"You may be right," she shrugs, "I've not often met a captain who wasn't a little off his rocker. I think that's what gives them that extra bit of charisma though...something that men and women rally to on a ship."
Arn slips down and whispers into Aris' ear. Nempura found it strange that someone would be criticized for having a bath, not that she heard his whispers. It was only by Aris' response she understood what he whispered, but at that point she didn't understand why he would scold her, especially when a bath is readily available. She watches with amusement at the reddened nervousness of Aris. She was about to take a sip into her cup when the dwarf comments about smelling like a goblin's loincloth. She regurgitates her liquid back into her cup unceremoniously and covers her mouth with a flurry of small coughs.
"Dammit...don't do that to me! Oh gosh that was hilarious!" "I guess we could ask why you didn't take one! But now that you've asked, I slept well. I was up earlier, but not so early as to not get enough sleep. The bed was comfortable and I too had a nice soak last night." She looks over the dwarven woman as if she was supporting her, whether she wanted the aid or not.
"You two should get some breakfast before the captain arrives. He may put us to work directly to test our mettle." She twangs her bowstring to symbolize potential combat ahead of them. Nempura also notices that Aris hadn't answered her about her occupation. She seems to be waiting patiently.
Agitated by all this talk about her bathing habits Aris looks for any excuse to change the subject, ”Breakfast be sounding good.” Hurriedly she addresses the bard, ”To be answering ye question from before we be interrupted….Ye could say I be a bit o’ an expert treasure hunter and finder of lost items.”
Understanding the flow of conversation better than some, she picks up on the desire of the dwarf. "An expert hmm? I imagine we will need your expertise in our coming trials, even if it is on a ship, which I personally hope it is not," she sighs, thinking and touching her lips with a single finger. She then leaps into another question, "Have you ever heard of any relics in your work that were forged for music at one time? A ceremonial harp, a king-owned dwarven flute, a lute said to charm dragons?"
Helgar came downstairs, and seeing Nempura, Aris and Arn already sitting and waiting she had to wonder if she was late. The dwarf hurried down the last few steps before catching herself. Aris had just mentioned that breakfast would be good. Logically speaking she couldn't have been too late if nobody had eaten yet. Setting her backpack down, she said "I'll go get us some breakfast then." And hurried off, leaving Aris to tell whatever tale she had.
Zalona comes down the stairs in time to overhear the crack about Aris smelling like an elf, but says nothing. Dwarves would be dwarves, after all. Standing there on the stairs, she casts prestidigitation to clean any non-elf smell off of herself, and then continues.
Her eyes flash with envy for a moment when she sees Nempura's darkwood bow, and she starts plotting how to steal it, but then shakes her head. She wasn't that person anymore. She'd earn a nice bow... or, hmm... loot one from a corpse perhaps, as long as it wasn't someone she shouldn't have killed, that was still okay, right?
She gets some breakfast (on the house because of her performance the night before), and sits down with the others, just listening for now, and trying not to look at the bow that was much nicer than hers.
The evening continues with music and dancing as the troop of bards continue well into the night. As with any late night in a tavern, and with the continuation of ale being drank, things turn sour when two intoxicated men begin to fight over a dance partner… who inevitably moves onto a third. The two take the fight outside and don’t return.
Eventually everyone finds the comfort of a soft pillow and bed comforting as sleep washes over you.
This next morning you find a different crew working the slower moving room of patrons. Einar is out of sight; you might be second guessing his ‘first light.’
You all are able to get a warm breakfast, which is a welcoming contrast to last night’s cold sausage with hard bread and cheese.
Suddenly you hear laughter from behind a closed along the west wall of Orc’s Head Tavern. The door slowly opens to reveal a laughing Einar; “Knut, you sea wolf! She didn’t choose you for your looks, you had the only ship out of the wreckage.”
He turns to stand in the door way looking over those who have awaken and started in on breakfast. “Looks like some of the recruits are up. Get on in here.” Einar says as he waves in the group of you.
As the group of you enter into this room, you notice a large table takes up most of this room. On the wall opposite the wall, you see a large fireplace with a fire taking off the chill in the air. You see two humans sitting over empty plates with a mug of ale in hand. Einar starts in; “Knut, these are the ones I was telling you about… well come of them.” Moving to stand between the two, Einar places a hand on the shoulder of the first; “This greying man is Captain Knut Untamo, don’t let the grey mislead you. He’s one that I would take any time I would hit the seas.” Putting his other hand on the back of the occupied chair next to the captain; “And this beauty is his first mate, Eevi Lotta.” She nods and raises a mug to the group of you.
Knut cuts on; “Come in, sit down, it seems we have a lot to talk about. My old friend tells me that you look to be a capable bunch” pointing to the visible armor and weapons; “but I need more than capable. We are going to retrieve the lost ship, the Sea Sprite, whose crew seems to have disappeared at the foothills of ‘The Mottled Spire’ and the mouth Gloamhold. So tell me… what can you do to make sure we don’t end up like the crew of the Sea Sprite?”
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Aris sits in silence for a moment and shrugs, ”as for harps and such, I be at a loss.”
When Einar appears and invites the party into the private room Aris quickly lapped up her porridge literally licking the bowl clean like a hungry dog. She grabbed her breakfast beer an followed him in and carefully listened to their potential employer. Upon hearing the word Glaomhold she thinks, Some stones be better left unturned.
However, her inborn dwarven stubbornness prevailed, she thought, What do we be doing? Can’t he be seeing he has three of the stout folk standing before him? Aris places both of her hands on her hips and offered, ”I can’t be speaking for the rest but for me self I be thinking I can be of service with scouting and with traps and locks and such. I be enthusiastic and hardworking, not that you could tell by the way I be smelling and all…” She clears her throat and continues, ”I be also a fair bit handy with me hammer.” The dwarf smugly taps the hammer’s handle, ”I be finding there aren’t many problems that can’t be solved with a good hammer.I wonder if I should be telling him about Zalona’s ability to reach things up high. Nah I be letting the lass speak to it herself if’n she be thinking it be that important.
As she waits for her companions to respond she thinks impatiently, Conversation gathers few gems.
I'm a fair hand with a bow, and know a little bit of everything, so might be able to help in untold ways. On a ship, I'd probably make a good lookout. Can't swim well, but I can do a little bit of magical healing.
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Helgar opened her mouth and almost said that she was a smith. But she stopped, remembering that she was talking to a human, and they did not know the true importance of the craft. So she considered saying that she was of the Runetamer Clan. But that wouldn’t do, as he would either think too highly of her abilities based on her name or he would think nothing at all. So finally she settled on ”I be a Cleric of Abarin. He has seen fit to allow me to work some of his miracles.”
Nempura is invited into the room. She carries her teacup inside and unhooks her bow.
"Captain. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And you as well, Eevi." She will bow her head to the first mate too. "Captains are known to be either of the civil kind, seen at balls and society, or of the wild kind. I wonder what he is?"
She picks her brain concerning the Captain, his ship, and their eventual destination while the others introduce the captain to their abilities.
"trap? Nah"
"As for my skills, I mock the hell out of anyone who would stand against me," she answers confidently and shows them her skill. "And if that's not enough, I will pierce them with 'Needle' through and through..." With that, she takes her bow, and with a series of flips and spins of it about her body, she shows her deadly prowess with it ending with a drawn bow minus an arrow. Despite the lacking presence of an arrow, there is an intimidating look within her eyes that shows that she very well could have one aimed if she wished.
With that finished, she calms down. Nempura unslings her bag, and with a bit of a flop, she sits at the table near the fireplace. There, she crosses one of her legs over the other and the bard slightly lounges to one side of her chair. Now, she patiently observes; in particular, the details on the captain (weapons, items, concealed items).
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Arn listens to the ladies introductions and stifles a chuckle when Aris mentions how she smells. Clearing his throat when it comes his turn, "Thank ye fer da consideration. Ta be 'onest I'm not much of a sailor or overly found of boats but iffin' dere is adventure ta be had an people ta 'elp I'm 'appy ta be o' service, I gots a keen eye, a sharp axe, an a sturdy shield."
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The captain and his first mate study the group as they make their case of how useful they can be in aiding them. Pointing to Aris; “Not too sure about traps, but locks will be a must. What we are looking for would have been locked away from the hands of the hired crew and anyone that would have easily come across it since.”
Pointing between Zalon and Helgar; “Healing, and other magics, is always need on a ship. The sea is an unforgiving mistress and when her temper flairs no one is safe when she throws the ship.” Looking towards the elf; “But you, my elven friend, we would make good use of someone like you in the crows nest. Your kinds eyes are sharp to see, even in the moonlight.” Eevi chimes in after that; “But we’ll make sure to tie you off to the mast or railing for you not to go over.”
The captain smiles at that comment; “If you ain’t a good swimmer, we can put you to work down below while we sale to the site that the Sea Sprite was spotted.”
With a flourish of her bow, Nempura leaves a visual impression on the Captain’s face; “Well, if we get stranded at sea, with moves like that you’ll easily scare off the worst of the crews dirty paws from coming after a romp on the deck. Eevi’s only warning leaves them with one less finger and a few fishing fighting over a bite to eat.”
With that comment Eevi speaks up; “Don’t leave me in such a bad light, Cap.” she says with a playful bank hand slap to his arm. “I think a few of you left out the most important tool in their toolbox. Some of you are entertainers? I love the sea and all she brings, never a dull moment, but some music while we drift at night would always be welcomed.” Eevi says as she scans the table trying to figure out who the musicians are.
You know of the area that you will be heading. Then again anyone who has sailed in or out of the Hard Bay knows that Languard and Gloamhold flank the inlet into the bay.
Due to the dangerous nature of Gloamhold, many of the safe places to make berth on the coast are notorious hideouts for bandits and smuggles to take advantage of crews trying to find safety from the often dangerous waters of the Hard Bay’s storms.
You also have heard of this ship before. There are rumors about from tavern to tavern of what had happened to the Sea Sprite. It has been missing for a year now. The owner of the ship, Vilutar Pakkanen, is a wealthy merchant that deals in high end goods. Rare, and exotic items.
In a port town many ships, and captains alike, come through the docks. You haven’t heard of this one before, but that doesn’t mean anything.
The captain nods; “It would be welcomed. And you my dwarven friend. You eyes, axe, and shield are welcomed on the ship. We will put them to use when make shore.”
Einar moves to the door and looks out it; “There is one more coming. Must have closed the tavern down last night. I’ll go about sending someone to his room.” He makes his leave from the room and pulls the door closed behind him.
The Captain stands up and picks up a bag from the floor and places it on the table landing with a heavy thud. “The Lady Pakkanen is the owner of the Sea Sprite, and is hiring a crew to board, search, and retrieve a few items from her ship. The rest of the items, well we can just consider them lost at sea…” There is a hint of ‘whatever happens to them, happens’ in that statement. “I have hired a crew to sail, all I need now is a small band to go aboard, collect the items, and possibly discover what happened to the ship along the way.”
Placing his hand on the bag; “Any questions?”
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As the briefing continues Aris wonders where Rhaedlaf has gotten to. Not that she is sorry for the shorter meeting, "It be easier to be changing the course of river then to be getting that man to be brief."
Aris smiles brightly upon hearing the thud of the bag as it landed on the table. Squinting at the bag the dwarf asks, ”How much coin we be getting for this recovery mission. By the sound the bag be making it be hard to tell.” She shakes her head, ”Not every stone be a gem.”
When entertainment is mentioned, Zalona grins, glad that she will be welcomed for more than just her elven eyes.
She also notes to herself that she should learn to improve her swimming skill while on this trip. Perhaps some of the crew would show her how to be a stronger swimmer.
She grins even wider at the "lost at sea" phrase. Mmm. Her kind of people. A little bit of honest salvage.
She didn't have any questions of her own, but was interested to hear what the answer to Aris's question was. I mean, whatever the answer, she was still in, but earning more than simple bard fare would be nice for a change.
"I'm not worried about your crew," she thinks confidently. Eevi speaks up and she wonders if the two of them are in a relationship at their banter.
"I'd be pleased to work for you. I can't wait to go finally learn what happened to the ship itself. I've heard many rumors of rare and exotic things aboard, but after a year...I don't know. We'll see what has survived."
She looks to the large bag as part of their payment. Who knows if it will be anything much after splitting it so many ways? She finishes her lovely tea finally and then asks:
"I have a few questions. First, why not use your own crew and keep the money yourself?" "Probably because he knows there are bandits in the area.""Secondly, from the time we leave until we arrive, what is the length of time that you expect we will be at sea?" With an intake of breath, she asks her next, "Then, I would like to know, where did you pick up your first mate?" she continues, "And finally, aboard your ship, are we crew or hired mercenaries? The difference being, are we under your orders or free agents?"
Arn raises a single eyebrow in Nempura's direction, a shrewd negotiator, he thinks nodding along. "Fine questions, fine questions indeed," Arn says shifting his gaze to the captain waiting on his response.
With Aris question, the captain begins to work on opening the leather bag. “Straight to the point, my kind of girl.” He begins to push the bag down to reveal a small chest within. “Lady Pakkanen, is willing to pay handsomely for this job.” he pulls out small leather pouches and tosses one in front of each of you. All of them land with a familiar clink of coins. The one that lands in front of Zalona opens slightly and a small handful of Ashar gold crowns spill out, all of which look as if they have never touched a hand before.
“You will each get 50 crowns now, and upon arrival back with the items the Lady is looking for, you will receive 50 more crowns. If you make it back…” You know that the region around Gloamhold is dangerous, so there is a real possibility that you may not come back. Looking to Aris; “I believe that every one of those stones ‘be a gem.’” he says with a smile.
Sitting back down, Captain Knut takes a drink of his ale. His first mate, Eevi Lotta, answers Nempura; “The crew of the ship is just that, trained sailors. There’s no way to tell what happened to the Sea Sprite. Who or what we might run into will not be the charge of a team of sailors. Then again, could be nothing and it is quick easy coin for the lot of you.”
“Eevi’s right” Knut speaks up; “It might be the Lady is overpaying, but what she wants is clearly worth the cost. Fortunately for you who don’t have your sea legs, we won’t be going out to sea much. Just across the bay. Should be no longer than a few hours if the winds at our back.” The captain unrolls a map pointing out the travel route from Languard to the wreckage site. “Not far at all.”
Taking a drink of his ale, he coughs and begins to laugh at Nempura’s third question. Eevi takes offense and stands up as she answers, hand on a hilt; “No one picked me up, I earned my spot on that ship.” pulling she short sword free; “I became first mate when I stopped a would be pirate from stealing our ship. The last thing he saw was the tip of my blade poking free from his stomach and felt my hilt against his back.” slamming the blade into her scabbard. “I’m no port whore that straddled a captain and rode his mast to the top.” You get the sense that there is more to that story…
Wiping the ale from his face, Knut answers Nempura’s final question as he rolls up the map; “The crew is mine to order, on or off the ship. You are hired mercenaries. Free agents to do what you will to accomplish the task, but on my ship you follow my orders.” He looks at the group of you.
“We have a deal?” pausing for any more questions “If we have a deal pocket your coin and meet us at the docks in an hour. Ask the dock master where the ‘Valerr’ is and we’ll load up and set sale.”
Deal says Zalona quickly as she gathers up her coin and heads up to her room to pack.
Once she had everything together, she went to the market to pick up a few things. She got a couple of waterproof bags, which seemed like a prudent thing in case she did end up in the water at some point, and she also got writing supplies, which she had recently run out of. Well, okay, she corrected herself... she had actually burned her last few journals, not run out of paper.
Hopefully this new one would tell the story of her redemption rather than her fall. There had to be something heroic out there that she could do... something that would balance the scales. She just had to find it.
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Helgar gently reached down and picked up a coin. Her eyes went slightly wide as she felt it’s weight in her hand. ”Deal.” She said, softly, the thrill of what was happening coursing through her.
"50 now is good. They must really want this done. Wow...it would take me weeks to earn just that. I'm in. I may die, but wow wow wow." There is a pleasurable look on her face as she grabs her coins and slides them closer. "Think of how many nights out this can fund. Months! We must have made an impression on Einar. This wouldn't land in the laps of just anyone."
As Eevi stands up, hand on her hilt, Nempura doesn't flinch much. Her hand does move to her forearm in readiness. Perhaps there is a weapon hidden there? As Eevi draws her blade and the conversation gets a bit more heated, it is only the captain's laughter that ensures things will be alright. Nempura decides it is better to be patient in her actions and calm in her following words. As the blade is put away she responds.
"Easy...," she speaks softly but with a hint of command in her voice as if there is something Eevi doesn't understand. "Although a hilarious misunderstanding to, evidently not just me..." she looks briefly to the captain,...I don't want to get off on the wrong foot." She then breaks in pause to explain a thought. "Although, it is a fine example of how words can inspire or tear down. That is my specialty..." She then continues, "...however, more accurately, I was requesting to know what port of location he found you in, as in, are you a local or from some far-off place?" She gestures vaguely. "I wouldn't assume someone rising to be a first mate would have done anything short of earning it, let alone you getting on the boat, although...you are pretty, I'm sure it didn't hurt," she can't help but grin.
She pockets her coin and then stands. "I'll only join if you and I can clash mugs instead of blades," she will speak, staring directly at the first mate. She offers her hand and forearm in friendship.
”Deal” the dwarf affirms a she hurriedly snatches up the purse and tucked in her belt.
Arn secures the pouch next to his other coin pouch not bothering to check or count the coin entrusting that it was all there. He gives a nod to the captain, then looks to the ladies, "I 'ope Rhaedlaf be alright. Drinkin' wit humans always be risky business."
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Quiet during the entire encounter, having entered silently after they'd begin and then simply nodding and perhaps brooding as the conversation drew on, Raedlaf purses his lips and arches a bushy eyebrow, "Done. A question, however: Have you access to potions that would allow one to breathe under water, or might you know where we could find draughts like this?"
A small pause and a glance around the table at his newfound business partners and the mage shrugs, "I like to be prepared for possible...especially probable...contingencies.
As the question comes up about water breathing potions, Captain Knut thinks for a moment; “There is a market in the High City, they hold the finer things of life. Or, you could take the days trip up the coast to the Black Tower, mages gather there… but we need to leave before that.” As he was packing up the chest, the captain pulls one more pouch free and tosses it in front of Rhaedlaf.
The Black Tower is home to the ‘Sagacious Master of the Eldritch Nexus.’ They don’t accept just any into this mage’s guild, there is a rigorous test that must be passed before gaining membership. But, once a member, you have access to the greatest teachers and lore keepers Ashlar has to offer.
Once Knut has his back tied back up and across his shoulder, he gives the party a nod; “One hour a the docks. Ship is the ‘Valerr.’ We won’t delay any longer than that.”
Captain Knut and his first mate Eevi finish their ale and take their leave. A few moments pass and Einar pops his head into the room; “I couldn’t find Rhae…. Oh there you are Rhaedlaf, must have slipped past me. Since your all hear, I will have apples and dried meats before you leave.”
Before the group leaves to prepare for their mission or meet up at the docks, they all receive a travelers breakfast.
Zalona picked up a few things at the market with her newfound wealth, but saved most of it, wanting to save up enough to buy something more substantial.
After packing and shopping, she went directly to the dock, asking after the Valerr, not wanting to risk missing the boat.
Helgar had little to do before making her way to the docks. She checked her pack, and being unable to decide on what else she would need, she instead spent the time adjusting her backpack so as to make the weight distribution ideal, and ensuring that what items she did have were in proper working order.
With the two of the ladies at peace, and with her joining, she nods to the demand of the captain and watches them leave.
"An air bladder will serve just fine for me," she points out to Rhaedlaf, "And is much cheaper."
In the delight of her funds, she will quickly rush to the door when Einar pops his head in. The ecstatic bard will give him a kiss on the cheek.
"You beautiful man. Apples only for me!" she sings happily after her swift kiss and will move back out into the main room with him. When her snack is finished, she will leave behind some of her more bulky, long-term traveling gear and will head out to a bank.
"First time I've needed to open an account since coming here. Hopefully, I can grow this into a sizeable amount. Think...at least 50 more! At least!"
Nempura will deposit most of her funds, but will save enough gold and silver to purchase a trip back to the port should they be abandoned by the captain. Perhaps she could flag a passing ship down? As the time draws near, she will stop by a general store and pick up an air bladder and then will head to the ship.
"Ahoy there. Coming aboard!" she calls out as she climbs the plank. This way, the crew won't be so shocked as to see the newcomer. She will have her bow drawn and will perform a minor flourish with it to ensure any crew who were initially thinking of laying hands on her would think twice.
Aris, not one to pass up food, greedily consumes the traveler’s breakfast. She orders an ale to with it. As she gulped it dow she thinks, Never turn down an ale, who knows if it may be your last.
When the dwarf arrived at the ship she cautiously negotiated the gangplank and breathed a sigh of relief while she grumpily muttered, ”I be missing solid ground already.”