Catalina chuckles in response to Oren's earnest response to their teasing and claps him on the shoulder affectionately before moving over to Nketiah. "What do you think so far? I've never been to this area."
As the group heads upstairs, you all hear sounds of activity in the courtyard. At the top of the stairs there is a newly constructed arch. It has a gate that can be closed over the arch, but it is currently open. The courtyard looks like a construction storage yard, with piles of lumber, stone, and other building supplies. Alak stands across the courtyard in consultation with Warbal, pointing up to the battlements in apparent discussion of some detail. Alak has traded in his armor for a long black coat. Warbal is sharply (if quirkily) dressed as usual, wearing a floppy (apparently new) hat.
You also see six goblins who appear to be practicing with their shortbows and receiving pointers from a large female hobgoblin, who is clearly struggling to keep them on task. Lisi recognizes her as someone who occasionally worked for Narine's logging operation. Lisi recalls that the hobgoblin is named Umrot, but he hasn't seen her around for awhile.
As your group arrives at the arch, everyone in the courtyard turns and looks your way, hearing Yasami's yelling. They all have shocked expressions on their faces, seeing the arrival of your motley crew.
"I'm not sure what to think about this place yet, but I'm very moved to be in the presence of such an ancient elven masterwork. I do hope we will be well-received by the inhabitants..."
"Alak! Warbal! Er...Umrot!" Lisitsei waves.
"We've made it back through a portal...all the way to the Mwangi Expanse."
He gives them a big smile, which fades slightly. "Not everyone made it. Perhaps we can confer and compare notes as to what has transpired there and here."
"Hello, everyone!" Yasami waves at the countyard as she moves towards Alak and Warbal. "Nice to see you again. I see you're putting the work in. Good job, but we'll get to that. We need to take care of Dario first. Our expedition didn't go so well. I will need to talk to Valaskin about that." she points her gaze to the ground in shame as she speaks Dario's name. "Cevendyll is missing, captured and potentially killed. Joran... Did he move through? We kind of lost him, but he was fine the last time I saw him."
She perks up, and looks at Catalina, Nketiah, and the Thornscales. She beckons for them to approach. "Everyone, this is Catalina, a historian, folklore enthusiast, and a pretty good shot. We'd probably all be goners without her."
"And this is Nketiah. A mystic, and a representative of the Ekujae people. Since we have a gate to their territories, they were interested in our home. Potential allies and whatnot, so be on your best behaviour."
"The kobolds are the Thornscale tribe. They had it bad, and we brought them here so they can find a better life. Probably with us. Hezle, their leader," she points to her "is an alchemist and seems like a smart one. They will be helpful, I believe."
She turns to the newcomers. "Everyone, welcome to Altaerein. This is Alak Stagram, an armiger knight. Also, technically the closest thing to an owner of this here citadel. He's letting us use it. And this is Warbal Bumblebrasher, the local goblin representative in Breachill.'
She pauses and looks at the newcomers again. "Eh, Breachill is a town nearby. We'll head over there soon, I hope."
She turns back to Alak. "Can we find them a few spare beds here, or should we go find some place in town?" she scans Alak up and down, and walks around the man. "Love the coat.", she smiles.
Caiten stands around a bit awkwardly while everyone begins meeting together. He is hoping that this will go well, and is constantly watching to see if something is going to go wrong.
Not that he has any idea of what to do if something does start going wrong and arguing or even fighting breaks out. But he is watching nervously for it to start.
Everyone in the courtyard continues to be stunned as the information floods forth and they try to take in the size and composition of the group.
Umrot tentatively raises her hand in acknowledgement of Lisi, clearly bewildered even more than the others. She looks towards Alak, who nods at her, apparently re-assuringly. She then looks towards the goblins and issues a short severe command in goblin, and they put the shortbows on the ground.
Hearing all the commotion, the Bumblebrasher Chieftan Helba emerges into the courtyard with several other goblins. At seeing the new arrivals, one of the goblins, shocked, drops a ceramic jug she was carrying, and it smashes on the ground. Caiten can tell that the Bumblebrashers are, in particular, eyeing the kobolds with suspicion.
For their part the kobolds cower behind Renali, who maintains her protective posture. The only exception is Hezle, who steps forward and holds out her empty hands, palm up, in what you have come to recognize is a gesture of greeting and submission. "We Thornscales are grateful to meet you and for any shelter you can provide. We will seek to be useful in any way we can."
Warbal gives the group a big smile and says, "Oh we are so happy to see you returned safely... at least most of you..." -- as she says the last part her expression becomes more serious. As she hears the urn smash and she looks over at Helba, something else crosses over her face and she moves over to quietly confer with her Chieftan.
Alak steps forward to the center of the courtyard and stands tall and holds his arms up and wide open, "Greetings to all of you. Obviously there is much to be told and many details to be sorted out, but it pleases us to see our friends returned and the friends of our friends are welcome at Citadel Altaerein."
He winks in response to Yasami's comment about the coat, "I tried wearing the armor for awhile, but it just wasn't very practical or needed for the role I now find myself in: running construction, managing Citadel finances, and trying to keep everyone and everything in harmony. On the last count, I'm grateful for Warbal's help, and I also recruited Umrot when she came back to town. More about all that later." The last couple sentences he says a bit more quietly.
Alak's brow furrows as he contemplates Yasami's more troubling news. "I'm dismayed to hear that so many of you have not returned safe. I will send a message to Morta Valaskin to let her know that she should expect your visit. I will want to hear all the details about what happened to Dario and Cev. We have not heard anything from Joran since you left, so that is also concerning."
"It is impressive. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to explore. I think we will be well-received. If our group likes us, that makes a difference!"
Catalina steps forward at Yasami's introduction, the tall Aasimar smiling shyly and offering a little wave to the gathered folks. "Nice to meet you," She says, a customary reply to a formal introduction. She moves off to the side after introductions and stands near Caiten and Sulee, feeling about as awkward as the witch does.
As Catalina steps forward and everyone can get a better view, she can tell everyone in the courtyard is pretty impressed with her unusual and striking appearance.
As everyone is getting their bearings, Alak declares, "Helba, could you please see that our new arrivals get something to eat, and then, Umrot, could you please give our guests a little tour and then take the Thornscales down to meet Pib and Zarf? I'm sure our resident kobolds will be interested to meet the new arrivals. And ask Pib and Zarf to make some space for them. They may complain, but they've got plenty of space down there and don't need to spread themselves out over 5 rooms. But please find rooms for Nketiah and Renali up here."
Umrot readily nods and seems perhaps a little pleased at the idea of getting to boss Pib and Zarf around. Helba agrees more reluctantly but nonetheless appears to ask the goblins at her side to make the food arrangements.
A couple Bumblebrashers run up to the warg puppies and lead them away for food and play.
Alak then turns to the party: "Could all of you please join Warbal and I, so we can get a fuller update?" Alak leads you out of the courtyard, through one of the towers, through a former records room, and into what was the clerk's chamber, which has now been set up as a meeting room, with a large table and chairs. It is evident that structural repairs have been made in all the rooms, and debris has been cleaned up, although not all spaces are well arranged with furniture or activated for new uses.
Once everyone is settled at the table, Alak asks, "So, tell us more about what is beyond Huntergate, what befell your comrades, and what you intend to do next."
Huntergate leads to some tunnel between worlds. We were faced with something like an echo or remnant of the dragon god Dahak, but we were able to elude him, or banish him, or something. Out of the tunnel, we met elves of Mwangi--the Ekujae. The gates of Alseta's Ring are of their making--aiudara. They were also the ones who drove the Dahak manifestation into the in-between space."
He pauses. "They faced the same cultists we found in the Citadel--the charau-ka and boggards, part of the Cinderclaw cult. They are apparently run by a boggard named Belmazog, who was executing...many plans. We're not sure about all of them. Mining, which poisoned the kobolds we have with them. Summoning demons. Some sort of connection to realms of Chaos Attacking the Ekujae of Akrivel. Setting up barrier totems that we defeated. When we assaulted the mine, we lost Dario and Cevendyll was injured. We don't know if Cev is alive or dead."
He sighs. "We came back to regroup, and to deliver the kobolds here, and we've brought Nketiah from the Akrivel Ekujae. We intend to deal with Belmazog when we go back."
He brightens. "We rescued some elephants along the way."
As everyone gets seated and Lisi gives the summary, Sulee separates herself from Caiten's skin. Once Lisi is done, she pipes up. "The most pressing matter at the moment on this side of the gate is putting Dario to rest. I don't think we could arrange for his transport to Dongun Hold. So we will have to lay him to rest here."
"After that, we should get back to Akrivel and hunt down more pillars. And then the rest of the Cinderclaws."
Catalina sits with the group quietly, crossing her legs and leaning back in her chair as the group fills in their Isgerian comrades. As they speak, the aasimar shuffles her Harrow deck idly, tuning herself to the deck. Their visit here would be a good time for a new, bigger reading.
"We should send Dario's pistol and a letter to his people in Dongun Hold." Catalina glances at Yasami a moment, seeking approval for the suggestion. "Zhey should know what happened to him." With discomfort, some of her Ustalavian accent slips through.
"Look at our boy," Yasami can't help but crack a smile seeing Alak issue orders like that. "accepting the good part of their heritage."
She looks Alak in the eye' "Hopefully you won't turn back to your order or we will butt heads. And a confident commander like this could be trouble." she jests.
"But seriously, though. The place is yours, and seeing you embrace that brings an honest smile to my face."
While Lisi is talking, Yasami hears Catalina. "I'm not sure about dwarven funeral rituals. Maybe we ask a dwarf in town, or..." she shudders. "Morta. But I wanted to introduce you to her anyway. I feel like you two could have topics to discuss."
She circles around to the original topic. "Anyway. Check on dwarven funeral rituals, then make a decision? Unless you are versed in that and I just overlooked the fact?" she gives Catalina a curious glance.
Catalina grimaces at her own lack of knowledge and shakes her head. "Unfortunately, I don't know a lot about Dwarven culture. Despite knowing the language..."
She sighs heavily, then shrugs. "Maybe we go talk to this Morta sooner rather than later," She suggests with a small smile. "I take it she knows a thing or two about death?" Catalina's somber face breaks into a grin, and she lightly taps her amulet of Pharasma.
"I mean she is a mortician, so I would assume. But I..." Yasami tilts her head and ponders. "I don't actually have -that- confirmed." she points to the amulet Catalina presents.
"I need to be more thorough."
Alak and Warbal listen carefully to the reports, and with obvious concern about the Cinderclaws. They ask follow up questions about the Ekujae, which the party are able to answer well, and questions about Belmazog's plans and intentions, which the party is not able to answer as satisfactorily.
During the conversation, Catalina feels like Alak and Warbal are watching her particularly closely. From Warbal, it is clear that the goblin is trying to get a sense of this new member of the group, in which they are residing so much confidence. Alak also seems to be trying to get a sense of Catalina, but she also senses something more, a deeper friendly curiosity, in his lingering looks and glances he makes her way when others are speaking.
Alak laughs at Yasami's teasing. "I do confess I'm enjoying my new role, and the responsibility for the well being of all who live here gives me purpose, and I'm looking forward to strengthening the Citadel's ties with Breachill." Regarding Dario, Alak mentions, "I have already sent word to Morta that she should expect your arrival. She may have some ideas about dwarven traditions. And if not, you might check with Jorsk Hinterclaw, who is on the council, and Rorsk Axebane over at Tuskhead Stoneworking. Rorsk has been of great help in providing supplies and advice for rebuilding the Citadel."
Alak continues, "As I can tell you are understandably anxious to care for Dario's corpse, you should go and we can continue to discuss later. Warbal and I should go say a warmer hello to Nketiah and Renali as well..."
Yasami nods. "Yes, perhaps giving Dario a proper rest might clear my mind a bit. Still feels like unfinished business, that. We never actually got to say goodbye and all. I'm not sure how others feel about this, but it's a direction I would like to go. We can also bring supplies, if you need any."
"If nobody else wants to go, I will go to town, either way. Say 'Hello, I'm alive!' to some friends."
"I would attend as well," Caiten replies simply.
As the others fill in their comrades, Catalina notices the stares from Warbal and Alak. Her silvery cheeks darken just slightly at the attention, but the aasimar files the interest away as the usual, "never seen an angelkin before" interest. She catches Warbal's eyes after a moment and her halo pops into existence, bathing the room in a cool aura of light before blinking out as quickly as it came into being. "Sorry," She mutters, a small smirk on her face. "It has a mind of its own, sometimes."
Catalina tears her gaze away from them and back to Yasami. "A mortician named Morta? I wonder if that's her real name," She muses, grinning at the pun.
"I will come. I would like to pay my respects. And pick Morta's brain. People like her usually contain a wealth of local knowledge."
"I'll also go into town. It's been a while."
Warbal responds to Catalina's comment about the mortician's name, "I've always wondered the same. She's a Breachill native, and her parents were morticians, but my understanding is that they did not name her Morta. I heard that she changed her name when they died and she took over the business. She also made changes to make the mortuary's appearance more... dramatic."
The meeting adjourns and everyone rises and begins to wander back towards the courtyard.
Alak scurries a bit so he emerges into the courtyard next to Catalina, and he speaks to her, not in a whisper but also trying not to attract attention to the exchange, "Catalina, I know the rest of the group, have fought alongside them, and I'm curious to get to know you as well, to hear your story. I know you all are heading back through Huntergate once matters are settled here, but do you think you and I could share a meal or a drink before then?" Catalina can sense that Alak is intrigued with her, and his interest in getting to know her more is not merely out of concern for the security of the Citadel.
Lisi announces, "Well, if I'm not immediately needed, I'd like to slip off and visit Narine. I'm anxious to see her again, and I'd like to surprise her before she hears word of our return from rumors in Breachill." Lisi pats the knife and sheath from the Ekujae and heads off.
The rest of you -- Yasami, Caiten, Oren, and Catalina -- check on the status of Dario's corpse and then head off to Morta’s Mortuary, which is an imposing, black-painted building with heavy onyx-colored curtains on the edge of town near the eastern gate. There is a heavy knocker in the shape of a black bird, except it wears a plague doctor’s mask. Catalina recognizes it as a representation of one of Pharasma's psychopomps—a nosoi.
Yasami grabs the knocker and slams it against the door a few times. "Maybe the name is what made her pick this career path. Your guess is as good as mine. Anyway, check with Morta, then a second opinion from the dwarves, and we'll see."
When the mortician opens up, Yasami puts on a warm, greeting appearance. "Madam Valaskin, we come on business. And a little chat, if you have time. Might we step inside?"
As Alak catches up to her, Catalina pauses to hear the man out. At his words, she offers a soft smile in response. "I think that can be arranged," She replies, silvery cheeks flushing slightly. Her affection for Dario still lingered, but the thaumaturge had experienced enough loss in her life to know that she should take opportunities when they present themselves to her. At the very least, a new friend would be lovely. "I will see you when we return, then." She grins at him and then turns to catch up with the rest.
"Oh, wow. Warbal was not joking about the drama," Catalina remarks wonderingly, sweeping her gaze over all the little details that made the place scream 'mortician.' She pauses her studying on the nosoi, smiling slightly at the representation of her patron's psychopomps. "If she's not a follower of Pharasma, she does a good job of making it seem so."
Morta answers the door, wearing an elaborate black mourning gown, a gauzy black veil, and elbow-length satin gloves. She silently ushers the group inside, into a large, fine entry hall and sitting area. The space is dimly lit, with candles casting flickering shadows on the walls. The atmosphere is somber and solemn, but also surprisingly extravagant, especially due to the presence of numerous representations of Pharasmin psychopomps, especially but not only nosoi, decorating the space in the form of paintings, sconces, and floor statues.
She leads you all to sit in on velvet-covered sofas and chairs, taking her own place on a particularly well crafted high backed chair. She finally speaks in a quiet voice but a dramatic tone: "Welcome. I am Morta. Some of us have met before. I was told you would be coming. I'm so sorry for your loss. It was Dario, right? A human raised by dwarves in the Mana Wastes, I understand. A more complicated man than the care-free mercenary image he projected when he came to Breachill, and a loyal friend, I'm guessing."
As Morta leads them through her home to the sitting room, Catalina takes advantage of the time to study their surroundings. Despite the extravagance and the drama, she feels there is a sense of authenticity to the woman's decor.
Catalina takes a seat on one end of the sofa, settling into the soft, velvet fabrics with a quiet, happy hum. The woman's decor brought up vague, blurry memories of her family's home in Ustalav. In the dim light, her eyes glow like the flames of a candle.
"Lovely to meet you, Morta. I am Catalina Estrati. I see that we are in good company," She gestures to the nosoi and other psychopomps while touching her Pharasman amulet and smiles at the woman. "You are correct. We are here to ask what you might know about Dwarven practices so that we may lay our friend to rest respectfully."
The devotion definitely feels authentic to Catalina – there are ONLY Pharasmin symbols and psychopomp representations, and there are some pretty obscure references and old pieces. Catalina recognizes them due to her background but the references would probably not be familiar to a casual worshipper, much less someone who followed another deity. Morta has a flair for the dramatic, but she appears to take her job very seriously, and she seems to be a bit of a collector. And Catalina remembers a lot of drama and extravagance on the part of the Pharasmins in Ustalav. The majestic Maiden’s Choir Pharasmin temple in the Ustalav capital of Caliphas, ancient and impressively domed, looms large in her memory. Morta seems less reserved than many of the devoted Pharasmins Catalina has known, but otherwise her behaviors track. As an aside, recalling Maiden’s Choir is a painful reminder for Catalina of Whispering Tyrant’s recent (5 years ago) triumphant return (triumphant for him, of course), and the stain of the Isle of Terror off the coast of her homeland …
Morta smiles warmly when Catalina touches her amulet, and responds, “It is always good to meet another devotee of the Lady of Graves. When Alak sent word you were coming, I went ahead and did some research into dwarven burial customs. From what I could quickly gather, it appears that dwarves are typically either buried in stone tombs with ancestors or consigned to fire. Lavishly crafted tombs are most traditional, but consignment to fire arose out of necessity, during times of warfare, as dwarves spread from their homelands, and due to threats of necromantic befoulment. The ashes are placed in a finely carved stone vessel and, if possible, the vessel is eventually placed in the ancestral stone tomb.” Morta shares all of that with a touch (but only a touch) more excitement than appropriate to the circumstances, clearly enthusiastic about her work.
Catalina leans forward in her seat, rapt with attention. The decor does indeed remind her of her hometown and the nostalgia is enough to help her shove away the painful reminder that the home she had not seen since she lost her parents was, for the foreseeable future, completely out of reach.
To Morta, Catalina nods and hums with satisfaction. "We have managed to preserve the body as best we can so far, but I fear that we shouldn't wait much longer. Is a stone vessel like the ones you speak of something we could obtain here...in this town?" Catalina gestures broadly, momentarily forgetting the name of the city. "Breachill?" She grimaces, offering an apologetic smile. "Or would it be more appropriate to contact Dario's clan to obtain such a thing?"
"If we can't find an appropriate urn, I may be able to craft one," Caiten offers.
Lisi steps into the room...along with Narine Howerdell. She has the knife at her belt, but her eyes are full of worry.
"I, ah...we both wanted to be here." Lisi walks hand in hand with the other half-elf, standing behind the others and not sitting in the plush velvet chairs. "I think we should do both. We have the ability to render Dario's body into ashes here, and contact his clan as well." He looks at Narine, who nods.
"I think we have a solution to ensure it's a proper dwarven ceremony, though. My family and Narine's company both do business with the dwarves of the Five Kings Mountains. We can get a messenger there and bring a coalition to represent in Dario's clan's stead in a matter of days."
Narine speaks up, her voice rough. "I'd like to do this for you all," she says simply. "For Dario. My company can supply the best wood for a pyre."
Yasami listens intensely to Valaskin's talk. Her fingers connected under her chin as she leans forward in contemplation.
"Madame Valaskin, I appreciate you doing your research. And without wanting to be disrespectful, we only get one shot at doing this properly. With that said, I would like to suggest..." and she looks around the gathering [/b]"postponing the process for a few hours. I know there are a few dwarves around town that can provide insight on the matter. I assume they will tell us the same thing you have, but there could be minor things in the rite that may want to do."[/b]
She pauses and looks around the group again. "Can we do that? I would have to miss minor things that could dishonour our friend. I don't know what - a red ribbon on his right fist, or whatever have you."
Catalina nods to Lisi and Yasami. "I think consulting with the dwarves is a good idea. If you can get a response from his home clan soon," She nods to Lisi and Narine, "that would be the most ideal. But if there's anyone in town familiar with the clan...the little details matter, like Yasami says." She smiles at Morta, nodding respectfully. "Thank you for your research."
Morta calmly takes in all the comments. "The type of vessel required is not one that I have available for other cases of consignment to fire, and my understanding is that it honors the dwarven dead to craft one for the occasion. Caiten, it would be appropriate for a friend undertake the task. I suggest you contact Rorsk Axebane -- some of you surely know him and his fine stoneworking operation. He could advise you on the stone to use, or make the vessel if you prefer, and he could also confirm what I have told you about dwarven burial customs." She looks at Yasami as she makes the last comment. "I'm confident in the information I have given you, but I take no insult if you wish to speak to Rorsk about it. Jorsk Hinterclaw could also confirm my information, and offer the perspective of a former adventurer. The timing of the performance of my services is up to you, as the bereaved."
Finally, she turns to Lisi and Narine, "Nevertheless, I'm not sure there's time for what you propose. The Five Kings Mountains aren't so far, but my understanding is that Dario came from the Mana Wastes in between Nex and Geb. That IS a long ways away. Given that his actual clan is so far away, my impression is that Rorsk and Jorsk could stand in as well as any dwarves from the Five Kings. But the two of them can confirm that. I only offer that comment because I understand that you don't intend to stay in town long. But the offer of fine wood is much appreciated, Narine."
The more observant among you note that Morta seems unusually well-informed about, well, everything.
Catalina makes a mental note to come back and pick Morta's brain about this region's folklore. A fellow follower of the Lady of Graves, and well-informed to boot...if she didn't know something Cat wanted to know, it seemed Morta would know who to point her to. Catalina smiles brightly at her fellow Pharasman.
"Thank you kindly for your time, Morta. We'll consult the dwarves and then see what we're doing from there. I didn't know him as long and as well as the others, but Dario was important to us." She glances around at the others, not wanting to speak too much for the others. "The details give us comfort."
"The type of vessel required is not one that I have available for other cases of consignment to fire, and my understanding is that it honors the dwarven dead to craft one for the occasion. Caiten, it would be appropriate for a friend undertake the task. I suggest you contact Rorsk Axebane"
Caiten nods in appreciation. "Thank you. I will go and speak with Rorsk to see about instructions for an appropriate vessel."
As he leaves, he mentions to the others, "I expect that I can accomplish the crafting of the urn. Can one of you handle the cultural expectations? I don't feel confident in that aspect."
Caiten and Sulee then head into town again to find Rorsk.
Yasami stands up hastily. "I'll go with you. We want to speak to the same person."
She turns to Morta and gives a nod "You've been very helpful. Thank you, Madam Valaskin."
"If you both don't mind, I'll catch up with you when you're done?" Catalina says, glancing at Morta. "I was hoping to speak with Morta a while longer."
"Sure thing. Either way, I will be back soon... ish. I need to make a few stops in town after we talk to Rorsk. So see you soon." she steps out after Caiten.
She catches up, and leans in. "That woman knows too much, I swear. It gives me the creeps. Anyway, I have a few people to talk to in town. Rorsk first?"
"I have a few people to talk to in town. Rorsk first?"
Caiten nods in agreement. "I don't have anyone else planned to meet with currently. Though that may change after talking with Rorsk."
"Right. Let's get this over with." she briskly leads across the river and into Tuskhead. She bangs on the door a few times before letting herself in. "Looking for Rirsk Axebane. Is the man in?" she asks the first person she sees.
Before the group leaves, Morta asks for Dario's body to be brought downstairs, so she can clean and prepare the corpse for consignment to fire. She leads you down some stairs and behind a locked door into a room with rough walls -- essentially a cavern. It is markedly colder than upstairs. The room has tables for corpses (presently there are none) and an impressive variety of herbs and liquids on shelves against the walls. There are also cabinets that presumably house other equipment. After Dario's corpse is placed on one of the tables, Morta accompanies the group back upstairs and bids farewell, but seems pleased Catalina is disposed to stay behind to chat more.
Once the others leave, Morta excuses herself to make some tea, inviting Catalina to look around. It is a good opportunity to look more closely at the works in Morta's collection, and Catalina is able to confirm the quality and rarity of many of the works. Otherwise, the mortuary has the range of amenities and spaces that would be expected of an establishment of the sort. Catalina also sees a long hall that appears to lead to Morta's private quarters -- she can hear Morta singing a Pharasmin hymn down the hall in presumably a kitchen area.
Morta returns with some very fine tea from Osirion and settles into conversation with Catalina. She is happy to answer any questions about Breachill and Isger and she is clearly very knowledgeable. She also asks Catalina about her background and demonstrates great interest, whether Catalina shares a bit or shares a lot. Catalina can tell that Morta is very interested in her (not romantically, but her motivation is otherwise unclear). Catalina also finishes the conversation thinking that Morta sure seems worldly for a small town mortician -- even for a small town that punches above its weight like Breachill. Morta does not ask for any details about the party's plans in the Mwangi Expanse, but she does ask Catalina to come see her again when the group next returns. She also tells Catalina not to hesitate to reach out for help if there is anything Morta can do.
The facade of Tuskhead Stoneworking is decorated with carved stone in dwarven motifs, leaving no doubt you're at the right place. The door is ajar and swings open with Yasami's banging, revealing a a workshop crowded with workbenches, hammers, chisels, projects underway, large stones of standard quality, and an assortment of smaller and finer stones. Despite the crowded nature of the workspace, and the fine stone dust hanging in the air, everything is very orderly and well-maintained.
Sitting on a stool with hammer and chisel in hand is Rorsk Axebane. He appears to be on the early end of dwarven middle age. He, of course, sports a fine beard and is wearing a leather apron over a worker's tunic and trousers. Tools hang from a braided belt and he wears heavy boots and metal arm bracers. He turns when you enter and delivers a loud and friendly greeting, and then surprise registers on his face -- "Ye'r mukkers o' alak's ower at th' citadel, aren't ye? whit brings ye tae mah shop?"
Yasami blinks a few times after Rirsk speaks. She seems to be processing for a while before responding. "Hi... Yes, we're with Alak. We came to you with a question about dwarven traditions, if you don't mind. We have lost one of our companions recently. Dario, if you knew him. His background is a little complicated. He is a human, and as far as I am aware, was adopted by the dwarves of the Zuz clan from Dongun Hold. This is in the Mana Wastes. Supposedly. Dario recently passed away, and we want to honor our friend with a proper burial for such a complicated tangle of an ancestry. Could you help us with that? Give us some know-how on funeral rites that would be appropriate for him?"
Caiten and Sulee step into the room behind Yasami. Caiten nods in agreement and adds, "I have heard that since we cannot inter him with his clan directly, that we should craft an urn to take him there when possible. I would appreciate any knowledge you have on crafting an appropriate urn."
Believing the best in folks, Catalina thinks little of the interest in her--she is a newcomer, Ustalavian, a Pharasman, and angelkin. She tends to assume most people's interest stems from those bits of her background. Catalina only shares things about herself and her own life; the things she does keep close to her chest are their plans. She hesitates to share much of anything that she doesn't discuss with the group first.
All in all, when the conversation ends, Catalina feels as though she has found another friend in a world that is rapidly becoming dark and dangerous all over. It's a good feeling. She promises to return the next time they are in town.
Rorsk's face turns sad. "Ah, Dario. A'm sae sorry tae hear he died. He stopped by mah shop whin he cam tae breachill. At foremaist ah thought it odd, this human wha thinks he is a dwarf. Bit then ah understaun this human IS a dwarf. As fur burial customs, th' dwarves a' ower Inner Sea return thair kin tae stane, 'n' tae th' fire foremaist if necessary."
He nods as Caiten expresses his desire to craft an urn. "Surely ah kin hulp. Ah will gie ye th' stane fur free 'n' ye kin uise mah tools 'n' workshop 'n' ah kin hulp ye wi' th' traditional designs. We kin fin' Jorsk 'n' ask him whit designs ur best fur Dario's clan. Jorsk haes seen mair o' th' world than me. Then me 'n' Jorsk kin hulp wi' a proper funeral fur Dario."
Rorsk does have a much stronger accent than other dwarves you've interacted with -- surely because he is a relatively recent arrival to Breachill from the Five Kings Mountains. In his response to Caiten, it seems he's suggesting that he will contact councilmember Jorsk to get him involved as well.
Rorsk asks Caiten to return the next morning, and the three of you (Rorsk, Jorsk, and Caiten) can work on the urn.
Anything else for Jorsk? If not, where to next?
Catalina: Morta is thrilled with your openness to an extended conversation, and she asks lots of follow up questions and demonstrates genuine curiosity. You also feel like there is some kind of testing or assessing happening in the conversation as well, but you're not sure for what. It doesn't feel like she's suspicious of you at all, but it feels like she is really trying to get a good sense of you, what you're about and what you value. Even as the conversation turns more extended, her questions focus on Catalina's story, rather than the party and its investigations surrounding Alseta's Ring, although Morta does ask Catalina about her time in the Mwangi Expanse (once Catalina mentions it) and how Catalina linked up with the party. Morta answers Catalina's questions about Isger and about the interesting objects around her, and Morta displays an impressive depth of knowledge. Morta is eccentric and dramatic, but warm and more grounded in extended conversation than first impressions lead one to expect. The tea pot is refilled and tea cakes emerge once it's clear the conversation is really going somewhere. Morta is very warm in parting and wishes Catalina luck and a soon and safe return.
"Uh..." Yasami tilts her head like a curious dog when Jorsk speaks. She knows it's words, but... The accent is SO... THICK...
"Okay, boys. Erm, you take care of the urn. I have some errands to run here today. Thank you for the help, Jorsk. Let Caiten know how much will that run us, please, and I'll take care of it on delivery."
"Caiten, we meet at the Wizard's Grace?"
After confirming the arrangements, Yasami runs off to Quarters and Bits. She enters the store and approaches whoever is at the counter.
"Hi! I would like to look at your wares."
"Meeting at the Wizard's Grace would work well," Caiten replies.
He spends a bit of time talking - or at least attempting to talk - to Jorsk to get details on the crafting process for this urn. Eventually he leaves, with a promise to return the next morning ready to start work.
Lisi and Narine nod to the dwarves and make themselves busy, getting the wood for a pyre.
"Do you...use a funnel...to pour in the ashes?" Lisi muses to himself. "Druids usually just ah, become one with the plants and the soil. Although in the mountains, there are some who choose enskyment...helpful if there are large birds about..."
Sometime later, Lisi and Narine, fairly inseparable while Lisi is in town, reappear at the Wizard's Grace.
"I wish we could hire some more laborers while we're here," he mentions to Narine. "the Citadel could use some work."
Caiten, you spend some pleasant time in shop talk with Rorsk. In time, you are able to get used to the flow of his speech, and generally follow along except for some unfamiliar words. He seems used to requests for clarification and takes no offense, although it sometimes takes a bit of back and forth. Caiten is able to tell that Rorsk is a very skilled craftsperson and, unsurprisingly for a dwarf, takes his work very seriously. He shows Caiten several blocks of marble that, as he explains, come from the Five Kings Mountains. One is black, one is white, and one is red. Each is veined with delicate patterns; all are clearly high quality raw materials waiting to be given meaning under the crafter's hammer and chisel. Rorsk suggests that any of the three would be appropriate and says you can let him know which you want to use in the morning. He again makes clear there is no charge for the stone or his services. When it is time for Caiten to go, he bids you farewell and indicates that he will be closing up shop and going in search of Jorsk.
Yasami, you head over to the dual storefront that is Quarters and Bits -- one side a general store (Bits) and the other a weapon and armor smith (Quarters). From the outside they appear separate, but inside an open arch allows passage from one side to another. Halfling proprietor Crink Twiddleton watches over both stores, in a smart suit and jaunty hat. He greets Yasami enthusiastically and listens carefully to her request. He announces with a wide grin, "That's an unusual request, but you're in luck! Quarters is known throughout Isger and Druma for buying the most esoteric weapons from passing adventurers, exactly for this reason. I have a rope dart I purchased from an adventurer who bought it from a Shoanti warrior in Varisia, but he never spent the time required to learn how to use it." He is willing to trade the rope dart for your dueling sword, and he is willing to do a rush job to transfer the striking rune for 10 gp, "Special for one of the heroes of Breachill!" Yasami knows that, below his somewhat cheesy persona, Crink is a shrewd businessman not above parting a rube from their coin for some unnecessary purchases, but this seems like a reasonable deal and you know he does good work and sells solid goods. He shows you the rope dart and it looks well made and it appears plausibly Shoanti-made. He shows you several different rapiers () and he will sell any of them for 2 gp.
Catalina eventually makes her way to meeting back up with the others, having wandered the town sufficiently lost before she stopped a kind soul to ask where she could find the town's tavern. Pointed to Wizard's Grace, Catalina sits out front for a spell.
"If I stay put, they'll eventually find me..." She mumbles, regretting not setting up a meeting place with the others.
Sulee gets a bit bored and curls up in the corner of the room while Caiten and Rorsk talk about crafting stone. When they eventually leave, she leads the way back to the Wizard's Grace. "So what are you thinking about the colors?" she asks as they walk down the street.
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At the Grace, Sulee sniffs around as she bounds in the door - once Caiten opens it. She quickly recognizes Catalina and comes over. "Hi. I see you found the best place in town well enough. What do you think of Breachill so far?"