"Alright then," he sneers and grabs the shield from the wall behind him and pulls a rusty axe out from below the counter. "Let's make it interestin', huh? First blood. I win, you buy the sword at twice my price. If, somehow, you happen to win? Half off."
Work stops entirely in the back as everyone comes outside to watch the action. Chance stalks outside and bangs the axe against the back of the shield. In the distance a crow caws and lands on top of a nearby roof, almost as if it is settling in to watch the show.
Chance Holds his shield arm out, extending a hand. "Good luck," he says with a snicker.
Xylas smiles certain that the cruel smith is going to get his comeuppance. He sidles over to the kid and speaks to him in a low voice, "What's your name, friend? He can't be paying you enough to put up with his bullying."
Stepping in for a quick word to Thorfinn, Aleksara mentions a word or two of advice.
"Obviously, he will be using his best or most familiar weapons here: Defeat him if you can, but if you embarrass him completely his future prices for our group will easily double as well."
"I hope your friend will be okay. Master Chance is really strong, and one of the best fighters in town! I'm Apprentice Agham, sir," The small boy answers. "Master Chance is the best smtih in town, too. Mama says he will toughen me up. Is it true you went into the Witch Tower? My friend said it was haunted, did you see any ghosts?"
"I'm Xylas. Well, in this case, Agham, the rumors weren't far off. Yes, we did see a ghost in the dungeons, but we were able to see his soul off to the afterlife. Erastil be thanked," Xylas taps the round of elk horn with a bow and arrow carved on one side and a bull's eye on the other. "Master Chance might be a good smith, but he's not a good person. An apprentice ought to respect his master, but it needs to go the other way around, too."
Xylas' attention is drawn to the crow. "Why that little-"
"Let's go, Chief!"
"Yes let's take a look over there. If this is anywhere near as bad as I fear we should find some sign of it there."
Bumolin says his goodbye to Brenlow, swallowing the insult as part of an otherwise usefull answer and walks with Red towards the Fork.
"Nice try! HO HO HO!" Thorfinn winds up and swings at the smith.
Although Thorfinn easily smashes past the man's defenses after seeing past his ruse, and despite the fact that Chance said "first blood", the huge blacksmith sneers and rears back with the shield. "You hit like my grandmother. And she's been dead five years!"
"Don't worry, worm, I won't murder you, but I will teach you some respect!" shouts the angry bully. A crowd begins to gather, including a gnome woman holding a bottle and shaking her head.
The Isle is a short way off the edge of the river's bank, and several large rocks make crossing to it fairly easy. Vessels carrying cargo down the verduran are warned of the rocks by several poles jutting from the shore side of the Isle topped with lights bearing some sort of permanent light magic.
Beyond the treeline is a clearing with short, soft green grasses surrounding a large granite monolith. Sprigs of fresh herbs are hung from the tree limbs.
"That was first blood, you lying snake." Xylas reminds the smith. "May Erastil bless the just, Thorfin," he encourages casting bless on his ally.
Stepping back out of immediate reach, Aleksara watches the combat with a worried look on her face and her hand on her sword.
Thorfinn laughs even louder and follows up with another blow.
Ritti is a bundle of energy, not attempting to hide her excitement. As she deftly jumps from rock to rock on the crossing to the island, she whispers excitedly to Bumolin, ”This is great! I might see an actual, real-life druid. (which she pronounces ‘drood’) I wonder what they look like? Maybe some of them got grass for hair or maybe dragonfly wings!”
On the island she is initially wide-eyed, curiously looking everywhere. Suddenly she turns to Bumolin and regards him steadily, saying quietly. ”Behind me, over my left shoulder, there’s a kid, a boy I think, hiding in the treeline.”
Marcus Chance does not look good after Thorfinn slashes him. Despite that, he persists, especially after looking at the gathering crowd. He snickers and rears back, knowing his reputation is on the line.
Seeing the last hit the gnome rushes forward with her bottle and pops the cork to pour the contents down the barbarian’s throat. "One day, Chance, you'll get what is coming to you," She says grabbing another potion from her belt pouch.
"He has to buy my sword. Then never come back to my shop again." Chance says as he stalks off to find his own potion from inside.
The townspeople seem generally disappointed. They were clearly hoping someone would put Chance in his place. After the barbarian regains consciousness the gnome tells him, "Come see me later, I am Bassy. I can heal the rest of your wounds. But I'm going to want to hear the tale of your exploration in the Witch Tower in exchange for those potions, big guy." She winks and pats the human on his cheek.
Xylas hears the crow giggle before it flies away.
Frowning a little, Aleksara helps the barbarian stand while handing him his newly bought blade to him.
"Decided you like to pay in blood do you? Let's get you those potions, and maybe some ale into you. I did warn you..."
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Xylas rushes to his companion's side. "Thorfinn!Ill luck and I'll bet that crow was behind it. Are you a priest?" he asks the gnome.
"No!" Bassy says with a laugh. "But I am someone who has been around the block a few times and knows how to be prepared for the unexpected. Anyway, come by for dinner, bring your friends."
Bumolin was in a hurry to get here, but once he does he slows down to get a feeling for this place. He stands for a few moments on the shore, while Red is hopping on the stones, taking in the sounds and smell of the river, wind and trees. Even Abon seems to register that this place is special: his constant rummaging for something edible on the ground suddenly ceases, he lifts his head and looks alert and attentive - almost solemn.
"Yes...to find a real druid would be really helpfull at this time... whatever the decor of his hair." Bumolin says earnestly and starts to follow her across the stones with an almost ceremonial attitude. Abon right behind him.
When Red mentions the kid, he tries not to let his surprise show and sneek a sideways glance up at the tree. Judging the boy rather harmless, he calls up into the tree:"Good day to you - how is the view up there? Might it be worth for us to come up and join you?"
"No!" Bassy says with a laugh. "But I am someone who has been around the block a few times and knows how to be prepared for the unexpected. Anyway, come by for dinner, bring your friends."
"Sure. We'll do that. Hey, can I ask you something seeing as you've been around- did you notice that crow up there watching? We found it under the Witch Tower. It talks and says awful things. I know it ain't no normal bird, but not sure what it could be. You got any ideas?"
Overhearing Xylas’ question to the gnome, Aleksara jumps in.
“Did you say…A talking bird? Under a wizard tower? Sounds like a Familiar to me. Normally they don’t survive a master’s death as far as I know.”
Thorfinn glares back at the departing smith. It'll be a hot day in Whitethrone before you get a copper from me. Honorless nithing. "No wizard in that tower. It belonged to the old rulers here, I think. A wizard gave the order to bring it down, though, and for his pains ended his life under it."
"Well, if we can rule out a familiar, and Hunclay was too surly for a pet to hang around, and it said "awful things" then it is obviously not a normal crow." The gnome woman concentrates visibly, exposing the deep wrinkles around her eyes. She seems to be a rather old gnome. Hard to notice at first, since usually Gnomes of her age have begun the Bleaching. "Infernal or Abyssal? Did it try to make any deals or bets with you? That tells us if you have an imp or a quasit..."
The boy says nothing and hops down. "Papa says not to talk to strange folk, but he also says this place is a safe place. Are you looking for the druid and Miss Rima? I miss her, she was pretty and nice." The boy leans in close and whispers, The monsters from the stars took them. I think they took Bophre, too."
"It offered us keys in return for each of us sitting in a torture chair. Pardon me, I am Thorfinn son of Feigr. What may we call you?"
Xylas thinks. "I don't recall if it gave us odds, but sounds like something it would do. Oh, and it can vanish from sight, too."
The boy says nothing and hops down. "Papa says not to talk to strange folk, but he also says this place is a safe place. Are you looking for the druid and Miss Rima? I miss her, she was pretty and nice." The boy leans in close and whispers, The monsters from the stars took them. I think they took Bophre, too."
Red leans against a tree and summons a smile. "Well, I'm Ritti and this is Bumolin... and we ain't strange when you get to know us. Mostly, we're here to help and to do that we are looking for the druid and Miss Rima and anyone who can tell us about what's happening out here." She pitches her voice as quiet as the boy's, like they are sharing a secret. "Who is Bophre? Have you seen these star monsters?"
Bumolin shakes his head at Rittis question. To the boy he says with a very earnest voice, going eye to eye with him (having to bend only a little I suppose): "Have you seen them being taken by those star monsters? How did they look like? Where did they come from? It's very important that you tell us! We want to save them, if we can."
The boy shakes his head at Ritti's question, then looks a little startled by Bumolin's barrage of questions. He looks at the ground and kicks the dirt. "My sister saw. She said it looked like a big bat that walked like a man. That's all I know, I'm sorry!"
"I guess that's an imp then. I heard they're like a baby devil or something. Never heard of a whatsit. Sure, we'll be by later. I wanted to go by the Temple of Abadar and see what they've got to offer first. It'd be nice if they had some kind of devil repellent."
"a walking bat...are you sure that's what she said? Who is your father, by the way? If you want, we could walk you home, if you want"
While on the island, Bumolin keeps his eyes ooen for druidic signs.
Bumolin knows little based on the scant description the young boy gave. He is certain there is nothing in the natural world to match the description.
The boy nods, "Yeah, she said it landed by the silo! And then it walked to the grain fields and took off again! Please don't walk me home, Papa will know I came here by myself!"
He points to a spot just across the river where the town's docks and fishery stand. "We live there. I have to go now, don't tell anyone I was here alone, please?"
Bumonlin searches the island intently. Mostly, it is what one would expect, however he does find an odd track left in muddy ground near the river bank on the south side. It looks almost like a wolf track, but he can tell instantly it was not made by any sort of wolf known to Golarion.
The large stone building is the second largest on Devy Road, rivaled only by the large amphitheater known as the Belhaim Commons. During the day it is staffed by several novices providing financial services to townspeople. One such young woman wearing a gold key around her neck approaches, Good afternoon, how can the House of Abadar help you?"
Xylas grins. "Howdy. We're new to town here and could probably use a safe place to keep our money while we're in and out of town. Also, wondered what type of equipment you might have for sale here. Something that might help with clearing off goblin swarms and giant wolves and such."
Bumolin looks puzzled at the departing boy. "Maybe we should talk to his parents and sister. I don't want to cause any trouble for him, but whatever is happening here - they seem to be tied in with it. But first there is something I have to do here. Excuse me, it will not take long"
He climbs down the rocks and collects some water from the river and then puts in some of his black berries, crushes and mixes them with the water. When he reaches down with a hand dripping from the dark red mixture to pick up some soil to mix it in, he discovers the track. He looks at it from different angles and sighs. "The more I find out about this, the more it becomes a mystery..." he puts a bit of dirt in his bowl and mixes it in. Then he walks up to a tree near the path, thinks for a moment and then starts to write with his right hand on the bark. In the secret sign-language of druids he composes a short warning about the threat of the wolves and it's probably otherworldly nature. He adds a little message to the Kells, stating that he assumes that something has happened to them and asking them to contact him at the inn, when they read this. He signs with two dwarven runes, meaning: "bitter" and "cup". He stands back a step and admires his work. The dark paste itself is hard to see on the bark, but it's sweet odour already attracts the attention of some ants, flies and other small insects. Bumolin is sure that anyone who can read it, will not miss it.
Ritti frowns and looks across the water, "Sounds like his Da is a hard nut... not the type to talk to strangers. If he gets suspicious of us, could put the kid in a hard spot. Think we're better leaving that particular dog alone, right now. Is there anyone in town who might know what kind of big man-bat walks around on two legs?"
Xylas grins. "Howdy. We're new to town here and could probably use a safe place to keep our money while we're in and out of town. Also, wondered what type of equipment you might have for sale here. Something that might help with clearing off goblin swarms and giant wolves and such."
"I'm Xylas. This is Thorfinn and Aleksara by the way. Also, if you have something to get rid of imps. That would be helpful."
The young woman stares for a moment at Xylas before deciding he is making a joke and laughs. Her laughter becomes uneasy when she sees Thorfinn's condition. "Oh. Oh! You're serious? There are hordes of goblins? Have they attacked? If the town is under siege we charge an expedite fee to secure valuables!"
Once reassured that an attack is not occurring or imminent (as far as anyone knows, at least) she gets ahold of herself. My apologies, we offer a range of banking options to secure your cash and valuables, most of them are free of charge. Healing, magical clothing repair, and magical laundering services are also available," The novice says eyeballing Thorfinn. "We do have a few blessed relics which you may or may not find helpful. To wit, this crossbow and that sword." She points to a locked display case which also includes a scroll case and a wand carved from ivory. "Our priests can also scribe or brew scrolls and potions, but such custom orders take time to fill."
She stops her sales pitch for a moment and says, "Did you say 'imp'? Did you need me to fetch Archbanker Targas? Has someone been possessed?"
Bumolin ponders Rittis words, moving his head slightly from one side to the other.
"Yes, you are probably right. But I don't know who could know something about this. Maybe we should ask around at the inn?... The thing that's making me rather mad is this wolf track"
He points at the print he found.
"I don't know what to make of it...For all I know it's fresh and it comes from some creature with paws but walking upright on two legs. That's strange enough by itself, but I can't find another one... so should we throw in a pair of wings into the picture?" his tone sounds amused and frightened at the same time. After another few moments of thinking silently while watching Abon combing through the bushes, he suddenly says:"Let me try one more thing, before we go back to town. It won't take long!"
He starts to search his bag, obviously for something not easy to find. He pulls out his bowl and several small pouches and containers only to put them to the side. It takes some time, before he suddenly produces a single tusk on a string. It looks like it belonged to a grown boar - at least it's noticably bigger than those of Abon, who seems suddenly interested in what his master is doing, comes over and sniffs the tusk.
Bumolin starts to make a low humming sound as he takes out his knife and carves a single symbol into the tusk. Then he puts it around his neck. Suddenly his face starts to change: the hair from his boarskin-fur-surcoat seems to grow up his neck and starts to cover his suddenly longer ears and face. His nose changes into a porcine snout.
He puts his knife away with shaky fingers and turns to Abon with a series of porcine squeels and grunts.
Bumolin goes on all fours and tries to sniff out the scent of the creature, starting at the track he found earlier. If he finds it, he tries to follow the scent as far as he can. If he doesn't find anything he gives up after a minute, stands up and becomes his normal self again.
Xylas looks sheepish at the jokes that he takes as directed at him. "Did I say goblins, maybe it was kobolds? I seem to be confusing the two. Nevermind. No immediate danger anyway. If you have a couple healing potions or something that would let me heal up Thorfinn when he gets his usual scrapes, I'd be interested in that."
He looks alarmed at the last bit. "Imps can do that? That's not good. Yes, I'd like to talk to the Archbanker then!"
Thorfinn has been glowering since his defeat at the hands (er, shield) of the craven smith. "Aye, cures would be welcome. The Baroness herself has charged us with rooting out the kobold band that brought down yon tower, and the cunning cave-crawlers wield well their tricks and traps."
Still trying to understand the group's dynamics, Aleksara hesitates to speak while at the temple.
Although she is now on the look-out for a certain talking Raven, her bow casually in her hand.
"Andre? Please bring Archbanker Targas and let her know we need a devil consult, thank you." The young woman puts her salesman smile back on her face. "Working on behalf of the town? That could be worth a discount in spellcasting services, however we require documentation that specifies the duration of your contract with the town. Otherwise we charge standard rates in gold standard for any of our services."
Aleksara does not see any unusual birds, merely the ordinary kind. Of course, a tricky little devil would surely know how to move unseen.
"Not wolf," Abon squeals back, somehow intelligible to the dwarf but Total gibberish to Red. "Here first. Oldest smell." The little boar says bounding to a spot at the southern point of the small land mass. He charges up toward the clear8ng in the middle, cutting to the northeast before stomping at the ground. "Here." Abon then runs back to where the track was, a diagonal to the northeast across the Isle. "Over water," He snorts finally, looking to the northeast. Bumonlin almost feels as if he is staring at the Collapsed Witch Tower all the way across town.
Xylas nods, "Noted. Is there a discount on goods as well? Old Deadeye supplies me with a bit of services, but I'm still working on my spellcraft and maybe a scroll or potion with a little extra could help me help my friends here."
Bumolin is overwhelmed with his first experience of animal senses. He is only able to differentiate the different scents and trails after Abon pointed them out. He squeeks: "thank you, little friend! I think we found something you can teach me!"
He stands up, looking at the Witchtower when his face becomes normal again.
To Ritti he says:"In the end it all seems to lead back to that tower. Maybe this town doesn't have that many problems but only one big one as you already suspected...I think you are also right with this: we should find someone who knows a thing or two about really strange creatures. It's very likely the thing with the bat wings is the same that made this wolftrack here - it seems like it flew off towards the tower. And I'm at my wits end here. But before we go back, we should probably talk with those wannabe wolfhunters. I'd not give much on their expertise, but I would really like to know if they saw something strange about their wolf apart from the fact that he was big. Meaning: could be this was'nt a wolf either. Let's go talk to them and then meet up with the others again."