Welcome to the gameplay thread for the game.
While waiting for the start of the Tolorr family festival, which won't be for a few weeks, the group has been put up, at Clan Tolorr's expense, at an inn called Zelgin's. You've met each other, as you each have a room in the same wing of the inn.
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"No no no... I need to stand straighter... Or... maybe that'd be too arrogant? Maybe I need to show some humility. Or would that come across as too guilty? Try and act confident, but relaxed. Or would that make it seem like I don't care what happened back then... Come on Jax, you can figure this out... It's too important to just wing it... Or maybe I should just wing it. Do what comes naturally."
Anyone out in the hallway of Zelgin's would be met with an... interesting sight. A purple-haired gnome paced back and forth rapidly in front of her room's door. Muttering to herself, throwing elaborate gestures into the air every few seconds. She shifted her posture and expression in various ways before adopting the same slightly concerned, slightly frustrated look between them. If not for the fact her words were able to be understood, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe her to be casting some sort of spell.
A battered purple hooded cloak covers the face of a small figure in the shadows, leaning against the wall of the hallway and watching the gnome curiously. He tilts his head up to get a better view, revealing the scar-puckered snout of a ysoki. His upper face is still cloaked in shadow, but the light of the torches catch his violet eyes and turn them into two small orbs of pure white.
His armor is mostly black with brown leather trim, and a pitted old buckler is strapped to his left forearm. On his belt rests a hand crossbow, a battered knife sheath, and dangling from a frog, a wooden mask designed to look like a nosoi psychopomp. Some of the mother-of-pearl paint has begun to yellow with age, and has even chipped off in a few spots. The 'beak' is flecked here and there with small rust-brown spots that do not look like paint.
He watches the gnome's gesticulations curiously. He keeps waiting for some sort of magic effect--sparkles, maybe, or a gout of fire--but nothing happens.
Okay, not spellcasting. What in the world is she doing, then?
He opens his mouth to ask, but decides against it. None of your business, rat. Just keep your head down until Valahask shows up. Where is he, anyway? He invites me out here and then drops me in an inn for two weeks and expects me not to go stir-crazy. I should be sleeping, get rested before my patrols tonight.
His fingers rest on the pommel of his knife unconsciously. He's never been in King's Heart before, and the place is far too clean and bright for his liking; it's putting him on edge. He wonders how the guards would take to his nightly activities in King's Heart; guards never come to the Burrows, so he's free to work as he likes down there. Up here, in the unfamiliar district...
No, you've been here before. You covered a shift for the guards last year, when they were short-staffed--
He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head. No. That memory isn't his. It's Soren's. He still gets flashes of his brother's life sometimes. He grits his teeth and takes several slow, deep breaths until the sensation fades. When he opens his eyes again, something flashes within them, so quick and subtle only a sharp eye would even catch it: a small mote of purple energy, passing behind his eyes like they're windows to somewhere else.
Having settled into her room, which was easy as Kapra always travelled light, she decided to go for a wander and see who else might be attending the family festival.
Kapra is a human female of average height and average looks, with dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was dressed in her usual dark leathers and a longer look would see a dagger tucked into her boot. This was a civilised gathering, but she never took too many things for granted.
As she opened her door, she heard voices…no, make that one voice. Half of a conversation? Looking around she saw two people, but they did not appear to be conversing. Feeling slightly like an interloper, Kapra smiled and then nodded to both.
Deciding she need to do something more to break the ice, she offered. “Hi, here for the festival?” Her accent made it clear she was definitely from the higher echelons of society.
Korox sit at the small table in his room organizing his lists. He always had lists. Lists of things to do, people he liked, things he wished to purchase, theological queries, and most importantly wrongs that needed to be avenged. Occasionally things moved from one list to the other, but unfortunately though he worked diligently at the tasks the lists seemed to only get longer... hence every morning just after his prayers he organized his lists.
Well I guess one advantage to being cooped up here is the lists aren't growing much... not being marked off... but not growing either. There is that to be thankful for.
He thought he heard voices from the hallway, but they were so faint that he couldn't be sure. Then he heard a voice ask out a question. Yes there is definitely something happening outside this door. He quickly gathered up his lists and tucked them into a broken scroll tube he had found discarded due to it being broken in half, and decided to see what was going on in the hallway. He poked out his head and saw some of the other individuals he had met since he arrived having an almost conversation.
"Greetings and Dranngvit's eye upon you all. Is it mealtime or something"?
Stiding down the hall as if he owned it, heavy thick boots tapping in cadence to his purposeful steps. His chain armor announcing his presence, strode Kilain. His shield on his arm and a Warhammer at his belt. The strange gnome was waving her arms and hands crazily and a Skaven was leaning against the opposite wall. While coming down the hall opposite him was a lithe human woman walking carefully, eyes searching.
A fellow dwarf.
A priest, stuck his head out of a door on Kilains side of the festival halls doors. Kilain took it all in as he strode forward and made his announcement to the assembled like it was important , though inside he knew he was over compensating for his families near exile status, Kilan Gravendak of clan Quarrymaster late of The Hammer Halls. Do you know when the festival starts?
Batsu suddenly feels a bit claustrophobic with all these strangers around. He shifts uncomfortably, but forces himself to tamp it down. He's stuck here a while, might as well play nice.
"Batsu," he grumbles. Then, realizing he's still being surly, he adds, "You're a couple weeks early, I think." There's a reedy warble to his voice, and a quick glance at his throat reveals why. A thin but puckered scar runs under his fur along his throat, right across the larynx. "But you might want to double-check with someone. I'm not here for the festival, so I'm not sure when it starts exactly. My..." He hesitates, searching for the right word. "... er, compatriot, mentioned it'd start in a couple weeks. I'm just here to try and get an audience with Clan Tolorr."
He then clamps his mouth shut, having spoken about thirty seconds longer than he's comfortable with.
In her nervous fervor, she missed the fact that anyone was watching her. Batsu completely slipped under her notice as she kept on trying to figure out how exactly she should present herself. It was pretty easy to put together that she was an adventurer of some variety. Between the rugged and practical look of her clothes, the dagger and sling at her belt, and the backpack she had on. Even if she didn't look like she had ever personally gone on an adventure.
As Kapra spoke up, she jumped, whirling around to stare at her. Realizing that Batsu had been speaking towards her as well. A small blush formed on her face at the realization that she had been watched. Yet more people showed up, these at least didn't see her muttering to herself like a mad woman. She wasn't mad, she wasn't, she was just worked up! Letting out a small huff, she reached up and rubbed her cheeks.
"Greetings, salutations, howdy doody doo, and Folgrit bless you! Jaqsiaria, but you can call me Jax! I saw you all downstairs earlier, I think. But um yes, the festival is a couple of weeks away at this point in time. And uh, I don't exactly know if it's mealtime! Since we're in an inn I imagine you can have a meal whenever you want?"
Her voice carried an obvious dwarven accent to it, which contrasted heavily with her naturally high-pitched tone. In her mind, she somewhat assumed that all the native inhabitants already knew who she was. It was only the human, who obviously wasn't a native, that caught her attention. Grabbing a random chair in the hallway, she pulled it over to the human and then climbed up. So she could meet the human's eye as she pointed a finger at her.
"Quickly! Do you know who I am?"
Angar has been out of sorts. He has been way for several weeks leading a group of merchants through the Darklands passages to the west. Returning home he found the Clan Holding stuffed with people, cousins, aunts, uncles three times removed. Apparently there wasn't even a cot for him and so he had been sent off to the Inn to find a bed. He much preferred the stone bench he normally slept on near the kitchens, it was warm, hard, unyielding and, most importantly, his. He would never get used to the soft mattress and sheets, sheets indeed in this place.
As he broods he becomes aware of talking in the room. Something must be going on. He slowly opens his eyes and stretches.
Those in the room see a piece of what appeared to be the stone wall of the room stand and stretch. It is dwarf sized and roughly dwarf shaped but appears to be made of rock. He gives a shake of his head and small pieces of rock detach, burst into flames and start to orbit him.
He nods to the assembled crowd, Welcome, he mutters, Name's Angar of Clan Tolorr. You lot here for the festival then?
Batsu blinks in mild surprise as the stones of the wall shape themselves into a dwarf. He's rarely seen much in the way of magic down in the Burrows, and certainly nothing like this. He knows, in a sort of detached, academic way, that magic makes all sorts of things possible--his own powers included, after a fashion. But that...
That was very cool.
"Batsu. Pleasure. And... no, not exactly. I was told Clan Tolorr might be able to help me with some--" He almost says investigating, but there's no need for strangers to know his business. "--with something." He cocks his head. "You're of the clan, then? Are you a scholar, too?"
"What's up Angar. You might remember me. We've crossed paths a few times lining up for delving jobs. Korox is the name if it's slipped your memory".
He then rubs his beard and looks around at the others.
"Not sure why we're here, but I'd bet it's not for the festival. Don't think the clan would put us up this far in advance for something like that... and not sure why they would".
Angar grins at Korox, Yeah, sure, I remember. Good time, good times... who is he again, I am sure I have met him but when and where?
He grins at Batsu, Scholar, me, no-one has ever accused me of being all that bright. No, I'm a guide, the Clan has lots of different types. I also have a few extra tricks he says as he conjures a small ball of fire in his hand and sends it flying around the room lighting the Inn's torches.
Batsu doesn't move from his spot leaning against the wall as he watches the fire dart around the room lighting torches. "Not bad," he says as nonchalantly as possible, but he's not great at hiding the fact that he's clearly impressed, and maybe a little jealous.
Rova 12, 4723
Group Reputation: 0
The group has settled into Zelgin's Inn, their lodgings and food paid for by Clan Tolorr. The owner, Epna, has made you feel welcome, and you've gotten a feel for some of the regulars over the two days you've been here.
There is a quiet male dwarf, a hunter of some sort, named Elbert Glassgrinder.
Querizza is a human female who is a painter visiting from Magnimar to learn about dwarven art styles. She's also a fan of the sport of basilisk and a fan of Magnimar's team, the Fighting Firepelts. They'll soon arrive to play Highhelm's team, the Hodag's. There is some worry among dwarven fans as their best player Relkez Stonefist, is on paternity leave from the team. In fact, the team is holding tryouts to add a player before the game.
Shalhadri, a halfling woman from Druma has been eating here since Epna is willing to cater to her unique dietary needs. You've heard her mention that merchants from Dongun Hold near Alkenstar have recently arrived in the city.
You're also aware of fliers all around the city seeking temporary workers for the workshops in Burntown.
However, at the moment, you are all having breakfast when a woman walks in. She is a gnome with crystalline blue hair that shimmers in the light of the main room of the tavern. She walks over to your table, and she runs her hands over walls and empty tables as she moves. She pulls out a chair and sits at your table.
"That's what I love about Highelm. It's so old. The history is not just in the books, it's in the walls, the air, the people."
Her eyes shimmer, but then she blushes.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself. I'm Ria. I'm a curator, preservationist, and scholar of the occult for Clan Tolorr. It's a delight to see new faces."
She then looks at Kapra. "I'm so very glad you made it safely to Highhelm, Kapra, and that you accepted my invitation to come to the Festival."
She lifts a fork and steals some food from Kapra's plate. "As I understand it, you are all here for the celebration, as well as collaboration with the fine folks of the Clan, but that will have to wait until after the Festival, which isn't for a few weeks yet. That might be for the best."
Ria pauses, sniffs the air, then continues to talk. "As I thought. Clan Tolorr's about history. You can't just bring a bottle of wine to them, you need to bring stories, and there's barely a hint of narrative between you."
She pauses and smiles at Batsu. "Except you, of course. Not to worry though. Highhelm is swimming with stories to be written and rediscovered. Since your room and board are covered, you'll have time to get into trouble. It'll be fun.". Ria leans back, in case you have any questions for her.
Batsu blinks at being singled out, paranoia momentarily gripping him. How does she know about me? What does she know about me? Does she know what I've done? Who I really am? Does she know--
He takes a steadying breath. Jumping to conclusions is fatal in his line of work. He'd already informed the authorities about his... unusual return. They didn't seem keen on word spreading about what happened, though they never officially told him to keep it under wraps. He supposes it looks bad, like they don't know how to properly execute a criminal. Fortunately, they're also unlikely to spread the word in the seedier circles he's sometimes forced to work in to follow up on leads. The last thing he wants is for the Highhelm underworld to know whose face he wears.
Still, he doesn't know how much he wants it spread around just what his situation is. Not so much for himself; as far as he's concerned, whatever ill befalls him, he's earned. But he doesn't want his brother's name sullied with his actions, and Rika is the only family he has left. He can't lose her, too.
After a few moments considering Ria, he adds carefully, "I suppose I have no objections in helping the others gain the clan's attention, provided it's nothing too... sordid. What sort of trouble are we talking about?" He doubts she's referring to anything so dark as murder or the like, but it can't hurt to ask.
Agnar grins at Ria. So, they want us to work for their approval. Bloody typical. Well, I suppose we can do that. I hear tell the Hodag's are looking for a new player. You know anything about that?
Kapra was delighted that the incident with the gnome, the chair and the corridor passed peacefully. She mused it sounded like the start to some elaborate joke - no doubt in poor taste. And not knowing who the gnome in question was had to be something she would no doubt pay for later...she just sensed it.
Kapra smiled when Ria arrived at breakfast. Her comment about the festival made her own mention of it the night before seem sensible, even if everyone else thought she was premature in talking about it. He smile remained fixed when the curator helped herself to some of her food. Manners were something Kapra valued highly - but life as an adventurer meant she had become accustomed to different values and norms.
Given she is already known to the Clan, Kapra felt she had the least to gain, but was definitely up for showing willing and would go along with the group - for it seemed they had now formed as one. She just hoped whatever they chose did not involve a chair and a corridor!
Profuse apologies.
For some reason I didn't get any notifications. Note to self, check anyway from now on!
Korox had made his way to sit with Elbert and talk. He had met him briefly the previous evening, and found that they had hunting in common... though not always the same methods or desires.
Just as he was about to ask Elbert if he could join them, he heard a familiar voice, and turned. "Ria! I should have known you'd be drawn to a gathering like this like a moth to a candle. It's me Korox".
He then turned back to Elbert. "Good day sir. Mind if I join you this morning for some light conversation"?
Batsu senses no malice or anything shady from Ria's comment.
"Hello again, Korox. I'm only a welcoming committee today before I get back to my projects." Ria explains, and then she chuckles as she looks at Angar.
"They? They are you, Angar Tolorr. You are part of the clan after all. There's no approval being sought. History is not just in books, it's living. As for the Hodags, I don't know anything. You could go to the tryouts and see what it's all about for yourself."
Batsu mulls Ria's words over before asking, "Any idea where we might start? I'm, uh. Not great when it comes to picking up the latest gossip."
I could see if I can find some less reputable contacts, I suppose, he thinks, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
Jax was not delighted to have not gotten a solid answer on whether or not the human knew who she was. She'd been hoping to meet someone who didn't know about her ancestor. Of course, there was always the chance that she didn't know anything at all. That she was being silly... In all honesty, she was almost definitely being silly.
She let out a little sigh as she picked at her breakfast, glancing over as the other gnome proceeded to enter into the tavern room. One of her eyebrows quirked up as she obviously knew several of the people here. Except, didn't seem to want to talk to her. The other gnome at the table. Probably because of her ancestor. Sinking in a little, she just nodded her head along to the mention of getting a story to bring.
"I'm sure we can find something... Just gotta ask around..."
While you all can keep RPing, and talking with Ria, please choose your activities for the day. Batsu, you can use Underworld Lore to Gather Information if you want.
Leads:
Hodag tryouts in King's Crown
Alkenstar merchants in Stonebreach
Smithing work in the Burntown area of King's Heart.
"Well I think I might head over to Burntown to see what the clamor for needing smiths is. Anybody want to tag along"?
Exploration
Batsu considers taking a trip to the seedier neighborhoods to see what he can find, but in the end he shakes his head. He'd rather not stir up trouble in the dark corners of the city right before he's supposed to be attending a festival, particularly a festival he was invited to because someone else vouched for him. He doesn't want to bring anything down on Valahask's head. He doesn't know the iruxi very well, but they seemed an amiable sort. If push comes to shove, he can always do that later. For now, Korox seems to have a good idea where to start.
"I'll go with you, Korox. I'm no stranger to a forge, maybe I can help."
"Well... The best place for me is probably with the merchants. I'm good at talking! Very good at talking. They won't know who I am. Therefore, the best place for me. Yes, yes, anyone who wishes to come with me can. I'm sure I'll get them all on my side!"
The thought of having something good to do got her out of her funk. Leaping up and onto her table, she'd raise a hand high. A fork held in her hand, a piece of bacon skewered onto it. Bringing it back to her mouth, she'd sit back down to quickly shovel the rest of her down. She had work to do!
As the group decides what to do Angar starts to limber up. I'm more at home in the tunnels watching our for roving cave fishers and ravenous oozes than making nice with the City folk. I think though, that I might go in for the Hodag try-outs.
Elbert would not be interested, at the moment, in conversation.
Burntowm: Korox and Batsu.
Alkenstar Merchants: Jaxi.
Hodags: Angar.
When Kilain and Kapra declare what they want to do, we'll press on.
As for Basilisk, it's a team sport popular in the Inner Sea Region. Two teams of 8 attempt to put a head-sized ball through a goal. They wear helmets with a lowerable opaque visor.
There are two complications to the game. The first is that the person with the scoring ball has to lower his or her visor, relying on memory and the called out instructions of teammates to try and score.
The other complication is the second ball, the basilisk. If a player is struck by it, they must freeze in place.
Kapra saw the opportunity to either keep as much distance between herself and Jax...or not. Making what she felt was the wisest choice, Kapra speaks up.
"I'd like to tag along with Jax. It feels like something that I'd add the most to, plus it would be good to get to know you." She looks directly at Jax as she finishes her sentence, smiling.
Kilain listens politely and looks to the others as they declare where they intend to look into creating 'history' and nodded well Anger me boyo, likes I'm with ye then. Let us see what the Hodags need in a player. If it's strength I have that in abundance
Jaxi and Kapra.
Leaving the inn, the two descend to the Stonebreach region of Highhelm. It doesn't take them long to find the merchants, as a crowd of people is watching them unload goods into a storefront and some display stalls. There is a sign above the storefront that reads:
Round Market Firearms.
There is a small display set up of the storage weapons and gadgets that are made in Alkenstar, and none of the dwarves carry clan daggers. Instead, they have some of those strange weapons where a clan dagger would normally be worn.
One rotund dwarf with a full white beard that falls nearly to his ankles seems to be in charge, though he routinely tells people "We're not open yet. We will be soon."
Angar and Kilain
The two dwarves make their way across King's Crown to where the Hodags are doing their tryouts. A lot of people are here, and most of them are no good at Basilisk at all. Still, the idea of being able to play just a single game for the home team is worth it to these fans, even if they embarrass themselves at the tryouts.
Korox and Batsu.
The two make their way to Burntown, a neighborhood of King's Heart built near elemental gates to the plane of fire. Many smithies operate here, and many of them are behind schedule since the city has conscripted many workers to work on a project called Torag's Shield, an upgrade to the city's fortifications.
They travel to a smithy called simply Elga's, run by a purple-skinned, red-headed dwarf woman named Elga Sfarhaggen. She is dressed practically and takes a few moments to speak to the pair after examining them.
"You're new in the craft, but we all start with imperfections, and you don't know a bar's mettle until you've stuck it in the fire. What's important is that you'll be ready to work tomorrow morning. Mornings are for labor, afternoons are for chatter, so you'll be coming in before dawn and not bothering me with a word more than what's needed to get the jobs done. Things get livelier after lunch, and we'll use that to see how you're doing. Right, the tasks.
.
Elga starts counting on her fingers. "First one is building fences. Got a wrought iron job that's overdue, and shaping pickets is simple work. Second is repairing a crossbow. The weapons arm got busted, so I'll need to make a new one, or I will if you can convince my hot-forge's elemental to wake up and cooperate. Third task is an abandoned shield project that needs some finishing touches on its magic and design."
"Come afternoon, there will be some administrative jobs that you can help with too, but your main task is those three jobs. Should take a day, might take you longer. If it takes less, there's plenty more you can do. Ask any questions now, you'll be working tomorrow.
Angar grins at Kilain, This is a much better idea than wandering around trying to talk to merchants. Merchants are dull, tedious and are forever complaining when you lead them through the Darklands. Oh no, the roads are too lumpy, Roads! indeed. Or, for the humans, it too dark, its too cold, a mushroom just tried to eat me. Whinge, whinge, whinge. Anyway loving the chance to try out for the Home team. Never could as a lad, always too busy, stoke the forge Angar, fill up the coal Angar, bring more wood Angar, on and on and on, well, at least until the accident. Not that that was my fault you understand, spontaneous elemental Gates are a tricky thing to handle...
And so it goes on and on as the pair of them head across town. Angar may be the most talkative dwarf to have ever talked and doesnt really notice if Kilain joins in or not.
Arriving at the field he limbers up and heads out onto the field looking to capture the ball with a suitably athletic jump!
Grabbing the ball he tries to make sure he keeps hold of it!
Keeping hold of it (hopefully) he flips down his visor as per the rules of the game and tries to anticipate opposing players trying to stop him.
"I'll be sure to show you the real me!" Getting to know her didn't equate to getting to know her past. It meant she could prove herself on her own merits! So she gave a small fist pump, before hopping off the chair. She motioned for the rogue to follow her before she started hurrying off. "Well come on, we got work to do!"
-
Jax obviously knew where she was going in the city, leading the way for Kapra as they descended down into Stonebreach. Obviously a native, she would talk... a lot, about whatever random thing she noticed. A certain shop, what bits of history she knew, what the gossip was, what was going on, she did not stop talking the entire trip down to the market.
Upon spotting the crowd and the sign, she'd move even quicker to try and get through the crowd. Upon spotting the dwarf with the white beard, she'd move to get his attention. Waving her hands very energetically as he says they're not open yet. "Oh no, we're not here for purchases, we're here to help! Perhaps you need a hype woman to drum up more excitement? Someone to help demonstrate products? Runners? I'm sure me and my tall friend here can help you with whatever you need!"
She'd reach over and pat Kapra on the leg, trying to look as confident as possible. This was their best chance at getting some stories for the festival!
Batsu listens carefully to Elga's explanation, nodding along. "Never worked with enchantments before, at least not by myself. The shield might be better off in someone else's hands. The fencing, though, I can handle well enough. We will return in the morning, then. Might even be able to bring more hands, if they're done playing games." He pauses, then frowns. "I uh. I've never talked to an elemental before. I'm not good with people. That probably extends to elementals." He shrugs uncomfortably, glancing at Korox. "What about you?"
As they walked to the merchants, Kapra plucked up the courage to ask her companion a question. "How should I address you? Is it Jax, or do you prefer something else?"
Once they reach their destination, it was all Kapra could do not to turn her nose up in disgust. To an observant onlooker, you would think a ten-week old kipper had been wafted in front of her.
"I love history," she confided in Jax, "and these new-fangled weapons...I'm sure they'll catch on but they level the playing field too much. Where's the skill in blasting someone? Unless that's the angle...sell them to people who wouldn't last ten seconds in a real fight?"
"But I'll let you take the lead and I'll follow suit. You seem to have the confidence to do most - if not all - of the talking.
Jaxi and Kapra.
The white-bearded dwarf shakes his head to Jaxi. "While your offer is quite kind, we're not in need of any assistance at the moment. We're not even fully unloaded."
But, it seems, Kapra actually gives him a little assistance with her question, and the dwarf smiles widely. "Ahh, that is an excellent question, miss. What is the skill in using a musket? You could ask what is the skill in using a crossbow? What is the skill in using a catapult? What is the skill in a bolt of lightning flashing across a battlefield?"
He throws his arm wide, spinning a little to face the crowd as he asks his own questions, but ends up facing Jaxi and Kapra once more. "The skill, miss, is not in the weapon, it is in the person. I do not claim our weapons are better than other weapons. They are just an option for a person to choose to master. They are not for everyone, nor should they be. Once we are open, you can come by for a free lesson and see if they suit you. Bring your friends if you like."
"I mean I don't use a weapon... I just point my finger at someone, say a magic word, and they freeze on the spot! I can't exactly talk much about skill now can I?" She'd comment back at Kapra, as well as towards the dwarf who was talking at the comment about skill. Still, she listened to his last bit and gave the man a grin, as well as a thumbs up.
"I'll be sure to tell my friends! Know some people who'll be really interested in it! Even if it's not my style or my friend here's. Sorry for taking up your time." With that she'd back away so others could ask their questions, giving Kapra a few moments to finish asking any questions she may still have before leaving properly. As they'd leave she'd give a small sigh and put her hands on her hips.
"Well, that's not gonna help us get stories for the festival. I guess we need to just ask around and see what we can find. Maybe we'll uncover a conspiracy to steal all the city's cakes or something. Also, just call me Jax, it's way easier than Jaqsiaria... If you don't mind me calling you Kap." She'd snap her fingers and point at the rogue, giving her a smile as she waited for a response.
Kapra nodded in agreement with the dwarf. Maybe her own prejudices were blinding her to the possibilities of the potential of these new-fangled weapons.
”I think I’ll take you up on that offer. We’ll be seeing you again soon.”
As they depart, she says to Jax in lowered tones. ”Never pass up the opportunity to make allies - especially dwarves in a dwarven stronghold. But you’re right, let’s try somewhere else to see what stories we might uncover.”
After the visit to the forge, Myōbatsu wanders the streets of King's Heart in a slow meander back toward the inn, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling district. While the Depths certainly have a certain rhythm to them, they are nowhere near as lively as King's Heart. Of course, the Depths are within spitting distance of the Darklands, so he supposes it's only natural. Yet there is definitely something about the upper districts of Highhelm that he can't immediately put his finger on. After the third dwarf smiles and greets him, he realizes what it is about the Depths that King's Heart lacks:
Desperation.
Almost no one lives in the Depths--or perhaps, more specifically the Burrows--because they want to, and those that do want to, do so because they are natives of the Darklands and feel significantly more comfortable than in the higher, brighter districts. Everything down there is dark; uplanders are rare, so light sources are rare, too. Here, mirrors pour sunlight in from the outside world to brighten everything up for visitors. He finds himself blinking significantly more than he's used to.
And the people are friendlier. Not all of them, of course--especially the guards, who give him plenty of suspicious glances--but fewer people cross the street at his approach, and some are even kind. It's jarring, to say the least. His first thought is to wonder how all these people manage to keep from getting fleeced by pickpockets, but a quick count of the guards tells him exactly how. There's way more heat here; hells, the guards rarely come into the Burrows at all, let alone do anything about the crime there.
With some notable exceptions, he thinks morosely. His thoughts having turned maudlin, he pulls his dark violet cloak closer around himself and hurries his pace toward the inn. A beer and something with meat sounds awfully good right about now.
Kilain plods along listening to Angat ramble periodically indicating he was listening by muttering under his breath huuuurm as they get in.line for the tryouts Kilain, who never followed the sport was amazed at how well Angar took to it. He nodded and clapped and when the coach asked if he was here to try out as well he said ahhh no boyo. Me friend Angat there be doing so well. I be thinking I'd be making things more difficult for ye and me. I would tell you he's a fine player and yed be doing right to choose him.
Angar does well enough to make the team for the game on the 14th against Magnimar.
While wandering the Depths, Batsu hears that a kobold youth vanished in the Blacknoon Gauntlet, which is the initiation ritual for the Blackmoon Thieves Guild, and that someone named Ussa is looking for people to see if he is okay.
Rova 13, 4723
Party Reputation: 0
Events completed 1/13
Leads:
Helping in Burntown (must be completed today)
Highhelm vs. Magnimar (game on the 14th)
Investigating the missing kobold.