Riese looks at the 2 dwarves and shakes his head slightly.... The antics seem to be growing on him and he is slightly amused.
He takes another mouthful of sweet meade, swishing it about in his mouth before swallowing and reaches into his bag to pull out his Magic Book, before relaxing with a good read.
The old guy, the one that looks like a dire dwarf, sidles up to Riese.
"So, watcha readin?"
"Aaaah... I see your point. You're thinking that Elgan is a cat who can change into humanoid form? Here, let me get you another brew as I explain." Altai gets another beer for the zoog. While he would like a few more himself, he also realises that it is not particularly prudent to be boozing while interviewing a creature from another plane of existence. He unfurls a piece of parchment and prepares to write down some zoog wisdom.
"Elgan can change his shape into just about any animal - large cat, big dog, birds, small horses, fish, giant insects, you name it. And as you are fully aware of, cats are tough enemies - it makes good sense to twist one's body into cat form if one needs to fight. Now, this forest of the zoogs sounds fascinating, as does that walking-through-the-light business. Would you mind telling me a bit about that? Also, how did the witchdoctor find out about the cats here?"
"Well, we live there. Hunt there. Fight cats try fight us.
Don't know how witchdoctor knows of this place. He just knows stuff. Why he is witchdoctor, I guess.
Man who turns into a cat." He looks up at you, his tentacles flailing. "Weird."
"Sometimes, people, bigthings, otherthings, show up in the Zoog Forest. Don't know why they're there.
Sometimes we talk to them. Sometimes they fight us up.
Why people let cats be in their villages?"
"Hey Chakka - you talk good."
"You fight cats, Little Bigthing?"
"Me fight everything."
"you guys are getting a little to friendly with the ratthing, Harvak don't trust it. Gittik where's Granny? I'm certain she can extract the truth from this talkin rodent"!
"Me fight everything."
He nods his head, snorting and clicking his teeth together, while his face tentacles flail.
"You eat cat?"
The old guy, the one that looks like a dire dwarf, sidles up to Riese.
"So, watcha readin?"
It is a book. Usually the more advanced races place markings on these things here(indicates a page) called pages. These markings hold special meanings and usually convey a written message or story, depending upon how the aforementioned symbols or marking are arranged. Differing races usually have their own series of 'markings' and arrangement styles......*continues a solo conversation on the origins and basics of written languages, as if teaching a five year old, until the dwarf finally leaves him alone to his reading.*
"So how do you guys pass from your realm to ours? Is it a moon phase thing, or does the witchdoctor cast a spell or something? Do you travel a lot back and forth?"
"So how do you guys pass from your realm to ours? Is it a moon phase thing, or does the witchdoctor cast a spell or something? Do you travel a lot back and forth?"
"Me not know. Him give big speech one night, we get all worked up go kill cats. Witchdoctor know all that stuff. Light comes, in forest, we go through light. End up here in tiny tiny forest. That simple!"
The old guy, the one that looks like a dire dwarf, sidles up to Riese.
"So, watcha readin?"It is a book. Usually the more advanced races place markings on these things here(indicates a page) called pages. These markings hold special meanings and usually convey a written message or story, depending upon how the aforementioned symbols or marking are arranged. Differing races usually have their own series of 'markings' and arrangement styles......*continues a solo conversation on the origins and basics of written languages, as if teaching a five year old, until the dwarf finally leaves him alone to his reading.*
Ithak nods along to Riese's diatribe.
"So, what's that book about? Saltmarsh?"
Riese continues his diatribe ceaselessly, without acknowledging the dwarf's questions as long as necessary to drive him away........
"So, where are you guys from? Been to Fort Bale?"
"My pops told me that certain folks and villages that lived along the sea made pacts with evils from the deeps, he said it was a old pact that went back before fire rained down from the heavens".
"oho! Your father knows something of the old times, eh?" The burly old feller pipes up. "Yes, yes, the sea holds many things, both malevolent and benign.
I traded some merfolk once, some bronze spearpoints for some pearls for jewelry. Gave it to my wife. Well, she passed away five year'n back. Not the plague, mind you. Salinmoor hasn't seen plague nigh-on twenty years now. Poor Miss Ithak, heart gave out finally. Ithak's m'name, by the bye.
You guys been to Bale, lookin' for mercenary work, I reckon? Any luck?"
"Yes we are lookin for work, whatcha gotta?"
"Oh, me? Nothin really. Not much round here. People usually pass through. I was just wondering if they were hiring mercs at Bale. If not, I could head off folks from Saltmarsh, save them a day's walk.
I heard in Saltmarsh though, there's been some killings. Not the usual drunk stuff, or the robberknights, mind you...say there's a gang called "the fell fatmen." Kill down by the docks, or in the alleys, after nightfall.
There's also a story I heard tell of an orphan from Lilybrook, went missing. Say he was answering dare to mess around at that old Alchemist's mansion outside of town. About a week ago.
Now, some paladin of Cuthbert like, he went on in to have a look for him; he went missing too. Hear tell, them priests of Cuthbert like the matter looked into."
"The needs of mens hearts often lead them through the trials of lust to greed to pure evil..."
"You have that right. Nothing like a pretty face to lead a feller astray. Many times in my youth that was my case.
You have to find you a good woman. That'll cure up all of that. Best I can tell.
So, they get you guys work at Fort Bale, then? Send you on your way?"
Well then good sir allow me to buy you dinner this evening and drinks on Harvak all around the house!!!
Harvak scoups up the ettin skull "Zoggy zocky! Zeggy zocky! Hoyg! Hoyg! Hoyg! (gulp) Arrrrrggg!"
o_O ~hic~blurp!!!
cons/check
"Oorah! Oorah!" Shout the fishermen.
The dwarven instigator of the drinking contest never made it back inside. Been awhile.
Harvak makes his way through the crowded tap room as fishermen pat him on the back and raise the mugs up to the huge half-orc. He steps outside onto the porch....
He's outside, leaned up against the building, unconscious; snoring.
By this time Elgan has given up on watching the dwarves, if only because it seems that Stigwold has such an unfair advantage over the other dwarf. (The advantage being that Stiggy wakes up as drunk as the other guy is now!)
He continues to sip and savor his pint as he watches Beldan interact with the 'mage' and his girls. And manages not to laugh out loud at the halfling's 'help'. "Ee's got a point dere chere. Yeh could jus' ask." He says quietly to himself.
Hey, nice beergive bigthing, why you friend with bigthing, turn into lousy cat?"
At this the elf climbs down from his stool and carries his beer over to the table with Altai and the Zoog.
"Ah kin tu'n inta a lot o' t'ings" Elgan says, nodding at Altai. "Most o' dem have big teeth. 'Da' betta to eat yeh wit'" He smiles at the zoog, but it's obvious (Unless maybe your a zoog) that he isn't trying to scare him, but laughing at his own joke. "What fo' ya'all hates cats so much, anyhoo?" He asks, genuinely interested.
"You eat cat?"
"Me eat everything."
"Oorah! Oorah!" Shout the fishermen.
The dwarven instigator of the drinking contest never made it back inside. Been awhile.
<Looks down at his dog.>
"Tenser, 'e isnae comin' back."
<Orders another drink and lifts it."
"Tae uir fa'en comrades."
"Me eat everything."
<Ears up.>
Beldan’s eyes glaze over, and he soon stops paying attention to Vaulter’s lecture, thinking instead of how he might get to talk to Pharsia alone.
“So,” he says, when Vaulter pauses, perhaps for breath, perhaps expecting Beldan to reply. “Where are you all headed – Saltmarsh?”
"Aye, to Saltmarsh, and then,...who knows where."
Harvak comes back in carrying the besotted Barrelhouse. His daughters take charge and take him to his room.
Pharsia stands up, "well, it's late; I must retire."
spoiler Beldan:
and walks upstairs.
The zoog: "hate cats. They make war, or eat us. We kill. They kill. They make peace. Then, they eat us at the peace party. Make war. It goes on and on. Down through ages.
We always make war with sneaky cats. Always have, always will."
"Ithak I wish you'd to tell me more of the Fell Fatmenof Saltmarsh. barkeep another round on the house!"
“A pleasure, sweet Pharsia,” says Beldan, taking her hand and brushing his lips against it. His eyes follow her (perfect behind, swaying hips, luscious legs) up the stairs.
“Yes, I’m a little tired myself as it turns out,” he says to Vaulter, faking a yawn and making his farewells.
He picks up his pack and weapons from where he’d shoved them beside his feet as he conversed, and hurries over to Altai’s table.
“Greetings Altai, I’ve always found you to be a trustworthy and steady-headed fellow,” he says, trying very hard to pretend he does not notice that the wizard is talking to a small, tentacled monstrosity in a box – and that it is having a beer, “so you probably won’t get drunk with everyone else. Can you mind my stuff? See that it makes it into a room. Oh, and when Stiggy gets the mule stabled, can you remind him to look after Snuffles (the pig) as well? Thanks. I have to …” he trails off, then gives Altai a grin and a hearty slap on the back. “See you on the morrow!”
He leaves his stuff, but keeps one of his daggers snug in it’s boot sheath (‘cos, you know …the nagging, annoying part of his brain is telling him that he wasn’t really that charming), and heads over to the bar, ordering two glasses of honeymead and a pitcher of water (the later used to quickly clean the worst of the road grime from his face and neck), then takes the mead and all but jogs up the stairs.
<Stig pays his bill, boots Tenser lightly and heads off to stable the mule and the pig. He sheds his armour and passes out in the wagon with Tenser at his side.>
[ooc]5 g.p. each oughta cover everybody for stables, rooms, food and booze.
15 g.p. for Harvak; he's bought everybody 2 f%*@ing rounds.
15 g.p. for Harvak; he's bought everybody 2 f~&@ing rounds.
Saltmarsh killings near docks
Fell Fatmen ; gang of murderers; perhaps connected to the dock murders...
Robberknights; Keoland's spoiled nobled youths,young, dumb and full of gold and noble weaponry
Missing orphan; Playin around that damned old Alchemist's Mansion
Missing Paladin; Of St Cuthbert;went looking for orphan
old Alchemist's Mansion ; outside of town
Civil war in northern Keoland brewing...
Beldan makes the upper floor and searches around for room number 34. When he finds it, he balances the glasses in one hand, knocks softly at the door, then takes the key and opens the door.
"Well, the fell fatmen....lotsa different stories really. I've pieced together that there's 4 or 5 of them, and they always strike at night. Anybody they find on the streets. Anybody.....streetwalkers, merchants, sea salts....they kill with cleavers. Don't seem interested in stealing or whatnot. Just killing.
Say there the fattest men anybody has ever seen; 4 or 5 of them walking down th' street stark naked, carrying cleavers. All I know.
I've never seen them."
Beldan makes the upper floor and searches around for room number 34. When he finds it, he balances the glasses in one hand, knocks softly at the door, then takes the key and opens the door.
Beldan wakes up the next morning in a tub full of ice, missing a kidney. (just kidding).
She just...wants to talk. Her name's really Gisela from Perrenland. She can't remember if he said she was from Ekbir or Tusmit this time. He does that just to f~!@ with her.
Her whole life's a lie, but he needs her. He'd be lost without her.
They're going to Saltmarsh tomorrow, try to sell this and that game.
d.c. 15 diplomacy check to tap that.
Owww! My kidney!
So instead he stays up talking with her, trying to encourage her to leave the jerk Vaulter. Come with him instead if she wants. Reach Saltmarsh and give the guy the slip. Rob him blind and steal away in the night. Whatever, just live her own life. Don’t let the bastard steal her life, she’s better than that.
He doesn’t know if he convinces her – probably not . But he offers her some money if she needs it to break away, well aware that he’ll probably see no return on that investment. Also offers that she (or her group if she’s not willing to split) can ride with them to Saltmarsh.
As morning dawns, he kisses her farewell, and tries to console himself with a glance down the front of her top and doing like the Sherminator and telling the guys he hit that.
Gittik sleeps under a table, hands on weapons.
Owww! My kidney!
As the party settles down, Altai wanders off to bed. He gets a block of ice to keep the dead zoogs reasonably fresh, a small meal to double up as a late night snack and breakfast, and makes sure that Chakka's box is both securely locked and has something really heavy on top of it. While the zoog has been most cooperative, he does not trust the little fellow, certainly not enough to sleep close to it. Harvak's probably right. We should hand him over to Granny or something. We'll think it over tomorrow...