As Klyndak heads towards the merchant guild's townhouse, he passes a corpulant well-dressed man on the streets. The man is whistling to himself as he looks over a some scribbles on a wax tablet.
As Orlan heads towards the merchant guild's townhouse, he passes a corpulant well-dressed man on the streets. The man is whistling to himself as he looks over a some scribbles on a wax tablet.
When Orlan arrives at the guildhall and inquires about Wain Sarpis, he is told that Sarpis just now left for the inner bailey on "matters of great and immediate import".
When Orlan arrives at the guildhall and inquires about Wain Sarpis, he is told that Sarpis just now left for the inner bailey on "matters of great and immediate import".
"What?! Hunh!" Orlan grouses. Then a look crosses his face as he ponders his recent memory. "Say...he wouldn't be a rather corpulent, well-dressed fella, would he? Bearin' a wax tablet, perhaps?"
When Orlan arrives at the guildhall and inquires about Wain Sarpis, he is told that Sarpis just now left for the inner bailey on "matters of great and immediate import"."What?! Hunh!" Orlan grouses. Then a look crosses his face as he ponders his recent memory. "Say...he wouldn't be a rather corpulent, well-dressed fella, would he? Bearin' a wax tablet, perhaps?"
"He is rather well dressed and that wax tablet contains details of a very important transaction ..."
"He is rather well dressed and that wax tablet contains details of a very important transaction ..."
"Well, I'll be..." Orlan mutters, "Thanks. The inner bailey yuh say? I'll try and catch 'im there then."
Orlan then retraces his route, looking for the rather corpulent, well-dressed fellow bearing a wax tablet.
"He is rather well dressed and that wax tablet contains details of a very important transaction ...""Well, I'll be..." Orlan mutters, "Thanks. The inner bailey yuh say? I'll try and catch 'im there then."
Orlan then retraces his route, looking for the rather corpulent, well-dressed fellow bearing a wax tablet.
A rather well-dressed and corpulent fellow passes you in the other direction, returning from the inner bailey, whistling at tune with a cheerful grin while tapping on a wax tablet.
A rather well-dressed and corpulent fellow passes you in the other direction, returning from the inner bailey, whistling at tune with a cheerful grin while tapping on a wax tablet.
Orlan pauses on the steet. 'How many well-dressed, rather corpulent fellas could be carryin' 'round a wax tablet all day long?' he muses to himself. Figuring this would be the guy, he turns and calls out...
"Hey! Fella! Yeah, yuh're the one! Mind sparin' a moment?" he asks, "I done traveled down ta the merchant's guildhouse lookin' fer a Wain Sarpis. That be yer name, I reckon? Well an' good enough."
Provided the man identifies himself as Sarpis, Orlan falls in step alongside him.
"Muh name be Orlan Hammerfoe o' the Foehammer Spires," he explains, "Lord Kerrigan sent me ta do business here at the Keep on behalf o' King Klyndak, the newly-returned liege o' the dwarven halls atop the Mindspin Mountains. I come ta establish trade with the Keep an' ta secure a handful o' supplies fer our men on the mountain. Can yuh be aidin' me in that task?"
A rather well-dressed and corpulent fellow passes you in the other direction, returning from the inner bailey, whistling at tune with a cheerful grin while tapping on a wax tablet.Orlan pauses on the steet. 'How many well-dressed, rather corpulent fellas could be carryin' 'round a wax tablet all day long?' he muses to himself. Figuring this would be the guy, he turns and calls out...
"Hey! Fella! Yeah, yuh're the one! Mind sparin' a moment?"
"Can't talk now, I have a horse to auction off ... somebody died you know!" he says cheerfully without breaking his stride.
"I done traveled down ta the merchant's guildhouse lookin' fer a Wain Sarpis. That be yer name, I reckon? Well an' good enough."
"I am indeed Wain Sarpis. And who might you be my dwarven friend," he asks though his intonation suggests he doesn't really care.
"Muh name be Orlan Hammerfoe o' the Foehammer Spires"
"Uh-huh," his eyes flash upwards as if checking internal 'accounts payable' and 'accounts receivable' folders before being certain he has no interest in you. "Nope."
"Lord Kerrigan sent me ta do business here at the Keep on behalf o' King Klyndak, the newly-returned liege o' the dwarven halls atop the Mindspin Mountains.
"King, you say," looking at you for the first time.
I come ta establish trade with the Keep an' ta secure a handful o' supplies fer our men on the mountain. Can yuh be aidin' me in that task?"
He stops and faces you: "Well, Mr. Hammerfoe, you have certainly come to the right man! As head of the merchants guild, I am the ideal person to deal with monarchs and their representatives. We will have to see about setting up a fledgling kingdom discount for you that all our guild members will be expected to abide by. Please, come with me, other than auctioning off the horse of a deceased resident of the Keep, I have no other business to attend to today. The auction itself would be an ideal opportunity for me to introduce you as this auction will attract quite a crowd. He's an ... interesting horse."
"Well, Mr. Hammerfoe, you have certainly come to the right man! As head of the merchants guild, I am the ideal person to deal with monarchs and their representatives. We will have to see about setting up a fledgling kingdom discount for you that all our guild members will be expected to abide by. Please, come with me, other than auctioning off the horse of a deceased resident of the Keep, I have no other business to attend to today. The auction itself would be an ideal opportunity for me to introduce you as this auction will attract quite a crowd. He's an ... interesting horse."
"How interestin' can a horse be?" Orlan wonders aloud, "Not near as sure-footed as a good mountain mule or burro. But I'll be accompanyin' yuh as it were. Better ta be startin' a friendly trade relationship with the Keep sooner rather than later, I s'pose."
As they continue walking together, Orlan asks, "Say, this deceased fella yuh be talkin' about...do yuh happen ta know his name, perhaps?"
"Well, Mr. Hammerfoe, you have certainly come to the right man! As head of the merchants guild, I am the ideal person to deal with monarchs and their representatives. We will have to see about setting up a fledgling kingdom discount for you that all our guild members will be expected to abide by. Please, come with me, other than auctioning off the horse of a deceased resident of the Keep, I have no other business to attend to today. The auction itself would be an ideal opportunity for me to introduce you as this auction will attract quite a crowd. He's an ... interesting horse.""How interestin' can a horse be?" Orlan wonders aloud, "Not near as sure-footed as a good mountain mule or burro. But I'll be accompanyin' yuh as it were. Better ta be startin' a friendly trade relationship with the Keep sooner rather than later, I s'pose."
As they continue walking together, Orlan asks, "Say, this deceased fella yuh be talkin' about...do yuh happen ta know his name, perhaps?"
"I do. It was a 'Captain' Badder. He was in debt to the local bank and, as agreed upon by Lord Kerrigan, we have taken his horse and a few other possessions to auction off in an attempt at restitution. ... As for the horse, between you and me, he whipped the horse so hard that the poor creature is likely to be permanently spooked. Badder's fellow soldiers named the horse 'Harsh' for the way it had been treated. A shame really, because the horse was an incredible beast when he bought it. Really ... anyone bidding on that horse would have to be a few barrels shy of a wagon load."
"I do. It was a 'Captain' Badder. He was in debt to the local bank and, as agreed upon by Lord Kerrigan, we have taken his horse and a few other possessions to auction off in an attempt at restitution. ... As for the horse, between you and me, he whipped the horse so hard that the poor creature is likely to be permanently spooked. Badder's fellow soldiers named the horse 'Harsh' for the way it had been treated. A shame really, because the horse was an incredible beast when he bought it. Really ... anyone bidding on that horse would have to be a few barrels shy of a wagon load."
"Is that so?" Orlan muses aloud, "Hunh! Fella by the name o' Badder harrassed some o' King Klyndak's retainers up on the mountain a few days back. It might be a bit o' poetic justice ta buy the man's belongin's and take'em back to muh liege. Perhaps I'll make a bid on these items, muhself...both as a tribute to King Klyndak...and as a demonstration o' the treasuries which the dwarves o' the Foehammer Spires can draw upon when they're of a mind ta..."
"Do yuh happen ta know what else may be among the man's possessions? Anythin' o' interest to my liege? And just between muhself and yerself, can yuh share the price that the horse and these belongin's might fetch? In the interests o' fosterin' goodwill between our two peoples, a bit o' friendly insight shouldn't be too much ta ask o' yuh..."
"I'm afraid I don't know much about plants ... the person to ask would be Larjen Widebottom. He's Sirap Hilltown's son-in-law and can usually be found at the inn."
"Me neither, I can tell you all sorts of things about plant qualities but raising them and finding them I have a little more difficulty with." Yin confesses with a shake of her head as she takes another look at the corpse's nails "As I have no idea what this is it looks like chatting with Mr. Widebottom would be the best bet for continuing, perhaps Manny will discover what this is by working out what he was up to before he died" She remarks, thinking aloud.
"So, fancy a drink in the inn?" She asks with a small smile.
"I'm afraid I don't know much about plants ... the person to ask would be Larjen Widebottom. He's Sirap Hilltown's son-in-law and can usually be found at the inn."
"Me neither, I can tell you all sorts of things about plant qualities but raising them and finding them I have a little more difficulty with." Yin confesses with a shake of her head as she takes another look at the corpse's nails "As I have no idea what this is it looks like chatting with Mr. Widebottom would be the best bet for continuing, perhaps Manny will discover what this is by working out what he was up to before he died" She remarks, thinking aloud.
"So, fancy a drink in the inn?" She asks with a small smile.
"I ... I don't drink but I will accompany you to the inn and 'The Old Mess'."
Manfred is issued a tunic in the reddish-orange and black colours of the Keep. His helmet is substituted for a much planer one.
Eventually a soldier arrives. Manfred recognizes him as one of those who was on the spire but the soldier gives no indication that he recognizes Manfred. He says only "Follow me."
On the way, Manfred catches sight of Orlan and a rather chubby fellow. Orlan does not seem to notice Manfred.
The corpulent fellow is hollaring something about an auction. For a moment it appears to Manfred that Orlan is up for sale but he soon realizes that cannot be right.
Other than an initial "Yes Sir", Sir Manfred follows along without comment, watching and listening for the moment.
"...don't drink?" Yin repeats, vaguely shocked "Why not? If you don't mind my asking.. life is to be enjoyed, why deny yourself things?" She questions as she starts for the door.
Other than an initial "Yes Sir", Sir Manfred follows along without comment, watching and listening for the moment.
"Those guys move quick," complains the guard leading you. "Badder's not dead a day and they're selling his horse."
"...don't drink?" Yin repeats, vaguely shocked "Why not? If you don't mind my asking.. life is to be enjoyed, why deny yourself things?" She questions as she starts for the door.
"I enjoy life," says Falcon looking uncomfortable. "I just do it without drinking"
Before he leaves, he pauses and glances around the room: "Okay, is there anything we're missing here?"
"It's alright for some" Yin replies with a small slightly sad smile "But some of us find things a lot more bearable with the occasional drink"
Standing beside Falcon she looks around the room, trying to spot any glaring clues they may have missed.
"Is that so?" Orlan muses aloud, "Hunh! Fella by the name o' Badder harrassed some o' King Klyndak's retainers up on the mountain a few days back. It might be a bit o' poetic justice ta buy the man's belongin's and take'em back to muh liege. Perhaps I'll make a bid on these items, muhself...both as a tribute to King Klyndak...and as a demonstration o' the treasuries which the dwarves o' the Foehammer Spires can draw upon when they're of a mind ta..."
"Do yuh happen ta know what else may be among the man's possessions? Anythin' o' interest to my liege? And just between muhself and yerself, can yuh share the price that the horse and these belongin's might fetch? In the interests o' fosterin' goodwill between our two peoples, a bit o' friendly insight shouldn't be too much ta ask o' yuh..."
"Well! I certainly would not advise you against bidding but I must caution you ... in the interest of goodwill I should caution you the horse is a little unpredictable. ... Usually a light warhorse would fetch 150 gp but considering the scars on its flanks, we would be lucky to get that."
"What else do we have" he asks himself looking at the wax-coated tablet. "'11 obscene statuettes' ... Who needs 11 obscene statuettes? ... Riding saddle ... leather barding ... engraved goblet ... Really! We'll be lucky to match his debts with this."
With that Wain turns and calls out cheerfully to some passersby "Auction in an hour ... central market ... your word is good sir ... cash can follow."
"It's alright for some" Yin replies with a small slightly sad smile "But some of us find things a lot more bearable with the occasional drink"
Standing beside Falcon she looks around the room, trying to spot any glaring clues they may have missed.
There is a wet spot on the floor near Badder's purple hand. Near the window you see some straw.
"It's alright for some" Yin replies with a small slightly sad smile "But some of us find things a lot more bearable with the occasional drink"
"And some have found that others who drink more than occasionally can make life unbearable," he looks aside. "Speaking of which ... do you smell something?"
her eyes downcast at the realisation she possibly drinks a little too much the spot on the floor is quite easy for the mage to spot and moving over she looks a little more closely at it and then the straw. "What the.." She exhales, frowing a little.
her eyes downcast at the realisation she possibly drinks a little too much the spot on the floor is quite easy for the mage to spot and moving over she looks a little more closely at it and then the straw. "What the.." She exhales, frowing a little.
It smells alcoholic.
The straw has been folded over and tied with another piece of straw forming an eye from one of the pieces.
"Ooookay.." Yin utters, before looking up at Falcon "This is just strange. Ritualistic? Or maybe a calling card? Does the symbol mean anything to you?"
Know: Arcana (1d20+10=21), Know: Religion (1d20+8=25), Spellcraft (1d20+10=13)
"Ooookay.." Yin utters, before looking up at Falcon "This is just strange. Ritualistic? Or maybe a calling card? Does the symbol mean anything to you?"
Know: Arcana (1d20+10=21), Know: Religion (1d20+8=25), Spellcraft (1d20+10=13)
This reminds you of a children's doll ... You've seen priests of Erastil giving little straw dolls to kids ... the hoop becomes the head and the tie becomes arms ... you've seen them armed with a bow as 'the hunter' or strung together to represent 'the family'.
"All I can think of just doesn't quite fit" Yin tells her companion with a frown "It sort of looks like those things priests of Erastil make doesn't it?" She comments, tilting her head to one side as she looks at it before giving a sigh. "Nothing like a good mystery to make you feel stupid... what are we missing that will make all of this make sense?"
"Apparently a drink ... No, I mean seriously. This smells like alcohol but there is none in this room."
Sir Manfred pauses and replies, carefully concealing interest; "... A horse you say? Just out of curiosity, what kind?"
"Do you think if we bring someone from the inn here that they might be able to determine what sort of alcohol it is?" She asks curiously "I mean I drink a lot sometimes but not enough to hazard a guess at what it is and why it's here.. or how it relates to the stuff under his nails"
Sir Manfred pauses and replies, carefully concealing interest; "... A horse you say? Just out of curiosity, what kind?"
"A warhorse ... a ...," the man gets a bit of gleam in his eye. "An incredibly, handsome horse. Noblest steed north of the Storval Rise!"
"Do you think if we bring someone from the inn here that they might be able to determine what sort of alcohol it is?" She asks curiously "I mean I drink a lot sometimes but not enough to hazard a guess at what it is and why it's here.. or how it relates to the stuff under his nails"
"To the inn it is then."
With a nod Yin takes Flacon's arm and smiles up at him "Okay then, lets get going"
As Yintarah and Falcon exit through the common room shared by the soldiers and leave the barracks, they pass Manfred and another soldier on their way in.
Yin gives a small smile to both Manfred and the other soldier before returning her attention to Falcon, a grin starting to form on her face as being away from the corpse helps lift her mood a little.
In the market, you pass Orlan and a fat well-dressed man who is ordering booths to be pushed aside and a stand made out of old crates to be set up and covered in purple cloth.
Yin looks curiously over at what Orlan is up to but leaves him to it with a smile before continuing onwards. "So.. I never asked, what do you like to be called? Are you a Mr., or a Sir, or Falcon, or Fal? I can't promise I'll stick with what you prefer as I'm sure Manny would prefer it if I called him Sir Manfred but I think Manny fits better.. but I will try!"
"Falcon," he says with a smile. After a pause, he adds "I do not know my Shoanti name."
Yin gives a weak smile "I prefer Yin, Yintarrah is often too much of a mouthful for most and Fireweaver is given by my parents, an affectionate thing as opposed to an actual deed name. I was too much of an outsider to ever be true Shoanti" She confesses meekly.
As you pass through the market, Falcon gestures to the various
Shoanti women and children. "What are 'true' Shoanti? I don't know much about the Shoanti culture but what my tutors taught me. Father was always sure to have at least one Shoanti tutor each year. But I don't think I'll find 'truth' there."
You arrive at the inn and 'The Old Mess'. They are two separate buildings though you remember them both to be owned by Sirap Hilltown, a cautious older halfling.
Sir Manfred replies nonchalantly; "Hm, my father used to raise horses. Is there any way to get a look at him before he's sold? I'd like to see this magnificent horse."
"Well, the auction will be soon ...," says the soldier with a grin. "The horse is probably in the stables. If you'd like to look at it, I think we have time."
"If you wish I can talk with you about the ways of my quah at the very least once our investigations are over" She offers "Whilst I never completed my rite of passage or received a visitation from a totem I still know a lot about our ways..." She trails off and looks thoughtful "..perhaps even if I decide to go back one day soon you could come with me to see the tribe. Although I worry that if I return my parents will see it as an opportunity to marry me off to someone who hasn't managed to find anyone better.. or anyone at all really.. a shoanti man would have to be desperate to settle for a freak like me"
"... a shoanti man would have to be desperate to settle for a freak like me"
Falcon laughs as if he assumed Yintarah was making a self-deprecating joke. Then asks "You're right. Let's talk about Shoanti customs after we've found out what's going on here. So ... the inn or 'The Old Mess'?"
"Shall we try the inn first?" Yin suggests "At a guess the help of both Larjen Widebottom and Sirap Hilltown would be good"
"Okay. The inn it is. But don't make any jokes about the size of ...," Falcon cuts himself off as a halfling opens the door.
"Falcon! Come in, my friend," when the halfling turns and waves for you to follow him, you catch sight of the widest ass you've ever seen on a humanoid of this height.
Falcon shoots you a mischievous glance.
Yin shoots Falcon a small playful smile, finding his mischeivous expression very endearing. Grinning and shaking her head a little she starts to follow the halfling, trying not to stare.
Larjen leans waves Yin and Falcon into the main room of the inn importantly. Doors lead in all directions from this room: to a large room with bunks for 20 guests; to a storage room; to a hallway that connects with 'The Old Mess' although it is actually another building; and to stairs up to the left and stairs up to the right where the better rooms are.
"I've got the run of the place today. Sirap's off to the auction and Lillan [] is running 'The Old Mess'," Larjen smiles then asks in a confidential whisper with a glance at Yin "Are you here for a room, Falcon?"
"A ... ? No... Umm....," Falcon stammers. "Yin? Why are we here?"
"Well, the auction will be soon ...," says the soldier with a grin. "The horse is probably in the stables. If you'd like to look at it, I think we have time."
Sir Manfred thinks; Clearly, this man suspects nothing of my interest.
Aloud he says; "Well, if we have nothing better to do, let's go see."