Sykala -- Knowledge (Nature) DC 15:
The stain near its beak smells like the juice of a plant you are familiar with that can be used to increase energy. Eating too much can cause a human or animal to become extremely aggressive.
For Tarren:
For Tarren:
** spoiler omitted **
Anyhow, steps out from the doorway as the Aspis guys approach, but he goes over to Keliwyn and casts a cure moderate wounds healing him for 12 hp.
"Thank you, my friend," Keliwyn says to Fippin as he gets to his feet, "and praise Desna. I'm feeling much better . . . " However, he doesn't finish that thought before he hunches over and losses his last meal all over the walkway.
1d20=11+1=12 for DC14 Fort save
1d20=14 for DC10 knowledge (local)
The Aspis Consortium men walk right past Fippin, not taking any notice of him, and greet Sykala, Keliwyn, Bass, and Ixius: "The four of you saved our friend's life! By all the gods, that was impressive. We are grateful. Give us your names friends so that we may see you are properly rewarded."
Keliwyn wipes his mouth and looks at the consortium men. "You sure you won't join us?" he says with a grin, nodding doors Bender's door, "The food here is quite good."
To Sykala: That was quite some magic you wielded. A powerful hunter in your own right, no doubt.
To Flippin: Healer, do you think you might be able to do something with this? He says pointing to the large gash (13hp damage) on his upper arm.
To the Apsis guys: He waits for the others to introduce themselves and to if see one of them takes care of all the introductions. If not, he simply replies: I am Baas.
For Tarren:
** spoiler omitted **
Sykala:
You spot no such signs.
Fippin is out of 2nd level spells for the day. But he says two prayers to Desna and casts two cure light wounds spells on Bass. Healing him for a total of 14 hp.
"And you sir?" says one of the consortium men to Ixius before noticing his bow "That's a beautiful bow. Such fine craftsmanship!"
The other consortium man extends a hand to Sykala before retracting it when he sees her searching look. "Was that eagle your pet?"
To Keliwyn: "No... we have to meet someone this evening ... but we will be in touch."
Fippin is out of 2nd level spells for the day. But he says two prayers to Desna and casts two cure light wounds spells on Bass. Healing him for a total of 14 hp.
Noticing Fippin for the first time, one of the consortium men turns and says "By the lady, are you a priest of Desna! I served in her table for a year during my youth. ... Were you in on this too? I thought I saw a starknife in the melee. We'll be in touch with you as well then."
"Hey, has anyone seen that half orc that went upstairs with us? He missed out on all the fun."
To the Aspis boys
"The name's Fippin fellows, and yes I am a servant of Desna, a useful fellow to have along on treks into the jungles."
"Eagle, inside." she says while pointing to herself and thinking the man must be half blind when she landed and transformed back in front of them all. Seeing that the dead man is not consortium she says half to herself half to the group, "Beast poisoned. Scarlett Vetch plant. Make attack. That's why not run or eat. Who was man?" She takes a load of meat to Bender's Wheelhouse on the way taking a closer look at the man's body. When she goes in she asks Bender, "You cook meat?"
Keliwyn limps about collecting his weapons. "The Aspis Consortium, right?" he asks, before bowing low with a noticeable wince. "My name is Keliwyn, and if I'm not inside, you can always leave a message for me here with Bender. I'll see that my friends here get word, too." Turning to the others, he points toward the door and says, "Shall we pick up where we left off?" Finally, on his way back in to the bar, he turns and points to the large carcass and says, "How about you consortium boys take care of this mess?"
"Eagle, inside." she says while pointing to herself and thinking the man must be half blind when she landed and transformed back in front of them all. Seeing that the dead man is not consortium she says half to herself half to the group, "Beast poisoned. Scarlett Vetch plant. Make attack. That's why not run or eat. Who was man?" She takes a load of meat to Bender's Wheelhouse on the way taking a closer look at the man's body. When she goes in she asks Bender, "You cook meat? "
None of the consortium agents know the first man who fell be the window. Some locals have already carted away the corpse ... let's hope for burial.
Bender looks a bit surprised at Sykala's request to cook the meat but is not about to disagree with a woman who can take the form of an eagle and blast things with lightning. "Sure. I'll cook the ... meat. Why don't you come in and tell everyone about the battle?" he suggests still holding his one rather inconsequential crossbow bolt like a prize.
A closer examination of its teeth reveals traces of Scarlett Vetch leaf suggesting it just ate the wrong plant.
Keliwyn limps about collecting his weapons. "The Aspis Consortium, right?" he asks, before bowing low with a noticeable wince. "My name is Keliwyn, and if I'm not inside, you can always leave a message for me here with Bender. I'll see that my friends here get word, too." Turning to the others, he points toward the door and says, "Shall we pick up where we left off?" Finally, on his way back in to the bar, he turns and points to the large carcass and says, "How about you consortium boys take care of this mess?"
The consortium boys look askance and then reply "Bloodcove will take care of it. Bloodcove will consume most things in no time."
Sure enough when you reemerge there is little remaining of the dragonnel. Anything edible has been taking off for cooking. Anything non-edible has been thrown off the walkway for the reefclaws. The bones will be put to use either decorative or functional. Bloodcove eats its dead.
Keliwyn would be staying at the Salt Reaver. Since he is all about networking and information, he typically chooses the place that will give him the most exposure to a wide range of people. However, he is not entirely at ease in the jungle, and opts for a place with some comfort, and a good wine list. His thinking as that he can still mix and mingle by hanging out at places like the Wheelhouse.
"And you sir?" says one of the consortium men to Ixius before noticing his bow "That's a beautiful bow. Such fine craftsmanship!"
"I am Ixius. I made it myself. I keep a room at the Salt Reaver Inn, but I will most likely be found here among my frends."
Ixius follows Keliwyn into Bender's.
Looking at Ixius and Keliwyn he says "The Salt Reaver ... very good. That's just ... how do the locals say it 'crossroot' from our inn. We're at the Ten Shrouds. We'll send someone over tomorrow and instruct them to come here otherwise."
Sykala tries to gather everyone and have them eat together including the self proclaimed slayer of the beast Bender. Calls him out in front of all his patrons, "You eat some your kill. Only right." She eats hers raw. Offering them all choice pieces of liver, heart, and meat. "We now pack."
Ixius sits at the bar and has some of the Dragonelle meat. When he gets the chance he asks Bender: "What is the Aspis Consortium? Can they be trusted?"
After his wounds are properly bound, Keliwyn warms up and becomes quite engaged.
Sykala tries to gather everyone and have them eat together including the self proclaimed slayer of the beast Bender. Calls him out in front of all his patrons, "You eat some your kill. Only right." She eats hers raw. Offering them all choice pieces of liver, heart, and meat. "We now pack."
Ever polite, Keliwyn accepts a plate. "Thank you, aendri shystal*" he says, before he seasons it heavily. He then raises his glass in a toast, and when finished, continues. "Well then," he says, "we might as well all get to know a bit about each other. I'll start."
"As you know, my name is Keliwyn. Although I've lived in Korvosa for any years now, my true home is among the Mierani in the forest along the Lost Coast. Recently, I was asked my people's emissary to Korvosa, a friend of mine, to look into the growing trade in this area. In short, that's what brings me to this wonderful little town. I've been here for a few weeks now, and until just a short while ago, things were interesting, but far from exciting."
"So, how about you all? Have you been travelling together long? Do any of you actually call this booming metropolis home?"
*for those who speak elvish:
Bender answers: "Aspis? Everybody knows about Aspis. They're the biggest trading company out here ... out anywhere really. The don't belong to any one country but they're practically a country themselves. ... I could stand getting more o' there business here but the management types tend to drink uproot. All I get is the riff-raff ... no offense. As for trusting them ... I'd say they're too big to say. Probably some really good people in there and some bad ones if you know what I mean."
"Eat ... my ... kill? ... Well ... You know ... ummm ... truth be told I only shot one little bolt ...," he looks back behind the bar where he has already mounted the crossbow bold in question, thinks for a minute, and then says "Okay. Let's have it. ... Dragonnel, eh? Tastes like pheasant ...". And then the bitter aftertaste hits him.
Ixius continues to drink ale and eat dragonelle.
"So, how about you all? Have you been travelling together long? Do any of you actually call this booming metropolis home?"
"I'm from Andoran by way of Absalom. I have spent the past few weeks wandering lost in the mountains North of here. I stumbled into this town a couple of weeks ago. At this point I'm just happy to be free, drunk and around friends with a fine bow on my back. I just met the others shortly before we first came in here. I think I recall seeing you around the Salt Reaver."
She looks quizically at Keliwyn, the flow of the language is familiar but the words are all wrong. "Ila soan ealio Syvalian?" This language seems to flow far more smoothly from her lips and has a lilting quality that makes her speech up until this point seem all the more coarse.
For those who speak Sylvan:
Fippin will partake in the dragon eel meat- he's always up for trying new things.
"Huh, it's pretty leathery. It might make good jerky. Pass me a slice of liver. Maybe that will be a little better."
She looks quizically at Keliwyn, the flow of the language is familiar but the words are all wrong. "Ila soan ealio Syvalian?" This language seems to flow far more smoothly from her lips and has a lilting quality that makes her speech up until this point seem all the more coarse.
'"Apologies, my lady, but I don't speak Sylvan," Keliwyn replies.
"Apologies, my lady, but I don't speak Sylvan," Keliwyn replies.
She looks disappointed at the answer to her question. She once again points to herself, "Sykala, from other side Eye. City Lliz-ma-gor-ti (she struggles with the name) on island. Gozreh call me here. Just arrive. Meet all you. Drink. Fight. Now eating. Good day."
Baas kneels down to look Fippin face to face with his bloodshot eyes. Thank you my friend. He bows his head slightly and then stands and turns to the rest of the group. I also travel from the north, The Storval by way of Osirion. I was contracted to find a missionary's journal, but after many months, my search is still fruitless. I believe the legends of this book bares no truth as none of my leads bore any semblance to reality, so I am readying my return to Osirion to report on my activities. He pauses briefly
But I may delay my departure if something interesting comes along. He glances at Sykala then turns away.
To Baas, "Best meat for you." Gives a plate full of steaming meat to him. "Winds whisper everywhere. We all in right place."
She looks disappointed at the answer to her question. She once again points to herself, "Sykala, from other side Eye. City Lliz-ma-gor-ti (she struggles with the name) on island. Gozreh call me here. Just arrive. Meet all you. Drink. Fight. Now eating. Good day."
Keliwyn listens and replies in his most charming manner, "It is a good day, my lady, and although I enjoy a good meal and drink, I have to say, without a doubt, that is only a good day because of your healing touch. Thank you, again."
Turning to Fippin, he whispers, "Was she wounded during the fight?"
To Baas, "Best meat for you." Gives a plate full of steaming meat to him. "Winds whisper everywhere. We all in right place."
Very gracious, but I do not deserve this any more than any of the others who took part
He holds it out to see if anyone wants to share.
For those unused to city noises, the nights in Bloodcove take some getting used to. Though not a city, it attracts an exceptionally rowdy crowd. Also, with ships coming and leaving in both late and early, shouting and movement can be heard at any time.
The next day, you will likely see fights, gambling in the walkway, gambling on fights, pickpockets, fights with pickpockets, gambling on fights with pickpockets, etc.
You find yourself, eventually, back in Benbow's Wheelhouse.
Bender Bowman is discussing what he will do with the 'reward' coming from the Aspis Consortium: "I think I'll buy a proper sized sign. I wanted to call this place 'Bender Bowman's Wheelhouse' but I couldn't afford enough paint. Yep. That's what I'll do ..."
As light beams suddenly into the dusty bar, Bender's hand suddenly stops waving dramatically and slips beneath the bar to its usual perch above the mounted crossbow. His eyes are wide.
When and if you turn around you see a massive barrel chested man with a mouthful of tusklike teeth. The half-orc nods to someone behind him who enters and looks around with a disdainful look.
"Greetings. I am Kelim Esteban, captain of the River Queen, and I have a business proposition for you ... if you care to let me buy you a drink. ... The drink need not necessarily be here," he adds with a sniff.
"Ah, a boat captain. You're just the sort of fellow I've been looking to talk to in this town. Personally, this place is starting to grow on me. I'd just as soon drink here."
After a night of hard drinking Ixius stumbled back to his room at the Salt Reaver. In the morning he is back at Benbow's, nursing an ale and a hangover.
He turns around when the river boat captain comes in but remains silent for the moment.
Sykala has been waiting for the others to finally get up. She gets up at the crack of dawn every morning and this morning was no different. She is content to stay silent at the moment just watching and listening.
For Tarren:
She casts Endure elements on herself at dawn (lasts 24 hours)
"Ah, a boat captain. You're just the sort of fellow I've been looking to talk to in this town. Personally, this place is starting to grow on me. I'd just as soon drink here."
"Ah, yes! The priest of Desna. We heard of you. The Aspis Consortium would like to thank you for coming to the aid of one of their valued employees yesterday. Firstly, the Consortium, although it is under no obligation to do so, will reward each of you with 50 gp and free passage on any of their ships leaving Bloodcove as a token of their gratitude. If, however, you are not in a hurry to leave Bloodcove, we would also like to offer you a position."
He pauses for a moment and orders a drink which he examines carefully before setting down and not touching again.
"We have a trading depot called 'Nightfall Station' that has recently come under attack by the most vicious sort of cannibal savages ... flesh-eaters, you understand ... After the short work you made of that Dragon-kin we think you would be perfect for this assignment."
He pauses again and then speaks as if reading from a contract: "It is difficult to find people with your skills in Bloodcove so we will offer you 20gp per day including the 14 day trip up river. The term of your employment will be until reinforcements arrive or two months whichever is lesser. The first 14 days will be paid in advance in trust upon your acceptance of this assignment. Should you not return from the assignment your unpaid wages will be delivered to kin or charity as you specify in advance."
"Well!" he says more cheerfully, fiddling with his moustache "How does that sound?!"
Upon seeing his reaction to his drink Sykala hops down from the chair she is perched on Detects Poison and Purifies it. "No poison, is ok now."
Upon seeing his reaction to his drink Sykala hops down from the chair she is perched on Detects Poison and Purifies it. "No poison, is ok now."
"Oh. Poison. ... I was more worried about the stains on the rim but ...," he tentatively takes a sip and sets it back on the bar.
She nods and perches back on her chair.
Still smarting from his injuries, and a little foggy from drinking the night before, Keliwyn finds his way to Bender's Wheelhouse sometime late morning. He walks in the door and before his eyes can adjust from the brightness outside he walks into the back of the large half orc. Stepping around him, he sees Sykala speaking with someone he doesn't recognize and who looks a bit out of place.
"What's all this about? Let me guess, you're with Aspis, correct?"
Still smarting from his injuries, and a little foggy from drinking the night before, Keliwyn finds his way to Bender's Wheelhouse sometime late morning. He walks in the door and before his eyes can adjust from the brightness outside he walks into the back of the large half orc. Stepping around him, he sees Sykala speaking with someone he doesn't recognize and who looks a bit out of place.
"What's all this about? Let me guess, you're with Aspis, correct?"
Kelim Esteban introduces himself and repeats his offer.
For me that is a very tempting offer. A couple of questions...
Can you give me some more information about how you plan to get us up river?
Do they have a chapel or priest at the trading depot, and if so what god does the priest serve?
I am a priest and it sounds like you may have injured or ill employees at the depot. From my understanding your consortium is not short on resources. Can you provide our expedition with magic that could help the survivors at the depot? For instance, though I have healing magic, a wand of curative spells would greatly supplement my own abilities, and I would be able to use it without difficulty. I also suggest some prayer scrolls with prayers such as neutralize poison, cure disease, create food/water and message prayers. With the messsage prayer scrolls I could easily send progress reports of the success of the mission back to Bloodcove, and the other scrolls have pretty self explanatory uses. It would be well worth the investment.
Futhermore, if you have food supplies and you wish to send them up river I have magic that I can use to help preserve supplies over the course of the voyage.
In terms of the money. The pay is acceptable. I just want to be sure that we are properly equipped to do the job you wish to see done.
Fippin whispers "I'm a little concerned about your lack of discretion when talking about money. There's a lot of ears in this city, and a lot of desperate folk that would happily slit our throats in our sleep if they knew we were walking around with gold. I only want 10gp up front the rest I'll take when I return and am about to jump on a ship out of this land."
Fippin whispers "I'm a little concerned about your lack of discretion when talking about money. There's a lot of ears in this city, and a lot of desperate folk that would happily slit our throats in our sleep if they knew we were walking around with gold. I only want 10gp up front the rest I'll take when I return and am about to jump on a ship out of this land."
I answer to your concern about money, Esteban gestures to the enormous half-orc, gestures to the crossbow bolt beneath the bar, and reveals a dagger hidden up his sleeve. He smiles wide. While he comes off as a bit of an pansy, you notice now that he has positioned himself so that he can take in pretty much the entire room, the door, the windows, and with his back to the bar but close enough to the crossbow that he could be over the bar and armed in seconds "Not many people mess with the consortium. We're big."
"Not many people mess with the consortium. We're big."
"That's nice," Keliwyn says, "but that doesn't answer his question about equipment and magic. So, will you equip us as well? I'm also concerned about how we would be travelling - what kind of boat are you talking about? What are our responsibilities? Are we travelling light, responsible for our own skins, or do we need to safeguard the passage of others, or goods? Can you show us your charts and maps? Quite frankly, I'll need to know a little bit more about what I'm getting into before I sign my name."
Can you give me some more information about how you plan to get us up river?"I will deliver you up river myself on The River Queen. She's a beautiful wheelboat. ... You've never seen the like! I'll pick you up again after your term is done.
Do they have a chapel or priest at the trading depot, and if so what god does the priest serve?
"We have no priest but I'm sure the men will benefit from the teachings of Desna."
I am a priest and it sounds like you may have injured or ill employees at the depot. From my understanding your consortium is not short on resources. Can you provide our expedition with magic that could help the survivors at the depot? For instance, though I have healing magic, a wand of curative spells ...
"I will take your advice into account and will try to lay in some supplies before our departure. Any other equipment you would like to purchase from your advance you may do so."
Futhermore, if you have food supplies and you wish to send them up river I have magic that I can use to help preserve supplies over the course of the voyage.
"Perhaps our friend behind the bar would benefit from such magic. Have you smelled what is coming out of the kitchen disguised as food?"
In terms of the money. The pay is acceptable. I just want to be sure that we are properly equipped to do the job you wish to see done.
"Good. I'm glad to see we've come to an agreement. Anything else then?"
"That's nice," Keliwyn says, "but that doesn't answer his question about equipment and magic. So, will you equip us as well? I'm also concerned about how we would be travelling - what kind of boat are you talking about? What are our responsibilities? Are we travelling light, responsible for our own skins, or do we need to safeguard the passage of others, or goods? Can you show us your charts and maps? Quite frankly, I'll need to know a little bit more about what I'm getting into before I sign my name."
"Not many people mess with the consortium. We're big."
"Your responsibilities proper would begin at Nightfall Station even though you are being paid for the journey. I generally expect each person on the wheelboat to help out as they are able, however. It makes it go much more smoothly that way. As for equipment, you're being hired on as equipped and are expected to bring and to maintain your own equipment. I could show you some maps on board The River Queen but I know the river like the back of my hand. We'll be heading 400 miles up the Vanji into the darkness," he grins at this quite excited by it.
Ixius finally speaks to Captain Esteban:
"I have no problem with being paid my advance upfront. In platinum if you can. And I have one question: when do we leave?"
"Alright, you can count me in. At the very least it'd be plenty of time to teach Fippin how to play towers and and take his pay. Oh, and Ixius has a good idea, but I'll take my advance as a letter of credit from Apsis, thank you."
"That's three, what do the rest of the pack say? Sykala? Baal, how about you?
"Alright, you can count me in. At the very least it'd be plenty of time to teach Fippin how to play towers and and take his pay. Oh, and Ixius has a good idea. Platinum will work for me, as well."
"That's three, what do the rest of the pack say? Sykala? Baal, how about you?
"That would make a nice change from the endless exchange of money over the rolling of dice. The crew are quite fond of 'Farport' a game native to Bloodcove. Aren't they, Faruq?" he asks addressing the half-orc for the first time.
Faruq grins widely and says "Fortunes are made and lost aiming for the far port. The tides wash in and the tides wash out."