It is a beautiful day in the city of Magnimar. Summer is in full swing and the heat of the sun is doing its best to keep everyone as lazy as possible. Most are going out of their way to keep to the shade and a cool drink if at all possible. But it seems none of you are too hard for a wizened old Halfling woman to find. On the cliff or by the sea, she manages to track you down and silently hand you a piece of parchment sealed with a glob of green wax impressed with a seal of a ship under full sails with land just on the horizon.
The Halfling woman waits patiently for the note to be read, and an answer given. The note reads as follows.
Greetings,
I trust this missive finds you in good health. My name is Lavinia Vanderboren, and I humbly request your attendance at dinner at my estates on Festival Street and Blue Skink Lane tomorrow evening. I would like to present you with an opportunity suited to your skills. Please inform the carrier of this letter as to your response to this invitation, and I hope to be speaking to you soon!
Lavinia Vanderboren
Shadak Stormrider is a contradiction to most every dwarven stereotype. To start, he loves the water. He’s even a decent swimmer, which by itself would make him odd. His wild dark brown hair tied down by a red bandana and his equally wild beard tucked into his belt are widely recognized down at the docks, as is his persistence in wearing a fine suit of scale mail, something no other sailor in his right mind would do. His scimitar and shield are nearly always strapped to his back but by far the most distinctive features are the black patch over his left eye, and his newest acquisition, a metal hook where his left hand should be.
Since his return from the outing out in the Mushfens that earned him that medal and lost him his ship, he’s been seen most often in the dockside taverns, drowning his sorrows in whatever the best ale those low brow establishments can offer. After all, he is still a dwarf.
Shadak quirks his one good eye at the Halfling and furrows his ample eyebrows. “She wants ta ‘ave dinner?” he asks, incredulously. “Well I got no qualms against a free meal an’ I can’t say as I don’t need the work if it’s good…” He shrugs and tucks the note into his belt. “Aye, I’ll be there. Just tell her ta be sure ta ‘ave something decent to drink.”
Traphter is found laying down, his back against a Greataxe that appears to be thrust into the ground, handle first. He stands up quickly as the Halfing approaches and leans in to whisper something to the Greataxe that now stands almost as tall as the Gnome himself. He nods solemnly and puts his hands up to stop her before she can speak. "Look, if you're here about that incident last week I still claim to know nothing. Rigsby is just upset because I.." He pauses and leans in close to the Hafling woman to whisper, ".. I only slept with her once.. I swear. Just don't tell Betsy." He blinks a few times as he's handed the invitation. Reading it over he grins, "Oh! Let's just forget what I said before."
He runs a hand through his hair and grins sheepishly. "Of course I'll attend, so long as I can bring Betsy. She gets upset if I leave her alone for too long." He strokes the Greataxe gently.
He runs a hand through his hair and grins sheepishly. "Of course I'll attend, so long as I can bring Betsy. She gets upset if I leave her alone for too long." He strokes the Greataxe gently.
The halfling woman eyes the gnome quizzically and more than a little worriedly but gives a slow nod. "I'm sure that arrangements can be made for... Betsy... as well." Then, if there are no further questions she turns and walks away, shaking her head slowly. What IS her mistress thinking?
Houshou is passed out with a seemingly empty flask of dwarf spirits in his left hand. The night before he'd been in a tavern minding his own, when a young ruffian announced that he could drink anyone under the table, and the loser would have to pay the tab. So, of course he left his good friend Shadak, and went off to teach the young lad a thing or two about saying something so ridiculously loud that a dwarf can hear it.
However, Houshou's mere appearance is a strange one beyond most. Due to his own personal history and ancestral history, that he will not speak to anyone about, has required him to shave his beard. The sight of which causes people to question him, and when he gets really drunk is the cause of many tavern fights.
The poor lad didn't know and probably couldn't fathom that a already drunk dwarf could still drink him under the table. Waking up from last nights excursion in a stupor he sits up and takes a swig from his one family heirloom. Standing he rights himself and sways left and right as he walks down the street. Grumbling and mumbling to himself as he tries to remember where he was and where his friend was staying.
Waking up from last nights excursion in a stupor he sits up and takes a swig from his one family heirloom. Standing he rights himself and sways left and right as he walks down the street. Grumbling and mumbling to himself as he tries to remember where he was and where his friend was staying.
Which is right about when Shadak come strolling down the same street in search of said stumbling and drunk dwarf. Catching sight of him, he veers to intercept, “hooking” him by the arm. “Eh there ‘shou. We got an invitation ta visit a “Lady” this evenin. Which mean you’ll wanna be cleanin up ‘afore we go. Sure’en she won’t have any real food ta eat if I know these human lords but would be disrespectful ta show up all grimy in any case.” He takes a good look at his friend and gives a shake of his head dispite the grin that comes to his face. “By the looks of it you’ll need the whole day to accomplish the task. But this could mean work, so I don’t want to take chances. Ya might think you can live on ale but a good side a mutton don’t hurt neither.”
Looking at his friend Houshou seems to straighten himself. Taking another swig and wipes his face. "We be seein' a 'uman lady 'bout some work and there'll be mutton?" He looks down at himself. "Aye, I be needin' a bath and new robes. Ya still in dat tavern I been thrown outta?" Unfortunately for Houshou, his drinking excursions has surely made a name for himself amongst the tavern owners.
Shadak didn't mean so much that they'd be served mutton as that they might get the money to buy some. But he'll let Shou think what he wants. "Aye. I 'ear there be a bath house around here somewheres. Meet me outside the tavern at the third hour past noon and we'll 'ead over to her place. Meantime I'm gonna ask about and see what I can find out about her. Don't like getting into any deals without a'knowing who it is I'm beholden to."
Shadak does some asking around while during that day, trying to see what he can find out about this woman.
Unfortunately there isn't that much to figure out, and he's waiting outside the tavern far earlier than he had hoped.
Traphter is the first to arrive at the Vanderboren estate. He can pretty easily figure this because he's just that early.
The estate is small, located up on the cliff but away from the more prestigious noble houses. Never the less it is a very nice house, two stories with a small park in front, all surrounded by a wall no taller than an average man.
As Traphter hurries into the grounds there is no one there to meet him, just a front door to knock on.
Traphter runs up to the door, Betsy in tow, and starts pounding at the door. His hair is mussed with leaves and there is a tear on the right sleeve of his shirt. "Open up, open up..." He says, looking over his shoulder expectantly. "I am here! A little early, but better than late. Rather polite I suppose. I could help with something... anything!" He continues to knock on the door, hoping to have escaped his pursuer.
It seems like an eternity before the door opens up, an eternity that an irate husband could pop around the corner any minute.
Eventually the door does open, to the same old halfling woman who had dropped off the note. "Mr. Flingus..." she says with obvious surprise. She recovers quickly though. "I hadn't expected you so soon. Wont you please come in?"
Houshou stumbles out of an alley way next to the Inn. A ring of curses escapes his lips as he bounces up and down on one foot a couple times. He's had a thorough bath and cleaning. His hair appears to be braided in a celtic-knot style, and he's wearing new robes. "Son o' a Kobold!" He shouts as he pulls a caltrop from his foot and tossing it back into the ally. Taking a sip of his flask, he exhales and says, "Which way is da mutton?"
"Oh thank goodness!" Traphter breathes, trying to push his way past the old halfling. He is careful to shield Betsy from the woman. It's so hard to get halfling blood off an axe. He gives a brief glance out the door before he starts to wander further. "So how may I be of assistance?"
Houshou stumbles out of an alley way next to the Inn. A ring of curses escapes his lips as he bounces up and down on one foot a couple times. He's had a thorough bath and cleaning. His hair appears to be braided in a celtic-knot style, and he's wearing new robes. "Son o' a Kobold!" He shouts as he pulls a caltrop from his foot and tossing it back into the ally. Taking a sip of his flask, he exhales and says, "Which way is da mutton?"
Shadak gives his friend a cautioning look. "Carefull 'ow much of that you treat yourself too 'afore we get there. Wouldn't do to be showin up already sloshed." He points up to the north. "This way. Wasn't able to find out more about her aside from her bein the only one of her family left. May be that's why she needs some help."
"Oh thank goodness!" Traphter breathes, trying to push his way past the old halfling. He is careful to shield Betsy from the woman. It's so hard to get halfling blood off an axe. He gives a brief glance out the door before he starts to wander further. "So how may I be of assistance?"
The woman steps out of the way to let Traphter in, giving him a curious look but saying nothing about the large weapon he's bringing into her mistresses home.
The interior of the manor is no less impressive than the outside. Well decorated and clean. There are no signs of any other servants however.
"Actually, sir, if you will come this way I can show you to a sitting room where you can wait," she replies as she closes the door. "The Lady Vanderboren is busy with other business at the moment but she will not be long." She motions to a side hallway then walks off down it, assuming that Traphter will follow.
Traphter follows alright. He moves in close to walk beside the lady, Betsy resting over his shoulder. "Sitting.. waiting.. That is really no fun. Surely there is something else I could be doing. No one else seems to be around and I would hate to get bored. Maybe you could give me a tour?" He winks at her and reaches out to give her a small pinch on her bum.
Traphter follows alright. He moves in close to walk beside the lady, Betsy resting over his shoulder. "Sitting.. waiting.. That is really no fun. Surely there is something else I could be doing. No one else seems to be around and I would hate to get bored. Maybe you could give me a tour?" He winks at her and reaches out to give her a small pinch on her bum.
The women jumps a bit and whips her head around to give Traphter a glare. A glare that slowly melts until she gives an exasperated sigh that sounds at least a little forced.
"Well I could use some help in the kitchen with the dinner, if you can manage not to ruin it." She stops then, considers, and heads in another direction. "Just don't tell the Lady Vanderboren that I had her guest in with the pots and pans," she whispers conspiratorially.
A wide grin covers Traphter's face, all innocent and sweet. "I will have you know that I am an excellent cook... err.. well, I am pretty handy with a knife." He nods slowly, his eyes glazing over briefly, "Betsy and I will keep your secret. But I am curious... is this Lady Vanderboren as beautiful as you are?"
The old halfling woman just laughs, slapping at the young gnome playfully. "Oh I'm sure that the Lady Vanderboren is far more beautiful than I am. But she is young... While I... Well I've had my day." She grins and turns down another hall before pushing through a door and into the kitchen. "Now let's just see how good you are with a knife eh? Why don't you cut peel those potatoes over there."
"You're still moving about.. looks like you have many more days ahead of you. Besides, youth fades. True beauty lasts forever." Traphter looks around a bit when they are in the kitchen and finds a nice, comfortable place to set Betsy. He leans her against a wall within eyesight, whispering gently to her. "Shh, do not worry. I will be close by. You're the one who said I should help. Do not be jealous." Once his attention turns to the potatoes, he whips out his dagger to start peeling.
She smiles, obviously appreciating the compliment. "Well I never said she was beautiful just because she was young. Just that it helps." She watches the gnome a bit as he whispers to his weapon but says nothing. At least he seems to be the happy kind.
"You sound as though you know your way around beauty well," she teases as she ckecks on a roast.
Houshou takes another taste of his flask while he waits for his friend to lead the way. Belching loudly, a putrid smell fills the space where they are standing. "Aye, don't go worrin' 'bout me. It takes more d'an dis to take me out."
Shadak rolls his eye and shakes his head as he turns, beckoning his companion to follow him. "Might as well 'ead up there." The trek through the city takes some time. After all they are going from the south side of the bad part of town, up the cliff to the good part of town. But Shadak passes the time by whistling a lively sea song and glaring from under a bushy eyebrow at anyone who gives him or his friend a dirty look.
Houshou throws one arm over his friends shoulder and sings proudly along with his friends whistling, all the while following him around the city. Only sipping on his flask here and there, knowing that this could be a break in their short land-time. The sea never had really bothered him, seeing as how if you drink enough even the land will begin to sway back and forth. The sea helped curb his drinking, but never put it out.
The two arrive at the estate just a bit before what most people would consider dinner time. The sun is just starting to set and it's last rays are glancing across the gables and gargoyles of the roof and through the branches of the trees in the courtyard. It's a sight that might be beautiful to a pansy elf, but to Shadak, it's just another day on the surface.
He ambles up to the door... Looks about... And knocks firmly.
The halfling, who has no doubt introduced herself as Cora, perks her head at the sound of the loud knocking and walks over to wash the flour off her hands. "That'd be the door again. Probably more of your dinnermates. Care to come with me?"
Traphter follows to wash his own hands and rinse off his knife. "I would accompany you anywhere sweet Cora." With his hands dry the Gnome walks over and retrieves his Betsy. More whispering occurs and then the axe is hefted onto his shoulder. It seems they think it could also be the men that were chasing them earlier.
The front door opens to reveal the same old halfling woman, Cora, who had delivered the misive from the the Lady Vanderboren. Standing behind her is a rather odd looking gnome with an axe bigger than he is slung over his shoulder.
"Ahh Mr. Stormrider and Rattengod. You're right on time. Please come in." Cora waves them both into the foyer. "I'm afraid my Lady is taken up with other buisness presently but she asks that you make yourselves comfortable in the study." She starts waits to close the door behind the two dwarves so that she can show them the way.
Houshou gets a blank stare on his face before replying, "Aye, dat be us." Stepping inside he approaches the gnome. "'Ello, names Houshou. Shou for short." He extends a hand in greeting with a cloud of dwarven spirits on his breath behind it.
The gnome eyes Houshou for a moment, brow furrowing in contemplation. With a nod he takes the offered hand and shakes it vigorously. "Betsy says she likes the cut of your jib, so you're alright with me. Name is Traphter by the way, Traphter Flingus."
A questioning look crosses Houshou's face. With an inquisitive eyebrow and a little looking around he asks. "'ho is dis Betsy ya speak of?" Releasing the handshake and sipping on his flask before smelling his breath.
Shadak makes a bow to Cora before stepping through the doorway. He eyes the gnome curiously as he talks, also looking around, but says nothing. After all, Houshou pretty much said it all. Instead he starts to move in the direction that Cora had indicated.
"Who is Betsy?!" The gnome seems almost offended. "Why Betsy is this lovely creature right here. Most people notice Betsy right away. She says she will forgive you for now, considering the spirits involved." All the while he lovingly strokes the Battle Axe resting across his shoulder.
"Aye, I did notice Betsy. Jus' didn' know tha' was her name. It's a pleasure ta meet ya. But ya should know, jus' cause I be sippin' ma drink, doesn't mean I'm drunk." He slides his flask into a special slot on his belt and clasps it down tight.
Cora leads the trio through a hallway to another door which she opens revealing a large sitting room furnished with two couches as well as several chairs and tables. Bookcases line the walls and a carafe of wine has been laid out with some crystal glasses as refreshment for the guests.
"Please wait here. I will come to tell you when m'lady is finished. Again, please know that she appreciates your patience and your time in coming."
Shadak walks into the room and takes a quick look around before heading to a couch and dropping himself into it. "Thank'e kindly. Tell 'er to take 'er time. In the meantime... Any chance of a mug o' ale? I'm sure the wine's fine and all for a less stoic stomach, but it ain't fer me."
Cora gives a smile and a nod before closing the door and heading off.
"Thank you, Cora. It was a delight," Traphter says with a wink. Left alone with the other two the gnome heads for the wine. He uncorks it and a sniff. "Less stoic or not, I could never pass up a good wine. Anyone else?" Doubting the dwarves would take the offer, he takes a large swig from the bottle. "Very good indeed."
"Stoic or not, ya keep drinkin' like dat and I might jus' join ya." Houshou raises his flask and takes a sip.