Gnurl sighs contentedly. "Beautiful music. A beautiful meal. I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into all. This is a fine, fine place." Gnurl wipes his mouth and smiles at Temerity. "What is conversation but an exchange of information? There's more to it, aye, but just the same." He leans back, obviously in a good mood from the music and meal. "Yokotoro seems a small and out of the way place, but bustling and thriving none the less. It is populated with a diversity of peoples usually only seen in more metropolitan areas, not to mention the many visitors!" Gnurl smiles a slightly sheepish smile, "I must admit, I did not expect to find myself so enamored when we set out, but here I am! Tell me about Yokotoro, it's history, how it came to be this charming draw, in the middle of the sea."
"Now, now, Gnurl, let the lady have a moment to get off her feet," says Anda. He lifts his glass. "To new acquaintances," he says, sipping, then asks, "Are you yourself from Yokotoro? We had heard tales of the place before we arrived, most notably a story about a pirate by the name of Jadescale. But if the inn is anything to go by, the village is much more calmer than such a story might suggest."
Delighted to learn that the food, drink, and atmosphere has met Gnurl's approval, Temerity raises a glass at Anda's leading, "To new acquaintances," she echoes. Pausing now and then between sentences to sip wine or scan the inn for any customers in need, Temerity offers her responses to the various questions that have been posed.
Regarding Yokotoro, she suggests a few things have worked in concert to bring the village its mild renown. Its location between Port Nyanzaru (to the southeast) and the island of Lantan (to the north) make it a convenient stopping point in the voyage between the two places. Its nearness to an abundance of good fishing spots, especially those along the Mistcliff of Chult, has made the village a logical base of operations for fishermen. Lastly, she adds that the Shore of Dreams, in the past few years under Pisca's ownership, has become an increasingly sought-after destination. "It seems you might now understand how that is so," she remarks with a smile.
"Yokotoro has been my home for only a few years," she explains to Anda."But I hope it will remain so for many more. Pisca asked me to join her here after she purchased the inn from Murasa's* parents. Uncertain about such a change in lifestyle, I left Baldur's Gate with hesitation. But now?"
She answers her own question with another broad smile.
"Captain Jadescale is a name often spoken by adventurers and other enterprising sorts. I've no doubt the Mistcliff is hiding something left behind by him and his crew. I can't say for certain if Jadescale had any dealings with Yokotoro before his mysterious end. This little village is a common starting point, however, for those who've set their minds on the hunt."
*Murasa is the Shou woman who is serving food and drinks.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"You paint quite the picture miss and a wonderful story it is. Things make much more sense now, though there is one piece of the puzzle that has not fallen into place in my mind. It seems Pisca is much more than she appears, at least that's what the respect she commands from the people here would suggest. As if she's done something more than be an accomplished business woman and musician that shifted public opinion. Even the fact that Murasa still works here years later speaks of this. I'd expect such a relationship wouldn't work between most folk.." he takes a moment to take a sip of wine and study Temerity's facial responses and body language "but perhaps such information is personal.. In any case you might have a talent for storytelling miss. You could perhaps gather stories from the passing adventurers and make your own appearance on stage on cold or rainy nights" and with that Perrin lifts his glass with acknowledgement before taking a second longer sip, savoring the dark red liquid.
“And how would one go about journeying to Mistcliff to learn more about Jadescale’s mystery?” asks Anda. “Hypothetically,” he adds, swirling the wine in his glass.
To Perrin, Temerity explains, "Yes, Murasa's choice to remain here was unexpected. For reasons of nostalgia she continues with the Shore of Dreams. A sweet girl she is. Her good and humble nature makes the relationship with the new owner work."
Perrin studies Temerity and sifts through her responses, looking for hints of deception or unease, but detects nothing.
"And to travel to the Mistcliff," begins Temerity, "a boat and captain will be necessary, of course. Such arrangements can be made with Pisca. You have a specific destination in mind? The Mistcliff is well over 120 miles in length."
"Probably where the mist is thickest!!!" Perrin interjects, laughing heartily at his own joke and then quickly composing himself. "Ok, ok, that was a bad one" he admits, grinning non the less
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gnurl takes the gold from Atilla with a wink, not counting it, but feeling the weight of it in his hand before slipping it into a hidden pocket in his coat.
"To simply sail to the vast cliff with no indication of our destination would be a poorly crafted plan indeed." Gnurl shakes his head. "What we need is the spark of guidance!" As he says this, Gnurl smiles at Temerity and makes a show of casting guidance on himself, seemingly as a bit of theater. "It is a shame there is nothing here to help us find our way."
Gnurl watches Temerity to see if she seems to be hiding any knowledge about a map or other clues. Insight: 21
“We had heard that Pisca might have some knowledge about the whereabouts of the pirate’s treasure, though of course that might just be rumor. After all, one might ask, why not then claim it for her own?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
13
Temerity's face reflects mild amusement at Gnurl's lighthearted display of spellcasting. Then, regarding Jadescale's treasure and how one might locate it, the tiefling replies, "There may be a way, and, yes, Pisca does know a few things that might be helpful."
Temerity finishes her glass of wine before offering a vague answer to Anda. "Claim it for her own? I'll allow her to answer that, friend. Pisca has a prior arrangement this evening, but I will be sure she joins you for a while tomorrow after her performance."
She then bids everyone a good evening as she stands and resumes her work among the many other customers in the room. Gnurl can't shake the feeling that Temerity knows more than she's letting on.
Not long after, Pisca concludes her performance to the cheers and applause of all. The four of you then notice that the triton joins a few guests at one of the tables. The guests happen to be the half-elf, half-orc, and two halflings that Anda noticed a bit earlier. Apparently they returned to the inn during your conversation with Temerity and are now engaged in conversation with Pisca.
For brevity's sake, we can assume the party has made arrangements for lodging at the Shore of Dreams. Let me know if retiring for the evening is the next step. Of course, if there's more to be done in the inn or Yokotoro, then that's fine as well.
"well well well, it looks like were gonna have some competition! And they will have a days head start, speed might be of the essence. We best book a boat and make other preparations for the journey before our meeting with Pisca. Of course we could try to travel right after our meeting but nightfall could be upon us by then. Either way we should retire early tonight"
"Temerity knew more than she was saying." Gnurl shakes his head and whispers. "Listen, when that gray haired geezer at the Knavery reminded us of Jadescale's trouble it wasn't the first we'd heard of it, was it? Nor was it the first we'd heard we'd need the Triton's map." Keeping his voice low, "Yet it seems that Pisca will share it with any ragtag bunch of folks who sit through her singing..." Gnurl shakes his head, as if clearing an unpleasant thought. "She won't get it herself and who knows how many others have come through asking after it. I'm not saying we shouldn't meet her tomorrow - I've set my mind to this and I'll see it through - but we should be wary."
Watching Pisca speaking with the adventurers at the other table, Anda wonders if it is simply a friendly conversation or, as Gnurl suspects, a tete-a-tete concerning the treasure. Supposing that an interruption wouldn't harm things if they were friends, and could only help him and his colleagues if the conversation were about treasure, he reaches out with his mind to spill the largest vessel of liquid at the table into Pisca's lap.
[Anda will use his telekinesis feat to summon a mage hand and shove over the largest vessel at the table toward Pisca. The hand is invisible and Anda needs neither V nor S components to summon it, so it should be undetectable.]
"An interesting thought Gnurl.." Perrin pauses in thought, trying to take it all in "Might she be one of those spellcasting bards, gaining some upper hand with her performance? We could easily evade tomorrow's show. But we cant miss tomorrows meeting completely. Not all of any way! You think we could gain anything by following the other group instead? At the very least It would be interesting to see if the Triton will send us both to the same location or not" Only then did Perrin notice Anda is half listening, too focused on the other table and turns to follow his gaze.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
18; 23
Anda focuses on the bottle of sake in the center of the table, telekinetically tipping it over with ease. Pisca, despite being in the middle of a conversation, rises from the table with cat-like speed and prevents the liquid from reaching her. She studies the surprised faces of her table guests before flashing a steely gaze around the room. Anda has no doubt that Pisca is aware a bit of foul play has just occurred, but she doesn't seem to suspect the half-elf, half-orc, or halflings seated at the table with her. If she suspects someone else in the room, she certainly doesn't show it.
Nonetheless, Pisca's meeting comes to an abrupt end. She quickly resumes her charming demeanor--something you can tell she has perfected--and excuses herself. She then ascends the stairs, seemingly to retire for the day.
Murasa makes quick work of cleaning up the spill, and the four adventurers who have lost their audience with Pisca remain seated as they begin eating a meal that has been brought to them.
"A waste of a well crafted drink, it seems!" Gnurl grumbles. To Perrin, quietly, "I hadn't been suggesting Pisca was ensorcelling adventurers with her songs, just that the idea of asking for the map and going straight to the treasure seems too simple. There must be more than an average amount of danger for the treasure to still be out there, with all this attention." Gnurl rubs his hand through his beard, thoughtfully. "Though, now that you mention it, she was armed and armored even through her performance..."
Refocusing from his moment of seeming distraction, Anda turns to his companions. "That is a good point, master dwarf. Perhaps later we might both of us open our 'senses' and see if there is some sort of magic at work here. We should stay alert to any charm she might work upon us, though we should also stay open-minded. She may mean well, and may simply offer to direct adventurers for a share of the profit." He sips his wine. "But sometimes the fair-seeming are foul, and the foul-seeming fair. Perrin, did you sense any conflict between the staff? The other server, perhaps? Or the gnome in the kitchens?"
"No conflict that I could see, though I wasn't looking for it. But yes.. we haven't met that gnome yet, no reason why we should get her perspective on things. I also know a little gnomish, it might help to build a measure of trust"
Gnurl sighs contentedly. "Beautiful music. A beautiful meal. I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into all. This is a fine, fine place." Gnurl wipes his mouth and smiles at Temerity. "What is conversation but an exchange of information? There's more to it, aye, but just the same." He leans back, obviously in a good mood from the music and meal. "Yokotoro seems a small and out of the way place, but bustling and thriving none the less. It is populated with a diversity of peoples usually only seen in more metropolitan areas, not to mention the many visitors!" Gnurl smiles a slightly sheepish smile, "I must admit, I did not expect to find myself so enamored when we set out, but here I am! Tell me about Yokotoro, it's history, how it came to be this charming draw, in the middle of the sea."
"Now, now, Gnurl, let the lady have a moment to get off her feet," says Anda. He lifts his glass. "To new acquaintances," he says, sipping, then asks, "Are you yourself from Yokotoro? We had heard tales of the place before we arrived, most notably a story about a pirate by the name of Jadescale. But if the inn is anything to go by, the village is much more calmer than such a story might suggest."
Delighted to learn that the food, drink, and atmosphere has met Gnurl's approval, Temerity raises a glass at Anda's leading, "To new acquaintances," she echoes. Pausing now and then between sentences to sip wine or scan the inn for any customers in need, Temerity offers her responses to the various questions that have been posed.
Regarding Yokotoro, she suggests a few things have worked in concert to bring the village its mild renown. Its location between Port Nyanzaru (to the southeast) and the island of Lantan (to the north) make it a convenient stopping point in the voyage between the two places. Its nearness to an abundance of good fishing spots, especially those along the Mistcliff of Chult, has made the village a logical base of operations for fishermen. Lastly, she adds that the Shore of Dreams, in the past few years under Pisca's ownership, has become an increasingly sought-after destination. "It seems you might now understand how that is so," she remarks with a smile.
"Yokotoro has been my home for only a few years," she explains to Anda. "But I hope it will remain so for many more. Pisca asked me to join her here after she purchased the inn from Murasa's* parents. Uncertain about such a change in lifestyle, I left Baldur's Gate with hesitation. But now?"
She answers her own question with another broad smile.
"Captain Jadescale is a name often spoken by adventurers and other enterprising sorts. I've no doubt the Mistcliff is hiding something left behind by him and his crew. I can't say for certain if Jadescale had any dealings with Yokotoro before his mysterious end. This little village is a common starting point, however, for those who've set their minds on the hunt."
*Murasa is the Shou woman who is serving food and drinks.
"You paint quite the picture miss and a wonderful story it is. Things make much more sense now, though there is one piece of the puzzle that has not fallen into place in my mind. It seems Pisca is much more than she appears, at least that's what the respect she commands from the people here would suggest. As if she's done something more than be an accomplished business woman and musician that shifted public opinion. Even the fact that Murasa still works here years later speaks of this. I'd expect such a relationship wouldn't work between most folk.." he takes a moment to take a sip of wine and study Temerity's facial responses and body language "but perhaps such information is personal.. In any case you might have a talent for storytelling miss. You could perhaps gather stories from the passing adventurers and make your own appearance on stage on cold or rainy nights" and with that Perrin lifts his glass with acknowledgement before taking a second longer sip, savoring the dark red liquid.
Insight: 7
“And how would one go about journeying to Mistcliff to learn more about Jadescale’s mystery?” asks Anda. “Hypothetically,” he adds, swirling the wine in his glass.
Atallia sheepishly hands 10 gold to Gnurl.
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
To Perrin, Temerity explains, "Yes, Murasa's choice to remain here was unexpected. For reasons of nostalgia she continues with the Shore of Dreams. A sweet girl she is. Her good and humble nature makes the relationship with the new owner work."
Perrin studies Temerity and sifts through her responses, looking for hints of deception or unease, but detects nothing.
"And to travel to the Mistcliff," begins Temerity, "a boat and captain will be necessary, of course. Such arrangements can be made with Pisca. You have a specific destination in mind? The Mistcliff is well over 120 miles in length."
"Probably where the mist is thickest!!!" Perrin interjects, laughing heartily at his own joke and then quickly composing himself. "Ok, ok, that was a bad one" he admits, grinning non the less
Gnurl takes the gold from Atilla with a wink, not counting it, but feeling the weight of it in his hand before slipping it into a hidden pocket in his coat.
"To simply sail to the vast cliff with no indication of our destination would be a poorly crafted plan indeed." Gnurl shakes his head. "What we need is the spark of guidance!" As he says this, Gnurl smiles at Temerity and makes a show of casting guidance on himself, seemingly as a bit of theater. "It is a shame there is nothing here to help us find our way."
Gnurl watches Temerity to see if she seems to be hiding any knowledge about a map or other clues. Insight: 21
“We had heard that Pisca might have some knowledge about the whereabouts of the pirate’s treasure, though of course that might just be rumor. After all, one might ask, why not then claim it for her own?”
13
Temerity's face reflects mild amusement at Gnurl's lighthearted display of spellcasting. Then, regarding Jadescale's treasure and how one might locate it, the tiefling replies, "There may be a way, and, yes, Pisca does know a few things that might be helpful."
Temerity finishes her glass of wine before offering a vague answer to Anda. "Claim it for her own? I'll allow her to answer that, friend. Pisca has a prior arrangement this evening, but I will be sure she joins you for a while tomorrow after her performance."
She then bids everyone a good evening as she stands and resumes her work among the many other customers in the room. Gnurl can't shake the feeling that Temerity knows more than she's letting on.
Not long after, Pisca concludes her performance to the cheers and applause of all. The four of you then notice that the triton joins a few guests at one of the tables. The guests happen to be the half-elf, half-orc, and two halflings that Anda noticed a bit earlier. Apparently they returned to the inn during your conversation with Temerity and are now engaged in conversation with Pisca.
For brevity's sake, we can assume the party has made arrangements for lodging at the Shore of Dreams. Let me know if retiring for the evening is the next step. Of course, if there's more to be done in the inn or Yokotoro, then that's fine as well.
"well well well, it looks like were gonna have some competition! And they will have a days head start, speed might be of the essence. We best book a boat and make other preparations for the journey before our meeting with Pisca. Of course we could try to travel right after our meeting but nightfall could be upon us by then. Either way we should retire early tonight"
"Temerity knew more than she was saying." Gnurl shakes his head and whispers. "Listen, when that gray haired geezer at the Knavery reminded us of Jadescale's trouble it wasn't the first we'd heard of it, was it? Nor was it the first we'd heard we'd need the Triton's map." Keeping his voice low, "Yet it seems that Pisca will share it with any ragtag bunch of folks who sit through her singing..." Gnurl shakes his head, as if clearing an unpleasant thought. "She won't get it herself and who knows how many others have come through asking after it. I'm not saying we shouldn't meet her tomorrow - I've set my mind to this and I'll see it through - but we should be wary."
Watching Pisca speaking with the adventurers at the other table, Anda wonders if it is simply a friendly conversation or, as Gnurl suspects, a tete-a-tete concerning the treasure. Supposing that an interruption wouldn't harm things if they were friends, and could only help him and his colleagues if the conversation were about treasure, he reaches out with his mind to spill the largest vessel of liquid at the table into Pisca's lap.
[Anda will use his telekinesis feat to summon a mage hand and shove over the largest vessel at the table toward Pisca. The hand is invisible and Anda needs neither V nor S components to summon it, so it should be undetectable.]
"An interesting thought Gnurl.." Perrin pauses in thought, trying to take it all in "Might she be one of those spellcasting bards, gaining some upper hand with her performance? We could easily evade tomorrow's show. But we cant miss tomorrows meeting completely. Not all of any way! You think we could gain anything by following the other group instead? At the very least It would be interesting to see if the Triton will send us both to the same location or not" Only then did Perrin notice Anda is half listening, too focused on the other table and turns to follow his gaze.
18; 23
Anda focuses on the bottle of sake in the center of the table, telekinetically tipping it over with ease. Pisca, despite being in the middle of a conversation, rises from the table with cat-like speed and prevents the liquid from reaching her. She studies the surprised faces of her table guests before flashing a steely gaze around the room. Anda has no doubt that Pisca is aware a bit of foul play has just occurred, but she doesn't seem to suspect the half-elf, half-orc, or halflings seated at the table with her. If she suspects someone else in the room, she certainly doesn't show it.
Nonetheless, Pisca's meeting comes to an abrupt end. She quickly resumes her charming demeanor--something you can tell she has perfected--and excuses herself. She then ascends the stairs, seemingly to retire for the day.
Murasa makes quick work of cleaning up the spill, and the four adventurers who have lost their audience with Pisca remain seated as they begin eating a meal that has been brought to them.
"A waste of a well crafted drink, it seems!" Gnurl grumbles. To Perrin, quietly, "I hadn't been suggesting Pisca was ensorcelling adventurers with her songs, just that the idea of asking for the map and going straight to the treasure seems too simple. There must be more than an average amount of danger for the treasure to still be out there, with all this attention." Gnurl rubs his hand through his beard, thoughtfully. "Though, now that you mention it, she was armed and armored even through her performance..."
Refocusing from his moment of seeming distraction, Anda turns to his companions. "That is a good point, master dwarf. Perhaps later we might both of us open our 'senses' and see if there is some sort of magic at work here. We should stay alert to any charm she might work upon us, though we should also stay open-minded. She may mean well, and may simply offer to direct adventurers for a share of the profit." He sips his wine. "But sometimes the fair-seeming are foul, and the foul-seeming fair. Perrin, did you sense any conflict between the staff? The other server, perhaps? Or the gnome in the kitchens?"
"No conflict that I could see, though I wasn't looking for it. But yes.. we haven't met that gnome yet, no reason why we should get her perspective on things. I also know a little gnomish, it might help to build a measure of trust"
"My old master was a gnome, he taught me a bit of his language as well."
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.