"Comfort is not an issue. I merely wish to spend some of my time more efficiently." Lelith explained. With what little time they had before they reached potential enemies during their travels, she wanted to get ahead as soon as possible. The stronger her party was, her included, the higher their chances of success. She will not seek or pray for an easy life out of want for comfort, she will seek to be better and stronger than she was yesterday, a month, centuries before.
Lelith decided to divert the attention from herself and back to the situation at hand. "Regardless, let us see this Captain then."
Rum bows his head, “As you all wish, directly to the port we shall go”.
He navigates the cart through the streets, along with Ro and Yam on their mounts, heading towards the sound of the bells from the boat coming into port.
He scans the area as they pass by, looking for places of interest, perhaps an inn but also shops and markets.
As they turn down one street, his keen eyes spot a sign hanging outside a large three storey building. It has the image of an oak tree painted in gold, although some of the paint was now peeling. Underneath is written, ‘The Gilded Oak’.
As they pass he sees there is a narrow street next to it leading to an arched gate with double doors, large enough for a cart or carriage to fit through.
He makes a mental note for later, as they carry on towards the river.
The Riverwood port is rather remarkable. There are four large docks extending out into a wide spot near the splitting of the Fantasia River, which is many hundreds of yards across at this point. There are three boats in port at the moment, and another boat, one with a furled green sail and a flag with a big white scorpion on it, rowing in to port. There are at least a dozen sailors on deck throwing ropes, fastening away materials, and rolling barrels up toward the side of the ship where the gangplank can be lowered. One is already throwing over a rope ladder as well.
The band can see the willows that border the Swamp of Sadness on the other side of the river. They're thick and green, beautiful and billowing, and they obscure the horror of the swamp beyond very, very well, though the occasional swampland tree or dead snag is visible past them. Something croons in the waste beyond the willows, very loud and very sad. While it doesn't effect her, the sound does pull Lelith's heart strings for some reason.
There are men running up and down the dock now, prepping for the Scorpion to dock, and getting carts ready to haul the goods toward the shore. The port is alive and there are people of all races everywhere.
Greko looks around at the frenetic energies of the dockworkers as the Scorpion prepares to dock."Townfolk are always rushing around...rush, rush, rush...."He grumbles to no one in particular as he sits on the cart. He then speaks loudly to the whole group"Which of you would like to speak with the captain? I will accompany whoever wishes do to the talking, perhaps the medallion given will aid us in this journey"
"I will." Lelith decided, they needed a way to get to God's Eye the fastest possible. This ship, the Scorpion, was one. She put her hood down and stepped away for a second behind a pillar before coming out entirely different. Her hair was worn down, her travelling clothes changed to an expensive-looking noble garment that hugged her figure like a corset, typical of elves, even her cloak had transformed into an elegant and thin white cloth covering her shoulders. She looked every part like a travelling noble of Hylia. Even her cold demeanour changed into a charming and soft character. She left her bow, quiver, and backpack in the hands of Greko. Should he be willing to carry them, it did not fit the image she was currently portraying.
Rum moves the cart off the main thoroughfare so that it would not get in anyones way, and stands up on the bench to look out over the port, registering the boats already moored and the Scorpion heading in.
“I will stay and keep an eye on the cart”, he says to Greko, aware of all the passers by.
He is a little surprised when Lelith offers to speak to the captain, but doesn’t show any sign of it, however he cannot help his eyes widening slightly as he spots her transformation.
It occurs to him that they really don’t know a huge amount about each other’s abilities as yet, despite travelling for some days together.
“The captain might be quite busy overseeing the unloading for the moment, but there must be a harbourmaster that would know if any boats are due to head to Gods Eye, and when. That is how it works at the small port on Dragonclaw Island anyway”.
Greko looks around at the group with his hands full unsure of what is currently happening. He decides to put them in the back of the cart and say before following Lelith dressed as an elven noble "Yes, a harbourmaster...Indeed we will look there first"
It's not hard to spot people of importance in this unloading process. There are two in particular that are conversing on the dock next to the Scorpion as the negotiations party approaches. One is obviously the harbormaster; he's gussied up like he could be the Mayor of Riverwood, with elegant robes, pounds of jewelry, and a long, ornate pipe that he is smoking. The other was a dirty, shoddily dressed, salt stained human man nearing the midpoint of his life. A bushy beard that was shocked with gray ran wild over his face, and, like his compatriot, he was smoking a pipe. The two of them were talking and comparing notes, each with a scroll that had hand written metrics all over it.
"Good day, gentlemen." Lelith greeted them with a warm smile, her voice carried elegant majesty and power. "Allow me to interject into your conversation. If you have any kindness to spare, we, that is myself and my companions wish to arrive at God's Eye. I long to see my homeland after so much time spent in Fantasia, you must understand..."
"I have heard of the horror that lies beyond the river, the Swamp of Sadness. I find myself frightened. My friends are competent warriors but even they cannot get me safely through this force of nature... You would be a great and most wonderful person if you would find us a way through. " Lelith's eyes sparkled with hope, she looked slightly sad and fearful, and very charming with a slight pout.
Greko saunters along with a side to side walk using his walking stick while his medallion bounces around his neck. He catches up to Lilith as they begin chatting with the two gentleman.
They're discussing the shipment; so many barrels of fish, so many lobsters, so many crabs. One crew member was swept overboard when something drew too close to the boat and they had to raise sails and flee. Both seem to be nice, or at least are being nice to each other, and there doesn't seem to be any criminal or malicious activity talked about between the two of them.
The harbormaster, if that's who he is anyway, looks up, holding his paper in one hand, and clutching his pipe in the other. He's well groomed and clean, and his smile is genuine.
The other guy, who it becomes clear is the captain of the Scorpion, is gruff but cordial enough. He's the first to speak.
"Good day, ma'am." He says, dipping his head a bit in greeting. Still, he looks skeptical when Lelith mentions God's Eye and her homeland. "God's Eye is your homeland? I didn't think anyone was allowed to live on the Isle of Faces. Or maybe I misunderstand what you mean or somethin'. But yeah, I guess I know what it's like being away from home and all. I hate coming to port. I always miss my mother."
He smiles wide, raises his pipe, and takes a deep pull of smoke before exhaling through his nose. His crew is working on rolling barrels down the gangplank behind him.
"Aye, you'd be wise to be frightened of that place. There are so many who go into the swamp and never come out. But the river, well, we sail right down it, right by the God's Eye, and right out to the sea. There's a little port out there too, Cloveresse...well, I say little but see, she's quite a big port. Not like King's Landing mind you, mah lady, but big. Bigger than Riverwood anyway."
"You looking for someone to take you through?" The harbormaster says. His eyes catch the captain's. "Ol' Alwyne Saewulf here is one of the finest sailors you've ever met. Used to adventure with a band, didn't you, Alwyne? Why, Scorpion is a mighty odd name for a fishing vessel ain't it? What's says you Alwyne? You wants you a new job? Or is all that behind ye and you just want to be a fisherman?"
"I. Well. It's a mighty fine prospect but...I'm sorry miss. I'm old and retired. Most of them boys..." He motions to the crew unloading barrels. "...they're fine lads but they're fishermen lads, not adventurin' lads. Maybe if you just wants a ride to the coast we can maybe work somethin' out but...why wait a minute, Olrod, she never said nothin' about an adventure!"
The harbormaster laughed and sucked his pipe before working on rolling up the piece of paper he had been looking at with Alwyne.
"He's ready, miss. You see where his mind went? He's got adventurin' in his blood, ol' Alwyne. Ain't no one better to take you to the port. He'll run every mud turtle in the river out of your way before he gets you to the sea and splash half a dozen clothes washin' grannies on the way."
"Don't mind this lubber." Alwyne says, screwing up his brows and looking irritated at the harbormaster. "He gave up his mother a long time ago and ain't been back to see her since. He just loves getting me fired up is all. See?"
Rum watches Lelith and Greko weave through the crowd from his vantage point standing on the cart. He sees Lelith approach the two very different looking pipe smokers.
“Well, it looks like they have found the harbourmaster, and a representative from that boat too”, he says to the others.
He shifts his attention to the Scorpion, trying to determine if it was going to be possible to fit the mounts and cart on the boat with them, or if they would have to leave them behind.
“What else would you all like to do here before we leave?”, he says to those that remained with the animals and the cart.
The child earlier with the hoop had given him an idea, and he himself wanted to find somewhere that sold small hoops, or horse shoes might do as well.
He has a quick look about the port for a blacksmith before moving his gaze back to the discussions by the Scorpion.
"You misunderstand, my homeland is beyond." Lelith clarified, she took an even more pleading look as she took Alwyne's hands and held them in front of her. "We, no, /I/ would be really grateful if we could get to God's Eye. Alwyne Saewulf, good sir, you seem like someone I could entrust my life and my friends' life in your hands in these waters. We wish to find a ship that would cross the ocean and bring us to Hylia. That is our final destination if you must know."
Rum can see that the Scorpion is a fairly good sized ship. It's a small, three sail corvette of approximately one hundred and fifty feet in length, and looks to have old weapon mounts along the deck that are now bare. There are clearly multiple decks and a good sized crew area and cargo hold. More than enough room for their equipment, especially if they lashed the carts to the deck.
He doesn't see a blacksmith as he looks around, but he can clearly hear smithing hammers falling all around Riverwood.
"How far beyond...oh. Hylia." Saewulf says. He side eyes Olrod, then puffs his pipe tentatively. "I'm not sure about this, miss. It's been a long time since the Scorpion or I have crossed the sea and there are rumors of storms now that are right dreadful, ifin you know mah meaning."
He turned his attention to Olrod, then began to roll up his paper.
"It matches?" Alwyne asked Olrod.
"It matches." Olrod confirmed.
Alwyne handed the harbormaster his paperwork.
"I'll be at the Scorpion in the morning, miss uh...miss...I didn't get your name." Alwyne said, his brow furrowing. "If you still need a boat, meet me at the dock with a payment proposal and where exactly you want to go. Let me think about it. I'm old, and my bones are old, and the Scorpion, her bones are old too, and the sea, she's right mean sometimes."
Olrod laughed, shaking his head as he walked away, calling back to the captain as he went.
"It always calls you back, Alwyne. It always calls you back."
"At least to God's Eye... Once there, we can discuss further if you would be willing to take us to Hylia." Lelith smiled warmly before offering a gentle bow to the two gentlemen. "Thank you for your kindness. We will meet you tomorrow. And you may call me Lady Aleesia if you prefer, kind sir."
Lelith watched them walk away before leading Greko away. She stepped away for a moment and once again, in an entirely too short of a moment, her clothes had changed back to normal. With her hood back up and her usual aloof demeanour. She rejoined the rest of the party while politely taking her bow, arrows, and backpack from Greko. "I managed to convince the Scorpion's Captain to at least consider taking us to God's Eye, he's hesitant to take us further toward Hylia but not entirely unwilling. I can work on him further on the way to God's Eye."
It was manipulative but everything was in the forest with no end. She showed them the appearance and character that would draw the most favourable impression toward the most favourable outcome, and perhaps they wouldn't even have to pay as much as they would have had to with a direct approach. There had been no lie in her words at least, even the name was nothing more than a possible nickname or moniker. There was no fault to be found within her aside from the vagueness, any false interpretations were freedom taken by the listener.
Lelith did not trust easily, even her companions, but their mission had forced her to reveal more than she would've otherwise and they had proven to be worthy of what little trust she had afforded them so far. And her identity as Lelith Iathrana was already known to the Chidlike Empress through whatever means she may have. That did not mean she had given up on her secretive ways.
“What else would you all like to do here before we leave?”, he says to those that remained with the animals and the cart.
Ro has a slight look of surprise by Lelith's sudden transformation. He knew of magic that could change one's appearance, but did not expect Lelith to be a practitioner of magic. Pleasantly surprised, Ro lets out a huh in a 'well would you look at that' tone before turning to Rum, "It seems like negotiations are going well on their end. If we do have transport to God's Eye secured, then I personally would like to see if Riverwood has any shops that sell spell scrolls. I'm always looking to expand my repertoire, and given the journey we have ahead of us you never know when a niche spell can come in handy."
She rejoined the rest of the party while politely taking her bow, arrows, and backpack from Greko. "I managed to convince the Scorpion's Captain to at least consider taking us to God's Eye, he's hesitant to take us further toward Hylia but not entirely unwilling. I can work on him further on the way to God's Eye."
As Lelith and Greko return, Ro welcomes them back with a practiced, warm smile, "Safe passage to God's Eye is already a good step, great work you two! Lelith, I was not aware that you were also a practitioner of the arcane, it is a pleasant surprise. If the Scorpion cannot take us across the sea, we can always try and hire someone at the God's Eye harbors as well. That said, do you know how much the Scorpion's fees will be?"
Rum nods to Ro and looks again at the position of the sun in the sky. “Well there is some daylight left, the shops should still be open. I will head to a blacksmith myself, once we have dealt with the cart and mounts”, he says pricking his ears in the direction of the hammering.
He smiles as Lelith and Greko return and Lelith feeds back on their negotiation. “This Scorpion does not look like a typical fishing boat, it is a worthy vessel for our purpose. When will the captain make his decision? How quickly can we leave?”, he asks, adding his own questions to Ro’s.
As they talk he manoeuvres the cart around, back the way they had come. “We passed an inn on the way here, The Gilded Oak”, he says heading off back down the road. “If any wish to run an errand we can meet there, or we can stick together. I will head there first and ensure the cart and horses are secure”.
He looks to Lelith, “I don’t think it wise for you to keep watch the whole evening and night. The horses and snail could use some care after our journey as well, don’t you think? I am of course not suggesting you need to stay at the inn yourself, if you would prefer not to”
As they talk he manoeuvres the cart around, back the way they had come. “We passed an inn on the way here, The Gilded Oak”, he says heading off back down the road. “If any wish to run an errand we can meet there, or we can stick together. I will head there first and ensure the cart and horses are secure”.
He looks to Lelith, “I don’t think it wise for you to keep watch the whole evening and night. The horses and snail could use some care after our journey as well, don’t you think? I am of course not suggesting you need to stay at the inn yourself, if you would prefer not to”
As Lelith and Greko return, Ro welcomes them back with a practiced, warm smile, "Safe passage to God's Eye is already a good step, great work you two! Lelith, I was not aware that you were also a practitioner of the arcane, it is a pleasant surprise. If the Scorpion cannot take us across the sea, we can always try and hire someone at the God's Eye harbors as well. That said, do you know how much the Scorpion's fees will be?"
"We will discuss the fees tomorrow, the Captain seems willing in some way to take us to God's Eye at least. We will likely leave on the same day we pay the Captain." Lelith paused for a moment before continuing.
"I am a practitioner yes, however, I did not cast any spells earlier." Lelith clarified.
"Very well." Lelith did not argue with Rumble. "The Gilded Oak Inn it is. There is no need for a room by myself. I can stay with Yam either sitting on a chair or the floor during my meditation. I will return late at night. That is if Yam is willing, of course."
"Absolutely. If sleeping - in whatever manner - next to an old dwarf, does not bother you, I'd be glad to share a room with you." Yam responds. "I'm sure they have rooms with more than one bed, and if not I'd rather give it to you. The Humans' soft beds are not good for this ild body of mine. Too many years getting used to Dwarven stone cots."
"Comfort is not an issue. I merely wish to spend some of my time more efficiently." Lelith explained. With what little time they had before they reached potential enemies during their travels, she wanted to get ahead as soon as possible. The stronger her party was, her included, the higher their chances of success. She will not seek or pray for an easy life out of want for comfort, she will seek to be better and stronger than she was yesterday, a month, centuries before.
Lelith decided to divert the attention from herself and back to the situation at hand. "Regardless, let us see this Captain then."
Rum bows his head, “As you all wish, directly to the port we shall go”.
He navigates the cart through the streets, along with Ro and Yam on their mounts, heading towards the sound of the bells from the boat coming into port.
He scans the area as they pass by, looking for places of interest, perhaps an inn but also shops and markets.
As they turn down one street, his keen eyes spot a sign hanging outside a large three storey building. It has the image of an oak tree painted in gold, although some of the paint was now peeling. Underneath is written, ‘The Gilded Oak’.
As they pass he sees there is a narrow street next to it leading to an arched gate with double doors, large enough for a cart or carriage to fit through.
He makes a mental note for later, as they carry on towards the river.
The Riverwood port is rather remarkable. There are four large docks extending out into a wide spot near the splitting of the Fantasia River, which is many hundreds of yards across at this point. There are three boats in port at the moment, and another boat, one with a furled green sail and a flag with a big white scorpion on it, rowing in to port. There are at least a dozen sailors on deck throwing ropes, fastening away materials, and rolling barrels up toward the side of the ship where the gangplank can be lowered. One is already throwing over a rope ladder as well.
The band can see the willows that border the Swamp of Sadness on the other side of the river. They're thick and green, beautiful and billowing, and they obscure the horror of the swamp beyond very, very well, though the occasional swampland tree or dead snag is visible past them. Something croons in the waste beyond the willows, very loud and very sad. While it doesn't effect her, the sound does pull Lelith's heart strings for some reason.
There are men running up and down the dock now, prepping for the Scorpion to dock, and getting carts ready to haul the goods toward the shore. The port is alive and there are people of all races everywhere.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Greko looks around at the frenetic energies of the dockworkers as the Scorpion prepares to dock. "Townfolk are always rushing around...rush, rush, rush...." He grumbles to no one in particular as he sits on the cart. He then speaks loudly to the whole group "Which of you would like to speak with the captain? I will accompany whoever wishes do to the talking, perhaps the medallion given will aid us in this journey"
"I will." Lelith decided, they needed a way to get to God's Eye the fastest possible. This ship, the Scorpion, was one. She put her hood down and stepped away for a second behind a pillar before coming out entirely different. Her hair was worn down, her travelling clothes changed to an expensive-looking noble garment that hugged her figure like a corset, typical of elves, even her cloak had transformed into an elegant and thin white cloth covering her shoulders. She looked every part like a travelling noble of Hylia. Even her cold demeanour changed into a charming and soft character. She left her bow, quiver, and backpack in the hands of Greko. Should he be willing to carry them, it did not fit the image she was currently portraying.
Rum moves the cart off the main thoroughfare so that it would not get in anyones way, and stands up on the bench to look out over the port, registering the boats already moored and the Scorpion heading in.
“I will stay and keep an eye on the cart”, he says to Greko, aware of all the passers by.
He is a little surprised when Lelith offers to speak to the captain, but doesn’t show any sign of it, however he cannot help his eyes widening slightly as he spots her transformation.
It occurs to him that they really don’t know a huge amount about each other’s abilities as yet, despite travelling for some days together.
“The captain might be quite busy overseeing the unloading for the moment, but there must be a harbourmaster that would know if any boats are due to head to Gods Eye, and when. That is how it works at the small port on Dragonclaw Island anyway”.
Greko looks around at the group with his hands full unsure of what is currently happening. He decides to put them in the back of the cart and say before following Lelith dressed as an elven noble "Yes, a harbourmaster...Indeed we will look there first"
It's not hard to spot people of importance in this unloading process. There are two in particular that are conversing on the dock next to the Scorpion as the negotiations party approaches. One is obviously the harbormaster; he's gussied up like he could be the Mayor of Riverwood, with elegant robes, pounds of jewelry, and a long, ornate pipe that he is smoking. The other was a dirty, shoddily dressed, salt stained human man nearing the midpoint of his life. A bushy beard that was shocked with gray ran wild over his face, and, like his compatriot, he was smoking a pipe. The two of them were talking and comparing notes, each with a scroll that had hand written metrics all over it.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
"Good day, gentlemen." Lelith greeted them with a warm smile, her voice carried elegant majesty and power. "Allow me to interject into your conversation. If you have any kindness to spare, we, that is myself and my companions wish to arrive at God's Eye. I long to see my homeland after so much time spent in Fantasia, you must understand..."
"I have heard of the horror that lies beyond the river, the Swamp of Sadness. I find myself frightened. My friends are competent warriors but even they cannot get me safely through this force of nature... You would be a great and most wonderful person if you would find us a way through. " Lelith's eyes sparkled with hope, she looked slightly sad and fearful, and very charming with a slight pout.
Greko saunters along with a side to side walk using his walking stick while his medallion bounces around his neck. He catches up to Lilith as they begin chatting with the two gentleman.
They're discussing the shipment; so many barrels of fish, so many lobsters, so many crabs. One crew member was swept overboard when something drew too close to the boat and they had to raise sails and flee. Both seem to be nice, or at least are being nice to each other, and there doesn't seem to be any criminal or malicious activity talked about between the two of them.
The harbormaster, if that's who he is anyway, looks up, holding his paper in one hand, and clutching his pipe in the other. He's well groomed and clean, and his smile is genuine.
The other guy, who it becomes clear is the captain of the Scorpion, is gruff but cordial enough. He's the first to speak.
"Good day, ma'am." He says, dipping his head a bit in greeting. Still, he looks skeptical when Lelith mentions God's Eye and her homeland. "God's Eye is your homeland? I didn't think anyone was allowed to live on the Isle of Faces. Or maybe I misunderstand what you mean or somethin'. But yeah, I guess I know what it's like being away from home and all. I hate coming to port. I always miss my mother."
He smiles wide, raises his pipe, and takes a deep pull of smoke before exhaling through his nose. His crew is working on rolling barrels down the gangplank behind him.
"Aye, you'd be wise to be frightened of that place. There are so many who go into the swamp and never come out. But the river, well, we sail right down it, right by the God's Eye, and right out to the sea. There's a little port out there too, Cloveresse...well, I say little but see, she's quite a big port. Not like King's Landing mind you, mah lady, but big. Bigger than Riverwood anyway."
"You looking for someone to take you through?" The harbormaster says. His eyes catch the captain's. "Ol' Alwyne Saewulf here is one of the finest sailors you've ever met. Used to adventure with a band, didn't you, Alwyne? Why, Scorpion is a mighty odd name for a fishing vessel ain't it? What's says you Alwyne? You wants you a new job? Or is all that behind ye and you just want to be a fisherman?"
"I. Well. It's a mighty fine prospect but...I'm sorry miss. I'm old and retired. Most of them boys..." He motions to the crew unloading barrels. "...they're fine lads but they're fishermen lads, not adventurin' lads. Maybe if you just wants a ride to the coast we can maybe work somethin' out but...why wait a minute, Olrod, she never said nothin' about an adventure!"
The harbormaster laughed and sucked his pipe before working on rolling up the piece of paper he had been looking at with Alwyne.
"He's ready, miss. You see where his mind went? He's got adventurin' in his blood, ol' Alwyne. Ain't no one better to take you to the port. He'll run every mud turtle in the river out of your way before he gets you to the sea and splash half a dozen clothes washin' grannies on the way."
"Don't mind this lubber." Alwyne says, screwing up his brows and looking irritated at the harbormaster. "He gave up his mother a long time ago and ain't been back to see her since. He just loves getting me fired up is all. See?"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
Rum watches Lelith and Greko weave through the crowd from his vantage point standing on the cart. He sees Lelith approach the two very different looking pipe smokers.
“Well, it looks like they have found the harbourmaster, and a representative from that boat too”, he says to the others.
He shifts his attention to the Scorpion, trying to determine if it was going to be possible to fit the mounts and cart on the boat with them, or if they would have to leave them behind.
“What else would you all like to do here before we leave?”, he says to those that remained with the animals and the cart.
The child earlier with the hoop had given him an idea, and he himself wanted to find somewhere that sold small hoops, or horse shoes might do as well.
He has a quick look about the port for a blacksmith before moving his gaze back to the discussions by the Scorpion.
"You misunderstand, my homeland is beyond." Lelith clarified, she took an even more pleading look as she took Alwyne's hands and held them in front of her. "We, no, /I/ would be really grateful if we could get to God's Eye. Alwyne Saewulf, good sir, you seem like someone I could entrust my life and my friends' life in your hands in these waters. We wish to find a ship that would cross the ocean and bring us to Hylia. That is our final destination if you must know."
Rum can see that the Scorpion is a fairly good sized ship. It's a small, three sail corvette of approximately one hundred and fifty feet in length, and looks to have old weapon mounts along the deck that are now bare. There are clearly multiple decks and a good sized crew area and cargo hold. More than enough room for their equipment, especially if they lashed the carts to the deck.
He doesn't see a blacksmith as he looks around, but he can clearly hear smithing hammers falling all around Riverwood.
"How far beyond...oh. Hylia." Saewulf says. He side eyes Olrod, then puffs his pipe tentatively. "I'm not sure about this, miss. It's been a long time since the Scorpion or I have crossed the sea and there are rumors of storms now that are right dreadful, ifin you know mah meaning."
He turned his attention to Olrod, then began to roll up his paper.
"It matches?" Alwyne asked Olrod.
"It matches." Olrod confirmed.
Alwyne handed the harbormaster his paperwork.
"I'll be at the Scorpion in the morning, miss uh...miss...I didn't get your name." Alwyne said, his brow furrowing. "If you still need a boat, meet me at the dock with a payment proposal and where exactly you want to go. Let me think about it. I'm old, and my bones are old, and the Scorpion, her bones are old too, and the sea, she's right mean sometimes."
Olrod laughed, shaking his head as he walked away, calling back to the captain as he went.
"It always calls you back, Alwyne. It always calls you back."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
DM of Legacy of NIMH
"At least to God's Eye... Once there, we can discuss further if you would be willing to take us to Hylia." Lelith smiled warmly before offering a gentle bow to the two gentlemen. "Thank you for your kindness. We will meet you tomorrow. And you may call me Lady Aleesia if you prefer, kind sir."
Lelith watched them walk away before leading Greko away. She stepped away for a moment and once again, in an entirely too short of a moment, her clothes had changed back to normal. With her hood back up and her usual aloof demeanour. She rejoined the rest of the party while politely taking her bow, arrows, and backpack from Greko. "I managed to convince the Scorpion's Captain to at least consider taking us to God's Eye, he's hesitant to take us further toward Hylia but not entirely unwilling. I can work on him further on the way to God's Eye."
It was manipulative but everything was in the forest with no end. She showed them the appearance and character that would draw the most favourable impression toward the most favourable outcome, and perhaps they wouldn't even have to pay as much as they would have had to with a direct approach. There had been no lie in her words at least, even the name was nothing more than a possible nickname or moniker. There was no fault to be found within her aside from the vagueness, any false interpretations were freedom taken by the listener.
Lelith did not trust easily, even her companions, but their mission had forced her to reveal more than she would've otherwise and they had proven to be worthy of what little trust she had afforded them so far. And her identity as Lelith Iathrana was already known to the Chidlike Empress through whatever means she may have. That did not mean she had given up on her secretive ways.
Ro has a slight look of surprise by Lelith's sudden transformation. He knew of magic that could change one's appearance, but did not expect Lelith to be a practitioner of magic. Pleasantly surprised, Ro lets out a huh in a 'well would you look at that' tone before turning to Rum, "It seems like negotiations are going well on their end. If we do have transport to God's Eye secured, then I personally would like to see if Riverwood has any shops that sell spell scrolls. I'm always looking to expand my repertoire, and given the journey we have ahead of us you never know when a niche spell can come in handy."
As Lelith and Greko return, Ro welcomes them back with a practiced, warm smile, "Safe passage to God's Eye is already a good step, great work you two! Lelith, I was not aware that you were also a practitioner of the arcane, it is a pleasant surprise. If the Scorpion cannot take us across the sea, we can always try and hire someone at the God's Eye harbors as well. That said, do you know how much the Scorpion's fees will be?"
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum nods to Ro and looks again at the position of the sun in the sky. “Well there is some daylight left, the shops should still be open. I will head to a blacksmith myself, once we have dealt with the cart and mounts”, he says pricking his ears in the direction of the hammering.
He smiles as Lelith and Greko return and Lelith feeds back on their negotiation. “This Scorpion does not look like a typical fishing boat, it is a worthy vessel for our purpose. When will the captain make his decision? How quickly can we leave?”, he asks, adding his own questions to Ro’s.
As they talk he manoeuvres the cart around, back the way they had come. “We passed an inn on the way here, The Gilded Oak”, he says heading off back down the road. “If any wish to run an errand we can meet there, or we can stick together. I will head there first and ensure the cart and horses are secure”.
He looks to Lelith, “I don’t think it wise for you to keep watch the whole evening and night. The horses and snail could use some care after our journey as well, don’t you think? I am of course not suggesting you need to stay at the inn yourself, if you would prefer not to”
"We will discuss the fees tomorrow, the Captain seems willing in some way to take us to God's Eye at least. We will likely leave on the same day we pay the Captain." Lelith paused for a moment before continuing.
"I am a practitioner yes, however, I did not cast any spells earlier." Lelith clarified.
"Very well." Lelith did not argue with Rumble. "The Gilded Oak Inn it is. There is no need for a room by myself. I can stay with Yam either sitting on a chair or the floor during my meditation. I will return late at night. That is if Yam is willing, of course."
Greko follows everyone to the Gilded Oak
"Absolutely. If sleeping - in whatever manner - next to an old dwarf, does not bother you, I'd be glad to share a room with you." Yam responds. "I'm sure they have rooms with more than one bed, and if not I'd rather give it to you. The Humans' soft beds are not good for this ild body of mine. Too many years getting used to Dwarven stone cots."
Varielky | Emma