1st of Mathair "Feast of the Mother Moon"

4 o'clock PM

Continued from Hero’s Journey – The Mysteries

Beneath the unruly port town of Seamew, hidden within the depths of the labyrinthine storm drain system lies the inner sanctum of the green Dragonborn Onifax.

There, a fiery-haired young woman, Ashley and a timid young man named Dardek, sought refuge after fleeing captivity aboard the sailing ship Humanitas and nearly drowning in the process.

After recovering from their harrowing experience under Onifax’s care, they now discuss what they might do with their newfound freedom. Onifax has offered them an opportunity to work under his employ using their unique talents….

"Let me ask...” The dragonborn inquires with a certain spark in her eye… “How would you feel about an exciting career in treasure hunting?"

Dardek looks up at Onifax and then at Ashley then back at Onifax and once more to Ashley "Treasure hunting!? Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined anything like this. I mean yes I want to see the world but I don't have many skills to find treasures...." 

 He looks down at his feet and shuffles nervously in his seat "I have read a lot of books while I was at the keep. It was one of the things I was allowed to do....read....."

Ashley interjects, adding "What makes you so sure treasure hunting is exciting?  Hiding in shadows, always on the run from the law, breaking into places... ha, man, I can't keep a straight face to save my life.  Of course I'm interested.  And Dardek is too."  Her eyes are a light with all the new possibilities that seem to have been laid before her.  And at the last bit, she winks at her new friend.

A look of sincere interest and enthusiasm crosses Onifax's face... as she says, "Alright then... It's settled. We need to get you two on the road..." At just that moment, the door opens revealing a trio of new arrivals.

Continued from Hero’s Journey – The Farmers

In steps, Alianor Rowntree, a dark-skinned woman with long white hair died pink. Her roguish demeanor and seafaring attire marks her as a smuggler. She carries a small satchel with her.

Trailing behind is Nib, a wide-eyed curly-haired halfling in farmers clothes and Pal, a skittish-looking humanoid rabbit. Both seem like they’re locked in a state of wonder at all that surrounds them.

They find themselves in a circular chamber that looks like it might have served some utilitarian function in the city's sewer system once upon a time. Mineral buildup spills from several circular grates set high on the wall. Four large metal rivets jut from the floor are the only remaining vestiges of some long departed piece of equipment.

Whatever purpose the chamber originally served, the tall, green-scaled dragonborn in front of them now apparently uses it as a private study. The room is appointed with a fine quilted rug, several large bookshelves and a set of cushioned chairs set around a coffee table. The opposite side of the room is occupied by a large oak desk covered with books, ledgers and merchant's scales.

Onifax… a creature that neither Nib nor Pal have ever seen before (though Pal has certainly read about them) turns to the newcomers and raises a curious eye-ridge.

“What have we here now?” She asks, regarding the two farmers. “You pair look to be a few days journey out of place….” She looks to Alianor with a curious expression. “Stowaways?”

“Something like that…” Alianor says as she removes her satchel and pulls out a small box. “These two done runaway from the farm, lookin’ for adventure they say…” 

Dardek & Ashley:

 “…figured I’d steer ‘em yer way. See if you might have work for ‘em. Better that then leavin ‘em to them sharks up topside. If I’d let ‘em stumble on inta town by themselves, they’da prob’ly turned up in shackles, tossed in a pit of snakes for sport at the Fool’s Boon by night’s end…”

 Onifax nods in agreement, recieving the package from Alianor with measured enthusiasm… She opens it up, revealing a few schets of tightly packed herbs. She dips into one of them using a single claw and tastes the contents, enjoying what she tastes… “You’re an altruist to the core, my friend… Mmmm… And quite skilled at your job as well… This is incredibly pure. Dare I ask where it came from?”

“Better off not knowing.” Replies Alianor with a wink.

Onifax nods, expecting that reply. “Fair enough… I’ll send word through our mutual friends. Make sure payment is completed by nightfall tomorrow at the latest.” 

Alianor nods, accepting that arrangement as she looks toward Ashley and Dardek. “Who are these?” She asks.

Onifax turns to look back at Ashley and Dardek, “Those two? Just some guests of mine.”

Alianor raises a suspicious eyebrow. “Don’t maybe have t'do with all the hubbub yer goonies gave us when we first got here, do they? They in some kinda trouble?” 

Onifax matches Alianor’s earlier tone when she replies, “Better off not knowing.”

Alianor nods and raises her hands in acceptance. She turns to Nib and Pal. “Well, here ye are. Cross the river as promised. Any debt ye owe, goes to the ol’ dragon ta work off.” She looks to Onifax. “One gold each was the deal… Adventurer’s rate.”

Onifax nods, accepting. “Of course.” She then turns to regard both pairs of guests. “Ashley and Dardek, meet our guests…” She narrows her eyes slightly, addressing the farmers. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe I caught your names…

The halfling’s eyes light up at the sound of the word “adventure”, and you see him gently elbow his Harengon friend, smile coming to his face.  To Onifax he says “Uhh, sir … my name is Nib.  Nib Thunderbee.  Alianor did say you have some work for us to do…..”. While he is saying this, he can’t take his eyes off the dragonborn, looking at the horns and the features of the face, the hands… it is clear that he’s never seen one before, and he is getting a good look.  When he mentions the work to be done, he has a guilty look on his face, side eyeing his Harengon friend, quietly saying to him “Don’t worry Pal, I’ll handle it.  You don’t have to if you don’t want ta.”  He turns his head back up to the others gathered in the room, silently nodding to them and just saying “Hullo.  Names Nib.”  

Pal will sidle into the room, eyes wide and head on a swivel taking it all in. He keeps his hands drawn up in front of his chest, and you see his fingers working nervously. Pal's mouth falls open when he sees Onifax, realizing now why Alianor kept referring to them as 'the ol' dragon'. He can't help but stare at Onifax as she speaks to Alianor, their conversation a muted murmur until he sees the sachet of 'herbs' passing hands. The reality of the situation hits him like a kick from a mule, here he stands in some sewer hideout, surrounded by strange dragon-folk, while an apparent drug deal is taking place before his very eyes. Growing up on the farm, he had heard the rumors about the wayward son from the farm next door, how he'd fallen in with the wrong crowd and became addicted to narcotics. Pal had even seem him in Figbrook a few times, hollow cheeked and twitching, asking for work. Pal's father turned him down every time, albeit politely. Pal never really understood this, there was plenty of work to do on the farm, but one day when he was a bit older his parents explained it all to him. About how Eddar, the son, fell in with the wrong crowd, and began stealing... Pal turns to Nib with wide eyes, recalling their flight from the riverside shanty town, Nib's admission of guilt, and the splash of the lantern going overboard. Pal recalls how Eddar, according to his parents, would spend his days in the rundown shacks on the edge of town, dealing with ne'er-do-wells and getting 'high'... Pal's heart begins racing and his breathing becomes shallow and quick. He thinks, What am I doing here!? I'm supposed to be finding the Reclaimers! Helping them recover the lost magic and restore it to the world! Pal's anxiety boils over and he practically shrieks, "I DIDN'T WANT TO COME HERE! I'M NOT A CRIMINAL! I DON'T WANT TO DO NARCOTICS!" He'll back away from everyone, wide-eyed and panicky, "I DIDN'T WANT TO COME HERE! SHE TRICKED US! PLEASE, JUST LET ME GO! I WANT TO GO HOME!" He'll turn to Nib and burst into tears, "I didn't want to come here Nib! I don't want to do narcotics and end up like Eddar! Why did you make me come here? This isn't how this was supposed to go..." At this point he'll begin sobbing openly.

“Nar - cot - icks… what the hell is that?  Easy Pal, hold your ponies, he's just given him some medicine, isn't that right?  Maybe some medicine that you roll up and smoke, no harm to that, right?  Herbs and so forth.  There there, Pally, just calm down a bit, let me handle it to get us free and clear.  I know you were interested in that ship with the creepy man on the sail, with stars over his head.  Once we handle what needs to be done we can go wherever you want buddy…. Easy there.”  Nib puts his arm around Pal’s shoulder, trying to console his friend, taking deep breaths with him when he has big sobs..

Dardek looks up at the pair and ignores the bunny rabbit's outburst. He stares at the rabbit, never seeing one. There were no rabbit clerics in the keep nor has he heard of one....Dardek either filled with courage because of Onifax and Ashley's presence or just out of sheer curisoity cannot contain it.....He gets up and walks over to the bunny man and pokes him "What are you? Oh my I am so sorry...." Dardek looks down at his feet forgetting himself "I am Dardek, I don't know what came over me...please accept my apology" He continues to look down at his feet after poking the the bunny "I have never seen a bunny man before. I apoligize....I am sorry for my outburst...please forgive me" Dardek, now, is pleading as if the punishment will be harsh for stepping out of line. Trying to change the subject quickly "That is Ashley. I owe her a life debt which means, unfortunately I must follow her on her trips....." Dardek bows to the newcomers and waits for his punishment or forgiveness

In the middle of this chaotic moment, the door opens again and two additional figures step through...

Sieg, a slender male humanoid with pointed ears and otherworldly grace... and Talon... a scrappy, proud looking humanoid who looks to be the same species as the other guards you've encountered around Onifax's lair.

"You're back..." Onifax says, setting aside the other conversation for a moment and looking to them with great interest and some concern... "Did you see anything in your patrol?"

Talon slinks into Onifax's lair just in time to catch the ass-end of of Pal's diatribe.  This is of little concern to the Kobold, who is used to the weird and sometimes hectic life of the sewers. 

He gives one more glance to Spike as he enters, a snarl on his lips, before he scuttles closer to Onifax, somehow feeling more important to ever and trying to show it off to his rival. 

"Oooh!Yes!"  Talon says, practically bouncing as he offers their report to his hero.  "Oneuhm...pursemaker...they was in the sewers!  He was like this..."

The Kobold mimics what he thinks a human looks like skulking...

"...and he had on...had on this!" 

He moves his hands around his head and face, indicating the cowl of a cloak. 

"Ooh but he ran when he sees Sieg and Talon hm!  Yep, he knew!  He's heard the story of what me and Sieg did to ol' Fistmeat in the arena yeah, and he knew he didn't want none of that!  Oh, Spike would be wise to heed that warning too hm?" 

Talon looks up expectantly at Onifax, and this his reptilian brow scrunches up as he thinks. 

"Oh, other weirdos in the sewer too.  There was uh...them!" 

He points out Pal and Nib and Alianor.  He suddenly seems more aware of the non-Draconian folk holding court in Onifax's chambers this morning.  

"Lots of weirdos I guess...lookatalltheminhere!"  

The fire gensai with glowing long red hair and wearing a heavy cloak that is obviously too big for her was thinking she was just about to find out what she was going to do next, when a friend of Onifax drops in with a little guy and a hare?  She breaks into a large grin as seeing others that are a bit different she finds gives her great pleasure.  She cannot wait to get out and see what else the world holds.  

Then the hare completely loses it.  She has no idea what he is going on about and not sure what to say.  She does find it quite interesting that her nervous nilly of a friend actually pokes him!  She covers her mouth to hide her giggle but then retorts to Dardek, "What do you mean, unfortunately!"

But before she gets to say more, two more interesting people join in to the study.  She looks around, a dragon, a little guy, a hare, a lizard guy, an elf and whatever Dardek is... her eyes widen as she takes in her current situation.  She finds herself flipping from utter excitement to some anxiety being around so many people.  She can't remember ever being around so many.. maybe when she was young?  

After hearing the little lizard guys report, she finally speaks up, "Sounds like you were being followed and they ran when you spotted them.  Any idea why you'd be followed?"  and then thinking maybe she spoke out of turn, she looks to Onifax to see their reaction.  She liked the dragon quite a bit from what she's seen... but then again, she thought she liked some of the dwarves before they hurt her too.

"Followed?"  Talon says, then utters a sharp little half laugh.  "Ha!  Theyknewbetter!  They knew if they got close me and Sieg we'd...we'd do this!"  

And that's when the little Kobold began to bounce around and throw punches at the air and scream some sort of shrill little warcry that was probably pretty intimidating to the rats and other lesser things of the sewer...

Nib watches the shadow boxing and a smile comes to his face, “So many new people, exciting things!  Amazing!”  He turns to Pal, still consoling him.  “See, looky Pal, they were on a mission!”  He sits wide eyed, watching what will come next.  

Dardek looks around the room at the newcomers....He quietly slinks back to the chair he was sitting in next to Ashley "This sounds dangerous....maybe I could mop a floor after this hurricane?"

As Pal has his outburst, Onifax looks to Alianor with a raised eyebrow expression that says, "Really? This is who you bring to me?"  Alianor responds with a dismissive shrug as Talon and Sieg come through the door.

"You misunderstand." The dragonborn says to Pal with a sharp-toothed grin. "These herbs are not intended for inebriation... They're too precious for that... They fetch their highest price because of their rumored properties as material components in ritual spell-casting... A reputation I hoped to leverage with some out-of-town visitors... before things got... complicated.

The expression on Onifax's face changes as Talon gives his report about the pursers.

She responds to Ashley's words with a nod. "You're right... Pursers are crude. Opportunistic. They set traps. They take pot shots at weak targets. They don't have the skill to skulk or stalk. Odds are they've been hired as trackers by the crew of the Humanitas/.."

Without further explanation, she looks to Ashley and Dardek. "That's good news and bad news... Good news is that this 'Brother Emmit and his crew haven't yet persuaded the mercenary forces who run the town to aid them. If they had, the town guard would be conducting a full, phalanxed sweep of the sewer system... The bad news is that, for all their malice and cowardice, the pursers are a cunning lot.  These sewers are a second home to them. If you expect to make it out of town alive  you'll need to navigate a gauntlet of their tricks and traps."

"I could ferry them out if they need..." Alianor adds. "At a cost of course."

Even as she's speaking the words, Onifax shakes her head. "No. Slipping in through the storm drain is one thing, but we should assume the exits are monitored...  Safest bet is finding a way to get to street level on the north side of the town wall and flee to the wilderness on foot."

She looks to Nib and Pal. "I suggest you go with them. Not only will your debt be cleared, but I'll ensure you're paid handsomely. The choice is yours, but I strongly suggest you don't attempt to leave this sanctum on your own." She nods towards Pal. "The pursers might take a liking to your rare soft pelt... Plus, there are worser things than cuthroats out there in the dark. You'll have better odds surviving them if you aren't traveling alone.

As she speaks, she moves to her desk, grabbing a piece of parchment and jotting something down.

"Once you've fled the town, you'll have a few choices. Your nearest option would be to head to the eastern hills and seek shelter with the Dwarven clans in hopes that they're not sympathetic to your captor's cause...

"You could also head northeast to the badlands and pray you can find refuge with the nomadic worshipers of the Church of the Endless Wanderer. They've been known to offer sanctuary to any travelers who manage to find their caravan. However, finding that caravan can be a tall order... As fate would have it, I was expecting a delivery from one of the church's ambassadors... I'd ask you to wait for him to arrive, but he/s two days late and his course took him through a treacherous region upriver. I fear the worst.

"The final option I can think of would be to head further north still to the elven communities in the depths of Faeglenn Forest. The elves are powerful allies and have no love for the Reformer movement... but their mood is fickle... You would need to bring them an honorable gift to prove that you are worthy of their aid. If you're willing to risk a dangerous delve into a lost ruin, I might be able to direct you to just such an artifact."

"Any one of these paths would be mortally perilous without the assistance of an experienced fighter and traveler..." She looks to Sieg. "Assuming that fighter can be trusted."

She looks to Ashley and Dardek? "What do you think?"

Dardek turns pale "So they lead the people who want me captured right to me...and now there's no job, no real escape, and a small chance of escaping.....I don't feel good"

At hearing the words, The Humanitas her face goes gaunt and she draws her cloak around her a bit tighter.  "But how will we navigate something we've never been where these pursuers know.." her voice is shaky, traced with worry and she looks to Dardek to see his reaction.

As Onifax starts recruiting the others in the room, she stares at the rabbit person, finally speaking up a bit, "You up for running into the wilderness?  I promise not to have any nar-co-tics with me.  Though.. I hope you're not too afraid of fire."

When the dragonborn finally asks Ashley and Dardek what they think, she smiles at Dardek's response and his somehow now familiar repertoire helps get her confidence back.  "I do speak dwarven and if that's the easiest to find.. considering none of us are probably that great out in the wilderness.."  she looks around to hopefully see if any of them contradict her, "but it would be nice to actually find them and see where we land from there."  She then raises an eyebrow to Onifax, "But I thought we were to work for you... how would we do that on the run?"

Quote from kqstark >>

She then raises an eyebrow to Onifax, "But I thought we were to work for you... how would we do that on the run?"

Onifax manages a slight sideways grin. "Oh, don't you worry. I'm not done with you yet... But keeping you here risks everything so long as this Brother Emmitt character is willing to empty his coffers trying to track you down. We need to get you beyond the city walls safely and get the Reclaimers off our back... Once that's settled, I'll send a contact to meet you to discuss next steps. Nothing comes free in this world, flamehair. You owe me a marker. I'm going to ensure you stay free and healthy enough to pay it back. Understood?"

Nib excitably grips Pal’s arm and says “You see?  Not nar - cot - ticks, they are herbs used for spell casting!  Wizardry!  Magickal stuff, like you’ve been telling me about!”  He gives his arm a squeeze again, then continues to listen to the conversations.  

”Pursers, whas that?” Nib blurts out, caught up in the moment.  When the consequences of being caught by the pursers are revealed, Nib pulls back in revulsion, and some fear.  When he looks the others up and down, he nods vigorously with accompanying them to be able to leave with his skin intact - - and the debt resolved.  He turns to Pal and quickly says “I say we stay with ‘em.  What’s that saying ole elder Reed always used to say?  “There’s strength in numbers..” he says officially.  “Or somethin.”  

Then the one named Sieg seems to focus on Nib, looking at him and Pal with interest.  He looks up and says “Yes, that’s me, Nib Thunderbee.  And you are.. Sieg?  Nicetameetcha.  Are you an… adventurer?  A .. warrior?”  Nib looks on in fascination and awe at the Eladrin, examining face, arms and hands.  

When Onifax says the word “Reclaimers”, his attention focuses back on the dragonborn and he nudges Pal, tilting his head towards him and giving him a questioning look.

Dardek hears the fright in Ashley's voice which makes him feel, yes more afraid, but reassured it's not just him. "I don't speak anything but the common language taught to me by clerics. I will follow you whereever you go Ashley until you feel my debt is repaid....If they are coming for us, we should probably leave soon.....right?"