"Well, I tend to agree about chasing down the Worg lord," Syl considers their options. "Maybe we'll get lucky and find him while we're looking for the others. My vote would be the rats, but I'll go wherever the rest of you decide is the best lead."
Thokk stares glassy-eyed, having missed most of the conversation about what to do next.
"Thokk think...Thokk think gubberment be like bunch obligations, n' gubberment obligation be prepare for smooth transition of power. Smooth transition be both obligation to gubberned and obligation of gubberment to gubberment-self, as make safety of gubbernment and gubberned both. When no clear way succession, people need ask self 'Self, what is core values? What is best way be demonstrating values in get new leader?' Maybe need look previous method helpful..."pausing again before adding "Maybe moot point we go get kitty king, but think on for later maybe."
Looking down at the nearest cat he adds, "Thokk pet kitty now. Hi kitty."
Syl's jaw drops as he listens to Thokk. Wide-mouthed, he looks around at everyone else and then finally lifts his jaw back up into place with his hand.
Asparagus smirks. "Well said, indeed. However cats are fickle creatures and are generally self-centered and unconcerned with the common good. Not all leaders of cats are benevolent and kind. Many are just looking for the most comfortable life they can find."
“Let’s put the philosophy aside for now. Politics sounds like the order of the day. If the rats have had it in for you for some time. That would be where I would start.” Hayle thought that Thokk had had one too many drinks. It was normally about this time someone said something stupid and Thokk ending up starting a fight.
Inwardly, Delanra's thoughts disagree with Thokk's naive assessment of government. It was not for the good of the people that government existed, but for the good of the individual. Putting power for the many into the hands of the few created all manner of opportunities for corruption, blackmail, scapegoating, and soo many more fun games that just wouldn't be possible if the people had any real say in the running of anything larger than their own household. No, government good for the individual, and Delanra liked being that individual. No real need to point all that out to Thokk though, the only chance he would have of winning any election would be if they locked the nominees in a cage and offered it to the last half-ogre standing...
"I, reluctantly, agree with Halis... Though I think the Worg Lord is the most sensible line for our investigation the time we would lose in tracking him down substantially demerits the arguement. Let us see whether this mystic is what they claim, and not just some trickster that knows when the next load of fish is arriving on the docks. That will either discount the line of enquiry entirely, reducing our possibilities or give us something to work with." Delanra pauses in her summation tapping her finger to her thin lips, "The rat king sounds like they could have numerous motives and that expands the potential leads to follow to as much of a time loss as the Worg Lord. Maybe if in our travels we can glean more informaiton we can pick an appropriate secondary avenue at that time."
"Thokk,"Halis says, seeing the group indecisive. "This Oracle might have advice on for how to reorganize feline gubernatorial bodies. Maybe we could visit and you could ask her about it," he says smoothly, trying to convince the big man to side with himself and Delanra.
Syl's eyes slowly start to glaze over as Delanra delivers one of her verbose proclamations. He sighs as she finishes. "Yeah, okay. Oracle sounds good to me."
"I guess I am outnumbered, again." Hayle's shoulders slumped in a playful manner and she pouted a little. "Why is it that you never listen to me? It's because I look so young isn't it." Hayle pulled at the braid in her hair in an exaggerated manner. "I may LOOK young, but I have seen a lot in my forty-six years. There are stories I could tell." She put on the voice that was always part of this little act she put on when the other disagreed with her and she needed to submit to the will of the group.
"Alright, alright. I guess we are going to see the oracle. I guess we are off to Coopers Road."
With a consensus seemingly reached, Asparagus leads you all out of the warehouse and through alley after alley, street after street. You eventually find your way down to the river and onto Cooper's Road. The street is busy with artisans and performers vying for your attention, sailors looking for cheap distractions, and paupers reaching out for alms. One of these beggars is an older female gnome dressed in a threadbare, mismatched outfit (complete with two very different shoes of very different sizes). She has only one eye but doesn't wear an eyepatch. Her hair is wild and grey with streaks hinting that it was once a dark brown. A large, floppy hat sit atop her head and flaps in the breeze coming off the river. She sits on an old, stained blanket with several bags full of who-knows-what gathered around her.
Most of you continue walking, but somehow it's Thokk who notices that Gus has stopped in front of this strange individual. A few more steps down the street everyone else notices that Thokk has stopped to stare as well. Looking up, she notices the unusual amount of attention and looks confused for a moment before Gus rubs on one of her crossed legs and attracts her gaze.
A huge smile transforms her face and she nimbly hops to her feet!
"Gus, Gus!" she cries. "You are very late -- have you only now found a band of adventurers to help us? We only have a few hours left!"
"It was not as easy as you seem to think," replies the cat, a little primly.
"Let me look at them," she says, taking out a pair of cracked spectacles. "Hmmm... Was this really the best you could do? Well, 'needs must,' as they say."
She stands with hands on hips and stares at each of you in turn, seemingly waiting expectantly.
Hayle bounces back to where Gus had stopped in front of the beggar. "Well, what? You clearly know what we are here for, so let's not delay. Apparently, you are the one who can help point us in the right direction of the missing King. Have you heard anything? Seen any visions?"
Halis stares at the woman, waiting for a beat or two, before realization dons. With a sigh, he reaches into his pouch and draws out the gold coin he retrieved from their last encounter. "Greetings, my lady," he says to the woman with a courteous bow. Regardless of her appearance or station, she was still a potential channel to the spirit would. Being rude to her would be like insulting a relative. "I am Halis, and we have been requested to assist the council of cats in finding their missing king. We would very much appreciate your sage advice and guidance in this matter. Of course, we understand that such services typically come at some personal cost. Will this, and the knowledge that you are serving the Light to do a deed of justice for a greater good be sufficient recompense?"he asks, holding out the coin to her.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Delanra 'pffft's' to herself at Halis' attempt to recompense this 'oracle' with gold before they have even the faintest idea of whether her information is worth anything. It wasn't that she objected to flashing coin, or even persuasion through monetary means, it was just how readily Halis seemed to jump to it. That said, it was his money, and all of their time; overall the arrangement was working out in her favour which pleased her, she just didn't approve of the man's methods.
She wanders over to the back of the group, making sure she can see the gnome, and watches the interaction, trying to get a guage on her responses.
She cackles and shakes her head. "Not the soft touch we're used to in civilized folk, eh Gus?"
Waving off Halis' offer of payment, she says "The gesture is appreciated, but during an emergency such as this I can't bring myself to accept payment when the safety of the city is at stake."
A deep sigh followed by pause and a sharp inhale before she begins. "Morpholomew came to see me three nights ago. That was the last time I saw him. He came seeking advice on the recent treaty with the Worg Lord, which has caused no small measure of disquiet amongst the cats. I advised him to persevere as portents point toward a positive long-term outcome. However," she says with a finger raised, "I warned him that I had foreseen he would be in great danger in the coming days and that he should take precautions." She lets her finger drop and her shoulders slump slightly. "Apparently any precautions he may have taken were not enough. I've been attempting to divine the King's location but have had no success so far. I fear that if he is not found tonight, the treaty with the worgs will break down and result in much bloodshed."
Sitting back down on her blanket and crossing her legs, she looks back up at you. "I've no proof of this, mind you, but something tells me the Rat Boss is involved in this abduction in some way. You'd best be on the lookout for that one. Rats are a conniving lot and not to be trusted. Oh! The one other thing I've divined -- and remember, this is an imprecise art at its very core -- is that a gnome who goes by the name of Balink Sparkneedle may be involved in some way. He's a friend of the Rat Boss and runs Sideshow Alley over at the Clockwork Carnival. That might be worth pursuing. Now you'd best be on your way unless there's something else you need. There isn't much time left!"
Delanra, you feel confident that while this woman never really shows all her cards, she's being truthful and genuinely trying to help in this interaction.
"Thank you, wise one,"Halis tells the Oracle with a deep, respectful bow, touched by her forthcoming words. She has fulfilled every positive stereotype he has floating around in his head about how an oracle might act, and is further convinced that she is closer to the spirit world than most, and therefore, in some odd way, a sort of kin to him. "We will do our best to rescue the king with the information you've provided us." Without even so much as questioning her, he turns to the others, both a mix of triumph and worry, and says, "Well? What are we waiting for? We must make haste to the Carnival! This Balink Sparkneedle is our best chance of finding that Rat Boss. There's no time to waste!"
"See?" Hayle says, turning to Halis. "Some people actually want to help. Not everybody needs to be paid in gold. This fine lady," She turns and indicates the oracle, "is a conduit for the eternal, not some money-grubbing con artist. Thank you by the way. Your insight was most helpful."Turning back to the others Hayle says,"I am inclined to head to the carnival. Surely the rats would have known they were suspects. They wouldn’t keep the king with them at the den, would they? Balnik seems a safe place to stash him away from initial scrutiny."
"Well, I tend to agree about chasing down the Worg lord," Syl considers their options. "Maybe we'll get lucky and find him while we're looking for the others. My vote would be the rats, but I'll go wherever the rest of you decide is the best lead."
DM - Above & Below
Thokk stares glassy-eyed, having missed most of the conversation about what to do next.
"Thokk think...Thokk think gubberment be like bunch obligations, n' gubberment obligation be prepare for smooth transition of power. Smooth transition be both obligation to gubberned and obligation of gubberment to gubberment-self, as make safety of gubbernment and gubberned both. When no clear way succession, people need ask self 'Self, what is core values? What is best way be demonstrating values in get new leader?' Maybe need look previous method helpful..."pausing again before adding "Maybe moot point we go get kitty king, but think on for later maybe."
Looking down at the nearest cat he adds, "Thokk pet kitty now. Hi kitty."
Syl's jaw drops as he listens to Thokk. Wide-mouthed, he looks around at everyone else and then finally lifts his jaw back up into place with his hand.
"Uh...well said, Thokk. Well said."
DM - Above & Below
Asparagus smirks. "Well said, indeed. However cats are fickle creatures and are generally self-centered and unconcerned with the common good. Not all leaders of cats are benevolent and kind. Many are just looking for the most comfortable life they can find."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Mis'tuv (Halfling Fathomless Warlock) - The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Meresaa (Vedalken Artillerist Artificer) - Destination Unknown
Hutton Crowcreek (Human Fighter) - Curse of the Crimson Throne
"Humans and the like aren't so different as you might think," Halis idly muses.
“Let’s put the philosophy aside for now. Politics sounds like the order of the day. If the rats have had it in for you for some time. That would be where I would start.” Hayle thought that Thokk had had one too many drinks. It was normally about this time someone said something stupid and Thokk ending up starting a fight.
Inwardly, Delanra's thoughts disagree with Thokk's naive assessment of government. It was not for the good of the people that government existed, but for the good of the individual. Putting power for the many into the hands of the few created all manner of opportunities for corruption, blackmail, scapegoating, and soo many more fun games that just wouldn't be possible if the people had any real say in the running of anything larger than their own household. No, government good for the individual, and Delanra liked being that individual. No real need to point all that out to Thokk though, the only chance he would have of winning any election would be if they locked the nominees in a cage and offered it to the last half-ogre standing...
"I, reluctantly, agree with Halis... Though I think the Worg Lord is the most sensible line for our investigation the time we would lose in tracking him down substantially demerits the arguement. Let us see whether this mystic is what they claim, and not just some trickster that knows when the next load of fish is arriving on the docks. That will either discount the line of enquiry entirely, reducing our possibilities or give us something to work with." Delanra pauses in her summation tapping her finger to her thin lips, "The rat king sounds like they could have numerous motives and that expands the potential leads to follow to as much of a time loss as the Worg Lord. Maybe if in our travels we can glean more informaiton we can pick an appropriate secondary avenue at that time."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
"Thokk," Halis says, seeing the group indecisive. "This Oracle might have advice on for how to reorganize feline gubernatorial bodies. Maybe we could visit and you could ask her about it," he says smoothly, trying to convince the big man to side with himself and Delanra.
Syl's eyes slowly start to glaze over as Delanra delivers one of her verbose proclamations. He sighs as she finishes. "Yeah, okay. Oracle sounds good to me."
DM - Above & Below
Nodding he responds "Thokk not one to blow again' wind."
"I guess I am outnumbered, again." Hayle's shoulders slumped in a playful manner and she pouted a little. "Why is it that you never listen to me? It's because I look so young isn't it." Hayle pulled at the braid in her hair in an exaggerated manner. "I may LOOK young, but I have seen a lot in my forty-six years. There are stories I could tell." She put on the voice that was always part of this little act she put on when the other disagreed with her and she needed to submit to the will of the group.
"Alright, alright. I guess we are going to see the oracle. I guess we are off to Coopers Road."
With a consensus seemingly reached, Asparagus leads you all out of the warehouse and through alley after alley, street after street. You eventually find your way down to the river and onto Cooper's Road. The street is busy with artisans and performers vying for your attention, sailors looking for cheap distractions, and paupers reaching out for alms. One of these beggars is an older female gnome dressed in a threadbare, mismatched outfit (complete with two very different shoes of very different sizes). She has only one eye but doesn't wear an eyepatch. Her hair is wild and grey with streaks hinting that it was once a dark brown. A large, floppy hat sit atop her head and flaps in the breeze coming off the river. She sits on an old, stained blanket with several bags full of who-knows-what gathered around her.
Most of you continue walking, but somehow it's Thokk who notices that Gus has stopped in front of this strange individual. A few more steps down the street everyone else notices that Thokk has stopped to stare as well. Looking up, she notices the unusual amount of attention and looks confused for a moment before Gus rubs on one of her crossed legs and attracts her gaze.
A huge smile transforms her face and she nimbly hops to her feet!
"Gus, Gus!" she cries. "You are very late -- have you only now found a band of adventurers to help us? We only have a few hours left!"
"It was not as easy as you seem to think," replies the cat, a little primly.
"Let me look at them," she says, taking out a pair of cracked spectacles. "Hmmm... Was this really the best you could do? Well, 'needs must,' as they say."
She stands with hands on hips and stares at each of you in turn, seemingly waiting expectantly.
"Well??"
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Mis'tuv (Halfling Fathomless Warlock) - The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Meresaa (Vedalken Artillerist Artificer) - Destination Unknown
Hutton Crowcreek (Human Fighter) - Curse of the Crimson Throne
Hayle bounces back to where Gus had stopped in front of the beggar. "Well, what? You clearly know what we are here for, so let's not delay. Apparently, you are the one who can help point us in the right direction of the missing King. Have you heard anything? Seen any visions?"
Halis stares at the woman, waiting for a beat or two, before realization dons. With a sigh, he reaches into his pouch and draws out the gold coin he retrieved from their last encounter. "Greetings, my lady," he says to the woman with a courteous bow. Regardless of her appearance or station, she was still a potential channel to the spirit would. Being rude to her would be like insulting a relative. "I am Halis, and we have been requested to assist the council of cats in finding their missing king. We would very much appreciate your sage advice and guidance in this matter. Of course, we understand that such services typically come at some personal cost. Will this, and the knowledge that you are serving the Light to do a deed of justice for a greater good be sufficient recompense?" he asks, holding out the coin to her.
Delanra 'pffft's' to herself at Halis' attempt to recompense this 'oracle' with gold before they have even the faintest idea of whether her information is worth anything. It wasn't that she objected to flashing coin, or even persuasion through monetary means, it was just how readily Halis seemed to jump to it. That said, it was his money, and all of their time; overall the arrangement was working out in her favour which pleased her, she just didn't approve of the man's methods.
She wanders over to the back of the group, making sure she can see the gnome, and watches the interaction, trying to get a guage on her responses.
Insight check: 4
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
She cackles and shakes her head. "Not the soft touch we're used to in civilized folk, eh Gus?"
Waving off Halis' offer of payment, she says "The gesture is appreciated, but during an emergency such as this I can't bring myself to accept payment when the safety of the city is at stake."
A deep sigh followed by pause and a sharp inhale before she begins. "Morpholomew came to see me three nights ago. That was the last time I saw him. He came seeking advice on the recent treaty with the Worg Lord, which has caused no small measure of disquiet amongst the cats. I advised him to persevere as portents point toward a positive long-term outcome. However," she says with a finger raised, "I warned him that I had foreseen he would be in great danger in the coming days and that he should take precautions." She lets her finger drop and her shoulders slump slightly. "Apparently any precautions he may have taken were not enough. I've been attempting to divine the King's location but have had no success so far. I fear that if he is not found tonight, the treaty with the worgs will break down and result in much bloodshed."
Sitting back down on her blanket and crossing her legs, she looks back up at you. "I've no proof of this, mind you, but something tells me the Rat Boss is involved in this abduction in some way. You'd best be on the lookout for that one. Rats are a conniving lot and not to be trusted. Oh! The one other thing I've divined -- and remember, this is an imprecise art at its very core -- is that a gnome who goes by the name of Balink Sparkneedle may be involved in some way. He's a friend of the Rat Boss and runs Sideshow Alley over at the Clockwork Carnival. That might be worth pursuing. Now you'd best be on your way unless there's something else you need. There isn't much time left!"
Delanra, you feel confident that while this woman never really shows all her cards, she's being truthful and genuinely trying to help in this interaction.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Mis'tuv (Halfling Fathomless Warlock) - The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Meresaa (Vedalken Artillerist Artificer) - Destination Unknown
Hutton Crowcreek (Human Fighter) - Curse of the Crimson Throne
"Oh!" The half-ogre brightens up immediately, "Thokk want go to carnival!"
"Thank you, wise one," Halis tells the Oracle with a deep, respectful bow, touched by her forthcoming words. She has fulfilled every positive stereotype he has floating around in his head about how an oracle might act, and is further convinced that she is closer to the spirit world than most, and therefore, in some odd way, a sort of kin to him. "We will do our best to rescue the king with the information you've provided us." Without even so much as questioning her, he turns to the others, both a mix of triumph and worry, and says, "Well? What are we waiting for? We must make haste to the Carnival! This Balink Sparkneedle is our best chance of finding that Rat Boss. There's no time to waste!"
"As I said previously: I can take you to the Rat Boss' current nest. We can go wherever you think might be most beneficial in the search!" Gus adds.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Mis'tuv (Halfling Fathomless Warlock) - The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Meresaa (Vedalken Artillerist Artificer) - Destination Unknown
Hutton Crowcreek (Human Fighter) - Curse of the Crimson Throne
"See?" Hayle says, turning to Halis. "Some people actually want to help. Not everybody needs to be paid in gold. This fine lady," She turns and indicates the oracle, "is a conduit for the eternal, not some money-grubbing con artist. Thank you by the way. Your insight was most helpful." Turning back to the others Hayle says, "I am inclined to head to the carnival. Surely the rats would have known they were suspects. They wouldn’t keep the king with them at the den, would they? Balnik seems a safe place to stash him away from initial scrutiny."