The man hesitates, confused. Then his nervousness is replaced with a slight smile. A guard walks over, looks at the group sitting at the table and says, " Everything alright here lady's and gentlemen?"
"Yes, we're fine here," the man says, waving the guard off dismissively.
Malachi:
I don't recognize him. Could he possibly be a convert? Can we speak freely in front of his companions I wonder? Either way, if he got here from Tensmith, that is significant. I must hear his news.
"Do you have a room? Perhaps we could have some food sent up there for us so we can converse in a quieter environment?"
Joren keeps an amiable hand on the stranger's shoulder a moment longer and gives the guards a toothy smile.
"Just chopping it up after that little tussle. Were you enjoying the show? My friends are just discovering that they are sharing a common interest..."
Once the stranger asks about a room, Joren removes his hand and is happy to let the others go up while he helps Naeve and the other bartender clean up.
His echo disappears at an opportune moment when no one is looking. Another trip to go relieve himself, apparently. Bladder of a field mouse.
Ashley smiles at the guard as he checks on them, "Yep, doing just fine, thanks for checking."
"Sure we do, hang on." she grabs Joren's forearm as he turns to leave, "Would you mind having some food sent up to our room? Thank you!"
She then gets up from the table, checks to make sure she doesn't have any grease on her and leads the pair, and anyone else who wants to join them, up to the room.
The room itself is nice enough. There are 3 beds, each wide enough for two, and they all seem far more comfortable than bedrolls on Marshall Lanya's floor. The brick chimney from the hearth downstairs runs up through one of the walls of the room, radiating additional warmth. The man turns around eagerly, and says "I am the one called Stenwick. So tell me, what news have you of Tensmith? How did you get out?"
Downstairs, Naeve smiles appreciatively at the help, as does the other bartender. "Aaron," he introduces himself as. "Sorry again about the misunderstanding earlier," Aaron goes on. We serve a pretty regular clientele. Sometimes things end up getting crossed when serving newcomers, and they may end up getting overcharged." His matter of fact tone makes it clear that he knows that the adventurers know it was intentional gouging, but it is simply the way business is done here.
As he helps clean up, Joren asks for food to be sent upstairs as Ashley had requested. He reserves one of the dirtiest rags for himself, to wipe the worst of the grease off. To Naeve and Aaron, he observes:
"Your regular clientele then, brawling every night? Seeming bored and spoiling for a fight, most of them. Being that way in the whole city?"
Ashley plops herself on one of the beds and crosses her legs, settling in. Pulling off her pack she sets it beside her, her eyes alight with what is going on. She pulls out her new tinderbox and starts fidgeting with it. "Ah yes, we have just come from Tensmith! My friend here will tell you."
Unsure of exactly what Malachi has in mind, she lets him take the lead...
Malachi follows Ashley and the man up to the room, pausing to reach out to Joren’s mind before leaving.
Joren:
I believe he is with the cultists. He knows I am marked somehow and is interested in our magic. I am going to try to get a lead. Be on your guard. Tell the others.
Malachi paces the room with a look of agitation. “We were lucky. Things did not go according to plan. The city is now open and the tunnels are compromised. I trust things are going better on this end?”Malachi raises his eyebrow in a questioning look before continuing “The one called Andra disappeared. Who can we report to here?” He shares a look with Ashley.
Stenwick's eyes go wide with the news being shared. "This is big indeed. I am not due to report in until next week, but news of this magnitude should be brought to the top immediately. I'll send word to Speaker Marigold, so she can slip away from her duties at her earliest convenience to come speak with you. By the way, I've been wanting to ask... I do not recognize your face. Did you get a new one scripted, or are you yourself new to our cause?"
Dowstairs, Naeve and Aaron pick up shards of broken glass from the counter. Aaron responds, "I wouldn't say the whole city, no. This place just has a reputation for being a good place to let off some steam for those who don't want to go bar crawling in the rows. I mean, when a fight breaks out in that part of town, someone usually winds up dead. Here it's mostly just local kids with rich parents looking to hand out a black eye or just to break some stuff. Anyone this side of town who can actually fight just goes for a few rounds in the Grand Arena when they get bored or broke."
Yes, Malachi, telling the others. Remembering Jon Shep being excited to find how many of us were using magic when he thought he was capturing us. Samir was later discovering his medallion to detect different types - red for my magic, blue for Ashley's and so on. They are looking for magic-users. To use them in some way. Or perhaps enslave them as Jon Shep was doing...
Wait... the Razmus cultist sensed that you are marked by Razmus? You denied it affects you in any way in Tensmith despite being unwarrantedly suspicious of Marshal Lanya. But if it is strong enough for him to be sensing, it may be strong enough to be affecting you. Please be aware.
During breaks between helping Naeve and Aaron, when he is near Samir and Marion's table, Joren quietly lets them know what Malachi has telepathically communicated to him. (See spoiler in Malachi'spost 2212 above).
He files away Aaron's information about "the rows" being a rougher part of town where fights turn deadly. He also notes the bit about the Grand Arena with a strange mix of distaste and curiosity. Ashamed at his own eagerness to fight. I am seeing the horror of war enough to know it should not be a sport. Only sadder thing than a battlefield after victory being a battlefield after defeat. And yet... some part of me is wanting to try it.
Samir pitches in to help Joren and the employees as well, thanking his foresight in keeping gloves on as they make it far safer to be picking up the scattered shards of glass and crockery. After all, you couldn't be certain which of them might be contaminated by someone else's blood, and cross contamination like that was just a recipe for all sorts of various nasty blood borne illnesses and the like. When Joren reveals the information passed to him by Malachi, Samir blinks in response before casting a quick glance up the stairs, as if he could somehow see what was happening in the room despite walls and floors intervening.
Malachi hears Joren’s voice in his mind and he responds before pushing it down and focusing his attention on the man in front of him.
Joren:
I don’t know how he knows or how he senses me, but my mind is my own. I know that. Malachi's thoughts seem frustrated and agitated.
“Speaker Marigold? Should she be bothered with this? I hate to pull her away from her duties. Surely someone else can help us?” Malachi pauses and gives a small chuckle “A new face scripted? No, I have not yet earned that. This is our first time to Talmouth, we spent all of our time in Tensmith before. We do thank you for your help, we have nowhere to turn here.” He grabs the man’s hand in both of his in almost a pleading gesture.
Ashley notices that Stenwick looks a little confused when Malachi asks about Speaker Marigold. "Should she be bothered with this? Of course! I don't know what you were told before Andra disappeared, but keeping Tensmith closed until we appropriated their mining rigs has been her top priority on the council. Tell me, did we at least get those?"
Naeve and Aaron finish cleaning up with help, and Aaron says, "Hey you didn't have to help us out. You lot seem alright. Tell you what, until you head out tomorrow, drinks are on the house." He whispers the last part so as not to be overheard by other patrons.
Malachi shakes his head ruefully, “I don’t know. Our group was separated from the others. We did not recover any. We were told very little. We don’t even know why we needed the mining rigs. Are they essential to the plan? Can we recover from their loss?” He looks up hopefully at the last question.
Naeve and Aaron finish cleaning up with help, and Aaron says, "Hey you didn't have to help us out. You lot seem alright. Tell you what, until you head out tomorrow, drinks are on the house." He whispers the last part so as not to be overheard by other patrons.
Joren nods absently, clearly thinking nothing of helping out, having had to do it so often in the past as a soldier squaring things away or cleaning up after one of his comrades after some overly boisterous downtime. Clapping Samir on the back, the grease forgotten, he still gratefully accepts the drinks.
"Speaking of your usual patrons, the gentleman who had a common interest as my friends and went upstairs with them... is he coming here regularly? Never having seen him, I am always wanting to be aware of who is taking an interest in us. If you are knowing anything about him, I am curious."
Ashley nods along with Malachi's version of the truth and adds, "We figured as soon as Tensmith was opened, that we needed to get here as soon as we could to let the organization know."
"Oh, old Stenwick?" Naeve replies. "Retired sailor, him. He's been coming around here for a few years. Nice and quiet type. Just comes in, nurses a drink for a few hours, and leaves. I think he just likes watching people. But he never makes trouble. Any idea what he wanted with your friends?"
Stenwick responds, "I didn't expect the one called Andra would manage to convert anyone, much less enough of you to form groups. But I feel our lord's presence is indeed with you. Still, if Andra didn't see fit to share that information with you, it's propbably not my place either. Speaker Marigold will decide what it is appropriate for you to know."
Detect Thoughts:
What were these people's objectives if not to get the equipment we need to tunnel past the Gloazworms? Do they even know about the Heart of Flame below this country?
Ashley and Malachi both feel Stenwick's confusion start a slow turn towards suspicion.
"That is very kind of you, but it is the least we could do." Samir's smile is sincere, even if his attention seems to be distracted, eyes wandering to the stairs time and again. He casts a glance over to Joren, questioning.
Malachi tries to put Stenwick at ease, stopping his questions and following the man’s lead. “Yes, yes, you are right of course. We will follow your lead. Please send word to Speaker Marigold. We will deliver our report to her, she must know what happened in Tensmith. We will await word from you here.”
"Oh, old Stenwick?" Naeve replies. "Retired sailor, him. He's been coming around here for a few years. Nice and quiet type. Just comes in, nurses a drink for a few hours, and leaves. I think he just likes watching people. But he never makes trouble. Any idea what he wanted with your friends?"
Retired Sailor. Watching people. Perhaps a sailor like Andra. Voyaging far to the west and returning to be a sleeper agent for Razmus.
"I am thinking he wanted to speak of what all sailors do," Joren drawls more blithely than he feels. "Of the sea what can be found out there. And who may be sailing it this very moment. Perhaps my friend and he are sharing a common interest across the waters."
Joren looks at Samir and Marion significantly. He sends telepathically back up to Malachi:
Aaron at the bar is saying this Stenwick is a retired sailor. Coming here to the Imperial Arms Inn regularly. Making no trouble and people-watching. So a cultist spy? But then you were already knowing that. Let us know if you are needing backup.
The man hesitates, confused. Then his nervousness is replaced with a slight smile. A guard walks over, looks at the group sitting at the table and says, " Everything alright here lady's and gentlemen?"
"Yes, we're fine here," the man says, waving the guard off dismissively.
Malachi:
I don't recognize him. Could he possibly be a convert? Can we speak freely in front of his companions I wonder? Either way, if he got here from Tensmith, that is significant. I must hear his news.
"Do you have a room? Perhaps we could have some food sent up there for us so we can converse in a quieter environment?"
Joren keeps an amiable hand on the stranger's shoulder a moment longer and gives the guards a toothy smile.
"Just chopping it up after that little tussle. Were you enjoying the show? My friends are just discovering that they are sharing a common interest..."
Once the stranger asks about a room, Joren removes his hand and is happy to let the others go up while he helps Naeve and the other bartender clean up.
His echo disappears at an opportune moment when no one is looking. Another trip to go relieve himself, apparently. Bladder of a field mouse.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ashley smiles at the guard as he checks on them, "Yep, doing just fine, thanks for checking."
"Sure we do, hang on." she grabs Joren's forearm as he turns to leave, "Would you mind having some food sent up to our room? Thank you!"
She then gets up from the table, checks to make sure she doesn't have any grease on her and leads the pair, and anyone else who wants to join them, up to the room.
The room itself is nice enough. There are 3 beds, each wide enough for two, and they all seem far more comfortable than bedrolls on Marshall Lanya's floor. The brick chimney from the hearth downstairs runs up through one of the walls of the room, radiating additional warmth. The man turns around eagerly, and says "I am the one called Stenwick. So tell me, what news have you of Tensmith? How did you get out?"
Downstairs, Naeve smiles appreciatively at the help, as does the other bartender. "Aaron," he introduces himself as. "Sorry again about the misunderstanding earlier," Aaron goes on. We serve a pretty regular clientele. Sometimes things end up getting crossed when serving newcomers, and they may end up getting overcharged." His matter of fact tone makes it clear that he knows that the adventurers know it was intentional gouging, but it is simply the way business is done here.
As he helps clean up, Joren asks for food to be sent upstairs as Ashley had requested. He reserves one of the dirtiest rags for himself, to wipe the worst of the grease off. To Naeve and Aaron, he observes:
"Your regular clientele then, brawling every night? Seeming bored and spoiling for a fight, most of them. Being that way in the whole city?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ashley plops herself on one of the beds and crosses her legs, settling in. Pulling off her pack she sets it beside her, her eyes alight with what is going on. She pulls out her new tinderbox and starts fidgeting with it. "Ah yes, we have just come from Tensmith! My friend here will tell you."
Unsure of exactly what Malachi has in mind, she lets him take the lead...
Malachi follows Ashley and the man up to the room, pausing to reach out to Joren’s mind before leaving.
Joren:
I believe he is with the cultists. He knows I am marked somehow and is interested in our magic. I am going to try to get a lead. Be on your guard. Tell the others.
Malachi paces the room with a look of agitation. “We were lucky. Things did not go according to plan. The city is now open and the tunnels are compromised. I trust things are going better on this end?” Malachi raises his eyebrow in a questioning look before continuing “The one called Andra disappeared. Who can we report to here?” He shares a look with Ashley.
Stenwick's eyes go wide with the news being shared. "This is big indeed. I am not due to report in until next week, but news of this magnitude should be brought to the top immediately. I'll send word to Speaker Marigold, so she can slip away from her duties at her earliest convenience to come speak with you. By the way, I've been wanting to ask... I do not recognize your face. Did you get a new one scripted, or are you yourself new to our cause?"
Dowstairs, Naeve and Aaron pick up shards of broken glass from the counter. Aaron responds, "I wouldn't say the whole city, no. This place just has a reputation for being a good place to let off some steam for those who don't want to go bar crawling in the rows. I mean, when a fight breaks out in that part of town, someone usually winds up dead. Here it's mostly just local kids with rich parents looking to hand out a black eye or just to break some stuff. Anyone this side of town who can actually fight just goes for a few rounds in the Grand Arena when they get bored or broke."
To Malachi, Joren replies telepathically:
Yes, Malachi, telling the others. Remembering Jon Shep being excited to find how many of us were using magic when he thought he was capturing us. Samir was later discovering his medallion to detect different types - red for my magic, blue for Ashley's and so on. They are looking for magic-users. To use them in some way. Or perhaps enslave them as Jon Shep was doing...
Wait... the Razmus cultist sensed that you are marked by Razmus? You denied it affects you in any way in Tensmith despite being unwarrantedly suspicious of Marshal Lanya. But if it is strong enough for him to be sensing, it may be strong enough to be affecting you. Please be aware.
During breaks between helping Naeve and Aaron, when he is near Samir and Marion's table, Joren quietly lets them know what Malachi has telepathically communicated to him. (See spoiler in Malachi's post 2212 above).
He files away Aaron's information about "the rows" being a rougher part of town where fights turn deadly. He also notes the bit about the Grand Arena with a strange mix of distaste and curiosity. Ashamed at his own eagerness to fight. I am seeing the horror of war enough to know it should not be a sport. Only sadder thing than a battlefield after victory being a battlefield after defeat. And yet... some part of me is wanting to try it.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Samir pitches in to help Joren and the employees as well, thanking his foresight in keeping gloves on as they make it far safer to be picking up the scattered shards of glass and crockery. After all, you couldn't be certain which of them might be contaminated by someone else's blood, and cross contamination like that was just a recipe for all sorts of various nasty blood borne illnesses and the like. When Joren reveals the information passed to him by Malachi, Samir blinks in response before casting a quick glance up the stairs, as if he could somehow see what was happening in the room despite walls and floors intervening.
Malachi hears Joren’s voice in his mind and he responds before pushing it down and focusing his attention on the man in front of him.
Joren:
I don’t know how he knows or how he senses me, but my mind is my own. I know that. Malachi's thoughts seem frustrated and agitated.
“Speaker Marigold? Should she be bothered with this? I hate to pull her away from her duties. Surely someone else can help us?” Malachi pauses and gives a small chuckle “A new face scripted? No, I have not yet earned that. This is our first time to Talmouth, we spent all of our time in Tensmith before. We do thank you for your help, we have nowhere to turn here.” He grabs the man’s hand in both of his in almost a pleading gesture.
Ashley nods emphatically along with Malachi's words, hoping to help along the deception.
She also watches the man, seeing if anything sets him off. (Insight 11)
Ashley notices that Stenwick looks a little confused when Malachi asks about Speaker Marigold. "Should she be bothered with this? Of course! I don't know what you were told before Andra disappeared, but keeping Tensmith closed until we appropriated their mining rigs has been her top priority on the council. Tell me, did we at least get those?"
Naeve and Aaron finish cleaning up with help, and Aaron says, "Hey you didn't have to help us out. You lot seem alright. Tell you what, until you head out tomorrow, drinks are on the house." He whispers the last part so as not to be overheard by other patrons.
Malachi shakes his head ruefully, “I don’t know. Our group was separated from the others. We did not recover any. We were told very little. We don’t even know why we needed the mining rigs. Are they essential to the plan? Can we recover from their loss?” He looks up hopefully at the last question.
Joren nods absently, clearly thinking nothing of helping out, having had to do it so often in the past as a soldier squaring things away or cleaning up after one of his comrades after some overly boisterous downtime. Clapping Samir on the back, the grease forgotten, he still gratefully accepts the drinks.
"Speaking of your usual patrons, the gentleman who had a common interest as my friends and went upstairs with them... is he coming here regularly? Never having seen him, I am always wanting to be aware of who is taking an interest in us. If you are knowing anything about him, I am curious."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Ashley nods along with Malachi's version of the truth and adds, "We figured as soon as Tensmith was opened, that we needed to get here as soon as we could to let the organization know."
"Oh, old Stenwick?" Naeve replies. "Retired sailor, him. He's been coming around here for a few years. Nice and quiet type. Just comes in, nurses a drink for a few hours, and leaves. I think he just likes watching people. But he never makes trouble. Any idea what he wanted with your friends?"
Stenwick responds, "I didn't expect the one called Andra would manage to convert anyone, much less enough of you to form groups. But I feel our lord's presence is indeed with you. Still, if Andra didn't see fit to share that information with you, it's propbably not my place either. Speaker Marigold will decide what it is appropriate for you to know."
Detect Thoughts:
What were these people's objectives if not to get the equipment we need to tunnel past the Gloazworms? Do they even know about the Heart of Flame below this country?
Ashley and Malachi both feel Stenwick's confusion start a slow turn towards suspicion.
"That is very kind of you, but it is the least we could do." Samir's smile is sincere, even if his attention seems to be distracted, eyes wandering to the stairs time and again. He casts a glance over to Joren, questioning.
Malachi tries to put Stenwick at ease, stopping his questions and following the man’s lead. “Yes, yes, you are right of course. We will follow your lead. Please send word to Speaker Marigold. We will deliver our report to her, she must know what happened in Tensmith. We will await word from you here.”
Retired Sailor. Watching people. Perhaps a sailor like Andra. Voyaging far to the west and returning to be a sleeper agent for Razmus.
"I am thinking he wanted to speak of what all sailors do," Joren drawls more blithely than he feels. "Of the sea what can be found out there. And who may be sailing it this very moment. Perhaps my friend and he are sharing a common interest across the waters."
Joren looks at Samir and Marion significantly. He sends telepathically back up to Malachi:
Aaron at the bar is saying this Stenwick is a retired sailor. Coming here to the Imperial Arms Inn regularly. Making no trouble and people-watching. So a cultist spy? But then you were already knowing that. Let us know if you are needing backup.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk