Bosko thanks the man for the wine after draining it far too quickly to appreciate it’s subtle flavours, and makes his way casually back to the original vendor.
”Got away, knows city better”, he says by means of explanation, along with a simple shrug.
”Other thief awake yet? Said anything?”, he asks as he watches the third thief and the stock boys struggle to breathe under the wait of the Firbolg.
He watches the stock boys and thief carefully, seeing if anything in their body language or facial expressions give anything away if they are questioned.
As Bosko makes it back to the Solvia Groves stall, he sees the two stock boys struggling beneath the firbolg (the other thief took off running, and you don't see Narumi anywhere, so you figure she might have gone after him.)
The well dressed mustached vendor is questioning them, but neither boy is offering much of any explanation into who the other two men were, or why the got mixed up with someone who would steal from their own company.
Without gaining much headway, the vendor steps back and says in a tight voice, "Well, this is proving to be less than a fruitful interrogation. It matters not. They will get what's coming to them, and we will find out in time who's behind this."
Just then, Alyndra arrives back at the booth with the Zhelezo guard that she was able to track down, as does Narumi, who is carrying the other thief over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
The Zhelezo nods to the wine vendor and asks how he can help. The vendor explains the situation, while the town guard listens, and then he assures the vendor that he will take care of the situation. Asking the firbolg to let the two boys up, and the Goliath to drop her prisoner, the Zhelezo binds all three of their hands behind their backs, ties their feet together, then ties them all three in a line, and leads them away in the classic "perp walk."
When they're gone, the vendor addresses all five of you.
"Well, that's done. I need to thank the three of you for your help, as well as the two others who have provided their assistance. It does not go unnoticed, and it's very much appreciated, even if you were only able to catch one of the thieves. The other will be caught in time and he will be punished."
"Either way, it's a good thing that you were all here, for I may not have noticed the theft, and I certainly could not have been able to do much about it myself. Whether it's a coincidence or fate that has brought the five of you to my booth at the same time, I feel as if I should not take this happenstance without some consideration."
"Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Jorge Simón, one of the representatives for the Solvia Groves Winery."
"And so that I can issue proper thanks, what may I call each of you?'
Lazarus would find himself as comfortable as he could which, given the circumstances, it wasn't all that bad. Even the faint struggle beneath him was starting to feel more like a massage of sorts. As the Bugbear returned speaking of one of them getting away, Lazarus would snap his fingers in minor annoyance. "Can't win em all I guess. 'A' for effort my friend." He would give him a thumbs up of minor approval as he felt that the way he started out when he ran off, he thought he would definitely come back fully loaded but as he stated, the thief new the lay of the land better and there was no fault in that.
He then turn to see the Goliath return with her prize in hand and around the same time, his wife would return with the town guard and Lazarus would throw his hands up in a light victory. "Hot d@mn we are on a roll. Good job guys!" He would then pull himself from off his prisoners and watch as they were shackled and taken away. It was kinda disappointing that he didn't get to have a word with them and see just what kinds of shady things the town had to offer and maybe give them a tip or two on just how to actually pull something like this off. Though, that was neither here nor there now and would have to find trouble elsewhere.
He would move himself by the half elf and cross his arms as the vendor would complement them and Lazarus would rub his nose in admiration of himself. "Well, do go on~" He would then listen as he would acknowledge all of them and then go about asking for their names. He seemed simple enough and didn't have a current reason not too and would raise his hand just slightly as if to draw attention to himself. "I'm Lazarus. Traveling, sometimes musical, talent with my lovely wife at my side." He would then gesture to his wife.
Seeing the tattooed woman walking back to the wine merchant's stall, one of the would be thieves hefted over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, Alyndra waved with a faintly amazed smile before focusing back on the guard she was approaching. "Hello sir, we need your assistance back at one of the wine stalls,"She gestured to the one she was speaking of before continuing in Common. "There was an attempted robbery." Thankfully the guard seemed willing to help and take her word for it, following her back. The brunette chuckled up at the giant woman and remarked, "Didn't get a chance to even get very far, did he?" She was very glad to not be on the receiving end of one of her tackles. But she gave a laid back frown at the bugbear's news. "Aw. Well, five out of six isn't too bad. Make sure not to miss that fellow." Nodding to the "drunk" the Kenku was holding. "He was pretty clearly in on it. Was trying to act as a distraction."
Watching the poor thieves being lead away, the half elf glanced up at Lazarus and could see just the faint disappointment in his eyes. Standing next to him, she would lean ever so slightly against the side of his arm as the merchant thanked them and introduced himself.
"Hopefully between the your boys, the two thieves and the distraction man the guard will be able to get the truth out of them. Your wine really must be that good if people are wanting to steal it right from under your nose!"A little flattery with the truth never hurt.
Seeing her husband's ego inflate an extra size, she leaned into him once more, this time a bit more forcefully, trying to hide a chuckle under her breath. Before her ears started to feel warm as he introduced her, thus bringing attention towards her. "Er, Alyndra. Traveling merchant of a different bottled liquid."Nodding to the wine merchant before explaining, "Alchemist by trade."Contrasting vastly with her partner that was tall and open and even raising a hand as he introduced himself; when attention was brought to her, the half elf crossed her arms, seeming smaller than she already was as she did so.
"Your wine really must be that good if people are wanting to steal it right from under your nose!"
----------
Jorge answers Alyndra.
"Well, Solvia Groves is the best winery in the region... I would venture to say it's the finest in all the Menagerie Coast. And that's not just my own personal bias as one of their representatives, mind you. Our top shelf Diamond Plum Wine has won numerous awards, as have many of our other vintages throughout the past few years."
"So yes, I'm sure there are many folk who would be interested in obtaining a few cases of our wine for free. I'm sorry to say that this is not the first time we've experienced theft, from individuals and other groups of people who feel they can do as they please without a passing thought for what is legal, and it will certainly not be the last. Thanks to all of you, today's attempt has been averted."
"Of course, there could be political angle in all of this, as well. Since you're all new to Feolinn, I'm guessing that you are not aware that the person who runs this city, is none other than Marquis Hector Solvia, who is the owner of Solvia Groves Winery, which has been a family run business for three generations."
Narumi tosses the thief down on the ground and lets out a deep and hearty chuckle. "If there were two of me, the other wouldn't have gotten away." She claps the backs of her new friends, "That was well done." Sitting down, Narumi looks around at the others and then nods to Jorge. "I am am Narumi Flamewinged Kalagiano of the mountains. Befriender of the lowlanders. Questioner of chains."
(There were originally three thieves taking bottles off the two stock boys if you look back at the earlier posts, one got caught by sleep :-) )
Bosko waits his turn to introduce himself, keeping his hat low over his face whilst the zhelezo guard is present.
”Name is Bosko”, he says simply with no further explanation of what he does or why he is here.
”You fast”, he acknowledges Narumi for her success in catching the theif.
”Know not of political angle, or leader of city”, he says moving to pick up the mug he dropped when he started to run, and holding it out hopefully towards the vendor.
"Lazarus, traveling musician, with wife Alyndra the alchemist, Narumi of the mountains, and friend to us lowlanders, Bosko, traveler from the forests up the coast, and this other fellow," he says, nodding towards the Kenku.
"I am pleased to make the acquaintance of all of you, in what I feel is a rather serendipitous meeting. On behalf of Solvia Groves, I want to formally thank you again for your assistance today in helping to prevent us from getting robbed."
"With that in mind, I would like to offer you all a job. If you're interested, you can accept as individuals, or together as a group. It makes no difference to me, but seeing as how you all worked well together today and demonstrate complementary skillsets, considering that you were all in fact strangers but an hour ago, I might have guessed that you were already one of the established adventuring groups."
"Either way, we have a shipment going to the small resort town of Palma Flora tomorrow morning, since their annual shark hunting tournament beings next week. We're sending one of our sales reps, but given the obvious increase in criminal activity against our company lately, and also the increase in pirate activity out on the open waters, I would feel more comfortable if we had a few extras bodies along to help prevent any of of the shipment from being stolen before it arrives at its destination, and from what I've just seen, you'll do just fine."
"So, if you would care to accompany our rep to Palma Flora, which is a two-day trip on the water, and make sure our product arrives safely, then I can arrange for your passage and payment of 100 gold coins to each of you by our rep when the job is finished. After that, you're free to relax by the water, enjoy the tournament, sip drinks in the sunshine or do whatever you wish. It's quite an idyllic little resort. You can return to Feolinn at your leisure, or not. I know how you adventurers like to stay on the move."
Bosko listens carefully to the offer of paid employment, picking out the parts of the speech which interests him most and focussing on that.
"Jorge would pay to send to shark hunt? This rep take drink on boat?", he says eyeing up Jorge to see if there was some trick in his words or manner.
He has seen shark fins out to see before, whilst standing on dry land, but has never had the chance to actually hunt them. It was an opportunity not to be missed, and getting free transport and pay at the end was the icing on the cake.
"Not sure about others, but I go", he adds looking to Alyndra, Lazarus, Narumi and Tap in turn. "You join?".
Lazarus would give just the lightest of chuckles as he put the spotlight onto Alyndra and she would stumble to get her words out to surely get the eyes off her. Though, once Jorge would speak of the winery and just who owned it, Lazarus' eyebrows would rise in a bit of interest. 'That seems like we did a great service, surely it will be remembered by those on high.' He would think to himself.
He would look to the giant as she would give her name and quite the title to follow. "I am interested in the breaker of chains, that has to have some sort of story behind it." He would look around and find himself a seat and then he would pat cross his arms over his chest as he turned his attention to the Bugbear who announced himself as Bosko. "Nice to have a name to the face."
Lazarus would raise his hand, using his finger nail to pick at his teeth as Jorge would go on about something and it wasn't until Lazarus heard the word 'Shark' that he paused and his attention was fully taken. He would tilt his head forward a bit as a smile crossed his lips. When Bosko brought up that he was more than willing, Lazarus would slap his knee. "Well hot d@mn, I'm game. Getting to see the wildlife AND getting paid? Count us in!" He would volunteer himself and Alyndra as he was sure she would agree but he would let her have her word in the matter overall.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alyndra nodded, seeming faintly impressed about the accolades of said wine, but what truly took her aback was the fact direct tie in to Feolinn's Lawmaster. Or were Marquis more like Lords? "We...were not." Feeling rather off balance at this news, though it seemed to be neither good nor bad simply...news.
The news of the names of their impromptu allies was much more interesting, though the brunette couldn't help but gently correct her husband after the goliath introduced herself. "Questioner dear. She questions chains, though maybe she breaks them if she doesn't like their answers." Nodding respectfully to the woman that looked like she could break her in half with a light flex. As the bugbear introduced himself simply and plainly as the man himself, Alyndra couldn't help but smile and nod at her partner's sentiment. "Good to formally meet you all." And at the equally formal thanks extended, the half elf dipped her head, "Of course. You seemed much to nice to let you just be robbed blind right in front of us Mr. Simón."
The following job offer couldn't have taken her more by surprise however, but for Lazarus' knee slap which made her make a cringing smile at her very outlandish husband. Unlike him she remained attentive the entire time, though her jaw dropped at the mention of "shark hunting tournament" naturally. But a small voice in the back of her head whispered to be cautious and suspicious of the offer. So when the merchant asked them what did they say she couldn't help but respond automatically, "I'd say it almost sounds too good to be true. Um, no offense to you, good sir." But she sighed with a fond smile as Lazarus signed them up with hardly an ounce of hesitation.
Glancing at Bosko as he asked if they were really in, Alyndra allowed, "I admit, I do want to go." And tried to relax in spite of her possibly unwarranted suspicions. "Is there a catch?" She tried to ask casually with a polite smile, green eyes sharp.
Narumi looks oddly at Lazarus as he talks about her name. "We mountain folk earn names by our deeds! Should you earn it I may tell you of how I earned my names including the QUESITONER of chains," she says proudly. It is obvious that her title of chains is the title she is least proud of and she is perturbed by one almost as big as her questioning her. She quickly regains her composure and nods to Alyndra as she corrects Lazarus.
Narumi looks at the man strangely. "You would openly admit your clans weakness and ask for assistance?" She turns around and whispers under her breath, "Are all lowlanders like this? Is weakness not something to hide?" Glancing around the group she shrugs, "I have come down here to learn of you lowlanders, what better way than to accompany you on this trip!" Turning around to Jorge she bows way too deeply and exclaims, "I would be honored to protect your people on this journey! Plus I am very skilled with a paddle should your people require aid on the water. Why it wasn't long ago me and my friend won a competition for who could navigate the rapids near one of our recent camps." Standing up she turns to her new companions and whispers, "What is a shark? You speak in strange words down here."
Bosko replies to Narumi quietly, following her lead by whispering. "It is great hunter in sea. Like lion in mountains". He pauses for a moment before leaning in again, "Some more like sabre tooth tiger", he adds, holding his enormous arms at full stretch indicating something very big.
He then looks to Tap, but finds the bird man has gone.
Looking around, it appears that the Kenku has wandered off. He might have followed the Zhelezo as he escorted away the prisoners.
At any rate, Jorge speaks, first addressing what Narumi had said. "An interesting conclusion, which informs me that our cultures are very different. Down here in the lowlands, it is not considered weakness to ask for assistance. In fact, it's quite common and it's just called "business." Everyone specializes in something, and almost no-one is adept at everything. It's a matter of resources."
"For example, out our company, we are experts at making wine, but most of our employees are not expert sailors or swordsmen, so when we need to move our product from one place to the other across the water, we contact with companies who own boats and are adept a navigating the open sea. And when we need a little extra help making sure our products don't fall into the wrong hands, we look to people like you who we can hire to protect our investments."
"And in my own company, there are those who are better at actually making the wine, and then there are people like me, who are better at selling to to others."
"The business world is made up of many different types of people and companies who operate a large variety of services, and through commerce, we all work together to get things done. If everyone relied only on themselves, then very few would be able to achieve the kinds of expertise, innovation and quality that make the world run down here."
"Does that make sense?"
Answering Alyndra, he says, "No, there is no catch. I'm simply offering to hire you to make sure our shipment does not get misplaced or absconded with before it reaches its destination. Simply a business deal."
"At any rate, I am thrilled that the four of you have agreed to my terms. I feel better that our shipment to Palma Flora will be a little better protected. The ship leaves tomorrow at 9 bells. You can meet me down at the docks tomorrow morning shortly before then, and I will introduce you to our rep who will be overseeing the shipment."
"In the meantime, I would encourage you spend the rest of your day enjoying the festivities in our fine city, and if needed, acquiring whatever goods you think you will need for the journey. If there are no more questions, then I will see you tomorrow morning."
Bosko tips his hat to Jorge, “Yes, be at docks tomorrow”.
He looks about the streets around him, his long furry arm lifting his hand up to scratch the back of his neck as he ponders what to do for the rest of the day, and the night for that matter.
“Will find food. Look around”, he says to the others and starts to wander off towards a stall he hopes has food.
Bosko doesn’t have to go far to find a handful of food stalls, which offer a variety of offerings, from roasted chicken and turkey legs, kebabs, grilled fish sandwiches with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, turnovers filled with chicken, beef or shrimp, steamed muscles, pulled pork, to sweet treats, like funnel cakes, pastries, fruit bread and more.
At Narumi's interesting response to the job offer, Alyndra gave a breathy nervous laugh, not entirely sure how to explain it but Jorge did so beautifully. Eyebrows raised after the explanation she commended with an impressed smile, "That was very eloquently put Mr. Simón. Did that make sense to you?" She asked of Narumi before focusing back on the matter at hand. The half elf was still a little thrown by the lack of a 'catch', but perhaps it was as simple as he needed a job done and they seemed competent enough to do it. If not them, then someone else, so why turn it down? Nodding in acceptance of the answer, she flashed a smile up at Lazarus before stating, "Sounds like a good deal. Hopefully for all parties involved. Count us in." After Bosko would say that they would be at the docks tomorrow she echoed to remind everyone, "By 9th Bell." Always the punctual one.
Looking between the goliath, retreating bugbear and her partner she would question, "Should...we spend some time together? To get to know one another before we start officially working together? We don't have to." She shrugged, not sure if the others would prefer to spend the rest of their day alone. "Regardless, we should probably stock up on supplies for the trip. Mr. Simón mentioned that the our passage would be paid for, but I'm not sure that that includes food during the journey." It was then that the billowing scent of the many foods wafted their way and caused Alyndra's eyes to flutter closed. "Gods that smells amazing."The fact that she and Lazarus hadn't really eaten anything other than a quick bite when they first roused early that morning hammering home into her growling stomach.
Nodding sagely, Narumi acts like she understands what Bosko is saying about sharks. "So great predator to hunt for name. Good honor?" Narumi scratches her head at Jorge's explanation. "Lowlanders," she grunts under her breath as she nods in agreement to joining the job.
Narumi quickly nods when Alyndra mentions food. "Yes a bite to eat wouldn't hurt," she muses. Looking over at the stands, she shrugs and says to the others, "Lead the way."
Bosko finds a stall selling large fish kebabs, pieces of marinated swordfish and jumbo king prawns interspersed between bell peppers and cherry tomatoes. All kept on the large stick with a segment of lemon, it's juices able to run down the rest of the food given a light squeeze and a bit of gravity.
He waves to the others from across the street, motioning for them to join him. He had heard Alyndra suggest they stick together as he was leaving, and felt a little bad about simply wandering off.
"Samples?", he says to the stall owner hopefully. "For friends too", he adds holding up four fingers
Whether he has to pay or gets them as samples, he will acquire one for each of them. Sharing food being an important bonding exercise in his mind.
"Take, eat", he says as he joins the others (either them joining him, or him wandering back).
The food vendor gives Bosko a mildly irritated look when mentions "samples." Obviously, the food carts and stalls are all here to make money, unlike the wineries, which are the ones offering free samples of their wares. The price for the large fish kebabs is 2 sp each. However, they are very tasty, with the freshly caught fish cooked to perfection, and the vegetables being wonderfully ripe and juicy.
For Narumi, who grew up eating food and prey that is more native to mountain terrain and climate, the varieties of ocean-caught seafood, fresh, sweet lowland vegetables and many of the other items, like cakes, pies and sweet breads, would certainly be new tastes to her.
Bosko thanks the man for the wine after draining it far too quickly to appreciate it’s subtle flavours, and makes his way casually back to the original vendor.
”Got away, knows city better”, he says by means of explanation, along with a simple shrug.
”Other thief awake yet? Said anything?”, he asks as he watches the third thief and the stock boys struggle to breathe under the wait of the Firbolg.
He watches the stock boys and thief carefully, seeing if anything in their body language or facial expressions give anything away if they are questioned.
Insight: 9+5=14
As Bosko makes it back to the Solvia Groves stall, he sees the two stock boys struggling beneath the firbolg (the other thief took off running, and you don't see Narumi anywhere, so you figure she might have gone after him.)
The well dressed mustached vendor is questioning them, but neither boy is offering much of any explanation into who the other two men were, or why the got mixed up with someone who would steal from their own company.
Without gaining much headway, the vendor steps back and says in a tight voice, "Well, this is proving to be less than a fruitful interrogation. It matters not. They will get what's coming to them, and we will find out in time who's behind this."
Just then, Alyndra arrives back at the booth with the Zhelezo guard that she was able to track down, as does Narumi, who is carrying the other thief over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
The Zhelezo nods to the wine vendor and asks how he can help. The vendor explains the situation, while the town guard listens, and then he assures the vendor that he will take care of the situation. Asking the firbolg to let the two boys up, and the Goliath to drop her prisoner, the Zhelezo binds all three of their hands behind their backs, ties their feet together, then ties them all three in a line, and leads them away in the classic "perp walk."
When they're gone, the vendor addresses all five of you.
"Well, that's done. I need to thank the three of you for your help, as well as the two others who have provided their assistance. It does not go unnoticed, and it's very much appreciated, even if you were only able to catch one of the thieves. The other will be caught in time and he will be punished."
"Either way, it's a good thing that you were all here, for I may not have noticed the theft, and I certainly could not have been able to do much about it myself. Whether it's a coincidence or fate that has brought the five of you to my booth at the same time, I feel as if I should not take this happenstance without some consideration."
"Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Jorge Simón, one of the representatives for the Solvia Groves Winery."
"And so that I can issue proper thanks, what may I call each of you?'
Lazarus would find himself as comfortable as he could which, given the circumstances, it wasn't all that bad. Even the faint struggle beneath him was starting to feel more like a massage of sorts. As the Bugbear returned speaking of one of them getting away, Lazarus would snap his fingers in minor annoyance. "Can't win em all I guess. 'A' for effort my friend." He would give him a thumbs up of minor approval as he felt that the way he started out when he ran off, he thought he would definitely come back fully loaded but as he stated, the thief new the lay of the land better and there was no fault in that.
He then turn to see the Goliath return with her prize in hand and around the same time, his wife would return with the town guard and Lazarus would throw his hands up in a light victory. "Hot d@mn we are on a roll. Good job guys!" He would then pull himself from off his prisoners and watch as they were shackled and taken away. It was kinda disappointing that he didn't get to have a word with them and see just what kinds of shady things the town had to offer and maybe give them a tip or two on just how to actually pull something like this off. Though, that was neither here nor there now and would have to find trouble elsewhere.
He would move himself by the half elf and cross his arms as the vendor would complement them and Lazarus would rub his nose in admiration of himself. "Well, do go on~" He would then listen as he would acknowledge all of them and then go about asking for their names. He seemed simple enough and didn't have a current reason not too and would raise his hand just slightly as if to draw attention to himself. "I'm Lazarus. Traveling, sometimes musical, talent with my lovely wife at my side." He would then gesture to his wife.
Lazarus Ryder - Adventures Abound in Wildemount
Seeing the tattooed woman walking back to the wine merchant's stall, one of the would be thieves hefted over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, Alyndra waved with a faintly amazed smile before focusing back on the guard she was approaching. "Hello sir, we need your assistance back at one of the wine stalls," She gestured to the one she was speaking of before continuing in Common. "There was an attempted robbery." Thankfully the guard seemed willing to help and take her word for it, following her back. The brunette chuckled up at the giant woman and remarked, "Didn't get a chance to even get very far, did he?" She was very glad to not be on the receiving end of one of her tackles. But she gave a laid back frown at the bugbear's news. "Aw. Well, five out of six isn't too bad. Make sure not to miss that fellow." Nodding to the "drunk" the Kenku was holding. "He was pretty clearly in on it. Was trying to act as a distraction."
Watching the poor thieves being lead away, the half elf glanced up at Lazarus and could see just the faint disappointment in his eyes. Standing next to him, she would lean ever so slightly against the side of his arm as the merchant thanked them and introduced himself.
"Hopefully between the your boys, the two thieves and the distraction man the guard will be able to get the truth out of them. Your wine really must be that good if people are wanting to steal it right from under your nose!" A little flattery with the truth never hurt.
Seeing her husband's ego inflate an extra size, she leaned into him once more, this time a bit more forcefully, trying to hide a chuckle under her breath. Before her ears started to feel warm as he introduced her, thus bringing attention towards her. "Er, Alyndra. Traveling merchant of a different bottled liquid." Nodding to the wine merchant before explaining, "Alchemist by trade." Contrasting vastly with her partner that was tall and open and even raising a hand as he introduced himself; when attention was brought to her, the half elf crossed her arms, seeming smaller than she already was as she did so.
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Quote from Piera_Jade >>
"Your wine really must be that good if people are wanting to steal it right from under your nose!"
----------
Jorge answers Alyndra.
"Well, Solvia Groves is the best winery in the region... I would venture to say it's the finest in all the Menagerie Coast. And that's not just my own personal bias as one of their representatives, mind you. Our top shelf Diamond Plum Wine has won numerous awards, as have many of our other vintages throughout the past few years."
"So yes, I'm sure there are many folk who would be interested in obtaining a few cases of our wine for free. I'm sorry to say that this is not the first time we've experienced theft, from individuals and other groups of people who feel they can do as they please without a passing thought for what is legal, and it will certainly not be the last. Thanks to all of you, today's attempt has been averted."
"Of course, there could be political angle in all of this, as well. Since you're all new to Feolinn, I'm guessing that you are not aware that the person who runs this city, is none other than Marquis Hector Solvia, who is the owner of Solvia Groves Winery, which has been a family run business for three generations."
Narumi tosses the thief down on the ground and lets out a deep and hearty chuckle. "If there were two of me, the other wouldn't have gotten away." She claps the backs of her new friends, "That was well done." Sitting down, Narumi looks around at the others and then nods to Jorge. "I am am Narumi Flamewinged Kalagiano of the mountains. Befriender of the lowlanders. Questioner of chains."
(There were originally three thieves taking bottles off the two stock boys if you look back at the earlier posts, one got caught by sleep :-) )
Bosko waits his turn to introduce himself, keeping his hat low over his face whilst the zhelezo guard is present.
”Name is Bosko”, he says simply with no further explanation of what he does or why he is here.
”You fast”, he acknowledges Narumi for her success in catching the theif.
”Know not of political angle, or leader of city”, he says moving to pick up the mug he dropped when he started to run, and holding it out hopefully towards the vendor.
Jorge continues,
"Lazarus, traveling musician, with wife Alyndra the alchemist, Narumi of the mountains, and friend to us lowlanders, Bosko, traveler from the forests up the coast, and this other fellow," he says, nodding towards the Kenku.
"I am pleased to make the acquaintance of all of you, in what I feel is a rather serendipitous meeting. On behalf of Solvia Groves, I want to formally thank you again for your assistance today in helping to prevent us from getting robbed."
"With that in mind, I would like to offer you all a job. If you're interested, you can accept as individuals, or together as a group. It makes no difference to me, but seeing as how you all worked well together today and demonstrate complementary skillsets, considering that you were all in fact strangers but an hour ago, I might have guessed that you were already one of the established adventuring groups."
"Either way, we have a shipment going to the small resort town of Palma Flora tomorrow morning, since their annual shark hunting tournament beings next week. We're sending one of our sales reps, but given the obvious increase in criminal activity against our company lately, and also the increase in pirate activity out on the open waters, I would feel more comfortable if we had a few extras bodies along to help prevent any of of the shipment from being stolen before it arrives at its destination, and from what I've just seen, you'll do just fine."
"So, if you would care to accompany our rep to Palma Flora, which is a two-day trip on the water, and make sure our product arrives safely, then I can arrange for your passage and payment of 100 gold coins to each of you by our rep when the job is finished. After that, you're free to relax by the water, enjoy the tournament, sip drinks in the sunshine or do whatever you wish. It's quite an idyllic little resort. You can return to Feolinn at your leisure, or not. I know how you adventurers like to stay on the move."
"What do you say?"
Bosko listens carefully to the offer of paid employment, picking out the parts of the speech which interests him most and focussing on that.
"Jorge would pay to send to shark hunt? This rep take drink on boat?", he says eyeing up Jorge to see if there was some trick in his words or manner.
He has seen shark fins out to see before, whilst standing on dry land, but has never had the chance to actually hunt them. It was an opportunity not to be missed, and getting free transport and pay at the end was the icing on the cake.
"Not sure about others, but I go", he adds looking to Alyndra, Lazarus, Narumi and Tap in turn. "You join?".
Insight: 10+5=15
Lazarus would give just the lightest of chuckles as he put the spotlight onto Alyndra and she would stumble to get her words out to surely get the eyes off her. Though, once Jorge would speak of the winery and just who owned it, Lazarus' eyebrows would rise in a bit of interest. 'That seems like we did a great service, surely it will be remembered by those on high.' He would think to himself.
He would look to the giant as she would give her name and quite the title to follow. "I am interested in the breaker of chains, that has to have some sort of story behind it." He would look around and find himself a seat and then he would pat cross his arms over his chest as he turned his attention to the Bugbear who announced himself as Bosko. "Nice to have a name to the face."
Lazarus would raise his hand, using his finger nail to pick at his teeth as Jorge would go on about something and it wasn't until Lazarus heard the word 'Shark' that he paused and his attention was fully taken. He would tilt his head forward a bit as a smile crossed his lips. When Bosko brought up that he was more than willing, Lazarus would slap his knee. "Well hot d@mn, I'm game. Getting to see the wildlife AND getting paid? Count us in!" He would volunteer himself and Alyndra as he was sure she would agree but he would let her have her word in the matter overall.
Lazarus Ryder - Adventures Abound in Wildemount
Alyndra nodded, seeming faintly impressed about the accolades of said wine, but what truly took her aback was the fact direct tie in to Feolinn's Lawmaster. Or were Marquis more like Lords? "We...were not." Feeling rather off balance at this news, though it seemed to be neither good nor bad simply...news.
The news of the names of their impromptu allies was much more interesting, though the brunette couldn't help but gently correct her husband after the goliath introduced herself. "Questioner dear. She questions chains, though maybe she breaks them if she doesn't like their answers." Nodding respectfully to the woman that looked like she could break her in half with a light flex. As the bugbear introduced himself simply and plainly as the man himself, Alyndra couldn't help but smile and nod at her partner's sentiment. "Good to formally meet you all." And at the equally formal thanks extended, the half elf dipped her head, "Of course. You seemed much to nice to let you just be robbed blind right in front of us Mr. Simón."
The following job offer couldn't have taken her more by surprise however, but for Lazarus' knee slap which made her make a cringing smile at her very outlandish husband. Unlike him she remained attentive the entire time, though her jaw dropped at the mention of "shark hunting tournament" naturally. But a small voice in the back of her head whispered to be cautious and suspicious of the offer. So when the merchant asked them what did they say she couldn't help but respond automatically, "I'd say it almost sounds too good to be true. Um, no offense to you, good sir." But she sighed with a fond smile as Lazarus signed them up with hardly an ounce of hesitation.
Glancing at Bosko as he asked if they were really in, Alyndra allowed, "I admit, I do want to go." And tried to relax in spite of her possibly unwarranted suspicions. "Is there a catch?" She tried to ask casually with a polite smile, green eyes sharp.
Insight: 18
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Narumi looks oddly at Lazarus as he talks about her name. "We mountain folk earn names by our deeds! Should you earn it I may tell you of how I earned my names including the QUESITONER of chains," she says proudly. It is obvious that her title of chains is the title she is least proud of and she is perturbed by one almost as big as her questioning her. She quickly regains her composure and nods to Alyndra as she corrects Lazarus.
Narumi looks at the man strangely. "You would openly admit your clans weakness and ask for assistance?" She turns around and whispers under her breath, "Are all lowlanders like this? Is weakness not something to hide?" Glancing around the group she shrugs, "I have come down here to learn of you lowlanders, what better way than to accompany you on this trip!" Turning around to Jorge she bows way too deeply and exclaims, "I would be honored to protect your people on this journey! Plus I am very skilled with a paddle should your people require aid on the water. Why it wasn't long ago me and my friend won a competition for who could navigate the rapids near one of our recent camps." Standing up she turns to her new companions and whispers, "What is a shark? You speak in strange words down here."
Bosko replies to Narumi quietly, following her lead by whispering. "It is great hunter in sea. Like lion in mountains". He pauses for a moment before leaning in again, "Some more like sabre tooth tiger", he adds, holding his enormous arms at full stretch indicating something very big.
He then looks to Tap, but finds the bird man has gone.
Looking around, it appears that the Kenku has wandered off. He might have followed the Zhelezo as he escorted away the prisoners.
At any rate, Jorge speaks, first addressing what Narumi had said. "An interesting conclusion, which informs me that our cultures are very different. Down here in the lowlands, it is not considered weakness to ask for assistance. In fact, it's quite common and it's just called "business." Everyone specializes in something, and almost no-one is adept at everything. It's a matter of resources."
"For example, out our company, we are experts at making wine, but most of our employees are not expert sailors or swordsmen, so when we need to move our product from one place to the other across the water, we contact with companies who own boats and are adept a navigating the open sea. And when we need a little extra help making sure our products don't fall into the wrong hands, we look to people like you who we can hire to protect our investments."
"And in my own company, there are those who are better at actually making the wine, and then there are people like me, who are better at selling to to others."
"The business world is made up of many different types of people and companies who operate a large variety of services, and through commerce, we all work together to get things done. If everyone relied only on themselves, then very few would be able to achieve the kinds of expertise, innovation and quality that make the world run down here."
"Does that make sense?"
Answering Alyndra, he says, "No, there is no catch. I'm simply offering to hire you to make sure our shipment does not get misplaced or absconded with before it reaches its destination. Simply a business deal."
"At any rate, I am thrilled that the four of you have agreed to my terms. I feel better that our shipment to Palma Flora will be a little better protected. The ship leaves tomorrow at 9 bells. You can meet me down at the docks tomorrow morning shortly before then, and I will introduce you to our rep who will be overseeing the shipment."
"In the meantime, I would encourage you spend the rest of your day enjoying the festivities in our fine city, and if needed, acquiring whatever goods you think you will need for the journey. If there are no more questions, then I will see you tomorrow morning."
Bosko tips his hat to Jorge, “Yes, be at docks tomorrow”.
He looks about the streets around him, his long furry arm lifting his hand up to scratch the back of his neck as he ponders what to do for the rest of the day, and the night for that matter.
“Will find food. Look around”, he says to the others and starts to wander off towards a stall he hopes has food.
Bosko doesn’t have to go far to find a handful of food stalls, which offer a variety of offerings, from roasted chicken and turkey legs, kebabs, grilled fish sandwiches with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, turnovers filled with chicken, beef or shrimp, steamed muscles, pulled pork, to sweet treats, like funnel cakes, pastries, fruit bread and more.
At Narumi's interesting response to the job offer, Alyndra gave a breathy nervous laugh, not entirely sure how to explain it but Jorge did so beautifully. Eyebrows raised after the explanation she commended with an impressed smile, "That was very eloquently put Mr. Simón. Did that make sense to you?" She asked of Narumi before focusing back on the matter at hand. The half elf was still a little thrown by the lack of a 'catch', but perhaps it was as simple as he needed a job done and they seemed competent enough to do it. If not them, then someone else, so why turn it down? Nodding in acceptance of the answer, she flashed a smile up at Lazarus before stating, "Sounds like a good deal. Hopefully for all parties involved. Count us in." After Bosko would say that they would be at the docks tomorrow she echoed to remind everyone, "By 9th Bell." Always the punctual one.
Looking between the goliath, retreating bugbear and her partner she would question, "Should...we spend some time together? To get to know one another before we start officially working together? We don't have to." She shrugged, not sure if the others would prefer to spend the rest of their day alone. "Regardless, we should probably stock up on supplies for the trip. Mr. Simón mentioned that the our passage would be paid for, but I'm not sure that that includes food during the journey." It was then that the billowing scent of the many foods wafted their way and caused Alyndra's eyes to flutter closed. "Gods that smells amazing." The fact that she and Lazarus hadn't really eaten anything other than a quick bite when they first roused early that morning hammering home into her growling stomach.
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
Nodding sagely, Narumi acts like she understands what Bosko is saying about sharks. "So great predator to hunt for name. Good honor?" Narumi scratches her head at Jorge's explanation. "Lowlanders," she grunts under her breath as she nods in agreement to joining the job.
Narumi quickly nods when Alyndra mentions food. "Yes a bite to eat wouldn't hurt," she muses. Looking over at the stands, she shrugs and says to the others, "Lead the way."
Bosko finds a stall selling large fish kebabs, pieces of marinated swordfish and jumbo king prawns interspersed between bell peppers and cherry tomatoes. All kept on the large stick with a segment of lemon, it's juices able to run down the rest of the food given a light squeeze and a bit of gravity.
He waves to the others from across the street, motioning for them to join him. He had heard Alyndra suggest they stick together as he was leaving, and felt a little bad about simply wandering off.
"Samples?", he says to the stall owner hopefully. "For friends too", he adds holding up four fingers
Whether he has to pay or gets them as samples, he will acquire one for each of them. Sharing food being an important bonding exercise in his mind.
"Take, eat", he says as he joins the others (either them joining him, or him wandering back).
The food vendor gives Bosko a mildly irritated look when mentions "samples." Obviously, the food carts and stalls are all here to make money, unlike the wineries, which are the ones offering free samples of their wares. The price for the large fish kebabs is 2 sp each. However, they are very tasty, with the freshly caught fish cooked to perfection, and the vegetables being wonderfully ripe and juicy.
For Narumi, who grew up eating food and prey that is more native to mountain terrain and climate, the varieties of ocean-caught seafood, fresh, sweet lowland vegetables and many of the other items, like cakes, pies and sweet breads, would certainly be new tastes to her.