Marrin notes the names and routes, but doesn't look any happier from his assessment of how cold it will be. On his offer to show the way she sighs,
"Honestly, I doubt the payout will be worth all the effort."
But then her face hardens,
"For me it is more about paying back a particularly large ¤"#¤@$ that tried to kill me. Repeatedly."
She waves that off and her smile comes back and she says more lightly,
"I will think about your offer as a guide and what I could reasonably offer. I'd certainly appreciate some musical company."
On what to play, she thinks while tapping her flute on her hip belt before pulling it out and nodding.
"Okay, how does a King's Frolic opener, first three verses, then into the Dancing Dryad and wrapping it up with the Whimsy Witch? I'll take the flute sections in Dryad and you can jump in for Randy Ruffian in Witch."
She looks to Soren to start them off on a round of light hearted, high tempo mix of songs.
((Wish I had time for more actual lyrics...))
King's Frolic :
The king was tired of being a king, He decided it was really his thing. So one fine day, he snuck away, into town to joke and play.
(Hilarious hi-jinks in town, knights grab him bring him home. Another fine day he sneaks away to join a circus, hi-jinks and eventually the circus folk drag him back. Then he sneaks away another fine day to a forest, meets fairies and dragons and unicorns. Stumbles back to the castle naked except for his crown, already thinking of sneaking away again.)
Dancing dryad :
Deep in the forest's heart, where nothing is quite like it seems, You will find the dryad, her beauty the stuff of dreams. Bound to her tree in a meadow of flowers and grass, She can only watch as the world and its creatures pass.
(The dryad dances with different woodland creatures that pass through her meadow, always happy for the company and new dance steps. The last creature to dance is a familiar king that casts of his clothes to the dryad's delight. Energetic flute playing at the bridge.)
The Whimsical witch:
She wasn't always so, so short, She hadn't always been a dancing sort. No, before she was crass, evil thing, But then she found her magic ring!
(Story of the witch finding a cursed magical pinky ring that strong 'encourages' her to go out and use her magic for un-malicious fun, up to and including making herself look less scary. Soren jumps in to sing a duet when the witch meets a band of ruffians and convinces them with magic and good nature to change their ways. It ends with ring accomplishing it's goal and rolling away to land on the doorstep of a mad mage.)
Ava waves back to Marrin and then turns her attention back to the interesting human. "Nice to meet you, Tas. So you're heading out on the road tomorrow? Where you all heading?"
As the pair start into their songs, Avaria finds herself being drawn in, she hasn't really seen Marrin perform and she was wonderful. A grin creases the shifters face as she gets lost in the music.
Soren accompanies Marrin as best he can. On any other night he would be her equal, and maybe even have a cleaner technical style than she does. But tonight, it’s all the half-elf lute player can do to just keep up.
Marrin plays with incredible passion and energy and within a few chords, the entire crowd at the Captain’s Loft is dancing, clapping, laughing, and singing along.
As if her ability could control the heavens above, as Marrin lets her last note linger in the air, the final rays of the setting sun cut through the heavy glass windows putting her directly in a spotlight. In a second the sun finishes setting and the spotlight is gone. Using that as a cue, the whole crowd stands and cheers.
The large, friendly, red-haired, firbolg woman appears at the side of the small raised stage. She wipes her hands on her apron and holds one out to Marrin.
“Where have you been hiding this one, Soren?” the firbolg asks. She turns back to Marrin. “I’m Jenny. Jenny Mauberg. This is my place. And you’re very welcome to be in it. Come find me when you’re done here with Soren and we can see about finding you a room so you can hopefully stick around awhile.”
The crowd calls for more.
“You should be headed to Waterdeep or Neverwinter,” Soren says. He smiles and waves at the crowd, basking in the overflow of applause for Marrin and he tosses an open leather bag on the edge of the stage. “Not Peltarch. Where were you before this?”
Looking out over the crowd, Marrin is pretty sure that she won’t have to pay for a drink or meal the rest of the night.
She sees several in the crowd step forward and toss coins in the leather bag. Plenty of copper, some silver, and she’s sure she even spotted a gold or two.
At the table in the corner, Tas eventually turns her attention back to Avaria.
“That one is quite good,’ Tas says. “Her playing reminds me of a group I heard once before. But no matter how many inns and taverns I’ve been too, I never saw them again.”
She looks back once more at Marrin and Soren then back to Avaria.
"I’m running a caravan along the Great Road to Bezentil and on to Kront. These three are bringing some southern spices along, hoping to trade for furs and the like.”
Tas leans back to take all of Avaria in and then looks over at Ula. She notices the others, but her eyes linger over Ava and Ula.
“I could use a little more protection on the trip. If you’re looking for work I pay okay and I can promise edible food.”
Marrin opens her arms to take in the adulation, smiling broadlybefore taking a bow. She'll extend an arm to Soren and call out, above the calling and clapping.
"Soren Lark everyone!"
And then after a moment of applause for the half-elf minstral she place a hand to her chest,
"I am Marrin Eversong! Give us a moment and we'll see about getting you a few more songs!"
She soak it in a moment more, because seriously she's been away from it for too long.
When Jenny arrives, she'll take the firbolg's hand,
"A pleasure to meet you Jenny, I have heard good things. A room sounds lovely."
She takes a few large drinks from her waterskin while listening to Soren. Wiping her mouth she give him a crooked grin,
"You aren't bad yourself Soren. Where was I? Most recently? Spandelyion, though I was on my way to Waterdeep until this whole Peltarch situation came up."
She glances down at Soren's leather bag filling with coins and gives the minstrel a smile,
"Let's see if we can't get you some more tips. You want to sing a few or keep strumming?"
Either way, Marrin is happy to be back in her element.
Avaria is pulled away from Marrin and Soren when Tas starts talking to her again. "She is, she is quite good. She's my friend, Marrin." She rests her chin on her hand and leans forward, "I think we might be interested. I'll have to confer with my gals, but yeah, we can hold our own and then some. Edible food is always appreciated,"she grins, "But pay is good. You leave in the morning?"
"Spandeliyon?" Soren says as he takes another bow. He gives Marrin a side eyed smile. "You really are doing the purgatory circuit."
He starts humming a tune that Marrin doesn't quite recognize. There's something fey, elven most likely in the structure, but after a moment, she catches on to the harmony and can improvise a rhythm to accompany Soren as he begins to sing. It's a lively beat, and moves quickly, bringing the audience back to their feet to dance and clap. But the lyrics, if people listened to the lyrics and forgot about the music their mood would change.
Soren and Marrin take turns trying to entertain the crowd and also to one up each other.
As the evening wears on, the coin purse fattens.
"The weather is going to get worse soon," Soren says to Marrin during a break. "The sooner you get to Peltarch the sooner you're away from Peltarch."
He takes a sip of ale, a gift from Jenny Mauberg. She's kept both Soren and Marrin well refreshed as they performed.
Soren then looks at the coin purse.
"You'll have traveling money, even if you don't take up my offer as guide."
-----------------------------------------------
In the back corner, Tas looks from Avaria to Marrin and then back to Avaria.
"Friends?" she says. "Interesting company you keep. If you could talk her into coming as well, that would be something. The evening campfires get dreadfully dull."
She listens to the music some more before answering the last question.
"Yes, not too early. We're not barbarians," Tas says with a laught. "But we want to make it as far as possible by nightfall."
---------------------------------------------
While Ethel and Jan keep quiet and just enjoy the evening, they can't help but notice the lack of aggressive rowdiness you might expect in a tavern this close to the docks. Food and drink flows freely, but neither of you have noticed even an angry comment and inadvertent bump. Or a complaint about service.
Marrin laughs when Soren calls it the purgatory circuit,
"You don't even know. Won't be going back to Spandeliyon any time soon."
As they get going Marrin is keen to pick up whatever new Soren has to offer as they go and enjoys the attention and competition. During the break,
"I and my entourage, don't tell them I called them that, will be heading out in the morning."
Following Soren's gaze to the money she gives him a half smile and a hearty slap on the back,
"Did I ever say I was working for tips? That's yours and yours alone. I appreciate you sharing your stage and letting me spread my name!"
Looking back over the crowd she adds,
"When we've wrapped up, I will talk to the entourage and see what they think about a guide. I should warn you though, it will probably be dangerous. I don't know what kind of dangerous it will be, but given my luck lately something is bound to happen."
When they do wrap up she will nod to Soren and say,
"I'll find you after I've eaten, probably should talk to Jenny too."
And then head to Ava and the rest, flopping down in a chair and waving over a server. She smiles at her entourage and orders some food. She gives Tas a smile as well before saying,
"Eventful night ladies? I know I am feeling good. Nice to get to stretch out those musical legs."
She will glance over to the rest of their table mates before deciding it probably isn't a big deal to say something vague,
"Soren over there has offered to be our guide to the northern, show us some of the quicker back routes. We interested?"
Ava grins at her friend as she returns. "Wow Marrin, I had no idea you were that good. I could listen to you all night."
She nods towards Tas, "Tas has asked us to join her caravan, a little extra muscle, heading along the Great Road to Bezentil and on to Kront." she looks a bit confused, "Is that the way we want to go?"
"Admittedly it was a better than average performance with experienced accompaniment, but yes."
She makes a sweeping gesture at all the people in a good mood, partially because of her.
"This is what I am good at!"
She looks over at Tas when Ava introduces her and gives a friendly nod and smile, then back to Ava.
"It is on our way to Peltarch, if we are planning on taking the main roads. I just don't think we are...? Maybe to Benzentil and then straight North instead, which is where Soren could help. Maybe."
Ethel has indeed been quite as the ship pulled into port and the party disembarked. Before leaving, she would encourage Bigge to follow through on his idea to engage in a bit of mercantilism to finance repairs while they were away. She doesn't expect they will be gone more than a tenday or two, at most, so he should plan his travels and repair schedule accordingly.
At the Captain's loft, she orders a glass of wine and gathers her thoughts while the others make new friends and gather intelligence.
At last, she ventures her own thoughts. "I agree that time is of the essence, and cutting through Rawlings Wood would be best." But then she holds up her walking stick. "Unless, however, there are carriage roads through the dark forest, I am not sure it is a viable option. I can handle a bit of a walk, but bushwhacking leagues through a forest... I will slow us down sufficiently as to negate any shortcut. Considering then the added dangers of the wood, without the benefit of increased speed, I would have to recommend we stick to the roads."
"But I do not rule the group, and I think we should vote on our course once all the options are on the table. Meanwhile, I wonder at what information might be available here in Uthmere. It's possible our quarry may have spent time here before us. Marrin and Jan... I wonder if I might be able to convince one or both of you to join me in working the crowd, and see if anyone here remembers a cocky mage or perhaps his lizardfolk escort."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tas listens to Avaria and Jan's discussion of route.
"Soren is correct," she finally adds. "Benzentil would put you at the narrowest point of Rawlins Wood."
She looks back to the stage where Soren is finishing packing up his instruments and gear. She looks at him steadily for a long moment and then turns away, a question about cargo logistics from one of her three original table companions demanding her attention (so she doesn't hear any of what Ethel discusses with the group).
Jan has mostly just been trying to listen in and get a gauge of the place, practicing being pleasantly overlooked, before rejoining the table. She nods to Ethel's question.
"Wonder if we get help if he's a 'friend' or our quarry..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Marrin spots Jenny Mauberg at the bar speaking with the rotund bartender.
Jenny in turn smiles broadly when she sees Marrin.
"Well done up there," Jenny says. "Soren always does a bang up job when he passes through, but there was something magical tonight. That will keep the Loft full for at least a fortnight. Now let's see what I have available."
She reaches under the counter and pulls up a large ledger and runs an equally large finger down it until she settles on what she's looking for.
"It's a lot stairs to climb, but it's the nicest room we have. A suite really," Jenny says as she looks back under the bar. Marrin can hear the sound of keys banging into each other.
Avaria listens to the group and isn't sure what to add. When Ethel asks the others about what to do, she doesn't blame her. She figures they'll figure out the best way to go. Turning to Tas "How long have you been here? Seen many other people coming and going?"
"It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to help Soren put on a great show!"
She visibly brightens on hearing she is getting the nice room,
"Well, with treatment like this I will certainly stop back in again!"
As Jenny digs around for the keys, Marrin will ask,
"Jenny, I expect you need to keep your ears open about people moving through town? I was wondering if you have maybe heard about a man with a group of lizardfolk passing through? It would have been within the last five or seven days?"
Tas turns from the others she has been talking to when Avaria speaks with her again.
"This time, just a couple of days," Tas says. "Idle wagons don't make any money and there aren't many days of easy travel left before winter comes down this far south. Then I'll head south myself."
She pauses and looks at Avaria quizzically for a moment.
"Do you have someone in mind? I see lots of people coming and going in the port, and out on the road."
Over at the bar, Jenny Mauberg raises a big eyebrow when Marrin asks about lizardfolk.
"You don't tend to see their kind in Uthmere," Jenny says. "It gets a bit cold up here, especially with winter coming. They like the heat, don't they."
She thinks for a long moment.
"But if you really want to know if there have been any here, you should check with the harbour master. Gorick might not look observant, but he sees everything and everyone who comes in and out of the port."
"I've never been this far north.. this winter you're warning me about, is it going to be bad?" Avaria is thankful for her fur for probably the first time in her life, but worries for her friends, especially Ethel. "Well, he's a middle aged man (was he bald or do I just see him that way? lol) in the company with some lizardfolk?"
Marrin notes the names and routes, but doesn't look any happier from his assessment of how cold it will be. On his offer to show the way she sighs,
"Honestly, I doubt the payout will be worth all the effort."
But then her face hardens,
"For me it is more about paying back a particularly large ¤"#¤@$ that tried to kill me. Repeatedly."
She waves that off and her smile comes back and she says more lightly,
"I will think about your offer as a guide and what I could reasonably offer. I'd certainly appreciate some musical company."
On what to play, she thinks while tapping her flute on her hip belt before pulling it out and nodding.
"Okay, how does a King's Frolic opener, first three verses, then into the Dancing Dryad and wrapping it up with the Whimsy Witch? I'll take the flute sections in Dryad and you can jump in for Randy Ruffian in Witch."
She looks to Soren to start them off on a round of light hearted, high tempo mix of songs.
((Wish I had time for more actual lyrics...))
King's Frolic :
The king was tired of being a king,
He decided it was really his thing.
So one fine day, he snuck away,
into town to joke and play.
(Hilarious hi-jinks in town, knights grab him bring him home. Another fine day he sneaks away to join a circus, hi-jinks and eventually the circus folk drag him back. Then he sneaks away another fine day to a forest, meets fairies and dragons and unicorns. Stumbles back to the castle naked except for his crown, already thinking of sneaking away again.)
Dancing dryad :
Deep in the forest's heart, where nothing is quite like it seems,
You will find the dryad, her beauty the stuff of dreams.
Bound to her tree in a meadow of flowers and grass,
She can only watch as the world and its creatures pass.
(The dryad dances with different woodland creatures that pass through her meadow, always happy for the company and new dance steps. The last creature to dance is a familiar king that casts of his clothes to the dryad's delight. Energetic flute playing at the bridge.)
The Whimsical witch:
She wasn't always so, so short,
She hadn't always been a dancing sort.
No, before she was crass, evil thing,
But then she found her magic ring!
(Story of the witch finding a cursed magical pinky ring that strong 'encourages' her to go out and use her magic for un-malicious fun, up to and including making herself look less scary. Soren jumps in to sing a duet when the witch meets a band of ruffians and convinces them with magic and good nature to change their ways. It ends with ring accomplishing it's goal and rolling away to land on the doorstep of a mad mage.)
Performance (min 21): 29
Ava waves back to Marrin and then turns her attention back to the interesting human. "Nice to meet you, Tas. So you're heading out on the road tomorrow? Where you all heading?"
As the pair start into their songs, Avaria finds herself being drawn in, she hasn't really seen Marrin perform and she was wonderful. A grin creases the shifters face as she gets lost in the music.
Soren accompanies Marrin as best he can. On any other night he would be her equal, and maybe even have a cleaner technical style than she does. But tonight, it’s all the half-elf lute player can do to just keep up.
Marrin plays with incredible passion and energy and within a few chords, the entire crowd at the Captain’s Loft is dancing, clapping, laughing, and singing along.
As if her ability could control the heavens above, as Marrin lets her last note linger in the air, the final rays of the setting sun cut through the heavy glass windows putting her directly in a spotlight. In a second the sun finishes setting and the spotlight is gone. Using that as a cue, the whole crowd stands and cheers.
The large, friendly, red-haired, firbolg woman appears at the side of the small raised stage. She wipes her hands on her apron and holds one out to Marrin.
“Where have you been hiding this one, Soren?” the firbolg asks. She turns back to Marrin. “I’m Jenny. Jenny Mauberg. This is my place. And you’re very welcome to be in it. Come find me when you’re done here with Soren and we can see about finding you a room so you can hopefully stick around awhile.”
The crowd calls for more.
“You should be headed to Waterdeep or Neverwinter,” Soren says. He smiles and waves at the crowd, basking in the overflow of applause for Marrin and he tosses an open leather bag on the edge of the stage. “Not Peltarch. Where were you before this?”
Looking out over the crowd, Marrin is pretty sure that she won’t have to pay for a drink or meal the rest of the night.
She sees several in the crowd step forward and toss coins in the leather bag. Plenty of copper, some silver, and she’s sure she even spotted a gold or two.
At the table in the corner, Tas eventually turns her attention back to Avaria.
“That one is quite good,’ Tas says. “Her playing reminds me of a group I heard once before. But no matter how many inns and taverns I’ve been too, I never saw them again.”
She looks back once more at Marrin and Soren then back to Avaria.
"I’m running a caravan along the Great Road to Bezentil and on to Kront. These three are bringing some southern spices along, hoping to trade for furs and the like.”
Tas leans back to take all of Avaria in and then looks over at Ula. She notices the others, but her eyes linger over Ava and Ula.
“I could use a little more protection on the trip. If you’re looking for work I pay okay and I can promise edible food.”
Marrin opens her arms to take in the adulation, smiling broadlybefore taking a bow. She'll extend an arm to Soren and call out, above the calling and clapping.
"Soren Lark everyone!"
And then after a moment of applause for the half-elf minstral she place a hand to her chest,
"I am Marrin Eversong! Give us a moment and we'll see about getting you a few more songs!"
She soak it in a moment more, because seriously she's been away from it for too long.
When Jenny arrives, she'll take the firbolg's hand,
"A pleasure to meet you Jenny, I have heard good things. A room sounds lovely."
She takes a few large drinks from her waterskin while listening to Soren. Wiping her mouth she give him a crooked grin,
"You aren't bad yourself Soren. Where was I? Most recently? Spandelyion, though I was on my way to Waterdeep until this whole Peltarch situation came up."
She glances down at Soren's leather bag filling with coins and gives the minstrel a smile,
"Let's see if we can't get you some more tips. You want to sing a few or keep strumming?"
Either way, Marrin is happy to be back in her element.
Avaria is pulled away from Marrin and Soren when Tas starts talking to her again. "She is, she is quite good. She's my friend, Marrin." She rests her chin on her hand and leans forward, "I think we might be interested. I'll have to confer with my gals, but yeah, we can hold our own and then some. Edible food is always appreciated," she grins, "But pay is good. You leave in the morning?"
"Spandeliyon?" Soren says as he takes another bow. He gives Marrin a side eyed smile. "You really are doing the purgatory circuit."
He starts humming a tune that Marrin doesn't quite recognize. There's something fey, elven most likely in the structure, but after a moment, she catches on to the harmony and can improvise a rhythm to accompany Soren as he begins to sing. It's a lively beat, and moves quickly, bringing the audience back to their feet to dance and clap. But the lyrics, if people listened to the lyrics and forgot about the music their mood would change.
Soren and Marrin take turns trying to entertain the crowd and also to one up each other.
As the evening wears on, the coin purse fattens.
"The weather is going to get worse soon," Soren says to Marrin during a break. "The sooner you get to Peltarch the sooner you're away from Peltarch."
He takes a sip of ale, a gift from Jenny Mauberg. She's kept both Soren and Marrin well refreshed as they performed.
Soren then looks at the coin purse.
"You'll have traveling money, even if you don't take up my offer as guide."
-----------------------------------------------
In the back corner, Tas looks from Avaria to Marrin and then back to Avaria.
"Friends?" she says. "Interesting company you keep. If you could talk her into coming as well, that would be something. The evening campfires get dreadfully dull."
She listens to the music some more before answering the last question.
"Yes, not too early. We're not barbarians," Tas says with a laught. "But we want to make it as far as possible by nightfall."
---------------------------------------------
While Ethel and Jan keep quiet and just enjoy the evening, they can't help but notice the lack of aggressive rowdiness you might expect in a tavern this close to the docks. Food and drink flows freely, but neither of you have noticed even an angry comment and inadvertent bump. Or a complaint about service.
Marrin laughs when Soren calls it the purgatory circuit,
"You don't even know. Won't be going back to Spandeliyon any time soon."
As they get going Marrin is keen to pick up whatever new Soren has to offer as they go and enjoys the attention and competition. During the break,
"I and my entourage, don't tell them I called them that, will be heading out in the morning."
Following Soren's gaze to the money she gives him a half smile and a hearty slap on the back,
"Did I ever say I was working for tips? That's yours and yours alone. I appreciate you sharing your stage and letting me spread my name!"
Looking back over the crowd she adds,
"When we've wrapped up, I will talk to the entourage and see what they think about a guide. I should warn you though, it will probably be dangerous. I don't know what kind of dangerous it will be, but given my luck lately something is bound to happen."
When they do wrap up she will nod to Soren and say,
"I'll find you after I've eaten, probably should talk to Jenny too."
And then head to Ava and the rest, flopping down in a chair and waving over a server. She smiles at her entourage and orders some food. She gives Tas a smile as well before saying,
"Eventful night ladies? I know I am feeling good. Nice to get to stretch out those musical legs."
She will glance over to the rest of their table mates before deciding it probably isn't a big deal to say something vague,
"Soren over there has offered to be our guide to the northern, show us some of the quicker back routes. We interested?"
Ava grins at her friend as she returns. "Wow Marrin, I had no idea you were that good. I could listen to you all night."
She nods towards Tas, "Tas has asked us to join her caravan, a little extra muscle, heading along the Great Road to Bezentil and on to Kront." she looks a bit confused, "Is that the way we want to go?"
Marrin doesn't bother being modest,
"Admittedly it was a better than average performance with experienced accompaniment, but yes."
She makes a sweeping gesture at all the people in a good mood, partially because of her.
"This is what I am good at!"
She looks over at Tas when Ava introduces her and gives a friendly nod and smile, then back to Ava.
"It is on our way to Peltarch, if we are planning on taking the main roads. I just don't think we are...? Maybe to Benzentil and then straight North instead, which is where Soren could help. Maybe."
She looks to Jan and Ethel.
Ethel has indeed been quite as the ship pulled into port and the party disembarked. Before leaving, she would encourage Bigge to follow through on his idea to engage in a bit of mercantilism to finance repairs while they were away. She doesn't expect they will be gone more than a tenday or two, at most, so he should plan his travels and repair schedule accordingly.
At the Captain's loft, she orders a glass of wine and gathers her thoughts while the others make new friends and gather intelligence.
At last, she ventures her own thoughts. "I agree that time is of the essence, and cutting through Rawlings Wood would be best." But then she holds up her walking stick. "Unless, however, there are carriage roads through the dark forest, I am not sure it is a viable option. I can handle a bit of a walk, but bushwhacking leagues through a forest... I will slow us down sufficiently as to negate any shortcut. Considering then the added dangers of the wood, without the benefit of increased speed, I would have to recommend we stick to the roads."
"But I do not rule the group, and I think we should vote on our course once all the options are on the table. Meanwhile, I wonder at what information might be available here in Uthmere. It's possible our quarry may have spent time here before us. Marrin and Jan... I wonder if I might be able to convince one or both of you to join me in working the crowd, and see if anyone here remembers a cocky mage or perhaps his lizardfolk escort."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tas listens to Avaria and Jan's discussion of route.
"Soren is correct," she finally adds. "Benzentil would put you at the narrowest point of Rawlins Wood."
She looks back to the stage where Soren is finishing packing up his instruments and gear. She looks at him steadily for a long moment and then turns away, a question about cargo logistics from one of her three original table companions demanding her attention (so she doesn't hear any of what Ethel discusses with the group).
Jan has mostly just been trying to listen in and get a gauge of the place, practicing being pleasantly overlooked, before rejoining the table. She nods to Ethel's question.
"Wonder if we get help if he's a 'friend' or our quarry..."
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
About staying on the road,
"No argument from me about sticking to the beaten tracks, just doubt we'll catch the target."
About working the crowd,
"I am going to speak with Jenny, I'll ask her about the target."
She looks over her shoulder at the crowd,
"But I am going to guess that, based on how he just jumped on a boat without telling mamma or pappa where he was going, he didn't linger here."
If that's it from the group for a moment she'll stand up and seek out Jenny.
Marrin spots Jenny Mauberg at the bar speaking with the rotund bartender.
Jenny in turn smiles broadly when she sees Marrin.
"Well done up there," Jenny says. "Soren always does a bang up job when he passes through, but there was something magical tonight. That will keep the Loft full for at least a fortnight. Now let's see what I have available."
She reaches under the counter and pulls up a large ledger and runs an equally large finger down it until she settles on what she's looking for.
"It's a lot stairs to climb, but it's the nicest room we have. A suite really," Jenny says as she looks back under the bar. Marrin can hear the sound of keys banging into each other.
Avaria listens to the group and isn't sure what to add. When Ethel asks the others about what to do, she doesn't blame her. She figures they'll figure out the best way to go. Turning to Tas "How long have you been here? Seen many other people coming and going?"
Marrin gives a little bow to Jenny,
"It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to help Soren put on a great show!"
She visibly brightens on hearing she is getting the nice room,
"Well, with treatment like this I will certainly stop back in again!"
As Jenny digs around for the keys, Marrin will ask,
"Jenny, I expect you need to keep your ears open about people moving through town? I was wondering if you have maybe heard about a man with a group of lizardfolk passing through? It would have been within the last five or seven days?"
Tas turns from the others she has been talking to when Avaria speaks with her again.
"This time, just a couple of days," Tas says. "Idle wagons don't make any money and there aren't many days of easy travel left before winter comes down this far south. Then I'll head south myself."
She pauses and looks at Avaria quizzically for a moment.
"Do you have someone in mind? I see lots of people coming and going in the port, and out on the road."
Over at the bar, Jenny Mauberg raises a big eyebrow when Marrin asks about lizardfolk.
"You don't tend to see their kind in Uthmere," Jenny says. "It gets a bit cold up here, especially with winter coming. They like the heat, don't they."
She thinks for a long moment.
"But if you really want to know if there have been any here, you should check with the harbour master. Gorick might not look observant, but he sees everything and everyone who comes in and out of the port."
Marrin shrugs,
"I haven't had much to do with lizardfolk until recently, though I would have guessed so."
She nods to the suggestion.
"I will swing by the harbor tomorrow morning, thank you."
She'll take the keys with an eager smile,
"And thank you!"
She'll head back to the table and pass on the information about Gorick.
"Something to do tomorrow. It's reasonable, if anyone would have seen them it would have been him."
"I've never been this far north.. this winter you're warning me about, is it going to be bad?" Avaria is thankful for her fur for probably the first time in her life, but worries for her friends, especially Ethel. "Well, he's a middle aged man (was he bald or do I just see him that way? lol) in the company with some lizardfolk?"
((Pretty sure he shaved his head? Maybe to hide he was balding...))