The dwarven warrior points to the sky before responding to both Graxx and Utar: "No new lesson after sundown."Obsben's initial follow-up comment catches him a bit off-guard, and Neya's comment does little to clarify why the group is here if not for a lesson. The dwarf clearly dislikes this harmless but indirect start to the conversation: "Ya saying yas came 'ere to ask 'bout freaking monkeys?"
Thankfully, the halfling veers into the subject of CRAP's main business right after the brief simian tangent. "First, it's Marten Foss, and that'd be me. Second, by missing property, you came 'bout the book, I suppose? Come on in 'nd we'll discuss. Yas can come back for yas' lesson after yas find me book."
You enter the property, walking through the open practice yard, which is well-lit such that Marten could easily hold nocturnal lessons, despite of what he said a moment ago. Passing by the trainees, you can't avoid inhaling the sharp smell of unwashed bodies, oiled metal, and kicked dust. A handful of men continue with their training, squaring off against a single dwarven woman who wields a pair of handaxes. They fill the air with the sounds of clanging steel and grunts, while a few others watch and contribute with excited shouting. From the looks on the faces of her opponents, the dwarven fighter seems to be holding her own quite well.
Marten leads you all to a spot a bit to the side of the central training area. "The Library said they'd send investigators, but I 'ave not seen yas before. Who're yas 'nd why should I trust the return of me book to yas hands?"
Utar looks more than a little confused. "Okay, so first of all, why offer us lessons if you're closing for the day?"
He shakes his head, that answer doesn't matter very much. "Nevermind, second of all, why would you have seen us before? You get a lot of your belongings pinched? You see a lot of investigators working on behalf of the Lord Sage?"
"Yes, we are here to find out who is responsible for theft. What can you tell us about what has been stolen?" Neya says, getting straight to the point.
Obsben, meanwhile, seemed to have not taken her eye off the sparring for even a moment. So it perhaps comes to noone's surprise when she asks somewhat out of the blue, "That your sister scrap'n out there? Because she's quite the fighter to be handling all of that at once." But once again before Margen can properly answer with more than a question, "If it helps, we can also be a fair bit more discrete than anyone else in town that ya might've been considering pushing this job on instead."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar shows an uncharacteristic short fuse (or, at least, Marten interprets it as a short fuse), which only serves to produce an even stronger frown on Marten's face: "It wasn't no offer, and I'm startin' to thank the gods for not meeting yas any earlier." The dwarf reads Graxx's comment as another insult: "I'm readin' yas alright. I just invited yas into me house! Is that how yas greet others... slingin' insults?"
Thankfully, Graxx's follow-up assurance and Neya's conversational pivot serves to recenter the discussion. "Aye, we better talk strictly business before I send yas 'way and the book remains lost." Obsben's comment on being discreet further solidifies the talk. Marten begins by describing the book: "The book was rather small, perhaps a foot long and half as wide, and was bound in red leather with black letterin' on the spine. It contained the personal memoirs of Ren o’ the Blade, a personal hero o'mine, during his time in here Phlan. I 'ave owned the book for nearly a decade."He takes a long sigh before continuing: "As for the theft itself, I 'ave little to share. The book was simply stored on a bookshelf, and it disappeared from its spot four days ago."
At this point, Obsben is unable to continue ignoring the sounds of battle nearby. She asks about the fighting dwarf, which sparks a glint of pride on Marten's face, and perhaps something else as well. In fact, while talking to CRAP, Marten has been watching the young woman in the practice yard from the corner of his eye: "That's me daughter and best student, Vera. I haven't seen anyone fight like her in years."
Taking a deep breath, Utar places his hands out in front of him in a concilliartory gesture. "No offence was meant, if we can find and return your book, then I will assume any lingering bad feeling might be done away with? In speaking to other victims of theft, they noted that the book was not the only thing to go missing from their homes. Was anything else taken from your home that you suspect might have been taken by the same thief? We would endeavour to seek them out and return them to their rightful owners."
(OOC - Utar is trying to see if his apology is enough for the dwarf. Actions will likely speak louder than words, so the actual return of the book will be needed if Utar even wants any combat training. Given the reluctance of the previous victim to give CRAP the ful details of the theft, does Utar think Marten Foss is being similarly evasive?)
"I don't think I've ever heard of Ren o' the Blade," Neya says, partially due to her unfamiliarity with local lore and partially for looking for any connection in the string of thefts. "Would you mind telling me about this hero?"
Graxx is relieved the dwarf was able to share the information with them
Graxx smiles to try to defuse the situation further by following up on Neya's words.
"Ah! I never tire of hearing of great warrior tales! What deeds did this Ren o' the Blade do that made him your personal hero? Slay mighty beasts? Fight off a numerous horde? Maybe an encounter with a Dragon?" asks Graxx enthusiastically.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
During what might've been but a brief moment, Obsben studied the dwarf as he talked of his daughter, hoping to uncover any hints that might suggest any underlying negativity, concerns, and so forth to take note. "Mn... daughter. Make sense. The resemblance is uncanny, if only in clear aptitude for martial prowess."
If failing that, or finding herself confident nothing of the sort exists, she just about takes out a pad to start taking notes. But a rogue thought's reminder of a promise of discretion buries the impulse, and instead leads to her asking, "Might we prior to our eventual departure also be given leave to inspect the site it last had been?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Obsben pulls on the "daughter" thread of this conversation and, despite claiming he should talk "strictly business" just a moment ago, Marten cannot resist talking about his progeny. "Aye, with a blade in her hand is the only way I knew how to raise her, after her mother died when she was young." He then points to a rack full of practice swords and other play-weapons and suggests: "Do ya want to test her yarself? She'd welcome a new opponent and I'd love to see what ya're capable off. No metal or spells, though; those are left for the advanced classes. It'd be just some good ol'trainin' yard sparrin'. Whatcha say?"
@Ori/@Obsben:
Although it is clear the dwarf is awash with pride, you also notice a glint of jealousy in there. A part of Marten, be it a small one, still wishes he was the training yard's champion.
With a deep breath and a raised hand, Utar brings the conversation back to its main focus. Marten Foss nods at the cleric: "Return the book and ya'll be me new best friend. As for other items, I assure yas that the book was the only thing stolen from me home. I looked 'round very carefully once I noticed the book was gone."Utar nods along with Marten, keeping an eye on the dwarf's mannerisms:
@MB/@Utar:
You gather that Marten is probably more interested in seeing the book's safe return than Cassra, the Library, and perhaps even the Lord Sage. You don't see why he'd be lying to you. As for the apology, well, his verbal response could not be any clearer, although the friendship claim was probably exaggerated a bit for the sake of the argument.
Both Neya and Graxx are intrigued by the name Ren o' the Blade. Marten gives them an admonishing look, but gladly educates them: "If yas don't know him, you oughta. I'll gladly introduce yas to the legend, though I'll keep it brief for now so we can all focus on the matter at hand." He waves his amputated arm as if showing a bit of a sense of humor regarding the words "at hand" and then clears his throat: "Ren o’ the Blade was a barkeep at the Laughing Goblin who 'ventually became a 'ero and was instrumental in defeatin' Tyranthraxus, an evil entity who had possessed a bronze dragon and ruled Phlan over 100 years ago. He led the party who defeated Tyranthraxus; who then fled into a mystical pool of magic called the Pool of Radiance."
With that, Marten turns to Obsben again and says: "Sure, yas can look around. Would ya like to do that before or after sparrin' with me daughter?"
Utar looks over to the training yard, and while part of him feels as though he would like to, he probably needs to stay focussed on the task at hand. Looking to the other CRAPper's though, he shrugs, "Have at it if you want, I'll be here to soothe any bumps and knocks you get. Damaged egos are your business though, nothing doing about that."
Finding himself a decent vantage point to watch over the sparring grounds, he leans towards Marten Foss, "So the book was just on general dispaly within your home then, did anyone else know you had it or make enquiries about it recently? Did all your students have access to the building?"
Obsben cannot help giggle a little at the mention of Tyranthraxus name. And if asked, she'd admit as much before trying to briskly put things back on track for once. Mostly.
"Worry not, Utar, as my Ego isn't easily bruised."She first assured the Half-Orc. Turning afterwards to Marten she answer, "Personally, I wouldn't mind doing it afterwards, if that's alright. Though I doubt she'd need it, it would give her a bit of time to maybe take a breather after working those other poor souls over." With that said, Obsben waits for everyone else to finish their current round of questioning and answer before bringing things back to guidance to the scene of the crime. It's only then that she'd ask during the initial sweep if Marten recalled what he'd and his daughter been doing on the day of its disappearance.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx is very interested in the story of the hero and begins to piece some things together.
"Wow. That does sound like a tale. Could you tell me more of this Pool of Radiance? Where was it supposed to be located? And what was it supposed to do?"
Marten nods at Neya and explains: "No armor, no magic, no hitting in the face, and no interference from spectators." He then points to the rack of practice weapons and adds: "Those're heavily padded and deal no significant damage even on the most successful of hits, but the wrappin' is saturated with chalk dust so any strikes're easily visible on sufficiently dark clothin'. Score three hits and ya're the victor. Simple 'nough, right?"
With Utar electing to not participate, Obsben postponing any interest she might have shown, and Graxx mesmerized by the tale of Ren o' the Blade, Marten looks at Neya with hope in his eyes that she'll take on Vera. While waiting for a response, the dwarf answers a few more questions.
To Utar: "Aye, just on a bookshelf. I had no reason to think it'd be stolen. Surely, no one places more value on it than I do. My possession of it was no secret, I am happy to share its tale with anyone who asks, though no one came askin' recently... My students know of the book, of course. It is a source of pride to us all."
To Obsben, if she decides to ask her question before heading inside: "What we always do: practice in the yard, though it could have taken place while we were out running errands,"
To Graxx: "Some raw magical source of power... its details are surrounded by incomprehensible magic babble, if you ask me, but I am no bookish dwarf. Dangerous stuff. It is supposedly located somewhere in Phlan but I wouldn't seek it even if I knew where it was."
Suddenly the link between these two stolen books makes more sense to Utar and sticks closely to the theme more closely associated with the Cult of the Dragon. And if word that the book was here was common knowledge, then the pool of suspects for the thefts grew larger.
Plus, whoever took the book from the first location needed to be a thief well versed in the study of magic. That felt like it would likely narrow down the potential list of likely culprits. Here? Anyone could have come in, pilfered the book and made a clean getaway. Maybe the third crime scene would shed a few shafts of light onto what was a pretty murky case so far.
"Any of those students not show up for their lessons? Not to blacken their names, but someone offering a large sum for such a book might have turned their head."
Looking at the dwarf's expectant expression, "I think I will take that challenge," Neya nods as she slips off her bracers of defense (breaking attunement until day's over) and puts her weapons and any other combat-oriented items against the wall.
She then picks up one of the practice weapons and tests its balance before moving onto the sparring grounds.
Graxx shrugs...
"Why not? We can always make ourselves better." says Graxx.
Graxx recalls the sound of steel.
"I see both prefer our combat to be up close and personal."
"How would this lesson begin?" asks Graxx.
The dwarven warrior points to the sky before responding to both Graxx and Utar: "No new lesson after sundown." Obsben's initial follow-up comment catches him a bit off-guard, and Neya's comment does little to clarify why the group is here if not for a lesson. The dwarf clearly dislikes this harmless but indirect start to the conversation: "Ya saying yas came 'ere to ask 'bout freaking monkeys?"
Thankfully, the halfling veers into the subject of CRAP's main business right after the brief simian tangent. "First, it's Marten Foss, and that'd be me. Second, by missing property, you came 'bout the book, I suppose? Come on in 'nd we'll discuss. Yas can come back for yas' lesson after yas find me book."
You enter the property, walking through the open practice yard, which is well-lit such that Marten could easily hold nocturnal lessons, despite of what he said a moment ago. Passing by the trainees, you can't avoid inhaling the sharp smell of unwashed bodies, oiled metal, and kicked dust. A handful of men continue with their training, squaring off against a single dwarven woman who wields a pair of handaxes. They fill the air with the sounds of clanging steel and grunts, while a few others watch and contribute with excited shouting. From the
looks on the faces of her opponents, the dwarven fighter seems to be holding her own quite well.
Marten leads you all to a spot a bit to the side of the central training area. "The Library said they'd send investigators, but I 'ave not seen yas before. Who're yas 'nd why should I trust the return of me book to yas hands?"
Utar looks more than a little confused. "Okay, so first of all, why offer us lessons if you're closing for the day?"
He shakes his head, that answer doesn't matter very much. "Nevermind, second of all, why would you have seen us before? You get a lot of your belongings pinched? You see a lot of investigators working on behalf of the Lord Sage?"
Graxx inhales deeply as the odor reminds him of home.
Graxx follows up on Utar's comments.
"Someone who has the skills to train others in battle tactics..." Graxx says as he motions to the trainees.
"Also should have the ability to quickly judge someone's intentions upon first seeing them by viewing their very soul." says Graxx.
"I assure you our intentions are just and we are seeking to undo the wrong that been done." explains Graxx.
Persuasion(Advantage due to Dwarven Belt): 21
"Yes, we are here to find out who is responsible for theft. What can you tell us about what has been stolen?" Neya says, getting straight to the point.
Extended Signature
Obsben, meanwhile, seemed to have not taken her eye off the sparring for even a moment. So it perhaps comes to noone's surprise when she asks somewhat out of the blue, "That your sister scrap'n out there? Because she's quite the fighter to be handling all of that at once." But once again before Margen can properly answer with more than a question, "If it helps, we can also be a fair bit more discrete than anyone else in town that ya might've been considering pushing this job on instead."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar shows an uncharacteristic short fuse (or, at least, Marten interprets it as a short fuse), which only serves to produce an even stronger frown on Marten's face: "It wasn't no offer, and I'm startin' to thank the gods for not meeting yas any earlier." The dwarf reads Graxx's comment as another insult: "I'm readin' yas alright. I just invited yas into me house! Is that how yas greet others... slingin' insults?"
Thankfully, Graxx's follow-up assurance and Neya's conversational pivot serves to recenter the discussion. "Aye, we better talk strictly business before I send yas 'way and the book remains lost." Obsben's comment on being discreet further solidifies the talk. Marten begins by describing the book: "The book was rather small, perhaps a foot long and half as wide, and was bound in red leather with black letterin' on the spine. It contained the personal memoirs of Ren o’ the Blade, a personal hero o'mine, during his time in here Phlan. I 'ave owned the book for nearly a decade." He takes a long sigh before continuing: "As for the theft itself, I 'ave little to share. The book was simply stored on a bookshelf, and it disappeared from its spot four days ago."
At this point, Obsben is unable to continue ignoring the sounds of battle nearby. She asks about the fighting dwarf, which sparks a glint of pride on Marten's face, and perhaps something else as well. In fact, while talking to CRAP, Marten has been watching the young woman in the practice yard from the corner of his eye: "That's me daughter and best student, Vera. I haven't seen anyone fight like her in years."
(OOC: That Nat20 came in at a good time.)
Taking a deep breath, Utar places his hands out in front of him in a concilliartory gesture. "No offence was meant, if we can find and return your book, then I will assume any lingering bad feeling might be done away with? In speaking to other victims of theft, they noted that the book was not the only thing to go missing from their homes. Was anything else taken from your home that you suspect might have been taken by the same thief? We would endeavour to seek them out and return them to their rightful owners."
Insight - 11
(OOC - Utar is trying to see if his apology is enough for the dwarf. Actions will likely speak louder than words, so the actual return of the book will be needed if Utar even wants any combat training. Given the reluctance of the previous victim to give CRAP the ful details of the theft, does Utar think Marten Foss is being similarly evasive?)
"I don't think I've ever heard of Ren o' the Blade," Neya says, partially due to her unfamiliarity with local lore and partially for looking for any connection in the string of thefts. "Would you mind telling me about this hero?"
Persuasion: 8
Extended Signature
Graxx is relieved the dwarf was able to share the information with them
Graxx smiles to try to defuse the situation further by following up on Neya's words.
"Ah! I never tire of hearing of great warrior tales! What deeds did this Ren o' the Blade do that made him your personal hero? Slay mighty beasts? Fight off a numerous horde? Maybe an encounter with a Dragon?" asks Graxx enthusiastically.
During what might've been but a brief moment, Obsben studied the dwarf as he talked of his daughter, hoping to uncover any hints that might suggest any underlying negativity, concerns, and so forth to take note. "Mn... daughter. Make sense. The resemblance is uncanny, if only in clear aptitude for martial prowess."
-Insight: 18.
If failing that, or finding herself confident nothing of the sort exists, she just about takes out a pad to start taking notes. But a rogue thought's reminder of a promise of discretion buries the impulse, and instead leads to her asking, "Might we prior to our eventual departure also be given leave to inspect the site it last had been?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Obsben pulls on the "daughter" thread of this conversation and, despite claiming he should talk "strictly business" just a moment ago, Marten cannot resist talking about his progeny. "Aye, with a blade in her hand is the only way I knew how to raise her, after her mother died when she was young." He then points to a rack full of practice swords and other play-weapons and suggests: "Do ya want to test her yarself? She'd welcome a new opponent and I'd love to see what ya're capable off. No metal or spells, though; those are left for the advanced classes. It'd be just some good ol'trainin' yard sparrin'. Whatcha say?"
@Ori/@Obsben:
Although it is clear the dwarf is awash with pride, you also notice a glint of jealousy in there. A part of Marten, be it a small one, still wishes he was the training yard's champion.
With a deep breath and a raised hand, Utar brings the conversation back to its main focus. Marten Foss nods at the cleric: "Return the book and ya'll be me new best friend. As for other items, I assure yas that the book was the only thing stolen from me home. I looked 'round very carefully once I noticed the book was gone." Utar nods along with Marten, keeping an eye on the dwarf's mannerisms:
@MB/@Utar:
You gather that Marten is probably more interested in seeing the book's safe return than Cassra, the Library, and perhaps even the Lord Sage. You don't see why he'd be lying to you. As for the apology, well, his verbal response could not be any clearer, although the friendship claim was probably exaggerated a bit for the sake of the argument.
Both Neya and Graxx are intrigued by the name Ren o' the Blade. Marten gives them an admonishing look, but gladly educates them: "If yas don't know him, you oughta. I'll gladly introduce yas to the legend, though I'll keep it brief for now so we can all focus on the matter at hand." He waves his amputated arm as if showing a bit of a sense of humor regarding the words "at hand" and then clears his throat: "Ren o’ the Blade was a barkeep at the Laughing Goblin who 'ventually became a 'ero and was instrumental in defeatin' Tyranthraxus, an evil entity who had possessed a bronze dragon and ruled Phlan over 100 years ago. He led the party who defeated Tyranthraxus; who then fled into a mystical pool of magic called the Pool of Radiance."
With that, Marten turns to Obsben again and says: "Sure, yas can look around. Would ya like to do that before or after sparrin' with me daughter?"
Utar looks over to the training yard, and while part of him feels as though he would like to, he probably needs to stay focussed on the task at hand. Looking to the other CRAPper's though, he shrugs, "Have at it if you want, I'll be here to soothe any bumps and knocks you get. Damaged egos are your business though, nothing doing about that."
Finding himself a decent vantage point to watch over the sparring grounds, he leans towards Marten Foss, "So the book was just on general dispaly within your home then, did anyone else know you had it or make enquiries about it recently? Did all your students have access to the building?"
"Since this place is for training, I assume there are rules for sparring?"
Extended Signature
Obsben cannot help giggle a little at the mention of Tyranthraxus name. And if asked, she'd admit as much before trying to briskly put things back on track for once. Mostly.
"Worry not, Utar, as my Ego isn't easily bruised." She first assured the Half-Orc. Turning afterwards to Marten she answer, "Personally, I wouldn't mind doing it afterwards, if that's alright. Though I doubt she'd need it, it would give her a bit of time to maybe take a breather after working those other poor souls over." With that said, Obsben waits for everyone else to finish their current round of questioning and answer before bringing things back to guidance to the scene of the crime. It's only then that she'd ask during the initial sweep if Marten recalled what he'd and his daughter been doing on the day of its disappearance.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx is very interested in the story of the hero and begins to piece some things together.
"Wow. That does sound like a tale. Could you tell me more of this Pool of Radiance? Where was it supposed to be located? And what was it supposed to do?"
Graxx smiles.
"This is fascinating!" exclaims Graxx.
Marten nods at Neya and explains: "No armor, no magic, no hitting in the face, and no interference from spectators." He then points to the rack of practice weapons and adds: "Those're heavily padded and deal no significant damage even on the most successful of hits, but the wrappin' is saturated with chalk dust so any strikes're easily visible on sufficiently dark clothin'. Score three hits and ya're the victor. Simple 'nough, right?"
With Utar electing to not participate, Obsben postponing any interest she might have shown, and Graxx mesmerized by the tale of Ren o' the Blade, Marten looks at Neya with hope in his eyes that she'll take on Vera. While waiting for a response, the dwarf answers a few more questions.
To Utar: "Aye, just on a bookshelf. I had no reason to think it'd be stolen. Surely, no one places more value on it than I do. My possession of it was no secret, I am happy to share its tale with anyone who asks, though no one came askin' recently... My students know of the book, of course. It is a source of pride to us all."
To Obsben, if she decides to ask her question before heading inside: "What we always do: practice in the yard, though it could have taken place while we were out running errands,"
To Graxx: "Some raw magical source of power... its details are surrounded by incomprehensible magic babble, if you ask me, but I am no bookish dwarf. Dangerous stuff. It is supposedly located somewhere in Phlan but I wouldn't seek it even if I knew where it was."
Suddenly the link between these two stolen books makes more sense to Utar and sticks closely to the theme more closely associated with the Cult of the Dragon. And if word that the book was here was common knowledge, then the pool of suspects for the thefts grew larger.
Plus, whoever took the book from the first location needed to be a thief well versed in the study of magic. That felt like it would likely narrow down the potential list of likely culprits. Here? Anyone could have come in, pilfered the book and made a clean getaway. Maybe the third crime scene would shed a few shafts of light onto what was a pretty murky case so far.
"Any of those students not show up for their lessons? Not to blacken their names, but someone offering a large sum for such a book might have turned their head."
Graxx is finding the pattern between the two books.
The Weave is about magic. This book has details about dragons and a big pool of magical powers. They have to be connect.
Someone is trying to find this Pool and understand and understand it's powers! That has to be it!
Graxx waits to see if Neya will take on the sparring challenge.
Looking at the dwarf's expectant expression, "I think I will take that challenge," Neya nods as she slips off her bracers of defense (breaking attunement until day's over) and puts her weapons and any other combat-oriented items against the wall.
She then picks up one of the practice weapons and tests its balance before moving onto the sparring grounds.
Extended Signature