Starker goes to find some tobacco and puts his new pipe through its paces. He asks if anyone has some dry bread to feed to a sick monkey, and tends to Cyrus in some dark corner somewhere he can smoke and listen to music or gossip, making it clear to observers he is open to conversation.
Starker goes to find some tobacco and puts his new pipe through its paces. He asks if anyone has some dry bread to feed to a sick monkey, and tends to Cyrus in some dark corner somewhere he can smoke and listen to music or gossip, making it clear to observers he is open to conversation.
Tobacco is readily available as are other smokable leafs. The pipe is wonderful. It has a large bowl and a very good draw. Cyrus remains curled up in your lap as you sit and enjoy a group of minstrels busking in the midst of the bazaar.
You have several opportunities for conversation with travelers, trades people and merchants.
HOID:I would like to place an order for a war ram, or war giant goat. Either with barding (preferably scale mail) would be most excellent. Giant goat is probably better.
You are able to locate an animal trainer who prepares giant goats to be used as mounts for dwarves (or gnomes as well). His name is Braldon Granitethew and he doesn't put up with any of your flatland foolishness. He will prepare a goat to be your mount in battle. If you want a beast of burden, move along. His cousin can fashion an appropriate saddle custom for the rider as well. He wants 500gp for each war goat. You sense that trying to haggle will only raise the price or have him tell you to piss off.
Half up front. Come back in a week or two and plan to stay for a month. You will be training to ride properly and learn the way of the animal. Also, Braldon will be judging to see if you are a good enough owner of the goat.
Master Granitethew, I appreciate your haggle-free business. Alas, I will have to return another day. Although the down payment is within my means, unless you would take my labor as partial payment, I cannot meet your entire price even if you took my meager mule in trade. I thank you for your time.
Master Granitethew, I appreciate your haggle-free business. Alas, I will have to return another day. Although the down payment is within my means, unless you would take my labor as partial payment, I cannot meet your entire price even if you took my meager mule in trade. I thank you for your time.
Braldon gives Hoid an appraising eye. "I appreciate honesty. Come back when you have the coin. I will prepare a goat for you."
Starker shows his interlocutors the map frament and asks if, on the off chance, they have a guess as to where it might be. He asks then if they are interested in seeing a manticore spike. If they are, he shows them and laughingly tells of his failure with the illusion and points to the real slayers of the manticore if they want to hear of more effective techniques. If there are any wizards who stop be he tells them of his notioan of using holy water as a component for Ice Knife and asks if they have any experience working with it as a material component.
The people of Granitestead are rather chatty. Several take you up on seeing the manticore spike. "I hear that some orcs are working with a manticore lately. Disrupting trade," one dwarf states. Another replies, "My cousin told me he overheard them talking while following a group of them. Said they were getting 'what the big one wants..'."
"Of course! He is right over there," pointing to one of two guards walking down the main row of stalls. "His name is Klarren." He turns, "Hey, Klarren! Over here," waving to the guard. He and his companion walk over to you. "This is Starker, one of the tall-fold who rescued Belgger. He was asking about the orcs you saw."
Persuasion = 15
"Hi, Starker. I am Klarren. This is Delcor," pointing to his companion who nods. "Nice to meet you. We heard you killed a dragon. That is amazing," he stands there open eyed for a bit. The first dwarf prods him. "Tell us about the orcs," with a pointed look. "OH, yes. We were tracking a group of orcs on patrol. Trying to follow them back to their village. I overheard one them say, 'we need to get...for the big one...'. I couldn't make it out completely. We did not want to be too close as there was eight of them and 4 of us."
“In all fairness, it was my companions who killed the dragon. I merely put some orcs to sleep so the dragonslayers weren’t distracted whilst they went about plying their avocation.
”Do you recall how the orcs were armed or if any of them looked different than the others, say a leader or a priest or a mage?
“I wonder what they were getting for the “big one”? It doesn’t feel like they would be refering to the manticore, somehow.”
“Bah! I’d put some orcs to sleep as well if you get my ken,” Klarren replies. “Call themselves Razor Fangs in their tongue. Typical orcs with ugly axes and hides for armor. There are stories about animals going missing and some folks. Never heard from again,”. He pauses for a minute, “Nothing about mages told, though.”
Klarren’s companion speaks up, “They aren’t bothering to hide their tracks, either. That’s how we started following them. Plain as day where they have been.”
“Thank you, friends. I am not positive, but there is a chance my companions will want to finish the fight the orcs started by ambushing us and then ended by fleeing in panic. I will relate the information you have so beneficiently bestowed to those worthies when next I see them. In the meanwhile, would you like to experience the smell of fresh caught fish roasting as we prepare it in Waterdeep? Or perhaps touch my monkey.”
Starker will wrap up and head to bed after giving what entertainment he can with prestidigitation and a monkey.
The day is passed entertaining folks in the bazaar as well as seeking out war rams for use as a steed. Attendance at the feast is nigh upon you. A quick trip back to the Slumbering Dragon and you are off to the citadel again. A valet welcomes you at the gates and you are escorted to your seat of honor at the head table. Harggan arrives and gives a speech in your honor, retelling your battle with Azurixtan and the orcs. A hearty cheer erupts from the attendees with raised flagons and mugs that are quickly emptied. "Let us FEAST!!," Harggan bellows.
It is a fun night of good food, singing, shoulders being clapped exuberantly and general revelry. There are many different people in attendance. Dwarves are the majority of the people there. There is a good contingent of gnomes as well. One knew Gnorman Sr as well and was saddened to hear the news Gneuman shared of his passing. Two other humans are sitting in the back of the room and appear to be merchants. You learn several things about the orc attacks, some confirming previous talk Starker had at the bazaar:
The Razor Fang clan has recently been attacking settlements and travelers through the mountains. People and animals are taken and not seen again.
Sometimes a manticore helps them with attacks.
They are not particularly well organized as a group in their attacks.
They do not seem to try to cover their tracks. Many times, scouts have found evidence of their passing on mountain trails.
The orcs have been heard talking about “The big one wants this…”
After the peak of the revelry has seem to have passed, the hall becomes more thinly populated. A captain of the guard is talking with Hoid and Kragen as the rest of you walk up. He seems to be interested in discussing the orc raids. He has patrols out looking for their camp but has not yet found it.
Kragen engages the Captain of the guard with the sigal of and gems of Granitethew woven into his beard, smile. "Well me Captain, please tell us more of the Orc raids and this vial beast, the Manticore." "We thought we had felled the beast however he escaped our efforts.", "How can we assist in removing this evil from Granitestead?" pauses to listen intently.
"There is not much to tell," he says. "The attacks seem random. Caravans are more concerned about loss of their livestock as the orcs seem to focus on that." He looks about, "I have never faced a manticore, so don't know what I can add about that. My scouts tell me that they find their tracks about frequently, but have not found their camp. You say you were attacked by them?"
“Yes, we were attacked about a day south from Granitethew. Can you tell us the location of the last sighting of tracks or signs of either the Orcs or Manticore?”
"The manticore's tactics seemed to be to stay out of melee range and rely on it's tail spikes. So if you go after it you'll want to make sure we have plenty of archers for back up.
We'll need to discuss with our entire party, but I would gladly volunteer to assist you in taking out these raiders. We could head back to the spot they ambushed us at, and try and pick up the trail there. Nobody in our party is particularly skilled in tracking, but they didn't seem to be making an effort to hide their tracks."
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Starker goes to find some tobacco and puts his new pipe through its paces. He asks if anyone has some dry bread to feed to a sick monkey, and tends to Cyrus in some dark corner somewhere he can smoke and listen to music or gossip, making it clear to observers he is open to conversation.
Tobacco is readily available as are other smokable leafs. The pipe is wonderful. It has a large bowl and a very good draw. Cyrus remains curled up in your lap as you sit and enjoy a group of minstrels busking in the midst of the bazaar.
You have several opportunities for conversation with travelers, trades people and merchants.
HOID: I would like to place an order for a war ram, or war giant goat. Either with barding (preferably scale mail) would be most excellent. Giant goat is probably better.
You are able to locate an animal trainer who prepares giant goats to be used as mounts for dwarves (or gnomes as well). His name is Braldon Granitethew and he doesn't put up with any of your flatland foolishness. He will prepare a goat to be your mount in battle. If you want a beast of burden, move along. His cousin can fashion an appropriate saddle custom for the rider as well. He wants 500gp for each war goat. You sense that trying to haggle will only raise the price or have him tell you to piss off.
Half up front. Come back in a week or two and plan to stay for a month. You will be training to ride properly and learn the way of the animal. Also, Braldon will be judging to see if you are a good enough owner of the goat.
Master Granitethew, I appreciate your haggle-free business. Alas, I will have to return another day. Although the down payment is within my means, unless you would take my labor as partial payment, I cannot meet your entire price even if you took my meager mule in trade. I thank you for your time.
Braldon gives Hoid an appraising eye. "I appreciate honesty. Come back when you have the coin. I will prepare a goat for you."
Starker shows his interlocutors the map frament and asks if, on the off chance, they have a guess as to where it might be. He asks then if they are interested in seeing a manticore spike. If they are, he shows them and laughingly tells of his failure with the illusion and points to the real slayers of the manticore if they want to hear of more effective techniques. If there are any wizards who stop be he tells them of his notioan of using holy water as a component for Ice Knife and asks if they have any experience working with it as a material component.
you know … usual dwarf mountain party chit chat.
The people of Granitestead are rather chatty. Several take you up on seeing the manticore spike. "I hear that some orcs are working with a manticore lately. Disrupting trade," one dwarf states. Another replies, "My cousin told me he overheard them talking while following a group of them. Said they were getting 'what the big one wants..'."
Wizards are not to be found....
No joy on the map fragment?
Nothing
Starker asks if he can be introduced to the cousin who overheard the orcs talking.
Persuasion = 10
"Of course! He is right over there," pointing to one of two guards walking down the main row of stalls. "His name is Klarren." He turns, "Hey, Klarren! Over here," waving to the guard. He and his companion walk over to you. "This is Starker, one of the tall-fold who rescued Belgger. He was asking about the orcs you saw."
Persuasion = 15
"Hi, Starker. I am Klarren. This is Delcor," pointing to his companion who nods. "Nice to meet you. We heard you killed a dragon. That is amazing," he stands there open eyed for a bit. The first dwarf prods him. "Tell us about the orcs," with a pointed look. "OH, yes. We were tracking a group of orcs on patrol. Trying to follow them back to their village. I overheard one them say, 'we need to get...for the big one...'. I couldn't make it out completely. We did not want to be too close as there was eight of them and 4 of us."
“In all fairness, it was my companions who killed the dragon. I merely put some orcs to sleep so the dragonslayers weren’t distracted whilst they went about plying their avocation.
”Do you recall how the orcs were armed or if any of them looked different than the others, say a leader or a priest or a mage?
“I wonder what they were getting for the “big one”? It doesn’t feel like they would be refering to the manticore, somehow.”
“Bah! I’d put some orcs to sleep as well if you get my ken,” Klarren replies. “Call themselves Razor Fangs in their tongue. Typical orcs with ugly axes and hides for armor. There are stories about animals going missing and some folks. Never heard from again,”. He pauses for a minute, “Nothing about mages told, though.”
Klarren’s companion speaks up, “They aren’t bothering to hide their tracks, either. That’s how we started following them. Plain as day where they have been.”
“Thank you, friends. I am not positive, but there is a chance my companions will want to finish the fight the orcs started by ambushing us and then ended by fleeing in panic. I will relate the information you have so beneficiently bestowed to those worthies when next I see them. In the meanwhile, would you like to experience the smell of fresh caught fish roasting as we prepare it in Waterdeep? Or perhaps touch my monkey.”
Starker will wrap up and head to bed after giving what entertainment he can with prestidigitation and a monkey.
The day is passed entertaining folks in the bazaar as well as seeking out war rams for use as a steed. Attendance at the feast is nigh upon you. A quick trip back to the Slumbering Dragon and you are off to the citadel again. A valet welcomes you at the gates and you are escorted to your seat of honor at the head table. Harggan arrives and gives a speech in your honor, retelling your battle with Azurixtan and the orcs. A hearty cheer erupts from the attendees with raised flagons and mugs that are quickly emptied. "Let us FEAST!!," Harggan bellows.
It is a fun night of good food, singing, shoulders being clapped exuberantly and general revelry. There are many different people in attendance. Dwarves are the majority of the people there. There is a good contingent of gnomes as well. One knew Gnorman Sr as well and was saddened to hear the news Gneuman shared of his passing. Two other humans are sitting in the back of the room and appear to be merchants. You learn several things about the orc attacks, some confirming previous talk Starker had at the bazaar:
After the peak of the revelry has seem to have passed, the hall becomes more thinly populated. A captain of the guard is talking with Hoid and Kragen as the rest of you walk up. He seems to be interested in discussing the orc raids. He has patrols out looking for their camp but has not yet found it.
Kragen engages the Captain of the guard with the sigal of and gems of Granitethew woven into his beard, smile. "Well me Captain, please tell us more of the Orc raids and this vial beast, the Manticore." "We thought we had felled the beast however he escaped our efforts.", "How can we assist in removing this evil from Granitestead?" pauses to listen intently.
"There is not much to tell," he says. "The attacks seem random. Caravans are more concerned about loss of their livestock as the orcs seem to focus on that." He looks about, "I have never faced a manticore, so don't know what I can add about that. My scouts tell me that they find their tracks about frequently, but have not found their camp. You say you were attacked by them?"
“Yes, we were attacked about a day south from Granitethew. Can you tell us the location of the last sighting of tracks or signs of either the Orcs or Manticore?”
"The manticore's tactics seemed to be to stay out of melee range and rely on it's tail spikes. So if you go after it you'll want to make sure we have plenty of archers for back up.
We'll need to discuss with our entire party, but I would gladly volunteer to assist you in taking out these raiders. We could head back to the spot they ambushed us at, and try and pick up the trail there. Nobody in our party is particularly skilled in tracking, but they didn't seem to be making an effort to hide their tracks."