"I am Stasyn and I am pleasantly surprised to find a bard here in the Quarantined Zone. I bet you have heard of all kinds of stories. Can you tell me what you know of the Morbid Doctores and if you know anything about the Bone Collector or their minions. In return I am willing to offer this gold coin." he keeps the gold coin out for Larry to see.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the burly dwarf mentions the hairy friend, Daryos frowns briefly, then turns and sees the Minotaur by the door. "Oh, that is just Kitaer, the gentlest and kindest of minotaurs, I highly doubt he would do anything that would make your lovely daughter cry."He turns back and says to the dwarf, then briefly glancing over at the dwarven girl playing with what presumably is her birthday presents. He also very much doubts the one-armed dwarf would turn the minotaur into a rug, or anything else for that matter, but keeps those thoughts to himself. "Congratulations to you and your daughter though, I hope this day will be a happy one for her, just say if there's anything you think we can contribute with that would make her birthday even better." He continues in a polite and pleasant tone, placing a golden coin on the barcounter to pay for the mug of ale and any information the rest would buy.
New rolls if needed Persuasion: 7 + Guidance: 3 Insight: 11
Kitaer returns the wave and otherwise is kind, from afar, to the little girl. Meanwhile he also tries to keep an eye on each of the others just in case something comes up.
The two women smile at Nesyax when she takes a seat. "Sorry for being rude! My name's Amber by the way, and this is Ebony"She says while pointing to the dark skinned woman seated next to her Ebony gives a small wave and a gentle smile. Both women are wearing simple dresses that are worn but well maintained. "Oh! Well first thing you gotta do is avoid catchin the pox" The redheaded woman says with a smile. "Most don't live longer than a few days once you get it... terrible thing." Ebony chimes in leaning forward and putting her weight on her elbows. "We've been here for a few weeks now... we got caught murdering our husbands and got sent here. Don't feel too bad for them though! They pissed away all our money on ale and then took it out their frustrations on us when they got home. " The red haired woman holds up a fist and punches her other hand. "They had it coming" her friend smiles. "You arn't sick and you arn't covered in scars so I assume you're like us? What did you do to get banished here?' ebony asks leaning even closer as more of her weight rests on the table. "Oh don't be so nosey girl, it isn't polite" Amber says with a laugh before slapping Ebony on the shoulder. "Anyway! If you arn't sick and plan on living here for a while, you got to find a safe place to live and secure it. Make sure you can lock the doors at night and get yourself a good weapon. I heard rumors that if you DO want out of here... old LeadBelly can help get you out if you got enough coin." Amber smirks while Ebony rolls her eyes. "Really... i told you that isn't true."
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The bard takes a seat across from the verdan, running his hand through his wavey silken hair. "Well... a single gold coin isn't much to get excited about but... I've got a few minutes before I'm due back on stage." The halfling says with a wink. "The morbid plague doctor folks and their hideous looking outfits can be found all across Etharis. Rumor has it that their suits they wear protect them from catching weeping pox.... I would hope so because I don't know why anyone would dress like that without good reason. They seem to follow the plague and make money by curing those that can pay. Most can't though..." He says with a shrug. "As for this bone collecter... all I know is what I've heard since I've been in town. I guess he is some kind of fey creature... I heard maybe he can grant wishes or something in exchange for bones... Never saw him or his minions...." He then interlocks his fingers and rests his chin upon his hands. "maybe I could write a song about him if I knew more about him... do you plan to kill him?" The halfling asks as he locks eyes with Stasyn.
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The dwarf takes the coin and slips it into his pocket. "So this place here... " The dwarf raises his arm and gestures to the tavern. "I built this place... it's been mine for over 100 years and i'll be damned if disease or monster will take it from me." The burly dwarf says before grabbing a mug of ale and pouring himself a drink. "I apologize for assumin the worst about your friend by the door. You all are new and you arn't sick so I assume you're criminals." The dwarf says as though he knows the answer. "Strange they let criminals carry weapons though..." he adds as he looks over Daryos and his eyes move to the other members of the group... "So where did you all say you came from" He dwarf says as he eyes you up and down, squinting hard as he places his mug down on the bar. His hand then disappears behind the bar and you assume it is clutching some kind of weapon.
Stasyn lets out a small laugh "No I do not plan to kill it as I am trying to gather information of the dangers present in this Quarantined Zone. This gold coin may not be much under regular circumstances, but here in this plague infested place I wonder how many even have 2 coppers to rub against each other. This gold coin is enough to buy a hunk of meat from the butcher. I wonder would you truly turn away even 1 extra gold coin. Well, you have earned this coin and if in the future you have some other stories to share, please don't hesitate." he flicks off a piece of lint on her tailored coat as a subtle hint that he is a person worth knowing and that more gold may be in the bard's future if he had any more information. He then places the gold coin onto the table. Stasyn then asks, "I wonder how you found yourself in this detestable place as I see you are not covered in pustles or weeping leasions?"
So, the Morbid Doctores may have a cure that cost a fortune. Now that is interesting. I wonder if they not only follow the plague but also spread it so they are always in demand. That would be a cunning way to keep the gold coins coming in. I should share this with the others.
"Avoid the pox, yes, I kind of realized that right away," Nesyax says in response to the two ladies. "And I'm called Nesyax," she says to introduce herself. She brushes past questions about being a criminal. "You two must have a safe place then! You seem like pretty smart ladies. We'll have to keep that in mind!"
"We're from Waterdeep, in Faerûn. We arrived yesterday to set up a business of monster hunting based out of the old church down the street, so we're not criminals you see."The young white-haired noble calmly explains with a polite smile. "As we find ourselves in a quarantine zone we are interested to know about the plague and the Morbus Doctore, but we're also making it our business to find the one you call the Bone Collector."He continues, trying to politely steer the converastion back to his questions.
Larry takes the coin and pulls it close before sliding it into his vest. "Well thank you for your generous tip... it is always nice to meet a patron of the arts such as yourself" The halfling says loudly with a smile and a wink. before standing up he leans across the table and gives his long silky hair a flip. "I'm only here as a favor of sorts... i'll be gone tomorrow... Sipping proper wine within the walls of Liesech. Enjoy the show because there won't be an encore" He whispers quietly. "But that's all i'll say for a single coin..." He then claps his hands together and the golden coin he had tucked away in his vest appears in the palm of his hand... a simple trick but enough to get some of the patrons nearby to give a small clap. He then stands up and makes his way towards the bar and grabs a drink before moving back towards the stage....
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As Daryos explains where they are from, the expression on the face of the dwarf twists in frustration. "So you must be working with Render then right? I'll tell you what I told him... you lot need a better story. There is no Faerun or Waterdeep. I've been to damned near every corner of Etharis and seen hundreds of maps in my day... and I aint ever heard of either of those places." The dwarf looks you up and down, his one arm still under the bar. "As a matter of fact... I got connections... and I like to know whose operating in my neighbor hood... and from what i can tell no one else has ever heard of those places either... So either you all are lying to me or this faerun happens to exist on some other plane of existence..." The dwarf kind of gives you a scowl and his eyes dart around the room towards not only your companions, but some of the other patrons sitting at the various tables that seem to be listening in on this conversation. "Tell me... are you spies? were you sent by the guard?" the dwarf takes a step back from the bar and you see him holding a war pick down by his side.
While this is going on, the bard grabs an ale from the counter and takes a large drink, eyeing both Leadbelly and Daryos before placing his mug down and moving back towards the stage.
OOC: Daryos, give me one more persuasion check and an arcana check as well
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Oblivious to the tension taking place at the bar, the two women continue to talk with their new friend. "Oh yes! There is definitely safety in numbers! we share a place and keep eachother safe! Us women got to stick together. Amber adds with a smile. "Even though there is safety in numbers, It's best not to be outside after dark but I'm sure you know that! Around here though... aside from the normal threats that roam Etharis... you got to watch out for faevlin around here." She says with a look of concern. The dark haired woman rolls her eyes. "Amber, I told you I think you just saw a goblin." she sighs before Amber snaps back. "I know what I saw Ebony! It was a faevlin roaming the streets after dark... giggling with its head all upsidown." The red haired woman looks very serious about what she saw while the dark haired women obviously doesn't believe her.
Around this time Larry is making his way towards the stage to continue his set and is passing by the table, he shoots a smile and a wink towards Nesyax.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Yes, we're working with Render, and Faerûn is another continent than Etharis. If you have been near every corner of Etharis you must have heard there are other continents?"The young white-haired noble says, giving the burly dwarf an incredulous look. "If you have any good connections at least one of them should be able to tell you about Faerûn I would expect." He continues with a polite smile, not losing his temper with the insolent dwarf, yet.
"OK, so say I believe you about being from Faerun... wherever that is... I don't think you understand mate." The dwarf seems to relax ever so slightly... "I know folks that have sailed the seas... I know folks who know powerful wizards... Liesech is a trading hub for all the world... or at least it used to be before the pox... and I've met people from every corner of it. If Faerun exists... it isn't on this plane." The dwarf says in a very mater-of-fact tone.
"Anyway... I'd prefer if you were criminals... at least then I'd know what kind of folks I was dealing with..." The dwarf sucks on a tooth and then looks over towards his daughter before placing the war pick back under the bar. He pours himself another drink and downs it quickly before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Before he can say anything else, a wooden door opens behind him and a blond haired dwarven women holding a small simple cake walks out. "it's time for cake dear." The female dwarf says with a kind smile before nodding to both the barkeep and then to Daryos. Before the dwarf turns to head towards the childs table he grumbles to Daryos. "50 gold and I'll tell you what I know." before making his way towards the table.
Daryos can tell that the dwarf is very serious. He isn't just a dumb dwarf who has never left the continent... you get the impression that this is a man that knows things... and knows how to get things... and part of why he is seemingly angry is because he doesn't know anything about this continent you speak of.
When you think back to the spell that Jim Darkmagic cast, you struggle to recall exactly what type of teleportation spell it was. You remember joining hands and him having some kind of strange fork thing but none of that is helping you to determine what kind of spell was cast to bring you to Etharis.
Daryos is a bit confounded by what the dwarf says but realizes he might be telling the truth. Glancing over at the dwarf, the young white-haired noble then walks back to the minotaur, quietly informing him and Vesna about what the dwarf have said. "I get the sense that he is trustworthy and could help us with information. Would you agree that this could be worth 50 gp of the team's resources?" He then asks Kitaer, glancing over and smiling to the birthday party.
Kitaer turned his head and gave all his focus to Daryos and the dwarf when the war pick was shown but made no further move. A move could escalate things, looking most nonchalant instead often instills more caution in a person as they start wondering how you can be so calm... And indeed things calm quickly down, probably having nothing to do with himself.
When Daryos comes up and asks his opinion Kitaer gives it some thought. "Perhaps. Perhaps. It could be," Kitaer says, not totally convinced. "But information is the most precarious commodity of all. It's value as hard to capture as smoke. Reputations too have a value. I'd hate for our to be that of an easy touch... Perhaps introduce me to this bartender and let me get an opinion on his trustworthiness for myself?"
((Assuming Daryos introduces Kitaer he would then use his own insight: 10))
Kitaer has no real opinion of the Bartender and his trustworthiness (I assume I get no flash of insight with that roll) so he's willing to let the Decisioneer make the call. He'd still rather barter a bit first though. "Fifty gold seems an awfully high price when we have only just met. We plan on being here for the long haul... plague or no. I'd like to think we could have the start of a long beneficial relationship here. But fifty? Fifty for information with no reason for us to know it's good... To me that sounds like you're trying to have a one time payday off of people you will never see again. So let me put it plain... We're interested in the information you say you have. But what about you? You really looking to charge us the 'I never want to do business with you again' price or do you want to rethink the fifty and have us start building a relationship?"
Persuasion? 4 With advantage if Daryos helps? 13.
Depending on how that is received, Kitaer next tries to barter instead of exchanging gold... We have distillery supplies, a case of mugs, couple bottles of meade and various wines and spirits from the Weasel worth at least 50g. Perhaps, whatever price is agreed upon, the more charismatic Daryos could negotiate the unloading of goods instead of gold?
While Daryos and Kitaer seem to focus their attention on the barkeep, Vesna has stepped a bit closer to the child, while still keeping her distance so she doesn't intrude on her playing with her toys, offering the girl a shy smile. "You have a nice doll. Does it have a name?"
The cleric had looked around a bit nervously when they had first entered the establishment, feeling very out of her depth yet again. Now that she thinks about it, Vesna couldn't recall a time when she actually had visited a place like this before, although she'd come to know some of Waterdeep's innkeepers when they would stop by the temple.
"Oh, it is your birthday today? Happy birthday!" she adds when she realises there is a special occasion, smiling more warmly. "How old are you now?"
As her father approaches the table, Vesna nods politely at him, not having been paying attention to his interaction with their leader so far and missing their small argument.
Nesyax looks confused with Amber's mention of 'faevlin'. "Oh! What is that? I don't think I've ever heard of faevlin. They have upside-down heads?" She gives the woman a slight grin. "Sorry, probably showing how out of place I am here." She just then catches a glimpse of Larry returning to stage and his wink. She subtly tries to give him a little wave. "Ah! Looks like our music is back on!"
Stasyn will remain at his table as he waits for his companions to finish their conversations. If he had to hazard a guess Stasyn thinks they may have learned something useful as well. He will drum his fingers on the table as he enjoys Larry's next song.
OOC: I'm going to try to reply to the actions in and order that I think makes sense the best I can so let me know if anything gets confusing.
---Vesna Response---- Vesna approaches the table with the golden haired child. A couple of patrons sitting at the same table glance towards you but do not interfere. You can tell that they are there celebrating with the young girl, but there are no other children at the table. After sizing you up and not considering you a threat, they continue to talk between themselves and occasionally cast a glance your way.
"OH Hello! I don't think I've seen you around here before. You sure are pretty." The little girl says with a smile as the doll in her hand gives Vesna a small wave. "Her name is Molly... My daddy made her for me last year with his own hands." She boasts proudly with a big smile before holding her out closer to Vesna. When the doll is pushed out towards the cleric, she notices that the doll only has one arm similar to the barkeep. "I took one of her arms off to match daddy. I keep it in my pocket so I can put it back on if daddy ever gets his arm back." She adds in a very matter-of-fact way. "Yup! I turn 6 today! I even got some presents! Can you believe it!" The dwarven child them motions to a few other simple gifts sitting on the table. A small silver necklace, a carved wooden horse, and a small bag of hard candies lay in front of her on the table. She then leans a bit in her chair and holds her hand up close to her mouth before whispering to Vesna... "I wasn't expecting anything after daddy already traded his arm to make my birthday wish come true... but i'm not supposed to talk about that so you gotta keep it a secret" she says with a sly grin before turning to see her parents approaching their table with a small cake.
The little girls eyes light up and she places the doll on the table before clapping excitedly. "OH WOW! my favorite!" She exclaims before wiping a small tear from her eyes.
----Nesyax response---- When Nesyax asks about the faevlin, Ebony rolls her eyes. "Oh please don't encourage her..." She moans before Amber gives her a playful smack on the shoulder. "Oh quiet you.. I know what I saw." She barks back before smiling back to Nesyax. "Oh yes! you see a Faevlin is a fey-cursed goblin... so the name is combination of fey and goblin...."Amber whispers, leaning in close and wiggling her fingers as she describes the creatures. "Oh here we go..." Ebony complains before laying her head in her arms while Amber ignores her. "Anyway... supposedly an ancient clan of goblins betrayed a powerful fey creature and THAT creature cursed the goblins and turned them into Faevlin. In the dark they kind of look like a goblin but during the day it is easy to see the difference. They have teal skin and upsidown heads... and they can teleport around when attacked!" The red haired woman exclaims as she moves her hands around in the air as though imitating something disappearing and reappearing. "Look... Amber here used to earn some coin helping out at a library before we ended up here... and she used to read A LOT OF STORIES... sometimes I think she gets mixed up between what is real and what is fantasy..."Ebony sighs as she lifts her head up from her arms. "Hey! I strictly read non-fiction books thank you!" She retorts.
While the two women bicker between themselves, Larry the lute makes his way past towards the stage. Nesyax catches his eye and he offers her a wink and a flirty grin before flipping his long wavy hear over his shoulder.
----- Everyone----- A moment later the bard begins to strum a song that is familiar to you all and before you know it all the patrons in the building are singing a traditional happy birthdy song. The barkeep and the blond haired dwarf that you all assume to be his wife make their way towards the table with the young child and bring her a simple cake. All the patrons in the building sing along and there is a general feeling of happiness and hope that you have not felt since you arrived. Although Etharis so far has been a grim and harsh place... it is refreshing to see glimmers of hope that offer a glimpse into how life was not so long ago...
After the song, the Mrs Leadbelly cuts the cake and serves some to the young girl before offering slices to the other patrons within the tavern. Mr. Leadbelly gives the young girl a kiss on the forehead before making his way back behind the bar.
After the birthday song, the bard goes back to playing a few happy songs to keep the mood light.
------Kitaer and Daryos----- The dwarf assumes his position behind the bar and looks over both Daryos and kitaer with a stone faced expression. "So what do you say... we got a deal?" He asks leaning forward on the bar on his one arm and listening to the minotaurs offer. You can tell that he isn't exactly impressed with your speech but thinks a bit before replying. "Look big fella... Most folks I meet around here don't last long unless they are wearing scars like this..." He says as he points to the layers of scarring around his eyes and face. "Only a matter of time until you all are corpses... and I'm not interested in relationships with corpses... unlike yer friend Render." He says with an unsettling laugh. "Now... I heard you all looted the Wet Weasel, and I know they had some fine drink inside. I also know that turning the spirits you hauled out of a plague infested ruin into coin isn't going to be easy for you... So how about this deal. You keep the gold... but I want ALL the barrels of spirits you hauled out of there... I have a pretty good idea of how many barrels of drink you pulled out of that basement and I want it all." The dwarf then smiles wide. "I don't really think you are going to find anyone willing to buy it off of you... and unless you're really thirsty.. I don't really think you need those barrels... the bottles of wine and mead you collected should be enough for you two and your friends for a while..." The dwarf then steps back from the bar and rubs his beard, waiting for your response.
Daryos listens to the Dwarf's offer and turns to Kitaer, looking to him to make the decision on if this was resources well spent, but giving him a discreet nod to signal that he himself would be okay with this deal.
Kitaer would try to barter down a little bit "We do need a drink ourselves once in a while," he complains but he's not willing to let that squash the deal so he doesn't play hardball on it. ((Point of order, we only took the small kegs we could fill up, the huge main kegs are still there and probably not quite emptied. Details, details. If DM and Bartender are fine then I am fine :))
"Render?" Kitaer asks and looks to Daryos to see if he is familiar with the name.
"Well yes, our Majordomo."Daryos explains to the Minotaur with a polite smile. "We simply know him as Ren, hence the confusion." He turns and explains to the burly Dwarf.
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"I am Stasyn and I am pleasantly surprised to find a bard here in the Quarantined Zone. I bet you have heard of all kinds of stories. Can you tell me what you know of the Morbid Doctores and if you know anything about the Bone Collector or their minions. In return I am willing to offer this gold coin." he keeps the gold coin out for Larry to see.
Persuasion
16 rolled in game log.
As the burly dwarf mentions the hairy friend, Daryos frowns briefly, then turns and sees the Minotaur by the door. "Oh, that is just Kitaer, the gentlest and kindest of minotaurs, I highly doubt he would do anything that would make your lovely daughter cry." He turns back and says to the dwarf, then briefly glancing over at the dwarven girl playing with what presumably is her birthday presents. He also very much doubts the one-armed dwarf would turn the minotaur into a rug, or anything else for that matter, but keeps those thoughts to himself. "Congratulations to you and your daughter though, I hope this day will be a happy one for her, just say if there's anything you think we can contribute with that would make her birthday even better." He continues in a polite and pleasant tone, placing a golden coin on the barcounter to pay for the mug of ale and any information the rest would buy.
New rolls if needed
Persuasion: 7 + Guidance: 3
Insight: 11
Kitaer returns the wave and otherwise is kind, from afar, to the little girl. Meanwhile he also tries to keep an eye on each of the others just in case something comes up.
The two women smile at Nesyax when she takes a seat. "Sorry for being rude! My name's Amber by the way, and this is Ebony" She says while pointing to the dark skinned woman seated next to her Ebony gives a small wave and a gentle smile. Both women are wearing simple dresses that are worn but well maintained. "Oh! Well first thing you gotta do is avoid catchin the pox" The redheaded woman says with a smile. "Most don't live longer than a few days once you get it... terrible thing." Ebony chimes in leaning forward and putting her weight on her elbows. "We've been here for a few weeks now... we got caught murdering our husbands and got sent here. Don't feel too bad for them though! They pissed away all our money on ale and then took it out their frustrations on us when they got home. " The red haired woman holds up a fist and punches her other hand. "They had it coming" her friend smiles. "You arn't sick and you arn't covered in scars so I assume you're like us? What did you do to get banished here?' ebony asks leaning even closer as more of her weight rests on the table. "Oh don't be so nosey girl, it isn't polite" Amber says with a laugh before slapping Ebony on the shoulder. "Anyway! If you arn't sick and plan on living here for a while, you got to find a safe place to live and secure it. Make sure you can lock the doors at night and get yourself a good weapon. I heard rumors that if you DO want out of here... old LeadBelly can help get you out if you got enough coin." Amber smirks while Ebony rolls her eyes. "Really... i told you that isn't true."
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The bard takes a seat across from the verdan, running his hand through his wavey silken hair. "Well... a single gold coin isn't much to get excited about but... I've got a few minutes before I'm due back on stage." The halfling says with a wink. "The morbid plague doctor folks and their hideous looking outfits can be found all across Etharis. Rumor has it that their suits they wear protect them from catching weeping pox.... I would hope so because I don't know why anyone would dress like that without good reason. They seem to follow the plague and make money by curing those that can pay. Most can't though..." He says with a shrug. "As for this bone collecter... all I know is what I've heard since I've been in town. I guess he is some kind of fey creature... I heard maybe he can grant wishes or something in exchange for bones... Never saw him or his minions...." He then interlocks his fingers and rests his chin upon his hands. "maybe I could write a song about him if I knew more about him... do you plan to kill him?" The halfling asks as he locks eyes with Stasyn.
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The dwarf takes the coin and slips it into his pocket. "So this place here... " The dwarf raises his arm and gestures to the tavern. "I built this place... it's been mine for over 100 years and i'll be damned if disease or monster will take it from me." The burly dwarf says before grabbing a mug of ale and pouring himself a drink. "I apologize for assumin the worst about your friend by the door. You all are new and you arn't sick so I assume you're criminals." The dwarf says as though he knows the answer. "Strange they let criminals carry weapons though..." he adds as he looks over Daryos and his eyes move to the other members of the group... "So where did you all say you came from" He dwarf says as he eyes you up and down, squinting hard as he places his mug down on the bar. His hand then disappears behind the bar and you assume it is clutching some kind of weapon.
Stasyn lets out a small laugh "No I do not plan to kill it as I am trying to gather information of the dangers present in this Quarantined Zone. This gold coin may not be much under regular circumstances, but here in this plague infested place I wonder how many even have 2 coppers to rub against each other. This gold coin is enough to buy a hunk of meat from the butcher. I wonder would you truly turn away even 1 extra gold coin. Well, you have earned this coin and if in the future you have some other stories to share, please don't hesitate." he flicks off a piece of lint on her tailored coat as a subtle hint that he is a person worth knowing and that more gold may be in the bard's future if he had any more information. He then places the gold coin onto the table. Stasyn then asks, "I wonder how you found yourself in this detestable place as I see you are not covered in pustles or weeping leasions?"
So, the Morbid Doctores may have a cure that cost a fortune. Now that is interesting. I wonder if they not only follow the plague but also spread it so they are always in demand. That would be a cunning way to keep the gold coins coming in. I should share this with the others.
"Avoid the pox, yes, I kind of realized that right away," Nesyax says in response to the two ladies. "And I'm called Nesyax," she says to introduce herself. She brushes past questions about being a criminal. "You two must have a safe place then! You seem like pretty smart ladies. We'll have to keep that in mind!"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
"We're from Waterdeep, in Faerûn. We arrived yesterday to set up a business of monster hunting based out of the old church down the street, so we're not criminals you see." The young white-haired noble calmly explains with a polite smile. "As we find ourselves in a quarantine zone we are interested to know about the plague and the Morbus Doctore, but we're also making it our business to find the one you call the Bone Collector." He continues, trying to politely steer the converastion back to his questions.
Larry takes the coin and pulls it close before sliding it into his vest. "Well thank you for your generous tip... it is always nice to meet a patron of the arts such as yourself" The halfling says loudly with a smile and a wink. before standing up he leans across the table and gives his long silky hair a flip. "I'm only here as a favor of sorts... i'll be gone tomorrow... Sipping proper wine within the walls of Liesech. Enjoy the show because there won't be an encore" He whispers quietly. "But that's all i'll say for a single coin..." He then claps his hands together and the golden coin he had tucked away in his vest appears in the palm of his hand... a simple trick but enough to get some of the patrons nearby to give a small clap. He then stands up and makes his way towards the bar and grabs a drink before moving back towards the stage....
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As Daryos explains where they are from, the expression on the face of the dwarf twists in frustration. "So you must be working with Render then right? I'll tell you what I told him... you lot need a better story. There is no Faerun or Waterdeep. I've been to damned near every corner of Etharis and seen hundreds of maps in my day... and I aint ever heard of either of those places." The dwarf looks you up and down, his one arm still under the bar. "As a matter of fact... I got connections... and I like to know whose operating in my neighbor hood... and from what i can tell no one else has ever heard of those places either... So either you all are lying to me or this faerun happens to exist on some other plane of existence..." The dwarf kind of gives you a scowl and his eyes dart around the room towards not only your companions, but some of the other patrons sitting at the various tables that seem to be listening in on this conversation. "Tell me... are you spies? were you sent by the guard?" the dwarf takes a step back from the bar and you see him holding a war pick down by his side.
While this is going on, the bard grabs an ale from the counter and takes a large drink, eyeing both Leadbelly and Daryos before placing his mug down and moving back towards the stage.
OOC: Daryos, give me one more persuasion check and an arcana check as well
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Oblivious to the tension taking place at the bar, the two women continue to talk with their new friend. "Oh yes! There is definitely safety in numbers! we share a place and keep eachother safe! Us women got to stick together. Amber adds with a smile. "Even though there is safety in numbers, It's best not to be outside after dark but I'm sure you know that! Around here though... aside from the normal threats that roam Etharis... you got to watch out for faevlin around here." She says with a look of concern. The dark haired woman rolls her eyes. "Amber, I told you I think you just saw a goblin." she sighs before Amber snaps back. "I know what I saw Ebony! It was a faevlin roaming the streets after dark... giggling with its head all upsidown." The red haired woman looks very serious about what she saw while the dark haired women obviously doesn't believe her.
Around this time Larry is making his way towards the stage to continue his set and is passing by the table, he shoots a smile and a wink towards Nesyax.
"Yes, we're working with Render, and Faerûn is another continent than Etharis. If you have been near every corner of Etharis you must have heard there are other continents?" The young white-haired noble says, giving the burly dwarf an incredulous look. "If you have any good connections at least one of them should be able to tell you about Faerûn I would expect." He continues with a polite smile, not losing his temper with the insolent dwarf, yet.
Persuasion: 25 + Guidance: 3
Insight: 20
Arcana: 15
"OK, so say I believe you about being from Faerun... wherever that is... I don't think you understand mate." The dwarf seems to relax ever so slightly... "I know folks that have sailed the seas... I know folks who know powerful wizards... Liesech is a trading hub for all the world... or at least it used to be before the pox... and I've met people from every corner of it. If Faerun exists... it isn't on this plane." The dwarf says in a very mater-of-fact tone.
"Anyway... I'd prefer if you were criminals... at least then I'd know what kind of folks I was dealing with..." The dwarf sucks on a tooth and then looks over towards his daughter before placing the war pick back under the bar. He pours himself another drink and downs it quickly before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Before he can say anything else, a wooden door opens behind him and a blond haired dwarven women holding a small simple cake walks out. "it's time for cake dear." The female dwarf says with a kind smile before nodding to both the barkeep and then to Daryos. Before the dwarf turns to head towards the childs table he grumbles to Daryos. "50 gold and I'll tell you what I know." before making his way towards the table.
Daryos can tell that the dwarf is very serious. He isn't just a dumb dwarf who has never left the continent... you get the impression that this is a man that knows things... and knows how to get things... and part of why he is seemingly angry is because he doesn't know anything about this continent you speak of.
When you think back to the spell that Jim Darkmagic cast, you struggle to recall exactly what type of teleportation spell it was. You remember joining hands and him having some kind of strange fork thing but none of that is helping you to determine what kind of spell was cast to bring you to Etharis.
Daryos is a bit confounded by what the dwarf says but realizes he might be telling the truth. Glancing over at the dwarf, the young white-haired noble then walks back to the minotaur, quietly informing him and Vesna about what the dwarf have said. "I get the sense that he is trustworthy and could help us with information. Would you agree that this could be worth 50 gp of the team's resources?" He then asks Kitaer, glancing over and smiling to the birthday party.
Kitaer turned his head and gave all his focus to Daryos and the dwarf when the war pick was shown but made no further move. A move could escalate things, looking most nonchalant instead often instills more caution in a person as they start wondering how you can be so calm... And indeed things calm quickly down, probably having nothing to do with himself.
When Daryos comes up and asks his opinion Kitaer gives it some thought. "Perhaps. Perhaps. It could be," Kitaer says, not totally convinced. "But information is the most precarious commodity of all. It's value as hard to capture as smoke. Reputations too have a value. I'd hate for our to be that of an easy touch... Perhaps introduce me to this bartender and let me get an opinion on his trustworthiness for myself?"
((Assuming Daryos introduces Kitaer he would then use his own insight: 10))
Kitaer has no real opinion of the Bartender and his trustworthiness (I assume I get no flash of insight with that roll) so he's willing to let the Decisioneer make the call. He'd still rather barter a bit first though. "Fifty gold seems an awfully high price when we have only just met. We plan on being here for the long haul... plague or no. I'd like to think we could have the start of a long beneficial relationship here. But fifty? Fifty for information with no reason for us to know it's good... To me that sounds like you're trying to have a one time payday off of people you will never see again. So let me put it plain... We're interested in the information you say you have. But what about you? You really looking to charge us the 'I never want to do business with you again' price or do you want to rethink the fifty and have us start building a relationship?"
Persuasion? 4 With advantage if Daryos helps? 13.
Depending on how that is received, Kitaer next tries to barter instead of exchanging gold... We have distillery supplies, a case of mugs, couple bottles of meade and various wines and spirits from the Weasel worth at least 50g. Perhaps, whatever price is agreed upon, the more charismatic Daryos could negotiate the unloading of goods instead of gold?
Daryos would indeed assist with negotiations but he would wait until the dwarf is finished with his daughter and has moved back to the bar.
Persuasion regarding accepting goods instead of gold: 18 + Guidance: 1
While Daryos and Kitaer seem to focus their attention on the barkeep, Vesna has stepped a bit closer to the child, while still keeping her distance so she doesn't intrude on her playing with her toys, offering the girl a shy smile. "You have a nice doll. Does it have a name?"
The cleric had looked around a bit nervously when they had first entered the establishment, feeling very out of her depth yet again. Now that she thinks about it, Vesna couldn't recall a time when she actually had visited a place like this before, although she'd come to know some of Waterdeep's innkeepers when they would stop by the temple.
"Oh, it is your birthday today? Happy birthday!" she adds when she realises there is a special occasion, smiling more warmly. "How old are you now?"
As her father approaches the table, Vesna nods politely at him, not having been paying attention to his interaction with their leader so far and missing their small argument.
Aeran Dormaris - L2 Paladin on his way to Phandelver
Vesna March - L1 Cleric in Etharis
DM The Missing Farmer
Nesyax looks confused with Amber's mention of 'faevlin'. "Oh! What is that? I don't think I've ever heard of faevlin. They have upside-down heads?" She gives the woman a slight grin. "Sorry, probably showing how out of place I am here." She just then catches a glimpse of Larry returning to stage and his wink. She subtly tries to give him a little wave. "Ah! Looks like our music is back on!"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Stasyn will remain at his table as he waits for his companions to finish their conversations. If he had to hazard a guess Stasyn thinks they may have learned something useful as well. He will drum his fingers on the table as he enjoys Larry's next song.
OOC: I'm going to try to reply to the actions in and order that I think makes sense the best I can so let me know if anything gets confusing.
---Vesna Response----
Vesna approaches the table with the golden haired child. A couple of patrons sitting at the same table glance towards you but do not interfere. You can tell that they are there celebrating with the young girl, but there are no other children at the table. After sizing you up and not considering you a threat, they continue to talk between themselves and occasionally cast a glance your way.
"OH Hello! I don't think I've seen you around here before. You sure are pretty." The little girl says with a smile as the doll in her hand gives Vesna a small wave. "Her name is Molly... My daddy made her for me last year with his own hands." She boasts proudly with a big smile before holding her out closer to Vesna. When the doll is pushed out towards the cleric, she notices that the doll only has one arm similar to the barkeep. "I took one of her arms off to match daddy. I keep it in my pocket so I can put it back on if daddy ever gets his arm back." She adds in a very matter-of-fact way. "Yup! I turn 6 today! I even got some presents! Can you believe it!" The dwarven child them motions to a few other simple gifts sitting on the table. A small silver necklace, a carved wooden horse, and a small bag of hard candies lay in front of her on the table. She then leans a bit in her chair and holds her hand up close to her mouth before whispering to Vesna... "I wasn't expecting anything after daddy already traded his arm to make my birthday wish come true... but i'm not supposed to talk about that so you gotta keep it a secret" she says with a sly grin before turning to see her parents approaching their table with a small cake.
The little girls eyes light up and she places the doll on the table before clapping excitedly. "OH WOW! my favorite!" She exclaims before wiping a small tear from her eyes.
----Nesyax response----
When Nesyax asks about the faevlin, Ebony rolls her eyes. "Oh please don't encourage her..." She moans before Amber gives her a playful smack on the shoulder. "Oh quiet you.. I know what I saw." She barks back before smiling back to Nesyax. "Oh yes! you see a Faevlin is a fey-cursed goblin... so the name is combination of fey and goblin...." Amber whispers, leaning in close and wiggling her fingers as she describes the creatures. "Oh here we go..." Ebony complains before laying her head in her arms while Amber ignores her. "Anyway... supposedly an ancient clan of goblins betrayed a powerful fey creature and THAT creature cursed the goblins and turned them into Faevlin. In the dark they kind of look like a goblin but during the day it is easy to see the difference. They have teal skin and upsidown heads... and they can teleport around when attacked!" The red haired woman exclaims as she moves her hands around in the air as though imitating something disappearing and reappearing. "Look... Amber here used to earn some coin helping out at a library before we ended up here... and she used to read A LOT OF STORIES... sometimes I think she gets mixed up between what is real and what is fantasy..." Ebony sighs as she lifts her head up from her arms. "Hey! I strictly read non-fiction books thank you!" She retorts.
While the two women bicker between themselves, Larry the lute makes his way past towards the stage. Nesyax catches his eye and he offers her a wink and a flirty grin before flipping his long wavy hear over his shoulder.
----- Everyone-----
A moment later the bard begins to strum a song that is familiar to you all and before you know it all the patrons in the building are singing a traditional happy birthdy song. The barkeep and the blond haired dwarf that you all assume to be his wife make their way towards the table with the young child and bring her a simple cake. All the patrons in the building sing along and there is a general feeling of happiness and hope that you have not felt since you arrived. Although Etharis so far has been a grim and harsh place... it is refreshing to see glimmers of hope that offer a glimpse into how life was not so long ago...
After the song, the Mrs Leadbelly cuts the cake and serves some to the young girl before offering slices to the other patrons within the tavern. Mr. Leadbelly gives the young girl a kiss on the forehead before making his way back behind the bar.
After the birthday song, the bard goes back to playing a few happy songs to keep the mood light.
------Kitaer and Daryos-----
The dwarf assumes his position behind the bar and looks over both Daryos and kitaer with a stone faced expression. "So what do you say... we got a deal?" He asks leaning forward on the bar on his one arm and listening to the minotaurs offer. You can tell that he isn't exactly impressed with your speech but thinks a bit before replying. "Look big fella... Most folks I meet around here don't last long unless they are wearing scars like this..." He says as he points to the layers of scarring around his eyes and face. "Only a matter of time until you all are corpses... and I'm not interested in relationships with corpses... unlike yer friend Render." He says with an unsettling laugh. "Now... I heard you all looted the Wet Weasel, and I know they had some fine drink inside. I also know that turning the spirits you hauled out of a plague infested ruin into coin isn't going to be easy for you... So how about this deal. You keep the gold... but I want ALL the barrels of spirits you hauled out of there... I have a pretty good idea of how many barrels of drink you pulled out of that basement and I want it all." The dwarf then smiles wide. "I don't really think you are going to find anyone willing to buy it off of you... and unless you're really thirsty.. I don't really think you need those barrels... the bottles of wine and mead you collected should be enough for you two and your friends for a while..." The dwarf then steps back from the bar and rubs his beard, waiting for your response.
Daryos listens to the Dwarf's offer and turns to Kitaer, looking to him to make the decision on if this was resources well spent, but giving him a discreet nod to signal that he himself would be okay with this deal.
Kitaer would try to barter down a little bit "We do need a drink ourselves once in a while," he complains but he's not willing to let that squash the deal so he doesn't play hardball on it. ((Point of order, we only took the small kegs we could fill up, the huge main kegs are still there and probably not quite emptied. Details, details. If DM and Bartender are fine then I am fine :))
"Render?" Kitaer asks and looks to Daryos to see if he is familiar with the name.
"Well yes, our Majordomo." Daryos explains to the Minotaur with a polite smile. "We simply know him as Ren, hence the confusion." He turns and explains to the burly Dwarf.