Coriana had a spicy lamprey soup and some wine. She decides the gambling looks a little too insular to ingratiate herself by joining. She agrees they should try to see if this place has room to let.
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Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Khessa listens fascinatedly to Xanrym's explanation, also asking if he remembers from whom he learned this information... does he perhaps have a background as a rock scholar?
Xanrym says, "Ah, no. I was never a proper scholar, but, you know, I just pick up bits and pieces of information here and there." He explains that he learned some of it years ago from an old dwarf who complained about goblin caves and the uninspired and shoddy tombs of humans. "He told tales of great works of the dwarves in their homes underground but also of natural wonders, like a chamber full of flowstone that was so beautiful that the dwarves wouldn't touch it or attempt to improve on what Nature had created." The information about aqueous solutions, "Well, that's something I learned more recently as I sought out other information." After his encounters with the naga and then the sahuagin and "maw demons," he wanted to learn more about poisons and acids. During the many weeks of downtime, he has spent many long evenings puzzling over treatises on alchemy in the Great Library of the Free City of Greyhawk. Or listening to any alchemist who'd explain their craft to him.
(OOC: bard --> jack of all traces, master of none. Xanrym is ~30 years old, and he's been hovering around the edge of adventures for many years before his recent experience with the Company of the Grey Chain.)
After his recent encounter with the Aboleth, Xanrym doesn't want anything to do with fish or lamprey or anything like that. And while the cockroaches are strange and exotic, he doesn't want to spend his first night in Pedestal sick and weak. He sticks to food that he feels confident that he'll be able to keep down: mushroom soup, "cabbage," and some bread and cheese. (He does not ask what type of creature provided the milk, but he's confident that it's not from a fish!)
"Anyway, considering how untalkative everyone seems here,"
Xanrym comments on that, "Yes, the server's silence seems more than natural reticence. Do you think that they 'took a vow', or could they be enchanted in some way?"
Xanrym agrees that they should get rooms, if they can, but says that he was thinking of introducing himself to one of the Gray Dwarves, the one at the table, not playing dice. "It might be good to know more of the 'locals' so that we're not always seen keeping to ourselves. We got on pretty well with Bruthwol Coalhauler..."
"Speaking of which," Xanrym asks, "what's our 'cover story' if someone asks what we're doing here in Pedestal?"
Khessa gently places a hand on Xanrym's arm: "Well, my friend, you're certainly much better at social interactions than I am, and you know what you're doing, but... are you really sure it's so important to attempt a conversation now? If, by some unfortunate chance, something like the Kuo-Toa happened and something went wrong, we could find ourselves in trouble... I'd feel more comfortable talking after I'd regained my strength. If those Gray Dwarves are gone... maybe there will be others, right?"
"Anyway, as a cover story," the blonde arcane warrior whispers "perhaps the one that's best for us is the one the Kuo-Toa have mistakenly understood, that is, that we intend to become agents of Es Sarch—for a fee, of course. That way, since I doubt we'll ever be able to clear things up with the Blueknight, we might at least win the support of one of the other factions. And our fee could be information—first about our quarry... and maybe later about my family."
It's up to Xanrym what he wants to do with that advice: Talk to the Duergar with his cover story, or leave it until you've had a chance to rest, possibly losing the opportunity to get information until later.
Khessa gently places a hand on Xanrym's arm: "Well, my friend, you're certainly much better at social interactions than I am, and you know what you're doing, but... are you really sure it's so important to attempt a conversation now? If, by some unfortunate chance, something like the Kuo-Toa happened and something went wrong, we could find ourselves in trouble... I'd feel more comfortable talking after I'd regained my strength.
Xanrym says, "I wouldn't be pressing for information or anything like that. Just friendly conversation with a stranger at a pub." You're not sure whether Xanrym is really this comfortable with talking to strangers in an Underdark tavern or is simply underestimating the potential danger there could be in the Underdark in general (and in Pedestal in particular). Perhaps he's just eager to redeem himself after nearly betraying the party to an Aboleth and then giving advice about talking to the Kuo-Toa that triggered the fight at the gatehouse? In any case, Xanrym seems pretty insistent on making some sort of contact before the end of the day. He stands up and says, "Don't feel like you need to come rescue me unless they're literally dragging me away. I'm pretty good at talking my way out of trouble, and I can always run and hide if I get in over my head." If anyone else wants to go with him to meet the dwarves, that's fine with him. He just asks that no one draw a weapon unless they're actually attacked. And even then, he'd prefer to take a non-lethal approach...
"Anyway, as a cover story," the blonde arcane warrior whispers "perhaps the one that's best for us is the one the Kuo-Toa have mistakenly understood, that is, that we intend to become agents of Es Sarch—for a fee, of course.
Xanrym has no objections to this idea, but he says, "It goes further than I meant! Until we know the situation here better, I would just say that we're looking for information. The most I'd say is that something was stolen that's of particular interest to us, and we believe that it was brought to or through Pedestal."
It's up to Xanrym what he wants to do with that advice: Talk to the Duergar with his cover story, or leave it until you've had a chance to rest, possibly losing the opportunity to get information until later.
Xanrym's going for it. Ideally, he would wait until he's feeling refreshed. (OOC: @drumdigby - Could we count a Short Rest before Xanrym gets up to talk to the Duergar? I told you that I'd be asking for Short Rests now that Xanrym has Font of Inspiration! I guess that The Company has been sitting at a tavern for an hour, just relaxing and having a good meal.)
Xanrym will take his mug and walk casually over toward the Duergar. He stops short of the one dressed in black and sitting at the table, watching the dice game for a bit if that's going on. (If they invite him to join the game, he declines, indicating that after his day, he wouldn't trust his luck at dice. But he matches the tone that they use to address him, polite or boisterous or confrontational.) Finally, he looks to the Duergar in all black and nods politely. He'll wait to see whether the dwarf addresses him in any way. It's easier for him to respond than to strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger.
Finally, he looks to the Duergar in all black and nods politely. He'll wait to see whether the dwarf addresses him in any way. It's easier for him to respond than to strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger.
While he waits, Xanrym keeps an eye out for any signs of the Duergar's faction affiliation (badges or tattoos, especially ones that depict a scythe or a golden wand). Perception: 26
If the Duergar does not say anything, Xanrym finally looks directly at him again, nods, and asks, "Do you live here in Pedestal?" (He speaks in Common, hoping that this Duergar understands Common, like Bruthwol.) Basically, Xanrym just wants to get some conversation started. He figures that as long as the dwarf is not on a secret mission, a conversation about his business in Pedestal should be a neutral topic that could lead to hints about any affiliation that the dwarves have or at least to the current status of the conflict in Pedestal. (Or even if he is on a secret mission, if he's an experienced spy, he should be comfortable telling someone his cover story.) Xanrym tries to keep the conversation fairly shallow at first as he feels out the Duergar's mood, and he's happy to buy the Duergar a drink if he seems willing to talk.
The most Xanrym wants to reveal is
This is his first visit to Pedestal.
He and his Company is looking for some information.
They were told that they should visit the Dripstone Inn.
Other than that, Xanrym mostly chats about their environs, providing colorful descriptions and polite amazement at the Great Grotto, the Sullen Sea (and, without going into any details, the dangers that lurk beneath its waters), the facade of the Dripstone Inn, the more remarkable people in the tavern, etc. While he talks, he tries to draw the Duergar into revealing anything about the dwarf's business in the city, where The Company might learn more information about what's going on in the city, or the history of Pedestal and the plague that befell the city.
Persuasion: 18, (min value from Silver Tongue feature)
From the weapons worn openly and the dark clothing, you guess this Duergar must be part Pedestal's notorious Assassin's Guild. The Duergar at first continues to ignore you and watch the room, but when you buy him a drink he takes it and finally looks at you, "I gotta admit, it's not often people come to me for information, most of the time its for... other services. But I've lived in Pedestal a long time now and I suppose I can tell you a few things. My name's Regrak, and it's no secret that I'm part of the most powerful group in town, if you haven't heard of us, consider yourself lucky. What do you want to know?" The grey dwarf's manner is cold, but you get the feeling he's somewhat amused by you, and he is definitely surprised you asking him questions instead of asking him for services. Maybe you can't trust everything he says, but he'll tell you some things (with a Persuasion roll of 18).
(OOC: OK. Like usual, I'll cram a bunch of things into one post to speed things up for play-by-post. Really, this should be Xanrym's side of a natural back-and-forth conversation. He gets as far through his questions as he can, stopping and wrapping up early if he senses that Regrak is upset or has ceased to be amused.)
"Thank you, Regrak," Xanrym says. He orders and pays for their drinks to get a moment to steady himself. While Regrak seems amused and in good humor, Xanrym realizes that there's real danger here. Given the disaster at the gatehouse and what he said to Khessa, Xanrym wants to be careful here. He takes a seat, and says, "My name is Xanrym, and I am indeed happy to meet a long-time resident here." He offers a toast and smiles in a knowing manner, "To new connections! And may we never meet in your more professional capacity!"
Xanrym tries to keep the conversation casual, and he looks around the common room of the inn, making bland comments on the dice game or other patrons, in between asking questions. He wants Regrak to feel like they're having a conversation, not like he's being interrogated. The questions he asks during the conversation while they finish their drink:
"Are there parts of Pedestal or the Great Grotto where it's not safe for even a high-ranking member of the Guild to go? It's my first time in Pedestal, and I wouldn't want to accidentally 'wander into a dragon's den,' as the saying goes."
"Does one of the factions in Pedestal control this fine inn? Or is it considered a sort of neutral territory?" If Regrak requires more prompting or gives a vague answer, Xanrym says, "I just wouldn't want to end up in the middle of an inter-faction squabble. I thought that The Inheritors, at least, avoided the Dripstone Inn." He does not explain where he got that information / impression.
"Who is this fellow in the crimson robes? Do they come here often? And if I need more...ah...detailed information, do you think it would be profitable to talk with them?"
"Do the members of House Dusklorn identify themselves? Are they the ones who wear the Scythe badges?"
"If you've lived here for a long time, I guess you must know about the plague that brought down the original ruling powers here? Do you know what kind of plague was it? I heard that it was magical but nothing about how it spreads or what happened to the infected."
If Xanrym can get through those questions in the course of their drinks together, then he'll wrap up the conversation. Before he gets up, Xanrym says, "I thank you for your time, Regrak, and the stimulating conversation. Do you have any other advice for a newcomer to Pedestal?"
Speculative skill checks for the conversation, in case one was called for:
Persuasion: 25 (min value from Silver Tongue feature) - to keep the information flowing / persuading him to say more
Deception: 17 (min value from Silver Tongue feature) - to avoid revealing anything beyond what I explicitly said here and that Xarym is looking for information. If Regrak asks for more details, he'll just say that something was stolen that's of particular interest to him, and he believes that it was brought to or through Pedestal. He's trying to find out more.
Insight: 7 - to determine whether Regrak is lying or omitting any information. Also to determine whether Regrak would like to be done with the conversation before Xanrym is done with his questions so that Xanrym can just wrap up early and end the conversation on a good footing.
Perception: 25 - trying to keep an eye out to see whether anyone is listening in on their conversation
Theldrin continues to try to keep a low profile at the party's table, slowly sipping his wine and watching Xanrym's interaction with Regrak out of the corner of his eye.
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Coriana had a spicy lamprey soup and some wine. She decides the gambling looks a little too insular to ingratiate herself by joining. She agrees they should try to see if this place has room to let.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Avery agrees, he could use some rest to heal up from the last fight
Xanrym says, "Ah, no. I was never a proper scholar, but, you know, I just pick up bits and pieces of information here and there." He explains that he learned some of it years ago from an old dwarf who complained about goblin caves and the uninspired and shoddy tombs of humans. "He told tales of great works of the dwarves in their homes underground but also of natural wonders, like a chamber full of flowstone that was so beautiful that the dwarves wouldn't touch it or attempt to improve on what Nature had created." The information about aqueous solutions, "Well, that's something I learned more recently as I sought out other information." After his encounters with the naga and then the sahuagin and "maw demons," he wanted to learn more about poisons and acids. During the many weeks of downtime, he has spent many long evenings puzzling over treatises on alchemy in the Great Library of the Free City of Greyhawk. Or listening to any alchemist who'd explain their craft to him.
(OOC: bard --> jack of all traces, master of none. Xanrym is ~30 years old, and he's been hovering around the edge of adventures for many years before his recent experience with the Company of the Grey Chain.)
After his recent encounter with the Aboleth, Xanrym doesn't want anything to do with fish or lamprey or anything like that. And while the cockroaches are strange and exotic, he doesn't want to spend his first night in Pedestal sick and weak. He sticks to food that he feels confident that he'll be able to keep down: mushroom soup, "cabbage," and some bread and cheese. (He does not ask what type of creature provided the milk, but he's confident that it's not from a fish!)
Xanrym comments on that, "Yes, the server's silence seems more than natural reticence. Do you think that they 'took a vow', or could they be enchanted in some way?"
Xanrym agrees that they should get rooms, if they can, but says that he was thinking of introducing himself to one of the Gray Dwarves, the one at the table, not playing dice. "It might be good to know more of the 'locals' so that we're not always seen keeping to ourselves. We got on pretty well with Bruthwol Coalhauler..."
"Speaking of which," Xanrym asks, "what's our 'cover story' if someone asks what we're doing here in Pedestal?"
Khessa gently places a hand on Xanrym's arm: "Well, my friend, you're certainly much better at social interactions than I am, and you know what you're doing, but... are you really sure it's so important to attempt a conversation now? If, by some unfortunate chance, something like the Kuo-Toa happened and something went wrong, we could find ourselves in trouble... I'd feel more comfortable talking after I'd regained my strength. If those Gray Dwarves are gone... maybe there will be others, right?"
"Anyway, as a cover story," the blonde arcane warrior whispers "perhaps the one that's best for us is the one the Kuo-Toa have mistakenly understood, that is, that we intend to become agents of Es Sarch—for a fee, of course. That way, since I doubt we'll ever be able to clear things up with the Blueknight, we might at least win the support of one of the other factions. And our fee could be information—first about our quarry... and maybe later about my family."
It's up to Xanrym what he wants to do with that advice: Talk to the Duergar with his cover story, or leave it until you've had a chance to rest, possibly losing the opportunity to get information until later.
Xanrym says, "I wouldn't be pressing for information or anything like that. Just friendly conversation with a stranger at a pub." You're not sure whether Xanrym is really this comfortable with talking to strangers in an Underdark tavern or is simply underestimating the potential danger there could be in the Underdark in general (and in Pedestal in particular). Perhaps he's just eager to redeem himself after nearly betraying the party to an Aboleth and then giving advice about talking to the Kuo-Toa that triggered the fight at the gatehouse? In any case, Xanrym seems pretty insistent on making some sort of contact before the end of the day. He stands up and says, "Don't feel like you need to come rescue me unless they're literally dragging me away. I'm pretty good at talking my way out of trouble, and I can always run and hide if I get in over my head." If anyone else wants to go with him to meet the dwarves, that's fine with him. He just asks that no one draw a weapon unless they're actually attacked. And even then, he'd prefer to take a non-lethal approach...
Xanrym has no objections to this idea, but he says, "It goes further than I meant! Until we know the situation here better, I would just say that we're looking for information. The most I'd say is that something was stolen that's of particular interest to us, and we believe that it was brought to or through Pedestal."
Xanrym's going for it. Ideally, he would wait until he's feeling refreshed. (OOC: @drumdigby - Could we count a Short Rest before Xanrym gets up to talk to the Duergar? I told you that I'd be asking for Short Rests now that Xanrym has Font of Inspiration! I guess that The Company has been sitting at a tavern for an hour, just relaxing and having a good meal.)
Xanrym will take his mug and walk casually over toward the Duergar. He stops short of the one dressed in black and sitting at the table, watching the dice game for a bit if that's going on. (If they invite him to join the game, he declines, indicating that after his day, he wouldn't trust his luck at dice. But he matches the tone that they use to address him, polite or boisterous or confrontational.) Finally, he looks to the Duergar in all black and nods politely. He'll wait to see whether the dwarf addresses him in any way. It's easier for him to respond than to strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger.
Yeah go ahead and mark a Short Rest all. The Duergar doesn't nod back, but just smiles slightly, more to himself than at you.
While he waits, Xanrym keeps an eye out for any signs of the Duergar's faction affiliation (badges or tattoos, especially ones that depict a scythe or a golden wand). Perception: 26
If the Duergar does not say anything, Xanrym finally looks directly at him again, nods, and asks, "Do you live here in Pedestal?" (He speaks in Common, hoping that this Duergar understands Common, like Bruthwol.) Basically, Xanrym just wants to get some conversation started. He figures that as long as the dwarf is not on a secret mission, a conversation about his business in Pedestal should be a neutral topic that could lead to hints about any affiliation that the dwarves have or at least to the current status of the conflict in Pedestal. (Or even if he is on a secret mission, if he's an experienced spy, he should be comfortable telling someone his cover story.) Xanrym tries to keep the conversation fairly shallow at first as he feels out the Duergar's mood, and he's happy to buy the Duergar a drink if he seems willing to talk.
The most Xanrym wants to reveal is
Other than that, Xanrym mostly chats about their environs, providing colorful descriptions and polite amazement at the Great Grotto, the Sullen Sea (and, without going into any details, the dangers that lurk beneath its waters), the facade of the Dripstone Inn, the more remarkable people in the tavern, etc. While he talks, he tries to draw the Duergar into revealing anything about the dwarf's business in the city, where The Company might learn more information about what's going on in the city, or the history of Pedestal and the plague that befell the city.
Persuasion: 18, (min value from Silver Tongue feature)
From the weapons worn openly and the dark clothing, you guess this Duergar must be part Pedestal's notorious Assassin's Guild. The Duergar at first continues to ignore you and watch the room, but when you buy him a drink he takes it and finally looks at you, "I gotta admit, it's not often people come to me for information, most of the time its for... other services. But I've lived in Pedestal a long time now and I suppose I can tell you a few things. My name's Regrak, and it's no secret that I'm part of the most powerful group in town, if you haven't heard of us, consider yourself lucky. What do you want to know?" The grey dwarf's manner is cold, but you get the feeling he's somewhat amused by you, and he is definitely surprised you asking him questions instead of asking him for services. Maybe you can't trust everything he says, but he'll tell you some things (with a Persuasion roll of 18).
(OOC: OK. Like usual, I'll cram a bunch of things into one post to speed things up for play-by-post. Really, this should be Xanrym's side of a natural back-and-forth conversation. He gets as far through his questions as he can, stopping and wrapping up early if he senses that Regrak is upset or has ceased to be amused.)
"Thank you, Regrak," Xanrym says. He orders and pays for their drinks to get a moment to steady himself. While Regrak seems amused and in good humor, Xanrym realizes that there's real danger here. Given the disaster at the gatehouse and what he said to Khessa, Xanrym wants to be careful here. He takes a seat, and says, "My name is Xanrym, and I am indeed happy to meet a long-time resident here." He offers a toast and smiles in a knowing manner, "To new connections! And may we never meet in your more professional capacity!"
Xanrym tries to keep the conversation casual, and he looks around the common room of the inn, making bland comments on the dice game or other patrons, in between asking questions. He wants Regrak to feel like they're having a conversation, not like he's being interrogated. The questions he asks during the conversation while they finish their drink:
If Regrak requires more prompting or gives a vague answer, Xanrym says, "I just wouldn't want to end up in the middle of an inter-faction squabble. I thought that The Inheritors, at least, avoided the Dripstone Inn." He does not explain where he got that information / impression.
If Xanrym can get through those questions in the course of their drinks together, then he'll wrap up the conversation. Before he gets up, Xanrym says, "I thank you for your time, Regrak, and the stimulating conversation. Do you have any other advice for a newcomer to Pedestal?"
Speculative skill checks for the conversation, in case one was called for:
Coriana takes a moment to recall how brazen weapons are carried in this city, are people walking about with sheathed weapons.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Theldrin continues to try to keep a low profile at the party's table, slowly sipping his wine and watching Xanrym's interaction with Regrak out of the corner of his eye.