Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"

Aldric scowls. It's just like an elf to be so difficult.

Standing, the old knight puts on his kettle helm and walks out, heading for wherever Kaylessa thought he might find manacles.

Arkun stands and goes to the counter, putting down enough coin to get a room, then makes his way upstairs for the night, SHEH.  (shaking his elf head)

Rumble winced at Arkun's stance on things. But, with Aldric wordlessly seeming to let the matter drop in favor of doing at least something productive for the remainder of the day, the earth genasi could only let out an awkward chuckle following the man's departure. "I guess that's -- oh, uhh, er, well, see you on the morning, Arkun..." He trails off from there weakly waving a hand goodbye as the druid departed from the table.

He then looked to Melek, his sole remaining companion for the evening, and with a sheepish smile says, "Sooo, uhh, shall I show you to the shrine? It ain't too far from here. I can even introduce you to the folk there while I'm at it." Assuming Melek agrees, Rumble only lingers long enough to pay off any unsettled debts from the meal, before taking point in guiding Melek on over to the temple. 

Unperturbed by the departure of the other two, Melek finishes his supper and then nods to Rumble. Lead the way, friend he says as he rises from the table. Bathed, clothed and fed, he is now more than ready to present himself before the gods.

"Ah, well for somethin' like that ole Vallivoe will be able to sort ya out," Kaylessa answers Aldric. "He runs the sundries shop at the south end of town, he's a good sort. Carries plenty so's all the caravans that come through can restock, and there's supposed to be one rollin' through from Mirabar afore too long." She turns all business when Arkun requests his room and calls for Ghileeda. The young maid scuttles in from a back room and wipes her hands off on her apron. "Take this fine gentleman up to his room, will ya?" Kaylessa asks her, telling Arkun, "Ghileeda knows the inn as well as I, so if I don't respond to a holler she can help ya." Ghileeda curtsies to Arkun and heads toward the stairs. "Right this way, sir," she says.

ALDRIC:

Aside from the bewildering profusion of doors, barrels, rotting old furniture, and tools leaning against its outside walls, the sundries shop at the south end of the Long Road looks like a private home. A small, faded sign on the front door reads "Vallivoe's Sundries", confirming Kaylessa's directions. The room inside is absolutely crammed to the rafters.

Furniture, lamps, carpets, mirrors, and a little bit of everything else litter the storefront in crowded aisles; just about anything could be for sale here. A human man in his late fifties is peering at the finer aspects of a gemstone with a magnifying glass when Aldric enters. His wispy white hair looks like it started the day combed over his balding crown, but has become tousled and now stands on end in places.

"Oh, hi there," he says quietly, standing to greet the orc. "What brings you in today? Don't think we've met before. Endrith Vallivoe," he reaches his hand out.

MELEK & RUMBLE:

"Hoi, big stony friend returns!" a boisterous, thickly accented Damaran voice greets you the moment you step through the doors of the Allfaiths Shrine. Its two wide, wooden doors stand open, and the man that greets you seems almost too large for the plain chapel and the stone altar that sit inside the small structure.

"And you bring new friend. I am Imdarr," he clasps Melek's hand in the firm grip of a warrior. "Priest of Tempus, but all are welcome here."

----

The square, two-story building across the street has a signboard painted with the images of a well-dressed lord and lady, one on each side of the board. Ornate scrollwork iron bars protect its windows, and the inside looks nothing like the other dusty, frontier buildings of Red Larch. Clean and tidy, the first story is spacious, with racks of clothing along the walls, and open space between. "One moment!" a man's voice calls down from the second story, before a finely dressed human gentleman saunters down the steps. "Why, hello there! Helvur Tarnlar, welcome to my clothier." He bows, a grand, sweeping gesture. "Oh my, you both look as if you've seen a sorrowful day of travel. Have no fear, I have just the thing for you. Would you like to take a look around, or are you seeking more of a stylized suggestion?"

----

Half-barrels planted with aromatic herbs and flowers flank the entrance of a large, well-appointed home that houses a tidy room functioning as a dressmaker's shop and a fitting room. The windows outside are decorated with flower-filled window boxes. Steam wafts out above a swinging door leading to a back room where muted chatter and laughter can be heard. Nobody is there to greet you, but a small bell sits on an end table near the door.

----

Walking north up the Long Road, you come across a building whose purpose is unknown, but carries a pungent scent through its front doors. Opposite this building, just north of The Helm at Highsun, three huge sheds stand in a triangle, surrounded by sturdy wooden wagons at all stages of assembly. The smell of the first building is quickly canceled out by the aromatic scent of baking bread coming from the next building on the left side of the road, with a hanging sign consisting of a carved and painted wooden round loaf the size of a small cart. Past that and the dressmaker's shop, a sign set on two small posts in a scrap of weedy lawn out front of a small house reads "Mellikho Stoneworks", just in front of a large quarry pit that begins just behind the house.

"Sir Aldric Harthstone, marshal of Westbridge," the old knight replies, working to put his frustrations behind him. He once again lets his half-orc eyes scan the cluttered building. "I'm looking for manacles," he says plainly.

Melek returns the handshake and the greeting with a respectful bow, and makes a point of producing a gold piece and looking around for a contribution box. Glad to meet another man of faith, Melek gives his name and asks questions that come to mind, happy to include Rumble in the conversation.

His questions to Imdarr center around the Tempus priest's duties and association with Red Larch: How long has be been here? What brought him here? Why is the shrine administered by a representative of the war god, rather than say Chauntea or Tymora or someone more neutral and rural-oriented?

If asked, Melek is eager to share that he was raised as a priest of Torm, based in a parish close by Waterdeep, and that he would frequent the Halls of Justice temple in the city. However it's clear to Imdarr that Melek has little experience with the operation of churches and the like in such provincial places as Red Larch.

Based on Imdarr's boisterous greeting, Melek assumes there is either no other worshippers present, or that maintaining a respectful quiet is not considered necessary, but he looks around the interior all the same, trying to get a sense of the kind of patronage the shrine enjoys, and whether any gods are more prominently represented.

When Melek does excuse himself and take the opportunity to perform his ritual devotions, it would be clear to Imdarr that Melek's rituals are not anything resembling the usual sacraments associated with the worship of Torm.

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((OOC: Apologies for the lack of dialog. I'll respond to the other prompts later when I have time to consider. Thanks for the detail!))

Greetings, citizen Helvur. I hope we have not disturbed you at this late hour, replies Melek, returning a much more reserved bow. He feels a little put out and self-conscious at Helvur's low regard of his casual town-wear, but then again, he hasn't had the chance to properly air and press it after being bundled in a travelling pack for so long. Who would have thought a town like Red Larch would produce such fashion critique!

Speaking for myself, I confess I intended only to peruse your fine establishment for now, but I would be glad of your counsel for future custom. May we look at your wares briefly? And then politely he adds: I would not wish to disturb your evening further.

--------------------------

Melek pauses outside the dressmaker's home and checks whether Rumble has any intention of visiting. He listens to determine whether the chatter and laughter is of the exclusively female variety... suspecting that the flowery decor may indicate a limited clientele... surprised as he is at the quality clothes offered at Helvur's he would be more surprised to learn that Red Larch's male population frequented scented baths. Melek on the other hand relishes the thought of a scented bath, but he can always pay a private visit some other time.

((Besides, the other two locations are probably sufficient for now.))

(OOC: Ngl. It took me a good minute there to figure out why there was suddenly talk about a clothier before finding Zorg's previous post about visiting there next. xD)

At The Shrine:

"That I do, sir, that I do!" Rumble responded with in kind. Though taken aback when Imdarr beat him to the punch with introductions, the genasi soon shrugged it off and settled for standing back to let Melek get his own business sorted out first. In his absentmindedness, his attention never drifts away from the exchange for even a moment. And yet, it took him maybe a second or so longer than it should've to really seize the opportunity to speak to Imdarr once Melek set his attention towards performing ritual devotions.

"Say, uhh, Imdarr? Quick question. Uhm... Actually, maybe two, err -- where's, uhh... shoot, what was her name? The other, uhh, attendee here? Gosh, I'm so bad at names, I'm sorry. But, uhm...." He sighs. "Let me just skip to the point a bit... Sort of." Rumble then proceeds to explain what happened at Lance Rock, and even pulls out the sheet of paper still bearing the insignia. At which point he asks if Imdarr has seen it around town or recognizes it. He then asks if it would be possible to have the Rock cleansed of any lingering negative influences.

Once he had his answers, and after clarifying/following up on things as need be to the best of his ability, he thanks Imdarr for his time before ultimately departing with Melek.

At Helvur's Clothier: 

Only after the fact would he realize the joint departure had been more so out of lack of thought than conscious decision, as he looks only confused when they wind up standing before the dressmaker shop. "Uhh... I mean, uhm... heh, actually I need to check in with local smithy, or next closest thing, to be honest." He says to Melek. "But, don't let me stop ya." He adds with chuckle, only to cut himself off prematurely as another thought occurs to him. "Actually, Helvur. If you got a spare sowing kit you could sell, that'a be 'preciated. Or, perhaps better yet, if I were to leave my top with ya, could ya see what you can do for it? I-I'll pay for something to where temporarily in the meantime as well."

Arkun closes the door to his room and crosses over to the bed, propping the pillows up.  He sets his carved badger Digby on the bedside table and sits criss cross apple sauce on the bed, taking out an ink pen and his journal, making notes about the adventures thus far, spending about an hour writing about it, making drawings with notations of the odd symbol in the Lord of Lance Rock's cave, with drawings of the various experiments under way.  After sufficient time, he leans up against the rough wall in the spot where a headboard would be, unfocusing his eyes.  He reaches out absentmindedly holding Digby in his left hand, he stares at the opposite wall and goes into a dreamlike state.  Four hours pass, but he stays in this manner even longer.  When he comes to, the morning arives and he shakes his head, setting Digby down and looking around the room, almost forgetting the evening prior he was so lost in his thoughts... 

ALDRIC:

"Sure, sure," Endrith says, looking to and fro. "Manacles, manacles...let's see..." He wanders between a couple of locations, opening and sifting through drawers, and moving some furniture around. "Not the most common request, but I can certainly help you out there. I do need to keep Sheriff Harburk and his trusties well equipped after all."

OOC: Just about anything on the Adventuring Gear list is available here, so let me know in total what Aldric would like to purchase.

MELEK & RUMBLE:

His questions to Imdarr center around the Tempus priest's duties and association with Red Larch: How long has be been here? What brought him here? Why is the shrine administered by a representative of the war god, rather than say Chauntea or Tymora or someone more neutral and rural-oriented?

"I am new, my friend. The Allfaiths Shrine is used by many faiths and owned by none. I am from Waterdeep, we make journey in pairs for stay in Red Larch," Imdarr explains. "And each priest and priestess worship different god or goddess. We relieve last priests of Tymora and Lathander, now we are Tempus and Sune. This first time for me though. Red Larch love Lymmura, she travel here for decades."

If asked, Melek is eager to share that he was raised as a priest of Torm, based in a parish close by Waterdeep, and that he would frequent the Halls of Justice temple in the city. However it's clear to Imdarr that Melek has little experience with the operation of churches and the like in such provincial places as Red Larch.

"A fellow Waterdhavian!" Imdarr bellows. "The Halls of Justice are big and beautiful, second only to House of Heroes," he guffaws, clapping Melek on the shoulder.

Based on Imdarr's boisterous greeting, Melek assumes there is either no other worshippers present, or that maintaining a respectful quiet is not considered necessary, but he looks around the interior all the same, trying to get a sense of the kind of patronage the shrine enjoys, and whether any gods are more prominently represented.

The chapel is quite plain, and while the doors have symbols of many deities painted on them, the inside of the structure is devoid of markings, a neutral place for those who worship.

"Say, uhh, Imdarr? Quick question. Uhm... Actually, maybe two, err -- where's, uhh... shoot, what was her name? The other, uhh, attendee here? Gosh, I'm so bad at names, I'm sorry. But, uhm...." He sighs. "Let me just skip to the point a bit... Sort of." Rumble then proceeds to explain what happened at Lance Rock, and even pulls out the sheet of paper still bearing the insignia. At which point he asks if Imdarr has seen it around town or recognizes it. He then asks if it would be possible to have the Rock cleansed of any lingering negative influences.

"Lymmura is in back. I will get her," Imdarr says. Moments later, he returns to the small chapel with a much older human woman in tow. "Oh hello again, lovely to see you," she bows to Rumble, then introduces herself to Melek. When Rumble shows them the insignia, Imdarr simply shrugs. Lymmura looks at it a moment longer. "You know, it's the funniest thing. I can confidently tell you this does not represent any deity or faith that I know, yet...it gnaws at me, like I should know. But, I am quite sure I do not."

At the Clothier:

Melek quickly finds that Helvur Tarnlar doesn't know how to let his clients simply peruse, as the man peppers the aasimar with questions, providing all sorts of knowledge about the current fashions in Waterdeep and Silverymoon. He does seem to know his trade, as he sews up Rumble's shirt as asked with a fair bit of speed, talking up his knowledge of nobility all the while.

OOC: Let me know if there is anywhere else you would like to explore!

Back at the Shrine:

Rumble perked up, and remained interested even despite Lymmura's lack of certainty. But rather than press, he simply says, "Well, if it comes back to you, be sure to let us know. But also, maybe be careful digging into it? The last guy we ran into some crazy necromancer that ranted about 'the eye sees all' or some such." On that lovely note, he politely hears out any response before eventually bidding the pair goodbye.

At the Clothier:

Though not much for small talk, the earth genasi politely listened to Helvur while he carried out his work. But, as soon as an opportunity presented itself, he would ask if Helvur knew of any local smithy or shop that might sell or trade in arms, citing a desire to better equip himself in anticipation of dealing with some bandits.

As Endrith leads Aldric through the house, what at first appears to be absolute chaos begins to take on a kind of creative organization. The old knight starts picking up items, carrying them in his beefy arms until he has almost too much to carry.

1 bag of ball bearings (1 gp)
1 bag of caltrops (1 gp)
1 chain (5 gp)
1 hunting trap (5 gp)
1 lock (10 gp)
3 pairs of manacles (6 gp)
1 length of rope (1 gp)

He picks up a spyglass, but once he learns the price, he puts it down again.

When it's time to pay, he offers Endrith 26 gold for the lot.

At the shrine:
Melek nods with interest at the clerical roster system in place. Among all the gods and goddesses, he is also somewhat partial to Sune and her penchant for the finer things of life, and considers whether Lymmura has any involvement with the baths and dressmaker shop. That might be more reason to stay away... he has heard stories of the activities of the Sune bath-houses.

After Melek has taken the time to perform his ritual prayers, and following the discussion of the eye symbol, Melek asks the two priests if they are familiar with the god Rih-Al'sama, the Breath of Heaven.

---------------------
At the clothier:
Melek doesn't mind the talk of the Waterdhavian nobility, and does his best to remember what names he can, as well as the references to current fashions, but it is clear Helvur knows more than him. He doesn't like to admit it, but the truth is that Melek only aspires to the upper-class, and was limited to service in a nearby demesne.

But the clothes here do pique Melek's interest, and he promises to return when he has more time (and funds). Of course he had a divine mission to fulfill, but there is no harm in enjoying some comforts in the meantime.

---------------------
The North Road:
The other locations hold minimal interest to Melek at this time: the Stoneworks, the waggoneers, and what is likely the tannery. However he is attracted by the aroma of the bakery, and with nothing else to do and time to spare, he heads inside to purchase some fresh bread from the bakery, to boost his depleted rations.

(Not sure if Rumble is still along, or off to find the weaponsmith)

((Arkun is in for the night, but ready and willing to meet up in the morning in the common room.  If no sight of the group by mid-morning, he will start wandering around town to try and find them.))

(OOC: If he's able to get intel about said weaponsmith, then yeah, he'd take off for that next and leave Melek to his business. Otherwise, he'd stick around hoping the next shop might have ansewer.)

OOC: Sorry this one took a while, hard to process all the town stuff while I'm traveling for work, been working on this one bit by bit all week.

ALDRIC:

"Hmm?" Endrith Vallivoe's head perks up from counting coins at a desk when Aldric is done gathering his items. "Oh, ready to check out? Pardon the mess, I keep meaning to clear out some of this furniture but you never know." He takes Aldric's coin and counts it, adding to the pile he's currently sorting. "I used to run caravans up past Triboar, so I know how they work. We got one comin' soon that's no small thing, Mirabar's got coin and craft, so you never know what 'frontier decor' they might want to take back with 'em. You in town to get some Dwarven goods from the lot, or just passing through?"

OOC: Added the purchased items to Aldric's inventory and removed 26 gp.

MELEK:

OOC: Sent you a DM regarding your question at the Allfaiths Shrine.

Inside, the bakery is a tidy, well-kept place, a pleasant contrast to the dust of the Long Road. Shelves along the walls hold round loaves of bread and clusters of buns. Steam wafts from the ovens in the back, filling the room with a comfortable, drowsy warmth. Behind the counter, moving with a quick, restless energy, hustling between ovens, is a thin and wiry man. Dusted with flour, his eyes flick over to you when you enter. He quickly finishes what he's doing and dusts his hands off onto his apron with a smile.

"Come in, come in. Traveler on the road?" he says.

RUMBLE:

The clothier, working quickly on tailoring Rumble's clothing for him, answers with an upturned nose. "That would be the Tantur Smithy at the east end of town. You'll walk out with a layer of soot, but folks seem to like the Tanturs' goods. If you don't want something custom, then Feng at Ironhead Arms past the intersection has plenty of standard weaponry and armor. He's not the most talkative sort but I haven't heard any complain of his goods," he answers.

"Cleaning up the valley," Aldric says bluntly, stowing his new gear — some on his person and some in his sack.

"I hear there are some bandits south of town," he says, looking up at the man again. "I'm trying to find someone named Grimjaw in a place called Rivergard Keep. Do you know anything about that?"

Melek isn't normally in the habit of exchanging banal pleasantries with common folk, but there is something disarming about the aroma of warm bread... like memories of childhood... and he can't help but smile and respond to the baker in kind.

Yes, indeed. I arrived this afternoon, and will likely depart again in the morning. Melek looks admiringly at the delicious-looking loaves. Thy produce is most inviting sir. Could I trouble thee for some victuals for the journey?

Then finding himself somewhat relaxed and talkative, Melek adds: I travelled here on rumours of great troubles, but I find Red Larch prosperous and comfortable. Is there aught in this place that troubles its peace?

At the Clothier:

"A bit soot ain't so bad, I'm sure." Rumble lightly jests. "But either way, I ain't 'xactly look'n fer anything custom, so I guess I'll be headed to Feng's place. But, I'll keep Tantur's in mind if things don't work out. Many thank there, Helvur." When the work is eventually completed, Rumble thanks Helvur for good measure while sliding on the shirt again, and offers what he hopes is a generous tip even had the clothier not asked for any initial payment for repair.

He'd then promise to meet Melek back at the end, knowing (or at least believing) that with the hour growing late, odds of any lengthy ventures through town were bound to end in disappointment. With that said, he looks to ask Helvur what Feng's place looks like for good measure, just in case any signage might be lacking, before heading off on his own with some pep to his step. When he eventually arrives at Ironhead Arms Rumble tones back the excitement, least he offended what sounded to be a rather taciturn shop owner.