Tales from Talaveroth

The bird is still sitting on the same pillar. Now that you're closer you can see it's a large hawk with all black feathers except for a chest that is white with flecks of the same black in it. It turns its head toward you, seemingly curious, but makes no other moves.

Without even looking at the bird, Si'Juul just sighs and takes flight once more, just hovering over the water about 30ft away from land off to the side to the dock, still staring at the horizon.

Elhanna frown and think a while. “Not much, only that they have been raising the taxes all over the country to get more founding for the war.. it has really hit us hard, why?” 

Poinki looks confused. "What is a liance?"

He gives a slight turn of the head. "Well, I suppose that's all regular folk really need to know. If you were heading to Dastarius with Paren here then you would have been reentering Alliance territory. Now, I work with an organization that roots out threats to the Alliance, both internal and external. We keep track of which rulers are happy with current arrangements, who's unhappy enough to try and break them, and what crazy folk want to side with the gnolls or red dragonborn clans."

"Most recently there have been rumblings that some folks up in the City-States about siding with the dragonborns. Paren was going to find out who. Unfortunately I would like him to come back with me. We have some problems back home that he is uniquely qualified to solve. I would like you all to go in his place. Find out who wants to side with the evildoers and possibly remove the problem if you feel up to it. How does that sound?"

Elhanna lean closer to Ponki “An allianji es ae when different groups join togethar tam achieet ae common goal.“ 

 To Elixisys she say “First, what is in it for us? Why would we risk ourselves like that? And secondly, what would we do about Ponki? Last I checked goblins can’t just walk around in cities however they like. Would you provide badge or disguise for him?”

He gives a slight giggle. "I would say you should do it for kings and countries but we all know what hogwash that is. What's in it for you eh? Any treasure you find of course, I'm sure some of these rich folks will have some and since they're part of an uprising I would say they don't need it anymore. And more than that you would be helping to stop the spread of these dragonborn and the terrible things that they have unleashed upon our world. Ask my dear brother-in-law here if you need more information about that." 

He then looks down to Poinki. "As for our new follower of Ilmater, I had thought of that. To you dear goblin, I gift my hat. The Alliance would be better served if more people made decisions such as you have." He reaches up with his unbandaged hand and plucks a fedora seemingly from thin air before placing it on Poinki's head. 

(Poinki, please add a hat of disguise)

Poinki looks up at his new fedora in wonder, and tips it at a rakish angle. (He now looks like a short, greenish, big-nosed Indiana Jones.) The he looks back at Elhanna.  "So...we are an alliance, too, then?"

Twitch feels uneasy at the offer: She was very good at fixing things and improvising tools. But she didn't feel like she knew enough to be qualified for this sort of thing. Dragonborn were something she only ever heard in grandpa's tales, and she wasn't quick enough to lable an entire race as evil. But then, Paren had been reliable, and if he trusted this person, than maybe working with them wasn't such a bad idea. 

"I don't want to kill anyone. But I'm ready to help with the rest."

"There is no need for you to do any killing yourself. Simply find names and evidence and give them to the right people. They will figure out any punishments." He sits back and scratches his bandaged arm for a second. "How about this. I have a simpler job that you can do while you decide if you want to become involved. That way you can see that it's not all just killing and spy work, I really do work for the good of the peoples of this land. I have a friend from a town on the way to Dastarius, he used to work with me. I haven't heard anything from him in a while and I'm a bit worried. Why don't you all check in on him for me. Once you do have him send me a message and I'll give you a reward. Nice, quick, and easy. And you all get paid for probably just humouring the fears of an old spy."

"Sound okay," says Poinki. "Just tell guy to send message."  He continues to fiddle with the hat. He understands it is meant to be a disguise, but he isn't sure how to make it work. (Going to have to attune it.)

Poinki hopefully looks into the shop window, wondering if they have a pair of dark glasses.  They would go very well with this hat.

“Well, not quite. I’d rather call us the result of a series of unfortunate events.” She smile at Ponki “Was there ever a time where your tribe had to band together with other tribes to fight a larger threat? Then you entered an alliance together.” 

“Well that does sound more reasonable. Who is this friend and what can we expect when we find him?” She looks at his arm. “Do you want me to take a look at that? I am a trained healer and I can’t just sit passively when someone is hurt... and can I ask you for a favor? I have some gold I need to send home. Without it my family can’t pay the raised taxes.” She lets the rest go unsaid.  

He holds up the hand a bit, turning it slightly to look it over. "That's alright, it won't do any good. Using magical fire so close to burnt skin means that the skin never truely heals. It's the price I pay for my abilities. And yes, I would be happy to deliver the money for you. Paren and I can stop in on our way back." 

He puts his hand back down. "His name is Andrej Grygorovich. He's now the local cleric up in Valenta, which is the next stop on your way to Dastarius. Last I had heard from him his wife was very sick. They've been married for almost 6 score years and I'm a bit worried what losing her might have done to him. As Paren can tell you I don't have many friends left and with the war going on back in Three Peaks I would like to make sure the ones I have left are ok." 

Si'Juul will land on the street the dock leads into and start walking around town. He will stop at either a bulletin board where jobs can be posted or a tavern, whichever he finds first.

Just in case, perception: 19

You find the town jobs board quite easily. There's not much on it though.

The Captain of the Dolphin is looking for new passengers, destination to be decided.

The local dock master is looking for hands moving crates onto barges going up the river. Pay is 1 gp per day.

The last job listen just says to speak with Roman the chemist at his shop. Pay is listed at 12 gp per unit. What a unit is isn't listed.

"Chemist? Probably shouldn't go to any sort of lab with the materials I'm carrying. Doubt I will end up on the barge."

Si'Juul will start making his way back to the inn, but taking his time doing so, moving along a winding and looping path along the streets, keeping watch in case he's followed.

Perception: 17

The only thing you see following you is the bird, fluttering from rooftop to rooftop above you. 

Si'Juul flies onto the roof next to the bird, staring right into its eyes.

"Haven't you followed me enough?"

The bird turns it's head sideways and just blinks at Si'Juul. It then flies up a bit and tries to perch on top of one of his wings. 

Si'Juul just growls and takes flight, speeding towards the inn and landing quickly next to Elixisys.

"Keep your bird away from me. You don't need to follow my movement anymore."