laid back apocalypse

Kerric:

Waiting respectfully for the constable to answer, Kerric wonders what has happened to the delegation and what might be the best way of tracking them down.

"Ahh nice choice mas....er good fawn?  That is only 2silver five. And yes it has been waterproofed"

The constable looks up.   "Nope they havent passed through.  When did you last see them?"

"Left them in Beliard lets see 2 tendays ago. Went with their advance party n am now heading back. Or was."

The monk would put up her finger at another thought that popped into her head. She’d blurt it outloud to Xalkas, “Isn’t there a local Shrine you alluded too on our first excursion?” Ebele would move her finger to rub her temple, as if trying to massage out a barely evident memory. “‘Perhaps ‘believers’ is referring to the local shrine?’” She’d quote Xalkas.

(Post #493)

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker and Reghys head away from the Vallivoes looking rather dapper. T'chal'fronack'zcinicker loosens his tie slightly, then turns to Reghys, "I find openness about bribery is the most effective and reasonable means to proceed. Where I come from, bribery is expected and openly discussed. It's offensive to just hand someone some money without discussing the scope of the bribe first....it's when there's a lack of communication that misunderstands occur, wouldn't you agree?" 

Trying to track down the others, T'chal'fronack'zcinicker eventually relays the information to the rest of the group.  "Based on this book coming from a barge wright in Womford, I suggest we head there first to try and find where this barge wright may have found it.  Not a lot to go on, but hopefully it also takes us on a back path along which way the delegation would have come...so, two birds being murdered with a single blow, and all that...."

Kerric:

As the others arrive, Kerric suggests to the constable and the priest, “Let us help you track them down.  We can backtrack them along their route as T'chal'fronack'zcinicker suggests and you have already been doing, priest.  If we get to Womford having seen no sign of them, we can continue the investigation there.”

Before reaching their group, Reghys answers to T's statement: "I'm all for openness, but calling a bribe a bribe is risky, since in my experience many people don't like to think of themselves as corrupt. Phrasing it so that it is clear what the money is to be for, but rather framing it as payment for future services has less of a harsh effect."

Once together with the rest, the satyr, clearly moving so as to show off their new garments, looks at the others: "I take it your search was a bust then? No further information on any believers in these parts?"

At Ebele’s prompting Xalkas will head towards the all faiths shrine to inquire about the ‘believers’. Xalkas would also ask questions about lance rock. Tryin to learn more about it and potentially discover where it originated from. After attempting to learn more information about both of those things, Xalkas would then look for a merchant that deals in matters of the arcane, or failing that, Odd trinkets and baubles. 

Responding to Reghys, “My search for more information on the believers amounted to nothing ... either they don’t know or they aren’t saying what they know. My search for more information on Lance Rock yielded the same result also.”

Xalkas then rummages through his pack. “I was able to sell that jet we found and acquire these plus some materials to make a few things.” He says as he holds out a few of the tinkers tools. 

Looking around at the assembled group “What is our next move? For indeed we seem to be spending lots of time together. I think figuring out what happened to the Mirabar delegation is a good idea ... though where to start is the difficult question...” His thought trails off as he looks to Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker to get their ideas on what to do next. 

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker nods to Xalkas, "We go to Womford. It'll be a couple days away, so, if everyone is ready, why not get a start on the trip today."

“Do we have tents? Or whatever other equipment is necessary for such travel?” Everyone gets the sense that Xalkas doesn’t know very much about being out of doors. 

Kerric:

“With the sun already low in the sky, we risk missing something along the way if we head out at speed this evening.  I suggest we compare notes with this priest, who was a delegation member, fully search the hideout for any leftover clues, and get the proper supplies for a longer journey tonight.  Then we can leave early in the morning towards Womford along the delegation’s intended route,” counsels the elven warrior.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker nods, "Good enough.  I believe I have some sales to handle anyway. Don't go back to that hideout without me!" 

He gathers up the odds and ends from the Necromancer's cave and heads out to sell the various goods.  At various shops around town he attempts to liquidate the following : "Food, drink, supplies, clothes, bedding." 

Then he returns to the Inn to follow Kerric's lead.

Upon returning, he hands out 4 copper pieces to each person.  "That stuff was worthless....almost...here's your shares."

Ebele would fall into silence as the others work to compile their notes and begin discussions on what direction to take next. And as she listened, there was something different about Reghys' demeanor that she couldn't quite put her finger on. They seemed rather, restless? But their movements seemed more proud than anxious. Either way, they were moving a lot and the monk noticed. She could only grin to herself as Reghys beamed with good energy.

While T'chal'afronack'zcinicker set off once again on some errands, Ebele would shrug. Should she have some free time, instead of being left standing around on her own, again, the monk would try to busy herself with something that felt productive. At least to her. She hasn't really been much help in contributing to the groups overall investigations, but then again, she wasn't meant to be the brains. But all the same, she wanted to feel like she could contribute. So what better to do than to go harvesting some berries, should she have the opportunity, before meeting back up with the rest of the group upon T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's return.

Ebele would accept her 4 copper. She was ready for the next leg of their mission.

“That’s more than we had before you left.” Xalkas says in an attempt cheer up the tiefling. “So we are staying the night and then headed out in the morning? Yes?” Xalkas waits for confirmation and then retires to his room for the remainder of the evening. With plans to wake as early as possible.

Common, make it rain!: 100

finding some  bushes just out of the town proper Ebele easily picks about 3 pints of berries

T'chal'afronack'zcinicker shrugs in reply about the coins, "That's true. Great attitude Xalkas! Oh, I think Kerric wanted to go back down into those caves for one more look before we retire as it were. Or did you want to go tomorrow morning Kerric?"  

As they sit in the Inn, T'chal'afronack'zcinicker absently slides a pen and contract to the server girl, then looks up, "Oh....silly me, you served me last time, our previous contract can be easily extended here....." he exchanges the fresh contract on the table for one he has in his backpack....sliding it towards the girl.  "I think last time our agreement was to your satisfaction, yes?  The predefined tip is almost a bit too generous I'd say, but you certainly earned it.  Uh, some dinner if you might?  I think I saw some roast beef and gravy?  That would do fine." 

Turning his attention back to the group, "So...assuming his peddler is above board, which seems to be the case, that would mean he purchased the dwarven book from a barge wright in Womford.  Does anyone have a map of the Dessarin valley handy?  So, we can assume the bargewright either acquired the book in Womford himself...but, being a Bargewright, that seems suspect, why would a bargewright buy and sell something in the same town....or he must have been coming south from Beliard and have acquired it there, which means the delegation was waylaid quite some time ago.  Either way, to Womford I think to find a random Bargewright who sold a guy a book...and then we'll need to follow the road north to Beliard."   That seemingly "settled" in his mind, he taps his finger, "Can we ask the scout a few more questions?  It would be good to know a bit about this delegation.  How many dwarves, how many horses, how many wagons, that sorta thing.  If any of them are memorable.  Some names.  Where they were going and why.  The more the better.  Kerric, shall we go ask that scout you met a few more questions?"

Kerric:

OOC:  Yes, checking the quarry hideout tonight.  I was also hoping the priest would be more forthcoming, but maybe we just need the give the DM a moment to have him respond...if not, let’s track him down and ask for details.

Xalkas was more than happy to head to his room and retire for the evening. Though listening to the conversation of his companions decides that gathering more information before bed is a wise choice. Xalkas is ready to go with Kerric to help gather information.