Xarrut stands up and straightens his shirt and pants, before running a hand back through his hair. 

“Let’s get to it then.” He gestures to Allorian to lead the way, and follows with a clicking of his cane.

Caliban watches Allorian and Xarrut prepare to go politic and gives a slight elbow to Bayard and points in their direction "Want to make a bet on how it goes? I wager a gold that one of them gets a drink thrown in their face before the nights end." 

Tandal says "I'll take that bet!"

(Sorry for not much posting from me, I'll try to post more often)

Bayard looks offended at the suggestion, "Who would waste good booze like that? I'm in too!"

OOC Where are Allorian and Xarrut heading to? the warehouse, the docks, or the house?

((The warehouse))

OOC sorry for the delayed posting. I somehow missed Spoones post.

IC Arriving at the warehouse, you see two large wooden doors standing open. Inside the building, you see rows of boxes stacked in rows, with sign posts standing at the front of rows. Allorian recognizes these posts as corresponding with the ships flags that brought the goods to Gillesburg. About half of the floor appears to be occupied by the stacked goods. 

In the distance, you can hear a couple voices talking. As you approach them, you see a middle-aged half-elf man talking to a young half-elf woman. As they hear you approach, the man turns and looks at you and says "Can I help you?"

Xarrut assumed an imperious, superior and direct manner. Impatient even. “I am Xarrut. This is Allorian. We are come from the Halveryn Peninsula to speak to one Mr Jamfael Koris. Please notify him of our arrival.”

The man looks taken aback for a second and then squares his shoulders and answers "If you're here looking to bribe someone so that your good will get moved up in the line for transport to Gillesburg, I'd suggest you think twice about being here. You should know the rules! Non-perishable goods are transported up river in the order that they arrive on dock. Perishable goods are always sent on the first boat that arrives after they're brought into the warehouse. By the Dukes' decree anyone caught trying to bribe an official to hasten the shipping of their goods will have all of their goods confiscated. Anyone who accepts a bribe in violation of the Dukes' decree will be executed. Master Koris is a man of integrity who scrupulously fulfills his oath of office and won't be bribed."

While he is talking the young woman next to him is enthusiastically nodding her head in agreement.

“Master Koris seems to have failed to let his business partners know about local piracy troubles, and it has cost both of our interests a great deal of money. Seeing as I was on one of the ships attacked, I find I’m taking this rather personal. I’d like to take the matter up with him in person. Now.” Xarrut appears unphased by the leap to defend Koris, and his tone is aloof

"Master Koris is not responsible for the shipping lanes out on the bay. He is only responsible for seeing that goods are transported from the dock out there . . ." the man says as he points toward the dock "to the docks on Gilles Lake. If you have issues about the pirates, I'd suggest taking them up with either the Duke or Baron Manzar. Or maybe you could talk to the Duke of your city about the pirates. All the Dukes are responsible for combatting pirates. It is about the only thing they can agree upon. But, if you must trouble Master Koris with issues that he has no control over, you can find him at his house across the street."

Xarrut turns, casting thaumaturgy to shut the doors of the warehouse in their face as a petty rebuttal to all the attitude towards one’s betters. 

He’ll take a deep breath, and knock on the door across the street. 

Crossing the street, it is easy to see that this is the largest house in the village. The yards are well tended, with bushes and trees lining the walkway leading up to the house. Not a single leaf extends across the walkway for at least 7 or 8 feet above the ground. Shortly after knocking on the door, a man answers the door wearing the livery of Baron Manzar. After a quick glance at Xarrut and Allorian, the man states "You are here to see Master Koris." It is clear that he recognizes the two men as nobility based upon your clothing and bearing.

Getting an affirmative nod, he ushers you in and leads you to a sitting room to the left of the door. "Please have a seat. Who should I tell Master Koris he is attending?"

The high-backed chairs that are in this room are very comfortable, while the large window gives picturesque view of the bay that is not blocked by the warehouse. Shortly after the man leaves the room, a maid enters bearing tea and biscuits for you to enjoy. About ten minutes later, the first man reenters the room and says "I'm pleased to introduce you to Master Koris. This is Xarrut and Allorian." the servant says to a second man who enters as he points at each of you in turn.

Second man is a human, probably in his early fifties. He takes a seat opposite the two of you and pours himself a cup of tea, before asking "How may I be of service to you gentlemen?"

Xarrut assumes a relaxed sitting position, crossing one leg over the other, and gently grinding the tip of his cane into the floor beside him.

“First, we are pleased to inform you that the men across the way there think quite highly of you. But as for why we are here, I’m afraid we’ve had difficulty just recently. The ship I meant to arrive in port upon was actually taken by pirates. I’m afraid I’ve taken the whole thing rather personally, and would like to address the matter with the pirates face to face. I’m hoping you can tell me something valuable about them.”

"Indeed, there is also the issue of the poaching in town. Things are getting quite tense between the froggies and the townsfolk. Not going to be good for business if they are all out looking for their stolen kids instead of coming to work."

Allorian will keep a close eye on his reactions to both of our statements. Looking mostly for any signs of surprise or concern. 

“We are aware of the pirates, but, my authority stops at the end of the docks. I do not have a ship full of marines I can send out to combat the pirates. I have sent messages to Baron Manzar following each attack, including the one from two weeks ago. Have you reported your attack to anyone? Hopefully, the Baron has already convinced the Duke to send marines out after them, and perhaps alerted the other cities to this problem, possibly getting all of them to band together to attack them. All the information I have on them suggests that they are foreigners, but, where they are from, I have no idea.” To Allorian, Koris seems clearly frustrated and upset about the pirate situation.

With Allorian’s question, Koris raises his eye brows before responding. “Of what concern is poaching to me? I’m not charged with insuring that no poaching occurs here. Why are things getting tense between the frogs and the townsfolk?” As Koris finishes this statement, you can see a flash of recognition in his eyes.

“I know most visitors view Alderey as being a single village, but, in reality, it is two villages that abut each other. The southern half of the village is mainly the home of the longshoremen and is under the realm of Baron Manzar. I am his appointed representative in the town. Our main responsibility is making sure that shipments get transferred from incoming ships and sent up to Gillesburg as quickly as possible. We also make sure that goods don’t go missing between off loading here and off loading in Lake Gilles.

The northern portion of the town is where the fisherman live, which makes that area the realm of Baron Fequehur. Fequehur doesn’t pay a lot of attention to this village, because most of the fisherman are basically subsistence fisherman. They don’t sell a lot of fish, which means the tribute to Fequehur is fairly small. So, he tends to ignore the village, which is fine by the fisherman. The only time I get involved is when there are disputes between the fishermen and the longshoremen or between the fishermen and the ships that bring their goods in here. In those cases, Rhasor and I hear the dispute. We usually invite Kevril, the local priest, to sit in on these sessions and serve as an impartial opinion in case Rhasor and I disagree. If we can’t come to an agreement, then we both write letters to our respective Baronettes, although that has only happened once since I’ve been here. Both parties tend to lose out if we go that route.”

“Now that I’ve explained the politics of our little town to you, why don’t you tell me more fully about the troubles plaguing the fishers, particularly the ‘stolen kids’.”

Xarrut jumps in. “Oh I can take that one. The people of the northern part of your village have some sort of agreement with the frog people north of them. Part of that agreement is to leave the frogs there alone. Someone decided to start poaching the frogs anyways, and it sounds like someone from the south end of town has been giving them a boat ride. The frog people have taken umbrage and taken several children hostage in reply. In negotiating with the frog people, we must see to it that the poachers are dealt with.”

Quote from Siyaj_Kak >>

With Allorian’s question, Koris raises his eye brows before responding. “Of what concern is poaching to me? I’m not charged with insuring that no poaching occurs here. Why are things getting tense between the frogs and the townsfolk?” As Koris finishes this statement, you can see a flash of recognition in his eyes.

 

“Now that I’ve explained the politics of our little town to you, why don’t you tell me more fully about the troubles plaguing the fishers, particularly the ‘stolen kids’.”

 Allorian speaks to Koris in a slightly dismissive tone- "Oh, I wouldn't concern yourself too much with the poachers. (small glance to the side at Xarrut) I believe that Dreslis gave us what we needed in regards to that." ((watching for reaction to the name Dreslis))

“Do you or this Dreslis have proof that someone in the southern part of the village are aiding these poachers? Not too many of the longshoreman actually own boats. Most don’t have the money to purchase one and don’t have the time to build one themselves.” When you mention the name “Dreslis” you can see that Koris is searching his mind for someone with that name, but, ultimately doesn’t appear to know who Dreslis is.

“If someone in Baron Manzar’s part of town is violating the treaty between the fisherfolk and the bullywugs, I can take care of this manner. But, I will need proof that one of the longshoremen is actually the responsible individual.”

Meanwhile, back in the Breaching Whale, a traveling minstrel has shown up and set up shop. He plays several songs instrumental songs before starting into Boney was a Warrior”

Boney was a warrior, Hey, Ho

A Warrior and a Terrier, Hey Ho

Boney went to school in ‘Beyonne, Hey Ho

He learned to make the Kardagen’s dance, Hey Ho

Boney marched on Kardagen, Hey Ho

He lost his army in the steppes, Hey Ho

Boney went a cruis-in, Hey Ho

After finishing that song, one of the sailors in the crowd brought him a drink in appreciation for his music. After taking a swig, the minstrel started into another song.

Now what shall we do with the drunken sailor,

What shall we do with the drunken sailor

What shall we do with the drunken sailor

Early in the morning?

At this point, two female voices answered from the direction of the bar:

Oh, chuck him in the long boat till he gets sober,

Chuck him in the long boat till he gets sober

Chuck him in the long boat till he gets sober

Early in the morning

Turning around, you see a very pale woman with red hair sitting next to a dark skinned women, with jet black hair.

As they continue singing the minstrel joins in for the next verse:

Ay hey and up she rises

Ay hey and up she rises

Ay hey and up she rises

Early in the morning

The minstrel then takes over for the next verse:

Oh, what shall we do with the drunken sailor,

What shall we do with the drunken sailor

What shall we do with the drunken sailor

Early in the morning

The ladies, begin to move forward into the crowd, trailing fingers across sailors shoulders or cheeks, singing the next verse:

Oh, put him in the guardhouse and make him bail her

Put him in the guardhouse till he gets sober

Put him in the guardhose till he gets sober

Early in the morning

They continue to stroll around the room as the minstrel joins back in the singing:

Way hey and up she rises,

Way hey and up she rises,

Way hey and up she rises,

Early in the Morning

As the sailors clap wildly at the performance, the ladies and the minstrel bow before the minstrel starts up with a new song:

So merry, so merry, so merry are we

No mortal on earth’s like a sailor at sea

So merry are we as we’re sailing along

Give a sailor his grog and then nothing goes wrong

The ladies then take over, alternating lines as they continue to move around the crowd, with the woman starting to pay more attention to Bayard, Caliban, and Tandal.

Oh, A is the anchor and that you all know

B is the bowsprit that’s over the bow

C is the captstan with which we heave ‘round

And D are the decks were our sailors are found

Oh, E is the ensign our mizzen-peak flew

F is the fo’c’sle where we muster our crew

G are the guns, sir, by which we all stand

And H are the halyards that oft-times are manned

Oh, I is the iron of our stunsail boom sheet

J is the jib that oft weathers the bleat

K is the keelson away down below

And L are the lanyards that give us good hold

M is our mainmast so stout and so strong

N is the needle that never points wrong

O are the oars of our jollyboat’s crew

And P is the pennant of red, white, and blut

Q is the quarterdeck where our captain oft stood

R is the rigging that ever holds good

S are the stilliards that weigh out beef

And T are the topsails we ofttimes do reef

Oh, U is the Union at which none dare laugh

Before they begin to see the final series of verses, the red head sits down in Caliban's lap, while the dark haired woman sits in Bayard's lap.

V are the vangs that steady the gaff

W’s the wheel that we all take in time

And X is the letter for which we’ve no rhyme

Oh, Y are the yard that we ofttimes do brace

Z is the letter for which we’ve not place

The bo’sun pipes grog, so we’ll all go below

My song it is finished, I’m glad that it’s so.