"I was hoping you could clean up the miserable attempt I've made at my own designs on my staff, maybe enhance it with your own a little?" Waving her hands, wiggling her fingers a little about it a little as if demonstrating lines or swirls on it. "Oh, I'd pay you of course, in trade if you're willing." She hesitates, watching his expression. How can you tell on a tabaxi if he's going to tell you to jump off a cliff or has any interest in what I'm saying at all? She ponders. Then, like an afterthought, she sets out a neatly bottled potion marked 'Healing' in common on the table in front of him. "And perhaps we could convince some of the others in here to take a look at what's going on in the forest?" Raising her voice, ever so slightly, just loud enough for the others at the bar to hear her, "There's lots of talk lately, and I intend to go take a look."
Ufeza hears the young woman’s comment to the other Tabaxi in the inn that someone should investigate the three, and an impulse takes him.
Standing up, he makes the short journey to their table. He clears his throat and says, “Pardon me, friends, but I couldn’t help overhear your suggestion of investigating what’s going on around here lately. I think that’s a fine idea. A little public service and should be a good story as well. Would you mind if I tagged along?”
"Of course, Ufeza! I'd appreciate the company, it could definitely make for a great story. I'm Zephyra, I'd heard your name during your last performance. That trick...I'll figure it out yet."She smiles at him.
Then turning to the other Tabaxi and gathering her staff and potion, "So what do you say? Join us? We can chat about your work on the way. Unless you have somewhere else to be...you mentioned having to go soon." As she awaits his response, she eyes the bar where the half-orc and half-elf sit. "Anyone else?"
"Apparently, the trees are trying to kill the townsfolk..." The tabaxi looks up at Zephyra for the first time, his face sporting a few impressive scars, his feline eyes studying her. He seems to have not heard,or ignored, the comment about the staff. "You think they'll pay well?"
Luther slaps Thariv's bicep with the back of his hand and sticks his chin out towards the interesting girl and the two cats "Never mind, I think there might be a different gig warming up"
He shoulders his bow and walks over to the small assembly "Excuse me, but I couldn't help hearing your talk of exotic work in the area. If my good friend and I could be so bold as to offer our services, we have a lead on another job"
He looks back to Thariv and makes an 'over here' gesture with his head.
Thariv nods at Luther, drains the rest of his mug of ale and turns from the bar, rising to join the somewhat impromptu gathering of like-minded individuals. “Greetings all,”he says with a smile. “Seems my friend Luther here and I might be interested in looking into the troubles in the area as well. The name’s Thariv Lysander.”
Ufeza places his hand on his chest, then gestures in turn to Zephyra and Blossoms. In a kind and warm voice he says, “I am Ufeza. This is Zephyra, at this point I have known her for about twice as long as I’ve known you. I haven’t had the courtesy of the big fellow here just yet. We could begin looking into any of the issues that’s troubled the residents here. If I had to wager, I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t different roads to the same place.”
He then holds up a finger, returns to his table to grad his mug of ale and his hat, then returns and sits at Blossom’s table. “You don’t mind, do you?” He says to the Tatbaxi. His hat has a wide and stiff brim, folded up on one side.
“Not my table...” The tabaxi sighs to himself and nods in the direction of Zephyra, the new owner of the table following her invasion. He puts away his chunk of wood, and gives the small crowd around him an appraising look. “Blossom”, he says, by way of introduction.
Looking very pleased at the gathering, "Zephyra Starwood, Druid and Healer."Then turning to the barkeep, shouts "I think we need some drinks over here and food." Then thinking a moment, steps away to the bar for a couple seconds passing some coin to him and returning back. @dm
5 gp, and whatever he'll bring over for that she'll whisper to him briefly - removed from my sheet.
"Greetings Ufeza, Blossom, Thariv and Luther!" She says warmly looking at each in turn then back to Thariv. "You've gotten some information about the troubles? We need a place to start, anything you know is welcome." Then leans back in her chair, giving him her full attention.
Before joining the group, the man sitting next to Thariv told him about Millie, one of the children that’s always underfoot here in Aetherglen. She was seen last week posting notices searching for her lost cat, Furrball. Then, a day later, she was seen tearing down all the notices, while crying. When approached, she maintained that Furrball had died under a merchant’s cartwheel. And then, a day later, she told everyone that a miracle had happened and Furrball wasn’t dead after all. Millie’s mother frantically began telling everyone yesterday that Millie has run away, and she hasn’t seen her for a whole day. "In my opinion" he ends "the mother is just spreading rumours to get more attention."
The bartender pockets the coins that Zephira offers with a smile "I'll be back with you in a just moment." The man disappears in the kitchen and comes back with a large block of cheese, a few bread loaves, sliced ham and five tankards full of ale balancing in a large tray. "A word of warning for you" he adds setting the tray down "many strangers pass through here, but one has been asking too many funny questions about the trees and the graveyards. An older man, with a bruise down one side of his face."
"And what do you mean by funny questions?" Zephyra interjects quickly before he answers. Then looks at Ufeza apologetically for interrupting.
Worried about the little girl's possible disappearance and what is going on with her cat, she considers. Graveyards disturbed? Cats coming back from the dead? Could those also be related?
Thariv considers the story of the cat. The tale pulls at his heartstrings a bit, given his and Luther's recent experiences with the charming cats of Selpt.
As the group shares various information, it quickly becomes clear that there are all sorts of strange goings on in and around this town. He pulls the chunk of coral from his pocket and idly plays with it, as if by habit.
He looks to the bartender and the others "One who is interested in animating the dead might start with a cat for practice, I suppose."
Ufeza nods, “And a child’s cat, at that, would mean that fanciful tails of death and rebirth is likely to attributed to a youthful imagination or an attempt at attention.”
The coral catches Zephyra's eye and she studies it a little from afar out of habit from her years of studying precious stones as a clan crafter. But remains quiet.
@dm
Jeweler's proficiency - Xanathar's under tools - Identify Gems. You can identify gems and determine their value at a glance. 10 in case you would like, not sure what sort of check though as it doesn't mention a roll for this, only other things.
Blossom studies the other silently as they talk, content to remain seated on the floor and sipping his water occasionally. "One stranger asking questions about trees and graveyards? Seems like this place now has five more..."
Luther agrees with Blossom's wry observation "Our five heads should surely make lighter work than the stranger's one. And maybe we should follow up a lead. Millie's mother - do we know her name? - Would be a good start. Or at least the house and surrounding area".
Obtaining directions from the man who gave Thariv the information, the half-orc prepares to head out.
"And what do you mean by funny questions?" Zephyra interjects quickly before he answers.
The man thinks for a minute, stroking his chin "he's not staying here, and I don't know if he has found someone to shelter him or if he camps in the woods." He turns to Zephyra and adds "he keeps asking how many people have we buried and where are the graves. Sounds really suspicious to me." Then goes back behind the bar.
You eat and make introductions at the table. An hour passes and a few patrons leave, but the storm outside seems to have no intention of abating.
Suddenly, the front door to the inn slams open, and a storm breeze blasts through the room, momentarily dampening the immense hearth fires. A young man stands in the doorway, underdressed for the storm, and sodden as a lost puppy for it. He’s shaking from the cold and yells out to the bar keep in an equally quavering voice: “Liam! It’s happened again!” Those townsfolk that are left in the inn are on their feet in an instant, some rush to comfort the young lad while others tend to the door. A few have clustered around the innkeeper, who’s previously dower mood has been replaced by red-faced anger.
OOC: roll for investigation if you want to ask questions around.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“Now seems like an appropriate time for questions. I’ve had quite a few chats with the barkeeper over my last few days here if someone wants to try to get the wet ‘puppy’s’ story.”
Ufeza then stands up and the group around the barkeeper. He says his pardon me’s as he gently pushes his way into the gathered circle of towns folk. He gives the barkeeper a respectful nod.
“Liam, sir, if I may ask...exactly what has happened again? Perhaps I could offer some aid or my services?”
14investigation
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"I was hoping you could clean up the miserable attempt I've made at my own designs on my staff, maybe enhance it with your own a little?" Waving her hands, wiggling her fingers a little about it a little as if demonstrating lines or swirls on it. "Oh, I'd pay you of course, in trade if you're willing." She hesitates, watching his expression. How can you tell on a tabaxi if he's going to tell you to jump off a cliff or has any interest in what I'm saying at all? She ponders. Then, like an afterthought, she sets out a neatly bottled potion marked 'Healing' in common on the table in front of him. "And perhaps we could convince some of the others in here to take a look at what's going on in the forest?" Raising her voice, ever so slightly, just loud enough for the others at the bar to hear her, "There's lots of talk lately, and I intend to go take a look."
Ufeza hears the young woman’s comment to the other Tabaxi in the inn that someone should investigate the three, and an impulse takes him.
Standing up, he makes the short journey to their table. He clears his throat and says, “Pardon me, friends, but I couldn’t help overhear your suggestion of investigating what’s going on around here lately. I think that’s a fine idea. A little public service and should be a good story as well. Would you mind if I tagged along?”
"Of course, Ufeza! I'd appreciate the company, it could definitely make for a great story. I'm Zephyra, I'd heard your name during your last performance. That trick...I'll figure it out yet." She smiles at him.
Then turning to the other Tabaxi and gathering her staff and potion, "So what do you say? Join us? We can chat about your work on the way. Unless you have somewhere else to be...you mentioned having to go soon." As she awaits his response, she eyes the bar where the half-orc and half-elf sit. "Anyone else?"
"Apparently, the trees are trying to kill the townsfolk..." The tabaxi looks up at Zephyra for the first time, his face sporting a few impressive scars, his feline eyes studying her. He seems to have not heard,or ignored, the comment about the staff. "You think they'll pay well?"
“Probably not.” She holds out her hand as if to give him an arm up. “But join me, and we’ll share any spoils.”
Luther slaps Thariv's bicep with the back of his hand and sticks his chin out towards the interesting girl and the two cats "Never mind, I think there might be a different gig warming up"
He shoulders his bow and walks over to the small assembly "Excuse me, but I couldn't help hearing your talk of exotic work in the area. If my good friend and I could be so bold as to offer our services, we have a lead on another job"
He looks back to Thariv and makes an 'over here' gesture with his head.
Thariv nods at Luther, drains the rest of his mug of ale and turns from the bar, rising to join the somewhat impromptu gathering of like-minded individuals. “Greetings all,” he says with a smile. “Seems my friend Luther here and I might be interested in looking into the troubles in the area as well. The name’s Thariv Lysander.”
Ufeza places his hand on his chest, then gestures in turn to Zephyra and Blossoms. In a kind and warm voice he says, “I am Ufeza. This is Zephyra, at this point I have known her for about twice as long as I’ve known you. I haven’t had the courtesy of the big fellow here just yet. We could begin looking into any of the issues that’s troubled the residents here. If I had to wager, I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t different roads to the same place.”
He then holds up a finger, returns to his table to grad his mug of ale and his hat, then returns and sits at Blossom’s table. “You don’t mind, do you?” He says to the Tatbaxi. His hat has a wide and stiff brim, folded up on one side.
“Not my table...” The tabaxi sighs to himself and nods in the direction of Zephyra, the new owner of the table following her invasion. He puts away his chunk of wood, and gives the small crowd around him an appraising look. “Blossom”, he says, by way of introduction.
Looking very pleased at the gathering, "Zephyra Starwood, Druid and Healer." Then turning to the barkeep, shouts "I think we need some drinks over here and food." Then thinking a moment, steps away to the bar for a couple seconds passing some coin to him and returning back. @dm
5 gp, and whatever he'll bring over for that she'll whisper to him briefly - removed from my sheet.
"Greetings Ufeza, Blossom, Thariv and Luther!" She says warmly looking at each in turn then back to Thariv. "You've gotten some information about the troubles? We need a place to start, anything you know is welcome." Then leans back in her chair, giving him her full attention.
Before joining the group, the man sitting next to Thariv told him about Millie, one of the children that’s always underfoot here in Aetherglen. She was seen last week posting notices searching for her lost cat, Furrball. Then, a day later, she was seen tearing down all the notices, while crying. When approached, she maintained that Furrball had died under a merchant’s cartwheel. And then, a day later, she told everyone that a miracle had happened and Furrball wasn’t dead after all. Millie’s mother frantically began telling everyone yesterday that Millie has run away, and she hasn’t seen her for a whole day. "In my opinion" he ends "the mother is just spreading rumours to get more attention."
The bartender pockets the coins that Zephira offers with a smile "I'll be back with you in a just moment." The man disappears in the kitchen and comes back with a large block of cheese, a few bread loaves, sliced ham and five tankards full of ale balancing in a large tray. "A word of warning for you" he adds setting the tray down "many strangers pass through here, but one has been asking too many funny questions about the trees and the graveyards. An older man, with a bruise down one side of his face."
Thanking the bartender and helping him unload his tray, Ufeza asks, “Do you know where we might find this man? Does he frequent any place?”
"And what do you mean by funny questions?" Zephyra interjects quickly before he answers. Then looks at Ufeza apologetically for interrupting.
Worried about the little girl's possible disappearance and what is going on with her cat, she considers. Graveyards disturbed? Cats coming back from the dead? Could those also be related?
Thariv considers the story of the cat. The tale pulls at his heartstrings a bit, given his and Luther's recent experiences with the charming cats of Selpt.
As the group shares various information, it quickly becomes clear that there are all sorts of strange goings on in and around this town. He pulls the chunk of coral from his pocket and idly plays with it, as if by habit.
He looks to the bartender and the others "One who is interested in animating the dead might start with a cat for practice, I suppose."
Ufeza nods, “And a child’s cat, at that, would mean that fanciful tails of death and rebirth is likely to attributed to a youthful imagination or an attempt at attention.”
The coral catches Zephyra's eye and she studies it a little from afar out of habit from her years of studying precious stones as a clan crafter. But remains quiet.
@dm
Jeweler's proficiency - Xanathar's under tools - Identify Gems. You can identify gems and determine their value at a glance. 10 in case you would like, not sure what sort of check though as it doesn't mention a roll for this, only other things.
Blossom studies the other silently as they talk, content to remain seated on the floor and sipping his water occasionally. "One stranger asking questions about trees and graveyards? Seems like this place now has five more..."
Luther agrees with Blossom's wry observation "Our five heads should surely make lighter work than the stranger's one. And maybe we should follow up a lead. Millie's mother - do we know her name? - Would be a good start. Or at least the house and surrounding area".
Obtaining directions from the man who gave Thariv the information, the half-orc prepares to head out.
The man thinks for a minute, stroking his chin "he's not staying here, and I don't know if he has found someone to shelter him or if he camps in the woods." He turns to Zephyra and adds "he keeps asking how many people have we buried and where are the graves. Sounds really suspicious to me." Then goes back behind the bar.
You eat and make introductions at the table. An hour passes and a few patrons leave, but the storm outside seems to have no intention of abating.
Suddenly, the front door to the inn slams open, and a storm breeze blasts through the room, momentarily dampening the immense hearth fires. A young man stands in the doorway, underdressed for the storm, and sodden as a lost puppy for it. He’s shaking from the cold and yells out to the bar keep in an equally quavering voice: “Liam! It’s happened again!”
Those townsfolk that are left in the inn are on their feet in an instant, some rush to comfort the young lad while others tend to the door. A few have clustered around the innkeeper, who’s previously dower mood has been replaced by red-faced anger.
OOC: roll for investigation if you want to ask questions around.
“Now seems like an appropriate time for questions. I’ve had quite a few chats with the barkeeper over my last few days here if someone wants to try to get the wet ‘puppy’s’ story.”
Ufeza then stands up and the group around the barkeeper. He says his pardon me’s as he gently pushes his way into the gathered circle of towns folk. He gives the barkeeper a respectful nod.
“Liam, sir, if I may ask...exactly what has happened again? Perhaps I could offer some aid or my services?”
14 investigation