The Village of Outsmuth, Beach - ~1pm A three-hour ride through the less placid parts of Navel Lake is... rough. Speed is certainly Jan's specialty and even those who have been on a boat before realize why the merchant vessels of the Lake tend to stick to the coastal waters. Jan constantly has a foot on the rudder, making adjustments as the inner-lake currents shove the little boat back and forth. But, ultimately, with some small talk and a good magical breeze, you're jamming the keel of the boat into the sand. "Outsmuth doesn't have a proper dock, just a few small private fishing piers. So I'll be 'round here for a day or three. Job like this has me stick," suddenly he takes a long draft of water from a flask on his belt and hard pant after, "around as an emergency escape, too. These trips take a lot out of me. Please don't need me for the next few hours." Jan, his breathing more ragged as visible flits of electricity jitter out his nose with each breath, flops onto the sand and pulls his hat over his face. Nap time for him, work time for the rest of the group. --- Outsmuth is a quaint little village. There's enough life and liveliness as you walk in from the beach to see other traveling folk and merchants are not entirely out of place. Given the size of the village, it's not difficult to find the bulk of shops. You do even spot one unaffiliated adventuring group - at least judging by their stuffed backpacks and mismatched gear - moving between what's labeled the inn and the general store. Neither have a fancy name, just simple plaques. With a stable attached to the inn and little else in the town that's likely relevant, it's likely as good a place to start as any other. Unless beginning the hike west immediately is preferable.

Statblock F CG Human (orc) Gun Chemist Alchemist, Level 2, Init 3, HP 19/19, Speed 30ft AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 6, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Dragon Pistol +5 vs touch (1d6, x4, 15 feet) Dragon Pistol Cone +3 vs touch (1d6, x4 15 foot cone) Ordinance N/A (1d6+4) Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20/x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8 Conditions Ordinance 6/6 "I suppose that's what we're to find out. At any rate that matter is secondary to the assignment he was to complete," Charlie muses aloud. It was a good point, if Burbage just skipped out on the assignment he should have been caught. And overland travel would have been quite slow by comparison. But he had to have gone that route, seeing as the alternative didn't happen. They'd have to see once they got to Outsmuth. Regardless she didn't have further questions before setting out, and indicates as much.

To the Water, and the "Captain" - ~10am Safiyrra's once-over of the little boat makes her question it more. It's seaworthy - if one considers Navel Lake's calm waters a sea - and would be fine even on the warmer coasts out west, but with only a single pair of oars she wonders about its speed. "Takes about two weeks on foot. Maybe ten days if you're fast. Done it myself, just to see if I could. A good horse at a canter the whole way could pull it off in... Six? Five? Maybe even four or three if you're not one for animal welfare." Now on the semi-open water near the docks, Jan unfurls the sail and draws a cutlass. "You thinkin' he just left town and never even went? Sure would be a waste if that happened." With a lax swing of his sword, a slight breeze formed and shoved the boat into truly open water. Saffiyra's assumption about magical assistance turned out to be right. "Call it a hunch, but if that happened he would've been caught in the next town over and you wouldn't be worrying about him. Any other travel questions as I start pushing?" The late morning sun was soft today. The boat was already moving swifter than anticipated, but as Jan asked for questions specific to the destination, he locked the rudder and gave a harsh swing of his sword, the breeze becoming an audible blast of wind filling the sails. The warm sun was quickly cooled by the rush of wind as Jan kept his sword pointed forward. It seems like his boast about speed was not truly a boast after all.

Statblock M LG Dwarven Kineticist, Level 2, Init 5, HP 21/21, Speed 30ft AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20x2) Heavy Crossbow +4 (1d10, 19-20x2) Earthen Blast +4 (1d6+4, 20x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 8 Condition Flesh of Stone: DR 2/Adamantine, +3 CL when Suppressed Non-Lethal Damage 2 Burn ⚫ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⭕ If only speed wasn't necessary they could avoid this whole boat nonsense. "Aye, I suppose we should get this trip over with. How long would this trip take on foot?" Jord'Dyn looks hesitant on how to embark the boat and suddenly drops in. "Don't you worry about the oars, I'm sure I can figure them out." He grabs onto the oars, moving them in the air as if testing them.

Statblock F CG Human (orc) Gun Chemist Alchemist, Level 2, Init 3, HP 19/19, Speed 30ft AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 6, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Dragon Pistol +5 vs touch (1d6, x4, 15 feet) Dragon Pistol Cone +3 vs touch (1d6, x4 15 foot cone) Ordinance N/A (1d6+4) Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20/x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8 Conditions Ordinance 6/6 The insinuation that the Burbage situation was anything more than a guy being paid up front and blowing off the assignment felt it needed some pushback. It wouldn't do to badmouth the guild and their vetting process on the first assignment after all. "No, nothing like that. We have business in Outsmuth that Burbage was supposed to deal with himself. His whereabouts are just another issue we need to resolve. Now we know he didn't use your services. So we just need to row us out? I suppose I could if nobody else is going to."

To the Docks, and the "Captain" Safiyrra's once-over of the little boat makes her question it more. It's seaworthy - if one considers Navel Lake's calm waters a sea - and would be fine even on the warmer coasts out west, but with only a single pair of oars she wonders about its speed. "Burbage? Like the merchant family? No logs of any fancy folk, but I only do expedited runs. Either your 'among other things' is carrin' a lotta weight or this guy is real bad news." Jan rummages among a side table and pulls out a small book and stamp. He takes your letter, stamps it, and shoves it among the journal's pages before flipping back to other, similar letters stored within. "Last trip I took out there was two weeks ago. Element-blight boar hunter. So your Burbage either took land or a different boat. His loss. I'm faster!" With a jovial whistle, he shoves the journal and stamp back into their little box, and kips up onto the boat as he starts untying it from the dock. "Ex-pe-di-ted. No normal routes. Hop on, row us out, and I'll get us there in... about three hours. Maybe faster if someone stays on the oars! Destination questions can come while we travel." The timetable confuses Safiyrra even more. There's either incoming magical assistance or someone's arms were about to get the workout of the year. Possibly both.

Safiyrra [floatleft][img]https://mwbaldrcdkstack-ipbuploads6f377ba5-6asvxg6ywium.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2023_08/Safiyrra.jpg.f10d3c3b4ed2274d4db0079607343f0e.jpg[/img][/floatleft] Safiyrra nods to Charlie, silently supporting her questions with a confident look to the captain. Not a very subtle sailing vessel, she thinks. But it should get us there and back, right? She looks over what she can see of the little boat, to decide how seaworthy it might be. Profession Sailor OOC Statblock [URL=/sheets/?id=2827569][B][SIZE=+1]Saffiyra[/SIZE][/B][/URL] F N Orc Investigator (Cryptid Scholar), [B]Level[/B] 2, [B]Init[/B] 1, [B]HP[/B] 17/17, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 11, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 14, [B]CMD[/b] 12, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] +1 [B] masterwork longspear [/B] +3 (1d8+1, 20/x3) [B] masterwork lamellar (leather)[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 13, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 9 [B]Condition[/B] None extracts 1st x2 (shield 1/1, empty 1/1); inspiration 4/4 F N Orc Investigator (Cryptid Scholar), Level 2, Init 1, HP 17/17, Speed 30 AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 5, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus +1 masterwork longspear +3 (1d8+1, 20/x3) masterwork lamellar (leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 13, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 9 Condition None extracts 1st x2 (shield 1/1, empty 1/1); inspiration 4/4

Statblock F CG Human (orc) Gun Chemist Alchemist, Level 2, Init 3, HP 19/19, Speed 30ft AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 6, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Dragon Pistol +5 vs touch (1d6, x4, 15 feet) Dragon Pistol Cone +3 vs touch (1d6, x4 15 foot cone) Ordinance N/A (1d6+4) Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20/x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8 Conditions Ordinance 6/6 Charlie was pretty sure she had all the details right, at least as she understood them. No sense wasting time recounting the points if she didn't need to. Not that that'd make a great impression on her new employer anyway. How'd it look if she had to ask a bunch of redundant questions before setting out? Probably not great. Besides this was all Guild stuff. Guild set up the mission, guild arranged the transport, guild had the missing member. They'd take care of everything on that end. At least that was the thought before she saw said transport the Guild arranged. It would probably get them there faster than walking. Probably. If the vessel was about as fast as it looked that'd work out for Charlie anyway since moisture wasn't the best for most of her gear. Oh well, standing around wouldn't get this started any faster. "Outsmuth. You the normal transport out those parts? We need to find another guild member, among other things. You take him too? Burbage was his name, right?" she asks, conferring with her new companions even though she remembered that detail on her own.

To the Docks, and the "Captain" Content with handing off the description, Master Roderic shuffles the group out of his office with little ceremony left. Back in the guild hall, the old couple shuffle quickly away to the cafeteria, leaving you three to your own devices. With a letter of passage, it's quick and easy to flag down a small cart to rush you to the docks. Little blocks the way and this side of the city is often calm. A sunny morning greets everyone as the smell of the sea-sized lake grows stronger. Skiffs and fishing boats make up the largest chunk of the watercraft in this center of the city, but it's not long before you find the green Guild flag at a small boathouse, the transport house you've been assigned to. A young man, sandy-blonde and probably at least a little elven, greets you with an overly enthusiastic smile. "Ah! Three people, equipped and ready? Must be for me! Name's Capitan Jan and the boat is the Breeze. Where ya headin', any questions on it, and how fast am I allowed to get you there? Been sailin' the coast for a year and I've seen most of the little towns on the north and east sides and I'm glad to help." Looking over, you do see a small sailing vessel - too small to hold much more than five people with no more than a day trip's cargo - in the boathouse. Painted jarringly green and with only a single pair of oars, you do wonder just how fast it can move.

Kal looks around, hastily swallowing the bite of food he was working on. "Kal Bushel, M'lord. At your service". With that, he gets up, and walks over to peer into the kitchen, seeing if he can discern the source of the noise without getting in the way.

Still standing after finishing his conversation with the server about the kitchen's horrendous preparation methods Jylora turns back to Lord Price and Desmascus. "Ah, agreed have we?" Resting his hand on Des' shoulder, Jylora dips his head at Lord Price. "Jylora Mchala, an oracle of Padartha. I agree to provide the gifts of Padartha's blessing with you as long as our roads cross."

If the answer bothered him, Demascus did not show it. He buried his thoughts in a big bite of food and a follow-up sip from his mug. He seemed content to ponder the whole thing for a long moment and was happy to have the full table of food and companions as a formidable distraction from his response. But eventually there was not enough food on his plate nor drink in his mug to hide behind. "I will come on this journey with you, Lord Price, and see where it takes us both." He put his hand out to shake the man's hand and formally introduce himself. Something he'd purposefully avoided before terms were fully disclosed. "Desmascus Ocuna, at your liege."

Statblock M CG Human (orc) Gun Chemist Alchemist, Level 2, Init 3, HP 19/19, Speed 30ft AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 6, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Dragon Pistol +5 vs touch (1d6, x4, 15 feet) Dragon Pistol Cone +3 vs touch (1d6, x4 15 foot cone) Ordinance N/A (1d6+4) Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20/x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8 Conditions Ordinance 6/6 "I keep the essentials with me all the time anyway. So long as we don't need to camp out for a week I'm good to go." Of course just what constituted an 'essential' to Charlie was another matter altogether. She was pretty sure she could make do if she had to go a few days away from town. Charlie wasn't that far gone from the farm she couldn't.

Statblock M LG Dwarven Kineticist, Level 2, Init 5, HP 21/21, Speed 30ft AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1 Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20x2) Heavy Crossbow +4 (1d10, 19-20x2) Earthen Blast +4 (1d6+4, 20x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 8 Condition Flesh of Stone: DR 2/Adamantine, +3 CL when Suppressed Non-Lethal Damage 2 Burn ⚫ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⭕ Nodding in affirmation to the man, he gets up from his seat he turns to walk out the door. Once they were outside he asks his companions, "Anything you can think we need? Probably some travel supplies and ration if we don't have them already. Otherwise we should head out pretty swiftly." Stopping in his tracks he looks to his companions to confirm what course of action they will be taking.

Inside The Spinning Stool Responding to Vralgesk's joke with a chuckle and a quick spin of his stool, he seems glad that his initial assessment wasn't entirely spot on. "Would it be rude of me to say both? ...I supposed it would be at least a little contrite. I'll say that I do expect your limbs to be on the before mine; the pay is for danger and your actual professions. But I wish our arrangement to only matter when weapons have been drawn and when deciding the watch schedule. Beyond that, I wish for us to build some fond memories and end up with some form of cordial future plans." He pauses to pour himself a bit of the beer and heap a large portion of the cheese-covered greens for himself. "My luck is untested on this front, though hopefully you'll see the luck - especially mine! - is quite fickle! You can never know what will happen next." He takes a long draw from his mug as luck rears its grotesquely sublime head nearby. With a pop and crash, smoke begins leaking from the chophouse kitchen. The sound of metal pans clattering is heard for a few seconds, but the patrons gawk and stare. No other workers are upfront at the moment.

Roderick's Office - Meeting the Parents Jvorak gives a thoughtful nod at Jord'Dyn's comment, rubbing a scar on his forearm. It's likely he had such a journey himself, though how it effects his opinion here is hard to say specifically. Sanisk seems less impressed, though. "I can't even remember when I was last that willful. But, go on then. Stay safe enough to find her and then keep her safe until she writes us back!" Master Roderick gives a brief harrumph as he hands over a pair of letters. One is clearly a signed and posted letter of passage at the port and the other is a brief profile of Richard Burbage. "Again, I hope to hear from you all soon. Ideally with a safe daughter from one and an explanation from the other. Passage is booked to leave this evening at the latest, so you've a few hours if you need to outfit yourself or the like. Spend some time in Outsmuth asking about Mister Burbage. He's bound to have done something there, even if in a rush. There's a cart trail leading through the hills to the west of Outsmuth. It's only about a dozen miles from there to the village outskirts, but calling it a trail is a bit generous. If you get off track, follow the coast west until you reach people. There's little out there beyond shallow limestone caves, but that just makes it hard to get lost. Good luck, and I hope you don't need it."

   Statblock Jord'Dyn Gammel M LG Dwarven Kineticist, Level 2, Init 5, HP 21/21, Speed 30ft AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 6, Ref 6, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1    Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20x2) Heavy Crossbow +4 (1d10, 19-20x2) Earthen Blast +4 (1d6+4, 20x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 8 Condition Flesh of Stone: DR 2/Adamantine, +3 CL when Suppressed Non-Lethal Damage 2 Burn ⚫ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⚪ ⭕   Jord'Dyn nods as Charlie asks their question, "Aye, it seems like everyone goes through a phase where they need to find, prove or create something, even if they tend to get in over their heads. Who knows, maybe we will end up helping her in this journey of hers." He looks over to his two companions and notices Safiyrra's stance and gaze. "If there are no more questions it would probably be best we start out on our journey." Standing up he offers his hand to the elven couple. A simple gesture, but one of goodwill. Ideally they would be back with good news swiftly

  Statblock Charlie M CG Human (orc) Gun Chemist Alchemist, Level 2, Init 3, HP 19/19, Speed 30ft AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15, CMD 14, Fort 5, Ref 6, Will 0, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 1    Dragon Pistol +5 vs touch (1d6, x4, 15 feet) Dragon Pistol Cone +3 vs touch (1d6, x4 15 foot cone) Ordinance N/A (1d6+4) Dagger +4 (1d4, 19-20/x2) MST Chain Shirt (+4 Armor) Abilities Str 11, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8 Conditions Ordinance 6/6   It sounded like Charlie had all she needed from the grandparents to go off. Elf girl in a wheelchair would probably stick out and not be too hard to track down. Still there was probably one nagging issue that had to be talked about. Sounded like she was just busy doing something more important to her than anything else. At least that's the way it sounded to Charlie. What kind of hypocrite would she be trying to drag someone away from just living their life how they wanted? "So just find her right? Not anything else? You got any more messages you want to pass on to her while we're at it?"

Kal looks to the others to figure out the "done thing", then starts piling his plate high with pork and broccoli. He misses a lot of the conversation while focused on the food, but looks up in frozen, wide-eyed shock at the old elf's last questions.

Safiyrra [floatleft][img]https://mwbaldrcdkstack-ipbuploads6f377ba5-6asvxg6ywium.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2023_08/Safiyrra.jpg.f10d3c3b4ed2274d4db0079607343f0e.jpg[/img][/floatleft] Safiyrra nods as she takes in everything the elves are saying. She seems reluctant to speak, content with allowing Charlie and Jord'Dyn to ask the questions, though her brow furrows a little as she listens to the answers. This job might be more than I bargained for, she thinks. Convincing a person who wants to be left alone to make contact with her parents, especially when she has something to prove, would be difficult in any circumstances. Let us hope she is not in any danger, though that may strain fate. She gives her companions a questioning look, to see if they have anything else they want to say. She stands a little straighter to indicate that she is ready to depart if they do not. OOC Statblock [URL=/sheets/?id=2827569][B][SIZE=+1]Saffiyra[/SIZE][/B][/URL] F N Orc Investigator (Cryptid Scholar), [B]Level[/B] 2, [B]Init[/B] 1, [B]HP[/B] 17/17, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 11, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 14, [B]CMD[/b] 12, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] +1 [B] masterwork longspear [/B] +3 (1d8+1, 20/x3) [B] masterwork lamellar (leather)[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 13, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 9 [B]Condition[/B] None extracts 1st x2 (shield 1/1, empty 1/1); inspiration 4/4 F N Orc Investigator (Cryptid Scholar), Level 2, Init 1, HP 17/17, Speed 30 AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 5, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus +1 masterwork longspear +3 (1d8+1, 20/x3) masterwork lamellar (leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 13, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 9 Condition None extracts 1st x2 (shield 1/1, empty 1/1); inspiration 4/4

Safiyrra [floatleft][img]https://mwbaldrcdkstack-ipbuploads6f377ba5-6asvxg6ywium.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/monthly_2023_08/Safiyrra.jpg.f10d3c3b4ed2274d4db0079607343f0e.jpg[/img][/floatleft] Safiyrra does something. "Something," says Safiyrra. Something, Safiyrra thinks. OOC Content Statblock [URL=/sheets/?id=2827569][B][SIZE=+1]Saffiyra[/SIZE][/B][/URL] F N Orc Investigator (Cryptid Scholar), [B]Level[/B] 2, [B]Init[/B] 1, [B]HP[/B] 17/17, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 15, [B]Touch[/B] 11, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 14, [B]CMD[/b] 12, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 4, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] +1 [B] masterwork longspear [/B] +3 (1d8+1, 20/x3) [B] masterwork lamellar (leather)[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 13, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 9 [B]Condition[/B] None extracts 1st x2 (shield 1/1, empty 1/1); inspiration 4/4 Saffiyra F N Orc Investigator (Cryptid Scholar), Level 2, Init 1, HP 17/17, Speed 30 AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 12, Fort 3, Ref 4, Will 5, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus +1 masterwork longspear +3 (1d8+1, 20/x3) masterwork lamellar (leather) (+4 Armor, +1 Dex) Abilities Str 13, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 9 Condition None extracts 1st x2 (shield 1/1, empty 1/1); inspiration 4/4

With the older elf deciding to stand, Demascus seemed a bit out of sorts. His body language suggested he felt torn between joining him in standing and finding the chair in which he sat to be comfortable. Eventually, he simply turned his body slightly away from Jlyora and the entire discomfort subsided. He turned his attention fully to the host. None too soon, either. Demascus couldn't hide his dismay at the arrangement. Holding a blind eye to his own personal choices these past few decades, there was something concerning about a man who hadn't a friend in the world to call his traveling companion. Someone wealthy enough for such expeditions, doubly so. The elf moved to ask more questions but was interrupted by servers and food. Demascus looked over the offering and it's wide-spread coverage of the table. It was a feast. "You're too kind." He uttered, a default response to the surprisingly lavish display. A moment later, a second server brought a mug out and placed it in front of the elf. It was spiced tea with green cloves resting on the top layer. The smell triggered his memories in an almost violent way. He leaned his face into the steam and then looked to the host with a confused look on his brow before continuing his search toward Jlyora and realizing what had been done. The distressed wiped away. His body sunk into the chair another inch further and he went about delicately and politely making a plate. While he worked, he kept the conversation with their host going, "Most noblemen do not hire caravan guards and expect quality conversations and comradery. I cannot fathom the two things overlap so often that you have found luck with such postings before." He could feel his tone shifting back and he paused long enough to cut some of the pork steak to collect himself. "So, which do you seek, Lord Price? Companions or watchmen? It's best we settle it now so that we are not confused later when under less amenable degrees."

Brief Summary - Lord Price & The Spinning Stool The Spinning Stool is a chophouse somewhat popular on the eastern side of the city, mainly surviving due to generous (if gristly, watered down, or otherwise focused more on the spiced bread and cheap snacks) portions and inexpensive prices and premium location. Positioned right on the edge between the tenant sprawl and a somewhat nicer crafts district, it draws in large amounts of hungry workers with all colors of money. The stools would be comfortable if they didn't move so much, but the owner swears it does wonders for keeping people from sitting too long. After all, the money is made from volume and freshly empty bellies walking in, not adventurers nursing wine in corners. The building itself is only a generation old, made of a stone foundation with a wooden second-floor apartment for the owner's family and a few boarders (occupied for the last three years by the same three people). It's a surprisingly spacious place, able to seat over six dozen people. There're a few smaller tables in the back for something that passes as privacy. This is where the party is seated. --- Lord Vancent Price himself is a man of average height and above-average width. Currently dressed in fairly simple - albeit noticeably high-quality - clothing. Leather boots, kilt, tunic, all in browns and greens. Broad-jawed, bearded, and dark brown hair clearly brushed into place despite the sweaty and smoky eatery, it's hard not to pick him out of a crowd as someone clearly not a workman or similar. He doesn't appear to be armed or armored in any way at the moment, nor is he wearing any particular finery or jewelry. Inside The Spinning Stool Responding to Vralgesk's joke with a chuckle and a quick spin of his stool, he seems glad that his initial assessment wasn't entirely spot on. "To be frank, I rarely plan excursions like these beyond the stopping points. Though I will say that The Old Sprout Beanery is the last stop, the port it's in will hold my boat. And that," he points to Demascus, "is the only one of my servants on this whole journey. He's been paid a month's wages plus bonus in advance and given the keys to a small house of mine in the area to mind the ship and house. The rest of the way it will be us five alone! I had planned on visiting The Scarlet Oak Distillery first, as it is still in Stanez. As for difficulties, I'll say that I am not expecting anything four armed men cannot handle. Five, if I have half a bother to pull out my trusty hammer! Perhaps some wolves? Wolves of the 'deserting soldier' variety? A drunken brawl or three? Bah, past that I can only imagine how terribly my sense of direction will get us lost. Or, better yet, if my unnaturally poor luck in such matters causes us to be accosted for political matters! One can only hope, no?" --- After a brief wait, it seems that Lord Price had already set some small round of food to be brought out for the four of you even before arriving. A trio of fried sandwiches of chipped beef and what is hopefully cabbage, a pile of roasted broccoli and tiny cabbages slathered in cheese, a small mountain of fried eggs, several thin-sliced pork steaks, a pair pitchers - one weak beer and the other vinegar-smelling wine - with small mugs, a stack of a dozen griddlecakes, and a little bowl of orange marmalade. It's rather impressive that one dwarf balanced it all out and placed it rapidly on the table before wordlessly shuffling off again. "Ah, excellent. I took the liberty of ordering all this before you arrived, to be brought out when you arrived. They have all forms of meats on cut-to-order, as well, if you're more of a 'grouse of the day' kind of person.

Roderick's Office - Meeting the Parents The father seems to still be the one with a level head. "Unfortunately, she never mentioned her mother's name in her letters. Only that she had a lead in the last one we received. As for her mobility, she's always hate prosthetics. Though we never quite had the funds for those nice padded steel spring ones from Silvercast... She has a chair with wheels. We carved it outself, so I assure you it's... probably broken in a dozen places from her taking it off the nice smooth roads of home." Thigns seem to have taken a turn for the calm, thankfully. The couple seems glad to be actually meeting the people they're expected to rely on instead of someone running off alone. "To be fair, she hated the chair, as well. I think she simply loathed the whole... situation. She was quite angry after her father passed, but never let it out. You're probably more right than we know, calling it her 'search'."

Jlyora was taking a new measure of the man reunited with him after such a time that he didn't first notice the perfumed note brought to them. Folding his copy neatly into a pocket he listened to Demascus read it aloud before mildly grumbling about having to hitch his llama to the back of the carriage and some notes about him being old but he could still walk just fine. Having left through the stables entrance of the guild hall Jlyora came in sight of the carriage with his llama in tow - a well worn umber travel cloak hung over his features covering the majority of what clothes he worn underneath while a desert scarf was wrapped around his neck ready to be pulled up at a moments notice should it be needed. Hints of gold and aqua-marine embordering on the cloak beneath the dirt and mud showed the cloak was well made, but equally well used. Glimpses of a blue and sea-foam colored robe with a waves patterned into it shown beneath the cloak as Jylora shifted and moved. A travel satchel sat across his shoulders resting on his hips, cinched tight to his side with a second strap on his belt. Tips of scrolls poked out of the edges of the satchel as Jylora rummaged inside for something to hold the llama to the carriage. Getting into the carriage with the assorted group Jylora pulled out a worn journal and attempted to read as they travelled, content to get to know his companions in less confined a space. Once at the table with Lord Price, Jylora had prodded one of the spinning novelty chairs before electing to stand and not risk nausea or bodily harm. Picking some likely greasy tavern food off the menu and something that he recalled Demascus liking he waved down a server. Keeping half an ear to the conversation with Lord Price, Jylora tries to gleans information about the food and its construction from the server to gauge his expectations.