previously... Prelude — Sandpoint

[Jubilant Thunder]

Noriko Kaino

 

"Old crypt?" Noriko's ears perk up as she catches the second half of the conversation. It sounded like something exciting was going on. Handing the pastries off to her sister she eyes the flyer on the bar. "That seems vague, you would think they could at least include some kind of information."

[iantruesilver]

Indicating the direction of the bar were Ameiko and Noriko are serving their most recent customer, Sandru suggested to Darhana as he put up a grin, “Sounds to me like your luck might just be about to change.”

 

“I gather the Town Council has its own reasons for remaining somewhat vague, young Miss Kaino.” At the bar, the grizzled gentleman answered the excited Noriko’s suspicious inquiry, “The matter around renovating the Pyre is perhaps sensitive, especially to Varisians, and so requires a certain amount of discretion. There’s no perceivable need to raise any unnecessary panic this close to the Swallowtail Festival, over something that may yet turn out to be just an empty scare.”

 

“Well you’re welcome to solicit as usual, Sebastien.” At the bar, Ameiko and her customer were still conversing, though the topic of discussion sounds to have shifted to a different kind of business than that of baked goods, “And I’ll be happy to lodge and feed your group, granted the usual agreement with Council applies.”

“Much obliged, Madam. My mistress has discussed the handling of people resources of the job with Mayor Deverin, and the usual agreements apply.” The old man said, lugging the basket of treats in one hand and caressing the metal grip of his walking cane, which is cast in the shape of a bird, “And since your inn is usually frequented by an assortment of… adventure seeking types, I speculated it would be prudent to approach you first.”

 

“Very funny, old man. You know I’m as decidedly retired from that life as you are.” Ameiko answered in a deadpan seriousness, her face suddenly covered in some dark mood, “Noriko, go put this up on the notice board.”

 

With a pause, she added in a lighter tone, “We’ll send any inquirers to you.”

 

“Very good, Madam Kaino. Good day.” The two nodded curtly to each other before turning each to resume their morning’s business — Ameiko back to tending the tavern, and Sebastien turning to take his leave of the establishment with his purchased basket of treats in hand.

Edited October 28, 2022 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[Naimless]

Kaichar

 

At the mention of eggs, the tiefling licks his lips, his blue tongue peeking out as the idea hits him. "Yes. Eggs would be good please." He offers a smile, but protrusion of his teeth, not to mention his horns, and the third eye that rests firmly in the centre of his head all serve to harm the effectiveness of his attempt at being warm. He looks more eager now that food is in the offering, a brightness coming to his eyes that were decidedly more guarded moments before.

 

[iantruesilver]

“Right, den eggs it is ducky!” The halfling nodded to the rather strange-looking tiefling, having still some trouble looking at him directly in the eyes, keeping just out of arms reach but at least respectful enough to not ostracize him unduly.

 

She then turns towards Darhana on the way towards the bar again, “‘Ow many love, tree sound good?”

 

Taking the opportunity to catch the halfling's attention, Sandru cuts in and instructs, "Hey Bethana, her tab's on me huh?"

 

Then, scratching his head, he looks around at the environs of the Rusty Dragon's common room, mumbling to himself, "Now then, where to find the bath..."

 

As though borne of a second thought, Bethana looks back towards Kaichar and says, “Ye just stay where yer to and I'll come brings it where yer at now de once.”

 

Edited October 29, 2022 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[pdwalt]

Lars finally notices he was in the way, when Noriko had to dodge him. Reluctantly he exits the kitchen in time to hear about something posted on the board. He goes to look.   OOC Specifics Nothing here - move along . Short Statblock|CisMale NG Half-Elf Rogue (unchained), Level 1, Init 4, HP 10/10, Speed 30 AC 18, Touch 15, Flat-footed 13, CMD 16, Fort 2, Ref 6, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0 short sword +4 (1d6+1, 19-20 x2) dagger +4 (1d4_1, 19-20 x2) javelin (3) +4 (1d6+1, 20 x2) studded leather (+3 Armor, +4 Dex) Abilities Str 12, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8 Condition +1 to attack rolls to those that threaten Shalelu; +1 perception to detect traps and to disable device skill to disarm them; +2 saving throw vs enchantment spells and effects; immune to magic sleep. low light vision

 

[Jubilant Thunder]

Noriko Kaino

 

With a quick nod Noriko picks up the paper and heads to the board, taking a moment to look over them and shift a few of the older ones to make room for the new ad front and center. Securing it with a tack she steps back and turns around...almost directly into Lars. "Oh!" She jumps, cheeks reddening slightly. "I'm sorry, you walk very quietly. I didn't realize you had come back out."

[iantruesilver]

Now freshly pinned onto the notice board of the Rusty Dragon, amongst other postings varying from finding a lost kitten to bounties for criminals, a new ad is in plain view as soon as one enters the door.

 

 

And just like that, it seems like the Rusty Dragon has resumed its normal flow for a lazy Moonday morning. As Bethana goes to call in Kaichar’s order to the kitchen, Ameiko makes herself busy putting the remainder of the day’s pastries into a few display stands with glass covers.

 

A few words are exchanged between the three women through the kitchen door, and a few cream puffs are set aside onto a plate, which Ameiko personally goes to deliver at Darhana’s table.

With a few other effects still in her hands, Ameiko makes her way with light steps over to the hearth at corner of the irregularly shaped tavern floor once again. Donning a heavy mitt she picks up the coffee pot once more from where it’s hanging on a ring above the fire, and pours the dark hot liquid over a cup.

 

“ክመት” After replacing the coffee pot, she speaks a few arcane words into another small metal pitcher as she pours a stream of some foamy concoction from it into the cup, her hands moving swiftly but delicately to create some kind of effect with the bubbly white substance.

 

Then for a few final touches, she turns to yet another small pot, dipping into it with a short skewer to draw out little drizzles of a viscous, dark brown coloured sauce to accentuate the foamy creation.

 

The whole process takes no more than a few minutes, at the end of which Ameiko brings this finished concoction over to the corner table and places it in front of Bianca.

 

Edited October 29, 2022 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[TheFred]

Bianca Pohlo

 

Relieved that someone has finally come over to serve her, Bianca looks up from her book and almost jumps in surprise.

 

"Oh! Um... ah... hi, Ameiko..." she mumbles incoherently, taken completely aback. She likes to think that she's friends with the Rusty Dragon's enigmatic owner, but the other woman is something of a local legend and Bianca always seems to get tongue-tied around her. "Oh, er... is this for me? That's, um... aww... thank you."

 

The unusual drink is awfully cute and quite impressive, and Bianca is frankly a little overwhelmed that someone would go to the trouble for her. Not quite sure how to response, she sits awkwardly for a moment before gingerly picking up the cup and taking a tentative sip...

Edited November 3, 2022 by TheFred (see edit history)

[farothel]

 

"Three is okay," Darhana said, before thanking Sandru for picking up her tab.  When she noticed that a new paper was put up on the notice board, she heads over to have a look at that and maybe other things that could be interesting.  Well, she didn't have a problem with travel, the thought she was discreet (at least she didn't go blabbing about things she'd seen) and she didn't know if she was a good investigator, but she could find tracks outside of town, if such were needed.

 

So she sat back on her place and waited for her pastries.  If it was outside of town, it was most likely something she wouldn't get the coming days, so better stock up now while she still could.

[iantruesilver]

As Darhana gets back to her table, there is a plate of three adorable looking cream puffs staring up at her, each sporting a little nose and a large, wide-set pair of eyes, as well as some ornament on top of each of their heads. The creations quite frankly look a little more akin to palm-sized pets than pastries.

 

 

Meanwhile, as Sebastien was about to open the door to leave the Rusty Dragon, Sandru catches up to him on the way to the bath, and with a quick gesture back toward Darhana’s table he suggests, “Hey if you’re looking for someone to get a job done, Darhana over there is about as reliable a guide and escort as you can find.”

 

Given that small recommendation, Sebastien stops just at the door and turns to regard the current patrons of the Rusty Dragon, giving them a brief once over and scanning over each of them with a well practiced eye of scrutiny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the same time on the other side of the tavern, the halfling woman has brought a plate of omelette to Kaichar’s table. This one seems particularly loaded with ham, to the point where the contents look as though they’d threaten to spill out of the omelette at any point if disturbed a little too roughly. “Dar ya’are ducky, dat’ll put away yer gut founderin’ fer a spell.”

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[farothel]

 

Darhana looked up when Sandru makes the recommendation.  She wasn't sure how to react to that, as she probably could find four or five better scouts than she was.  Maybe not here, but she knew them.  Then she realised that she in fact needed work and if she didn't want to guard more caravans, this was one of the things she might be doing.

"I'll come around to the townhall after I finish these pastries," she said to Sebastien, "I assume you know how good they are."

[iantruesilver]

"I do indeed."  Seeing a sign of inquisitiveness displayed in Darhana, Sebastien stops and turns toward the half-elf to give a little clarification, "Well perhaps if you have the interest and a party of willing associates, Madam, I could spare you the trouble of making a trip to the town hall, and simply furnish you with whatever information you might need to have a head start on the task."

 

"So, coffee then?"  Without skipping a beat, Ameiko looks up to proffer the gentleman a morning refreshment.

 

"Please."

[farothel]

 

"I'm certainly interested," Darhana said, taking a bite of the pastries, "But I don't have a party of associates with me.  I just arrived this morning.  Ooh, these are great."

She looked at the other people in the room.

"You should get some.  These are delicious."

[iantruesilver]

"Well, with the promise of a seven hundred and fifty gold reward, I’m sure a resourceful lady such as yourself could easily find a few capable companions." Sebastien made his way slowly towards Darhana’s table, stopping just beside the seat opposite her, “Not to mention the town council has agreed to furnish Madam Kaino here with fees necessary for ration and quartering a group of contractors for this task, granted it be completed on time, of course.”

 

 

 

”Y’know, if it’s adventurers you need,” Ameiko says as she passes Sebastien and Darhana towards the hearth, “I’d say Bianca there has a pretty decent handle on things requiring arcane expertise.”

 

With that, Ameiko gestures back toward Bianca at her table.

Edited November 5, 2022 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[farothel]

 

Darhana had just taken a bite from the pastries when Sebastien said the reward.  She tried to swallow quickly and of course some of it went the wrong way and she started coughing.  While she recovered her mind went in overdrive.  What task was worth that amount of money.  But the guy was right, that would make it easier to get people out.  She looked over at young woman in the corner.  She didn't look like someone who would go out into the wild, but she knew that looks could be deceiving.

"I'll check to see if I can find someone," she said to Sabastien, "I'll be around later, okay?"

 

When the guy had gone, Darhana looked at Bianca again.  Sandru had said that Ameiko had been an adventurer herself, so she probably had some idea about the magic needed while in the wild.  finishing her pastries she stood up and walked over to Bianca.

"Hey.  I'm Darhana.  I'm not sure if you heard about the job that Sebastien put on the message board.  Sounds interesting and it offers great pay.  Ameiko told me you're good with the arcane stuff.  If I'm going to do this, I could probably use someone who knows some arcane stuff.  Interested?"