Month 2 - Into the Border Zone

[Pheonixfire]

Draco Tiras
Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
+1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2)
Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Speaks Common
Speaks Draconic

 

Draco just crosses his arms, conceding to Ingrid's points but not really replying. At Coal's comment, he shifts a bit closer. "It means going against something. It's not just at city, but authorities, maybe other groups and such. Doesn't even have to be just, or good. But yeah, we're not going to do anything about it."

Quims comment had him pause, then grins. "Sure!"

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 24/24 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 5/5 (+1d6)

---

Coals frowns. "But if there is a reason they are not agreeing with something, maybe we should know about it, right?" she suggests. "If it is something bad with the city, then we might not want to be dealing with things here."

The sudden topic change of Quim's suggestion throws her a little off-balance. "But... I... What about...?" She pauses, thinking, before speaking again. "...Yes, why do we not go find some peh-ro-gees?" she says, carefully sounding out the strange word. There's an uncharacteristic tone to her voice, and her pet mouse makes a squeak that sounds maybe a bit disapproving?

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Outskirts of Market Square ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Late Afternoon~

Quim leads those interested in following.  After winding through a few questionable alleyways, Quim seems to have his bearings about him.  With each block he is more confident in his direction and his pace quickens with excitement.  Coal's short legs and heavy armor have her scrambling to keep up.  Just as it seems Quim might be about to disappear around a corner, he suddenly stops.

In front of you is a makeshift vendor stall.  While it was clearly once a wagon, it doesn't look like it's moved for quite some time.  There is a lower bed that supports the roof above with strong posts in each corner.  On top of the roof rests numerous clay jugs.  Inside the structure is a makeshift mini-kitchen; there is a pot of boiling water and a small iron pan. They are heated by a small iron stove with just enough space for both items to sit on it.  The walls surrounding the wagon's upper cover area are folded down to form double-thick half-walls, though for the halfling working inside the walls seem to be just the right size.  Despite his small stature, the height of the wagon puts him eye to eye with the tallest of you, and at least a few inches above everyone else.

"Sweet or savory? Two for a silver," he calls out to everyone as you approach the wagon first.  He doesn't wait for a response as he throws a few items into the pot of boiling water that looks like wads of dough.

Edited March 16, 2023 by Doby (see edit history)

[TheFred]

 

Instinctively, Nancy flinches back from Quim's tug, but Draco seems happy to indulge the boy so she follows along. This whole escapade has her more than a little on edge, but the city is so busy that nobody seems to be paying her much mind, not beyond the odd stare.

"It doesn't matter," she says to Coalscuttle, as the kobold asks more questions about the rebels. "There are probably a lot of things wrong with this place, but so long as we can get what we need without any trouble we'll be fine." 

It would be just their luck to get caught up in some sort of... rebellion? Nobody here seems to be all that worried about whatever it is, mind you, so perhaps - just perhaps - might they have a simple and uneventful trip, for once?

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 24/24 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 5/5 (+1d6)

---

Coals looks up curiously at the short man in the cart. She can't really see what he's doing in there, but she can hear something cooking.

"Um..." She turns to Quim. "You are the one who likes these peh-ro-gees. Which would be better?"

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20
AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1
Masterwork Heavy Mace +2 (1d8+2, 20/x3)
Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Shield (-2 Nonproficiency Penalty, +2 AC)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

Ingrid held back and tried to blend in with the crowd, leaving her young companions to be about their business without her interruption.  That seemed to be a halfling food vendor?  Fine folk, when they had reason to make an honest living.  More than once, back home, wagons had come through and nicked off something of importance to somebody, wasn't a racial thing, just the nature of traveling folk she supposed.  She had an inkling, perhaps an incorrect one, of the whys for Suliyah refusing to return to Citadel.  Tyras too.  No doubt much of the Company shared similar stories, if the place was plagued by 'Rebels'.

Exorbitant taxes, and a corrupt guard structure had already become apparent and they'd hardly been here more than a few hours.  It would be little wonder if the worker caste clamored for economic reform.  Much less the 'indentured'.  She idly wondered just how much of the populace had been so stripped of their rights, and how few those rights were?  Was it slavery in all but name?  Vannan had blended in with the crowd so seamlessly she'd lost track of him.  With her unique appearance, despite holding back, she stuck out like a sore thumb.

 

[Pheonixfire]

Draco Tiras
Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
+1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2)
Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Speaks Common
Speaks Draconic

 

Draco hums for a moment. "Lets see, 2 for a silver, 4 of us. Can we get 6, half sweet and the other half savoury?" He gives a grin and looks at the others as he pulls out 3 silver pieces. "We can share it out and get more once we figured out which ones we like. Plus, we won't really waste any this way." He wonders exactly how many of the group had that dislike of wasting food now that they could eat regularly and consistently?

[Basil_Bottletop]

Finding the stall had been a mix of emotions. It felt weird being back in this place and yet the instability of every passing neighborhood helped wipe away the bad memories. Each change was a clean slate in a sense. It didn't matter that a once successful cobbler shop was now in ruin, or that the stall with the giant loom was now covered in different colors of loyalties. The change was what made things different; better. 

 

Quim slipped around the corner and the smell hit him before his eyes found the stall. He didn't remember the stall being on this side of the road, but he couldn't quite remember what used to sit here before. No doubt whatever it was had moved on and this was the better location for a stall. It mattered very little to him, it was here. It was open. It was selling the doughy pockets of heaven.

 

The question from the halfling was a dangerously complex one. Quim didn't know which of the types he had missed more. He'd only just come to grips a few minutes ago that he missed them at all, and now he was being asked to pick his favorite. He also knew his pockets were actually quite empty. At the Tower there was no use for money yet and he'd not held a job that paid in coin anyways. He'd been around coin, but had none of his own, he realized. Quim was pondering this fresh predicament when Dracos spoke up and saved the day in more than a few ways. 

 

"Try 'em Coals, it'll make you forget about everything else." Quim consulted as he readied himself for a bit of his past.

 

 

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Outskirts of Market Square ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Late Afternoon~

As soon as the words come out of Draco's mouth, the halfling is already throwing a few more of the dough wads into the boiling water.  His hands move incredibly fast, and he throwing a scoop of something onto the frying pan where it sizzles upon contact.  Soon he's fishing out a few of the steaming dough wads and they go into the frying pan, where the hissing and steaming continues as he flips them a few times every half-minute or so.  He sets them onto a cooling plate and repeats the process.  In only a few minutes, there is a small pile of hot, golden pierogis sitting on the counter.  He reaches out and takes Draco's silver and lets the party pick up their snacks as they please.  "Fresh, but very hot, be careful!" he says cheerfully.

Those willing to tempt fate pick up their treat quickly and find themselves juggling it from one hand to the next, while those willing to wait a short time find they are just able to hold it in their hand without it burning their fingers.  The first bite is every bit as wonderful as Quim made them believe.  The dough is crispy and flaky, but the interior is soft and moist.  The savory filling is wonderfully spiced meat and vegetables, and feels as if it is feeding your soul along with your belly.  For many of you it reminds you of the sort of meal you had as a child when family visited, or there was a special occasion.  The sweet treats are no less fulfilling.  A mix of berries and honey, you bite them open to reveal the purplish compote inside, and it leaves your mouth begging for more. 

D

M

Current perception modifiers (let me know if there are errors):

Draco +4

Coal +2

Ingrid +2

Quim +2

Nancy +6

As the group stands by vendor, oblivious to everything except the delicious flavors and textures currently drowning out their senses, a man quickly appears from around a nearby corner.  He almost bumps into Draco, but before either party can say anything he turns and is on his way.  His long, leathery cloak brushes against Draco as the man whirls and moves past him.

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by Doby (see edit history)

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 24/24 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 5/5 (+1d6)

---

She stares dubiously at the wad of boiled and fried dough she has been passed, but when she carefully bites into it and discovers the sweet filling inside, her eyes light up and she immediately starts gobbling it down as if it's the best thing she's ever eaten - and maybe it is. She does have the presence of mind to share a bit of it with her mouse.

She doesn't speak, or even think about anything else, until the pierogi has entirely vanished except for a few crumbs and smears of purple filling on her face. She pauses for a few seconds, soaking in the rare moment of pure, innocent pleasure that she had just experienced. She sighs contentedly, licking her lips and fingers.

"That was..." she struggles to find a word to express her feelings and falters. "...good," she finally blurts out.

She looks up at the halfling. "Thank you very much," she says to him. "This city has been full of new things for me." She pauses to think, to find some elegant way of forming a segue into the next topic. "Papers, pierogies, crowds, rebels... actually, do you happen to know what that was all about? We saw a number of guards running off to deal with some rebels earlier."

There, nailed it, she thinks.

[Pheonixfire]

Draco Tiras
Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
+1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2)
Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Speaks Common
Speaks Draconic

Draco shares a piece of both flavours with Nancy, opting to let Quim relive his memories and let coals have a try as well. And his own eyes light up at the flavours. He does a mental count of how much money he had left on him when the man almost bumps into him. He opens his mouth to apologise for standing there and freezes as the man's face triggers a memory. He is silent for a good few seconds as the man disappears from view, and leaves Draco a little pale. He eventually manages to whisper out. "Did, anyone else see that face? Because he looks exactly like that guard that hung around with Cessah." 

[Basil_Bottletop]

Quim ate the perogies delicately. He knew how hot they could be and how surprisingly juicy the insides were likely going to remain, and so it became a balancing act on the tips of his fingers to his front teeth. Little bites also meant the cooked treats lasted longer and seemed to make him feel fuller. Something he knew all too well from a former life. 

 

Even at a slower pace, his knowledge of how to eat them properly meant he was able to finish at roughly the same time as the others. It helped that he gave a decent bite of his first perogy to the beast brushing up against his leg looking for attention.

 

At Coal's inquiry, Quim slid his body between kobold and vendor. He offered the kobold a smile before turning his back on her and engaging with the vendor in her stead. "She doesn't mean it." He offered apologetically, waving a hand as if shooing a pesky insect. Then, unprompted, he turned and looked at Coals as one might do when caught in a lie, "Let it go, yea? It's none of our business."

 

Quim didn't hear Dracos question as he was too busy trying to keep some modicum of peace.  

 

 

[TheFred]

 

Nancy can't help but stare - just a bit - at the tiny man behind the stall. Despite the rather multicultural group of freed slaves at the tower, she still finds the sight of the fellow frying perogies a little unusual. Then again, this whole trip is pretty unusual for her; it's not like her mother let her out a lot.

"What's that?" she asks The food is delicious, one of the best things she's eaten in a long time, and she's far too preoccupied to be really following the discussion. She glances at Draco, then looks around. "I didn't see anyone," she says, with a shrug.

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, Speed 20
AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1
Masterwork Heavy Mace +2 (1d8+2, 20/x3)
Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Heavy Shield (-2 Nonproficiency Penalty, +2 AC)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

Ingrid seemed to have drawn the same conclusion as Draco, as she was off and after the man at stride the second it registered.  If he was here, then Cessah was absolutely alive and well somewhere.  She visibly bristled, glad her weapon was stowed out of immediate reach, but there was no hiding how intent she was on this man.  No hiding the deep well of emotions his arrival had stirred.  They burned and trembled, rushed and howled.  Her normally slow heartbeat rushed against her ears as she gave chase.

 

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Outskirts of Market Square ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Late Afternoon~

The serenity and joy everyone felt tasting and enjoying the pierogis starts to fade.  As Draco seems to be somewhat fixated on the man passing by, others of you are glancing at his backside trying to understand what Draco might have seen.  Then, someone spots Ingrid nearby as she chases after the man.  While her dwarven legs couldn't match his pace at a walk, she seems intent on closing the distance and breaks into a near sprint.  She manages to cut him off, and the man pulls to a sudden and shocking stop as he takes in the situation.

"Excuse me, but I'm in a hurry!" he says to Ingrid with an annoyed tone as he takes a step to the side to try and circle around her.