Drunken Dog
The Drunken Dog. Just over the river into Ordellia, it's an unhurried place well suited to meeting a few friends or conducting a bit of quite business. Today, it's both.
Inside is mostly empty, a few workers from this isle's mills and the staff getting things ready for the night crowd. A prettily normal Chelaxian woman, sitting at a corner table with a flamboyant Varisian dancer. That must be Jeminda, Aurelia's niece, who you are here to meet, though you don't remember anything about the Sczarni being involved.
Once introductions are finished, Jeminda explains the situation. It's like this. Some weeks ago I was going over some of the tax records for the outer towns. We always double check the records before opening a new volume. And I noticed there weren't any entries for Ravenmoor. Noting the blank looks, It's a village, if you can call it that, about halfway up the Lampblack river. It's closer to Riddleport than anything else, but it's ours. Anyway, I asked around to be sure, but there weren't current records for them anywhere, probably got dropped when someone was switching books. I asked my brother-in-law to see what the situation was up there and collect what was owed. Last I heard from him was Galduria. Everything was fine and he was making good time. That was nearly a month ago. Even if the weather was bad he should be back in Magnimar, but I haven't heard anything.
I'm worried something has happened to him, maybe even the village. That's what I'd like you to do. Trace his steps, go to Ravenmoor, and find out what happened to him and the taxes. The way things stand now I could lose my job if this gets out before everything is fixed, so please don't tell anyone about it.
Dimitrio paces around the tavern. Each door opening has his heart skip a beat as he looks to see who is coming. As the newcomers arrive and Jeminda greets each in turn, Dimitrio extends his hand and ushers each to a chair. "Come now, ladies and gentlemen, take a seat quickly. Good Jeminda here is a lady in need."
The bard has a backpack neatly stacked against a corner and is obviously ready for travel. After Jeminda finishes her statement, the bard is quick to add, "Ah, so this is simple. We travel to Raven... Ravenmoor and bring back your brother-in-law."
He twirls his moustache, looks at each in turn, and turns back to Jeminda, "Not to worry. Discreet is Dimitrio's middle name. Your brother-in-law was probably delayed by a local beautiful girl. I know how eager local women can be. Dimitrio was once the main attraction of a dance troupe in this small town, not too far from here and ..."
The bard quickly remembers his hurry, "Well, this a tale for another time. perhaps when we get back in a couple of days." Once again looking at jeminda, " All we need is your brother-in-law's name and some general directions of this Ravenmoor place."
He gets up from the table and turns to the newcomers, "Well, Dimitrio is ready to go. Shall we?
Veter walks in the room and walks straight up to the young woman. "Hello, I don't know that we've met before. I am Veter Haalis. Your aunt and I have done some... business before. I've been summoned here, but for what reason I do not know. I do promise to make every effort to provide my services for you... for the proper compensation that is." With that Veter gives a sweeping bow and finds a seat. Once sitting he pulls out one of his daggers, flipping it up and down, balancing it on the tip of his finger, just to let it fall, catching it midair and then flipping it once again.
After hearing the speech, Veter raises his eyebrows while still looking down at his dagger. "Like I said before, I am happy to be of service. But, you have failed to add... what's in it for us?"
Liana sits quietly as Jeminda gives her speech nodding here and there when appropriate.
Well aren't you eager Dimitrio. But i do agree we shouldn't waste anymore time here than we need to. we should head out as soon as possible.
Excuse me! Bellis grumbled as once again she was nearly knocked to the floor. I hate large crowds... she says as she squeezes free near the foot of the table. She straightens herself up and pats herself down as she steps up, making sure nothing has fallen off or been taken. Lady Jeminda, I was told you needed some assistance?
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Nodding to himself and thinking I guess that's them alright, Zeek drains the last of his cheap wine, hops off his bar stool, and sidles over to the group.
"Um, g-greetings. I'm Zeek." He suppresses a frown as he finds himself looking up at Dimitrio's hairy chest crowned with a gold medallion. Instead, he cranks out a smile and mutters "please to meet you." He reminds himself of the social conventions of eye contact and shaking hands and does his best to execute both with everyone at the table, although his eye contact is fleeting with the ladies.
Zeek then finds a seat at the table. He avoids small talk and finds himself nodding his head in agreement as the dagger-flipping human inquires about compensation.
To relax himself, he gently strokes Clepto snuggled in her customized secret pocket in the interior of his robe, but suddenly stops as he realizes how it might look, glancing around nervously to see if anyone noticed...
Nodding to Bellis, I hope so. I'll explain everything in a minute. as she waits for Zeek to seat himself. Likewise. To the gnome himself.
It isn't hard to tell Jeminda is surprised, and made somewhat nervous by the... eclectic company assembled around her.
There's something more to her worry about the erstwhile brother-in-law than just that he may have been attacked.
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Jeminda carefully looks at the five of you before taking a deep breathe. Fifty gold sails each, half now, half when you return, and another ten if your bring him back safely. Five if your return his... body. After this last she stares quietly at the table for a moment before continuing. It's about ninety leagues if you take the Lost Coast road, hundred and twenty if you follow the Yondabakari, though you can take a barge up to Wolf's Ear.
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Zeek covers his mouth for a moment and grins slowly. Damn. So much for this being my ticket to my own personal library. At least I'll be helping Aurelia, I guess.
That's very generous, m-ma'am...uh, Ms. Jeminda. I would be pleased...um, I-I accept your offer. W-what's your brother-in-law's name and l-looks...or his appearance?
Zeek tries to think if he's read anything about Ravenmoor.
Liana sits quietly as Jeminda gives her speech nodding here and there when appropriate.
Well aren't you eager Dimitrio. But i do agree we shouldn't waste anymore time here than we need to. we should head out as soon as possible.
He smiles at Liana, "But of course. And that is where Dimitrio is going with this. A lady is in need. Look at her; she's not smiling so we must all we can to put a pretty smile on her face. Yes?"
Veter flashes his best smile at her. "I can sense your concerns, we've all known Aurelia in one way or another and I believe that we are all here to help. And that will be... sufficient pay. A little less than I normally take, but I can tell this means a lot to you and I would hate to lose your Aunt as a friend."
Don't worry, we'll find 'im, Belli's says resolutely. one way or another
"That is very kind of you Jesamine. And we will do our best to find your brother and bring him back to you.
The main thing you know about Ravenmoor, is that you don't know much about it, which actually tells you a fair bit. It never comes up in conversations, nobody mentions it when discussing politics or security. It's rather unusual, even for a small out of the way village, to be so thoroughly no talked about.
You think it was probably settled sometime between 100-200 years ago.
Obviously reassured by your responses, Jeminda gives you a description of the man, Elias Kyle, which should be enough as he sounds rather distinctive. He's name is Elias Kyle. He's Ulfen with red, red hair, and a lot of scars. To be honest he looks more like a bandit than a tax collector, but he's a good man. My sister's death was hard for him especially, took to drinking and a rough crowd, but he's pulled things together the last few years.
Rising, she shakes everyone hand. Thank you for your help. Please send me reports whenever you have a chance.
If there is nothing else, she leaves you to finalize matters among amongst yourselves.
"Red headed Ulfen with lots of scars, eh? Isn't that what they all look like." The bard chuckles at his own joke.
"But all kidding aside, we will find this Elias Kyle for you and bring him back with the tax collector money."
The bard scratches his chin in a pensive mood, "Before you leave, Miss Jeminda, I have one question. How far exactly is Ravenmoor and will the government of Magnimar pay for trip expenses to get there."
He nods to Veter, "Like my friend here stated, there is cost to either buying a horse or paying passage on a boat. Will you be paying for that?"
The clerk furrows her brow in confusion. No. I am paying for this myself, and thought it more than fair. Two sails a day for twenty-five days, for each of you, which should be adequate time, and twice what I earn a day. I don't know have far it is exactly, but it seems to have taken 7-10 days for most collectors to travel there, and similar to return.
Under the confusion, you can sense a fair bit of frustration and bitterness
Seeing his ticket out of town waver slightly, the bard quickly adds, "Not to worry. I was just thinking about our short-legged folk here but Dimitrio can help them out."
Ten days walking each way was not what the bard had in mind when he wanted to leave town but his word has been given.
"Do not fret, my dear Jeminda. We will be back within a fortnight."
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Zeek does not want to alienate his new-found patron, albeit a poor one. Poor patrons can lead to more patrons, he muses to himself.
'T-tis no reason to worry, M-miss...Lady Jeminda. It's just the journey may be, uh, somewhat h-hazardous and, uh, expensive. A-and it seems that the l-lord-mayor should be willing to contribute funds on behalf of those serving the city...
R-regard...Nevertheless, if everyone else is, uh, agreeable, we shall be on our way as soon as we are able.
"Do not fret, my dear Jeminda. We will be back within a fortnight."
Or maybe five nights. Bellis added with a smile. Six at the very worst!
Giving a half smile to the lady, Veter stands back up to receive the handshake. "I'm sure that your payment will be adequate. This group seems seasoned enough and I've lived less than my current standards before. I'm sure that we'll all survive."
At this point he turns to address the rest of the group. "So, ladies and gentlemen, what say we have an adventure?" And with that Veter heads towards the door, hands hanging off the hilts of his daggers, half expecting everyone just to follow.
Liana gives Veter a nod as he finishes speaking and follows him from the room.
At Zeek's remark, Jeminda makes an odd face, somewhere between a genuine smile and grimace. I don't disagree.
As Veter turns to leave she clears her throat. As promised. Twenty-five gold sails now. Handing each of you a small pouch that jingles with promise. Desna guard your dreams, and the Judge aid you in justice.
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Now is the time to gather any last minute supplies, or information, before leaving. Once everyone is ready, and a rough plan laid out, the journey will commence.
If you're looking for horses, your contacts in the Underbridge and caravans respectively might be able to help you with some horses that could also do with some time away from the city. Knowledge:local and Diplomacy to see what sort of deals you can turn up.
The bard nods at the gnome, "Good, it is good you are ready to go because Dimitrio is ready to go."
He points to his backpack, "Dimitrio was told to be ready for travel so he's ready for travel. Why don't the rest of you go get your stuff and we'll meet up here in an hour, eh?"
"I think we should walk. A nice road trip sounds about right. Today, I woke up and saw the Lady's butterflies which can only mean one thing. Today is a good day for travel. Yes?"
I think walking sounds great, it will be nice to get back out of the city.
Veter grimaces a little bit. "I'm sure that I could procure horses for us, which would make this a much faster venture. But if the group insists, far be it from me to provide us with some form of comfort. You just let me know what you'd like to do."
Bt all means, if horses are available that would be an improvement.
I guess that's settled, then Bellis said, turning southward. I'll meet you guys at the gate!
It takes a couple hours to find the people you are looking for and work out a deal. The fence smiles as you explain your interest in speed. Smaller animals would be cheaper, Larius warns, but a pony or moderately burdened horse isn't much faster than a man walking. Halves, halflings and gnomes, can ride a horse fine if it's not too big, and he just happens to know of some wonderfully swift horses that don't care for the city air. The animals will be waiting at a farmhouse 2 miles beyond the city walls.
After sending a message to the Golemworks citing a leave of abcence for "civic duties", Belli's makes a quick stop at home to gather her gear and borrow her brother's sling and buys a bag of twenty bullets, some darts, a length of silk rope, and various raw materials for later use. With that taken care of, she hurries back to the gate to meet the others.
Liana runs back to here home on the outskirts of town to collect a few things before meeting the group at the gate.
Veter shares with the group his findings on transportation -
"So what do you all think? It's either split that or we're walking. Obviously we know what I'd prefer as well as our diminutive friend, but it's all or nothing. We can't have half the party ride and the rest walk, now can we?" Veter speaks this part with a hint of sarcastic exasperation, as if he knows what is about to happen.
"Seems a bit expensive. I vote we just walk. I don't know about the rest of you but I haven't left this place in a while. I'd like to enjoy it."
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Zeek closes his book and sighs heavily.
W-well, that sounds quite outside my budget...Shall we begin this trek on foot then?
Zeek shoulders his backpack and begins to wonder if his crossbow and alchemical items are all that necessary. Clepto instinctively climbs into his pocket and curls up in anticipation of the long journey.
"Well, it's more than Dimitrio wants to pay for transportation but if we have a guaranteed buyer then things are different, eh?"
The bard smirks, "I say we get the horses. I'm sure you would rather see Dimitrio's feet dance that trudge along for 90 miles."
He looks at Veter, "You and I can go get the horses while the rest of the group gets ready. We'll meet everyone at the gate."
Veter sighs, bows his head slightly, pinches the top of his nose and squeezes his eyes shut, as if he was trying to avoid a headache. "Fine."
He lifts his head and looks at the group. "Well, I'll be back shortly then. I'll need more rations than I thought."
Bellis stomps up to the gate with her gear loaded up, her face red as a fire fennec. Stupid Speeven...
N-Nothing! Bellis spat out, then sighed. It's just that idiot Speeven Pug, trying to sweet-talk me into leaving the Golemworks and working at his grandfather's shop again...
What are we waiting for? let's leave.
Bellis huffs, but nods her head in agreement. Ravenmoor's not going anywhere, but it's also not gonna come to us!