The next day dawned with a bustle in the courtyard of the inn.  The travelers who had spent the last days trapped at the Roost were all very ready to leave, even if the road west was blocked.  Some of the guests had left as soon as there was light, and many more were in preparations to leave as soon as possible.

The kitchen had breakfast out for you as soon as the first of your party had come downstairs.  Except for Zassil who didn't have a use for a room to sleep in.  The ring of the blacksmith's hammer outside in the courtyard accompanied your meal and felt to Merrick as though it was driving spikes into his skull.

You found The Rooster in the courtyard overseeing his guests as they left the Roost.  "I have never before seen so many guests this happy to leave the Roost."  He said as you approached, "But under the circumstance, I think I can accept it.  Well, it would seem that if you leave today you will have all of the company for the road you could ask for."

"Not that you are not welcome to stay.  My friends, you are welcome to stay at the Roost anytime!"  Kimaiyo said, spreading his arms wide and welcoming.  "If there is anything I can do for you, please ask."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:48, Tue 07 July 2020.

"The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting ... "

She sang as she worked on the torn skin of the breastplate armor.  With both halves of the symbol of Guyver - the spokes in one hand, and the wheel in the other - she kneaded the iron with the heels of her palms.

"Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything ... "

She worked the iron with hands wreathed in blue light working to the rhythm of her song.  And by the song's end, the iron was healed.  The newly repaired chest armor met with a satisfied smile as Bunny hefted it into a better light within which she could verify that no cracks or weaknesses remained.  And, once approving of the handiwork, she slung it over one shoulder for the trip to the store.

OoC: Repaired Breastplate so we won't have to haul it with us.  I think that roll should be enough to fix the Breastplate.

Purchase
Kit, Healer's: Price 50 gp; Weight 1 lb. Sale Price: 16.67
Kit, Survival Masterwork: 50 gp 5 lbs. Sale Price: 16.67
Kit, Veterinarian's: Price 25 gp; Weight 1 lb. Sale Price: 16.67
Potion Endure Elements 50 Sale Price: 25
Material to Craft 30 Bullets: 82.5 Sale Price: 27.5
Material to Craft 10 Paper Cartridges: Full Price 120 / 3 = 40 Sale Price 13.33
=============
Total: 115.84 GP

Bunny Cotillion rolled 24 using 4d6.  Make Whole: Breastplate.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Wed 08 July 2020.

Lissa seemed quite happy the morning following the return to the Roost.  She ate a relatively small breakfast washed down with a bit of mead.  The blonde scholar was chatty with the rest of the patrons there in the common room, though she gave Merrick plenty of space as the young man looked slight worse for wear.  Lissabytta was well aware that the man had still been at the table drinking after she'd retired fairly late the previous night.

The young blonde traveller  will inquire with the various patrons and staff as to who is continuing on East and their timetables to see if she can coordinate travel - for example, if the dwarves haven't left yet, she seemed more than willing to accompany them, if they'll have her.  More than once, she had addressed the stout, bearded travellers in their own language over the passed few days.

After breakfast and out in the crisp mountain air, she sat along side Bunny.  Lissabytta hummed quietly as she worked (though, she tried, not quite in tune with Bunny as Lissa's lack of musical training showed through) on reparing her musket and then packing paper cartridges with some supplies that she'd procured from Kimaiyo.  Black powder work occupied the erudite Rembaran musketeer for much of the rest of the morning.

She moved to procure a map, but had started assemble with the others at the East gate.  Lissa actually preferred to move with other travellers, if possible; mountain passes could be dangerous and there was safety in number generally.  She did attempt to touchbase with her fellow ogre-exterminators to see who might be interested in her offer.  And to ensure that they knew that the offer was still open and what her probably itinerary should be, reiterating, "I should be in Gonan by 17th, and then on to Endor by the 23rd or so...  Silver Fox willing, of course."  Lissa did feel compelled to reiterate, "The main expedition is supposed to leave Endor on the 25th; so, if we get separated - make sure you are there by then."

More than once, Lissa will express her willing to travel with any or all of them, for as long as their paths continue towards Arnia and on to Endor.

---

[OOC:  Lissa will attempt to barter for:  the making of eight (8) paper cartridges (which she will pack herself), the detailed map (if no one else has already bought it) (EDIT: and one Masterwork Survival Kit):  85.67 gold spent.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:53, Thu 09 July 2020.

Zassil had been up all night, as per usual. He had split his time between drawing and starting work on a bow. Not for himself - not yet. He needed time and practice to better his craft of bows in general before he could attempt crafting a bow that would be worthy of him...and he had to be more worthy so he could wield it.

The next morning he ate breakfast and was ready to go before everyone else was ready to go. He stood and gave a bow to Kimaiyo when he spoke to them. "Thank you for your hospitality and graciousness. You are a good person."

He looked to his companions. "We should get going soon. We have a nice long walk ahead of us."

He hurried to the store to purchase a few extra days of rations.

Purchase: Trail Rations (Extra) (6 Days) (1 gp; Wt 6 lbs.)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:22, Sat 11 July 2020.

Claissa had spent a fair amount of her night in quiet, and happily non-destructive, magical practice before turning in, so she slept in a bit before turning up to breakfast. She figured she'd earned a rest, after the time she'd had lately. Both she and Niri ate heartily, since she didn't know when they'd next be taking a meal break. Besides, Niri was a growing girl. She'd missed some of her traveling companions for breakfast, but made cheery conversation with anyone whose eating overlapped with hers. At least, other than those that clearly weren't in the mood for it, such as Merrick.

"Good morning Kimaiyo, it was a pleasure making your acquaintance," she replied to the man with a smile when she emerged onto the courtyard. "I hope I do have the opportunity to return sometime. For now, I'd best do some shopping before we depart." She nodded to Lissabytta as well with those last words, to reconfirm that she would be going along with her.

"All right, I won't be long," she replied to Zassil with a smile, before turning toward the merchants doing business at this hour. Then she paused and turned back to address the group. "Oh, say, I don't normally travel in a group like this. If we're bringing a cart along, will anyone mind if I stockpile some dried meat for Niri in it? Normally we just hunt as we go." She thought that over. "Maybe I should buy a tent too... Seems strange to sleep under the stars surrounded by other people."

OOC: Buying a masterwork survival kit (50 gp), also chipping in on the map :) Also buying a bunch of feed if it's okay to share the space.

Merrick had appeared in the morning slightly disheveled.  Not his clothes of course, as he had donned a nicely pressed tunic and travelling outfit that perfectly matched his usual colors.  Rather he looked worn in the eyes, in the face, and most notably in the slow shuffle from his room to the bar, where he placed the empty bottle of brandy he'd disappeared with the night before as the others all retired for the evening.  The kitchen was helpfully able to procure the same herbal mixture he'd been drinking that first day when he had met the others.

As the din from the morning crowd began to grow louder, he isolated himself as much as he could, away in a corner with his head propped up by both hands.  With no small amount of horror, he realized he'd probably spend a good part of the day in that cart again… jostling down road… back and forth….   It's going to be one of those days...  He eventually was able to do his own bit of provisioning, before setting out; though he wondered if he could convince the proprietor to spare some of the leftovers for the road.

---

Shopping:
Bedroll 1 sp
Blanket 5 sp
Tent, small 10 gp
Masterwork Survival kit (50 gp)

"Ah have very much enjoyed the company, Lissa."  Bunny stood after sealing away the last of her kit in its oilskin wrap.  The new-made cartridges sat neatly aligned in her pouch, freshly wax-sealed.  "Ah wish you luck in your archaeological endeavors.  With luck, and a little proper plannin', we will meet again."

Outside, on the road that ran through Roc's Roost, she spied the others.  Her head nodded its approval at the cart.  And she gave them a wave before turning to head out the western gate, striking out on the road back down the mountain towards the jungles of Kataar.

Whereupon, as soon as she thought herself out of sight, she struck off into the brush, backtracking to circle around, skirting Roc's Roost to meet up with the others on the eastern road up the mountains and Arnia beyond.

OoC: Craft eight (8) paper cartridges

Lissabytta found the dwarves cinching up the saddles on their ponies in front of the stables; getting ready to leave along with the rest of the Roost's patrons.  Brego, the dwarf in charge, was less-than politely urging them to hurry over more than enough lost time.

"Eh?"  Brego turned from the other dwarves when Lissa asked about their travel plans.  "We're traveling to Timberfall, in south Arnia.  Lost enough time on this trip already."  The dwarf grumped.  "That's north to Gonan, East to Endor, then south from there.  I won't be surprised if you hadn't heard of Timberfall."

"If your team is heading that way too, we might as well travel together.  Gods know you've proven you can deal with ogres.  More than these clods anyway!"  He turned to shout at the other dwarves with his group.  He turned back to Lissa, "Besides, I'm interested in hearing all about how you put those ogres down.  No mean feat there; must be worth a story or two.  Couple of decades younger and I'd have done it with you."

"You are welcome, my friends,"  Kimaiyo smiled graciously, "But you have done much to help the Roost; offering hospitality it the least I can do in return."  He turned and gestured towards the gate people were all leaving by, "As you can see, hospitality only goes so far.  Everyone is desperate to leave by any means available."  He chuckled, "I suppose I cannot blame them."

"Well, there is one last thing I can give you.  You recovered more than a few things from the Ogres, if I recall.  So keep the cart; I think you will find it useful."  Kimaiyo looked across the yard to see Bunny leaving by the western gate, "She is really trying to go west?  The road is still blocked...ah, of course.  Well, I can honestly say that when she left she was going towards the jungle."

The Roost's shop had few last minute shoppers; most of the guests had several days with nothing to do but browse.  The store was not very large but it did have plenty of supplies for the road; supplies from which your group purchased much of the best quality goods available.  The storekeeper recognized the discount your group had been promised, even as he was astounded at just how much you were needing to buy with the discount.

Preparations all made, it was time to leave the Roc's Roost.

You left the Roc's Roost shortly after finishing with your supplies; it was time to take to the road.  The dwarves and their ponies left with you, obliging Lissa's invitation and happy (or at least less dour) to be sharing the road with proven ogre slayers.  Bunny, having left by the Western gate much earlier, met up with and rejoined your small caravan on the Eastern Road out of sight of the inn.

The dwarves were mildly curious about her surreptitious arrival, but mostly shrugged it off.  Her business was not theirs, as a race this was something the dwarves were accepting of.

It was only a few hours before you were back to the point where the trail to Lunk's home split off from the main highway.  But this time you kept to the Trade Road as it continued to wind through the mountain passes in as gentle a manner as one could expect.

With Lissabytta the dwarves, their leader Brego mostly, were friendly and talkative; due mainly to her command of their language, natural charisma, and willingness to share information.  He talked about the Trade Road and its history: it was carved through the mountains generations ago by the Dwarves of Ascadia.  Originally, it was meant to help the armies of Rembar reach the battlefield that was Arnia at the time, to fight one of the hordes out from the Darklands.

Since that long ago victory, the road was expanded and maintained, becoming a major highway for good to go through the mountains.  As well as serving as a physical reminder of the alliance between Rembar and Ascadia.  Brego laments that sea travel has taken a lot of the glamour away from the old Trade Road, but the last few decades have seen more and more being shipped.  Not that he would ever step foot on a sea-going vessel.

Neither hide nor hair of danger presented itself during the first day on the road, and you set up camp using the premium supplies that you had obtained for this very purpose.  A sheltered nook several dozen meters from the road served as your campsite, and the next morning you set out again.

On the road, Brego shares something of himself and his clan; the Barksplitters.  He cuts timber and is proud of it, despite the occupation not conforming to the outsider's idea of a stereotypical dwarf.  His family owns and operates the sawmill in the woodcutting town of Timberfall in southern Arnia; making them the most influential family the town has.

Sometime in the afternoon, a wyvern flying far overhead is noticed.  It seemed to be following your groups progress for several hours, but before the day became dark the large winged dragon disappeared back into the mountians.

Your second night was spent camping with the dwarves, followed by another day on the road.  Then a third night at camp and a fourth day on the road.  The wyvern never made a reappearance, but the fourth day of travel ended with your coming upon a watchtower manned by a mixture of dwarven and human soldiers.  From the looks of things, a few of the people from the Roost had already arrived ahead of your group, and the men at the tower were expecting more arrivals.

The captain in charge of the tower, an overweight dwarf with a red beard, informed you that he had already heard of what transpired at the Roc's Roost and messeegers had been sent to the city with the information.  It was likely that road crews and sappers would be mobilized soon, as well as a squad of soldiers in case there were more threats down that way.

He seemed to think that the idea of a group of travelers putting down a dozen angry ogres in the mountains was far-fetched, and expected that there were likely more lurking there still.  He either was not told the part about the undead, or put no stock in the story.

That night you stayed in a bed at a small inn, a quarter mile from the watchtower.  it was nowhere as fortified as Kimaiyo's compound had been, but it also had the ready protection of the Ascadian army.  Either way, Brego would not hear of your paying for your own drinks; he bought the rounds for your party.  It seemed as though your tales of ogre-slaying, wyverns, and undead had really grown on the crotchety old dwarf (to hear his men talk about him).

The next night passed in a similar fashion, as well as the next.  Finally, early afternoon of your seventh day on the trade Road, you reached the mountain city of Gonan.  It was a fortress that had begun as a dwarven citadel carved directly into a mountainside.  Since then it had grown , with massive walls reaching out from the original mountain fortress to encompass a small city with stone buildings.  Most of the city contained within the walls had architecture that seemed to mix sturdy human and dwarven designs.

It was a very busy city; trade flowed in and out of it as a central hub of the Trade Road, and the primary trading post of Ascadia.  Dwarves were everywhere, as well as humans.  Most other races made up only a small minority of the crowds seen in the city.

Brego informed you that his group would be spending a day in the city; he had some business that he needed to conduct before he left.  He would be happy to continue travelling with you, but if you were in a rush the old dwarf did not intend to make you wait for him.

"Ah cannot imagine we'd have much trouble unburdening ourselves of these things here in Gonan."  Bunny stood next to the cart, the contents of which she had just referenced.  Included in the things in question were the two pieces of chain armor that she had repaired during the trip.

From beneath the brim of her hat her eyes roved the landscape of the dwarven city with some degree of disquiet, from the buildings to the sea of dwarven heads.  "You would not perchance be able to recommend a place where we mahght conduct such a transaction, would you Brego?" she enquired of the dwarf.  "Ah must admit to bein' unaccustomed to metropolitan environments.  Gods in their halls, she exclaimed, "Ah do not believe Ah have evah seen so many people all in one place at the same time."

---

OoC:
Breastplate (Broken Condition): Mended on 8th of Silver Fox, Sunday and traded at Roc's Roost
2 chain shirts (Broken Condition) 20HP ea.

Day 2: Bring one chain shirt to above half HP.  No longer broken.
Day 3: Bring one chain shirt to above half HP.  No longer broken.

Bunny Cotillion rolled 14 using 4d6.  Make Whole Day 2.
Bunny Cotillion rolled 15 using 4d6.  Make Whole Day 3.

Lissabytta had been more than eager to travel with the dwarves, accepting their offer (admittedly prompted by her) quite readily.  She spoke enough dwarven that she seemed quite comfortable around them and knew enough Trade-speak and engineering to be able to ingratiate herself readily it seemed.  Truth be told, the blonde scholar found them and their way of life fascinating.  A number of her instructors had always commented that Lissa knew just enough about any given topic to get into Real Trouble™.  And that that young D'Argento scion had ample curiosity to actively seek out said situations.

But, that curiosity was always genuine.  So, when the conversation would digress into the similarities (and differences) in the ductilities of various mithral alloys the young, blonde Barrun scholar never seemed flustered by the shift and often offered her own opinion on the matter.

Lissa hugged Bunny tightly when they parted at the Roost, though she spoke of a tribe of southern Kataaran nomads who didn't have a word for 'goodbye'.  A fact which she found entirely endearing, and as a matter of course, had adopted their tradition of simply wishing the pistol priestess safe travels and an "Until we meet again" well-wish.

Likewise, Lissabytta had waved to Kimaiyo and simply wished him well.  She wasn't sure when, but Lissa did have an inkling that she might pass through this way again - and thus, was likely to see the Roost and the Rooster again in the future.  So, she wasn't too sad about that parting.

If the young Rembaran gentlewoman had noticed when Bunny had rejoined the group some hours later, she didn't show it.  However, anyone astute enough would have seen that Lissa simply integrated Bunny into any conversation that she was having at the time.  As though Ms. Cotillion had been with them all the time.

Over the next couple days, Lissa was more than ready to help with anything - making herself available as long as the group kept moving on towards Endor.  And while she seemed ready to partake of their dwarven companions' largess - Lissabytta did insist on paying for some things (like food, which she discovered - perhaps not entirely unsurprisingly - that the stout traders had considerable appetites).  The young blonde scholar made absolutely no attempts to dissuade the captain of the watchtower of his notion that any notion of necromantic activity was pure fantasy - and she proved absolutely unwilling to show the book or scrolls that they found to anyone while travelling.

When they stopped in Gonan, she marveled at the bustling crowds which were a real change of pace from the open expanses they'd become accustomed to over the last couple of days.  But, it wasn't that much different from the bustle of the Academy or any of the Rembaran ports she remembered travelling through in her youth.  Still, she nodded eagerly when Bunny asked for a referral as to a reputable place to hock their wares.

She nodded when the lead dwarf made their plans known, "I think that timing is not so tight, Master Brego, that we will have to forge your fine company.  We have business here as well which may take a few hours at the least."  She cast about for a reasonable lodging establishment, "Shall we reconvene at that inn this evening for dinner?  Unless you know of a better place to stay..."

---

[OOC:  Unless the timing really is too tight, Xand, in which case, I will edit...]

Zassil didn't dislike the dwarves. He didn't wish them ill. He didn't dissuade them from speaking to him, but neither did he seek them out for conversation. They seemed to want to talk to Lissabytta more than anyone else - and Zassil did not speak their language, which they seemed to prefer to speak in more than not. He wasn't unhappy about the situation nor happy about it. It just was, and he accepted it, and listened when he could understand what was being said.

He was glad for the extra numbers if something untoward happened, he supposed. He kept a sharp eye on the wyvern when it appeared, and was glad when it left their sight. He didn't fancy a fight with a wyvern - and the last one had been very intelligent and even helpful if only for its own ends.

He kept alert while on the road during the day, but at night he would take out his charcoal and book to sketch and draw, while the others slept or took watches.

He let others do the talking when they reached the watchtower but bristled when their deeds were called in to question (or at least not believed). He was trying to earn his Name, after all, and his deeds needed to be told! But he recognized that starting an argument, or worse a fight, would be problematic to say the least so he let it go. And the dwarves they were traveling with more than made up for it by re-telling their tale later on which mollified him.

The citadel was a sight to behold, and so many people inside it. He nodded at the words of the women, he was sure that the place was interesting enough for "At least a day. Maybe more." he quietly uttered as he looked around. So many things to draw later.

"Rooms for the night and then shopping, yes? Wandering around?"

Claissa was happy to speak with and learn from the dwarves en route where she could, though unlike Lissabytta she couldn't understand their native language. She also tended to the animals along the trail, and helped out with the cooking during mealtimes. She was surprised when Bunny rejoined them, though happily so, and welcomed her back easily. She also watched the wyvern as keenly as she could while it was about.

She was quite impressed with the city they arrived at, not having seen one of similar size before, and had to make an effort not to look like a first-time traveler - and thus an easy mark - as they walked its streets. "My, what a place," she said as she looked around. "Yes, that sounds fine to me."

"I don't deal much in the sort of salvage you pulled from those ogres," Brego answered Bunny.  "But I can tell you that Gonan has extensive trade laws to keep everyone honest.  No trader here would risk their license by trying to pass a shoddy or false product.  So you can expect a fair price from a tough negotiator."

"I do know a good inn, however!"  The dwarf turned to Lissa.  "I was going to lodge at a place called Silver and Slate.  Relax tonight, do business tomorrow, and head out the next morning.  You're all welcome to join us,"  He glanced up at Zassil, "A few good stories over a pint and you might be surprised how far your deeds travel."

"Got a few hours left before dark."  Hand held up to shield her eyes, Bunny had tipped her gaze to the sky for the sake of that educated opinion.  "If we are not too horribly pressed for tahm, Lissa, Ah, for one, would be grateful for a bath and bed this night.  After several days on the road, if you catch mah meanin'."

"Why don't we stop at the inn first.  Maybe the folks there could recommend a trader appropriate to our needs.  If not for wantin' honesty and fairness," she commented to the dwarven leader, "at least for bein' not so far to walk."

"Mistah Tane, do you think you mahght stand as the 'tough negotiator' for our side?" she asks, with a sidelong glance at the silver tongued devil.

Having given Rooster some last, parting, advice on exactly where the plaque should go, Merrick had spent most of the first day convalescing from the last night’s festivities.   After an appropriate number of groans that followed the jostling of the cart the young man seemed to right himself and become a bit more personable.  For the rest of the trip he seemed to slip in and out of conversation, without offering much of substance himself.  Despite being fluent in dwarvish he was somewhat careful around their more somber travelling companions.

Eventually he spent most of the time by offering the services of his harrow deck for anyone that needed a fortune told.  ”Love, riches, happiness, the cards know all!”  Clearly practiced in such banter, it was probably just another skill picked up to keep his belly full and a roof over his head, though he obviously enjoyed the bit.

When they reached Gonan however, his posture improved ever so slightly, as did his behavior.  He seemed happier to hover behind the others as his eyes darted about, becoming just a face in their crowd every time a guard or magistrate passed by.

Hovering near Bunny as the Dwarf began to intone about laws and licencing Merrick fought hard to keep his eyes from rolling back; though he did lean over and whisper in the young woman’s ear.  ”Ah Ascadia, always in stiff competition with Rembar to be land of the Iron Rod.”  Leaning back seconds later, he responded more clearly to the young woman, ”Well I think we can manage that, if everyone else is agreeable?

Lissa nodded eagerly to Bunny suggestion, the mere thought of a bath was ... enticing, "Yeah, on to the Silver and Slate it is!"  She waved to their Dwarven travelling companions, knowing that they would see them again soon enough, before heading off in the indicated direction.  Her blonde hair bobbed lightly as she moved through the throngs of people on the street.

"I think that," Lissabytta chirped happily, "Mistah Tane" and she affected Bunny's pronunciation playfully as she seemed fascinated with the way the drawl drew out the long-'a' in Merrick's last name, "would be a fine choice for a negotiator."  Inclining her head to the Kataaran gentleman, she noted playfully, "And I can back him up as necessary.  You know, we can do a 'good constable, bad constable' routine."  Though she suspected that would hardly be necessary.

The blond Rembaran scholar walked along and took in everything that she could, stopping more than once (how ever briefly) to admire the wares of any given store or vendor.  The sights, sounds and smells were new and different, which was exciting to Lissa.  She had a charmed grin on her face while walking, as though this was one of the reasons that she enjoyed travelling so much.  Buying a few skewers of spiced meat from a vendor she took a bite of one and offered the others to her companions, "Not sure if it is lamb or veal, but it is tasty..."

"You do realize, one of those is make believe," Merrick quipped back at Lissa's constable reference; sporting a smirk that was equal parts amused and jaded.

Happily taking the morsel when offered, because everything tasted better when it was free, the young man smiled at the others with a glint in his eye. "If we have some time maybe we can get in some cards at the inn?  Got a few games I can teach you.  Oh, one easy one," Merrick declared with a snap of his finger.  "Only involves three cards and one rule: find the queen."

Her head turned at the sound of her own South Rembaran drawl from Lissabytta's mouth, one eyebrow raised in question.  But her eventual comment on the mimicry was a mild snort of amusement.

"Ah would be interested in some card games."  Bunny sniffed at the mystery meat before taking a delicate, and very much experimental nibble from one end.  "As long as the games involve no gambling," she qualified, and then took a bigger bite, having decided that the street fare was acceptable.

Merrick scoffed with a smile as he eyed the young woman.  "What's the matter?  Nervous," he goaded her a bit before chuckling.  "We keep coins out of it then.  Wooden tokens? Bragging rights?  We can up stakes if you start feeling adventurous," he offered while continuing to needle at her pride.

"It is not a mattah of nerve, Mistah Tane.  It is a mattah of philosophy."  To accompany her reply, Bunny gestured in the Kataaran's direction with her sliver of the mystery meat.  "Risk and need.  They provide the balancing forces which govern the call to action.  In this case there is no need to assay the risk involved in playin' with real money."

"Now, if Ah am not mistaken, the object of these games is to pass the tahm, and amuse ourselves in the midst a good company.  Ah, for one, would feel a certain amount a guilt and unease,takin' your money in games a chance.  Ah would equally feel somewhat put out losin', and does that not then defeat the purpose a things?"  The last of that mystery meat popped into her mouth then, and she commenced to chewing, as though to put a conclusion to her logical argument.

Merrick blinked and stood silent for as moment.  Then a loud "HA" escaped his lips as he exclaimed, "and it's Rembar by a nose," as if he were officiating some race.  Chuckling heartily, the young man bent over slightly, clearly amused with himself.  it took a moment, but Merrick was able to compose himself as he waived off any reply quickly.  "I'm sorry... sorry.  That wasn't nice," he managed to get out between aftershock giggles.  "Although... I do need to get myself to a Rembarian party one day.  I can only imagine how fu--utilitarian and purpose serving then are."

"I'm sorry again," Merrick added with a final grin. "Aaaaah.  I just.  I mean.  It's just to spice things up a bit.  Give it a bit more excitement.  Fair enough, it's not necromancer trying to slaughter us level excitement, but still.  Not going to make anyone do anything they are uncomfortable with," he added with a polite smile and a bow.  "I'm sure the company will be entertainment enough."

Zassil listened to what Brego had to say and he gave a small nod and a small smile. "A small but auspicious start is better than failure at first. Like ripples in a pond, a reputation can grow."

The others talked a bit, a lot, and he listened with half a mind, not paying strict attention. Almost without thought and half-heartedly he spoke without looking at the man, "I am certain you can find willing participants for games of chance once we get to a tavern or inn. Or if not, you can find some about and around, if you so desire."

He looked around again. "I wish to explore once we have set up our accommodations since I have no need of sleep."

Claissa might be interested in the city, but she knew she was no expert in its ways, so she mostly left that to the others and kept Niri close at hand. She would have rather enjoyed the effect the tiger could have on passers-by if she was alone, but she didn't want to make waves for the group. She was a little surprised at not being nominated to help with negotiations, but the others knew what they were about, she supposed.

"Ah, thanks kindly," she said with a smile when Lissabytta offered her a skewer. She took a bite, then broke off a piece to give to Niri as well. She usually made do with animal feed on a fast trip like this, but Claissa didn't want her to miss out on a new taste. "Games of chance sound like a good way to pass the time to me. Do we have much we need to pass, before this expedition comes together? I'd like to do some exploring as well, though unfortunately I do have to sleep," she added with a smile to Zassil.