"I'd heard rumours that the clan took a kicking, but I'd no idea it was so bad." Swift Kick looks appalled and can utter no other words for a long while. Then gathering his wits he replies "I'm okay, wrapping up some business for the boss, before meeting up with him in Vultures country. As for needing something I'm good, except for this awful news you bring. When will you go to Pimper's block? Have you asked the gods if there are any survivors? A divination might help."

The Rangers are the only other nomads within the bar, except for Swifty that is, the rest of the clientele being locals of Old Town. There's drunken singing, foreign songs, and lots of laughter. Being drunk in this city seems to carry no stigma and it looks like everyone is here for the long haul.

Tradesmen sit with labourers, who share tables with off duty guards, apprentices and merchants and all of them following a dozen different gods. Sartarites or at least their descendants on the most parts, but there's folks from both the old city and further afield.

All sorts of subjects are being discussed from the cost of living to who shafted who down the market and of course rumours galore...

Having peeled off a while to speak in a low voice to one fo the locals, the only comment that floats across to the Rangers' ears being a parting I'm gld she came through: that was a real worry Hoskar ambles over to the table in time to hear Amara's comment about Karakka.

As he settles into a seat, he remarks you missed it earlier, but mother says Krakka's rumoured to be in town, or to have been recently. Maybe if one of us he's not met before were to ask at the Storm Bull temple we might get a lead on having a little word with the man somewhere private.

He takes a small mouthful of his drink and smiles contentedly. I have missed Lilina's stuff. Not the strongest, this one, but all to the good under the circumstances he observes.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:16, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

"Interesting," says Kobal, mulling over the news and taking a spoonful of stew.  "Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get clothes like the locals wear.  Don't want Krakka to see us coming.  And don't they say he's searched for the White Lance before...?  If we can get some information from him as well, so much the better.

"It also makes me think," he says, looking at Hoskar and Grundar, "do either of you know a Mani?  I was told to look for him."

One of the serving staff, hearing some at the table speaking about the booze, bring new jars, this time containing house brewed beer.

"Strongest we got. Take up any complaints with Lilina!"

A local pushes himself between Henal and Melock, sitting down and pulling from his tunic several small, brightly coloured birds "Two in the hand are worth one in the air....Fancy a new pet lads? A gift for yer lady friends. They sing like a nymph swimming in beer they do. I'll throw in their feathers for free."

"Yeah that's right, fell off he roof he did. Nah he'll be right, not so sure about the mason he fell on though."

"Burp"

"Mark my words it'll get here next week."   "Whaaaaat? You're fecking joking right?"

"You seen my wife have you?"

"Aye got a job providing material for Raus' household. Met his servant up the other end of town...."

"Rumours the bastards are going to clamp down on the temple tomorrow. New laws enforced. Got a brother in the watch and he's friendly with one of their lads."

"Who's that lot who just walked in? One with the cocky little fella who kicked Brian in the nuts?"

In reply to Kobal (msg # 21):

Hoskar thinks over Kobal's question a few moments.

Mani...hmmm...ah...no. There was a Jannius rattling around the place a few seasons back, but he was selling Esrolian underthings and buggered off back there before I left. Can't be him. Sorry.

He grins at the overheard question about the Rangers' identity and remarks loudly enough to be overheard if the speaker wants to, with a contented sigh, Ahhh. It's good to be back. Nothing much changed since I heaved barrels around here a few seasons back. Always a good spot.

He stays away from the new booze, supping sparingly on his original milder drink but with evident pleasure.

I spoke to Mother Ostrich at Painted Wall and she told me to look for some of the clan here in Pavis. Which I will now that we've got our shit straight. I'm pretty sure she meant more than one, most like they'll be slaves. I heard there are salt mines here. Could be that, or they're just stopped on the road 'til sea season. We're here for a bit and then we have to hit Pairing Stone but I might get to Pimpers Block from there.

It's bad, but there are still ostriches on the plains... did you ever hear of Old Man Thinfoot?

"An old spirit I think...Not sure, why?"

"You know what I did hear? Someone said they saw a totally Black Ostrich over in the Farmer's Quarter, with the scariest gaze. Marked like death and with a metal beak."

"Strange you should say so, Old Man Thinfoot had a hand in that. You might be doing us all a good turn if you could swing by Garhound on your way back and look him up. He had a camp in a green vale there. Look North from the stream outside the Garhound gate and you should see it. If he's still there he may have a job for you. Keep your pecker up."

Swifty's eyes light up as he puts two and two together and gets the magic number "Will do my Khan...So shall we drink to our ancestors and to our clan. Tomorrow I shall make sacrifice for them all."

Turning to the Rangers he raises a clay mug in salutation "Thank you for killing the Broo that killed our people. I salute you all."

All can see that he's putting a brave face on and is barely hiding his grief.

In reply to Swifty (msg # 28):

Sitting somewhat away, Hoskar catches Swifty's toast.

To the Big Peckers and your renewal he declares, raising his mug and again sipping sparingly. This night my spirit goes to Waha with more for your future.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

"You hear that Hoskar, if you don't like the beer don't tell us, tell Lilina!"
Melock looks at the local birdman, "Do they come in black?"

In reply to Melock (msg # 30):

Wearing a saddened expression at first but breaking back to a smile, Hoskar responds placidly said it wasn't the strongest. Which is true. Didn't say it was off. Good stuff, actually and no way am I reporting for duty later rat-arsed.

He stands and wanders barwards, hoping for a moment's word with their hostess.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:35, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

Melock looks a bit disappointed didn't manage to wind Hoskar up.



He tries to see who mentioned Raus, without being too obvious.

In reply to Swifty (msg # 28):

"To the big peckers being renewed in the green lands" Henal responds to Swifty's toast.

Amara raised the jug but didn't think much of the brew, only drinking it out of politeness. "You realise, since our feet started on this path.... although we've suffered setbacks. Our clans have grown much stronger. The clans of those who join our sides have also grown. What happened to the Big Peckers was...a tragedy, but now they are aligned with us, and the restoration of the green. They recover from what once might have been a dwindling to nothing. We are doing good things."

Kobal gives a cheer and smile to the server, then grabs one of the new jars, forgetting that they'll need to be sober soon enough.



He frowns.  Underthings?  No, definitely not the right person.  Maybe Hoskar's mother will know...



The Thunder Bird brave raises his own mug in return and takes another swig.  He stands and puts an arm around Swifty's neck, drawing him close.  "Knowing Temush, having met Sky Bone Blue, I know that the stories you tell in future about the restoration of your clan will be glorious.  And," he raises a finger in front of the brave's face, "to rebuild your clan, you two are going to have to use your Big Peckers a lot, hahaha!"  Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thinks I hope it's not too early for that...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:35, Fri 02 Mar 2018.

"Why you want it in black?" asks the man genuinely confused. He turns to Henal "Tell me you want a bird yes?"





The middle aged  man looks to be a trader of some sort and is sitting immediately behind Melock. He's talking to several other men similarly attired though younger in age.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:18, Fri 02 Mar 2018.

From the inn's counter comes the sound of a resounding slap. Turning, those interested can see that it's Hoskar who's been slapped by a buxom lady in local attire who stands behind said counter.

Swifty's eyes widen and he does his best to smile and not choke from Kobal's embrace.

Looking across the crowded room, Kobal and Amara can see an irate looking man pushing his way towards their table. It's the man who'd recently been kicked between the legs....

What total and utter turmoil, thinks Grundar! No sooner had he thanked Melock for his description of their many tangled adventures, than there seemed to be bedlam everywhere around him, banter, confusion, and hints of trouble boiling. He'd thought that they had come for a quick drink and then a quiet night. This was shaping up to be anything but. Keep out of trouble, this lot? Fat chance! He was definitely taking a liking to them, although he didn't think that Becx was going to be too pleased. SMACK, he winced as Hoskar was struck. No, she definitely wasn't going to be pleased and most of all with her son. What fun!

Thanks Melock, I think I've just about got the hang of that, although forgive me if I forget and have to come back to you later. I appreciate you taking the time. I wonder though if we need to come back to this later, it would seem our companions are getting a little carried away. Perhaps we should join them...

No Kobal, I'm not sure I do know a Mani!

Hoskar, if you're getting the drinks in, I'd love another one too!

Grundar finds a fresh jug placed in his hand by one of the older Deadheads, whom he recognises from before "How you doing Geezer. Saw you with this mob earlier. Who are they?"

Cheers! Grundar shoves a stool over with his foot, pull up a seat and join us if you wish. Some of this lot are old friends from my tribe back home, others are friends of friends who I'm just getting to know. They're a great bunch. This is Melock and over there getting slapped is Hoskar, Becx's son. So how's things with you and the rest of the gang, anything going down that I should know about or be in on?

At the bar

Hoskar rocks back at the blow, looking very surprised indeed. What the...

He stands open-mouthed a moment, his left eye watering from the right-handed slap, his left cheek even redder than the other; which also turns quite red in evident embarrassment.

He doesn't take that step forwards again in case he gets matching cheeks for his trouble.

Lilina? he stutters Nice hit. Ouch. What did I do? I know I didn't say goodbye. Left in a hurry what with one thing or another. Thought Becx would explain. Didn't leave a tab, did I? Don't think so, but if I did can pay you double now.

What's wrong? he concludes plaintively.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Fri 02 Mar 2018.