While Pyrus is glad his friends are so eager to help strangers, he's beginning to worry that this rabbit trail will delay the more important one of getting Meiou's memories back.  But that's something to discuss with the team when not in mixed company.

"If for some reason something comes up that we'll be unable to tell you directly the results of our investigation, I'll have a kobold messenger leave you a message at the falls.  Either way, we should have an update for you in a night or two."

He doesn't feel it necessary to emphasize that customers who pay up front with real money will take priority.  Sounds like these fellows understand that basic principle.

Moving right along:

The group finds Karl and Chirpy have made their way to a big city called Morose. It is known for accepting all kinds in their city, as long as you have money. So corruption is a thing that happens almost as a regular part of life there.

When the group arrives, they see plenty of humans just like in any other major civilization. But while there is a spattering of elves, dwarves, halflings and some of the furry races, there are also orcs, goblins, and other such normally evil races.

The group get glances, but nothing more. The people of Morose seem relatively indifferent to the group.

In reply to Angel Bard (msg # 490):

Johnny sees all this from beside Angel's side, as usual.  He smiled warm enough as he's noticed, but when this notice didn't bring anything else, he pondered out loud.  "Maybe I should bring my Motley..."  He then just shrugs.

In reply to David Foxfire (msg # 491):

The rabbit hearing the mouse just face palms and groans.
"were trying to NOT draw attention to ourselves right now. you bringing that out would make sure every paid attention to us."

sometimes he thinks the mouse doesn't understand the finer aspects of tracking someone.

  Certain Mercenaries would think differently about a 'we'll take money from all kinds' upbringing leading to corruption, but then those sorts tend to live in 'designated target' rather than 'deliberately questionable name' places.

  "Normally you seem to be right in these chats Meiou, but 'follow the idiots who run away from you' might actually be faster."

Pyrus chuckles.  "Oh I dunno.  A mouse in a motley might just fit right in 'round here."

Somewhere along the way it was agreed upon that this diversion was worthy of the group's attention over looking for a means of restoring Meiou's memories?  Or that the two coincide somehow?  Either way, Pyrus is fine with going to a shady city in order to help out perfect strangers who's only offer of reward is a non-specific treasure map.  After all, what fun is there in doing nothing?

"A man who only says 'Chirp,' on the other hand, is pretty hard to miss.  So I'm sure with a few coin we'll know where they're staying soon enough."

A young tiefling approaches the group. He is wearing black, spiked armor, has dark blue hair and gold eyes.


The tiefling says, "Hi there, strangers. My name's Morthos. You look like you could use a guide." His age and appearance suggest he is probably a teenager.

Angel says, "We're looking for someone named Karl. Usually travels with a man who only speaks in chirps."

Morthos says, "Oh... the fighter and his odd sidekick. Yeah. I could show you to them."

In reply to Angel Bard (msg # 495):

Johnny just stays there, playing dumb.  He doesn't know if Morthos would be offended at the wisecrack about tieflings only seeing movement.

He does stand still though.

(You need to know Critical Role Season 2, Episode 1 for that joke)

Upon seeing and questioning the tiefling he just kept an eye on them. Not to say all tieflings were bad or anything but he would prefer to stay on guard all the same. One never knows what exactly they would encounter.

  Tark is used to named characters dressing like an edgelord being a 50/50 split between being one or ending up the most reasonable person in a mile radius.  His math may be off there.

  "While it would be appreciated, do you have a particular reason to outside of boredom? Though not like that many of my own life choices haven't been due to that."

"Here I was assuming the offer was in exchange for reasonable compensation," Pyrus remarks with a shrug, "But I certainly won't object if it was simply meant as a nice favor."

He turns a pleasant smile to Morthos.  "My name's Pyrus.  These are my friends whom I'm guessing are too shy to be giving names at the moment, so I won't presume to offer them.  Thank you very much for the help, Morthos."

Morthos grins and says, "All I would like from you bunch is your names and some conversation. Like why you're after this guy."

If this were a different group and Morthos demanded to know the team's names as payment, he would be asking entirely too much.

Angel says, "I'm not shy... at this particular moment, anyway. Sorry I forgot my manners: My name's Angel. My reason for wanting the guy is just because I was asked by some people he may have cheated. We're looking to either clear his name, or prove him a criminal."

As for how offended Morthos would be about tiefling jokes? Only time will tell.

In reply to Angel Bard (msg # 500):

Johnny just nodded and smiled.  (AKA he's passing the turn.)

he nodded along to Angel's explanation "Meiou. I'm with her and helping out as well. " he said motioning to Angel.

  "I mean, I'm still using my name. But you can know it at least, it's Tark." Tark's player is more aware the GM wouldn't pull that sort of 'he asked for your names, you said yes' prank on the party, at least... the implied 'other party' started a riot over an actually innocent question, didn't they...

  "I mean, it is possible Karl didn't do it.  But that would be more along the lines of 'didn't have time' than 'wouldn't do such a thing' from what we've seen so far." Not all problem causing background NPCs have free time to spare, after all.  Or the more desperate for attention ones keep beating them to the punch.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Fri 10 May 2019.

Pyrus smirks wryly.  "Well as Tark mentioned, Karl's name is mud.  He tried to build a reputation as a duelist through cheating with his accomplice Chirpy.  But my team exposed him before Angel and the mouse joined us.  So if we clear his name of this particular crime, it won't come close to clearing his name entirely."

He's guessing JB must be too distracted with thoughts of if wearing motley in a dark city would make him look like a criminally insane antagonist to a vigilante bat to give his name as asked, but he's still not going to presume to offer the mouse's name.

"I like your terms, Morthos.  So for the sake of making conversation, what would you like us to know about yourself?"

Angel says, "And this is JB. He's a professional entertainer."

Morthos grins. Then nods to Pyrus. "I spent some time in place few go. When I talk about it, nobody believes me. Aside from that? I'm just a guy who tries to help out where I can, but I don't take crap from people."

He begins leading the bunch out of the tavern. "And what would you like me to know about you?"

Angel says, "I'm a marksman and I like music."

In reply to Angel Bard (msg # 505):

Johnny does an elaborate bow when he's introduced.  "Johnny Briz, professional Jester, and Lady Angel's personal Fool.  At your service.  Wait till you see my performance!"

the rabbit ingored johnny the best he could "Just a finder of stolen things. Don't really need to know more."
he said knowing with some people hearing the term rogue could lead them to report him to authorities and have him held for questioning and the like.

  "I switched to adventuring because it's safer than being a lumberjack or miner."  And Tark didn't even have any of the melodramatic stuff like evil druids of ancient demons from deep in the earth.  Just 'bears' and 'workplace accidents'.

At last the mouse has been introduced.  Pyrus would have asked about a cat taking his tongue, but that's overused and may be a sensitive topic for the guy.

"I know I'm looking forward to your show, J.B."

He gives an eager smile to Morthos, his curiosity piqued, "Intriguing.  I'd like to think myself among the few who'd believe you.  What rare, exotic, place was it you visited?"

To each introduced, Morthos nods and smiles. He seems satisfied with the answers. "Oh! I'd *love* to see you perform, Johnny Briz!"

Answering Pyrus, Morthos says with a matter-of-fact tone with a cheerful undertone, "A place of nightmares. And due to its... rather remote nature, people don't really have a name for it. Basically was a rift in reality that drew me in for a time. It changed me forever."

Angel glances at Morthos. "Not that I don't believe such outside the realm of possibility, but... are you setting us up for a joke, or did you really go to this place?"

Morthos says, "I assure you it was real to me, anyway. Some say I probably had a case of temporary insanity. And maybe that's true. But I don't think the mortal mind can conceive the things I experienced. Especially since some of them simply cannot be described with words. At least not the words I've learned."

Angel gives Meiou a glance, looking like she's pondering but says nothing on what she is thinking.

In reply to Angel Bard (msg # 510):

Johnny went up to the Tiefling, gave her a bow, and kissed her hand.  "Then I'd love to have you for an audience, my dear."

Although he saw Angel's look the rabbit shook his head before jokingly replying to Morthos
"So that's how I lost my memory! Well then now we just need to find a cure.
He was sure Angel would give him a look and would shrug should she for that bad joke.

  Tark won't make light of the fact that even the mere mortal image of an easily described kitten is devastating when enough force is behind it.  But 'wildly irresponsible and lazy' doesn't really carry the mystique most desire for their eldritch patrons absentmindedly leaning on their brains too hard.  And certainly won't garner any of the (probably) deserved sympathy one in Morthos's situation needs.

  "I mean, given how things go it could be the actual Case, Meiou.  If only because it would take longer to find them and slap them in the face than some local wizard being to blame."

  Tark also won't blame Johhny for his choice of sales pitch, as Morthos is a CHA secondary class in most of his appearances, after all. He is at leeeeast +1 to +2 more fabulous than Tark's own positive Charisma modifier is.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Sat 20 July 2019.