In reply to Gareth (msg # 148):

As you are all standing in the middle of the street, covered with travel dust in a town that definitely seems to have a thin for regular bathing, and discussing your business openly (ie get a room), you notice an atypical person, also as filthy as the lit of you, carrying a staff, abd festooned with bundles of herbs.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 149):

Gareth will watch the person, saying nothing for now, because things usually go better that way...

A man stands alone in the street.  He is quite an average looking man, not tall nor short, neither fat nor skinny, and he is somewhere between handsome and ugly.  At the mans side hangs a dust covered fancy looking ax and a standard wooden shield lies on the ground by his side.  The mans hair is unruly, possibly because it refuses to be tamed or that the man lacks the motivation to tame it.  Same goes for his wily facial hair.  He has splotches of dirt and mud about his hands, face and clothing and upon closer inspection bits of leaves, small twigs and burrs can be seen clinging to him.  Anyone getting close can smell 'dog' on him.  What is obvious is that this man feels more at home out of town than in.

He catches the eye of some nearby strangers and speaks to an athletic man carrying a bow.  ”Hey Chum.  I got some nice stuff 'ere.”  The unkempt man reaches into a pouch and produces a vial of a greenish fluid.  ”I got a nice tea here, made 'a may roots, sycamore leaves and acorn oil.  Better 'an mead or ale if you wants a good night sleep.”

The sometimes quiet woodsman steps a few paces forward and inspects the green hued vial skeptically.  Then he shakes his head and adds, ”No.  But you got something for a toothache?”

The rural looking man pulls a tan colored root from a bag and hands it over.  ”Chew on this here wild-rut, but don't swallow the juice.  It's gonna help with the pain.”  Now the rural man looks to the small assembled group who seem to know each other and he singles out one of the better dressed.  ”Need some'un ta help ya sleep Chum?  Er maybe a nice tonic to give ya some pep?  My purse is a bit light so's I'm lookin' to unload some 'a my brews.”


OOC:
Burke is now talking to Haveron.

In reply to Bechazruhk Burke (msg # 153):

Turning to Berry,

"Not sure if he can help. Shall we meet up with your contact then?"

Haveron doesn't respond to the man at first.  Instead he appraises his manner, and his entirely unkempt features.  The man was out of place here.  Badly out of place.  His skin was entirely too light, and he was not wearing the standard garb of the city inhabitants.  And, he was handling his items with his left hand.  He didn't seem to know the local customs at all.  It was almost as if he was as new to the town as they were, and had way less information.

Instead of responding to the man's questions, Haveron purses his lips, and rubs his hand over his mouth for a minute in thought.  Then, he turns to the side.

"Omar, you know this town better than us, even if you have only been to the outskirts.  What do you make of this?  I would have your opinion here."

Omar puts his hands together over his chest, and performs sort of a mini bow to Haveron.  With his right hand he straightens his keffiyeh.  Then he turns to look over the man standing in front of them.  "Shalom, friend" he says by way of greeting, then he slowly walks around the man, observing him as he does.  It probably seems odd to the man standing there, since he doesn't have any context for the behavior.

After a few seconds of this, Omar returns to Haveron.  In response to the previous question he speaks in sort of a shrill, nasally voice.  "I would say this man has been in town less than 24 hours, and possibly not even for the day.  He has small leaves in his hair from the native plants, and several different layers of dirt from different areas.  I would say he has recently spent time wandering, and he hasn't bathed in a while.  He seems to be from the country, but not a farmer.  And he would seem to have some skill with native herbs and salves, or he at least knows enough to talk about it in an educated way.  With the task ahead of us, his presence seems promising."

Haveron turns to face his employee, and nods as Omar speaks.  "Also what I saw, Omar.  Very good.  Thank you."

He then turns to the man in front of him.  He has a certain charisma when he speaks, and he's handsome in a sort of rugged and grizzled sort of way.  The way he carries himself seems to instill a sense of calm and trust to the average onlooker.  "No sir, I do not need a tonic for sleeping, and I have plenty of pep in my step.  However, we are about to embark on a short journey, and your experience may be worthwhile.  Tell me, what do you know of the road between here and Northport?"

While walking by he spots the group of travelers, obviously not from Al Menir, but also not from his homeland too. several of them look like they can fair well in a fight, might even give him a challenge. As the rural looking man approached them Ryojin got closer to listen, not trying to be sneaking. When he hears them not speaking in Aralaise he knew he found something interesting. Being a foreigner in this land was not boding well for him, he did not fancy wearing other clothing than what he had, and though he enjoyed the cleanliness of the people, he preferred to clean his own clothing. He managed to pick up some of the language from the caravan he came in with a few weeks ago as well as his time here. Now he wishes to find a way back to northport, though.

Once He hears the big man mention the road back to northport, Ryojin was finally happy.



"Hello" He says with an accent in Aralaise.

"I hear you mention Northport, I want to go also. Can I join to go back please? I am from there."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Wed 14 Aug 2019.

Haveron Turns his head to look at the new person, and then makes a small gesture with his hand, as if to say one thing at a time.  Omar looks at Haveron for a moment, and looks a bit confused.  Then, he turns to face Ryojin and says "Shalom, friend.  I hear you wish to return to Northport.  Why not go with the caravan that just arrived?  They are short a guard, as I have joined this company.  Perhaps you do not wish to travel in their employ?  In that case, how may we assist you?"

For hyst the faintest of moments, a smile crosses Haveron's face.  He had sensed something in his interactions with Omar, and his instincts had been correct.  The man had a certain...composure about him.  He liked that, and was happy to see him take some initiative.  While Omar dealt with the new person, Haveron politely waited for the vagrant to respond to his question.

The rural man answers the local using the Valdassyan tongue with a slight Aralaise accent.  "Shalum, Chum."  He nods with a smile to both men.  "Name's Burke."

As the local walks around him apparently giving an assessment to his boss the local speaks.  Burke responds without really expecting an answer.

Omar says,  "I would say this man has been in town less than 24 hours...".  Burke snorts irritably and grunts.  "Seems like three days.  I can't git none 'a these bath lovers ta buy my potions and what-not."

Omar accurately describes Burkes state of uncleanliness and odor.  The rural man shrugs.  "Wha's wrong with that?"

And when the local comments that the stranger seems to be handy with herbs and salves Burke turns prideful.   "Well I woun't confuse Poke Weed with blackberries 'er Moon Seeds with tiny cherries if'un that's yer meanin'."

Next the refined city man takes over and asks about the road.  Burke purses his lips as he tries to gauge what this man is after, but unable to decipher his intent Burke spits out an honest answer.    "I know it carries trav'lers an' merchants, an' that always brings bandits.  But I ain't fussed none.  I got a way with animals and Feylan always smells 'em comin'. "

As the new man comes forward Burke nods to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Thu 15 Aug 2019.

In reply to Bechazruhk Burke (msg # 161):

Whilst the new folk looked well travelled, none looked particularly useful for Gareths current needs.

"Haveron, shall we meet someplace in a few hours, after we have sought some contacts to identify a few of our items, and perhaps source some scrolls?"

In reply to Gareth (msg # 162):
"Peace Friend. I can guide you. My fee has been paid."




Maybe you missed the part about how you never get to split the party again?

In reply to Hakim Abd Tajir (msg # 163):

"Cool. Ready when you are."

[OOC: Lol, not exactly, just thought that in town it would not be significant, since this ia just peaceful negotiations!]

Haveron nods at what the man has to say.  No one seemed to know where that path went, and they could have some travel to handle when they investigated it.  This man, Burke, could help them with their tasks.

"Greetings, Burke.  We may be interested in retaining your services.  In the next day or so we expect to travel overland, in an area where we are not familiar.  It could be dangerous, based on the information we have.  What would you charge us for joining our group?  Or, would you be interested in a share of what we find?"

"If they just arrived then that means they will not leave anytime soon, though I am in no rush myself. Travelling with another caravan does not yield me much opportunities to better myself and my way. I have spent sometime here training outside the city and wish to now test myself in anyway. I do not need much, only enough for my food, I have no use for much else in my way."

Right well I'm gonna try and contact Rethus. Reconvene in a few hours? Berry will split from the group.

[Private to GM: Berry will find an alleyway, or other out of the way place and then say "Rethus, Rethus, Rethus"]

The rural man looks up at nothing as he thinks over the offer.  It sounded like a splendid deal.  Regular work was far better than hawking one's wares in the street of some unfamiliar town.  And overland was all he needed to hear to sign on.  But how to decide the pay.

"Cities have their place but I like the outdoors better so cross country sounds dandy.   An' I aint 'fraid 'a danger.  I'm handy with this. "  Burke momentarily pats the ax on his hip.  "An' like I said Feylan's an excellent tracker and he watches my back an' I watch his.  So, tell me 'bout this here danger.  And yur job.  If'un the share is bigger, I want that.  Risk dont bother me none."

Shroud stands by quietly seemingly content to passively interact with the towns folk and follow along with his companions as they complete their needed transactions.  At times he appears irritated by the look and behaviors of the townsfolk.

When he overhears Gareth and Hakim speaking Shroud draws near and says interestedly, ”I'd like to come.  I need a new blade.”


[Private to Narrator:
With the pay from the last leg I am interested in buying a Thrusting Broadsword if I can procure one for book price or less.]

In reply to Shroud (msg # 169):

Standard shopping can be done with the guide, at about 5% under list.
(Tip this guy!) You can also sell any standard gear you are replacing at 40% of list; any bandit gear goes for only 16% of list.

In reply to Berry (msg # 167):

After Berry steps into the alley behind the Inn that Hakim has led you too, and a moment later a carved door opens. There is a scent of hot metal, stale hookah smoke, curdled milk, and the sharp tang of vinegar.

A man in embroidered silk robes typical to the area steps out, and unfastens his headscarf from accross his face, with elongated fingers with well manicured nails, revealing handsome features.
"Shalom Berry, Var. What brings you to Al Menir, Jewel of the North?"

After listening to the man accept his offer, the grizzled warrior extends his hand.

"My name is Haveron, and I am the leader of this group.  Thank you for your interest.  I believe your skills may help us with the tasks we have ahead.  However, I will not share any more information with you at this time, in this place.  That will have to wait for later.

For now, I have a task for you.  Think on this, and prepare an answer for perhaps this evening.  How do we know that we can trust you, and how do we know that you will be loyal to this group?  I cannot predict exactly what we will find when we go about our business.  Undoubtedly there will come a moment where you can find advantage in turning on us.  So far the group we have has proven trustworthy.  I expect the same from you, and so some assurance would be welcome.

Now, please, gather your things.  We have another man that has approached us, and I would attend to him for a moment while you prepare yourself."

With this, Haveron turns to face the other man, and asks "Omar?"

Omar nods in a muted fashion, so as not to disturb his keffiyeh.  Then he summarizes for his boss.

"This man seeks company in his travel back to Northport.  He seems like he would be good in a fight, as he moves with a certain grace.  He did mention trying to better himself, so he may be interested in a challenge.  And, he told me all he wants is enough food to feed himself but no more.  His dress seems a bit foreign, and I can't place his manner, so I can tell you no more."

OOC Any visible weapons or armor?