Slowly, a blue-skinned humanoid approached closer to the group that had gathered. His hair was silver and he had bright sea green eyes. His eyes did not move off his quarry, the man who had originally addressed everyone, Erret Smith.

"I would be more than happy to help guard the borders of this town, for such an amount of money" he told the assumed-to-be important and in-charge man.

Izayah smiled and then turned to Galenna. "Well, ma'am, it's yer show. Do ya'll wanna see what we can do t'day or head out on the morrow? I jus' got here so I still got all m'gear on me an' could get t'walkin' if that's what y'want."

He looked around. "We got four, looks like. Ya'll want one more, or go for five days instead?" This was directed at Galenna, but difficult to tell since he wasn't looking at her at that point.

The door to the town hall opened wide, letting in a flood of bright white light from the reflected snow.  Just as suddenly, a hulking shape moved to fill the door, cutting out the light as surely as if the door had been shut tight.

"I mean no harm..."

A voice called out, far deeper and rougher than any human throat could produce, it was more akin to the growl of a beast than the Common tongue.

"... and more pressing, I am alone."

Whatever was making the noise was huge, so large that it needed to crouch down before the door in order to speak through it.

"I am a traveler.  I would speak to the Matriarch of this Hunting Lodge, if she is here.  Or... I am sorry, do you not have Matriarchs?  I do not know.  I would speak with the one whose word carries loudest, when the time for action is at hand.  I can come inside, or if you are concerned this is some treachery, you can step out into the light and see the truth of things with your own eyes."

The massive shadow stepped back a few steps, and glaring white light once again flooded through the open door, along with the chill air of the frozen forest.

"Good my...." The governor was taken aback by this sight before him. "Why there's no trouble at all, as long as there's no hostilities of course. This is a settlement for those of all types and all types are welcome. As you can see we already have quite the variety. Who could ask for more eh?" Erret, who had run back inside the town hall to grab a paper for the potential guards to sign, switched everything he was holding to his left hand and offered his right to the creature before him with no hesitation. "It is nice to meet you, I am the governor of Smith's Gambit. My name is Erret Smith."

"We'll set out first thing in the morning. Meet me right here at first light. We'll do a five day trip. Erret has agreed to provide, er provisions. If you wish to have lodgings built while you're gone, speak to Erret, and he will advance a portion of your fee toward it's construction. If not, the inn should be open by then."

Tidelan signed the forms handed to him by Erret and paid little mind to the strange creature in front of him, he was a bit annoyed with his manners, as he himself had long ago given up on being accepted or considered normal.

He handed back the papers and asked the man, "When do you wish I begin?"

"First thing in the morning then, I will be here." after which he finds his way to the governor.

"I was told that you are offering to advance some of our fee's towards the construction of a dwelling. I have signed up for the map-making expedition which is to be for five days with a pay of one hundred and fifty gold for those five days. What type of construction and fees are you offering? I can also pay some up front if it will help?"

"Governor..."

The basso rumble was contemplative, as if the creature was trying the word for the first time.

"Thank you for allowing me into your hall, Governor Erret Smith."

The shape moved towards the door, briefly blocking out all light as he crouched to get inside and shut the door behind him.  He was a massive thing, as tall as the tallest Goliath and just as broad.  He was clothed in rough travel leathers, with a heavy fur cloak about his shoulders that looked to have come from the hide of some massive mountain goat.  The goat's massive head was visible upon his left breast, minus the horns and bones, or else it would have been far too easy to mistake the enormous grey pelt as that of a cave bear or dire wolf.  He had the hood of the cloak pulled up over his head, and a light dusting of snow upon his shoulders, but in the pale light of the Smith's Gambit it was easy to see that this was no Goliath.  His eyes glowed golden in the firelight, over large and reflective, and thick tufts of fur covered his shadowed features.

It was a Bugbear.

"I am called Lukas Jä..."

He caught himself, shaking some of the snow loose as he shook he head, and there was the faint jangle of rings.

"I am sorry, I am called Verbannt.  I am here because I heard rumor of work for gold coin.  I know what sorts of work a hall such as this requires.  I am a skilled tracker, even among the high reckoning of my people, good with the blade and the bow, and well taught in woodslore.  I know that most are fearful of my kind, and for good reason, we count many warriors and raiders among our clans.  It was my hope that my skills could find a home here, a purpose to set to, so as to earn my place and prove my value."

He had not moved since entering, but he turned now to see the job board beside the door.

"Ah."

A satisfied rumble.

"This one, or this one."

He pointed first to the paper requesting "Escort," then to the one titled "Guard Duty."

"This is good work."

He went silent as the Gnome, the Triton, and the Warforged spoke, listening intently.  He stared the longest at the Warforged, making no attempt to hide his confusion at the strange mixture of living wood and iron.  Only when they were silent did he approach, his massive paws surprisingly quiet on the wood of the hall.

"Do you still have need warriors and scouts for whatever it is you are about?"

He couldn't know which job she was recruiting for, but he seemed interested in any and all.

"Well, it looks like the little miss has her crew, but you are more than welcome to join for guard duty if you'd like. It starts in the morning bright and early. Make sure you get your rest. As for the dwellings, my good man, it'll be 50 gold to build a basic one then an additional 25 per room you want added. So for a basic home with one bedroom it'll be 75 gold pieces."

"I am interested in having a dwelling built., So if you will have built for me a home with four additional rooms for my entire pay for this assignment or at least have it started and partially finished by the time we return. Does the cost of the dwelling also include basic furniture and for one of my desired size how many fireplaces for warmth and lighting."

"After the one fireplace you get with the basic build it'll be an extra 25 gold per fireplace. But as for the basic furniture, even for one of your size, I'll throw that in free."

Verbannt's amber eyes went wide as the Warforged drew nearer, but to his credit he did not back away.

"Just like that?  A home here, and work to pay for it?"

He looked between the living creation and the man, incredulous with how mundane this all appeared.

"Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it."

He almost whispered that, and it sounded more like a personal mantra than anything else.

"I do not know for how long this Guard Duty will last, but two rooms in a home of my own is more than sufficient.  I will take the job, and earn what is needed to pay."

He turned to face Khaaven then.

"I have never seen armor of such a make before, it seems like it must weight 300 pounds, and yet you move so lightly in it.  From where was such made, are you a knight?"

He didn't sound as if he believed his own words.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

"I thank you for the free furniture, Who should I see about what type of basic furniture I require?"."

I have some ideas on this dwelling, should I work on floor plans for it so we can use it as a location thread for later because I will be using it as a type of shop others can use for goods or information later.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

Khaaven turns his attention to the large creature. " I am an explorer, able to fight and survive in many conditions. My armor as you call it is very unique, it is part of me as is your fur. It was made and created when I was over 600 years ago, although about 500 of those years I was what you would consider as hibernating."

Alen took the paper and read it carefully. He did not sign anything without first knowing exactly what it said. So intent he missed the creature at first. When he finally noticed it he snarled and reached for his sword.

After a moment he realized no one else was alarmed, and let his arm fall. He was not happy, Bugbears meant Goblins at the very least. He didn't doubt he could kill them, but he did not like that one of their scouts so easily walked in and set up shop.

"Traps would be a good idea." Alen said talking to Erret but keeping his eyes on the Bugbear. He glanced at the other man and nodded. His appearance was odd but so was everyone else here. Maybe he would get the story of who and what he was out of him sometime.

"Off the paths to keep them from sneaking in. Two hours between check ins is a long time. I'd be happy to set them up and tend to them if you can provide them." Alen's voice had adopted a particular tone. The one other merchants would recognize of offering a wonderful deal, that just so happened to benefit the proposer immensely.

"I will pass on the home for now. I would prefer to build a proper shop later when I have the funds."

Tidelan walked up to the bugbear who was having a conversation with the warforged, although he hadn't much experience with either of these races, he felt a kinship in that perhaps they too weren't always accepted.

He hated that he felt that, so he interjected the conversing humanoid, the organic one, "Hey, you. So, it seems that we're going to be working together. I'll let you in on a little secret, I'm not looking to make friends, I'm here for myself. Just thought you should know that."

He felt a little bad for saying it, but the world had never treated him well, so why should he put any effort into it, even in such an inspiring moment like this one.

Astros stared across the room at the warforged. "What a strange creature, and 'tis able to speak, amazing.  I knew mine travels with thou rockdwellers woulds't be interesting. But thou all hast such a strange accent."

He smiled at the bugbear, it was kind of friendly and kind of "I'd like to try to take him" smile. Such a large challenge and so tempting. But he was here to watch over Corus and starting brawls would be counter productive. He had his charge and his orders and he wasn't about to shirk either of them for personal enjoyment. Perhaps seeing the huge beast in a fight would be enough, In time maybe.

Without asking, Verbannt reached out a massive gloved hand and clasped it to the Warforged's shoulder, shaking him ever so slightly.  He wasn't excessively strong, mostly just big, but with that much bulk there was always going to be muscle.

"Ha, I knew it wasn't armor!"

He rumbled, his fangs baring in what eventually clarified itself as a grin.

"What do they call you, does your race have a name?  Are there more of you here in the frozen South?  I have never heard of such a thing, but my rangings have never taken me much further North than this."

He seemed genuinely pleased, and then suddenly contemplative.

"600 years, when does your kind experience death?"

He had grown quiet at that, almost disturbed, for while his features were bestial he made no attempt to disguise the emotions that played out over his face.  Thus, he made no attempt had hiding his frown when Tidelan made his declaration, or his scowl when Astros added his barbs to the sudden verbal fray.

"Ettin skyejotun?"

He said with a raised eyebrow of surprise, the strange tongue even more guttteral than when he spoke in Common.

[Language unknown: "Us ne Man setiv n seosna laranyforble nterea-linble!"] Astros exclaims.

He addresses Lukas with a laugh, "What tongue were thou speaking just now. Guttural yet with a flow about it. The name is Astroth. I come by way of the Triton sea and am new to all you Rockdwellers. I find the variety of folks most interesting."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

[Language unknown: "Com nteillion chno."]

Verbannt said in the same language he had used before.

"What brings all these outsiders to the frozen South?"

Which clarified not at all.

"I had thought you some form of runt Skyejotun."

Again the strange word, though this time he clarified.

"Cloud giantkin.  Skyejotun are common in this land, and posses a similar blue skin and... arrogance."

That word was loaded, it appears the slight hadn't been ignored then.  He released his grip on the Warforged, and turned to face the two Genasi.

"I am Verbannt, a hunter and tracker from the..."

He trailed off, his amber eyes going far away.

"... from the tribes to the frozen South."

That had not been what he had originally been going to say.

"What brings you and the less than friendly one to this place?  I have seen the Triton Sea, and heard of you, but never off the coast like this."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Thu 19 Dec 2019.

"I be a Triton so where else would I hail from? I hast traveled hither with a man of great importance and am tasked with his protection. He seeks diplomacy and relations with all thou rock-dwellers. Goodwill and such, and he seeks to perform deeds worthy of a discourse."

Izayah watched with narrowed eyes as the creature outside hid itself and then revealed itself to be a bugbear. He wasn't overly fond of goblinoids in general really, having fought against a Horde during the war he'd been in. Nevertheless Governor Smith welcomed the creature in so Izayah watched but did nothing.

He overheard Khaveen speaking with Smith about a log cabin. He stepped closer and afterwards asked, "Would ya require upfront payment for a dwellin' t'be constructed? If so, I'll haveta wait 'til after the cartography job's done, which is no big deal."

"Not at all, I can advance the funds for you so it can be constructed while you're away."

Izayah looked a bit surprised, and visibly so before he managed to cover it up after a moment. "Oh. Well. That's kind of ya." He smiled. "Well, I'm jus' lookin' fer the basics. One room with a fireplace, an' then a kitchen with a stove, outta do it." He gave a shrug. "Jus' need a place t'cook an' sleep, really."

He hesitated and then lowered his voice. "Does the store sell good-quality locks? Better safe than sorry I say."

"Advance..." Alen said thoughtfully. He shook his head suddenly.

"No. I would need about four rooms and two stoves. That would be too much to advance without a down payment. At twenty gold a day that is a full week's labor." He grumbled the last part to himself as he thought. Then he laughed.

"How perceptions change. That is over four months elsewhere. Erret are you willing to take half my wages till I pay it?" He said smiling. In his head he was thinking of a proper long house with a brye workshop on one end. Finally he aigned the contract and handed it over.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:05, Thu 19 Dec 2019.