Mr. Nehru hangs his head in obvious embarrassment over the idea of moving the town closer to the water. After seeing the positive reactions from the others over the idea, he finally confesses.
"When we first arrived here, there weren't as many people with us as you see here today. We sailed past this beach several times before deciding to settle in this area. The cliffs to the east didn't look inhabitable in the least, with their dark caves likely filled with all manner of horrible monsters. The river area was the obvious choice to start up a new settlement, but there were so many dangers there that I decided we must stay as far away from it as we possibly could and still be able to go there to collect water."
"The settlers with me at the time tried to discourage that idea, telling me that staying this far from the water in the name of safety was ludicrous. But I would have none of it. As leader of this group, safety was my utmost concern, and I would not relent. I think that is when some of the original settlers started to question my authority."
"After much debate during our first week here, a small group of us decided to travel to the river to scope things out in that area, hoping to find out just how dangerous it would really be to stay near there. What we found only solidified my belief in staying well enough away. Not only were there wild animals using the river to drink from, but monsters too."
"We ran into the native people along the rivers trail and, although they weren't hostile towards us, I knew they didn't want us anywhere near their area. We had a powerful priest with us back then, and he had a few ideas about how to handle the dangers and the natives. But in my mind, we couldn't just wipe out everything that got into our way, just so we would be more comfortable. I knew even then that we needed to adapt to what the island offered us, not force our way onto it. The priest disagreed and shortly afterwards, disappeared."
The wiry thin, wispy haired human continues in a much softer voice now.
"The other settlers almost had me convinced to move after our priest left us, but I still wasn't totally willing. I decided to take a solo sabbatical to the river trail myself for one last test, and that's when I saw..........the dragon."
Marge's eyes nearly pop out of her head at Nehru's last comment, but for the first time since you have known her, she doesn't seem to have a response to the claim.
Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Wes
Wes stays silent for a good few moments, digesting this latest piece of news. After considering it, he tries to put it together with his own observations.
"A dragon? Are you sure? I've been across the river, just two days ago in fact. I think there is something dangerous there, certainly. It seems like the wildlife avoids the place, and the natives did too. And I don't like the look of that cave either".
"But", he points out, "though I'm no expert on dragons, there are a couple of things that make me think it's not a dragon. For one thing, if the wildlife has moved away and it's got nothing to eat, why hasn't it attacked us down here? The town would be easy pickings. Which makes me think that whatever it is, it can't cross the river. And as far as we know, dragons can fly. So it's probably not a dragon."
" Can you give us a better description of what you saw Mr Nehru? After all, we killed a pretty big lizard just along the beach here. Perhaps what you saw was an even bigger kind of lizard?"
Wes stays silent for a good few moments, digesting this latest piece of news. After considering it, he tries to put it together with his own observations.
"A dragon? Are you sure? I've been across the river, just two days ago in fact. I think there is something dangerous there, certainly. It seems like the wildlife avoids the place, and the natives did too. And I don't like the look of that cave either".
"But", he points out, "though I'm no expert on dragons, there are a couple of things that make me think it's not a dragon. For one thing, if the wildlife has moved away and it's got nothing to eat, why hasn't it attacked us down here? The town would be easy pickings. Which makes me think that whatever it is, it can't cross the river. And as far as we know, dragons can fly. So it's probably not a dragon."
" Can you give us a better description of what you saw Mr Nehru? After all, we killed a pretty big lizard just along the beach here. Perhaps what you saw was an even bigger kind of lizard?"
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Mr. Nehru is about to respond when Marge pipes up loudly.
"A dragon? What are you talking about? You have seen a dragon on the island and this is the first that you have decided to mention it to us?"
The bug-eyed heavy woman stares at the man, waiting for a satisfactory reply.
"Well, I didn't want to alarm anyone unnecessarily, since I was alone when I saw it. It didn't try to attack me or anything. In fact, I don't even think it knew I was there."
He looks to Wes again to answer his questions.
"I have never actually seen a dragon before, but I am certain that they exist. This thing was a sparkling bluish grey, about 50 feet long, and made the trees shake when it flew past me. It had the look of a dragon. Big head with lots of teeth, huge claws at the end of strong haunches, and wings big enough to cover this whole building. I know I'm no expert in these things, but I am pretty damn sure it was a dragon of some kind."
I was walking up the trail at the edge of the river and it came flying in just over the tree tops. This was over three months ago now, mind you. It was so big that it blotted out the sun for a second. As I said, it didn't attack, or do much of anything, really. It just flew past me while I watched it move away in complete terror."
He looks at the floor of the porch with his head hung low.
"That is another reason I never mentioned it until now."
"A dragon? What are you talking about? You have seen a dragon on the island and this is the first that you have decided to mention it to us?"
The bug-eyed heavy woman stares at the man, waiting for a satisfactory reply.
"Well, I didn't want to alarm anyone unnecessarily, since I was alone when I saw it. It didn't try to attack me or anything. In fact, I don't even think it knew I was there."
He looks to Wes again to answer his questions.
"I have never actually seen a dragon before, but I am certain that they exist. This thing was a sparkling bluish grey, about 50 feet long, and made the trees shake when it flew past me. It had the look of a dragon. Big head with lots of teeth, huge claws at the end of strong haunches, and wings big enough to cover this whole building. I know I'm no expert in these things, but I am pretty damn sure it was a dragon of some kind."
I was walking up the trail at the edge of the river and it came flying in just over the tree tops. This was over three months ago now, mind you. It was so big that it blotted out the sun for a second. As I said, it didn't attack, or do much of anything, really. It just flew past me while I watched it move away in complete terror."
He looks at the floor of the porch with his head hung low.
"That is another reason I never mentioned it until now."
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Wes
Wes raises his eyebrows, taken aback. "It can fly?"
Wes raises his eyebrows, taken aback. "It can fly?"
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Can I roll knowledge for dragons or perhaps creatures in general for other possibilities of what it might be?
Brett
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Roll Knowledge?
What the hell does that mean?
Short answer......No.
Even if that were a thing, Monocar doesn't have any idea what might be living on this island. So if he did have some insight into such creatures, he would have no reference to compare it to here.
What the hell does that mean?
Short answer......No.
Even if that were a thing, Monocar doesn't have any idea what might be living on this island. So if he did have some insight into such creatures, he would have no reference to compare it to here.
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Ah! But what about Liam?OGRE MAGE wrote:Roll Knowledge?
What the hell does that mean?
Short answer......No.
Even if that were a thing, Monocar doesn't have any idea what might be living on this island. So if he did have some insight into such creatures, he would have no reference to compare it to here.
Brett
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
That's who I meant!!!
Mr. Nehru continues, despite the glares from large Marge.
"Oh, yes. It flew right over my head. It must have gone down the river, to the sea, and then turned around and flew back again. Both times I saw it I was so afraid, I couldn't even move. That was the first and only time I saw the beast. I have never heard about it since, so I figured it must have flew off to greener pastures or was killed by some adventurers or something."
Mr. Nehru continues, despite the glares from large Marge.
"Oh, yes. It flew right over my head. It must have gone down the river, to the sea, and then turned around and flew back again. Both times I saw it I was so afraid, I couldn't even move. That was the first and only time I saw the beast. I have never heard about it since, so I figured it must have flew off to greener pastures or was killed by some adventurers or something."
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Mr. Nehru looks at the three of you in all seriousness.
"Does that dissuade your desire to move the town closer to the river at all?"
Marge does not reply to the man, clearly wanting nothing to do with any dragon. She eventually pipes up timidly.
"Wes dear......if what Nehru's saying is true, do you think you could protect us from such a creature?"
"Does that dissuade your desire to move the town closer to the river at all?"
Marge does not reply to the man, clearly wanting nothing to do with any dragon. She eventually pipes up timidly.
"Wes dear......if what Nehru's saying is true, do you think you could protect us from such a creature?"
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Wes
"Dissuade? No. Delay? Yes, for a while. Until we've solved this mystery".
Wes continues to mull possibilities and alternatives for a few moments, then responds to Marge. "Well, I'll do my best, but I don't think we have to worry too much just yet. Consider this: that fire pit out there has been burning night and day for weeks. The smell would drift for miles on the wind, and the smoke would be visible to any creature flying around. Dragons are at least very aggressive and usually smart. Surely a dragon would come and investigate the source? The town is away from where the natives live, so you'd think that would make the dragon curious, wouldn't you?"
"And another thing," he says, warming to his subject, "the ships. There are ships coming and going every couple of days. There's no way to hide those from a dragon. And yet it doesn't seem to care". Wes shakes his head. "We can't say for sure it's not a dragon. But the way it's behaving seems....undragonlike". Wes doesn't mention his third point out loud, but privately he suspects that Mr Nehru's guess at the size of the beast may be a little exaggerated.
"Still, we owe a prayer of thanks to Obad Hai that it has stayed away from us".
"We need to know more. Right now, there are few adventurers here in town and I'm wary of asking those that are to undertake such a dangerous trip. But I'll suggest a scouting mission to them and see what they say".
"Dissuade? No. Delay? Yes, for a while. Until we've solved this mystery".
Wes continues to mull possibilities and alternatives for a few moments, then responds to Marge. "Well, I'll do my best, but I don't think we have to worry too much just yet. Consider this: that fire pit out there has been burning night and day for weeks. The smell would drift for miles on the wind, and the smoke would be visible to any creature flying around. Dragons are at least very aggressive and usually smart. Surely a dragon would come and investigate the source? The town is away from where the natives live, so you'd think that would make the dragon curious, wouldn't you?"
"And another thing," he says, warming to his subject, "the ships. There are ships coming and going every couple of days. There's no way to hide those from a dragon. And yet it doesn't seem to care". Wes shakes his head. "We can't say for sure it's not a dragon. But the way it's behaving seems....undragonlike". Wes doesn't mention his third point out loud, but privately he suspects that Mr Nehru's guess at the size of the beast may be a little exaggerated.
"Still, we owe a prayer of thanks to Obad Hai that it has stayed away from us".
"We need to know more. Right now, there are few adventurers here in town and I'm wary of asking those that are to undertake such a dangerous trip. But I'll suggest a scouting mission to them and see what they say".
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Nehru nods affirmatively at the wisdom of the druids words.
"See Marge! Nothing to worry about at all. Like I said, I only saw it that one time, and it never appeared to any of us again, here or at the river. So....... you should be fine."
Turning back to the other men again, he continues.
"I think another exploration up the river way would be most beneficial. I have always wondered if the native people living near there were friendly enough to approach. I would like it very much if we could coordinate some type of alliance here, if they aren't too hostile, that is. Since you seem to be pretty good with dealing with strangers master Wes, I would think another trip up that trail might do us all some good."
"And at the very least, we could possibly learn a little more about these pirates everyone keeps talking about."
"See Marge! Nothing to worry about at all. Like I said, I only saw it that one time, and it never appeared to any of us again, here or at the river. So....... you should be fine."
Turning back to the other men again, he continues.
"I think another exploration up the river way would be most beneficial. I have always wondered if the native people living near there were friendly enough to approach. I would like it very much if we could coordinate some type of alliance here, if they aren't too hostile, that is. Since you seem to be pretty good with dealing with strangers master Wes, I would think another trip up that trail might do us all some good."
"And at the very least, we could possibly learn a little more about these pirates everyone keeps talking about."
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Wes
Wes is surprised for a moment at Mr Nehru's ignorance of the situation along the river trail. Then the druid remembers that since he is the only survivor of the first expedition up the trail, nobody else really knows what has happened.
"Mr Nehru, there are no natives left along the trail. The pirates have destroyed all their villages and taken the men prisoner, to work on their giant plantation further up river. The women have been scattered through the jungle. That's where Chauncey and the others have gone: to try and free the slaves and destroy the pirate camp."
Wes goes on. "The first group that went up the river, myself, Brufrig, Ferris, Krystal and Bonnie. We were captured by the pirates. Brufrig is dead, Krystal and Ferris probably are, and Bonnie is still a prisoner. I escaped and made it back here by the grace of Obad Hai."
"Hopefully Chauncey's group will succeed." says Wes. "At least they will have more warning than we did." He tries to change the subject. "Can you give me more information about where you saw the dragon-beast? We can try to get a group of adventurers to go over there".
Wes is surprised for a moment at Mr Nehru's ignorance of the situation along the river trail. Then the druid remembers that since he is the only survivor of the first expedition up the trail, nobody else really knows what has happened.
"Mr Nehru, there are no natives left along the trail. The pirates have destroyed all their villages and taken the men prisoner, to work on their giant plantation further up river. The women have been scattered through the jungle. That's where Chauncey and the others have gone: to try and free the slaves and destroy the pirate camp."
Wes goes on. "The first group that went up the river, myself, Brufrig, Ferris, Krystal and Bonnie. We were captured by the pirates. Brufrig is dead, Krystal and Ferris probably are, and Bonnie is still a prisoner. I escaped and made it back here by the grace of Obad Hai."
"Hopefully Chauncey's group will succeed." says Wes. "At least they will have more warning than we did." He tries to change the subject. "Can you give me more information about where you saw the dragon-beast? We can try to get a group of adventurers to go over there".
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Mr. Nehru looks back at Wes with wide eyes as he finishes speaking.
"The pirates did WHAT? Burned down the villages and enslaved the native people? Nobody told me things were THAT bad!!! That type of behavior must not be allowed to go on!!!"
The towns only real leader thinks about his next words carefully before continuing.
"To hells with the dragon! Someone needs to get out there to help Chauncey and his group! When we spoke before they left, I really had no idea what they were up against. Slaving can not be allowed to happen.....here or anywhere else!!!"
"Wes, my good man......I hate to tell you this after your terrible ordeal, but I think you need to take your group out that way again to help Chauncey in any way that you can! If only there were a way to get you there faster than 2 days of walking. If I had any horses to offer you, I would. I don't suppose you have any ideas for mounts that might offer a faster way around the island?"
Mr. Liam.....I don't suppose you brought a few good horses along with you, eh?"
"The pirates did WHAT? Burned down the villages and enslaved the native people? Nobody told me things were THAT bad!!! That type of behavior must not be allowed to go on!!!"
The towns only real leader thinks about his next words carefully before continuing.
"To hells with the dragon! Someone needs to get out there to help Chauncey and his group! When we spoke before they left, I really had no idea what they were up against. Slaving can not be allowed to happen.....here or anywhere else!!!"
"Wes, my good man......I hate to tell you this after your terrible ordeal, but I think you need to take your group out that way again to help Chauncey in any way that you can! If only there were a way to get you there faster than 2 days of walking. If I had any horses to offer you, I would. I don't suppose you have any ideas for mounts that might offer a faster way around the island?"
Mr. Liam.....I don't suppose you brought a few good horses along with you, eh?"
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Liam
I have replied to this thread no less that 3 times and not one has made it to post. grr....
Liam listens to all this. I am a farmer... I am not here to fight dragons and pirates. I just want to help people by doing all I can to supply food and water, help with improvements where I can. If we are not going to move the village, I would like to offer my hand and my tools to helping dig an irrigation system. If we cannot bring the village to the water... let us bring the water to the village. A shallow ditchworks could bring a steady feed of water to crops and waterholes which we could dictate the potions of. We could even moved them if need be. We would have all the water we needed. Water for people, animals, crops, we can dig out deep ponds to store even more as needed. There would be fresh water for bathing and cleaning. Even a safe place for doing laundry without worrying about what might be out in the shoals.
To Mr. Nahu's question about horses. All I have is Jack, I am afraid. He is less than a thoroughbred. But He al, he al, he always has had a good attitude towards work. He will be pulling the cart to the river in the morning to get a couple barrels worth as well as whatever buckets will fit without him being overloaded. Perhaps tomorrow would be a good time for you to join the waterbearers and see the operation for yourself. See what changes may have happened since you last journied there? Maybe you can point out where you saw this dragon?
I have replied to this thread no less that 3 times and not one has made it to post. grr....
Liam listens to all this. I am a farmer... I am not here to fight dragons and pirates. I just want to help people by doing all I can to supply food and water, help with improvements where I can. If we are not going to move the village, I would like to offer my hand and my tools to helping dig an irrigation system. If we cannot bring the village to the water... let us bring the water to the village. A shallow ditchworks could bring a steady feed of water to crops and waterholes which we could dictate the potions of. We could even moved them if need be. We would have all the water we needed. Water for people, animals, crops, we can dig out deep ponds to store even more as needed. There would be fresh water for bathing and cleaning. Even a safe place for doing laundry without worrying about what might be out in the shoals.
To Mr. Nahu's question about horses. All I have is Jack, I am afraid. He is less than a thoroughbred. But He al, he al, he always has had a good attitude towards work. He will be pulling the cart to the river in the morning to get a couple barrels worth as well as whatever buckets will fit without him being overloaded. Perhaps tomorrow would be a good time for you to join the waterbearers and see the operation for yourself. See what changes may have happened since you last journied there? Maybe you can point out where you saw this dragon?
Brett
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Mr. Nehru thinks about it for a moment before responding.
"You know what......I just might take you up on that offer, Liam! Marge here never lets me join them on their morning trips, but since I could do some good there this time, I don't see any problem with me tagging along for one trip."
"Besides, it will give us all a good chance to get to know one another a bit better. Knowing your neighbors is always a good thing!"
"I would like to learn as much as we can about this giant plantation Wes spoke of before we start digging any trenches around here. That sounds like a lot of hard work for a bunch of hungry helpers."
Marge nods her head reluctantly. "Sure! Why not?"
"You know what......I just might take you up on that offer, Liam! Marge here never lets me join them on their morning trips, but since I could do some good there this time, I don't see any problem with me tagging along for one trip."
"Besides, it will give us all a good chance to get to know one another a bit better. Knowing your neighbors is always a good thing!"
"I would like to learn as much as we can about this giant plantation Wes spoke of before we start digging any trenches around here. That sounds like a lot of hard work for a bunch of hungry helpers."
Marge nods her head reluctantly. "Sure! Why not?"
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Mr. Nehru stands on the porch of the Hi-Lo, swatting mosquitos as Liam and company arrive with their offerings.
"Well, well, what have we here? Fresh goats milk you say? Well that is a special treat. Thank you Liam, you have proven yourself a decent man in just a few short days of being here. I will drink this to your health, sir!"
He looks over the paperwork closely before responding again.
"This is equally as impressive, sir. You seem to know your business if you don't mind me saying. Tell me, do you have any other family members who would like to relocate here? He chuckles, only half kidding.
Between you and Waesfaren, I cant tell who has helped out more in the last little while. Speaking of Wes, have you had a chance to meet the druid that everyone is talking about around here yet?"
"Well, well, what have we here? Fresh goats milk you say? Well that is a special treat. Thank you Liam, you have proven yourself a decent man in just a few short days of being here. I will drink this to your health, sir!"
He looks over the paperwork closely before responding again.
"This is equally as impressive, sir. You seem to know your business if you don't mind me saying. Tell me, do you have any other family members who would like to relocate here? He chuckles, only half kidding.
Between you and Waesfaren, I cant tell who has helped out more in the last little while. Speaking of Wes, have you had a chance to meet the druid that everyone is talking about around here yet?"
Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Liam chuckles. Well I have a bundle of letters that will go to my kin back on the mainland. We will see what comes of it. I can provide the letters if you feel the need to look them over before I send them. As to Westifaren. I believe I met him in brief yesterday, but we have yet to speak since he left. I will seek him about again upon his return and see how we may further coordinate efforts her for the people.
Brett
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Re: Hi-Lo (mercantile)
Mr. Nehru
"You are in luck if you wish to send some letters to the mainland. The good captain is expected to arrive back here with his ship in the next day or two. I don't need to see your correspondences, but the more the merrier if you plan on bringing the amount of supplies that you've already brought."
"It cheers me to no end that some of you are so willing to help when others have simply abandoned us to our fate out here. You have already made yourself more useful than I could have ever imagined, master Liam."
"You are in luck if you wish to send some letters to the mainland. The good captain is expected to arrive back here with his ship in the next day or two. I don't need to see your correspondences, but the more the merrier if you plan on bringing the amount of supplies that you've already brought."
"It cheers me to no end that some of you are so willing to help when others have simply abandoned us to our fate out here. You have already made yourself more useful than I could have ever imagined, master Liam."