Helix: The Brazen Strumpet

[Quonundrum]

"I'm wondering nae. What should we dae first, gang with Dalin tae Crooked Yew or tae Ironguard Motte first?"

Moriartus lowers his voice to just above a whisper. "We should proceed to Ironguard and hire Miss Two-Bird's to accompany Mr. Dalin. I fear we are running out of time to rescue the Bennerjake twins. The summer solstice is also not long to arrive. If my suspicion is correct, the treants will gather at that time for a moot at the sacred grove to Sylvanus."

[sastaz]

"As far as I know, that bastard one eyed dwarf is still out there somewhere though, after the cowardly attempt on my life." Smokie killed the dwarf.

Gerdal

"Oh, that's right, the dwarf did die."

She takes another sip of the potatoe vodka, turns the bottle upside down and eyes the opening.

"Empty, already?"

[OGRE MAGE]

At some point during the conversation, Sven takes Raust aside to ask a favor.

"You seem to be more familiar with this area then anyone else here. Can I ask you something? I seek a specific kind of tree sap for a spell component. The gum of an acacia tree or anything closely related. Are you familiar with such a tree yourself? Do you know where any could be easily located? I don't need much and I promise no plant life will be destroyed during the collection."

[sastaz]

"If I may offer counsel, Miss ..." He pauses, unsure whether the honorific was appropriate, or even understood by the wild druid. "... er, Raust. I had led the group that discovered the fate of the lumber camp. We found snake like trails leading south into the Moor, although we did not track them further. You may find more clues we may have missed. We lacked the time to perform a more intensive investigation."

Gerdal ignores completely both gulp and sidestare from her companion Sven, anyone sitting by the table can assume it's because she's inebreated (or is it).

Any which way, she puts the empty bottle aside and focuses - with some difficulty - on the stories being told around the table.

"Interesting, most interesting. So, is anyone planning to get out there once more, or is everybody heading for Ironguard? Raust, how about you? Wait, where did she go?"

[OGRE MAGE]

"Indeed! We should share our maps. If you're so inclined, we could also trade in our magical knowledge." His tone was pleasant and demeanour cordial. His mind, however, was reeling with the implications of what he just learned.

Sven seems very interested, in both ideas.

"So you are from Ironguard yourself then? Or are at least familiar with the place? Are you planning to visit again anytime soon? My friend and I were making plans to travel to the citadel. Perhaps we could share a coach and have you show us around a bit once we arrive? There is safety in numbers, after all."

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus pours himself another glass of wine.

"Indeed. I worked at the Collegiate Arcanium for nearly twenty years before testing my mettle against the Moor."

Again ... he thinks quietly to himself. He appears to reminisce momentarily on a melancholy memory.

"I do intend to visit soon, yes. In fact, with the next Silver Standard caravan in a few days. I would be delighted to show you around. You speak wisely, as well. Although it's not quite a city, Ironguard Motte has its own nefarious elements best avoided by courteous folk."

[Rex]

Orgoth

To Sven, "I arranged travel with the Silver Standard in exchange for work as guards. They are heading out in a few days."

[Marullus]

At some point during the conversation, Sven takes Raust aside to ask a favor.

"You seem to be more familiar with this area then anyone else here. Can I ask you something? I seek a specific kind of tree sap for a spell component. The gum of an acacia tree or anything closely related. Are you familiar with such a tree yourself? Do you know where any could be easily located? I don't need much and I promise no plant life will be destroyed during the collection."

Raust nods solemnly, listening to the boy wizard. "The hardened sap of effluent tree... easier to find when they awaken in early springtime. Perhaps you will allow me to examine components in your pouch already?"

[Marullus]

"Interesting, most interesting. So, is anyone planning to get out there once more, or is everybody heading for Ironguard? Raust, how about you? Wait, where did she go?"

Raust's eye widen in terror at the idea of voluntarily going to an even bigger town. The druid shakes their head, "No, not Ironguard. They go to find the snakemen. As soon as Friar Marcel reads books." Looking aside to Moriartus, "Perhaps you can tell more of what you found?"

[sastaz]

Gerdal looks surprised at Raust, then comes to.

"No, no I mean is anybody planning to go back to the mounds? I'm meaning to find something to do here while everybody's travelling to Ironguard."

She smiles at Raust.

"As I mentioned, I'm really more comfortable in the wilderness than inside some grotto."

Harkazz, her pet lizard, snatches a flea from out of the air with his tounge and chews with great satisfaction.

[OGRE MAGE]

At some point during the conversation, Sven takes Raust aside to ask a favor.

"You seem to be more familiar with this area then anyone else here. Can I ask you something? I seek a specific kind of tree sap for a spell component. The gum of an acacia tree or anything closely related. Are you familiar with such a tree yourself? Do you know where any could be easily located? I don't need much and I promise no plant life will be destroyed during the collection."

Raust nods solemnly, listening to the boy wizard. "The hardened sap of effluent tree... easier to find when they awaken in early springtime. Perhaps you will allow me to examine components in your pouch already?"

Sven listens carefully but stares back confused for a moment, turning his shoulders slightly. "I don't have any of the sap at the moment myself. I seek it for the creation of a future spell I intend to learn. I assume there are such trees in The Blackened Forest, but unfortunately I'm not even sure what they might look like."

[Marullus]

Sven listens carefully but stares back confused for a moment, turning his shoulders slightly. "I don't have any of the sap at the moment myself. I seek it for the creation of a future spell I intend to learn. I assume there are such trees in The Blackened Forest, but unfortunately I'm not even sure what they might look like."

The druid nods, then pantomimes a round, smooth shape with their fingers. "Tree sap, golden hued, emerging from a wound, to heal. It grows a hard shell, then a solid form all-through. More potent when it has inclusion, the insects of the wound stilled within. Humans give it to jewelers as stone."

Moriartus initially regards the semi-feral druid of Herne with some apprehension. "If I may offer counsel, Miss ..." He pauses, unsure whether the honorific was appropriate, or even understood by the wild druid. "... er, Raust."

Elvish words:

For anyone who speaks Elvish to recognize:
Raust. (noun) "hunting, preying" (LT1:260; in LotR-style Quenya
Carca - Quenya word for 'fang'.
Namma - Quenya word for 'Claw, Talon'.

[Quonundrum]

Moriartus

Looking aside to Moriartus, "Perhaps you can tell more of what you found?"

"We found a foreman's journal which detailed much of the same symptoms as was seen with the latest victims. However, the late stage of the disease was noted to cause confusion and erratic behaviour. What is interesting though, the victims who underwent ecdysis all appeared to do so in the main cabin. That's where we found the moulted skins. This suggests that while they lose their reasoning and awareness, some new instincts develop from the metamorphosis."

[Marullus]

Raust nods solemnly. "If one is found, it can be followed."

[OGRE MAGE]

After a little bit of time staring into the distance, and screwing his face up like he's trying to concentrate with a lot of noise in the background, he shakes himself and rolls his shoulders a few times. And starts to address himself to Sven
So, and I may not have gotten it all, it's been a while and my Goblin is a bit rusty, but here we go.
This fellow's name is Holy Moley, or Mal'colm', or Mal'achite.' I get the feeling that he doesn't care what you call him so much, as long as his head gets polished every day. I think if you call him by name and tell him what you want,
he can charm snakes, affect fires, cast illusion (phantasmal force). Well, to be precise, Mal'colm' doesn't so much cast as he absorbs a casting of the spell and then can release it later when you ask. think ring of spell storing
....
There was also something about improving one's cooking and love life. Looks around for the half-elven server But I think that was just bragging. Isvand's mind seems to wander for another second. Oh! I almost forgot! It only understands Goblin....

Orgoth

"I speak Goblin, if it is needed. Not sure I can help with the magic thing though."

"Thanks guys! This is a bit strange though. A head of spell turning you say, eh? I cant imagine why someone would create such an item for those who only spoke the goblin tongue. Unless the wizard who made it was a goblin. Then it makes perfect sense." Sven laughs at his own joke, even if nobody else does. "Seems like a fairly bulky item to carry around though, unless the wizard was an ogre or something." He laughs again.

[sastaz]

"Thanks guys! This is a bit strange though. A head of spell turning you say, eh? I cant imagine why someone would create such an item for those who only spoke the goblin tongue. Unless the wizard who made it was a goblin. Then it makes perfect sense." Sven laughs at his own joke, even if nobody else does. "Seems like a fairly bulky item to carry around though, unless the wizard was an ogre or something." He laughs again.

Gerdal

"Maybe it's because it's an altar and not meant to be carried around?

"or stolen." she raises both eyebrows.

"Just kidding, of course."

[sastaz]

Gerdal, a little bored with the lack of interest on the topic of new adventures, moves over to the half-elven couple.

"A good day to the both of you. What brings you to this place, if I may ask? We travellers must stick together and help each others out, you know, if we're to survive around here, especially now with all the evil brewing. Oh, I'm Gerdal by the way. I gather rare herbs in the wilderness around here and sell cococtions of my own design. And I can tell your future as well, if you dare."

[tarlyn]

Venwynn

The red haired Ranger overhears the conversations at the table and approaches.

"Good evening all. My name is Venwynn for those who do not know me. I am a Ranger with some experience with the areas around Helix.

I would be honoured to join any expedition preparing shortly. I just came back today and need to rest up a day or two but you can count me in

if you'll have me? Might I join you at your table?"

[sastaz]

Gerdal turns to address the ranger.

"Splendid, this is finally starting to look like something. Vemwynn, meet my very good friend Isvand. We've travelled together before, several times, and I trust him with my life. And over here is the forest woman Raust who is bringing her two wolves. So, the plan would then be to leave and look for traces of the snakemen in a few days time?"

Gerdal pulls out a chair for Venwynn.

[Spearmint]

The Brazen Strumpet Tavern

Gerdal approaches the two by the far table. A little leery from an extra bottle, now empty.

They shuffle up on the table as you sit, "Well, err. We are not quite sure what the future holds. We hope for the best but there are many avenues we have little experience in." says the man.

Closer to them you can see their relationship is as a couple rather than brother and sister. " We heard we could earn a good wage here, though work is dangerous. Spiders in the forest, ghosts on the Moor."

You chat briefly, finding out the are newly arrived and are trying to decide what to do next. They have been offered to go into the forest to collect spider silk or to join hunters tracking deer by the Herne Shrine. They should give an answer, one way or another.

"We good hunters and workers. Do you read a crystal ball? What do you charge?" Among the bravados of adventuring types, these two look inexperienced, their garb simple forest greens, carrying minimal kit. You think they share a plate as they could only afford a single meal.

The woman expresses interest in your herbalism skills and your ability to speak with animals. She notes the scar on your hand and the way that Harkazz has a habit of blending in to surrounds which give you a grainy skin colour like oak or pine.