The Gathering at Ozlo’s

[Rex]

Drest

Drest just slumps his head at the behavior of those around him. "An interesting crew indeed."

[Howman]

Ragnarr

Surprised by the odd turn of events, Ragnarr says to everyone, "Looks like I picked the right table to sit at! Seeing as it looks like we'll be together for the time being, I am Ragnarr!" Content that there will be plenty of time to better acquaint himself with his newfound companions, he returns to his horn.
Concerned at the fervor with which his kinsman, Hakon, is also drinking, Ragnarr makes sure to fill his horn frequently, so as to make sure he gets his share of ale.

[NJWilliam]

Hakon

The eyes of Hakon of the ale horn peer over the tipping brim of his horn, closely watching the viking that just introduced himself as Ragnarr. Satisfied, he breaks from his drink, smiles at Ragnarr, raises his horn and exclaims “Drink for Ullr’s favor on our voyage!”

[OGRE MAGE]

I will give OD one more day to post here before I move the action along.

I hope everyone is surviving well in the craziness of life as we now know it.

[Old Duergar]

Kumaglak

The jaundiced short Esquimaux refills hastily his take from the ale horn and gulps it down avidly, trying to make himself sparse to the black-clad witch, hiding behind the burly Vikings introducing themselves to the table.

His tongue passing several times over his cracked, swollen lips, he hisses very lowly to no-one in particular: "So special, so statuesque, so almost extinct! I have a -sinking- feeling we are not to visit -his- island."

Apologies everyone, I am safe and sound, but work is eating me alive these last two weeks...

[OGRE MAGE]

The noise of the crowd starts to grow again, with several of the people gathered still rather upset about this sudden announcement. Cries of anger and concern fly towards Ozlo and his men. Any trained fighters in the group spot more than one man nearby reaching for knife or dagger.

The stunning sorceress tries to ignore the pair of Vikings at the table, seemingly more concerned about how much free ale one can drink over the other. Clearly annoyed by their lack of interest in what she has to say, she eventually cracks, slamming her pale, pretty hand down hard on the table. “Am I bothering you two?” Can I get a Sorcery Save from Hakon and Ragnarr, please.

As quick as she was to anger, her mood changes instantly, looking back and forth between Valkrina and Kumaglak. She stares at him for a moment, looks back to Val many times, but keeps returning her gaze on the strange man with a look of confusion and disgust. Ignoring his rambling prophecy, she eventually addresses the obvious contrast between the two. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a beauty and such a beast from the same blood in the same place before. And the honor is all mine, gorgeous. I’m sure you will have much to write and sing about before long.”

“I agree with this Pict!” She nods towards Drest. “This really is an interesting collection of rabble. But one I have the utmost faith in.” Her hand reaches up to touch Euripides neck again, her infatuation with his tiny gill slits blatantly obvious. “And you, my boy. You will be the crown jewel of the group before all is said and done. Oh yes, your skills will be vital to a successful endeavor.”

Seeing Xenos prepared with sword and spell, she winks. ”Why don’t you each tell me a little bit about yourselves?” The ominous vibe hovering over the courtyard doesn’t improve, but the sorceress doesn’t even seem to notice.

[NJWilliam]

Hakon

Sorcery save, 14 needed: [1d20] = 18

[Rex]

Drest

"I am Drest of the Picts. I have wandered some, serving as a laborer at times and a scout other times. I look forward to the opportunity to prove myself on this venture."

[Howman]

Ragnarr

Save vs Sorcery, need 14: [1d20] = 4

Oof, maybe Ragnarr shouldn't have had so much ale.

[shaidar]

Xenos nods his head towards the Sorceresses

"Mistress, I am Xenos. I am trained in sword and spell and seek opportunities to perfect my skills"

[OGRE MAGE]

Hakon

Sorcery save, 14 needed: [1d20] = 18

You are free to respond to the woman if you desire.

[OGRE MAGE]

Ragnarr

Save vs Sorcery, need 14: [1d20] = 4

Oof, maybe Ragnarr shouldn't have had so much ale.

Ragnarr just stares back blankly at the sorceress with lust in his eyes.

It seems like he wants to say something, or take another drink, but all he can do is stand and stare for the time being.

[Old Duergar]

Kumaglak

"Snah, I have been called a lot of things, but I have never been called a beast... unless one counts the Dockmaster calling me a foolish goat!", the Esquimaux's smug hiss becomes a blatantly fawning droning, his manners servile and transparently insincere as he manages a slow, deep bow towards the black-clad witch.

"You flatter me, lady, my talents are -many-, I assure ye, if ye know what I mean! I can gut a fish and slice meat quicker than anyone in the Port and let my back become a Helios-dried flayed husk if I lie! I can also cut through ice quicker than a Vikland walrus in heat and in sight of his mate and I can herd two scores of sheep and ram alike without losing my wits or count even through the sharpest of blizzards!", Kumaglak keeps fawning over the witch, almost dancing on his very feet. His eyes are cold and appraising though, reduced to mere black slits of suspicion inside their black circles.

"Look no further if you seek Kumaglak of Leng.", he adds with calculated flourish and another boorish, servile bow, his eyes peeled on the suddenly muted Ragnarr.

Can Kumaglak determine what just transpired between the witch and the Viking? If any roll is appropriate, here goes.

[1d20] = 19 Determining the witch's spell effect on Ragnarr

[NJWilliam]

Hakon

Hakon looks at Ragnorr’s slack glazed stare, turns to look at the sorceress, turns back to Ragnarr, nods his head a few times, and turns back to the sorceress to drink her in with his eyes.

”Bothering . . ., is not at all the word I would use.”

“Do you have a cabin on the flagship?”

And then extending his horn of ale with a slight bow, ”Hakon, faithful of Ullr, at your, . . . service.”
Hakon raises his left eyebrow at the sorceress.

[Scott308]

Euripides Nereos

My name is Euripides. I'm from here in Port Zangerios. My parents sent me to apprentice with a book binder, but it didn't work out. I've made my home and living where and how I can, so this voyage will be a nice change for me.

[Bluetongue]

Valkrina

Overcoming her initial awe of the sorceress, she feels that she might be included in this flagship group but definitely feels out of place. So decides to add a flourish of her own to stake her reason, her destiny, her choosing; however these vikings might view her companionship on the voyage.

"My people sojourn from their namesake bay, hunting the creatures of the ocean deep and scouring the earth for relics and legends. Like you I am not averse to gathering precious gems and increasing in arcane knowledge and wonderment.

Born I was under the peaks of the mountains as the aurora borealis stormed across the sky. It is strange as I was named after the angels of Odin , those Valkyrie 'Choosers of the Slain'. You know they marked warriors suitable for death in battle and an entrance into Valhalla."

The bard (or skald) moves away from the table as she speaks actually standing by the huge viking assasin. She tries a bit of sleight of hand which seems to go awry as she attempts to place the coin she earlier put in the ale horn into the pocket of the brute. The coin spills from her finger though and rolls on its edge around the vikings boot.

"oh. It seems I cannot mark you. Perhaps you will survive battle then ... or die and not enter?"


Valkrina pick pockets skill check (+1dex bonus) [1d12] = 8

[OGRE MAGE]

The as of yet unnamed sorceress snaps her lithesome fingers in the face of Ragnarr, freeing him from whatever ensorcellment he was under. She points two fingers at her own gorgeous brown eyes, and then back to his. “Do I have your full attention now, big man?”

She nods at the reply from Drest and Xenos, smiling at them once they finish. Her attention to Euripides wanes somewhat after his response, though she does address him again. “Parents you say? Incredible. I would very much like to meet them sometime.”

Kumaglak tells the woman exactly what she wants to hear, at the same time attempting to glean information from her. She looks surprised by his story. "A man form Leng? Here in Port Zangerios? You should be a valuable addition to this group, mighty Kumaglak. Now please stop trying to look into my soul, friend. Trust me, you wouldn't like it in there." The aspiring cryomancer feels a powerful magic surrounding the woman that strikes him as quite impressive. Though some of her magic seems ordinary enough, she clearly has skills beyond any he has witnessed or even heard of before.

Valkrina also shares deep thoughts with the woman, trying to prove that she is indeed worthy of being part of this clearly advantaged group. As she speaks, she moves towards the Viking who is still unable to move of his own accord. Trying to slip her coin into the mans pocket doesn't work out as well as she hoped, but at least he hasnt the ability to object to her words or actions. Seeing this, the sorceress moves up close to the attractive esquimaux, getting close enough for the two of them to rub noses. She whispers something softly to Val that the others don't hear, but the reaction from the nearby men hints of something seductive. BT, please see your private thread.

When Xenos finally makes his introduction, inquiring about her cabin on the ship and announcing his affiliation with Ullr, the woman only sneers. "I will not be accompanying you on your journey. If I had the time to take on this task myself, I wouldn't need the likes of you and your friends here, now would I?"

Looking back over the still grumbling crowd while staring down any agitators who get too close to her favored group, the sorceress asks for one final commitment from the new party as she lays out her plans. "I have arranged for one of the best ship captains in all of Hyperborea to escort you to your destination. Captain Lazereth and his knarr are moored at the end of the longest dock in the wharf, ready to set sail at first light on the morrow. He has all of the details of the journey and knows exactly where to bring you. Any questions about the mission can be asked of him once you set sail." She reaches into a pouch at her slim waist and retrieves what looks like some kind of wooden idol or totem.

"You will each receive a magical item that will help you locate what I seek. These will be yours to keep despite the outcome of your quest. All I need from each of you right now is your willing agreement and full commitment to take on this journey for me without question. Do I have that?"

Actions?

[Rex]

Drest

"I agree to take on and commit to this journey."

[shaidar]

Xenos

Seeing how the Sorceress is able to cow even the mightiest of the vikings in the courtyard he wonders if he might have found a patron powerful enough to protect him from his father, for now at least.

"Mistress, you have my agreement and commitment, I will do my utmost to locate what you require."

[Bluetongue]

Valkrina

Listens in to both the private and public conversations. She tries to make out if the offer of magic aid is also repeated by the sorceress clones who converse with other tables or if the offer is just for the flagship crew.

"I will endeavour to collect your lotus compounds from the Crab Islands mage Kazeffron," she says, using the sorceress' name from the posters. In the end she figures that despite many intriguing questions on what kind of spells and experiments the lotus fronds ignite and too what purpose such spells might be put to use, she has little present commitments to the people of PZ to question reasons why. Ample pay, some adventure and discovery outweighs any potential ethical issues.

"My encore is finished in the tavern. I can board the ship when required."