INTRO: Meeting with the Council

[coil23]

Doubtful

Seeing this unseemly behavior from a supposedly devout woman, Doubtful begins to wonder if maybe the scolding mayor might be preferable to this. We are already going to do this, for the right reasons more or less, so why the clumsy flirting after the fact? More and more seems off about this whole situation.

We were heading out to do exactly that until you stopped us. Is it alright if we go ahead and make good use of the light?

[OGRE MAGE]

You don't really get the impression that she is flirting with any of you.

She's just really hot.

[Stirling]

Vhing Cranepool

Vhing, still hooded leans in to Danny and whispers, "seductive vixen ensnaring us with seaweed."

Vhing pulls back his hood and speaks to the priestess. "You say don't come back empty handed with nothing to report. So there is something up there then and something to report.Vhing tries to make logical sense between the mayors' counsel that the lights and noises were trivial matters and her pressing the party to 'bring home the bacon'.

"Perhaps Ma'am, there is a particular something we can discover to you, for the counsel to consider?"Vhing pauses for a moment with a deep stare in her eyes thinking, can you read what my eyes are thinking now? . Vhing finally blinks."We are heading up there straight away. Don't worry, trust us to keep any sinister secrets away from townsfolk. We can report to you first. The coast road runs by your temple Ma'am. Perhaps you can accompany us along the way."Vhing offers an arm out for her to take..

[hedgeknight]

Burly...the Baker...with a boner

When the High Priestess bounces their way, all thoughts of sea witches, sea mothers, sea cows, and anything else immediately fly from his mind. "Mother jugs a-plenty," he gasps.

Suddenly he realizes what he just said and nearly chokes of embarrassment, his ears turning crimson. He looks down at the ground, scolding himself, and cursing his Pa for ever saying that in his hearing. Of course, his Pa had said that about the miller's wife when she would come to the shop to get a pie for supper. And, she did indeed have big teats...but she looked nothing like the goddess...er...priestess standing before them.

Jewels was saying something about not taking chances and not coming back empty handed, but Burly was too busy not looking at her jugs...breasts or face to really pay attention. He decided staring at the ground would make him more guilty and so he let his eyes settle on her feet...and then her knees...and before he knew it, he was staring right at her crotch.
His felt his balls twinge and his ears got so hot, he expected them to melt and run down the sides of his face any moment. His pants were suddenly very uncomfortable and he just wished he could go ahead and die right then and there and save the trouble of getting eaten by faceless ghouls in the haunted house.

He closed his eyes, took a couple of deep breaths, and managed to croak, "M'lady, thank ya for the advice. We'll...we'll do our best...won't we fellers?"

[Urson]

Alec
Alec watched the others fumble their words around this woman, grinning a small grin behind his moustache. 'Certainly, she's beautiful and well-designed- but so is a finely- wrought sword, or an artisan's engraving on a helmet.' "Thank you for your advice ma'am. If you have a prayer or a blessing for us, I'd thank you kindly."

[Nordbo]

Danny Cruester

wide-eyed, stops in his tracks and can only manage a startled <Gulp!>

[wolfpack]

Jervis does a deep bow

My lady we are already on our way, and I swear we will not leave until we have uncovered what devious forces plague the good people of this town, and when we do we will return the information back to the lord immedietly. We will do our duty.

[Urson]

Alec

Alec nods to the priestess. I feel dat we should explore the grounds of the place before we enter, undt a night observing from outside sounds like an excellent idea. Great-uncle Oren and his friends always searched the area before entering possible danger.

Alec removes the leather lacing from his beard braid and wraps it around the shaft of the crowbar, making a better gripping surface.

to the half-orcI would advise you to try not to piss off your comrades. you never know when one of us may be in a position to save your life.

[OGRE MAGE]

Jewels smiles at Keilifs modesty and the others reactions but looks confused at Doubtful's ire.

After Vhing makes his proposal, you see a side of this female that she hasn't shown you yet.

image.jpeg (35.13 KiB) Viewed 590 times

She raises both eyebrows at the orcmans extended arm as if to nicely say, "not on your life".

You think you are pretty clever don't you criminal? Once a con man always a con, I suppose. Well, as you may remember I am in the middle of a council meeting. She looks back to Keilif and Doubtful. Try to keep this orc from corrupting the others, won't you?

At Alec's suggestion of a blessing, she nods her head at the dwarf and closes her beautiful eyes. She inhales deeply and her chest heaves even closer to your faces. She holds her hands out towards the group and whispers prayers to Istus under her soothing breath.

Suddenly the breeze picks up considerably, blowing her perfect hair back and causing you all to grab your hats so they don't blow away on what was once a perfectly calm day.

As soon as she stops her quick prayer and opens her eyes again to gauge your reactions, the breeze stops just as abruptly as it started. This comes as a bit of a shock to some of you and at the very least, should indicate that this High Priestess weilds incredible power and is not just some tavern strumpet to be trifled with.

She smiles again then turns to take her leave.

You now have the blessings of Istus, the All colored Lady of Fate.
Good luck and godspeed, fellow Saltmartians!

Sounds like you are in at least partial agreement to check out the house right now and then maybe camp out there overnight to watch and learn?

If there are any arguments to that or last minute preparations before you leave, post them here. I will get started on creating the next game thread. Until then, you can roleplay away in this thread.

[Spectreman17]

Ermulf Jormundson

I agree with the dwarf, let's go up there and explore the grounds today, and camp nearby to observe the lights and other strange things from afar, then when we know what it is we're dealing with, we can move forward and make a plan. but all this chit chat gets us nowhere, let's leave immediately. the more sunlight we waste, the less we know tomorrow morning.

with that Ermulf starts walking off towards the mansion, carrying his pitchfork over his shoulder.

[Stirling]

Vhing Cranepool

Vhing is used to rejection though he expected a little light hearted rebuff. When the priestess coldly reminds him in public of his past actions and ancestry, the group can see his face harden and his jaw tense.

He will stare silently at Keilif and Doubtful for a moment, a long moment; then pull the hood of his cloak over his head again."Keep Istus' blessings, I make my own luck."

Straddling the hammer across his shoulders, Vhing sullenly walks off, up the inclined road towards the town gates and cliff top coast road.

[Mant72]

Keilif Zythanthus:

Keilif looks back blankly at Vhing as the half-orc delivers a withering look at both he and Doubtful. As Vhing walks away, Keilif turns to look at Doubtful and simply shrugs his shoulders. He secures the buckle on his satchel and readies to leave with the rest of the party. "There are a couple of supplies I'd like to get from home before heading out."

Keilif stops by his and his uncle's shack to retrieve 50' of rope and a 10' wooden pole.

[coil23]

Doubtful

Doubtful shakes his head at the priestess' burst of callous ignorance then watches, bemused, as Vhing walks away. The half-orc may be ornery and full of bluster but he, like these others, will likely prove his mettle in the coming days- whatever that council may think. We will solve this mystery and our cavalier council be damned. They picked the right crew despite themselves.

Taking a mental inventory of his equipment at hand and the possible needs for their night of investigation, Doubtful looks down at his feline companion as he continues to walk toward the bluffs. Come, Shoo-Fly, help me herd this motley crew. We go hunting this night.

[hedgeknight]

Burly...the Baker

Watching the exchanges between the priestess and Vhing and his other companions, Burly just shakes his head. And then he watches the high priestess walk away...making sure the two guards see him watching her swaying hips as she departs. He then smiles at the guards and turns to follow the others up the road toward the house.

[Nordbo]

Danny Cruester

ignoring all 'criminal' cues from others, Danny senses a vague kinship with Vhing's independent, no-nonsense, go-getter grumpiness. Maybe that's how his own, heroic half-orc great uncle was. Or was that his grandpa ? Having been a slave most of his young life, Danny's knowledge of his possible ancestry is naturally very blurred, his only source being the snippets old man Tom told him. Using his limited orc vocab he calls to Vhing "Th'kadh, a-mê!"* and hurries after him.

*"Wait up!"

[Stirling]

Vhing Cranepool

Vhing swaggered off from the council square and through the bustle of street vendors and merchant men. Stepping subconsciously into the gutter as he did so. Prisoners, vagabonds, they all did this to make way for the 'citizens'. He kicked a little pebble for several strides down the guttering, chasing some mouse fleeing for cover. Old habits die hard. Vhing shook his head and removed his hood to let the sun shine on his face. No more mending nets or filling sandbags in the Trench town jail. Vhing smiled. He had 'done his porridge' (orc slang for jail time). Occasional cell fights and a little smuggling of discreet pressed ounces of tobacco aside, it had been an uneventful few months. By the time Vhing reached the Kingfisher Bridge, he was genuinely happy, nodding courteously to gents and ladies alike and saluting the old soldiers, his beaded dreadlocks positively swaying rhythmically with each broader stride.

Vhing paused halfway across the bridge to glance over his shoulder to see if he was being followed. Not by the group of young heroes' but any guard or conspicuous fellows. None were spotted.

Vhing crossed the bridge feeling that dawning moment of a new epiphany. Kingfisher, now that was much richer name, colourful and heartwarming. Cranepool, had been taken from the estate of indentured labourers and poor tenant crofters ecking out a subsistence living north of the marsh between the Dreadwood. When the men left, the womenfolk paid the rent in other ways. Perhaps on this venture, I will earn a new name Vhing thought.

Between the bridge and outer town gates he meditates on the subject. Inspired by the mastermind criminal in some spy books he had read. Cunning, wealthy, powerfull...should have a distinct name that inspired fear in others like Blofeldt. Then you could also be a disciple of those master assassin. Silent killers with unique weapons. Vhing particularly favoured the oriental fat bloke who sliced and diced enemies' up with a bladed hat. Oddjob...Blofeldt, Oddjob; somewhere between the two.

It dawned on him in a flash. Yes, that was it he thought.
Vhing burst out spontaneously, slapping Danny on the back of his otter cape as he called out the name

..."Oddfeldt"

[Nordbo]

Danny Cruester

(assuming Vhing meant the back-slapping): "Felt odd ? Nahhh sir, that's OK" but readjusts his skewed otter cape anyway, while making big eyes at the flurry of business and activities around them. He rattles his omega 3-stained copper pennies in his pocket....maybe there's some affordable adventuring gear around ?

[wolfpack]

Jervis grumbles to himself.

Half orcs, Bakers, people wanting to do everything except what the actual quest is.

Guess I will do it alone if I must he muters to himself.

Gripping his axe TRU TEMPER tighter Jervis makes his way towards the mansion post haste.

[Mant72]

Keilif Zythanthus:

Keilif hurriedly wove his way through the crowds that were already beginning to mill about the fish carts and vendors of the Saltmarsh docks. No matter the time of day, the docks were always bustling with sights, sounds, and smells. Grizzled merchants hawked their wares, each claiming to offer the best and most exquisite foods from the sea, as potential customers haggled with pricing. Keilif's senses took all of this in as he navigated through the throngs, wondering...praying that he would return from this endeavor safely. It was the first time he would be off on his own, and of course he was both excited and fearful.

His uncle Darn was not at home when Keilif returned to pick up the rope and pole. He had already set out to go crabbing for the day. Neither he nor his uncle had much money, and their supplies were always limited. He hoped his uncle would understand why he took the equipment. Keilif wished he could speak to Darn once more before departing. He always offered the best council; however, today, his wisdom was not to be shared.

Trying not to be jostled in the ever growing crowds, Keilif's thoughts once again returned to the night on the beach where he and Darn stumbled upon... what was it his uncle called the thing...'a creature of unrest?' ... For the past couple of nights, he had not slept soundly. The sickening, viscous sounds the mallet made haunted his rest. He shook his head in an attempt to dispel the grim reverie, and as he did, he spotted the Kingfisher Bridge just up ahead. Vhing the half-orc was at the mid-point, crossing over to the other side. Keilif wonderd about the man. He was enigmatic and extremely street savvy. He would certainly be an asset to the group if there were any altercations that might arise. Keilif was always able to read people well, and he could tell that the priestess' slur had hit the man hard even though he put up a good front. He made a note to speak further with Vhing. Stepping upon the bridge to cross over himself, Keilif was not lost to the symbolism contained therein, and he hurried to join the rest of the group.

[OGRE MAGE]

The action begins over here.

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