DM
Bern soon learned that Arus knew his way about this town. He had mentioned it before, but the speed with which they zigged and zagged through the throngs of people in the mazelike marketplace was how Bern typically felt when he was maneuvering through the forests. As they moved, Arus gave Bern a bit of a rundown. They made it to their destination, The building was large and hanging above the front door of the building was a sign shaped like a wooden shield with a blue lion painted on it. This was the headquarters for the Lionshield Coster Trading Company.
Similar to the establishments in both Phandelver and and Triboar, the place operated as a merchandise exchange ut it was much larger and more cluttered than the two smaller outposts. This was the headquarters. There were crates, barrels, boxes, sacks, bins and bundles of items of all sorts organized. Against the far wall there was a staircase that led up to a second level.
A man was sitting at a desk that was just to the left of pair as they entered. "Arus! I was hoping you would stop by! I thought you would get here earlier."
At some point before they had entered, Arus surely mentioned to Bern that the person that ran the place was named Aldis.
Arus
He walks into the Lionshield dressed for business.
Glad to see Aldis, he smiles and shakes the man's hand.
"What ho, Aldis, tis good to see thee." The triton says, then gesturing to Bern, "This is my brother-in-arms, Bern."
He could have stopped by earlier but that would've meant cutting breakfast at The Pearl-Handle criminally short.
"I trust the delivery yesterday was all in order? Othovir's saddles. Narth hoped I might run them all the way to Noanar's Hold but I could not guarantee it."
Arus looks around the shoppe.
"Still, our business does take us east. What say I relay events in Triboar to thee over a cup of tea?"
His intent is to lead on from the giant raid to questions about other raids and low intensity conflicts along the river. If anyone would have heard of such things, it would be an arms dealer.
<Bern>
He followed Arus into the Lionshield, nods acknowledgement at his introduction, but does not feel inclined 'insert' himself into the conversation.
DM
It was at the moment that Arus had introduced his brother-in-arms that Aldis's smile turned flat. "I've met your friend," he says with an icy glare.
"I would have thought you had my answer already," he says to Bern coldly.
Arus
The triton expected a reaction like this would occur at some point during their stay in Yartar. He was counting on it.
But that it's from Aldis is both lucky and frustrating.
"Ah. I see thou hath met Bern's troublesome twin. Looks the dead spit of him, but more talkative and a better dresser?" Arus says, describing the doppelganged-Bern.
"Alas the other Bern is also a complete arsehole. Whereas this one is a fine fellow."
<Bern>
He did his best to avoid any 'reaction' to the 'issue' of his doppelganger'. He held tongue, happy to let Arus do the talking.
DM
"I see. Strange." Aldis seemed quite skeptical. He looks at Bern, his eyes squinted as he studied the man that refused to answer the direct question posed to him. "Tell me, did this twin of yours loan you that studded leather armor? He was missing a stud in that same spot on his left shoulder. And that quiver you carry has a gash where someone else's arrow must've nicked it."
Arus knows Aldis and knows that he is astute. His keen eye served him well as a merchant of wares. The fact that Aldis has not addressed the request to discuss matters over tea yet was a clear signal that he wasn't about to let go of this. The doppleganger has made Aldis suspicious.
<Bern>
He had hoped not to get 'involved', but apparently Aldis wanted to press the issue.
"You =do= know what a doppleganger is ... how it operates ... right", he asked rhetorically, then continued. "It =duplicates= the chosen form ... my form in this case ... in total."
Aldis
"A doppleganger you say? Do you mean that was NOT you? Do you have one impersonating you? Don't tell me that was a doppleganger that came in here!"
<Bern>
He tried not to look or sound as frustrated as he felt. "Yes", he began patiently, "it was the doppleganger that you met."
Aldis
He is unsure and then turns to Arus. "Have you been with Bern, uninterrupted?"
OOC: I assume that Bern and Arus are going to try to convince Aldis that Bern is not the doppleganger. That requires a persuasion roll. Arus can "assist. That means that both of you make the rolls. If Arus makes his persuasion roll, it adds a +2 to Bern's roll. DC is 12.
Arus
"Well, as lovely as his company is, we didn't sleep together." Replies Arus with a smirk.
[Arus rolled 16 total for Persuasion.]
<Bern>
He chuckled at Arus' 'quip'. But didn't really have a rebuttal, so decided to let Arus continue to 'speak' for their side.
Bern Persuasion d20-1 +2 for Arus' assist MikeD rolled d20+1 and got 20
Aldis
"I see you let Arus do most of the speaking, when I saw your face the last time, you wouldn't stop blabbering. Come, let's go upstairs to talk, business."
Arus expected this. Aldis wouldn't discuss business in public. There were just too many people working and transacting business on the main floor. He preferred privacy to promote openness. Aldis led them to the staircase in the back and up to the second level. Arus did not hesitate to follow Aldis and made sure to let Bern that it was alright. Bern could tell that Arus knew his way about so well that he noted Arus reflexively avoiding stepping in the center of a weak step. For a trained scout, it was clear that Arus had walked up these steps many times before. Bern had a feeling, by the way the two interacted, that Aldis knew Arus better than Bern did.
They reached the upper level which had a sitting room that was surrounded by a number of hallways, each with several doors at the end. "Grab a seat," Aldis said as he walked over to the stone fireplace against the wall to the right. He knelt down and lit some kindle to get a fire going and positioned a tea kettle over the small fire.
"Arus knows that I love tea. I think that I've helped him develop a taste for the hot brew but maybe he just wants me to feel like a good host," he laughed. "Will you join me in some? I just received a sampling of tea imported from Port Nyanzarru in Chult. It actually came in on your caravan. I'm really interested to see what it is like."
<Bern>
He nodded. "Unfortunately, that was not 'me' that you met previously", was all he said while they were in 'public'. Since it seemed clear that Arus knew and ... at least to some extent ... trusted Aldis, he followed.
He noticed Arus clearly avoiding that one step's center and did the same. He took a seat as was suggested and then watched as Aldis went to start the fire for tea. He nodded, "Yes, thank you. Not that I am any sort of 'expert', but a nice hot cup of tea is usually welcome", he said with an appreciative ... or maybe it was an anticipatory ... smile.
Arus
"My thanks."
The triton is glad to sit and share a cup of tea with Aldis. The man had sponsored him in Yartar and proven an even-handed employer of decent character.
Letting Aldis pour, Arus raises his cup to Aldis and takes a sip. He needn't worry about burning his tongue. Aldis is no oaf. He'd not risk scalding the tea leaves with piping hot water.
This blend is new to Arus though. A reddish tinge, a strong, refreshing flavour with a twang. Arus approves and takes another sip.
"I'm glad we could oblige by delivering it, Aldis." He remarks, nodding, "This is the good stuff."
Arus settles back in his seat.
"Bern and I have seen some wild events on the road these past few days. Giant raids, giant cocoons. Is the river network as disturbed?"
<Bern>
While he was no 'tea aficionado' by any stretch, he followed his friend's lead and took a sip and smiled appreciatively. To tell the truth, though, he didn't have to 'work' too had. It was as good ... or better ... than any tea he had tasted before.
He nodded, a serious expression on his face, as Arus directed the discussion to 'recent events', but continued to let his friend handle the conversation.
Aldis
He sips the tea along with his two guests and nods in agreement with Arus's assessment of the tea.
"It is a tea best served strong, I think. And do you notice that zing? Supposedly the bush from which this is harvested grows at the edge of the jungle and is fertilized in the dung of giant reptiles that only live there. And they season it with the scrapings of a certain tree bark and the petals of some flower. Yes. I like it too. It rivals some of that pale tea from Shou Lung."
Sitting back, he snickers at Arus's question about the wild events on the road, "Word of your adventures reached me before dinner last night. I had to listen to at least a dozen wagon masters, one after the other, tell tales of your glorious exploits!"
Clearly, news travels fast in Yartar. Most of those people have never seen a giant before and to have battled and warded off two separate giant attacks became news that had no chance of being contained.
"Those were the first attacks I've heard of west of Yartar, but to the east, as you know, all sorts of things emerge from the Evermoors."
It was common knowledge that the Evermoors was once called the Trollmoors. Caravans that make the more than tenday trek from Yartar to Silverymoon kept eyes open both to south where the Evermoor way passed the High Forest and the Evermoors to the north.
"What is that you said about a cocoon?"
Arus
He shifts in his seat, getting more comfortable.
"En route from Triboar, we found a giant cocoon snagged on the riverbank. And from within we pulled a Yartarian noble, one of the Waterbaron's supporters."
Although the party have pledged to help Lady Dezhia find her son's abductors (who Arus suspects actually attempted murder), the son had made a show of himself entering Yartar. Many townsfolk must have seen Lord Artan riding with the party, so word will get about today.
"Lord Artan Rossolio, a man-boy. Thou knowest him?"
Mostly a rhetorical question. Arus sips and goes on to ask:
"So no evidence of any factions arming up to the east? Giants, humanoids, what have thee."
Aldis
He answers Arus's questions first.
"A cocoon you say? How strange. I know of Lord Artan, although do not have much dealings with him. Business with the Rossolio's is conducted with his brothers or Lady Rossolio. I do not think that the family values him much. But his family does have power in Yartar. Lord Artan is one of those rich brats that one would find ... well, in a place where I found you!"
Aldis smiles when he said that, recalling their first encounter. Then he turned his attention to the question about factions and giants.
"Arus. I still would like you to take the harness to Noanar's Hold, which is east, so I hope you don't think that anything I tell you is meant to prevent dissuading you from taking it there."
He pauses to sip some tea before continuing. "Uthgardt barbarians have been known to come down from the Surbrin Hills but the Shields take care of them mostly. And that is to the west. There have been sightings of hill giants but so far none have attacked. Hill giants ignore us little folk, mostly. They hunt for food. It's common knowledge that they're very stupid and above that lazy. It takes initiative to coordinate an attack on a caravan. That just doesn't happen. And fire giants look at us like we look at an insect. We're inconsequential, in their mind. So this news that the caravan teams is spreading, is alarming. I've not yet heard any tales approaching the seriousness of the stories that followed you into town."
<Bern>
It would have been obvious to anyone that knew him, that he was =not= particularly impressed with Aldis' 'dismissive tone' to Arus' description of their 'encounters'. His interest is piqued though. He clearly had an 'agenda' based on all that. He was curious to hear what he 'wanted' from them. But he continued to sip the wonderful tea in silence ... for now.
ooc: the "first encounter" you are thinking of is not the same as Aldis's post. He's referring to the time he first met Arus, which Bern does not know anything about. To make things a bit clearer.
Aldis
"Oh, yes, here. Let it not be said that Aldis is a cheap employer."
With that Aldis tosses a small pouch which jingles as it lands on the desk in front of Arus.
"A bonus, hazard pay for your troubles. I did not expect the Triboar caravan to be this difficult of a job. And since there's the matter of delivering the harnesses, there's a bit extra for taking care of that for me."
OOC: Arus can add 100 gold to his purse.
[[ I don't think that Bern knows anything about anything ... or that just might be me ... getting old <weg> ]]
Arus
He takes the purse with a nod of thanks.
"Noanar's Hold it is then. I'll deliver the harness."
The triton glances at Bern with an amused grin.
"We wouldn't want to be blamed for some poor mare's chapped neck."
Business goes on, regardless of marauding monsters and dark conspiracies. The customer in Noanar's Hold needs that horse-harness. A wagon needs pulling.
It might seem mundane but as Arus see's it, the reason paladins exist is so that ordinary people can go about their ordinary business. He doesn't begrudge it.
But Aldis's talk of hill giants does jog Arus's memory.
"Aye. The hill giants that attacked us were interested in naught but food." He comments, pondering aloud, "Perhaps some calamity has befallen their tribe. I've heard of no blight but it might be political upheaval. Not so different to what's brewing here in Yartar."
The triton empties his cup, sets it on the table and sits back.
"I've heard rich laggards like Lord Artan oft spend their nights at the Golden Goose. Dost thou know the place?"
<Bern>
He continued to sip his tea and listen to the conversation. It sounded like another possible job in the offing.
Aldis
"Harnesses, plural. They're in a crate and they're expensive and the delivery is to Amrath Mulnobar, castellan of Noanar's
Hold. He's expecting five horse harnesses made by none other Othovir. His harnesses have elaborate designs pressed
into the leather, and they have become quite popular among Waterdhavian nobles who enjoy horseback riding. I'm hoping that the castellan becomes a good customer, so I'm counting on you. You'll get the cart and Boris too."
"And those giants are why I'm asking you to deliver the harnesses. I don't know about giants except that this is the first attack on a caravan that I know of. Everyone knows they're in the hills, but they've never attacked a heavily armed caravan and they've sure never attacked a town. How are Narth and Alaestra? Was there much damage to the Lionshare? They've had a rough time so far in Triboar, but they're really trying hard to make it."
He was referring, of course, to Narth Tezrin and Alaestra Ulgar, the proprietors of the Lionshare. Narth handled himself well during the fight against the fire giants.
When conversation turned to the young Lord Artan, Aldis smiled. "The Golden Goose? Well you wouldn't find a young lord in a dump like the Cointoss, that's for sure. That's where one finds the like of ... ", he says before he starts to laugh heartily, jesting with Arus.
Aldis turns to Bern and says, "The Cointoss is where I met your pal there. Did he ever tell you how I saved him from a dangerous halfling? I wager not. Gambling is a big business in Yartar. The Golden Goose is a classy place. That's where a Lord would play."
<Bern>
He grimaced when the 'discussion' turned in his direction.
"If you say so", he said with a shrug. "Gambling is not the sort of 'entertainment' I often have the 'available funds' to dedicate", he said. Then added, "But", he continued, "a 'classy place' is often worth 'visiting' ... when you have enough gold."
Aldis
"Frugal. I like that. Those who do not squander their gold are prudent. It might not be your type of fun, but it is classy. The guards are very selective as to who they let aboard the Grand Dame. I've dropped a few gold there in my days but I prefer the places that don't discriminate against someone because of what they can afford to wear."
<Bern>
He looked at Arus. "I am game if you are", he said.
Arus
Aboard? Grand Dame?
"The 'Golden Goose' is the Grand Dame, a ship? Here in town?" Arus asks, curiosity peaked.
He nods firmly in agreement with Bern. Oh he is most certainly game.
"Sounds like a step up from the Cointoss." He says, adding a retort with a devilish grin, "And as I always say, Aldis, that halfling wasn't dangerous; my faith grants immunity to venereal disease."
Aldis
He snickered. "You probably didn't travel in the right circles. The Golden Goose is a casino that is on the Grand Dame ... it's a riverboat. And the halfling wasn't the danger, it was the tree-sized barbarian that he was able to convince you were cheating that was your real problem."
Arus
"Ah, now that halfling was a different matter." He says with a chuckle.
That halfling had been a poor loser and a rabble-rouser. But it was also the night Arus made Aldis's acquaintance, which had ultimately led to discovery of the Kraken Society operating in Yartar.
Fate has a hand in these events, Arus is 100% certain. A paladin of the Order of the Leviathan now set on a collision course with the nefarious Kraken Society.
At a casino aboard the riverboat Grand Dame?
"I'll be sure to check it out, Aldis."
He looks at Bern, then back to Aldis.
"Perhaps I'll ask Scimitar Sally if she'd like to accompany me. She can fix Bern here with a date too.
"Any idea where she might be?"
<Bern>
He did his best to look 'neutral' as Arus continued his 'discussion' with Aldis. But when things got ... 'personal' ... his 'expression' ... for those that were looking for it ... changed. He was clearly more focused on what was being said.
He didn't want to give anything away when Arus gave him 'a look', but he did his best to let him know that he was paying attention ... without being too obvious about it.
Aldis
He chuckled before he answered Arus
"Sally can't go with you tonight. She's working here. It's her shift and well, we merchants all need to maintain security. She'll be here just before dinner. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
Bern knew, from Arus, that Scimitar Sally was a member of the Hands of Yartar, an all female thieves guild that were in control of the black market and much of the illicit business in the city. By the way that Aldis had said that last sentence, Bern could tell that Aldis believed that she was more than just a random acquaintance.
"I hope you both know that you're not getting into the Golden Goose unless you look a certain way."
<Bern>
While his first impulse was to strangle the guy ... clearly Aldis knew a lot more than he was willing to share. He could accept =that=. But strangling him would not help their cause. So ... he took a breath, let it out and smiled. Instead, he was willing ... for now ... to let Arus control their side of the conversation.
OOC: Not sure where you're getting that impulse to strangle him. He's been nothing but cooperative, answering Arus's questions honestly and freely and offering helpful advice.
[[ it is just the 'vibe' I got from him ... the sort that talks outa both sides of his mouth saying what ever he thinks will get him the most favorable impression and so the most info ]]
OOC: So let me help you understand the scene a bit better, being more open about things. Aldis is Arus's boss. Arus was a dock worker, which he excelled at because of his aquatic nature. It helps to have a Triton on staff when merchandise accidentally fall into the river or a barge gets stuck. That's why Aldis's request that Arus takes the assignment to deliver the harnesses is not far out of place. Arus actually suspected it might happen because he was told about it back in Triboar. It's a job that Arus typically would take. Delivery pays better than dock-worker so it's a perk to get that assignment.
Note that Aldis also put Arus up here for several months as part of his compensation. Arus arrived in Phandelin on a caravan from Yarter as part of his work for Aldis. So assume that Arus knows Aldis far better than he knows Bern. Sally works night security for the Lionshield Coster. Aldis probably doesn't have much choice in that arrangement because Sally's with the Hand, one local all-female thieves guild offering protection. Aldis doesn't seem to mind. So Sally met Arus here and took a liking to him. Arus is looking to see if Sally, through her connections, has any information that might help you all solve the mystery about what is going on here.
Nem, Do you think it pays to share part of your PM intro thread with Mike?
[[ So did Bern know that 'history' going into this?? If so ... <sigh> ... I musta missed it :-/ And the fact that they knew each other before isn't (in Bern's mind) =necessarily= a good thing or a bad thing. But it would make him more 'on his guard' <weg>
FWIW ... if it isn't something that Bern would know, I don't think that 'sharing' the PM is the right thing to do.
But I =do= appreciate the help. I keep thinking I am getting too old for all this <sigh> ]]
OOC: Bern who has a +2 to his insight, could probably put all this together. Arus hasn't hidden about this and was open about having to meeet Sally. By his familarity with the city and the way that Arus and Aldis are interacting, Bern would have put these things together.
There are many PMs that I won't share. In this game, I've nudged relationships up a tick. You are companions but don't know all of each other's secrets and motivations. There are likely to be conflicts that need to be resolved as the game continues. Bern's extra baggage happens to be in the open, the doppleganger, but he has other missions and objectives that you can find in your PM thread(s).
[[ thanks. I will go and ... =attempt= ... to 'catch up' <g> ]]
OOC: Let's see if we can get this train back on the tracks...
Aldis
"So if you want to meet with Sally, like I said, she'll be here before dinner. And if you want to get onto the Grand Dame to visit the Golden Goose, you'll want to put on clothes that don't say 'I live in the wilderness'. Put some of that gold I just handed you to some good use."
He looked to Arus, "Are you staying here tonight or do you have other plans?"
Signs are pointing to the Golden Goose as a place where you can learn more about the disappearances of the young lords. But who to look for may not be clear. Davroar and Kriv had relayed what young Lord Artan, the man they had found floating in that cocoon had said, "There was a woman. Oh yeah, a real pretty one...no, beautiful. There's a difference, you know. Any wench can be pretty, but this one was classy! Black hair - long, black hair. And she wore a magnificent purple dress."
<Bern>
Well it didn't seem like they had gotten a lot of 'immediately actionable' information, but still, there =were= some useful bits. He looked over at Arus to see if he had any other questions.
[Sorry guys, I've been in product council meetings most of the week. Worn my eyeballs out staring at web conferencing screen. I'll print the PM thread to PDF for MikeD, Neptune. How's that?]
Arus
No Scimitar Sally tonight!
"That's a shame. Those legs of hers would've looked magnificent in a split dress."
He ponders Aldis's other question for a moment. Although they have rooms at The Pearl-handle, it would be good to have a safe house too.
"If we might impose on thee for a room, we would be grateful. It sounds like we're in for another late night and may not want to disturb the night porter at our inn."
After tea is finished and a minute or so of comfortable silent reflection, Arus stretches and pushes himself out of his seat.
"Well. I think we better hit the high street, Bern, and buy thee a ruff and doublet!" He says, only half-joking.
Arus extends his hand to Aldis.
"Good to see thee again, Aldis."
[OK, I've generated a PDF of the PM conversation between Neptune and I, removing most of the ooc chatter.
It starts out in Yartar, weeks before Arus even set out for Triboar and before he met Bern.
STK - The Latecomer
]
<Bern>
He wonders a bit at what Arus is thinking with the extra room request, but doesn't say anything. He just nods and stands when Arus rises.
"A pleasure", he says to Aldis with a small bow.
[[ THanks for the PDF. I have it here and will go through it over the next few days <g> ]]
Aldis
"Like I said, you'll find Sally here before dinner. So I look forward to seeing you then. And of course, you and your friend are welcome to stay tonight. I happen to have a few of the extra rooms open. Of course, you need to get tonight's pass phrase when you return to make sure that Sally doesn't skewer you."
He stands and leads the two down to the lower level.
OOC: Looks like you guys are ready for the "lunch" get-together. We need to sync up with the others for that. I think we're close.