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| | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | OP  Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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."
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | <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."
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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."
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | <Bern>
He looked at Arus. "I am game if you are", he said.
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 Wobbly Headed Administrator | | Wobbly Headed Administrator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 | 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." | | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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."
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 Wobbly Headed Administrator | | Wobbly Headed Administrator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 | 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?" | | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | <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.
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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."
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | <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.
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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.
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | [[ 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 ]]
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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?
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | [[ 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> ]]
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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).
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | [[ thanks. I will go and ... =attempt= ... to 'catch up' <g> ]]
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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."
Last edited by Neptune; Thu 11/03/21 18:22 UTC.
-Nep
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | <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.
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 Wobbly Headed Administrator | | Wobbly Headed Administrator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 | [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." | | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 Wobbly Headed Administrator | | Wobbly Headed Administrator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 13,058 Likes: 9 | [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
]
Last edited by nem; Fri 12/03/21 16:15 UTC.
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 Member | | Member Joined: May 2000 Posts: 42,106 Likes: 5 | <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> ]]
MikeD
| | | | | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 Moderator | | OP Moderator Joined: May 2000 Posts: 17,950 Likes: 1 | 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.
-Nep
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 Argus Indianapolis, IN USA
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