On the road (D&D 5E IC)

[Doctor Malsyn]

Exile
HP 25/25 | AC: 15 | Init: +5 (Advantage) | Perception: 15
Spell Slots: 3/3 | Arrows: 56
Inspiration: None


The elf appreciates Salazar's accommodations, and is in the middle of wiping the mess from his boots when he notices their monk had skipped out on them. He sighs, hoping that he returns from his detour within quick order.

Taking a sip from what seems most accurately called "hot leaf huice" as he refused to liken it to much better variations on the theme, he allowed himself to relax. Well, as much as his elven instincts around the disgusting dwarf would allow for.

[Spectrum]

Baern

Baern peers over with skepticism at the longear's drink.

"Ah've heard that there's some good brews with roots. Even ginger. If ye want, could try to come up with a certain something special for ye. Ain't right drinkin something that don't got a kick to it."

[Doctor Malsyn]

Exile
HP 25/25 | AC: 15 | Init: +5 (Advantage) | Perception: 15
Spell Slots: 3/3 | Arrows: 56
Inspiration: None


He politely shakes his head, masking the distaste he felt for his drink with another sip. It was either this or be subjected to whatever that man considered an appropriate beverage, likely loaded with mind altering chemicals. No, the hot leaf juice would suffice for now.

[Flynnarrel]

Salazar

"So, Bearn, what brought you to Seaside and where do you plan to go from here? There were 5 of us..., I don't think you've met Heart, but she's one of the Forged Folk, off doing cleric-y things, though truth be told, I think Seaside was her final destination... but yes, 5 of us met up by happenstance and thought Seaside would be a good place to go. I was coming to look at what trade opportunities they had here of... whatever kind I could find. What of you?" Salazar asks.

It has been an ideal day for travel, if really uneventful. You, five adventurers, happened to cross paths on the same road and decided to travel together, even if just for a time as you realize the crossed connections between your old acquaintances. The road you find yourselves on is the main route tracing along the western coast of this country, with the ocean stretching out further west, that feeds trade and commerce, shipping goods north and south to other cities where they get further exported to other parts of the kingdom. In fact, the town the group is approaching is known as Seaside. Appropriately located on the edge of the ocean and famous for its docks and being a hub of trade from all over.

[Spectrum]

Baern

"Aye. I know of em. Don't have much to say good or bad about them. Can't trust a man who don't drink, you know?"

"Me, I didn't know I was coming here. Kinda fell asleep on a boat and after they threatened to throw me back off as a stowaway, woke up back here. Been here about a week?"

"You've been here two days you drunk!"

[Flynnarrel]

Salazar

"Oh... I, see..." he says, his smile cementing to his face.

[EpicEclipse]

The evening wears on in merriment and Arnold feeds the party well and keeps the drinks coming until you all finally turn in, the innkeeper even managing to come up with rooms for everyone.

The next morning, there is a guard waiting in the tavern area of the inn, flagging down each party member as they come down, explaining he's there to collect the group to escort them to the mayor's offices, assuring it's not something they should be concerned about. He seems content to let everyone take their time in waking, getting breakfast and once everyone is ready to go, escorts them through town to where the mayor conducts town business.

After a brief wait, the party is brought into an office where an older woman sits behind a huge desk made of fine, dark wood that probably cost more than the mayor herself makes in a year. The woman herself isn't exactly what one might have expected a mayor to look like. In fact, she looks like she just stepped off a ship herself this morning, steel-gray hair pulled into a messy bun and loose, simple clothing that would look at home on a deckhand. Her green eyes are sharp though, piercing, taking stock of the group as they enter and the more astute of the group might wager she sees more than what's merely on the surface.

The waves her hand at the guard who showed the party in. "That will be all Roberts." As the guard leaves, she looks over the lot of you. "I am mayor Brooks. I've been appraised of a service you performed for our town by guardsman Shales and wanted to see for myself who I have to thank."

[Doctor Malsyn]

Exile
HP 25/25 | AC: 15 | Init: +5 (Advantage) | Perception: 15
Spell Slots: 3/3 | Arrows: 56
Inspiration: None


It's customary for the Yuyan to bow in reverence to sources of authority. While he does not pivot his torso the full degree, he does his best to show the mayor a modicum of respect. Even if out of the corner of his eye the archer remains weary of potential threats as always.

[Flynnarrel]

Salazar

"Greetings Mayor, I am Salazar Cyrux, a traveler of the Far and Wide, and these are my fine companions, the noble Dragonborn, soldier of Bahumet, Kriv of Clan Myastan. The ex-gladiatori, Kaine, a marvel of physical perfection and flurried fists. In the corner under the hood is an elf and bowman of the highest skill. He has no name but is true and loyal besides. Not involved in the fight against the pirates, much to his chagrin, is Baern, a dwarven Brewmaster of master rank." Salazar introduces.

[EpicEclipse]

Mayor Brooks listen attentively, appraising each as Salazar introduces them. "Bit of a motley bunch on the surface, not terribly unlike a freeman ship crew." She nods, more to herself than anything as if deciding something.

"I'll put it to you straight then. I'd like to hire you lot for something. It'll be dangerous, but from what I hear, you handle yourselves rather well, and on that note, it does concern the pirates you fought yesterday. The pirates at the dock were causing a disturbance as a distraction to slip some of their men into the city to hit some of our more affluent citizens. Of course, you stopped that and when those men don't return, the pirates will realize their ploy didn't work."

The woman folds her arms on the edge of the desk, her entire posture not really becoming of a mayor, though more fitting of one who doesn't care too much for decorum. "Now...thus far, I've not had a single crew of pirates open fire on my docks. The threat of crown retaliation is usually enough. That said, i don't like to take chances and I certainly realize that even if the crown gets involved, a lot of people would get hurt. I need this crew dealt with. I don't really care how, but the main issue is they hold claim to a cove uncomfortably close to town. It's defensible, and if they get the impression of an assault, they can hole up there for who knows how long, able to fend off land and sea attacks."

She pauses, to make sure you're all following so far. "Like I said, I don't care how they're dealt with, so long as they shove off my coast, whether for other waters, or a watery grave. I've some sway with the merchants in town and could arrange for a reward you deem reasonable for the task. What say you?"

[Doctor Malsyn]

Exile
HP 25/25 | AC: 15 | Init: +5 (Advantage) | Perception: 15
Spell Slots: 3/3 | Arrows: 56
Inspiration: None


A nod to Salazar was given. The chance to take the fight to these criminals was a welcome one.

[Spectrum]

Baern

Baern grins a bit, taking a moment to admire the beautiful twins with a bit of a gray to them. Steel panthers. Arrrr!

He nods, he shrugs, he looks about to figure out who is going to be doing the negotiating, figuring that isn't going to be him.

It could be though.

Probably shouldn't.

[Flynnarrel]

Salazar

Salazar's smile never wavers but at some point it... hardens on his face. "Us 5 to drive off or dispatch an entire crew of Pirates. This reward would need to be... commensurate to that risk. For starters, as we have recently lost access to our healer, would you be able to provide a number of healing potions towards this venture, in good faith and acknowledgement of the size of this task. Say, one for each of us and maybe two besides?" Salazar asks. "This would be independent of whatever reward we eventually settle on."

"Agreeable?"

[EpicEclipse]

The mayor nods, acknowledging Salazar's propositioning position. "I'd be disappointed in your negotiation abilities if you had asked for any less."

[Flynnarrel]

Salazar inclines his head once.

"Likewise, standard in requests such as this would be that we claim whatever we can wrest from the pirates during this venture. No outcries of 'the pirates took my family's heirloom and we demand it back', though, in fairness, we would likely barter it's return for fair value of coin or goods. And, to show we aren't monsters ourselves, some considerations may be possible for items of high sentimental value." Salazar concedes.

"I don't know that raiding them or claiming spoils will even be an approach available to us, but if it is... we'll have no demands on us by your populace."

"Fair?"