Start of #Sharn buffer: Wed Oct 14 19:15:17 2009 [17:29:08] [Mol, Dravago 9th, 998 Y.K. - Continued] [17:29:08] [After waiting for Mauz to finish up his private social encounter, the party is pleasantly suprised to find his antics resulted in a free map to the same ruin Xev was apparently headed to.] [17:29:08] [The ruin's title in giant, "Cavarat Leibel Shakaroz", triggered something in Phanos, and he expressed terror at a memory in a voice not his own.] [17:29:08] [The party then further discussed getting a guide to help them to the ruins.] [17:29:08] [Session Start] [17:32:15] * Aurora looks over the map. [17:32:20] So where we we find a guide again? [17:34:42] [Johen informs the party that they could do worse than the services of Pandrego Swiftstalker, a guide that has accompanied Morgrave expeditions before.] [17:34:45] Well, the damn guys should be easy enough to find. It's good money, and you can scavenge the dead if the trek goes bad. [17:36:51] Right. [17:36:57] So Pandrego... where's he? [17:39:26] [Johen tells them that Pandrego resides in Oldgate, one of the outlier districts of Stormreach facing the jungle wilderness, and begins to lead them there.] [17:40:48] Right, thanks [17:40:51] * Aurora follows along [17:40:55] [You’d heard that Oldgate was one of the oldest and most significant parts of the city, but passing through it doesn’t give you that impression. Oldgate seems too ordered and polite, too clean and safe. Contrary to its name, this area feels newer than the rest of the city, and the people seem as if they’re in a city of their own, far from the chaos in the neighboring districts.] [17:42:25] Huh. Must be pretty successful at this whole guiding thing... [17:42:39] * Mauz trudges along, looking like his usual smug self. "People are curious, and money is money." [17:43:09] [Johen mentions that they're walking through Embers, currently, a district maintained to such impeccable standards by its native Thrane expatriots, who hope to serve as an example to the rest of the city.] [17:44:01] * Mechazawa (rustangel@ip-118-219.atvci.net) has joined #Sharn [17:44:04] * Mechazawa is now known as Phanos [17:44:19] * Aurora nods. "Good. Set an example for what the Purified can do." [17:45:24] Heh. I guess we all have goals... [17:45:33] [The residents of Embers keep to themselves much like the Karrns of Grindstone, however, they manage to not seem quite so *hostile* about it. On occasion, a few spot the signs of clergy on Aurora's dress and bow respectfully.] [17:48:14] Eh. Sure, fine, pay attention to the Flame and not to me... not that I care. [17:48:20] * Mauz pauses. "Need to work on my legend." [17:48:27] [Johen leads you up to a fairly nondescript building. Except for the plaque hanging above the door you might have thought it just another residence.] [17:48:54] * Aurora nods back to people who bow. [17:49:22] [They smile and continue their daily business.] [17:51:20] * Marianysa shrugs. "I'm fine with not attracting attention." [17:53:33] *Temper looks to Johen. "Well?" [17:54:04] *Johen "Mm? Oh. I never negotiated with him. I figured one of you might prefer to." [17:54:29] [Johen gestures broadly to the guide's door.] [17:55:44] Oh, it's a him. [17:55:47] I guess Mauz is out. [17:56:24] "We an I no goodatalkahs mon." [17:57:02] * Marianysa blinks at Aurora. [17:59:56] I guess I'll talk. [18:00:02] * Aurora knocks in the door [18:00:05] * Aurora knocks on. Not in. [18:00:32] * Mauz is mostly just looking quite pleased with himself -- he's done enough work, let the others schlep about for a bit. [18:02:05] [A tall, broadly muscled and hair shifter male with a grizzled face, three parrallel scars across his left eye, opens the door. He seems to be cleaning his hands.] "Eyeah?" [18:02:11] hairy* [18:03:33] * Marianysa whispers "Yeah, I guess he's too hairy for you." to Mauz. [18:04:46] You're a guide, right? We were wondering if you could take us to this place called... Cavarat... Leibel... Shaka.. roz. I think. [18:04:49] * Mauz pauses, then slowly looks at Mari. [18:05:47] * Johen (CHBoucher@dsl2-161.gsinet.net) has joined #Sharn [18:06:00] * Marianysa smirks at Mauz. [18:06:37] [The shifter tosses the towel over his shoulder and crosses his arms over his chest.] "Ain't never heard o' it. Sounds like sommin from Furant-era though. Probably a'cerss the Menetch. Got a map o' th' place?" [18:07:46] Yeah. [18:07:53] * Aurora looks to Mauz [18:08:12] * Mauz holds the map out. He's still just LOOKING at Mari. [18:08:38] * NovaSeaker (novaseaker@c-67-191-96-16.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) Quit (Excess Flood) [18:08:44] * NovaSeaker (novaseaker@c-67-191-96-16.hsd1.fl.comcast.net) has joined #Sharn [18:09:54] * Marianysa sighs. "Just a joke, Mauz. Now you're creeping me out." [18:10:21] I know, but I'll admit it's just one more bad thought to add to the pool. Vivid imagination and all that. [18:10:28] [The shifters nods.] "Aright. Prolly take meh `bout three weeks ta get there. Four if I gotta drag a bunch of city folk like you around with meh." [18:11:40] ... and sounds like we have our guide. [18:11:53] "Goin rate is fifty galifars per person of the party I be guidin. I got a 100% return rate and an 80% survival rate." [18:12:23] "Fair bit better'n anyone else in town." [18:13:15] * Marianysa raises an eyebrow. "Your return rate is higher than your survival rate?" [18:13:23] I guess he brings the bodies. [18:13:58] [He nods.] "S'service I provide. Guaranteed remains fer loved ones n next'o'kin." [18:14:56] "Oh, yeh, that rate is weekly, judgin by Stormreach's clocks." [18:15:17] That's...commendable. [18:16:04] "We got or'selves a deal, den?" [18:18:02] Well, that's nice of him. Figured we'd be blankets and dinner instead. No complaints here. [18:21:15] Sounds good to me [18:21:54] "Alright. I be needing first week pay up fron'. Non-refundable." [18:22:12] "You'll owe me for the rest when we return." [18:23:02] First week, so that's.. one two three four five.... fifty each.. [18:23:26] *Temper "I count six." [18:23:42] ... not quite. I counted you. [18:23:44] I count six. [18:23:46] * Aurora facepalms [18:23:48] Right [18:24:09] *Temper stares impassively at Aurora. [18:24:21] * Marianysa just eyes Aurora. [18:24:22] Three hundred, then? [18:24:38] [The shifter nods.] [18:25:21] * Mauz is busy looking at the shifter, jaw working slowly. [18:25:55] [The shifter catches Mauz's gaze and narrows his eyes predatorily.] "Got summin to say, pup?" [18:27:00] * Marianysa turns away, covering up another smirk. [18:28:58] "Pay dem mons" [18:29:52] Curious. What got your eye? [18:30:30] * Aurora fishes out a sack of galifars. "This was three hundred, right? Do you have a... table or something where we can count it out?" [18:30:45] [The shifter stares at Mauz a bit more before answering.] "My wife." [He deadpans. It's hard to tell if he's joking.] [18:31:58] * Johen laughs, jovially. [18:32:28] [Everyone but Mari and Temper are able to catch on to the joke, however.] [18:32:29] * Mauz pauses... then cackles, darkly. [18:32:38] I like you. [18:32:59] [The shifter cracks a grin.] "Name's Pardrengo Swiftstalker." [He extends his hand to Mauz.] [18:34:19] [Pardrengo gestures with his head further into his home and steps out of the doorway to let the party inside.] [18:35:00] "Pardrengo? Nice name." [18:35:04] * Mauz shakes the man's hand. "Mauz.... just Mauz the White." His smile quivers for a sec. [18:37:56] [The interior of Pardrengo's house is adorned with souvengieres of his exploits. There seems to be trophies from several types of creatures and large, intricate maps in the parlor he escorts you to just inside the entrance.] [18:38:23] "Make yerselves comfortable. Won't be that way for long." [18:38:29] Thanks. [18:38:40] * Aurora starts looking at the coins. [18:38:44] * Marianysa shrugs. [18:41:16] * Mauz relaxes and just looks... even now. Previous smugness has vanished. [18:41:20] * Marianysa wanders off a bit, looking at the trophies. [18:41:28] Twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five... [18:41:35] [Pardrengo watches them count out the coins.] "Aright. You'd best be getting clothing fer all extremes. Xen'driks a tricky bitch. Snow shoes, light, reflextive clothin for desserts. Or, if'n you can afford it, magical protec'shn vers elements." [18:42:51] * Johen settles himself on a chair, shifting uneasily. [18:44:44] "i'm good, mon." [18:45:36] Aaaand, three hundred. [18:48:33] I can take care of that part. [18:49:06] I'm the amusement of the bunch, so I'll keep people smiling. All I need a foolscap and some rum. [18:49:23] [Pardrengo nods.] "Alrigh' den. When were yer lookin to leave?" [18:50:16] When's the earliest you can go? [18:50:29] "Few hours." [18:50:48] * Mauz rubs his chin. "And about how much travel until we'd have to set up camp?" [18:51:46] Well, I'm gonna need a little longer than that to prepare. [18:52:50] * NovaSeaker thinks. "Well, we be headed toward the soltice now, right soon. Prolly have morn' 9 hours worth o' light." [18:52:56] Give me six hours, just to be on the safe side. [18:53:09] [Pardrengo thinks.] "Well, we be headed toward the soltice now, right soon. Prolly have morn' 9 hours worth o' light." [18:54:22] Mn. Fine by me. [18:54:41] "But a little nighttime drudgin never hurt no body worth their salt. Sure you fellahs can take it." [18:55:42] * Aurora nods [18:56:45] * Johen nods. "Absolutely. Let us make haste, it seems like it may be a race." [18:57:02] "Race?" [18:57:42] * Mauz rolls his eyes as Johen's volunteering of more info than needed. [18:58:29] "If'n your trying to beat 'nother expedition to the ruins, then you ain't picked no better guide in town." [18:58:58] "Good." [18:59:01] That's great to hear. [18:59:15] Quite so. There's another gentleman who set out ahead of us, and we need to reach the ruins before him. Rest assured, if you get us there in time, your praises will be sung in my next book. [18:59:26] "Kork Wayfinders ain't go no idea what they're gettin into way out beyond the Menetch, and most oth'r locals ain't been that far either." [19:00:39] Yep, I think you're just the right guy for the job. [19:00:44] "And, I ain't gonna stab ya in the back second we leave the city." [Pendrengo spits vehemently.] "Bastards make it hard fer honest folk like me." [19:01:13] "Well, if yer alls in a hurry, best get movin." [19:01:29] [He gets up and leaves the parlor, most likely to begin packing supplies.] [19:01:36] * Johen laughs. "I hope so, my good man. I'd hate to find my way back without a guide." He smiles broadly and gets up to leave. [19:02:29] * Marianysa eyes Johen. [19:03:34] So, we meet back here in six hours? [19:03:58] *Temper "I believe he said to meet at the gate." [19:05:12] Fair enough. I need to find some new bottles anyway. [19:05:30] Right, the gate. [19:09:37] [Several hours later, the group meets Pardrengo outside Oldgate. Mari catches up having completed her work.] [19:10:32] [The sun is midway through its descent to the horizon, even though it is late afternoon. The summer solstice approaches, so evening light promises to strength on at length.] [19:10:46] stretch* [19:11:51] * Mauz looks like a man ready for action... and sober, to boot. "Alright. Ready to roll." [19:12:44] [Session End.] [19:13:07] [100 xp each] [19:15:00] -300 GP End of #Sharn buffer Wed Oct 14 19:15:17 2009