The Keep - Part 1

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Mytos chuckles a bit; it's a hearty, yet hollow sound, like a laugh echoing down a steel hallway in winter. Not so much raspy, just... distant, like a sound one wouldn't expect had been heard in a long time. Somewhat sad even. "I pray that I don't honestly look like a man whose interests lie in the geography of the people here, though I'm flattered you think of me as young." Removing the hood, which gives away more of his Eladrin ancestry, though with a bit of an ethereal, otherworldly tone to his features; a knowing eye might pick that out to be his dhampir nature, his vampiric heritage. "No, in fact, I'm traveling through on business, and I need to know about the actual history of the area, the physical geography. It's likely I'll be doing an amount of research on the area, so knowing what the area might entail would be useful. Anything of value, in regards to safety or interest of those traveling through and hunting around the land here."

[Nanshork]

Hearing his compatriot talking to the bartender, Amnon decides to join in the conversation.  "Have you a temple of Dol Arrah in town?  One of the Sovereign Host will suffice if not.  They should be made aware that there are kobolds in the area, and such an infestation should be cleansed by the righteous wrath of the Church."

[Risada]

I was looking for the old man... apparently the one Flay is talking with...

Golkonda walks to Mytos's table, introducing himself to the old man.

"Good afternoon, my friend. Please call me Golkonda. Sorry if this is too sudden, but I would like to make you a question, if you don't mind: Do the local birds need maps to know which way the wind blows?"

[VennDygrem]

Mytos chuckles a bit; it's a hearty, yet hollow sound, like a laugh echoing down a steel hallway in winter. Not so much raspy, just... distant, like a sound one wouldn't expect had been heard in a long time. Somewhat sad even. "I pray that I don't honestly look like a man whose interests lie in the geography of the people here, though I'm flattered you think of me as young." Removing the hood, which gives away more of his Eladrin ancestry, though with a bit of an ethereal, otherworldly tone to his features; a knowing eye might pick that out to be his dhampir nature, his vampiric heritage. "No, in fact, I'm traveling through on business, and I need to know about the actual history of the area, the physical geography. It's likely I'll be doing an amount of research on the area, so knowing what the area might entail would be useful. Anything of value, in regards to safety or interest of those traveling through and hunting around the land here."

The old man addresses the Eladrin, saying, "Is there anything in particular you're looking for in the area? Besides the unusually superior farming conditions in the area, I can't say I can think of anything that would be of note to travelers. Of course, when traveling there is always danger of ambush by brigands, but it seems as though you haven't encountered any such thing on your journey here."

Hearing his compatriot talking to the bartender, Amnon decides to join in the conversation.  "Have you a temple of Dol Arrah in town?  One of the Sovereign Host will suffice if not.  They should be made aware that there are kobolds in the area, and such an infestation should be cleansed by the righteous wrath of the Church."

Salvana replies to the Tiefling, "Kobolds! Those buggers are braver all the time! Lord Padraig would probably be interested in hearing your account. He's been trying to get the militia to clear out those vermin for the last few months with no success. As for the temple, there is a temple of the 'Host at the western end of the market square. However, there are none employed there who could handle the kobold problem, as they're mere priests, most of whom are getting up there in years as it is."

You know well enough that not every church and temple is equipped with clerics, let alone paladins, who could deal with a kobold infestation, especially in a city/village as small as this.

I was looking for the old man... apparently the one Flay is talking with...

Golkonda walks to Mytos's table, introducing himself to the old man.

"Good afternoon, my friend. Please call me Golkonda. Sorry if this is too sudden, but I would like to make you a question, if you don't mind: Do the local birds need maps to know which way the wind blows?"

"What? What in Khyber are you on about?" He doesn't seem to understand your question.

Take a closer look at the General Player Knowledge post about the pass phrase. Flay asked the right question, but did not get the proper response. That should tell you something.

If you want a hint, roll me an insight check.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Interrupting as quickly as he can, Mytos speaks quickly, "Ah, Golkonda, I do think Amnon was asking about you, something he needed to confer with you about our travels in the morning." He gives him a look that could have meant 'go the hell away,' but was meant to communicate a 'not this guy' statement.

As quickly as he can brush him off, he closes him out of the conversation even faster. "You'll have to excuse him; he does have a tendency to burst in when he's unexpected. Odd you should mention it; earlier, my group was harassed by a band of kobolds, whom we were forced to slaughter outside of town. Might you know whose attention I should bring that up with?"

In case I need to fix an attitude drop, Diplomacy: 12

[VennDygrem]

The old man, Valthrun, says, "Lord Padraig has been attempting to get the militia to handle the kobold problem for some time, to no avail. Not surprising in the least, really. Anyway, he's the one you should speak to if you're interested in more kobold extermination."

[Risada]

Interrupting as quickly as he can, Mytos speaks quickly, "Ah, Golkonda, I do think Amnon was asking about you, something he needed to confer with you about our travels in the morning." He gives him a look that could have meant 'go the hell away,' but was meant to communicate a 'not this guy' statement.

Golkonda looks back, trying to convey he was getting impatient....

".....I will see what Amnon wants.... a pleasure to talk with you, my friend."

Some steps after leaving the table, those around can hear a "Tch" sound coming from the gith.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

The old man, Valthrun, says, "Lord Padraig has been attempting to get the militia to handle the kobold problem for some time, to no avail. Not surprising in the least, really. Anyway, he's the one you should speak to if you're interested in more kobold extermination."

A mental sigh passing through his mind, he turns back to the man, "Then talk to him I shall, possibly immediately. One more question, and I shall cease bothering you; would you know of anyone that might be able to draw us a map of the surrounding area?"

[VennDygrem]

Valthrun looks quizzically at the githyanki as he walks away, then turns back to Gerand.
"I'm not sure anyone's bothered drawing a map of the area in decades. I've got some old ones collecting dust though, if those would help."

[VennDygrem]

Gerand's passive insight tells him he isn't going to find his contact by talking to this man, despite the fact he seems to be fairly knowledgeable about many other things. He may prove to be useful later on.

Unfortunately, Golkonda's passive insight might as well lead him into a wall.

Not sure what the rest of you are doing, though. Only had a couple of you active, and not often at that. Looks like I may need to rattle the brances to see who falls out of the trees.

[Risada]

Unfortunately, Golkonda's passive insight might as well lead him into a wall.

I don't think Golkonda could actually hit a wall 

Well.... it's not up to me to decide this matter, I guess 

[Flay Crimsonwind]

With a final smile, and taking his drink, Mytos rises. "I might need to take up that offer, but let me first consult with my colleagues, and of course report that kobold matter. It was interesting talking with you, albeit so shortly. I bid you goodeve." With that, he gives a slight nod of his head and goes back to the bar.

As soon as he catches up to Golkonda, Gerand claps him on the back. "No offense meant, proud Gith. I only wanted to try and draw as little attention to our efforts as possible. Remember, we're here secretly, and leaving odd impressions is an impression not wisely left. I hope you understand. Let me buy your next drink." Palming the coinage for a drink to his ally, he scouts the room again, and decides that to sort through them all could be troublesome. Still, you have to start somewhere, and Lady* knows he was taught to work through any issue til he cut his way to the top. He decides on an odd one, a man who has ordered two drinks on his lonesome. Not terribly promising, but nonetheless. His own beer barely sipped, he strolls to the man's section of the bar, taking a seat next to him. "Two drinks for one man is either a great celebration or a terrible loss. Might I ask which, and either celebrate or mourn with you?"

* = Sort of like "Lord knows", save for it refers specifically to his Lady Mab, Queen of Air and Darkness, whose name would only draw unwanted attention (mainly unwanted from Mab; she views what she pleases, and should not be called upon or named idly).

Diplomacy: 9, a little bit rushed perhaps.

If all else fails, poor little Padraig is in for another helping of issues. 

[VennDygrem]

The old man looks idly over at Gerand. "Oh? Are there two? I must have accidentally forgot I had already ordered. I'm not as young as I once was, you know; These things happen!" He chuckles weakly and sips from one of the mugs in front of him. He then looks back up from his drink.

"Say, are you Rorin's boy? Y'look familiar."

Your diplomacy check isn't actually needed at the moment, as you've not said or done anything to warrant it. He definitely doesn't seem hostile, though.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Curyll moves over to the bar, next to the other Elf, and orders a drink for himself and a bowl of water for Ouray.

As he turns around to check the room for anything and anyone out of the ordinary* he asks the elven woman next to him: "I haven't seen many of our kind in this area. May I ask what brings you to this town?"

Perception and Insight to notice anything/anyone out of the ordinary/suspicious: 26, 7

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Actually, no, I'm not anyone's child from here. I'm a traveler, coming through on business. Actually, currently I'm stuck here. I've had issues with a kobold force outside of town, and unfortunately I come in realizing I have no map of the area, something that would prove useful in my travel. I was actually wondering, since you look knowledgeable about the land, whether or not you might be able to tell me anything about the area." Best to cut to the chase, and move quickly along. Time is precious, and Gerand would rather not waste any of it.

Figured it wasn't totally necessary, just trying to make sure nothing sets off any hostility. 

[VennDygrem]

As he turns around to check the room for anything and anyone out of the ordinary* he asks the elven woman next to him: "I haven't seen many of our kind in this area. May I ask what brings you to this town?"

Perception and Insight to notice anything/anyone out of the ordinary/suspicious: 26, 7

The elf woman glowers in your direction. She replies, "Please, leave me alone. I just came here to have a drink in peace."
In fact, the ones most out of place here are your companions. There's a general mix of humans, elves, half-elves, and even a couple dwarves among the population of the town, but no Tieflings and certainly no gith.

"Actually, no, I'm not anyone's child from here. I'm a traveler, coming through on business. Actually, currently I'm stuck here. I've had issues with a kobold force outside of town, and unfortunately I come in realizing I have no map of the area, something that would prove useful in my travel. I was actually wondering, since you look knowledgeable about the land, whether or not you might be able to tell me anything about the area." Best to cut to the chase, and move quickly along. Time is precious, and Gerand would rather not waste any of it.

"Oh? Oh... I see. Well, if it's information on the area you're looking for, seems you could use a good map. I've had time to survey the area, and I could possibly draw one out for you, if you'd like..."

The man who just a moment ago seemed half-mad with senility now has a curious gleam in his eye.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Scratch that question then, I thought she was the only other elf

[VennDygrem]

If you will remember, Delphina (the girl tied up by the kobolds) was an elf as well.

[BowenSilverclaw]

Ah right, it's been a while, sorry

[Nanshork]

Amnon asks the barkeep, "And where might I find Lord Padraig?"