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Post by Daos on May 19, 2018 9:15:43 GMT -8
At around 1 PM on Bludsin 5th, Lightday in the year 316, the Tiaru makes dock in the capital city of Tu'Valie on the island of Hashadeth.
The city is on an inlet leading out to the ocean, with a small island in the center holding the governor's keep and the city itself on the two sides of the shore. With a population of around 14,000, just about every race, creed and faith can be found here.
The Tiaru docks on the south side of the city and before long, the crew is ready to depart for shore leave. Julak gathers up the party and the officers before they scatter. "Alright, Divex, Setra and Toven...you're all with me," the captain says. "Heven and Varil stay with the ship and work on repairs. Rahis and Kevara, I'll leave it to you two to sell the Shardarr and resupply the ship. Everyone else, have some fun. I don't know how long we'll be here. Depends on how long it takes to fix up the ship and sell the Shardarr. So make sure and return to the ship each evening, just to make sure we're not going to depart the next morning."
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Post by HorizonsDream on May 20, 2018 13:32:55 GMT -8
"Right. Well, I guess I'll see you guys later. There is a tavern around here somewhere that is calling my name," she says with a grin. After gathering her stuff, she makes her way to the best tavern she can find.
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Post by GreyWolfVT on May 20, 2018 18:05:44 GMT -8
Jaeron not really caring that he is on shore leave likely will visit the same location Mathias goes to otherwise he will be hesitant to leave his own quarters unless ordered to. The only other thing of interest to the gnome would be if there are any libraries in the local area.
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Post by notARobot on May 21, 2018 8:11:16 GMT -8
The moment the deckhands manage to get the Tiaru tied off, Mathias clambers off the boat and sets off in search of the harbormaster. After a few steps, he turns around to see that Jaeron is following him. "I've got some errands to see to while we're here. Personal errands. By meself," he says pointedly, then adds a belated "No offense," before resuming his search.
When he manages to track down the harbormaster, he casually fishes out the black gemstone he recently acquired and holds it up to capture their attention. "I'm in need of information about a ship called the Swan's Song or her captain, a man going by the name Pierre Delacroix. Help me find them, and I'll make it worth your while."
(OOC: Information gathering roll, target number 11: v|XKMT0d1d20)1d20
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Post by Daos on May 21, 2018 10:56:20 GMT -8
Kalana Ioane
It's been about a year since Kalana last stepped foot in Tu'Valie, but she lived in the city for four years previous to that, so she knows it quite well and notes it has changed little. She knows exactly where to go. She makes a beeline to the city square, then looks for large, three story building with a sign featuring a stag with a crown over its head. The Queen of Harts, the best inn in the city. Stepping inside, she finds the place is packed. She enters a large lounge of sorts, where people sit around talking and drinking, and enjoying themselves. Servants walk to and fro among them, most of them wearing very little.
Kalana notes she is not only one of the crew to come here. Nalu, Donato, Hadrian, Acel, and Enzo have already acquired a table and started a tab.
Beyond this area is what appears to be a restaurant of sorts. All manner of marvelous and mouth-watering smells waft from it.
A pair of elven servers approach, one male and one female, both with dark hair and fair skin and not wearing too much. "Andaran atish’an and welcome to the Queen of Harts," the male says.
"Is there something we can help you with?"
(OOC: How much coin does she bring with her?)
Mathias Blackcairn Mathias questions a couple of dock workers that direct him to the harbormaster, a grizzled elven man with an ugly scar that mars his once pretty face. His bandanna helps in hiding it, but not entirely. He is standing on the docks with a ledger, scribbling on it as he walks down the docks, looking over each ship harbored there.
When Mathias pulls out the gemstone, the harbormaster becomes alarmed, and quickly places his hand on Mathias' hand to cover up the crystal. "Whoa, hey, watch where you flash that thing. You want to wind up dead in an ally or something?" He shakes his head. "Durgen’len, I swear. Come, let's speak in my office." His eyes dart around, but it seems the damage is done. Several nearby longshoremen took note of the dwarf's wealth and their eyes follow the pair back to his office.
Said office is a small and kind of dinghy room in one of the larger warehouses near the docks. There's a lopsided desk that is straightened out by a couple of books propped under it, and a chair on either side. The harbormaster sits behind it, and gestures for Mathias to take the seat in front of it.
"Now then...it goes without saying, folks appreciate their privacy and the info in my records is strictly confidential," the harbormaster starts. "But if I am understanding right that you are willing to hand over that little gem of yours, well...I might be willing to make an exception for you." With a grin, he holds out his hand to receive the gem.
Jaeron Dernfog
Jaeron attempts to follow Mathias, but the dwarf asks him not to and runs off.
The gnome has never been to Tu'Valie before, and so has no idea what the city has to offer, and whether it has libraries or not. He'll need to find another crew member who is more knowledgeable of the city or ask around somewhere.
Although he grew up in a city, it was a dwarven one. Tu'Valie has strong elven influences, and so looks nothing like Paradise City. It's a beautiful city, and very green. Trees and grass grow just about everywhere, as if the builders always found room for them between buildings whenever possible. But it lacks the structure and order he grew up around. People of all races just move in throngs all over the place, crossing into allies and over lawns instead of sticking to the roads.
The rest of the crew has already taken off, but there are a few stragglers who haven't decided yet where to go. Namely, Senllip, Arieal, and Johannas.
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Post by GreyWolfVT on May 21, 2018 11:29:16 GMT -8
Jaeron hangs back and waits to see where Senllip, Arieal, and Johannas head off to and will follow one of them if none of them wish his company he will just go back to his quarters on the ship.
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Post by notARobot on May 21, 2018 14:46:34 GMT -8
"Now then...it goes without saying, folks appreciate their privacy and the info in my records is strictly confidential," the harbormaster starts. "But if I am understanding right that you are willing to hand over that little gem of yours, well...I might be willing to make an exception for you." With a grin, he holds out his hand to receive the gem. Mathias hesitates when the scarred elf gestures for him to sit, then seems to decide to remain standing. The moment that the harbormaster greedily extends a hand for his 'payment', the dwarf withdraws his own and stuffs the gemstone back into the pocket of his jacket. "My name's Mathias Blackcairn, Detective Inspector with the Octhanian Trade Guild. This man I'm after...he's wanted for high crimes against the Guild. It so happens that I'm inclined to pay handsomely for any information that helps bring this fugitive to justice," he says, then slowly moves as if to reach back into his pocket and pull the gemstone out once again. When his hand is tantalizingly close to the pocket's opening, he stops, gives the harbormaster a measuring look, and says, "...commensurate with the value of that information." He lets his hand drop down to his side as he says that last part. Mathias eases himself into the chair at this point, taking his time getting comfortable before leaning back and steepling his hands in his lap. "Now then. Give me everythin' you know about Mr. Delacroix, his ship, and his crew, and if what you tell me proves in any way useful to my investigation, you'll find yourself a wealthier man."
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Post by HorizonsDream on May 21, 2018 14:48:24 GMT -8
Kalana looks over the male elf for a few moments before she finally speaks. "Ah, yes, thank you," she says cheerfully. "I was wondering if either one of you have heard of a man named Aata Hauate recently staying here?" she asks.
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Post by GravityEmblem on May 21, 2018 16:32:05 GMT -8
Johannes figures he should visit a church of Octhanus, to pray and converse with others of his faith.
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Post by Daos on May 22, 2018 11:25:57 GMT -8
Kalana Ioane (Queen of Harts, Common Room)" Abelas. We have many clients that come and go, most of whom appreciate their privacy," the male elf says politely. "As I'm sure you would not want us to tell every stranger you were staying with us that you were here, were you to rent a room here."
Mathias Blackcairn (Harbormaster's Office)
The scarred elf snorts. "A Guild man? No wonder you are so out of your element. I don't know how they handle things in the Guild, falon, but here things are run differently. You don't decide on payment after receiving the product. Don't try and play games. The fact that you are here, alone, and attempting to bribe me shows that you are desperate and don't have many options. You should have played your hand closer to the chest. The gemstone for the information and for my silence. That's the deal." Jaeron Dernfog (Harbor)While Senlipp and Arieal continue thinking over where they want to go or what they want to do, Johannas starts asking various dockworkers on information about local temples. He is told there is a temple to Octhanus, one to Crizza, and a couple of small shrines (one to Renos, one to Gonto) and is given directions to them.
Johannas Barnsley (Harbor) Johannas asks a couple of passing by dock workers about temples in the city. He learns there is a temple to Octhanus in the south part of the city, a temple to Crizza in the north, and a small shrine to Renos (in the north) and Gonto (in the south). He is given directions to each if he asks for it.
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Post by GreyWolfVT on May 22, 2018 12:08:16 GMT -8
Jaeron rushes after Johannas to get the directions to the Church of Gonto "Where did that dockworker say the church of Gonto was Johannas?"
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Post by notARobot on May 22, 2018 15:08:02 GMT -8
The scarred elf snorts. "A Guild man? No wonder you are so out of your element. I don't know how they handle things in the Guild, falon, but here things are run differently. You don't decide on payment after receiving the product. Don't try and play games. The fact that you are here, alone, and attempting to bribe me shows that you are desperate and don't have many options. You should have played your hand closer to the chest. The gemstone for the information and for my silence. That's the deal." Mathias lets out a long, exasperated sigh, then fixes his gaze coolly upon the harbormaster's, maintaining direct eye contact. "Son, I've been at this game a long, long time. I'm good at what I do. And this case? It's important to me. So understand that, if you've got information that I need, I'm gonna get it from ya, one way or another. And I'd advise you not to presume to tell me what you think my options are limited to." He gives another sigh -- this one briefer, with an air of satisfaction to it. As if getting all that off his chest has brought Mathias some relief. "Havin' said that," he goes on. "I would like to see this settled with as little fuss as possible. So I'll tell you what: describe to me, in general terms, what kind of information you're offerin' that pertains to my mission. If I like what I hear, we can transact business. What do you say to that?" (OOC EDIT: Forgot to add -- when the harbormaster answers, Mathias will use his Interrogation ability to try to determine whether the elf is telling the truth.)
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Post by HorizonsDream on May 22, 2018 16:28:59 GMT -8
"When it comes to strangers, I would agree with that sentiment," Kalana says. "But I am not a stranger to the man I am looking for, but a long time friend," she explains. "But can a message be left here in hopes that he gets it, if he is indeed here?" she asks.
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Post by GravityEmblem on May 23, 2018 5:12:05 GMT -8
Johannes duly requests directions to Octhanus' temple, thanks the dock workers upon receiving them, and heads in the direction they specify.
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Post by Daos on May 23, 2018 11:19:30 GMT -8
Kalana Ioane (Queen of Harts, Common Room)" Ekera," the female elf replies. "But before we can do that, we would need to know your name, falon." Mathias Blackcairn (Harbormaster's Office)The harbormaster smirks and leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head. "I keep good records here, Durgen’len. If the ship you are looking for has harbored here, I have records of when it arrived, when it left, and if it's still here. I also would know what the captain declared--their reason for visiting--and if the crew caused any trouble while here, loaded or unloaded any cargo, and hired or fired any crew." Jaeron Dernfog (Marketplace)Johannas gives Jaeron directions before he walks off, letting the gnome know that the Gonto shrine is in the marketplace in the southern half of the city. Luckily, that's not too far away. He makes his way through the harbor, the slums and to the market area. It's rather disorienting, as there doesn't seem to be one particular style of architecture. Compared to the clean and orderly streets of Paradise City, Tu'Valie seems downright chaotic or even mad.
He makes his way through the crowded streets of elves, humans, and all sorts of other races (at one point, he ducks under the legs of an ogre), eventually reaching what appears to be a small shop, wedged in between a butcher and an apothecary. A sign over the door has no text, but rather depicts a green mole.
Stepping inside, he finds that the shop has been converted into a small shrine. There's an altar and a few chairs, a podium, and a bookshelf with all of three tomes on it. The place is clean, but falling apart. There is water damage on the walls, and the place reeks of both rotten meat and potent herbs.
Only a single other person is within. An elf, perhaps in his early twenties, sitting in one of the chairs, slowly dozing off in his seat. He is wearing the vestments of a kohen, much like Jaeron.
Johannas Barnsley (Slums)Having received directions, and given directions to Jaeron, Johannas heads for the slums, which are adjacent to the harbor area. Although Johannas grew up on this island, he never visited Tu'Valie before. He had heard stories of its splendor, but they seem to have not done the place justice. It is unlikely he has ever seen so many people in one place before. Just about every race is represented, even a few the druid had never encountered before.
The slums themselves don't seem quite as bad as he might have feared. He does not witness any crime or injustice on the way to the temple. These people are clearly poor, but they seem well fed and healthy, even if their clothes are a bit shabby and patchwork.
The temple itself is large, but not particularly ornate. Stepping inside, he finds the place is fairly crowded. There are many people here praying, receiving food and water, being healed or given medicine, or seeking guidance. A male elven pastor and a pair of female acolytes (one elf, one dwarf) laboriously hurry to and fro, trying to help everyone.
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