OOC:
I'm going to resolve these in the order that makes the most sense, so Teo first.
Narrator
As
Falteo flies a loop around the settlement, he takes in a few interesting local tidbits. Fortunately, though some of the folks spoke of how the Woe was ravaging the mainland - some rumors true, some wildly exaggerated - it didn't seem like anyone in this town had contracted it or showed any symptoms.
More than the Woe - the thing that seems to be on most people's minds (or at least in their discussions) is the Dwendalian Empire.
Teo would know that the Dwendalian Empire is an all-human nation to the west of the Greying Wildlands, and is known for being totalitarian, but not outright hostile to this region.
However, recently, Dwendalian ships have been spotted off the coast, putting the town on edge due to the fact that most of their defenders - the expedition team - left to pursue a lead on a new archeological find. Rumors and conspiracy theories travel quickly around the small settlement, and there's a growing worry that the Dwendalians leaked information about the ruins to get the expedition team to leave Syrinlya defenseless. Some even note that the Cobalt Station is run by Dwendalians - and wonder if this whole Woe nonsense is some sort of plot.
When pressed by any of the more rational settlers, however, no one can come up with a solid reason why the Empire would want to attack or invade Syrinlya in particular.
OOC:
What happened here recently? Though the group already knows that most of the expedition teams recently set out after a tip off on some ruins, the follow up to that is that Dwendalian ships have been spotted off the coast, putting the town on edge, which is the real reason Morgo and The Buyer are hesitant to send anyone from Syrinlya off to Cobalt Station to get the cure or rescue the first party.
Spout Lore might give you more info on the Dwendalian Empire if you're curious.
Then, Teo heads to the bar to regroup with the others.
The elf had looked over when Bonepipe spoke loudly about eating a dozen blokes like them before breakfast - but by the time Morgo sets down their drinks and the barbarian chugs one down, the two are back to their private discussion.
However, as
Mance breaks away to go talk to the tavern owner,
Bonepipe and
Byron give the two strangers a good long look. Bonepipe is less subtle in his staring, and that seems to agitate the elven ranger once again.
The dwarf, for the second time, tries to pull his companion back into their quiet conversation, but she shrugs him off.
"Shove off, Urgon, I'm going to see what this is about."
Elf Ranger
You don't see many older elves around - and from this ranger's silver-grey hair, braided and tied back in a red band, one might think that she's past her prime - but the look on her face would suggest otherwise. In fact, her entire demeanor would fit more on a far younger - and far more reckless-looking - person.
Her quiver, slung over her shoulder, is filled with numerous jet-black arrows.
She's tall, even for an elf, and as she walks over and looms over their table, she says directly to Bonepipe, "
You got somethin' you want to say to me, little man?"
Urgon
The dwarf - Urgon - grumbles something that sounds like a dwarvish curse, and shoves something that looks like a small chest deeper down into his satchel as he stands as well, but doesn't move any closer to the group.
OOC:
What here is useful or valuable to me? There are two things Bonepipe may notice - "Urgon" is the name mentioned in the ship's log retrieved from the Flying Remorhaz, and the chest that Bonepipe just caught a glimpse of is the same kind of chest that he broke on that ship. That could, potentially, be useful.
is, perhaps, a little less obvious in her staring, and is able to catch a better glimpse of the ranger in particular as she approaches.
OOC:
Along with the Urgon name and chest info, Byron also notices:
What here is not what it appears to be? The "Elven Ranger" appears to be using a Disguise to hide her true form. This does not appear to be the case for the dwarf, but the elf is not who she appears to be. She seems like she may be more of young adult, and that the Disguise ability is something Thieves are most known for. (If you'd like, you can describe how Byron knows this/figured this out!)
What should I be on the lookout for? Because of the chest, you might be on the lookout for signs of the Woe. You might also be on the look out for anything else the elf may be concealing.
OOC:
Mance might notice that his party is getting into a potential situation - but, it's up to Mance if he wants to head back or leave it to Bonepipe, Byron and Teo.
, meanwhile, is over at the bar with Arl. As expected, the tavern owner looks eager for new gossip. At Mance's talk of travelling the lava flows, the dwarf nods.
"You mean the Inferno? Aye, I've hear that rumor. They say the very land of these islands is magic, and the River Inferno is a part of that. Lava with no volcano - no source at all." He wipes down one of the leather tankards he has with a cloth.
"But, seeing as it's magic, there's supposed to be magic ways around it. People have seen floating chunks of ice travelling down that river, if you can believe it. But, it's not any ol' ice that does the trick."
"I'm afraid I can't help ya with the details - I'm no mage. But, if you get on the Buyer's good side, he might have something to say about it. He's a wizard, you know? Or, you might not... he hardly talks about that these days."
