The Game

Professor Vortrin, having collected his belongings took stock of the remainder of the group in the tavern and realised that it had somewhat splintered. Perhaps he had been to rash and brazen with his demonstration of his ability, in a world of towering beings it was sometimes a necessary feat to be seen as a peer.

"Well met, Skryo" Vortrin said to the dragonborn. "Fear not, the colour of your scales, or anyone else's exterior is of little consequence to me. However, Skyro, I fear our little display back there could have turned some of our less inclined potential allies away and that dwarf is somewhat crestfallen and I doubt he will be willing to assist us in the matter. Whilst, I would normally not be perplexed by this, having been in this town for a few days now I know there are limited options should we require a guide and supplies. Might I suggest for the sake of reducing competition we strike out and try and reunite this group. From what I've learnt of the Caverns and the perils that could await us, we are better off altogether. What say you, dragonborn?

Vortrin, busily set about packing away his tome, parchments quill and ink and repacking his pipe. Equipping all of his belongings, he hastily made ready for the road, checking his dagger at his belt, settling his plain and tattered spellbook in a leather harness strapped to his waist and his arcane focus tucked into his belt. Finally, he cast his spectral mage hand to assist in the adornment of his seemingly oversized backpack on his slight shoulders.

Asterion does some quick calculations. No more than ten days of food in his pack for a journey three days out if they don't get lost, and neither he nor Cato true outdoorsmen. Odds stacked against them, as always. Asterion feels the same pull he has felt all his life now pulling him West. Pulling him to go NOW. He shakes his head. "We should get a map at least. Come on."

Skyro nods, One of my contacts might actually be in town. I could probably pick up a tip on who would be the best guide. Also, technically the dwarf is unwilling to assist you, but I'm probably still on his good side, so I could try to talk to him. Although, there seems to be another dwarf occupied in conversation with him at the moment. the dragonborn points out.

"Indeed," said the gnome, glancing over at the two dwarves in conversation. "Perhaps you could talk to both dwarves and at least win over the unsoiled one, you appear better with social interactions then I. I shall go and try and reforge alliances with the others who have departed the tavern. Let us meet back here. Good luck, dragonborn."

With that the Professor left the tavern in an attempt to catch up to the others.

Once outside, the gnome felt the rain against his face and the cool breeze rustled his recently singed hair. At the back of his midn he was worried about his parchment's again.

He looked up and down the muddy road leading each direction from the tavern and sighed, not seeing any of the recently departed.

Probably on their way to the Caverns already, he thought annoyedly.

He was the kind that wanted to plan meticulously, account for inventories, decide on roles, gather intelligence and guides. He was a scholarly expeditioner and it appeared that there was no time to ply such a trade. They would need to hurry now to catch up to those that may have already left.

Resigning himself to the fact the others had left the town already, he cast his prestidigitation to create a small sign with the words "Cavern adventurers, meet here again" with a small image of himself pointing to the tavern. At least if there were any stragglers they may still see the sign. It was worth the small expense of effort.

Buying the dragonborn some time, he decided on a visit to the cartographer's shop. At least a map would help. He was an avid and esteemed cartographer in his own right. But what he needed now was a ready-made map that would hopefully provide some direction should a guide not be willing to accompany them. BUt his cartography supplies had been pilfered from his person whilst staying at the tavern a few days earlier, undoubtedly by some quick handed halfling or something of the sort. At least a visit tot he shop would give him a chance to converse with another cartographer and study the work of the area's cartography artisans before he returned to the refuge of the tavern.

Vortrin casts prestidigitation as described then moves to cartography shop

As Vortrin enters the cartographer's store he takes a moment to take it all in. The smell of the drying ink on the parchment, the sight of the huge range of scrolls and framed maps, air heavy with industrious silence yet punctuated by the sound of the familiar and welcome scratching of quill on parchment.

Vortin rolls for perception, more out of joy than looking for anything out of place.

Truly heaven, he thought to himself with a comforted smile. If only I would be so lucky. He thought of his retirement, still probably 100 years off, but he could certainly warm to this as an idea.

He stood patiently at the counter, not wanting to disturb the artisan at his work.

Eventually, the cartographer noticed him and asks if he could assist.

"You most certainly could, my good sir," The Professor exclaimed, unable to contain his enthusiasm for the setting. "I am Professor Vortrin, esteemed archaeological scholar of the Faculty of Magical Artefacts, School of Archaeology at the Academy of Merios. I have travelled across all the continents of this land in pursuit of artefacts long forgotten by this world.But, good sir, I am also an learned cartographer and truly have a passion for the art."

Vortrin placed down his back and pulled out his lofty tome, showing the cartographer a few of his own maps.

"These," Vortrin continued."are but a few I have been working on of late of this very region..."

Vortrin continues to discuss the details of the art of cartography, realying details of events in its history with a particular focus on the region.

Vortrin rolls Intelligence to recall cartography history and lore.

"Alas," Vortrin concludes, "I was relieved of my cartography tools only a few days past in this very town as I took accommodation at the Ancient Spade. I am need of new tools, but I haven't the funds at present."

Vortrin put away his tome and his tone turned more serious and more urgent.

"But I have not come to speak to you of my misfortune. No I have come seeking your best map of the region that shows the best detailing of a route between here and the Caverns of Windfell. I seek to explore this area on behalf of my Academy. I am happy to pay for the map but also please note that any assistance you could provide would be duly credited in my academic paper I would submit to the Academy on this expedition."

Vortrin rolls for Charisma to attempt to persuade the cartogrpaher

"Of course, being a spellcaster and arcana and history buff there are other services I could offer in exchange."

Vortrin finished, out of breath from the excitement of being in the store and his urgency in telling of his tale. He waited expectantly.

Skyro nods to the gnome, and walks over to the table. My apologies for the display- I get rather competitive. May I? Skyro points to the seat, but doesn't wait for an answer before sitting down. So, how about we talk business?

Cato follows behind Asterion. The rain brings a bit of a chill, but it does not bother him much. He'd suffered far worse discomfort of course.

Remembering the scene at the tavern, Cato chuckles quietly to himself. The looks on the faces of everyone in the room when that wave of stench washed through - HA! That dwarf, shocked when he discovered he was the heel, when he had just stepped up to be the hero. What a laugh.

Thinking, Cato asks out to his friend, "Where do dragon men hail from? What is their nature?"

So since we will be traveling together, how about you tell me a little bit about yourself Lief attempts to strike up a conversation with his new Druid ally. Where are you from?

"My friend, I've long given up trying to understand people, draconian ancestry or not." Asterion replies to Cato bleakly. "What is it? What's so funny?"

"I have felt a calling to go to the caverns, you could say even a divine sense that tells me my fate lays there. I am not that comfortable around other beings, they act irrationally and rarely use their wits. I am hoping to find what the fates need me to do and go back to my home. I'd guess the others are heading there for a chance of fame or loot." Deruvid responds to the dwarf.