CasualViking
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CasualViking
  Pridon’s Hearth, Dock  
      
 
 
 "hhWhat do  mean  the ship won't dock,  Captain ?" . The sneer put into "captain" is impressive, especially considering Gallio Menius is still on the deck of the ship.

The captain is unfazed though, and Gallio, his people and his equipment, are the first to be moved onto the small wooden docks by the ship's boats.  
 
  
Soon after, our intrepid heroes are also brought onto the dock. And that's when the commotion starts. An argument grows louder and louder between Gallio and a grizzled-looking man swaying at the end of the dock.  “You should be getting out of this land, ya filthy leech!”  The drunk swings with a right hook and knocks Gallio to the deck planks, looking more shocked than injured. The swaying man ends his tirade by smashing the bottle he holds against a sturdy dock pylon. The bottle shatters, leaving him holding a vicious spike of serrated glass.  “And if yer not gonna leave... then I guess it’s up to me to make ya!” 
Merilan
Riu steps up to the deck, called upon by some concerned deckhands.    "You are drunk,"   she states loudly to the drunk, stepping forward to try to intercede, despite the fact that she is unarmed and has one non-functioning arm.  She kneels, somewhat awkwardly, next to Gallio to help him up to a seated position, then stares back towards the drunk.

  "Splash some water on your face and wipe the shame off off it!"  
Hackmandu
The fat young aristocrat had certainly not endeared himself to Rowena on the voyage here, and his annoyance at being forced to tender from the ship like a pleb rubbed her the wrong way, but she certainly had no wish to see the man die to a drunken mistake when they'd not even truly set foot on land yet.  It'd cast a pall of bad luck over the whole expedition.  So with a grimace, she stepped forward slowly with a hand on the hilt of her knife, placing herself between the drunk and Riu and Gallio, but not making a move otherwise.

She flicked a glance to the broken bottle, and then to the man's eyes, holding them with her own piercing green stare.    "I don't think you want to see how that ends,"   she states calmly, not moving a muscle otherwise.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Rowena adopts the  Nebulous Threat  approach and uses a  pose a menace  to the drunk in an attempt to get him to be distracted by her and understand she is a deadly threat to him, should he press.  If successful, she may learn either which of his allies he considers most vulnerable, or the immediate direction to something he does not want you to find, GM's choice (not that I think it likely there'll be much good in the info, but I figure some info is better than none.)

 Intimidate  (pose a menace)  (1d20+9)[ 28 ] 
 
CasualViking
 "Parasites.... coming here to steal the livelyhood of-f-f-f-f.... honest working men!" . The drunk waves his broken bottle around, and jabs it in the general direction of Gallio, who, in the meantime has crawled away and is in the process of getting to his feet. The drunk doesn't move any closer, though.
Benoojian
Rorina shuffles her Harrow Deck and draws a hand of cards in preparation for battle. The drawn cards light up and float in front of her like ioun stones. She draws a single extra card to attune herself to the energies of the present. "What would you know of hard working folk, you lousy drunk."

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Starting Hand  (6d52)[ 30 ][ 18 ][ 21 ][ 22 ][ 25 ][ 25 ](141) 
Backup rolls in case of doubles  (6d52)[ 49 ][ 2 ][ 21 ][ 34 ][ 3 ][ 25 ](134) 

Harrow Talent  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 
Merilan
Gladdened for both Rowena and Rorina's presence, Riu continues to largely stand back and position herself between Captain Gallio and the drunk.    "Are you all right, sir?"   she asks the Captain.    "Let us handle this."  

Her eyes turn back towards the drunk with a sigh.    "Are you going to insist on this foolishness?  My companions here do not tread lightly."  
CasualViking
 

The drunk meets Rowena's gaze with some difficulty, then throws down his broken bottle with a  "Tsch!"  and staggers off. Gallio thanks you profusely; he has no idea why the man attacked him.

 Soon after, a stern-lloking woman shows up with two spear-carriers in tow.  "I am Sheriff Adaela Praet. On behalf of Count Narsus, welcome to Pridon's Hearth". 

Gallio pulls himself up to his full height and volume, and  harrumphs  at the woman.  "I am Gallio Menius, of the Egorian Menius, and I was nearly  murdered  on this  very dock  by your townsfolk".  The woman casts a tired gaze in your direction, as if asking for a less dramatic version of events.
Merilan
The Sherriff, huh?  Riu straightens herself as well as Gallio introduces himself in dramatic fashion, and the doctor quietly says,   "There was a drunk that threatened him with a broken bottle.  Thanks to these people,"   she gestures to Rorina and Rowena,   "The situation was quickly defused.  My name is Riu, from the Kavaar Cutter.  I was hoping to seek a new life here and contribute my meagre expertise."  
CasualViking
 "My gratitude, then". She pinches the ride of her nose and sighs deeply.  "I'll handle him once he sleeps it off. Now. Do you have private sleeping arrangements made?" . Once she hears that you don't, she gestures down the rain-drenched beaten path.  "Down here, cross the first bridge, take your first left. The Stone Hall is the only inn in town" . She turns as if to leave, then turns back with one-more-thing.  "On' behalf of the town, I'd like to buy you breakfast tomorrow. Yes?".   

She pats one of her subordinates on the back before heading off, and he turns to Gallio.  "Can you describe what happened, Sir?".  
Merilan
It would seem Gallio, indeed, already was known for having an ill reputation amongst the town.  Riu definitely also didn't come out of the situation with a positive experience -- even drunk, people didn't have feelings like that from nowhere.

  "I... have not yet.  I would appreciate directions."    Adaela points them to the Stone Hall, and Riu nods gently to say,   "Thank you-- oh, truly?  I would not say no, given we have barely set foot here..."
  
Looking towards the others, Riu nods and heads for the inn.  It would be nice to have a place to put her belongings down for now.
CasualViking
A light but persistent drizzle motivates you forward, across the rickety bridge, to the left... until you see the invitingly lit windows of a two-story stone building towering over a mish-mash of wooden shacks and porches and additions, like a mother hen over a brood of chickens. The wooden sign of an overflowing beer mug assures you that you are in the right place.
CasualViking
 The next morning, Adaela meets you in the stone hall. She pays for a few drinks and a hearty breakfast of eggs, roasted dika seeds, and fried taro; during the meal, she chitchats about the weather, the opportunities in a frontier town, apologizing for not having the amenities of a bigger city, noting too serious.

Then, she gets to business.  "Overworked and short staffed. I saw how you handled Theos yesterday. I want to hire you for a more challenging job. Fort Breakthrough, 12 miles down the coast, hasn't checked in for two weeks. That's longer than usual. And frankly, reporting in to town is a plum assignment for the guys down there. I am...  concerned  . Are you up for it?"  
Merilan
Riu never slept better -- after so long on the Kaave Cutter, she'd grown to miss sleeping on a real bed, on solid ground.  And the next morning, the invitation of a free breakfast was indeed appealing, but Riu also knew that there was no such thing as a free meal...

Though, at least Adaela is here with an offer, not a demand.    "I do not myself mind, though I imagined myself looking for work in town... that said, it would be useful to understand what kind of flora is available around."  

There's a quiet shrug from the blue-haired doctor.    "I'd like assistance in settling for the long-term, as compensation.  Would that be fine?"  
CasualViking
 The Sheriff looks at Riu, then nods.  "Certainly. I'll help you pick out a plot, get you some help clearing it, and some help with building a home" .
Merilan
  "All right, we have a deal.  Now, what can you tell me about the area?  The Fort?  Anything that you could think of could be of issue, like weather or other unexpected events?"   Riu inquired of Adaela.
Benoojian
  "I would also seek assistance in settling, though I would ask for a plot with plenty of room to grow as others join. For now let us focus on the task at hand. How many are normally stationed at the Fort?"  
CasualViking
  "The fort has a garrison of 8 souls" . She takes a moment to meet your eyes one at a time.  "A favor for a favor, then, and I'll need to call in a few favors owed me. I'll be glad to help you settle all the same. Now...."  - she draws out a document and slides it over. It's a money order for 100 gold, redeemable at any temple of Abadar -  "I would not want to send you out under-equipped. We have both a smith, an alchemist and a general store. And with that - I hope to see you again soon, bearing [I]good[I] news".  .
Merilan
Riu accepts the order with gratefulness, then looks towards the other members of her entourage.    "I'm not particularly in need of equipment at present, though it would likely be useful to be supplied with food and water for the road.  But the sheriff was fairly light on detail... I do wonder if anyone else in town would have heard anything.  Surely those eight souls may have relatives here."  
Benoojian
  "It might be prudent to see if the Alchemist has any healing supplies"  
CasualViking
      
 The Countinghouse of Abadar is a grand structure of wood and stone. A few acolytes are hanging around, but a promissory note from the sheriff will certainly get you access to the cleric, Baldra Siferth. 
 
  

At Heri's Conservatorium, a middle-aged female halfling greets you inside a store building with herbs and dried animal carcasses hanging everywhere.
Benoojian
Gripping her multicolored skirts, Rorina gives a small curtsy to the halfling Alchemist,   "I am Rorina. My compatriots and I were hired to do a small job for the city and I was hoping to find some supplies. If it's not to rude to inquire, do you bake Halfling Black Bread by any chance? Only I'd heard it was practically a miracle cure, but only the most skilled halfling Clerics and Alchemists could handle the recipe."  
CasualViking
 "Ooh, black bread? Sure, Let me....hmm, yes...." . She rummages through a few drawers.  "Yes, I could do that. It'll cost ya, though, some of these spices I can't get here. Tell you what, 75 gold and I'll get right on that".  
Merilan
While Rorina speaks to the alchemist, Riu approaches the cleric.    "Good day, sir.  My name is Riu, and I've been tasked with checking in on Fort Breakthrough, which hasn't been heard from in two weeks.  Have you heard anything from that garrison, perchance?  And, I'd like a potion to protect me should the worst come to pass."
  
CasualViking
 "No news, no news. You need a potion of armor? 50...40 gold. Last about one unrushed meal's time".  
".
Merilan
  "40 gold is acceptable.  Here's the scrip,"   Riu offers the money order.    "It isn't news around town, then?  That's unfortunate..."  