Above Greenstalk Island



Narthian soars over Greenstalk Island in the form of an albatross, soaring over the misty peaks and green-shrouded hills until the last bit of daylight is gone. Sentinels of wood and vine flank the rising land, and the occasional bare cliff only serves to highlight the intense abundance of plant life that blankets the island, reminding him of the Farlight Forest.  Aside from the harbor at Rooton, he spies a smaller harbor near what seems to be a lumber yard on the north of the island, and three minor coves.  Two have small piers where fishing vessels are tied up, seemingly for locals, and a third is more secluded, with a single empty pier.  The pier seems to be in poor repair, so perhaps it is abandoned, or perhaps the residents are out for the day with their vessels.

He sees a few clusters of houses that mark tiny villages in several places closer to the shore, and at least two villages further inland up the slopes, including an active logging camp.  Here, he can see the tree-people he heard Mad Morrie speak of, working with half-elves as they prune wood and trees, stacking them to cure, or else working them with a wide variety of tools.

He thinks he sees at least two places where there might be larger homes shaded by the canopy, one of which is near a cliff.  The forest-bound one seems to be an elaborate tree house or else has trees growing up through it, while the cliff-side one blends it well with the trees.  Thick vines spill down the cliff, and it seems to be a favored launching place of fish eagles.  Narthian actually has to swerve off to avoid being targeted for a potential meal!

--

In Rooton



The rest of the group, including a seemingly pleased Thunder who trots alongside Volsh and Eagle, head into Rooton to take in the sights and find their targeted inn.  The crowds are thin compared to Port Lyalee, and mostly seem to be residents of Rooton, to judge by the plethora of half-elves and the occasional tree-person (who greatly resemble half-elves with skin the color and shading of wood grain, with small leaves growing in their hair) who move about with purpose, rather than wandering sailors or idling merchants. There are a few halflings in the richer garb of merchants who are speaking with one of the tree-folk, a pair of exasperated half-orc sailors supporting a fellow human who clearly ended a night on the town sometime this morning to judge by his singing, and a single gnome in light blue leather armor trailed by a lynx wearing a similar blue collar.

Farian notices a shrine to Pelor near the harbor, and another on Inn Street, this one large enough to be tended by a single young treefolk priest.  Likely this is for visitors' convenience, as on an island that is often wreathed in fogs and mists, one would want to make an offering to the sun god for clear weather.  If there is a shrine, there is likely a church elsewhere on the island.  Near the harbor were shrines to Procan (the god of oceans), Vogan (the god of weather), and Fharlaghn (the god of travel).  Alongside Pelor's larger shrine on Inn Street there was also shrines to Ehlonna and Obad-Hai (forests and nature, respectively), as well as Yondalla (hospitality).


The Jade Rose Inn isn't difficult to find.  Rooton is not nearly the size of Port Lyalee or even Redhaven, and Inn Street has perhaps a dozen or so establishments.  The Jade Rose is the chief of them all, made of half-stone and wood (as most buildings are here), but the stone is covered with a beautiful moss and the wood crawls with rose vines that have large, beautiful blue-green roses in bloom upon them.  A sign with a similar rose carved and painted onto it swings above the door, and the heavy shutters on the windows are painted a similar teal color.

Inside is a large common room with evidence of excellent carpentry and woodcarving skills everywhere, as no table or chair lacks some small carved decoration, and the beams and bar are works of high art.  While thin daylight is coming in through the windows, it is augmented by warm lanterns and a few everburning lights over the bar.  Only a few patrons are here at this hour, though as the sun soon westers towards luncheon, undoubtedly things will pick up. A middle-aged human in fine merchant's clothing is having a goblet of wine with an elegant half-elf woman in fine robes, her hair long and unbound nearly to the floor.  A lone dwarf woman sits at the bar, examining a series of coins strung on a chain, and a couple of treefolk (seemingly married or courting, judging by their lovestruck expressions and frequent holding of hands) are at a table in the back.

The innkeeper behind the bar is a half-elf man of middle years, trim and fit, wearing a plain shirt, but an elegantly-embroidered vest.  He looks up and smiles brightly at the group as they enter, blinking slightly at Thunder and Prreet before speaking.

"Good morrow, my friends!  What can we of the Jade Rose Inn get for you this day?"

Haazheel looks for a stable near or by the inn.

Farian excuses herself as they approach the shrine on Inn Street. She bows to the attending priest, "May his light shine through you, Sun's Ray," she says. "I am Farian Raymellie, priest of the Leafblade Company and the Order of Saint Bane. Might I make an offering?"

"Do you have any Belorn's wine?" Lantamori asked the proprietor as she sidled up to the bar.   She was wearing her full regalia, her elegant green dress, silver cuff bracelet, and the everburning diadem perched upon her head.  The green leather bag with embroidered vines was slung over one shoulder and her dragon dagger was sheathed at her waist.

Bruenor also headed for the stables, to make sure his exotic and badly spoiled mount was happy.

He didn't mind spending a few silver to do it.

Haazheel drops off his gear at The Jade Rose Inn after ascertaining that roomsa re available. Letting the others know what he's doing, he takes feather to the stable. After learning the rates, he offers three silvers if the hostlers will offer Feather an apple a day, walk her if she seems restless, and pet her as they go by&provided she appears willing to be touched.

Then, with any companion, such as Bruenor, he stretches his legs by strolling back toward the inn.

"Rooms and wine I suppose? How many can sleep to a room here? We've nine of us, ten if you count Thunder here," he said with a look to the wolf. His left hand held Widowmaker casually as he looked around the inn.

Volsh watched Lantamori with curiosity. He'd had less dealings with her and Averdante than some of the others in the company and he didn't quite know how to take her actions and words some times. So he watched to try and learn more about her.

Dellas was seemingly quiet as they wandered through the streets, his first few steps seemed awkward as he tried to get the feel of land again. Eventually mounting upon his mule, they trotted along behind the group as he smiled and waved at the various inhabitants of the town. As they neared the inn a big smile crossed his face, the smell of cooking food had his attention. He quickly handed a couple silver coins to the stable boy "Take care of Honey here." he spouted before he gathered up his stuff and ran inside with the others.

Discovery of the shrine to Ehlonna shifts Dante's path from continuing on to the inn, as he detour to make an offering. He's low on funds, but still has enough to leave a few gold coins at the shrine. He lingers there a moment to make a silent prayer that whatever whispers in the island's mists at night is not something that will share its territory well with any invading shadows. He'd enjoy it if his visit to the island was entirely peaceful; it seemed a surprisingly pretty place in the daylight. Perhaps those whisperings were some form of protection for the lushly wooded land.

Stepping back from the shrine, he stretched and idly glanced around for any sign of followers before continuing his stroll on to Jade Rose.

As the island is more suited for sure-footed ponies than horses, those with mounts often stable them at a large communal stable near the harbor itself, as most inns don't have extensive stabling.  A silver for stabling and feed in the form of a little grain and hay, two silver for extra grain and exercise by the hostlers while you go about your business.  The grooms there seem cheerful enough, and competent at their jobs, and those that chose to leave their mounts there feel they will be in good hands.  Bruenor does have to take a few moments to explain Demon's peculiarities, and also to persuade Demon that no, he cannot take a bite out of the grooms, because that would be rude.



The sun shrine's priest smiles at Farian and spreads his wood-grained hands in greeting.  Looking nothing so much as a half-elf carved from fresh oak, with a few leaves growing from his scalp, he seems young and friendly.  "Welcome, Sun's Ray, I am Acolyte Grult.  Please, offerings are always welcome."  He gestures inside to the shrine, where the altar is open to the sun.  It is lightly gilded as well as decorated with shiny wood, lovingly polished, and inlaid bits of shell and smooth stone with flecks of minerals, anything to catch the light.  Pelor's symbol itself is cut from a single large creamy shell, lovingly carved and touched with gilt.  "Should you wish, the greater temple is at the top of the Father Tree, as close to the sun as we can, atop Lanshul, the highest peak.  What can this smaller flame do to aid you, Sister Farian?"



The shrine to Ehlonna is untenanted at the moment, which is not unusual in small shrines, particularly if there is only a single priest that tends them.  Forests covering most of the island, Ehlonna's faithful likely live further inland in a sacred grove, and this shrine is here for the pious who are in town for long days.  Nevertheless, the offering bowl in the living, green shrine has its few offerings undisturbed, and a small blue flower blossoms as Averdante leaves his coins.  Prreet sniffs at in in approval. 

--

At the Jade Rose Inn



The half-elf behind the bar gives a bob of his head to Lantamori, the sort given to those of high birth.  "Of course, m'lady.  We have a small selection available, two bottles of Handless Hills, ten years old, and a small firkin of Runberry Rouge, if you prefer a more robust offering.  We also carry our own vintages, a wonderfully sweet rose we call Dawn's Blush, a crisp, dry white called Whitewave, and two varieties of reds, a dry, fruity Wuller's Best, and a sweeter blend known as Invari's Heart. What may I pour for you?"

Haazheel, maybe with Bruenor, is strolling back toward the inn.

Volsh looked at the front desk person who welcomed them and just stared one hand on Thunder's head.

"So... rooms? How much? How many do they sleep?"


I had asked, but I think I was ignored in favor of pouring expensive wine choices.?
did we ask for rooms already?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Tue 26 May 2020.

"I'll have a glass of Dawn's Blush," Lantamori replied to the half-elf.  "I was just interested to see if you received deliveries from Belorn's out here."

She wasn't really sure how to fish for information.  This was a different kind of contract than the ones they'd previously completed.

"How often do you receive a shipment from their company?" she tried.

Farian drops 2 platinum coins as an offering, then stands before the altar, hands raised to the sun speaking the prayer of Praise for the Day. She smiles in the sunlight facing Grult. "Just to stand in this light is aid enough! I can feel the yellow rays melding with the sky's blue into the warm green of this living island! But, I have a difficult and odd question for you. My company is chasing a lesser shadow, one of deceit and theft of the mundane kind. If stolen goods were to come to Greenstalk, what person might stand one foot in the light, one in the shadow that he may know of the dark market, yet share the knowledge?"

In Rooton



The foot traffic is beginning to pick up slightly, and folks are beginning to be seen eating in the inns or buying foods from street vendors with their carts or trays, selling pastries or flame-roasted spiced vegetables.  There are also a few wandering vendors selling small charms that look like a blue eye pressed into glass, that seem to be popular with sailors.



Grult's eyes bulge slightly at the offering, but he joins in the prayer with only a moment's hesitation.  As Farian asks her questions, he furrows his brow.  "Those who deal in such things usually take their business to hidden coves and darkened shores.  But the hunters in the woods often buy what they need or want with no particular care as to how it came to this island.  One I know, Buno, is a half-elf hunter who might be willing to speak.  He has a good heart, but courts someone with expensive tastes."  Grult gives a small shrug, as the ways of the heart are mysterious indeed.  "He does stop by the Wanderfoot from time to time, or will sell his catches at the Morning Market, in the square at midday."

---

The Jade Rose Inn



"Of course, my apologies good sir.  We have eight rooms that would fit four comfortably, four rooms that would fit two, and two rooms suitable for one or two people in a grand fashion.  The rooms are four gold apiece, aside from the last two, which are six, and all come with supper and use of the bathhouse.  Additional meals are eight silver," the innkeeper says with a small bow at Volsh.  He pauses slightly, then adds smoothly, "Your trained companion is also welcome as a guest, with the same costs and luxuries included."



The innkeeper gestures for a serving boy to fetch the wine for Lantamori, and he scuttles off to the cellar.  "An excellent choice, m'lady.  We receive shipments from them perhaps once a moon.  Delrun's Wine and Spirits does the actual importing, and I make my purchases from him.  Is wine your business, m'lady?" the innkeeper asks.  The serving boy returns in a moment with the appropriate bottle, and soon enough a fine wooden goblet is produced and the wine poured.  "The bottle is twenty-five gold," the innkeeper murmurs.

"I dabble in wines," Lantamori answered the man as she pulled her bag around to see what coin she had.  "Where might I find this importer?

"Do you take Lyalee chits?" she added, holding a few of the tokens up.  "Or is coin better?"

Dellas wasn't too interested in the wine as his eyes wandered over the food being served for the evening "Is there room for us this evening? And what have you for food?" he blurted out as  he stared at the passing by platter. After a moment he looked back to the inn-keeper and then to Lantamori realizing what some of the information they had, perhaps the wine was a good choice. He shrugged though, content with the question on food and lodging. A warm meal that he'd keep in his stomach and a bed that didn't sway all day and night...

"Perfect! You give me a beacon in the night! May Pelor's Light shine within you!" She takes her leave of Grult and hurries to share her information with the others.

Volsh shrugged in dismissal, he was used to be ignored by fancy people in cities by now.

He looked at the others, "I can share a room with Narthian and Thunder in one of the rooms for four, not sure what the rest of you want."

He nodded at Lantamori's question, "the question on chits is a good one though."

Bruenor bought some spiced vegetables from a vendor, just to snack on as he and Haazheel headed back to the tavern to join the others, of course.
Once there, he'd order a round of ale for the group

Haazheel follows a hearty aroma to a stand where he sees oblong brown-skinned vegetables split open with the whitish contents stirred, mixed with a generous amount of butter. He buys one and receives a small flat stick to eat it with. The vendor cautions Careful! It's hot. Haazheel tries a bite; his face lights up. Quite soon, the insides are gone, and he eats the skin "For the good of his colon". The stick he keeps as a souvenir. Let's check out these charms he suggests.

In reply to Haazheel Thorn (msg # 54):

Bruenor smirked.
"Talking about a man's colon is a good way to make food sound unappealing, my friend."
Looking at the stalls of trinkets, he made a sour face.
"I'll admit that I'm starting to see the value of all these magical doodads and thingamabobs, but aren't these things just superstitious nonsense for the locals?  After all, sailors are among the most superstitious professions, right up there with professional gambler."

Haazhel laughs. An unhappy colon will weigh on you.

Truly, perhaps Haazheel replies, addressing one of the trinket peddlers. If you please,we'd like to hear all about your wares.

Bruenor smirked, but shrugged and didn't say anything as they waited for the con artist/merchant to give his song and dance routine about the charms

Dante continues his stroll onward to the Jade Rose, regarding the tree-kin natives with interest when he sees them. He doesn't stare, being too busy looking around at the shops and vendors he passes by, but can't help but wonder how much like a tree they really are. Are they birthed, or hatched from some equivalent to an acorn? Do they remain mobile all their lives, or slow and eventually become immobile in old age, putting down roots to become, basically, a tree? Could they cross-breed with humans, as most bipedal races could? Human-dryad offspring, perhaps?

That thought reminded him of the company's recent jaunt to the woods outside of Port Lyalee. Could dryads crossbreed with lycanthropes? But if the werebear had started out as a human....

Shaking his head and chuckling at such wandering thoughts, he paused as he reached the inn and looked it over. It was an attractive building, with woodwork that would have been appreciated even back home.

Going inside, he joined those already settled with drinks and food. When the chance came, he opted to try a glass of the local dry wine. Only when he was sure there was no one lingering too close did he mention casually, "I believe we should check out the Wanderfoot later. They seem to play host to a different character of people than this elegant establishment. Also, you might want to mind your purse when on the street. There was a young fellow trailing us this way who didn't appear to do his fishing in the water. We might want to look him up later, actually, and let him earn a bit of coin honestly...."