[6:53:25 PM] Neme the Great: Melody thanked the barkeep, and because she wasn't afraid of a goddamn thing, she asked him, with a calm, almost soothing tone,"What can you tell me of this city's recent events? I grew up here, you see, but this is my first time back in years."

[6:57:36 PM | Edited 6:57:40 PM] Jack of Diamonds: "Not much", he says. "I suppose you must know of the troubles at Cartagena?"
"I've heard some rumors, yes. They say a great beast cloaked in thunderclouds has been sighted, and even attacked ships."
The man nods slowly and sighs. He gestures around the room at the men gathered all around.

"Sailors, all of them. Locked on the land. The thing's been sinking ships like toys. No one can even /get/ to Cartagena, and every effort to slay the monster has failed. We tried a rescue for the men trapped there, but most of the island had been levelled by the creature and the ones we found alive were broken men. More of the like outside, you must've seen 'em. Standing out there, staring at the waves? Sayin' prayers for their lost brothers and friends, methinks."

[7:04:46 PM] Neme the Great: Melody nodded. Though she could feel no fear, she couldn't help but wonder at Kara's wisdom in sending them. It razed an island and destroys ships before they come near? This creature might be far too powerful for us. "You have found living men though? Surely then some ships made it to Cartagena?"

[7:07:49 PM] Jack of Diamonds: "Oh, yeah, some made it past. It seems like it can /sense/ ships, they say. It always knows where the biggest boat on the water is, and makes a line right to it. Doesn't take it long to tear most of the boats to pieces, but we did get to Cartagena, and yes, living men have seen the beast, but most of them are too sick to talk, and one recently made a run from the law."

[7:14:59 PM] Neme the Great: Melody nodded. She leaned in and spoke to the barkeep in a quiet, but not whispering tone. Merely one indicating a calm conversation between friends. "I am Melody, a paladin empowered by Helia to destroy evil wherever it may be found, and citizen of Lake Mirth by birth. My companions and I are here to gather information on and, if able, slay the monster that has been plaguing our city. If there is any other information you have that might prove helpful it would be appreciated. Do not reveal our intentions yet, however. I tell you this because I can see that though your spirit is low, it is not broken. We need allies in the city if we wish to lead an expedition toward destroying the creature. Would you be one of them?"

[7:21:23 PM] Neme the Great: "You can", Melody assured him, before pausing to take the first drink of her milk. She wiped her mouth with her gauntlet, and continued,"You may not be skilled in naval matters, but your very position can aid us. You can help by improving morale in your patrons whenever you can. You might lighten their mood and plant a seed of hope in the people. The light in this city's hearts may be out, but with your help we can light it again. That alone would help us a great deal."

[7:26:05 PM] Jack of Diamonds: Melody, the man smiles just subtly, as if the mere idea of there being hope is new and gives him happiness.

"I also have a lot of information you might find useful", he tells you. "If you want to slay the beast, you'll need a ship, since it won't come to this city. Rumour is its because of the temple on the hill. If you need a ship, you should speak to Xander Auvelias, head of his house and the seat of mercantile power on the docks. Crew I may be able to help with as well, but don't count on many volunteers. This is a suicide mission. Lastly, there's only a few alive who've seen the beast. If you want someone who got a good look, you should try to find Kath, but good luck with that."

[7:31:00 PM] Neme the Great: Melody nodded. "You've been a great help. Tell me your name, friend, so that I might know to whom I owe my thanks." Melody lifted her glass of milk and downed it in a few gulps. "Before I leave, is there anything else I should know?"

[7:34:02 PM] Jack of Diamonds: The man tells you his name is Hicks, and "if you go looking for Kath, you should be careful, they tried him for killing, and he was all fine and mellow the whole time, but when they tried to cart him to the temple he broke and ran. It's hard to understand what goes on in the head of a lizardman, their faces aren't easy to read."

[7:35:48 PM] Neme the Great: "I know of no such thing", Melody thought to Ansee, before looking at Hicks with a smile. "Thank you for the warning. Do you know the details of his murdering and of the trial?"

[7:36:41 PM] Jack of Diamonds: "He was stranded on Cartagena, and when it got hard he killed and ate one of the other men on the island, still had some with him, packed with salt, when they found him, but it wasn't spotted until he was already on board."