Part 2: On the Job: Session 8

[15:41] <@Daroskt> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:41] <@Daroskt> ~~~Chapter 1: Shadow in the Sky~~~
[15:42] <@Daroskt> -Session 8-
[15:44] <@Daroskt> After the funeral for Raam, Katarina and Daroskt went shopping. Daroskt also stopped in to trade his roughly hewn wooden shield for a sturdier one made of mystical Darkwood.
[15:45] <@Daroskt> As the two are on their way back to the Gold Goblin, they pass by a male prostitute wearing the sign of the House of the Silken Veil. He steps a bit closer to Katarina, "You look forlorn love, need some enjoyable company?"
[15:46] * Daroskt snorts and rolls his eyes at the 'Easy Lad'
[15:47] * Katarina blinks several times as her face turns bright red and she quickly shakes her head. "N-n-no! U-Uhm... th-thanks, a-anyway...?" She turns away from the man, confused.
[15:48] <@Daroskt> Katarina notices that, as the Easy Lad strolls away, he slipped something into her pocket.
[15:49] * Katarina quickly inspects items on her person that may have been easily taken while following after him at a brisk pace.
[15:49] <@Daroskt> None of Katarina's posessions are missing, but another note marked with purple lipstick has appeared there
[15:49] * Daroskt looks to Katarina, "Is everything alright?"
[15:50] * Katarina stops and nods, putting the note away for now. "Y-yeah... I-I'm fine..."
[15:50] * Daroskt stares down at the retreating prostitute, "Did he take anything? Or try to?"
[15:51] * Katarina shakes her head. "I-I th-thought he m-might have, b-but n-no..."
[15:52] * Daroskt nods, "Alright then. Let's get back. Saul owes us a toast, and I'd like to have Samaritha confirm the properties of the magical gear we took from that bastard."
[15:53] * Katarina nods, giving one last glance to the prostitute as he slips away before walking towards Saul's.
[15:55] <@Daroskt> Upon their return to the Gold Goblin, Katarina is greeted by a hug from Samaritha, "I heard what happened to Raam. I'm so sorry for you."
[15:55] * Katarina nods and sighs, returning the hug. "Th-thanks..."
[15:56] * Daroskt is kind of disappointed he didn't get a hug, but really expected as much from the half-elf. She was way out of his league anyways.
[15:58] <@Daroskt> Smaritha separates from Katarina, then gives Daroskt a hug too. It's not as tight, given she can't really fit her arms around him, but she means well. She steps back and sighs, "He may have been obnoxious, but he didn't deserve to be killed over some stupid booze."
[16:00] * Katarina nods to Smaritha and points to the cloak she is wearing. "D-do y-you th-think you can tell what th-this cloak is?"
[16:00] <@Daroskt> Samritha looks up, "Why, is it Magical?"
[16:01] * Katarina nods. "Mhm.. D-daroskt d-detected magic o-on it."
[16:01] * Daroskt nods and pulls out the shield he had claimed, "As is this, I just remain unable to determine the specifics of the enchantment."
[16:03] <@Daroskt> Smaritha nods and pulls out her wand of Identify and flicks it twice, gazing at the items presented. "Well, that cloak is nice. It's got an enchantment that should make you a bit more resilient, and maybe a touch nimbler (Cloak of Resistance, +1). As for the shield, it's just a basic protection enhancement (+1)." She looks at Daroskt curiously, "You've said that before... what kind of magic do you do exactly?"
[16:04] * Daroskt nods to Smaritha, "My power comes from the natural world itself, as instructed by Gozreh."
[16:05] <@Daroskt> Smaritha tilts her head, "So you're a cleric?"
[16:05] * Daroskt shakes his head
[16:05] <@Daroskt> Samaritha goes a bit wide eyed, "A druid maybe? Their magic has always been one of the great mysteries to arcanists. So secretive."
[16:06] * Daroskt chuckles a bit, but shakes his head again, "I am not even that really. I was taught the ways by my mentor, but he was murdered before I had a chance to be fully initiated."
[16:08] * Katarina blinks and frowns slightly. She wasn't sure where Daroskt possessed his magic from, originally believing him to be a cleric. Hearing of his master... she is surprised he doesn't seem sad talking of it. "W-were y-you and your m-master close?"
[16:09] * Daroskt nods, "Very, but this was years ago. To be honest, the people I've met here are the first I've been able to trust since then."
[16:10] * Daroskt looks at Katarina and Smaritha with a melancholy smile, knowing that a third trusted friend should still be standign with them
[16:11] * Katarina nods, a sympathetic smile on her face. "I-I'm s-sorry to hear that..." She leans over and gives him a quick, tight hug before backing away.
[16:14] * Daroskt smiles, "I appreciate your sympathy. For now though, I am what I am. Now then, we owe Raam a toast."
[16:15] <@Daroskt> Samaritha nods and heads up to the bar area, where Saul is setting up the casks of exotic liquor. He pours out a glass for each of the four of them, setting each at a stool.
[16:15] * Daroskt follows and takes his seat next to Samaritha.
[16:17] * Katarina sits across from Daroskt, looking to her glass with uncertainty.
[16:18] <@Daroskt> Saul raises his mug, "To Raam Pitfighter. Brave warrior, trusted comrade, loyal lieutennant."
[16:19] * Katarina raises her glass in unison, nodding at his words.
[16:20] * Daroskt raises his mug as well
[16:20] <@Daroskt> Samaritha raises hers, after which Saul tips his back and drinks, with the half-elf following suit
[16:20] * Daroskt takes the drink as well.
[16:21] * Katarina downs her drink, hoping to not fall unconscious this time...
[16:23] <@Daroskt> Katarina stays conscious. Once the drinks are finished, Saul clears his throat. "Now, I must apologize for being insensitive, but I am afraid I have a matter to discuss that requires a bit of urgency in light of today's developments."
[16:23] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow
[16:24] * Katarina sighs and nods her head. "Y-yes?"
[16:27] <@Daroskt> Saul sighs, "In light of the death of one of his Capps, Zincher may be looking for retribution, and I doubt the death of Raam will be satisfactory to him. As such," he looks to Katarina, "I would ask you to, if you are able, find and hire another enforcer of sufficient prowess. Not as a replacement, but as a precaution. As well, a couple extra bouncers probably wouldn't hurt."
[16:28] * Katarina nods. "B-but... wh-where should we look f-for an e-enforcer?"
[16:30] <@Daroskt> Saul shrugs, "Taverns often work, or you could hire a mercenary if you come acros one."
[16:32] * Daroskt snorts, "Or we could find a mercenary -in- a tavern."
[16:32] * Katarina rolls her eyes.
[16:35] <@Daroskt> Sauls chuckles a bit, "I do not have any specific preference of where you find one, but you may extend to him the same terms I offered you if you deem him sufficient. Other than that, if you wish to hire a couple more bouncers, the general terms apply."
[16:36] * Katarina nods. "S-sure..." She looks to Daroskt. "A-any I-idea wh-where to start?"
[16:37] * Daroskt puts his mug down and heads back to his own room, not really caring for Saul's tone at the moment. He could perhaps forgive the man for not being as close to Raam, but he could not presently tolerate the talk of replacements. "We can worry about that tomorrow," he calls back to Katarina. "I need to meditate."
[16:38] * Katarina nods. "O-oh... O-okay." She waves off to Daroskt and heads to her own room for rest, with nothing else to do.
[16:40] <@Daroskt> Saul shrugs and returns to his own quarters. Samaritha closes up the Goblin after that, then goes to rest in her own room.
[16:40] * Katarina blinks, almost forgetting the note received earlier! She takes it out of her pocket, eager to read it.
[16:41] <@Daroskt> It reads: "Count your foes. Smeed was in the employ of Croat." -SP
[16:44] * Katarina frowns. This probably isn't the thing to keep secret. She knocks on Daroskt's door, note upturned for him to read when opening.
[16:47] * Daroskt opens the door, looking a little disgruntled at the interruption, but doesn't say anything and looks at the note. "I know of only one Croat. He's the only other being in this town who ever tried to offer me a position."
[16:49] * Katarina raises her eyebrow. "Wh-who is h-he?" She lowers her face a little sheepishly. "...a-and s-sorry f-for interrupting y-you..."
[16:50] * Daroskt shakes his head, "It's alright. Croat, or Boss Croat as he prefers, is a disgustingly obese Half-Orc, and one of the city's crimelords. He attempted to offer me a position before, but he is a most disgusting creature, who thought me simply being a Half-Orc was reason enough to cast aside my convictions for him."
[16:52] * Katarina nods and frowns. "S-so... w-we might have t-trouble with h-him too?"
[16:56] * Daroskt nods, "It appears that way. The question is, how did he get tangled up in this? Saul was informed, and told us as much, that Smeed was working for Zincher. Or perhaps Zincher set us up against one of Croat's pawns in order to incite him against Saul as well."
[16:58] * Katarina shrugs. "N-not s-sure... but, w-we should b-be careful..."
[16:59] * Daroskt nods, "definitely. I can see now why Saul is becoming worried and desires additional enforcers. We should heed his request and find ourselves a new companion, lest we get caught insufficiently protected. I do not wish to replace Raam, but it seems Saul was not wrong about our needs."
[17:00] * Katarina nods. "T-tomorrow. N-night, Daroskt."
[17:01] * Daroskt nods, "Good night." He shuts his door and goes to bed, Chip resting at the foot of his bed.
[17:02] * Katarina heads to her own room for rest.
[17:02] <@Daroskt> The following day sees the Gold Goblin open for business as usual, but Saul has excused Daroskt and Katarina from their daily duties in order to seek out a new companion as Saul's capp.
[17:04] * Katarina stretches and yawns, still a tad sleepy, though ready to search for another companion.
[17:06] * Daroskt spends the first hour of his morning meditating in a trance, preparing his magical energies to be channeled for the day.
[17:07] * Daroskt eventually joins Katarina for breakfast.
[17:07] <Daroskt> Samaritha joins them as well, but Saul appears to be dining in private
[17:07] * Katarina smiles and lightly waves to Daroskt and Samaritha.
[17:08] <Daroskt> Samritha nods and sits down to eat, "So, you guys going looking for a new capp for Saul huh? Where ya gonna look?"
[17:10] * Katarina shrugs as she sits. She has no idea.
[17:12] * Daroskt nods in response, "Often times, there are plenty of new arrivals at the taverns near the docs. If they've only just arrived, we can be sure they don't have pre-existing loyalties to other crimelords, making them more trustworthy."
[17:13] * Katarina nods, beginning to eat.
[17:14] * Daroskt eats his meal, sharing a portion with chip, and then stands up to stretch. He looks to Samaritha, "I trust you will be alright for a while without us?"
[17:15] <Daroskt> Samaritha nods, "Oh yeah. Got the regular bouncers and the no-weapons policy. Shouldn't have to worry about too much."
[17:15] * Katarina smiles and sits up, ready to leave.
[17:17] * Daroskt nods and stands up, fastenign his cloak and placing Chip upon his shoulder. He looks back to Katarina, "Let's make this quick. Grudges and revenge tend to have a short turnaround in this city."
[17:18] * Katarina fastens her own cloak, leaving the hood down. "R-right." She starts to move outside, though waits for Daroskt to lead.
[17:21] * Daroskt leads Katarina through the Wharf District and down to the docks, eventually coming to a tavern called 'Coral's Reef'. He stops by the entrance, then steps aside as the door flies open and a drunken bum is ejected. "Mind your step, plenty of pirates and the like in here. Hopefully someone at least moderately trustworthy as well."
[17:21] * Daroskt sets Chip down on the ground, "They probably won't let you in there Chip, so just sit there and wait. We shouldn't be too long."
[17:21] <Daroskt> Chip moinks and seats himself.
[17:22] * Katarina jumps at the bum and follows Daroskt closely, unsure of the surroundings.
[17:24] <Daroskt> The inside of the Coral's Reef tavern, in spite of the early time of day, is as rambuncious as most places are in the middle of the night. Lots of hooting and holering, drinking and cavorting, and the occasional scuffle.
[17:26] * Daroskt moves through the crowd, using his stature to nudge his way though and leave a small wake for Katarina to follow. He makes his way up to the counter and orders a couple drinks, then begins looking around for a potential enforcer.
[17:26] * Katarina follows in his wake, leaning against the counter as she inspects the crowd.
[17:27] * Valnar_Quartzheart was sitting in the corner of the tavern silently drinking on his own.
[17:27] <Valnar_Quartzheart> This dwarf was as fat as he was muscular, and with brains to match. He has a rounded face, with a long nose. His skin is that of an auburn color, which looks as though he had been out in the sun for a long time, a bit unusual for a dwarf of his kind. His red hair was down to his back and his beard to the middle of his chest. His eyes were green in color, he is only an inch above four feet.
[17:27] <Valnar_Quartzheart> He is well armed, wearing a dwarven waraxe, which he holds in his right hand, that looks as though it has seen many battles in it's days. He wore breastplate armor, which was imprinted by a symbol of somekind, looks like some sort of stone. His left hand hung free, as if he had lost something that he would usually carry in that hand very recently.
[17:29] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow at the dwarf. They weren't typically known to be seafarers, at least in his experience. He was armed and armoured though, and stood out a bit from the typical riff-raff of the tavern. He takes his mug and saunters over to the dwarf's table. "You look lost sailor," he says, his cowl still up.
[17:31] * Daroskt beckons for Katarina to join him.
[17:31] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the half-orc with disgust, "Ye talking to me ye ugly half-orc?"
[17:31] * Katarina follows sheepishly, looking at the dwarf's battle-worn gear.
[17:31] * Katarina frowns at the insult, disliking the dwarf for insulting her friends.
[17:32] * Daroskt frowns, pulling down his cowl so as to not hide what the dwarf apparently already smelled or noticed otherwise. "I am, although you're not making a good first impression."
[17:33] * Katarina nods in agreement.
[17:33] * Valnar_Quartzheart throwing his hands up in the air as he says this "BAH, I mean no disrespect, unless you have come over here to fight with me, My apologize."
[17:34] * Katarina rolls her eyes. "Y-you o-obviously meant d-disrespect... b-but, w-we're looking for a-an enforcer..."
[17:36] * Valnar_Quartzheart "hmph, take it as you wish." "But why me? Why not someone else in here?"
[17:36] * Katarina points to Daroskt, he was the one that led her over here...
[17:37] * Daroskt nods, "Indeed. You caught our eye. You don't look like the typical pirate or seafarer that comes into a dive like this. You struck me as someone drinking to forget or drown sorrows, not to be rowdy and enjoy yourself."
[17:38] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Aye, I am no pirate, however I take work where I can."
[17:38] * Daroskt nods, "Are you presently employed?"
[17:39] * Valnar_Quartzheart "I'm merely volunteering for the foamrunner."
[17:41] * Daroskt blinks. The Foamrunner that was... either a strange coincidence or a twist of fate. "Are you still on board the vessel?"
[17:41] * Valnar_Quartzheart "I can leave the vessel at any time if another better position arises."
[17:42] * Daroskt nods, "Not very loyal to your captain then hm? Any particular reason for that?"
[17:43] * Katarina listens attentively, having little to say.
[17:44] * Valnar_Quartzheart shrugs, "Me not loyal, BAH, dat damned captain don't know the difference between coin and loyalty."
[17:45] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow, "Oh?" Perhaps this was a chance for some insight into what exactly had come to cost their friend his life the day before.
[17:47] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Aye, some big soilder approached da captain and told him that he were to accept his coin, and da stupid captain went with them instead of his intended customer."
[17:49] * Daroskt frowns. "As it happens, the intended customer was our employer."
[17:49] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Then it seems that Torag smiles upon me this day."
[17:51] * Katarina sighs, irritated that simple greed ended Raam's life.
[17:51] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow, "Is that so? In what way?"
[17:51] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Well ye says you work for the man we were supposed to give the ale to yes?"
[17:52] * Daroskt nods, "Correct. We were in need of an additional lieutennant under his employ after our friend was killed by the man who bribed your captain."
[17:53] * Valnar_Quartzheart "hmmm, Well then maybe a dwarf would suit your likings?"
[17:54] * Daroskt nods, "It would, if you've any inclination to help balance out the injustice."
[17:55] * Valnar_Quartzheart "I always stay loyal to those who are in my trust."
[17:55] * Katarina smiles lightly, hoping the dwarf would keep to that.
[17:56] * Daroskt nods, "Alright then. We can offer you 25 gold pieces weekly and a cut of the ownership and associated profits of the Gold Goblin Gambling hall."
[17:57] * Valnar_Quartzheart smiling widely, he stands up and hugs the two. "It looks like we are to be together, by the hand or Torag I will stay loyal to you both." kneeling while giving his salute to his god.
[17:58] * Daroskt blinks. That was quick. Then again, dwarves tended to value loyalty and comaraderie. Considering his apparent devoutness, it seemed that fortune favoured them
[17:59] * Valnar_Quartzheart looking to the half-orc realizing that he had just pledged loyalty upon some race that he hated, realized that he would keep a very close eye on the orc until he could fully trust him.
[17:59] * Katarina blinks, surprised by the hug. "O-okay..."
[17:59] * Daroskt pats the dwarf on the shoulder. "As well, if you've no lodgings of your own," which he doubted, given his arrival the day before, "a room at the hall and meals are included."
[18:00] * Valnar_Quartzheart "What about drinks?"
[18:00] * Daroskt nods, "Falls under the food I think."
[18:01] * Valnar_Quartzheart gives the two another hug, except this time he hugs them as much as he can trying to lift them at the same time.
[18:03] * Katarina thinks this dwarf is odd, and attempts to struggle out of the hug.
[18:03] * Daroskt is entirely sure the hugs are going to make him regret their choice
[18:07] * Katarina whines. "D-d-down, p-please..."
[18:07] * Valnar_Quartzheart after about two minutes of hugging the two, Valnar puts them down.
[18:08] * Daroskt nods and brushes himself off. "Well then, come with us, and we'll show you the hall."
[18:08] * Valnar_Quartzheart eyes gleam at the thought of a dwarven hall. "A dwarven hall?"
[18:08] * Katarina hides behind Daroskt, fearing another vice-like hug.
[18:10] * Daroskt shakes his head, "A gambling hall, though if you fancy meeting other dwarves in town, I'd suggest paying the gas forges a visit." On the way back to the Gold Goblin, he gives Vlanar an explanation of the gist of their feud with Clegg Zincher, and apparently now Boss Croat as well, with the two of them trying to undermine Saul's business venture almost constantly.
[18:11] * Valnar_Quartzheart "hmm seems like this one might be a follower of Droskar."
[18:12] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow, "Are you a cleric perhaps? You seem to have a fair deal of knowledge about Golarion's pantheon."
[18:12] * Valnar_Quartzheart "What a dwarf not aloud to know his own gods?"
[18:13] * Valnar_Quartzheart "And no I'm no cleric, I'm a fighter, following my father's footsteps and hopefully one day will become as good a fighter as he was."
[18:13] * Daroskt shakes his head, "No, I was merely curious."
[18:14] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Bah, The reason I know so much about my gods, is cause of me ma." "Da lady was de best cleric that Ro-ooun had ever seen."
[18:15] * Daroskt nods, "Fair enough." He leads the group back to the Gold Goblin
[18:15] <Daroskt> Upon returning to the gambling hall, the party is greeted by Samaritha, who looks both excited and slightly nervous.
[18:15] * Katarina smiles as they arrive, looking about for Saul
[18:16] * Katarina waves to Samaritha.
[18:17] <Daroskt> Smaritha waves to the dwarf as well, then looks to Daroskt and Katarina, "I've got good news! An apprenticeship has finally opened up for me!"
[18:17] * Katarina smiles. "O-Oh? C-congratulations."
[18:18] <Daroskt> Samaritha nods, "So... yeah. I'm gonna have to make this my last day here. Sorry for the short notice, but I only just found out myself. Apparently after that wierd thing yesterday with the seagulls, a number of the Cyphermages were looking for additional help."
[18:19] * Daroskt smiles, "Congratulations Samaritha. I wish you luck in your profession. You will be missed here i am certain." He gestrues to the dwarf, "This is our new enforcer..." He looks to the dwarf, realizing he completely forgot to exchange names.
[18:20] * Katarina nods in understanding. "Th-thanks for w-working here... H-hopefully your apprenticeship g-goes well."
[18:22] <Daroskt> Smaritha offers a quick hug each to her former co-workers, "I hope so too. I finally have a chance to pursue my dream." She giggles excitedly.
[18:22] * Daroskt looks to the dwarf, "Since we neglected earlier, my name is Daroskt, humble servant of Gozreh."
[18:22] * Valnar_Quartzheart "I may not know ye lass, but good luck to ye."
[18:23] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Aye, Me names Valnar, Valnar Quarzheart." bows, "It's nice to be in the company of such fine people."
[18:23] <Katarina> "K-Katarina...N-nice to meet y-you."
[18:24] * Katarina braces herself, mentally reciting, 'No more hugs, no more hugs...'
[18:24] * Daroskt nods, then tilts his head at Valnar, "You claimed to be a warrior. What style of fighting do you employ?"
[18:24] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to kat, "Well if its a hug you want, look no further." attempts to grasp the girl into yet another big hug.
[18:25] * Katarina attempts to lurch out of the hug!
[18:26] * Katarina breaks the hug and moves back. "N-no... Th-thank you."
[18:26] * Daroskt just gives the dwarf a deadpan look. He was rather touchy-feely, and had not answered his question.
[18:26] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to Daroskt, after the Human girl who seemed like she wanted a hug backed off, "I fight with me axe and me shield, which I lost in a battle not too long ago."
[18:28] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow, "Is that so? Perhaps providence is on our side most truly." He retreats to his room for a moment, then comes back, offering Valnar the shield he had taken from Faje. "This shield I took as a trophy from the man who struck down our friend. Perhaps it is fate that you lost yours, and I just happened to have one to offer. Considering it a gift, in the hopes that our meeting was more than mere coincidence."
[18:30] * Valnar_Quartzheart "OO, I thank thee for the friendship and approval you have shown me." takes the shield from Daroskt.
[18:31] * Daroskt nods, "Might want to have it painted at some point though, the emblem of the Korvosan Guard is a tad conspicuous."
[18:32] * Valnar_Quartzheart "I shall have it painted with the sign of Torag."
[18:32] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Or maybe my family's emblem." points to his chest.
[18:33] * Daroskt nods, "Sounds good, based on the way you speak of your family."
[18:33] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the ground remebering he is the only one of his family left.
[18:34] <Daroskt> Saul seems very pleased with the addition of Valnar to the ranks of his capps, and although he is not exactly pleased to see Samaritha go, wishes her the best of luck as well.
[18:34] <Daroskt> -End Session-