Day 09 (S7)

Rina - Day 4 Leaving Boggy Roger, Going to and leaving Duskford

Once the sun rose, so did Kin and the rest of the Sprite's Lights.
"Well I am off to another adventure!" said Boggy Roger, "Thanks, friends! Feel free to keep most of the meat, I can't take it where I'm going. I hope to see you again soon!"
Roger then walked straight toward the river, and disappeared under the water.
Rina smiled, "I like that guy. I hope we see him again."
"Me too" said Alice.
Kin just gave them a glaring look and began walking "We need to get to the next town" he said, "Let's go."

It was only a couple of hours before they reached a sign in the road with two sides. The side they could see said, "Welcome to Pennislovica, continue southwest to Duskford." The other side said "Now entering Asmery." This was the border, they had officially made it into Pennislovica.

Duskford was a relatively large river town that centered around a large, ornate bridge over the river Isely. The whole town was paved with stone, and there was a hand-dug ditch that emptied all waste water into the river to the south of town.
The east side of the town was mostly homes with a few small shops, and the tavern on this side of town was a bit more run-down. There was also a large, black, cube-shaped building with no label - only a sign with red lips that had two fangs.
The west side of town had docks and larger shops, along with the nicer homes. There were nicer taverns and inns there, as well.
The party entered the east side of town, curious about the large black building, but did not linger for long. As they walked over the bridge, trade ships and smaller boats sailed below them. One boat was full of tall, thin, pale people - all with large goggle-like, dark glasses and large, floppy hats. They had their whole bodies covered from head to toe.
"Why do you cover yourself so heavily?" Kin yelled to one of them.
The man smiled and pointed upward, directly at the sun.
Upon looking around the town, most of these people were of the same body type. Those who did not wear goggles had eyes that were completely black - they seemed to be entirely pupil with very little iris. They were all taller than average, and most of them were also very pale and thin. They all had jet black hair, and the men who had beards had jet black beards.
"I've been a lot of places," said Rina, "but I have never seen people like this."
"These are the Druce" said Aurelius, "they're not human exactly... they're a whole other species of people."
"Where do they come from?" asked Alice.
"Rumor has it that they came from underground over a 1000 Years ago" Aurelius answered.
"From underground?" asked Rina, "That explains why they're all so pale I guess. Maybe the sun hurts them."
"Remember why we're here," said Kin, "we are looking for the Fearsome 5."
"Let's ask some business owners," suggested Rina, "if an Adventuring Party came through here, it's likely they'd go to a shop or a tavern. Plus," she added, "I'd like to sell the remainder of this deer meat that Roger left for us."

"Let's split up to cover more ground" suggested Alice.

Kin and Rina first went into a shop on the west side of town. An elderly Druse man was behind the counter. "Good morning!" he greeted them in a friendly voice, "What can I do for you today?"
"We are looking for some friends of friends" Kin said, "Have you seen an adventuring party come through here about a week ago?"
The man thought for a moment, "Hmm... no, I can't say I have. We mostly only get locals in here. You're the first adventuring party who I've seen in quite a while!"
"We would like to also sell some of this deer meat, since we can't carry it around. It was just killed last night - so it's pretty fresh."
"This is quality meat," he said, "I could give 7 silver for it."
"Deal," said Rina. "Would you by chance be able to recommend a place to do research on this country?"
"There's a large library and school in Castle Frey" he answered, "There's a ShapeSmithing school there, too."
Kin came up with a fishing rod and some tackle, "I'd like to buy these, please" he said. "And I would like one of those floppy hats - I like to fit in when I go somewhere, and everyone seems to have one."
"We don't just sell those hats, young man" he said, "those hats are an important part of our culture."
Immediately Rina's ears perked up, "I'd love to hear about your culture! Please tell us about the hats!"
The old man starts his story, "When a mother Druse finds out she's to have a child, she makes the base of the hat herself. Of course she has to make it larger than would fit on a baby at first, but the child will grow into it. Every year on the child's birthday, another row of the hat is added. Many women like to put ornate designs on them. Trees or mushrooms are very common, but some will have birds or other animals."
He then put up one finger for a moment and walked back into the back room of the shop behind the counter. He comes back out with a very large, very old, floppy hat. "This was the one my mother made for me" he said, "She's long gone now, and I'm not much longer for this world myself. I'd be honored if you wore it - curious human" he said to Kin.
"Oh, I couldn't. I just wanted to blend in." Kin answered.
"Please," the old man pressed again, "it warms my heart to see an outsider desire to be a part of our culture. It should be warn, I'd like the world to continue to see it."
Kin gently took the hat, which was very sturdy despite its old age. It had the design of a tree trunk in the middle, with roots of the tree spreading out in one direction, and the leaves spreading in the opposite direction.
"Thank you very much, sir" Kin said, "I'll wear it with pride."
Kin and Rina then left the shop to find Alice and Aurelius again.

Alice and Aurelius had been looking for other people to ask about the Fearsome 5.
They saw a Druce woman working at the docks. She had goggles and a hat, but no other coverings. She was a bit more tan than most of the other Druce, and more muscular. She was directing the boats coming in and out of the docks.
"Hey could you help us?" Alice asked her, "We're looking for someone and wondered if you've seen them."
The woman paused doing her job for a moment to talk to them, "I see a lot of people around here" she said, "can't guarantee I remember anyone specific."
"We're looking for an adventuring party called the Fearsome 5" Aurelius said, "They've gone missing somewhere south of here and we are trying to find them."
The woman thought for a moment, "There was an odd looking party who came through here about a week ago" she said, "they took a boat to Castle Frey, but before that they visited that building" she pointed at the black cube building across the river.
"Now, if you don't mind, I need to get back to work. Unless you want to get on a boat, that's all I can help with."
"Thank you" started Alice, "We may want to take a boat later today - do you know of one going south who could take 4 people and their horses?"
"Look for captain Bradley" she answered, "he's usually in the Shady tavern across the river when he's not on his boat. His ship should be leaving here in 3 hours."
"Thanks for the info" said Aurelius.
The two of them quicky met up with Rina and Kin and everyone exchanged information.
"We should go to the other side of the river again, then" said Kin, "Seems everything we need is over there."

They decide to go into the cube-shaped building first. Upon entering, they see nothing but a long, dark hallway with a black desk at the end. There was a man sitting at the desk who was Druce, as well.
Rina looked back at the door, on which was the same logo as the front of the door, but there was also a name - the Vampiress' Bite.
They continue down the hall to the desk, "Do you have an appointment?" asked the man sitting there. He was in a very nice, black suit, and had a large appointment book in front of him.
"No we don't," said Rina, "should we?"
"That depends on what you want" he answered, "if you want a room, you should have an appointment."
"What is this place?" asked Kin.
The man chuckled, "This is the pleasure house of Duskford - The Vampress' Bite."
"I mean..." Rina started, "could get a room."
Kin dragged her by the arm back down the hallway, "We are not doing that!" he said.
"You don't have to" she said, "but if we did, maybe we could get more information."
"Yeah I'm sure information is why you want a room" Aurelius scoffed.
"What does that mean?" Rina asked angrily.
"Well, you seem to have no trouble having strange men in your bed, like that pale guy in Vorovni."
"How dare you?" she replied.
"Let's just get information" Kin interjected, "the two of you can squabble some other time."
Alice walked back up to the counter, "We just need to know if an adventuring party came through town" she said, "they're friends and they've gone missing."
"What were their names?" he asked.
"Uhhh... we don't exactly know." Alice responded.
"They're your friends but you don't know their names?" he replied.
"They're friends of friends" Alice said again.
The man paused, looking suspiciously at the party - three of which were still arguing at the entrance way.
"Listen," he started, "all names here are confidential. If you don't even know the names of the people you're looking for, I really can't help you."
"Don't you have a list of names in the appointment book?" asked Kin.
The man side glanced at the book, "Of course, but unless you can convince me that these are actually friends of yours, or give me literally any more information - I cannot help you."
"They would have been in here about a week ago" Aurelius added.
"We know they're from Basta'Thrope'" said Rina, "at least some of them are likely Therianthropes."
They could tell that this information brought up a memory.
"You've seen them, haven't you?" said Alice.
Kin then brought out 5 gold and put it on the desk, "What can you tell us now?"
The man smiled and grabbed the gold, "I can tell you that a large Therianthrope man came in here 8 days ago" he started, "He had Lion's feet, a pair of wings, and a scorpion tail. He said he was with a group, but he's the only one I saw. That's all I'll say."
"Thank you" responded Kin, "Now let's get out of here."
The rest of the party followed him, except Rina, "So, tell me about your services..."
"No, come on" Kin said as he and Aurelius the pulled her out of the building with them.

The party then went to the Shady Bar, which was incredibly shady - not just that it was dark, but it was also a bit more run-down.
"Is there anyone in here named Bradley?" Rina shouted as they walked in.
Everyone stopped and stared at her, then pointed to a man who was drunk at one of the tables.
"A shot for everyone on me" Rina said, and everyone cheered.
"What do you want with me?" asked Bradley, who was a normal human man.
"We want on your boat" said Kin, "What would it cost to get us to Castle Frey, plus our horses."
"One gold for each horse, and three gold for the four of you."
"Done" said Kin as he handed over the gold, "When do you leave?"
"We leave in 2 hours now" he said, "Once I finish this drink and get a short nap."
Rina and Alice got a table and a drink. Next to them were two farmers loudly complaining.
"Looks like I'll have to cook for myself for another few weeks" one of them said, "she's only about half way done in Castle Frey!"
"I remember when my wife had to go" the other man said, "it was rough that she was gone for so long."
"What's happening with your wife?" Rina asked.
"Oh, she's been chosen to pay the Blood Tax" the man said.
"What the hell is the blood tax?" asked Alice.
"You mean you don't know?" asked the 2nd man, "The Vampire lords of Castle Frey have to live somehow" he continued, "so once a month they randomly choose a few citizens to donate their blood."
"What do you mean they donate?" Rina asked, "Do they put it in jars or something?"
"They must get the blood straight from the source" the first man said, "so the tax payers live in the castle for a month to be fed on."
"That's terrifying" said Alice.
"Ehh it's not so bad," said the 2nd man, "it's been a tradition since far before the founding of Pennislovica."
"Do they ever kill people that way?" Alice asked.
"Oh no!" he said, "King Sullivan Frey would never allow anything like that. He and the other Dhampir very much cares for his citizens. That's why the blood tax exists at all."
"Dhampir?" started Alice, "Is that the name for the Vampire Lords?"
"Yeah, but only the vampires of Pennislovica," the first man replied, "Those in Drusk call themselves the Upers. They have... very different traditions."
After they finished with their drinks and conversations, they leave the bar and decide to all talk to their horses with Beastspeach and speak with animals to help prepare them for a boat ride.
"Stormbreaker," Kin started, "How do you feel about riding on water?"
"I am the king of the horses!" Stormbreaker responded, "I fear nothing that comes my way!"
"Are you ready for a boat ride, Cinnamon?" asked Rina.
"If you are with me, I'll be fine" Cinnamon said to her.
"How about you... horse?" asked Aurelius. Rina had to get the answer for him.
"'I am a horse' he said" informed Rina.
"He had to have said more than that" said Aurelius.
"I swear, Aurelius, you got the most mid horse in existence. Literally I've just nicknamed him mid horse."
The horse responded to her, "I kinda don't like that. Just call me horse."
"He wants to just be called horse" she said.
Aurelius just sighed.
"My hinny just isn't answering" said Alice.
"At least he has a name" Rina said, "Aurelius' horse just wants to be called Horse."
"Yeah, I wish he liked his name. Winny is just cute."
Alice's hinny stared into the void, no thoughts seemed to be behind his eyes.

By the time they were all done talking to the horses, Bradley was boarding the boat.
As the horses boarded, Stormbreaker jumped on the boat on his own and got into place.
Cinnamon just followed him but waited to Rina to go with her before she started.
MidHorse got lost on the way there, Aurelius had to guide him.
Winny the hinny freaked out and kicked and flailed, almost kicking a hole in the boat. Alice plopped down hay in front of him, and he seemed to completely forget about being on a boat and just began eating.
"At least I know something will distract you" Alice said to Winny.

They all got one room to share, but there were only three cots.
"I'll sleep on the floor" said Kin.
"Kin, why don't you just wake up early and I'll just take my 4 hour trance when you get up."
"No, I want the floor and you all need to get good rest. I'll be fine" Kin responded, so we all agreed.
Before sleep, Kin stood on the deck of the boat, staring at the sunset.
Rina approached him, "Hey, Kin - what are you up to?"
"Just watching the sun" he said.
Rina paused and looked at the sun, too. "I love the yellows" she said, "What do you love most about the sunset?"
"I feel more connected to Oara" he said, "she's the goddess of nature, who I worship and follow. She provides me my magic."
"Kind of like how my Patron provides mine?" she asked.
"No!" Kin said sternly, "Clerics are nothing like Warlocks."
Rina paused again. "You know, Kin," she started after a few moments, "we have more in common than you think."
"Why are you up here talking to me?" Kin asked, seemingly annoyed.
"Because I'm your friend" she said.
Kin got deep in thought before whispering, "...friend?" to himself. "I don't really have friends," he said to her.
"Well, now you do" she responded, "get used to it." She smiled at him, then turned and went down to their room for the evening.