Two Paths Diverge: Toranoshi Alone - Chapter 8

[Vardaen]

The two men appear to lightly equiped, for speed and stealth no doubt. They each have small skull symbols, a design you've found more and more among the followers of Saurama. They also have fine looking bows, and a small quiver of arrows each. The arrows are clearly poisoned with some substance, which will require a bit of examination to identify. Total there are 20 arrows between the two, and the bows are masterwork lonogbows. They also bare chooras, but nothing else.

The Mystic considers how to leave a message for the others. "<Ancient> I have no means, mystical, to leave them a message. However you may find the similest forms sometimes are the most effective. A note delievered by a child would hardly bring much suspicion from our enemies."

[JohnnyWeird]

"<Ancient>A fair point. Let us find accomodations for the evening." Toranoshi slides down the wall to the street below, beckoning the Mystic to follow. While no student of the city, he noted an inn or too between them and the marketplace.

[Vardaen]

The two spend a short while looking for an Inn before they are forced to ask someone where one is. Heading back toward the wharf area Toranoshi locates several options placed down near the waterfront to traveling.

Three places seem to be...

The Cresting Wave, a mid sized place painted blue that seems to cater to sailors. It is two stories with obvious rooms on the second floor.

The Noisy Dog, a low building that smoke billows from two chimney stacks on either side. Loud music and the shouts of the patrons fills the air.

The last place has no sign or name on it, but it is a long rambling collection of buildings that straddle one of the canals that winds its way to the sea. Boats are parked all around, and under the building, various ladders lead up from the water ways into the belly of the buildings that are all linked and cobbled together.

[JohnnyWeird]

The Noisy Dog attracts Toranoshi's attention, which makes it a fair place to stop. In his line of work, it matters less that one is perfectly quiet than that one always be near someone louder.

Two rooms of a night will not be cheap in a city imbroiled in political crisis, but the rest will be worth it. Once arranged, the dhuka sets about scribing a note and paying some urchin to run it for him.

[Vardaen]

Toranoshi and the Mystic enter the Noisy Dog, the low building is home to all manner of rough looking types. Toranoshi, doesn't look the part at first, but he can be intimidating when he needs to be. After a few minutes of everyone sniffing him out, they turn away and go back to their tasks at hand, which is gambling, drinking, and of course the few professional ladies here. This place is far removed from the Kshatirya houses Toranoshi has been staying at lately. It is a touch of the House of the Red Lotus back at home. Then the thought crosses Toranoshi, home, home could be cinder and ash, and Visavi could be dead...his father could be dead. The Yuan-ti were only days from overrunning the city state of Bhalluka when the Harbingers fled the city out the river gate.

The Mystic of notices Toranoshi pause as he remember, "<Ancient> Something to eat, and a good nights rest is what I need."

[JohnnyWeird]

"<Ancient>Agreed." Toranoshi shakes away the memory; Shadow darkens all thoughts. He turns toward the barkeep. "What will a pair of rooms for the night set me back?"

[Vardaen]

Toranoshi and the Mystic stand at the bar, and the dhuka asks about a room. A man behind the counter serving drinks and various meat kabobs shouts over at Toranoshi when he hears the question, "Well we are nearly full up. I can manage one room for... 2 gold bits, or I might swing you two room, but it will cost you closer to 6 gold for it?" The man looks at Toranoshi sizing up the man, the look on his face shows he's hoping that his bluff won't be called.

Roll

Bluff 12 vs Sense Movitve 13 - Toranoshi wins

The guy is tryng to rip you off

[JohnnyWeird]

"6 bits? I am no dream, to obey wild fantasies, friend. 2 bits for two rooms, now that seems more reasonable." Not normally one to haggle, Toranoshi sees that this tone might better suit the man's temperament. He will pay four and a half, grudgingly accepting extra fees for meals, and know that the man has been satisfied in stiffing a customer. Such is the way of the Wheel, to level all things.

[Vardaen]

"Two? You insult me. Four, no less, or you can find another place to room." The innkepper is being shouted at from the other side of the room.

"Anka! What are you doing, get back to work!" The woman shouting at him is rail thin and rather unattractive. The Innkeeper looks at Toranoshi, "Well, pay up or get out."

[JohnnyWeird]

"Four, of course." Toranoshi accepts a better deal than he's anticipated, and pays the charge without rancor. A man married to such a woman has clearly already reaped his punishments.