Jan silently imagines a party led by Alora: there would be chocolate cake for everyone. He is weighing his options, looking closely at all the possible candidates, but leaving his thoughts to himself by now.
Alora is reassured by Jan's words but wishes she hadn't mentioned the chocolate cake. She wasn't really planning to share it (unless confronted by an angry bear).
Alora does, however agree that they should go and talk to the man. And she promptly proceeds to do that.
"Hello. My name's Alora (and I am the leader of this party of adventurers, she adds in a whisper). What are you doing here? Do you know why it is so cold? Can we go into the castle? Is it warmer in there do you think? Do you want to come with us? You look ever so cold standing out here on your own.
Bluntly, and coldly, Jaheira stated, "I don't like the way this group is turning out. Better leadership might help." She suspected that Khalid would have absolutely no problem with their diminutive would-be leader, but that was because he was generally averse to conflict. Unless, of course, he was using his sword; some might think him a poor warrior, but that was before they saw the wonders he could achieve with a blade of fine steel in one hand, and a shield in the other.
The man is about to ignore Alora with a sneer, when he notices Jaheira and Aerie. His frosty manner warms considerably as his eyes light on both woman. "I be needing but a single gold piece as toll for crossing yon bridge," he says, making a slight sucking noise. It becomes apparent that he is sucking away drool, especially as he stares at Aerie.
Then, he looks at the sky. "Storm's a-comin'." he says matter-of-factly. "You want in?"
Jaheira folded her arms and glared at Alora, mostly because anybody unable to get past such a lecherous lout had no business leading an intrepid group of adventurers, no matter how incapable some of that troupe might be. She had little patience for fools, and did her best not to suffer them any more than she absolutely had to. As for Aerie, Jaheira figured similarly: if she couldn't get past the lustful and longing glances of the unsuitable, then the girl had no business in the hard world.
After a pause, she declared, "Storms are the least of your concerns with nature if you deny us passage." Such as the natural crack to the head that her quarterstaff might provide - this was the strong implication of her words, and she was fairly certain he knew just what she meant.
The man shrugged. "You want to freeze to death out here, that's your business," he said. "You attack me and you'll never get in alive. 1 gold. Pay up or go home."
OOC: Is this guy clearly an official of any sort? My take was that he was a bit of a bum. Anyway, I was sort of going for an intimidate/bluff check, leveraging that 15 CHA, but wasn't ready to go to combat arms
@Reedmilfam With all those clothes covering him, it's impossible to tell. His attitude seems official, though. He seems like he expects backup if you try to bypass him. Fromt his close, you do see man-sized shadowy forms atop the wall (shadowy because it is snowing hard, not ACTUAL undead shadows).
@minevese The man transfers his "attention" to Jaheira, though he still sneaks a few peeks at the Avariel.
Aerie was used to being stared at, especially in the circus. Her fellow performers were some of the least modest people she'd ever known, often times stripping down in front of others between shows because there was simply no time to seek any privacy.
That does not mean she'd ever come to like it.
Instantly recognizing the guard's lecherous eyes eating away at her, a faint blush began to spread across her face. She sought shelter partially-behind Minsc--grateful for his intervention--but she knew far too well that simply hiding away wouldn't grant them entry to the castle.
"L-Let's just give him the coin," Aerie whispered, stuttering in the cold. "It's not much, and the longer we stay here, the more trouble could start brewing inside."
"What concern have we for troubles brewing inside that hideous blight on nature? I would tear it away, had I the power." One day, perhaps, Silvanus would grant Jaheira such might, but not this day. However, on the off-chance that the troubles within were related to those haunting the natural world, Jaheira relented and cast a gold coin in his direction. "This is all that you will ever receive from me, Bridge Keeper," she hissed, meaning every word. "Now let us pass." Otherwise, she might have to sic the Rashemenite on him, probably by pointing out the risk he posed to Minsc's 'weetch'.
Alora, who couldn't really follow what just happened, and who was oblivious to the lecherous looks the guard was giving to Aerie and Jaheira, is pleased that her leadership is working out so well.
"Come on everyone," she says "Follow me. I've got us into the castle!"
She hurries off to the bridge, expecting everyone to follow her.
Alora realises she has overlooked something important. She goes back to speak to the guard.
"Does the entry fee to look round the castle include refreshments? And do we get a map? Oh, and is there a gift shop? And what happens if we want to come out and go back in later? Do we get a stamp on the back of our hands to show we've already paid?"
"It's not that sort of stamp," says Alora a little impatiently. She has started to think that Jan might not be very bright. so she explains slowly. "It's so they know we've already paid and we don't end up paying twice. And it doesn't hurt. It's just like ink or something."
She turns back to the guard because another important question has occurred to her. "Where are the toilets located? Are they on all levels? I went before I came out but some of the others might not have," she says looking suspiciously at Jan.
Then another thought occurs to Alora. When Jaheira turns into a bear does she still use the toilet indoors or does she go in the woods?
The man continues to completely ignore Alora, though once he gets his gold piece, he nods to someone above him (one of the men on the battlements? It's hard to tell. Again, snow.)
Those making it across the bridge find themselves in a snug little courtyard. Near the walls, you are protected from the worst the wind and snow can throw at you. Ahead of you are the three structures built inside the walls, two towers and a half-moon shaped building, with the rounded side closest to you, on which many windows can be seen, but no doors. You can see that both towers are five stories tall from here. Strange that it didn't seem to be visible before (one looked smaller?)
When you walk further into the castle, the snow beats down again, but the force of the wind is muted by the walls around you. Around the far side of the half-moon building, you see two large wooden doors into the structure. A snow-spattered sign labels this building the "Citadel Union".
Alora is peeved at being ignored and thinks the man should really consider whether he has the right attitude for someone working in the hospitality industry. However, she decides not to say anything for fear of losing face in front of the rest of her group. She runs to catch them up.
"Wait for me. I was discussing some important leader stuff with the man. Don't worry. I have sorted everything out"
Once she has caught up with everyone else in the courtyard she points at the big wooden doors and announces: "I've found the way in. It is over here. We should probably knock to see if anyone is home."
Only now, when she was somewhat sheltered from the elements, did Jaheira actually shiver. From the torn ground, to the hideous eyesores of the rough stone buildings, she was disgusted. They had cut, cleared and leveled all semblance of the natural world from every feature of this accursed place, and (this was the worst part) were probably proud of the accomplishment. "I have no patience for fortresses. Our stay had best be a short one," she told Alora, for it was important that their self-imposed dictator realize how things went. For that matter, it was good that the other underlings (herself and Khalid excepted, of course, also realize this.
Alora can't understand why Jaheira is so grumpy. They are having an adventure and adventures are supposed to be fun.
Alora looks at Jaheira and wonders whether what she really needs is a tickle? Maybe that would turn her frown upside down? Yes. That's probably the answer, someone needs a tickle!
The door to the building opens, but no one appears to have opened it. A ghost of warmth issues forth from the open doors. It's certainly warmer inside than out here in the courtyard. You hear the sounds of people moving and talking within.
It took Jaheira a moment or two to figure out what the Halfling was attempting. Tickling through studded leather armor was hardly effective, and she wouldn't have reacted even if it were. Unless Khalid was doing the tickling, but that side of her was not coming into the open - not now, or ever. "You are amusing in a 'what the hell is wrong with you' kind of way," she admitted, but left it at that.
Alora is a bit non-plussed by Jaheira's reaction. Surely everyone likes a tickle? Maybe druids aren't ticklish? Maybe she should try again when Jaheira is a bear?
She is musing on this when it suddenly hits her that since she is the leader everyone is probably waiting for her to tell them what they should do next.
"I think we should go in out of the cold," she announces. And then she proceeds to do just that.
The large half-moon shaped building is filled with shops. Just from here at the entrance, you see a shop labeled "The Bazaar", the "Memory Moss Tavern" that looks like an ongoing bar brawl (but a happy one, Everyone seems pleased as "Punch!" to be beating up everyone else), a door labeled "Guard Barracks", another labeled simply "The Club", An herbalist's shop, and a storefront with the symbol of every God and Goddess you have heard of (and more you haven't) all cheek by jowl with each other.
Most of the noise seems to be coming from the tavern area, which sounds pretty happy and joyful, for the sort of scrum you see happening inside. One that stands out in particular is a group of five men singing a lewd ditty while smacking each other in the face with beer steins, hard. Every so often, they swig from the steins as opposed to swinging them. Minsc senses he could have great fun here.
The Herbalist's shop resembles a little indoor forest, lush with green, growing things and the smell of flowers and herbs. The windows in this shop are particularly large, letting in plenty of light, but are also lit by continual light globes that shine with that peculiar intensity of sunlight. Jaheira feels like she would love to go in there, like a little forest in the middle of a wasteland of stone. Khalid also feels a bit at home here as well, but less so than Jaheira.
The Club is full of men practicing with swords in rows. Anomen feels that this group reminds him of the Order of the Sacred Heart, in its own way. Arkanis, too, feels like he could easily join this group… if they would have him, considering all of the men appear to be human.
Aerie is attracted to the door with all the symbols of the Gods, but also a bit turned off to see the symbols of Gods she knows to be evil along with those of the good and neutral gods.
The Bazaar attracts Alora, who can see lots of items on its shelves, and Jan, who finds himself wanting to peek into all its dusty corners and investigate.
There is also a broad staircase leading to an apparent lower level which quickly becomes lost in shadows.
Comments
"Can I be leader of the party? Please! Please. Please let me. Can I be leader? Can I?
Alora does, however agree that they should go and talk to the man. And she promptly proceeds to do that.
"Hello. My name's Alora (and I am the leader of this party of adventurers, she adds in a whisper). What are you doing here? Do you know why it is so cold? Can we go into the castle? Is it warmer in there do you think? Do you want to come with us? You look ever so cold standing out here on your own.
It is lonely at the top.
Then, he looks at the sky. "Storm's a-comin'." he says matter-of-factly. "You want in?"
After a pause, she declared, "Storms are the least of your concerns with nature if you deny us passage." Such as the natural crack to the head that her quarterstaff might provide - this was the strong implication of her words, and she was fairly certain he knew just what she meant.
@minevese The man transfers his "attention" to Jaheira, though he still sneaks a few peeks at the Avariel.
That does not mean she'd ever come to like it.
Instantly recognizing the guard's lecherous eyes eating away at her, a faint blush began to spread across her face. She sought shelter partially-behind Minsc--grateful for his intervention--but she knew far too well that simply hiding away wouldn't grant them entry to the castle.
"L-Let's just give him the coin," Aerie whispered, stuttering in the cold. "It's not much, and the longer we stay here, the more trouble could start brewing inside."
"Come on everyone," she says "Follow me. I've got us into the castle!"
She hurries off to the bridge, expecting everyone to follow her.
"Does the entry fee to look round the castle include refreshments? And do we get a map? Oh, and is there a gift shop? And what happens if we want to come out and go back in later? Do we get a stamp on the back of our hands to show we've already paid?"
She turns back to the guard because another important question has occurred to her. "Where are the toilets located? Are they on all levels? I went before I came out but some of the others might not have," she says looking suspiciously at Jan.
Then another thought occurs to Alora. When Jaheira turns into a bear does she still use the toilet indoors or does she go in the woods?
Alora starts to giggle for no apparent reason.
Those making it across the bridge find themselves in a snug little courtyard. Near the walls, you are protected from the worst the wind and snow can throw at you. Ahead of you are the three structures built inside the walls, two towers and a half-moon shaped building, with the rounded side closest to you, on which many windows can be seen, but no doors. You can see that both towers are five stories tall from here. Strange that it didn't seem to be visible before (one looked smaller?)
When you walk further into the castle, the snow beats down again, but the force of the wind is muted by the walls around you. Around the far side of the half-moon building, you see two large wooden doors into the structure. A snow-spattered sign labels this building the "Citadel Union".
"Wait for me. I was discussing some important leader stuff with the man. Don't worry. I have sorted everything out"
Once she has caught up with everyone else in the courtyard she points at the big wooden doors and announces: "I've found the way in. It is over here. We should probably knock to see if anyone is home."
Alora knocks on the door.
Alora looks at Jaheira and wonders whether what she really needs is a tickle? Maybe that would turn her frown upside down? Yes. That's probably the answer, someone needs a tickle!
Alora tickles Jaheira.
Tickle, tickle, tickle!
She is musing on this when it suddenly hits her that since she is the leader everyone is probably waiting for her to tell them what they should do next.
"I think we should go in out of the cold," she announces. And then she proceeds to do just that.
Jan is unable to resist the appealing warm atmosphere of the building and takes careful look inside.
"We've paid, so they have to let us in or give us our money back," she announces loudly as she goes into the warmth.
Most of the noise seems to be coming from the tavern area, which sounds pretty happy and joyful, for the sort of scrum you see happening inside. One that stands out in particular is a group of five men singing a lewd ditty while smacking each other in the face with beer steins, hard. Every so often, they swig from the steins as opposed to swinging them. Minsc senses he could have great fun here.
The Herbalist's shop resembles a little indoor forest, lush with green, growing things and the smell of flowers and herbs. The windows in this shop are particularly large, letting in plenty of light, but are also lit by continual light globes that shine with that peculiar intensity of sunlight. Jaheira feels like she would love to go in there, like a little forest in the middle of a wasteland of stone. Khalid also feels a bit at home here as well, but less so than Jaheira.
The Club is full of men practicing with swords in rows. Anomen feels that this group reminds him of the Order of the Sacred Heart, in its own way. Arkanis, too, feels like he could easily join this group… if they would have him, considering all of the men appear to be human.
Aerie is attracted to the door with all the symbols of the Gods, but also a bit turned off to see the symbols of Gods she knows to be evil along with those of the good and neutral gods.
The Bazaar attracts Alora, who can see lots of items on its shelves, and Jan, who finds himself wanting to peek into all its dusty corners and investigate.
There is also a broad staircase leading to an apparent lower level which quickly becomes lost in shadows.