[IC] Finn's Crossing

Post here whenever for in-town roleplay, casual conversations between characters, low-stakes character development, that sort of thing. This can be used during dungeon crawls as well, with the understanding that it's considered to have happened while the characters were in town. Think of this thread as an anthology of flashbacks.

You don't need to wait for the narrator to set the scene; if your character is doing something interesting, write about it!

You can post a new [IC] thread in the main forum as well if you'd rather untangle your character's town shenanigans from the rest. Just make it clear from the title that it's a town/flashback thread rather than the main quest.

The upper room was quiet. That much was normally to be expected since the town didn't use the meeting hall much aside from important events or festival days. The abnormal thing about today's quiet was the actual meeting currently underway.Arias the alderman squinted through the half-shuttered window which overlooked the village square. The well workers were busy placing the finishing touches on the town's newest structure. They'd struck water; that was about the only good news he'd heard this week. He turned, shrugging one shoulder, eyes drifting to the newly appointed wellwarden.

"I see the new well is almost finished."Gerun crossed his arms; he was a barrel of a man, but he carried the weight well. "It should be finished by the end of the week," he intoned. "But a single well doesn't solve our crop problem. We can't use it to irrigate the fields."

"You'd think the church could bless us with some rain or something." Magnus the grain steward paced nervously between the faded satin couch and the heavy oak map table. He wasn't quite sure why he'd been called to the meeting; he would normally be out dealing with the farmers or taking inventory of the grain houses. Not discussing public policy. "The farmers can't do much if the Earth and Sky don't give 'em something to work with."

"They're doing what they can," Arias responded, looking squarely at Magnus as he spoke. "In the meantime, since you've nothing much to do until the situation improves, I have an idea that might actually improve it. Temporarily, at least."Magnus quit pacing and leaned over the map table. "What else can we do? We've nothing to trade and little to barter."

"I want you to gather some of the more... idle... townsfolk and lead an expedition to open Kel-Berran's tomb. His scepter was supposedly laid to rest with him. I think we could trade it for enough to keep our economy going for a while. Feed us for a whole year, maybe."

The grain steward blinked. "I'm a merchant, Alderman. Not a grave robber. I don't fancy yer plan a bit."

Gerun growled, a low baritone expression of disdain aimed directly at the merchant from across the table. Magnus attempted to return his gaze, then swallowed hard and looked away.

"Aye, I don't like it much myself," said the alderman. "But I don't have a better one. We've sent a vanguard upriver to find out why it's stopped, if they can. I've also sent a messenger south to the cities to see if a weather-worker can be found. We need a backup in case those two plans fail. You're it, Magnus. If you don't want to get your hands dirty then find someone around town who's willing to do it. There's bound to be one or two out-of-work farmers or drifters out there feeling more down-on-their-luck than you are. Tell them the expedition can split half the proceeds. After expenses."

"I'll see what I can do," said Magnus. "But this had better be well worth the effort. We're stickin' our necks out on this one."

Arias peered back at him from under bushy gray eyebrows. "I hope it is, Magnus. For all our sakes."

---

The information Hastali gathered about the mysterious metal of the Sea Peoples led directly here to Finn's Crossing. And specifically, to Kel-Berran's tomb. There's certainly a risk in descending into the bowels of the earth. But his goal requires going there. And in any case, these tombs always contain precious objects and treasures. Even if he finds no traces of the metal, he'll still bring back some wealth. That's if he comes out alive, of course. Hastali knows full well that these descents into the depths of the earth are risky and sometimes deadly.
As for "desecrating" a tomb, Hastali isn't particularly worried. In the Ittish Empire, cremation was common, as was the use of home altars to venerate ancestors. In short, no tombs. Except for kings. So for him, entering a king's tomb is less sacrilegious than for the other people of Saleska.
After Efrand stops speaking, he also stands up and makes a speech, saying he's happy to help this city, given that he's been welcomed so warmly despite coming from a different culture. This isn't true, or almost nothing; in fact, he was greeted rather coldly. These people lack the hospitality of the southerners. It must be said, however, that at least they don't have the tradition of trying to eliminate foreigners on sight like some westerners.
Anyway, he tells them what they want to hear. Regardless of what he's told them, they'll eventually think he's doing it for the riches he can find. So much the better. It's best they don't care about his search for the ancient metal!

Hastali approaches Efrand. He knows it's important to know the people you're risking your life with. Even better would be to trust them.
He gladly accepts the beer he offers him. It's different from the one they make in his lands. Always spiced. But the spices are quite different.Then he strikes up a friendly conversation and begins to chat about this and that. But then he gets straight to the point of the exploration. And he lists for Efrand what he thinks might be useful to them.

"So you'd be some kind of doctor, Helga told me." "But a rather unusual doctor."

Then he gets straight to the point of the exploration. And he lists for Efrand what he thinks might be useful.
"Here are a few things we might find useful to bring down with us, obviously, cost permitting:
Torches and oil, rations and water, 2 or 3 empty sacks, a 3-meter pole (semi-cit.), rope and grappling hook, crowbar, chalk, metal mirror (for looking around corners), caltrops. What do you think?"