In the barn across from the taphouse, a tall, imposing looking elf was busy checking in on the many wagons and beasts of burden who'd been rounded up to stay the night. Cage upon cage of beasts were kept, some with heavy blankets over top of their housing, others only lightly staked in place. This was obviously a creature who knew their business. goats and chickens rubbed shoulders with owls and even lions under their watch.
A few children--much like the elf, but some sporting gills, others sporting horns--scampered about at the elf's behest, feeding animals by rounds of herbivores and carnivores, others coming in from taking creatures out for a walk. The entire little caravan smelled terrible, but then it didn't look as though the creatures were lingering in their own filth. Even a quick examination showed that these beasts were well cared for, as much as one could get on the road. Perhaps they might do better with a singular owner, though?
A few children--much like the elf, but some sporting gills, others sporting horns--scampered about at the elf's behest, feeding animals by rounds of herbivores and carnivores, others coming in from taking creatures out for a walk. The entire little caravan smelled terrible, but then it didn't look as though the creatures were lingering in their own filth. Even a quick examination showed that these beasts were well cared for, as much as one could get on the road. Perhaps they might do better with a singular owner, though?
Exciting! An animal saleself, and with little time to spare. Of course... she'd need to lead her horse back to her pilfered cart, but this was no skin off the Tabaxi's back. She decides to approach with a different additude, lowering her ears, dipping her head down and taking a sad little look. She lowers her voice as she approaches
"This one greets you... elf. She is Silver Maw, medicine cat of a tribe of her kin. And... she asks for your help. A group of bandits cut her donkey loose from her cart, and stole everything except her clothing, some of her medicine and.. her life. She is thankful to the gods for sparing her, but... with no way of retrieving her cart quickly, she fears it too may be taken away... would you help her? This Tabaxi is... quick generous to those who help her... she could even be of some... kin or skinship to the elf, should he feel the need for such a thing..." she mumbles, looking up at him with lightly dialated eyes.
"This one greets you... elf. She is Silver Maw, medicine cat of a tribe of her kin. And... she asks for your help. A group of bandits cut her donkey loose from her cart, and stole everything except her clothing, some of her medicine and.. her life. She is thankful to the gods for sparing her, but... with no way of retrieving her cart quickly, she fears it too may be taken away... would you help her? This Tabaxi is... quick generous to those who help her... she could even be of some... kin or skinship to the elf, should he feel the need for such a thing..." she mumbles, looking up at him with lightly dialated eyes.
((Whoops, wrong account before there!))
The leader of this motley caravan turned to look at her, and Silver Maw could see immediately that something was... off... about them. Like many elves, this merchant had such refined features as to make it difficult to tell whether they were male or female, however they sported what could only be called scales across their cheeks and brow. "How unfortunate," they said, voice melodic, but with an unusual rasp at the back of the throat. "I ssshould love to help, yet asss you can sssee, my handsss are rather tied at the moment. I have noticed sssome othersss gathered here; perhapsss you could asssk one of them? Or Azssseriusss," their voice, sibilant in a strange way, drew out the name to a near hiss. "He isss a fine proprietor. Heartssstringsss down to hisss hoovesss. Lassst I sssaw him, he wasss rooting in the dirt near his essstablishment."
The leader of this motley caravan turned to look at her, and Silver Maw could see immediately that something was... off... about them. Like many elves, this merchant had such refined features as to make it difficult to tell whether they were male or female, however they sported what could only be called scales across their cheeks and brow. "How unfortunate," they said, voice melodic, but with an unusual rasp at the back of the throat. "I ssshould love to help, yet asss you can sssee, my handsss are rather tied at the moment. I have noticed sssome othersss gathered here; perhapsss you could asssk one of them? Or Azssseriusss," their voice, sibilant in a strange way, drew out the name to a near hiss. "He isss a fine proprietor. Heartssstringsss down to hisss hoovesss. Lassst I sssaw him, he wasss rooting in the dirt near his essstablishment."
Silver looked around at the gaggle of Cubs roaming about, frowning lightly, not expecting such a problem. But, not one she couldn't handle
"You're tied up in this? Silver Maw is quite good with young Cubs. We could take them along, and let them ride in my cart, and take it around. This one could let them take her reigns" she offers. A chance for a father and children to bond might be enough to convince him
"Of course... if you simply lend her an aninal, you know her face, should she steal it, Tabaxi's face would be all over. That is not worth a donkey, she can assure..."
"You're tied up in this? Silver Maw is quite good with young Cubs. We could take them along, and let them ride in my cart, and take it around. This one could let them take her reigns" she offers. A chance for a father and children to bond might be enough to convince him
"Of course... if you simply lend her an aninal, you know her face, should she steal it, Tabaxi's face would be all over. That is not worth a donkey, she can assure..."
The elf quavered for a moment, and then cocked their head, giving her a thorough look. Unlike others, their pupils were slit, not unlike Silver Maw's. "My donkeysss sssell for eight gold piecesss. They are of excssellent ssstock, broken to the ussse of pulling a wagon through a mixssture of unique training unlike any other. They are not loanersss." But their expression softened minutely. "Have you no coin? Are you ssso dessstitute that you mussst chivvy for favoursss? If ssso, tell me what you know about the care of sssuch a beassst. I will not sssell to one who might misss-ussse them."
Eight coins....? That was it? She widens her eyes a bit more
"Had this one knew your prices were so fair, she would have offered to buy instead of borrow. But this impresses the Tabaxi greatly." she says, half admiring the snake-elf halfling... thing, to make it feel as if it did something good for her. PErhaps he'd lower the price further, but 8 gold pieces of a donkey was not at all a problem.
She retrieves her pouch, and counts out the eight pieces in a paw, before zipping the pouch back up, and holding her paw out
"Of course... the Tabaxi would be more than happy to... perhaps assist the elf in the procurement of something grand? Not her gratitiude, but she is keen to the senses, and willing to-" she gags as she takes a whiff of the barn smell too deep "-find out if any of your animals might be at risk of illnesses or have been close to... predators. I am not... saying you aren't watchful, but it is always a risk" She hums. She smiles a little... this elf would be spared the medicine, he was kind enough, and didn't see the need to swindle a man caring for the cubs
"Had this one knew your prices were so fair, she would have offered to buy instead of borrow. But this impresses the Tabaxi greatly." she says, half admiring the snake-elf halfling... thing, to make it feel as if it did something good for her. PErhaps he'd lower the price further, but 8 gold pieces of a donkey was not at all a problem.
She retrieves her pouch, and counts out the eight pieces in a paw, before zipping the pouch back up, and holding her paw out
"Of course... the Tabaxi would be more than happy to... perhaps assist the elf in the procurement of something grand? Not her gratitiude, but she is keen to the senses, and willing to-" she gags as she takes a whiff of the barn smell too deep "-find out if any of your animals might be at risk of illnesses or have been close to... predators. I am not... saying you aren't watchful, but it is always a risk" She hums. She smiles a little... this elf would be spared the medicine, he was kind enough, and didn't see the need to swindle a man caring for the cubs
"Trussst me," the merchant said, deftly taking her coins and pocketing them within the folds of their loose tunic. "They ssspeak to me when they have need of anything. Thisss isss why I do what I do; I have the knack."
They gestured for Silver Maw to follow them, and led her to a stable of relatively benign looking creature: horses, donkeys and cows, mostly, with a trio of huge draft horses that whuffled amongst one another. "Thisss isss Comprend, and ssshe is fierce to thossse who would do her massster ill. I think ssshe might be a good match for you." As they spoke, the merchant began to untie a mule with deep black fur and a grizzled muzzle and eyes. Despite the grey, it looked spry... like perhaps though it had been bred for work, it had some racer lineage in its blood. "Comprend, thisss isss..." and the merchant looked to the tabaxi, expecting a name. "Ssshe hasss proven ssstrong willed, and you will need to lisssten and be aware that ssshe hasss sssuffered injussstice recently. Be patient." Strangely, it appeared that the merchant was not talking to Silver Maw just now, but to the mule!
They gestured for Silver Maw to follow them, and led her to a stable of relatively benign looking creature: horses, donkeys and cows, mostly, with a trio of huge draft horses that whuffled amongst one another. "Thisss isss Comprend, and ssshe is fierce to thossse who would do her massster ill. I think ssshe might be a good match for you." As they spoke, the merchant began to untie a mule with deep black fur and a grizzled muzzle and eyes. Despite the grey, it looked spry... like perhaps though it had been bred for work, it had some racer lineage in its blood. "Comprend, thisss isss..." and the merchant looked to the tabaxi, expecting a name. "Ssshe hasss proven ssstrong willed, and you will need to lisssten and be aware that ssshe hasss sssuffered injussstice recently. Be patient." Strangely, it appeared that the merchant was not talking to Silver Maw just now, but to the mule!
"Silver Maw... Comprend..." she huns, watching the elf work, before walking forward. Her eyes glance over the donkey, and she smiles
"Well aren't you just beautiful... you will be well cared for, I promise, my flower of the fields" she purrs, gently pressing her head to his nose, giving it a gentle rub. She turns to the elf. Fir a brief moment, her addressing in the third person had ended... but returned.
"Considering the quality, have you need, this one will offer you a favor. Your troubles are this one's troubles, your thirst is our thirst" she hums, holding a claw out
"Silver Maw, a medicine cat, and your new friend, should you choose"
"Well aren't you just beautiful... you will be well cared for, I promise, my flower of the fields" she purrs, gently pressing her head to his nose, giving it a gentle rub. She turns to the elf. Fir a brief moment, her addressing in the third person had ended... but returned.
"Considering the quality, have you need, this one will offer you a favor. Your troubles are this one's troubles, your thirst is our thirst" she hums, holding a claw out
"Silver Maw, a medicine cat, and your new friend, should you choose"
"Anssskuld; Ssso-Kehur Anssskuld." The merchant took Silver Maw's hand, and leaned forward to press their forehead gently to her outstretched claw. From this angle, it was apparent that Anskuld's lineage was far from purebred; they had two horn nubs that sprouted from their dark hair. "Pleassse, treat her well. We should be happy to hear from you again."
And, taking a pause, they gestured nearby. "There isss ssspace thisss time, though I have far more to sssell than on my lassst visssit. Should you procure your wagon, you ssshould have no troublesss exssschanging medicine to othersss. More than once I have ssseen trouble on the highway wessst. Your ssservicesss are unlikely to go russsty in partsss like thessse."
And, taking a pause, they gestured nearby. "There isss ssspace thisss time, though I have far more to sssell than on my lassst visssit. Should you procure your wagon, you ssshould have no troublesss exssschanging medicine to othersss. More than once I have ssseen trouble on the highway wessst. Your ssservicesss are unlikely to go russsty in partsss like thessse."
He was right about that. Sadly, her medicine was neither Nobel, nor helpful to those critical enough to see past the trick. But none the less... she waves, leading her new animal friend... towards the stall over..
Religious blessings...?
Religious blessings...?
Morkhan decided to investigate this egg he had found once he had lodging of some sort. He noticed the animals quickly, thanks to all of the activity and the stench. He decided that now would be a good time to get a companion, for assorted small tasks. He strode to the carts, using his axe as a walking stick along the way. Seeing the Elf, he walked forward and touched his brow in traditional Elvin greeting. He spoke in a deep yet oddly comforting voice, "Sir, I wanted to know if you have any birds of prey, ravens perhaps?".
Looking this dark figure up and down, Anskuld gave a respectful nod back. That dipped into an apologetic bow. "Alasss, I had a friendly murder in the caravan lassst week, but they were purchasssed. Two owlsss grace my goodsss at the moment, though. Come. Thisss way."
They gestured for Morkhan to follow, leading him towards a wagon that was tucked away, covered over with a darker-tinted tent. Disappearing inside, for a brief moment it was possible to see cages of bats and other nocturnal creatures within the dim light. Then the merchant came out again, one extremely tiny elf owl perched on his finger and blinking blearily. On the other, gloved hand, a black-banded owl gave one sullen, midnight-eyed glare to the human and then turned its head a full 180 degrees away in what could only be considered a personal affront.
"It isss not their ideal time of day," the merchant allowed, "but the sssmaller isss exsstremely ssstealthy. The larger isss a rare ssspecies, once thought exssstinct."
They gestured for Morkhan to follow, leading him towards a wagon that was tucked away, covered over with a darker-tinted tent. Disappearing inside, for a brief moment it was possible to see cages of bats and other nocturnal creatures within the dim light. Then the merchant came out again, one extremely tiny elf owl perched on his finger and blinking blearily. On the other, gloved hand, a black-banded owl gave one sullen, midnight-eyed glare to the human and then turned its head a full 180 degrees away in what could only be considered a personal affront.
"It isss not their ideal time of day," the merchant allowed, "but the sssmaller isss exsstremely ssstealthy. The larger isss a rare ssspecies, once thought exssstinct."
Morkhan followed the merchant with interest. He had a preference for ravens, but owls were excellent companions. When the Elf merchant showed him the black banded owl, he smiled under his mask. "How much for each, good sir?". (sorry for the short post, I'm trying to wrap this up so I can start the quest)
((No prob!))
"About twenty gold," the merchant replied, "and that'sss 'Mx.', or 'Anssskuld', if you prefer, and a pleasssure to find homesss for thessse fine creaturesss."
"About twenty gold," the merchant replied, "and that'sss 'Mx.', or 'Anssskuld', if you prefer, and a pleasssure to find homesss for thessse fine creaturesss."
"Anskuld is it? How much for just the elf owl?" Morkhan knew that the black banded owl would be harder to keep, and may have much more trouble in confined spaces. Stealth would be critical to a close up fighter such as he, so the elf owl would be a much better choice. He could always come back for the black banded owl another day.
"Letsss make it fifteen. He ssseemsss to like you." Indeed, the tiny owl had woken up some, and was brightly blinking at the darkly garbed man.
Morkhan grimaced internally 15 gp was a high price. He might be able to get him down to 10, but that would leave nothing for a place to stay. He would have to take up a job. "At the moment my journey has drained my reserves. I will come back in a day or two once I've set myself up in this charming village to buy them both. in the meantime, should you find a raven, please contact me."
“I ussse thisss route often; between Creasssrak in the mountainsss and the elven keep of Gali Aquea, there isss bound to be a raven keeper.” The merchant paused, brows drawing together. “My caravan will be leaving in two daysss time, once we have sssecured food enough for the ressst of our journey. I can make no promisssesss, but hopefully we ssshall meet again sssoon.”