Mission for Fish
"We're going a bit out of our minds to be honest." Explains a wizard, a full member of the Arcanist's guild. "She's eating us out of house and home."
There's been no explanation for who 'she' is, but occasionally you can hear the sound of someone humming a song nearby you. It sounds familiar the song, and you can /swear/ that you hear it right next to you sometimes. But there's never anything there. The mage can clearly hear it too however because his eyes keep flickering around the room trying to find the source.
"Here. Take these." He hurriedly shoves a handful of potion's in your direction. "I'm sure they'll come in handy. Just... get fish. A lot of it. As much as you can." His eyes flicker away from you and he scrubs a hand through already-ruffled hair. "I know it doesn't sound like a great adventure, but trust me... you'll be doing us a huge service."
The Gobbo is right away peering at the potions. "What are these, then? I mean, we can't just drink random potions." Acedia sniffs at each one curiously, assuming people don't start rummaging through them right away.
"And uh... do you have some coin with which to purchase or otherwise acquire said fish?" She looks around, left and right. "Anyone ... else hear someone humming something weird? And who is... she? I mean, they have some appetite..."
Fish. Asmli knows _nothing_ about fish. He wrinkles his nose at the very idea. Khazad were not meant to swim. All the same ... it's money, and despite himself, he finds himself bouncing on his toes. "Uhhhh ... so what exactly do those potions _do_?" he asks, eyeing them skeptically.
Not exactly the work one usually associates with a chosen Sunblade of Daeus but...where help is needed the champions of the guarding star must answer! This doesn't stop Ignis' face from being scrunched up in a mild look of confusion as the potion is shoved into his hands and that strangely catchy music continues to waft in and out of his ears. "Can you...explain that..again?" he asks slowly and cautiously but then quiets as his companions echo his confusion, particularly regarding the potions. "Right. Uh..."
Zapolklnex knows what fish are. Fishing in underground rivers and lakes is a thing, especially when meat is scarce and rationed by the Council. "I'm not particularly good at fishing. I've attempted it before, but that was many years ago."
Jaen had heard that someone was looking for fishers. This is... not what he expected. He assumes the fish are for eating. What, exactly, they may be feeding... may be unknown?
"Don't go anywhere near the docks!" The mage shouts this frantically and waves his hands. "Just in case she follows you! No, just go out find a nice pond and drink the potions. They're /waterbreathing/ potions." He shakes his head as if you should have been able to guess this.
"That should make your job easier right? We've got nets too! Here! And some fishing poles!" The mage points to a pile of gear off to the side that looks old and like it's never been used before. But serviceable enough... one might hope. "Just take whatever you need."
Zapolklnex pulls his hood off and looks. "Waterbreathing potions and nets should be sufficient to catch fish, so long as the body of water is safe. Does anyone know a nearby body of water that is safe for this purpose?"
GAME: Asmli rolls knowledge/local: (6)+3: 9
One of those potions disappears into the Gobbo's pouch on her belt. "So uhm. Would you mages have any enemies who have ponds on their luxurious estates? Cause yanno... you coooullld use this to your advantage." Acedia grins sweetly, with just the right amount of tooth and fang showing. "Or maybe there's a fishmonger who needs a lesson?"
"Sounds like there's a Dire Kitty on the loose." remarks Ignis. Clearly joking. Because...because that would be just terrible and awful.
"Let's try and avoid deliberate vandalism, shall we?" He adds to Acedia's comment though his smirk is friendly enough. He finds the idea amusing but..probably would not mark well on his own record. "I'm sure we can get this done without triggering some sort of mage feud or getting into the middle of one."
"How would I know what they are? I don't do magic." The short, stocky bouncer of a khazad that is Asmli simply _stares_ forlornly at the pile of gear. He's ... going to be fishing. "Well, the Tornmawr, if it ain't frozen, but people fish a lot in the city, 'cause they're bored. Go north a little up past the city, I s'pose. I ain't a fisherman, I just know lots of people fish for fun in the city. Maybe we'll find somethin' else up there, too." He bounces on his heels a little more, and takes two of the water breathing potions.
Acedia nods at the mage, her grin toothy and wide. "Of course, we wouldn't want that, now would we?" Her expression seems to run counter to this statement. To Asmli, she nods. "Sounds like a reasonable, rational plan. Maybe we could make it like camping or something. Ice fishing!" The Gobbo grabs one of the rods and one of the nets. "Lead the way!"
"Yes, lets not cause any more problems than we already have." The mage looks at you hopefully and then urges you to take what you need. When you leave the tower you notice immediately that the humming has followed you, but whatever is making the noise has yet to reveal itself. Indeed. It seems to be stalking you. Enthusiastically. (If the music is any indication.)
So you head north, out of the city and toward the river Tornmawr. The humming follows you along and you eventually make your way to the bank of the river which runs quickly enough that though the edge is frozen over the middle is still moving.
Asmli stares helplessly at the pile of gear, then takes two of each item with a shrug, slinging them with the urgrosh over his back and tucking the small items into his pack. Maybe he'll figure out what they're for when he gets there. So prepared, he humps off with the others, although once they're outside the city gates, he's back to bouncing on his heels again, with a good-natured grin. Adventure is adventure.
Zapolklnex takes a potion and a net, and gets on his way with the others. Putting his hood back into position for the trip. "Is this... typical of the tasks people are hired for here?"
GAME: Acedia rolls perform/string: (16)+8: 24
"Sounds like we have a tag-a-long..."mutters Ignis as the humming continues along side them, providing a strange sort of 'overworld' music as they make their way towards the banks of the great river. It doesn't get to him at first but by the time they reach the river he's a sour look on his face and is risking dark circles of annoyance around his eyes. "From what I've observed...yes and no.." he answers Zapo, "The Adventurers Guild isn't exactly discriminatory with its contracts but..also..I should warn that things are often not what they first appear to be, around these parts."
The Gobbo is quiet for a time, her ears perked up straight. Once outside the gates, she fusses with a case on her backpack, eventually pulling free a golden violin. After a few exploratory scales, she begins to mimic the humming that follows along with their progress. "No, this one seems rather.. uhm. Easy? I hope. It is atypical. Usually there is violencing that must be done."
The water of the Tormawr moves along slowly, and the invisible humming picks up when Acedia picks up it's tune. It's all but singing now. The voice is somewhat high in pitch, and you couldn't say that it's very /good/ humming. Particularly not with Acidea's playing to compare it to, but the invisible hummmer seems to be doing their best.
"Yeah, what _is_ that?" Asmli suddenly looks around, frowning, as if noticing the music for the first time. "Heard it in the Guildhall, too. Did one of them wizards slip us somethin'?" To Zapo, he shakes his head. "No, this is way more boring than what we usually get. He's right, though," he nods to Ignis. "Still gotta stay sharp, because sometimes what bites you isn't what they sent you for."
Jaen grabs the offered things and heads out with the others. He heads for the river and seeks a spot of no or thin ice to start.
GAME: Jaen rolls survival: (3)+8: 11 GAME: Asmli rolls survival: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Acedia rolls perception: (15)+9: 24
The Gobbo shrugs, still playing the tune. "I suspect it is the mysterious eater. They are either tall... or flying. Cause the humming is coming from above my height." Now she begins to vary her play, following the general pattern, but slowly deviating. Her ears turn ever so slightly. "It's nearby, now." Her eyes scan back and forth, and she snorts, grinning brightly. "It's over on that rock...", she faux-whispers. Gobbos don't usually do quiet.
"Hmm.." muses Ignis as he hears the report of the Gobbo. He seems content to let the others do the fishing attempt. No sense in making a fool out of himself this early on after all. Instead he tracks his gaze over towards the area being indicated and looks over towards said rock. "Any idea what it might be?"
Asmli, who had set aside pack and weapons while he puzzled out exactly how a fishing rod works, starts suddenly as his line in the water starts to wiggle and pull against him. "I've got somethin'!" He jerks back on the rod, short-fingered, stocky hands gripping the rod _hard_ as he struggles to reel whatever it is in.
GAME: Asmli rolls strength: (13)+3: 16 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls perception: (12)+5: 17 GAME: Acedia rolls perception: (4)+9: 13 GAME: Asmli rolls perception: (6)+3: 9 GAME: Ignis rolls perception: (3)+0: 3
Zapolklnex steps up to Asmli and puts a hand on the dwarf's shoulder "Judging by the looks of that fin over there, I don't suggest fighting too hard against whatever you have hooked. In fact we'd best find another part of the river to fish in, entirely."
GAME: Jaen rolls perception: (6)+10: 16
"Fish?" Pipes up a voice suddenly, clearly having heard Zapolklnex's words about a fin. Which is suddenly when a tiny golden dragon appears on that rock over there. It's a beautiful dragon, her scales shine bright gold and she has golden eyes to match. She's also no bigger than your average house cat. "Getfish!" She was splayed out on the rock in the sun, but now she's rising up eagerly and watching the surface of the water with wide hungry eyes.
Jaen watches the frigid water as he sloshes his net through it, attempting to 'sweep' the fish into the net. Then he notices the much larger fish. They may need to combine efforts, as well as nets.
GAME: Asmli rolls strength: (16)+3: 19 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12
Suddenly a with a huge swell of effort from Asmli he begins to wheel in his fish. The massive fin moves toward you rapidly and then surfaces. It's not a fish you see however, but rather a fish-man of some sort which uses the momentum of its own reel to throw a spear at Asmli. The spear misses by a fair margin, but the fishman seems quite irate with the hook protruding from his mouth!
GAME: Asmli rolls strength: (7)+3: 10
Asmli seems to be getting the better of the thing, planting his feet solidly and reeling it in with an expression that is screwed up with determination. "The Adamant Tower is mightier than you are, fish!" Then Zapo taps him on the shoulder - and in short order, the gorgeous golden dragon pops up. His attention on the fish-man is shattered, his jaw dropping at the sight of a real, teeny golden dragon! Before he can answer, the rod gives a hard jerk in his hands, and suddenly he's in a fight for reel...er, real...to keep hold of it and continue to bring it it. He spares no focus for the spear thrown well wide of them - he's just trying not to lose the rod along with the fish!
GAME: Jaen rolls fort: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
Jaen drops into the water he was sweeping, with a deep growl at the fish-creature... that suddenly cracks and becomes much more akin to a kitten mewl as he sinks to mid-torso. Whether it is deeper or colder than he expected, the shock is immediate.
GAME: Ignis rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d6: (6): 6
So, way to much happening at once! The golden dragon certainly gets Ignis' attention but then so does the arrival of the fishman and the struggle that's beginning here. "That's no fish.." he grunts while opting for his short bow and slinging an arrow into it over risking entering the water. Poor Jaen.
"That's no fish!" he repeats, louder, "Let the rod go! We're not trying to catch -that-." There's the chance the creature might just run off after all as though angry, it is out numbered and might have been busy looking for food on its own. But just in case, for added incentive, he pulls back and then opens fire, letting an arrow loose that strikes true.
"Oh dear.", the Gobbo says, as the dwarf begins to struggle mightily against his fishy-foe. "Go on and make fishsticks outta him!", she cries, and strikes up an inspiring tune.
GAME: Zapolklnex casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15 GAME: Zapolklnex rolls 2d4: (3): 3 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7
Zapolklnex is taking this personally the second a spear whizzes by himself, along with Asmli whom he had approached. "So it's war then," he nods, pulling his hood back, moving to the side, and throwing his hands out to blast fire at the fish man. For some definition of blast.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d4: (4): 4
The fish man levels another spear, but seems ill-prepared when there's suddenly a flying golden blurr in his face breathing fire at him. "FISH!" She screams happily, and the fish man nimbly evades her breath-weapon, but his attack goes very awry again as a result of his necessary acrobatics.
GAME: Asmli rolls strength: (4)+3: 7 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+2: (4)+2: 6
Dwarves are stubborn. Or, maybe Asmli is just determined to win for the halibut, so he can watch this thing flounder. Whatever the reason, he sets his feet again, and although he's sliding down towards the freezing water, the rod bowing under the weight of the battle, he emerges the victor, slowly reeling the creature in towards the shore, where he can be reached.
Of course, he has a really angry fish in his face now. Stubbornness has its downsides.
GAME: Ignis rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d10+4: (3)+4: 7
Well dwarves be stubborn and so do Fishmen. But with a baby dragon now in danger and a Fishman that seems to be showing no signs of just wanting to get out of there… Ignis fully commits to the fight and drops the shortbow to rush forward as the creature is brought onto land. "Fair enough.." he grunts while reaching down for his ancestral blade. There's a flash of blue, silver and gold a the ornate weapon is brought forth in a flourish of movement and then an instant later, he's passed to the other side of the fishman, finishing an arcing strike that brings it down and puts an end to the fight. He pauses to take a look around in case other Fishmen lurk but then begins to slowly sheath the blade. "That was unfortunate..."
Zapolklnex takes a step back, and sighs. Pulling the hood back onto his head. "That was troubling. Let's find a safer place to fish.. unless that fish is enough to satisfy our guest." He then looks to the dragon.
The music builds to a crescendo, loud and dramatic. The climactic battle should come to a surprise close... the Fishman is DOWN! The Gobbo finishes with a flourish, and curtseys several times. "Thank you, thank you! I'll be here all week. Try the salmon, it's fresh grilled today!"
Asmli blinks as steel flashes and the fishman falls dead at his feet, rod still in one hand and now trailing in the snow on the ground. "Thanks," he nods to Ignis, bending down to try to work - and if need be, cut - the hook from the fishman's mouth. "Yeah ... I don't think that's what we were supposed to get." He looks around for the golden dragon, then, suddenly remembering what had distracted him. "She's _beautiful,_" be breathes. "Is ... this who wants the fish?"
The dragon zooms down from her place in the sky to veritably attack the fishman you brought down and seems quite pleased with herself. As if SHE were the one that killed the fishman all by herself. As you attend to a few other things... the fishman vanishes. You're not sure when it happens, but at some point it's just gone and all that's there is the little gold dragon looking even MORE pleased than before. She flits up into the air and flies around you all humming happily. "Goodpeoples." Yes, it seems you've earned a bit of her good graces. "Fish?" Yes, she's the one that wanted the fish.
"No problem." responds Ignis to Asmli. He then turns towards the dragon and nods to the question while giving a slight smile at the dragon's approval of the group. "Seems like she's the client, alright.. and from the sounds of it, wants some real fish.." He blinks, noting the body of the Fishman is now gone but… given how this day is going, best to not ask to many questions. "Maybe we need to try again?"
The previously hummed tune is once more being played by the Gobbo on her golden violin. "Well, uhm... hopefully we can just catch a few normal fish. The uhm.. dragon ate a sentient being and I dunno how I feel about that."
Zapolklnex dusts himself off, looking for where one of the spears was thrown, and picks it up, looking at it, considering how sharp it was. "So, dragon being, where should we find you more fish? You lead, and we should be able to follow you this time. No surprises."
"Peoplesfindfishes." She replies to Zapolklnex, before flitting over to Asmli and landing neatly on his shoulder to preen. See how pretty I am? Her actions say. She licks one paw delicately and arches her neck so that her scales shine. She's warm to the touch, and purring subtly. His question causes her to open her maw and show off all her sparkly white and very sharp-looking teeth before giving a good-natured little laugh and nudging at his face. "Fish?"
You will in fact be at this for as long as you have the fortitude to be. She eats everything you catch and only leaves you alone when you return her to the Arcanist's guild. She does ply you with complements when you catch her things though, and seems happier and happier the more fish you catch her. You're not sure exactly where all the fish go. You see her eat some. And some others seem to vanish. All in all it's a very hard day's work and you definately earn your pay.
"Some of those bones were bigger than the wee thing.", Acedia comments. "That's gonna hurt. At the other end." The Gobbo wrinkles her nose, but continues the theme music.
"Who'd've thought she'd eat everything?", the very tired Gobbo complains later.
Zapolklnex won't try to use a rod, but will rather simply use a potion, put his stuff and most on the shore, and walk underwater to use a net and catch fish.
"My entire clan ... out-eaten by a thing the size of a cat. I will have to share the tale," a very weary Asmli mutters in response to Acedia's comment. "But I got to see a baby dragon!" Despite how tired he is, his eyes light up. "That was _awesome_!"
"I don't think it is a baby dragon.", the Gobbo posits. "Merely a small one."
-End