Thorn takes a deep sniff at the old structure. He tries to look around to see what type of goods get shiped to/from this place.
The aroma of fish dominates the building, fresh smoked and salted. You are not sure but unless there is a very rare species of fish that cures lycanthropy your search continues.
Gellan watches the boy in silence, then lets out a short laugh. "Well spoken, young one. It is good to see your father has not squashed you totally, you will need that spirit to follow him in his work. However -- be aware that we *do* know what we are doing, far more than you do. If you are coming with us, you are accepting our knowledge. If you are told to do something by one of us, do you that thing, without complaint or delay. Your life may depend on it."
[sblock=ooc]Skill checks not linked out of sheer badness. *kicks IC*[/sblock]
Leonard beams with pride at the compliment but then turns serious as Gellan begins to explain the rules he will need to follow.
"What training did you get with arms?" asks Gloom to Leonard. Before the kid can answer, his eye stop on a map framed on the wall behind the desk. He walks up to it and starts to take a look at it. "I ask because you'll need to have a weapon and an armor, and we better give you in which you are best. Also, if you want to come, you'll have to listen to Minharath. You might find his philosophy too peaceful, but if you want to get out of this story alive, he is the best one. Also, no initiative. You might speak to us to suggest what to do, but it is us who has the final word on what we do.
If you don't agree, or if you go out of those rules, I'll knock you unconscious, tie you up and gag you, put you in a small locker and put a lock on it and you'll get out of it only once we find back your uncle."
Leonard is about to answer the shifters first question but is cut off as Gloom continues to lay out even more ground rules for the youngster to follow. Leonards eyes widen in what can only be fear as Gloom wraps up his lecture.
"I have been receiving some basic combat training from Leonidas the last few months" he answers meagerly, but then pipes up and adds,
"I am fairly good with knives though" with a hopeful smile on his face.
After a moment, Gloom add "Interesting map, who made it?"
"
That there map was originally penned by Cap'in Imlach 'imself" the dwarf responds, a hint of pride when mentioning the captain.
"O' course we've added bits o' information 'ere and there as we learned it" he adds. He walks over to by where Gloom is standing and points to the souther tip of the lower of the two islands.
"Ya see 'ere, this is where ya are right now, in Imlach village. The area around 'ere (he points around the spot marked the village)
is fairly safe an' we use it fer some herdin' and farmin." He points further up the map to the area between the two hills / isalnds.
"This 'ere is where then lizardfolk live in the swamps. Horrible place it is." He crinkles up his nose in disgust as he describes the swamp area.
He then turns and walks over to Leonard.
"Well I'm guessin that ifen yer goina go out wit these folk I'd best get ye suited up. Follow me down ta the armory and we'll get ya some gear 'efore we head over ta the elders".
"Did lizards give you hard time for taking over their holy site?" he asks the dwarf, guessing on the reason for enmity.
The dwarf just gives a snort as he turns and to escort Leonard to the armory.
"Ye can wait 'ere or follow us, yer choice" the dwarf calls as he leaves the room.
A short while later Leonard is wearing a suit of leather armor and armed with nearly a dozen knives, some seemingly suited for throwing while others for jabbing and slashing. The aura of sheepishness that had surrounded him before is now replaced with one of confidence, a smile on his face ear to ear.
Sedwick then leads you out of the warehouse and further into the building complex. This area has obviously been constructed much more recently and seems to be more of a staging area that connects to the docks. A few moments later and you are led outside the building, getting your first true look at Imlach Island.
The sky is overcast but it appears to be around mid-day. The village is not overly large but is laid out in a very deliberate manner and would appear much though went into how and where buildings were built. Looking back you notice the building you arrived in and came out of is indeed built on the remains of an ancient stepped pyramid, with only the uppermost section actually in ruins. There sits a marvelous mansion, obviously the home of Thom Ogglebottom.
The majority of the other building in the village are constructed of wood, with a few notable exceptions. The first is that of a blacksmith, the building made of stone, as solid looking as the dwarf pounding his hammer on the anvil. He looks up and gives a nod to Sedwick and a toothy smile to the rest of you.
"Afternoon Shae" Sedwick calls out and keeps going. A few steps further on Sedwick adds in a quiter tone,
"That there is Shea McRuff. Best dammed Blacksmith on the Isle. He's also the appointed constable so don't ye be gettin inta any trouble around ol' Shae there. He's a stickler fer the rules and such." As you round the corner the you see your destination. In the center of the town is another building, the largest save for Ogglebottoms and the ruins it is built on. It is a large two story structure made mainly of stone. A few villagers can be seen coming and going from the building.
"That there is the Common Hall. It be the hub of all activity 'ere in Imlach, well, any activity not involvin the warehouse there" he motions back towards where you came from.
"Lucky fer us the elders are gathered today fer a open hall. Makes things easier it does." he comments as he leads you all towards the large Common Hall.
You make your way in and see that the main room of the building is wide open, with two sets of stairs leading up to an open balcony that runs the perimeter of the building. There seems to be a bar at the far side of the room and in the center of the room seated at a large round table are three figures. The center figure is a human man, his hair thinning and streaked with gray and an authoritative look upon his face. To his left is a very old looking halfling man, this hair white as snow and his face covered in liver spots, but seems to have a lively twinkle in his eyes. The third figure is a human woman, perhaps in her 60's or 70's, grey hair tied back revealing a look of deep contemplation on her face.
Sedwick slows his pace and stops a good distance away from the group of elders. He clears his throat a couple of times, perhaps hoping to get the attention of the elders without interrupting them outright. The man seated in the middle looks up and a slight look of surprise crosses his face.
"Well I see we have some new visitors" he states, he stands and a smile replaces the previous look of surprise.
"Welcome to the village of Imlach. I am Elder Broda. It is not often we have unexpected visitors here so please excuse me if was caught off guard by your presence." He gestures to his left and then right
"let me introduce Elder Timko and Elder Imlach. How may we be of service to you" he asks, then looks over at Sedwick. Noting the dour look on the dwarf face he looks back to the rest of you. A look of concern replaces the friendly smile.
"You are here to see Thom Ogglebottom then?" he asks, sitting back down and looking over at the other elders, concern obvious on both their faces as well.
