Setting the Stage Report
General Summary
In the year, 2860 NR, Pook makes his way from the Wilds, where he is a novice Bard for his goblin tribe, to the large town of Apple Springs.
On his way, he hitches a free ride on a ferry crossing the Burr River at the tiny town of Toria. On the ferry he entertains his fellow passengers with some songs of his own creation. He is awarded with a lukewarm clap from one passenger.
Arriving in the town of Apple Springs on the 26th of Raindays, Pook makes his way to straight to the Orchard Market Green where his nose leads him to one of the fancier bakeries in town. He meets Alary Maligan who sells him a loaf of her most expensive Apple Bread. Pook takes the bread and before paying or even a discussion of paying, wolfs it down. Alary takes it well and tries to explain how money works. When it becomes clear that Pook doesn't have any money, she tells him to wait for her husband to arrive. Shortly after that, Kerny Maligan arrives, fresh from his mayoral duties. Kerny discusses potential employment with Pook. Understanding that Pook can play the flute, Kerny takes him to the Owl in the Barrel, to see if they will take Pook on as an entertainer. The reaction is a swift no. The next stop is the Tasty Tart, where Gammy Furfoot somewhat unwillingly takes Pook on for room and board only.
Pook sets to work immediately, playing traditional songs from his tribe to entertain the room full of laborers and dock workers. He plays until late in the night, when only he and Elkon Messon are left in room. Pook collects up his earnings, 3 bees and 13 drops, which he asks Elkon about. Elkon tells Pook to help himself to the leftover stew in the pot over the kitchen fire while he finishes cleaning the common room. Then they head up to the third floor, where Elkon leaves Pook in a nicely appointed 10 by 25 room that overlooks Dock Street in front of the building. Pook sets up a pallet on the floor and goes to sleep.
The next morning, the 27th of Raindays, Pook wakes up with the sun and heads downstairs to start setting up next to the common room fireplace for the day. While he is setting up, Gerf comes downstairs and is surprised to see a strange goblin in the common room. As they are talking and Gerf is figuring out that Pook is a new employee, they hear a sound in the kitchen. Pook, heads around the bar into the kitchen and encounters a small, dark skinned, bald creature with large eyes. It's messing with a pan and seems a bit surprised to Pook. The two stare at each other, Pook calls out to Gerf, who seems rooted to the spot in the common room on the other side of the bar.
Pook advances towards the creature, which says something to him in an unintelligible language and then throws the pan at him. The pan hits Pook in the chest, but doesn't hurt him, he catches it and throws it back, but his aim is high and pan clatters into the corner of the kitchen. The creature breaks into a run trying to get past Pook, who reaches out and grabs it. Pook, asking Gerf for help, struggles to hold the creature, which is twisting and squirming violently and begins oozing a slippery oil to boot. Pook, looking for a place to hold the creature, spots the kettle over the now dead fire filled with congealed stew. He walks over to the kettle and throws the creature in. As it passes the lip of the kettle, the creature disappears. Both Pook and Gerf stare at the kettle in surprise, but are even more surprised to hear a noise in the common room behind them. Turning, they see the creature standing on a table a good 30 feet away. The creature jumps off the table and runs for the door.
Gerf remains rooted to the spot. Grabbing a pot, Pook gives chase. At the door, the creature jumps up, grabs a handle and pulls the right door open, drops down and starts through. Pook, now about ten feet away, throws first a pot, then a dagger. The pot flies wildly off into the corner, but the knife bites into the creature's shoulder, drawing blood and tumbling onto the porch. The creature steps through the door and vanishes again. Pook continues to run, slipping and sliding on a puddle of oil in the doorway, but managing to stay on his feet. Stopping on the porch, Pook looks around for the creature. He sees it about 40 feet away to his right, running up the street. Pook decides to give up the chase. The creature stops at the end of the next building, shouts and gestures, and heads around the corner. Pook gives a rude gesture in return. Gerf reaches the doorway, slips in the oil and sits down hard on his butt. He looks at Pook with wild eyes and says, "What in the world was that?"
Rewards Granted
13 cp and 3 sp.
Report Date
16 Apr 2020
Primary Location
Secondary Location
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