Rocky Creek Trade Company - Rumors & Roleplay

[BDobolina]

Those operating in or through Greenest, or allied with Rocky Creek Trade Company, would easily determine that Jackard has not been seen in a few days, and isn't expected back for at least a tenday more. A trip to procure a new trade partner? A leisurely visit to Waterdeep? The rumors may vary, but he's gone and will be for the next short while.


//Taking an adventure of my own, will be back around the 25th or 26th.

[Whirlwind]

Now into Tarsakh, Malakai Stormwind, along with some of his caravan guards might be seen heading out along the Uldoon trail carrying wood cutting axes, large saws and a wagon during the early mornings of the new month.

They return later in the day with their wagon stacked high full of timber which would then be kept inside the stables adjacent to the Lucky Coin.

[Whirlwind]

A dual-celebration would take place mid-way through Tarsakh in the Lucky Coin tavern in Greenest.

The first of these would be to mark Malakai Stormwind's thirty second birthday on the 9th day with many of Rocky Creek's crew, members of the Whitewood Vanguard and various other guests from Greenest and beyond in attendance enjoying a loud party with lots of drinking and merriment taking place.

Malakai for his part would pay a generous amount of gold for the party supplies and food insisting that the tenday be spent by the caravan guards having fun to make up for all the hard work done over the winter. They would visit the outskirts of Berdusk to visit a spring festival - presumably to engage in further feasting, drinking, gambling and other indulgences.

The second celebration would be a more sedate affair marking the Shaundakun holy day known as the Windride on the 15th day of the month.

Several pilgrims faithful to the Rider of the Winds have been seen to visit the shrine near the Lucky Coin during the dawn and Malakai claims to have even witnessed one be carried off into the sky in gaseous form, for it is said that on this day the clergy of the Helping Hand ascend to ride the winds, only to be transported to areas of the realms they may have never seen before.

Of final note, there has been heard loud hammering and sawing taking place within the stables next to the Coin - whatever carpentry project the caravan leader was heading up based on all the timber he gathered seems to nearing completion.

[wangxiuming]

Osric would visit the Lucky Coin tavern in Greenest and ask to speak with someone representing the Rocky Creek Trading Company, or in the absence of their availability, ask for the name of the person to which one could direct correspondence.

[Whirlwind]

Rocky Creek's standard operations based out of Greenest would look to have been temporarily halted and Malakai Stormwind would be seen in talks with various traders around the settlement as well as Queen Scatterheart herself in an effort to galvanise the town into defending it's supplies, crops and walls more cautiously.

The genasi caravan leader seems slightly on edge and reluctant to risk the lives of his guards following the Zhentarim raids in the region and would be seen arguing with Brennan, the caravan master in charge of passenger transport who would stubbornly insist on still running this service.

[Kitunenotsume]

Despite the raids to the east the Lucky Coin continues to operate as normal, though the contractual culinarian seems to be operating out of the tavern more frequently than some quieter months. Though the increased hostility of the local wilderness may be a concern to some hunters, the kitchen manages to maintain a steady supply of fresh game and hearty meals. Travelers, Visitors, and Refugees alike continue to be welcomed to the establishment with warmth and hospitality, as they always are.

The Shao baker seems to spend more time than usual before lunch preparations busy with activities beyond the walls, and frequently returns with suggestions for safer routes that she passes on to the quarreling caravan-masters - in addition to the day's meat and foraging.

[Kitunenotsume]

A small wooden box containing a manuscript appears to have found at least temporary home at the end of the bar in the Lucky Coin. There is no fanfare or explanation of the unbound manuscript, but it appears to be maintained in am orderly manner if left in disarray. When removed from the premises, either the document or a duplicate seems to be returned before too long.
There is nothing preventing someone from stealing or destroying the text, beyond their own sense of propriety and property.

[BDobolina]

As the sun sets on the second day of the latest undoing of all that is natural, a wagon slowly trudges among the muck and through gates of Hammer Hall, a commotion soon erupting among the guardsman and laborers. It is Jackard, returned.

Those nearby may have noticed him helped down from the wagon, and aided as he entered the hall proper, wrapped in a large storm cloak and followed by at least two shrouded loads. Rumors have it he was injured, but expected to recover in time. The gates soon locked and barred, watched over by an extra set of guards now that caravans were slowed. A liveried errand runner dispatched through internal gates toward the hold of Queen Dharva.

Business continues as usual for now, with word quickly spread among the villagers that residents and citizen's of the Queen's village are welcome to the warmth and calm of the Lucky Coin, where bards were paid extra for their performances, and food and drink made as cheaply as possible through the company's coin. An attempt to be a beacon of warmth and light in these dark and mysterious times.

[Kitunenotsume]

In the days since the Calamity, the Lucky Coin would remain open and active per the direction of the owners. Meals of simple ingredients would be served at remarkably modest prices, ever prepared with enough flourish and flavor to be a step or two more luxurious than would be traditional without increasing the cost or complexity. As the week wears on, cellar staples like root vegetables, hard cheese, and dried jerky find their way into more dishes to make fresh meat and vegetables go further in a time of uncertainty.

The foreign-born tavernkeep attending to this display of hospitality is seen to be surprisingly present for her normally transient nature. Upon Jackard's arrival and each day since, she collects a variety of herbs from the garden, and spends some time following the midday meal tending to the injuries of employees and visitors who remain at the establishment. Quiet and private council is also offered to any who seem of particular malaise, or who request for guidance and advice. Though her demeanor is weary and muted, she nonetheless reassures those seeking comfort with words of acceptance and to view the events as an opportunity to reframe one's place in the Universe.

After the evening meal is prepared and served each day, Sayushi is found upon the wall outside the Hall with a pot of tea, watching the road and forest well into the night. Travelers are given greetings and assurance of the welcome hearth and security within, should they find the need. This claim is tried a few times, as Flinds and other highway predators trespass the courtyard in chase of some twilight wanderer. While the incursions are quelled as they occur by the , injuries are still sustained as the nighttime lurkers are clearly emboldened by the chaos.

It is in the mornings that the baker's routine is most unusual. Rather than the Greenest Inn where she has normally lodged, the Shao retires and rises each day from a small cave by the riverside, visiting occasionally for brief times throughout the day. A thick, heavy blanket is hung across the entry, and to attend nearby would be subjected to feelings of tumultuous unease and roiling emotion. Muffled voices occasionally emanate from within carrying with them terrified shrieks, wrathful cries, sorrowful wails, sensuous moans, joyful laughter and melodious song. There is little rhyme, reason, nor tempo to their variation. A small sign posted outside the cave requests privacy for the occupant and against trespass, and those who continue onwards anyway would find the hollow charged with painful energy and echoing the voices from the night - but otherwise empty save a small reed mat and a ring of coals. The inquiries of any curious enough to ask the chef during the course of her duties or evening vigil would be politely ignored and directed to other, more pressing matters.

[Kitunenotsume]

In the wake of visitors, and after lengthy discussion with a patron that evening, the chef prepares and stores a curious quantity of ingredients into semi-completed dishes that would store well in the cellar, staying in lieu of her more recent nightly vigils. With the dawn the reason is evident, as the kitchen is clean and orderly, highlighting the small brushed note outlining a plan for a fortnight worth of meals and suggestions of variations to adjust for greater or reduced demand.

Missing from the document is any explanation of the absence, simply mentioning that the listed schedule should be sufficient - barring any further unforseen circumstances. Mianbao resides comfortably among the stables at the Hall, his coat and harness recently brushed and tended.

Should any inquiries be made, it would not be difficult to confirm that a Shao traveler booked passage on a westward caravan that morning, garbed in simple linens and bearing only a plain staff and knife alongside her wicker pack.

[BDobolina]

Having mostly recovered from an unspecified injury, Jackard has stayed close to Hammer Hall throughout the falling of the gods. He does his best to remain a welcoming, warm, and industrious tradesman, even in the face of chaos and uncertainty.

Those that know him best, however, have noticed cracks in the sunny facade. He has spent more time within the hall, tending to the shrine of Waukeen, and holding hours-long sessions of prayer. His patience grows thin with staff. His normally robust confidence seems less apparent at times. He assures his men that Solomon is well and remains in Berdusk, but at times it seems that he is, perhaps, reassuring himself at the same time.

Business continues, in any case. As trade is an act of his faith as much as it is a livelihood for the Waukeenar, there is nothing that will stop the turn of coin, and the search for a deal of one sort or another continues even through it all.

[Kitunenotsume]

Many days pass before the hearth and ovens of the Lucky Coin are attended to once again by a familiar hand. Returning to the various kitchen duties as abruptly as their departure, the transient tavernkeep seems to just slide back into her role as though she had never gone. While she does not speak readily of her recent absence, it is clear that Sayushi is far more at-ease than she was prior to her departure. The stress from recent events is still evident in the clear evidence of fatigue on her face, but she seems content and confident despite the ongoing adversity.

While dutiful not to overstep the limits of her position, the baker finds little compulsion against interceding when appropriate, gently redirecting Jackard to more productive outlets for his frustrations, and generally managing the front-of-house with efficiency and diligence. There are also politely voiced complaints and concerns regarding any more extraneous exertions on the part of the debilitated merchant.

Her evening vigils return, though each night is accompanied by a different article, often meditated upon, sometimes used in slow, practical utility. Though the appearance and form changes with each dusk, each article is somehow instinctively distasteful, though in many cases their external seems plain and unremarkable. Despite this, the Shao appears calm and collected even as news and visitors arise.

[Planehopper]

Notices are posted at the Rocky Creek caravan stops in Greenest, Baldur's Gate, Nashkel, and Kraak Helzak - as well various markets and areas Rocky Creek is represented. It is rumored that Jackard is looking for help with a special project, and is looking for one or more skilled at inland angling to fill a niche.

Fair pay to be negotiated, but the notices state a five thousand coin gold bonus is available.

[klinx]

The caravan's wagons roll in to the settlement of Greenest, an older man with a weathered expression leaps from the wagon and is followed shortly after by a wiry-haired dog with greys on its muzzle. The old man, with fishing pole strapped to his back, leaps out with a wide grin. "We finally made it 'ol gal.", he says to his canine companion. Rhodes looks to him and tilts her head, and with a wag of her tail she nuzzles into the bootless legs of the angler. "I know, I know. I am lookin' for some warm food and bed me'self. Now where do be that place that hirin' ?", Rami Dharma says with an accent that belies his time spent on the docks and rougher areas of Faerun. Rami and Rhodes set off seeking the treasures to be had and new fishing spots to be mastered.

[Whirlwind]

~ Moulded and borne by the winds - the time for farewells... ~

Malakai Stormwind would return to Greenest with a newly constructed 'back-up' fleet of caravans back to Greenest to Rocky Creek's headquarters and coordinate efforts to see the hired workers back to Scornubel safely during the uncertain period of realms history.

The six caravans and two wagons would look to have been built and finely crafted, sanded, painted and gilded to perfection by the hired hands from Scornubel who busied themselves during the early warnings of the Godswar with their respective crafts, even whilst separated from their families for the two month long contracts.

Any to pay heed to such talk of trade affairs would note that the workers appear to have been remunerated well for their efforts by the supposedly capricious air genasi, Stormwind, who for his part, appears to have spent much of his time in the farmlands of the Gate to monitor the work with uncharacteristic focus for one of his kind during the early days of this crisis.

Malakai seems oddly resolute about something when returning, announcing his departure of the Whitewood Vanguard on purely amicable terms between himself, Captain Dunn and Lieutenant Iliathor despite his somewhat admitted reluctance. Some other motivation looks to be driving the swordsman toward stepping away from his usually dangerous lifestyle who upon returning to Greenest would present the perfectly crafted caravans to his friends and employers, Jackard and Solomon as a parting gift of sorts.

Talk would circulate around the coster and the Lucky Coin of Malakai's intention to eventually depart from Greenest over the next year and his desire to travel south, through Tethyr and Calimshan to the fabled continent Zakhara. There is an obvious strong desire evident in Malakai's voice when speaking on the topic suggesting he won't be dissuaded from this course of action, claiming with curious disdain that it is to 'be his fate.'

As for his adventuring proclivities, Stormwind would ease off considerably and focus solely on the caravan work for Rocky Creek, continuing to drill the caravan guards with fighting techniques in the free periods, fuelled and quelled by Sayushi's potent kaeth blend and counsel and being a generally more visible presence in the Lucky Coin, as well as Greenest.

The strange Cormyrean would keep a low profile during this troubled Year of Shadows, making his farewells to the friends he'd made whilst in the Heartlands and planning his final major act for his employers - establishing an active, working trade route to Crimmor through the Cloudpeak mountains before embarking on the journey of his life, to the Land of Fate.