Turn 16, Dark Corners of the LandEmilia, after collecting a piece of wood, a semi-dry rag and an old bucket of some dark, vaguely flammable-seeming sludge, constructs an impromptu torch of adequate quality. And fortunately for her, a tinderbox is eventually located as well, allowing her to light the torch with quite a bit of effort - the thing provides some much-needed light as she begins to descend into the hole - the odor emanating from it is rather awful, she notes. Fortunately, there is a ladder leading down, meaning she does not require to drop down the hole based on hope alone - quite fortunate, too, considering the way the ladder seems to lead down about ten whole meters, at the bottom of which it becomes slightly difficult to breathe.
Also at the bottom she can detect an intriguing passage - entirely dark apart from the minimal amount of light you're providing, and more than a bit foreboding, probably due to its narrowness and inhospitable look. She looks into it, leaning forward, but is interrupted by, of all things, a voice from within.
"I am hearing someone over there, begads! Intruding person, was it you with the breaking of the door?" it asks in a hollow, genderless tone.
"I think I was hearing something rightly breaking, and the place is looking much more lit now! Smelling much better, too!"* * * * *
Pilner, not about to waste time, wades right into the marvelous atmosphere of Hinsen, seeking people to inform him of where he had best go. First on his path is a considerably drunk fishwife - his experience in taverns across the fair land of Allochthon leads him to believe that she may be a wonderful starting point, and he begins to ask if she happens to be free at the moment to answer some questions, accompanying his words with a whole lot of expressive gestures, as he knows is custom for foreigners in the south.
The way she immediately hugs Pilner and talks in a friendly-sounding voice seems indicative that she does indeed have some time to spare.
* * * * *
Derek, dejected as he is turned away by the strange people in the streets, walks off with Ehran and Sweetie, halfheartedly looking around for other individuals worth converting, feeling that at least a token effort to convert some people is still required on his part.
"Sweetie, Ehran, thank you for your support. Sometimes, following the will of god is pretty hard work. Let's see if anyone else round here has any sense and head back to the inn for some food. Let's hope they can at least do that right round here." Sweetie and Ehran both nod solemnly, and the three proceed, walking down the street when something catches their eye in the square just outside the Firrtin Tivvy Aen - a stage, it seems like, or the beginnings of one, anyway. A group of seven women seem to be working on it, one wearing a very large hat ordering the other six around - each one seems to wear a peculiar costume resembling a clownish dress.
"-no, no, no! That's not how you set up the curtain! Pay attention, Mitz!" the supervising woman shouts in a crystal-clear Foghaunt dialect, her voice powerful and robust.
* * * * *
Jim, after sizing up the home before him and dubbing it fit for habitation, walks up to the door and knocks on it. No immediate reply. He is about to knock again, but the door opens, revealing a short woman in her mid-thirties, somewhat plain in looks, with a thick mane of dark hair. She stares at Jim for a moment, raising an eyebrow.
"Can I help you, sir?"Jim nods politely, as per the plan, and says
"I am traveling in this area, and I do not have a place to spend the night. Do you happen to have a place where I could stay? I would be very grateful."She tilts her head a little.
"Well, I don't know. Who are you, even? Where did you come from?" she asks doubtfully.
* * * * *
Edwin continues to exposit on the nature of Orange Pekoe to the man before him.
"Why, the great and merciful Orange Pekoe is the greatest and most merciful amongst all gods. He is wise, and prefers peace and nonviolence above all else. To use violence before trying other ways of solving conflicts goes against His word. Pray to him, and he may bless you with His divine wisdom, just as he blessed me."The man nods carefully as Edwin finishes his tea.
"Does Orange Pekoe bless other people with this... divine wisdom? Not just you, but others?"Derek: 5 MP
Emilia: 4 MP
Edwin: 2 MP
Pilner: 5 MP
Jim: 5 MP