Jerry Greystar (Chris1234)- Private Thread

[TristenC]

Merrick laughs, Yes, they're certainly dead and seasoned. Otherwise I don't think I would be eating them either. He smiles at her and picks one up in his left hand. With one of the tiny two-pronged forks on the plate he catches the top of the snail and fishes it out delicately. The morsel is fully coated in parsley slick with butter and darkened from the cooking process, so the body of the snail itself cannot be seen. He pops it into his mouth and chews, nodding. Your turn, he grins, gesturing to the other tiny fork.

[Chris1234]

Thinking she'd rather fight a live, giant one, Jerry follows suit, "Gulp!"

[TristenC]

The morsel tastes buttery and well seasoned with just a hint of garlic. The texture reminds her of steamed mussles from the rivers near waterdeep. All-in-all perhaps not what she had been expecting. What do you think? he asks. After she has answered he continues on, Do you enjoy duck? They have some wonderful wild duck meals here. We can get a lunch sized portion if you prefer.

[Chris1234]

"It reminds me of something similar from.. my previous town," she pauses.
Maybe we could ask for one serving and two forks?" Jerry replies."These are enjoyable as tastes but I'm still covered by hmmmm prot from food and so forth.." (last bit whispered close to his head.)

[TristenC]

Oh... yes, of course. If you like. He orders in Harmonian, and returns to the previous conversation. The north bridge is actually very interesting. The entire tower turns... the conversation continues on for a while until the food comes. The server brings them a whipped-egg omlet delicately folded to enclose sauteed spinich and winter greens and generous strips of pulled roast duck.

[Chris1234]

Jerry chats enthusiastically throughout and enjoys the tasting but more so Merrick's company. She really, really has taken a shine to him.
Before all of the pulled roast duck is consumed, she asks apologetically, "Merrick, dear, would you mind awfully if I were to take this piece, here? It will dry nicely and I can use it .." She leans in and whispers in his ear, "..as a Component," breathing unnecessarily warmly as she does so.

After the meal, Jerry is happy to continue sightseeing at the bridge.

If they should happen to bump into any of the others, she's equally keen to discuss the box-book with Mira or to volunteer to help gather herbs.
(She wants to be perceived as being useful and to have the 'right attitude'.)

[TristenC]

Oh.. that's fine... but it's such a waste... does it have to be duck? I'm certain I have some jerky somewhere.... After they finish Merrick discreetly slips payment to the server. Rather than move back through the restaurant, he leads her through a small gate in the patio, offering his arm in escort. They take a short walk passing through the gardens of the Harmonic Hall. The hall itself is finely built and decorated, and the rear patio even has a stained glass window depicting the same figure on the fountain out front.

Around the side of the hall he leads her, and northward down The Loop. To the right they pass an opening to a large parade ground like those used for military drilling. In fact, a few men are there training near the center. Against the cliff a couple hundred yards beyond the road he points out a large wooden platform that appears, from this distance at least, to be piled high with rocks. Chains attach to each of the four corners and lead to a much thicker one above, which rises until it loops over a wheel high above. The other end supports a second platform high above, and apparently empty. The wind picks up and a low moaning sound like the wail of some tortured spirit drifts from the cliffside. Merrick pats her arm at the sound, The chains make that sound in the wind sometimes... and the pines on the hill when it gets bad.

He continues to lead her North, past the Songstress on the left and a small harbor on the right; until the road dead-ends at the river. The water runs swift and deep here, the harbor off-side enough not to be terribly inconvenienced by the current. An unusual square tower rests in the center of the river, with no apparent way to get to it or across. The moss-covered stonework rests atop a larger rock base and supports a number of ornate carvings above. Some of the carved gargoyles and monsters are so lifelike they seem ready to break into motion at the setting of the sun... Jerry realizes there is a small tunnel running through the rock base of the tower near the water, and a pair of what appear to be drawbridges on the side that would only jut out into the river!

As she watches a curious thing happens, the entire tower begins to rotate atop the base! Slowly it turns until the bridge is in-line with the road! The drawbridge lowers and a tunnel wide enough for the largest of wagons ois revealed. A number of travelers begin to cross, and are halted within the tower for a time before continuing on into the town.

[Chris1234]

"Jerky would be better actually," replies Jerry. "But she hold onto the pulled duck until he confirms for certain he can give her jerky.

On their travels, Jerry comments on the beauty of the Harmonic Hall and the glass window, adding, "How long ago was that fellow around?"

On seeing the wooden platforms, chain and rocks, she asks, "What's this all about? I don't quite see what that does. Great piece of construction, of course, but to what purpose?"

"Now that tower is just amazing. They have some things of that order in Waterdeep, but this is really quite something," she marvels, leaning on his arm for no reason other than that she cares for him.

[TristenC]

Merrick ponders the question regarding the statue, Well... they say he founded the town, so I suppose at least one hundred years ago... I can't recall exactly when Harmonis was established, but I think it was between 130 and 160 years ago now... The platform is a lifting device. It carries troops and supplies to the top of the cliffside. He points out a tower and some large pyre-like mounds. The tower and catapult protect the town, and the mounds are actually bonfires they light during the weekly festival.

Now that Merrick has pointed it out, Jerry notices a large statue-like figure on the edge of the cliff; as well as a second tower on the cliffs opposite the river and a third near the road beyond the bridge. The catapult resembles a massive Hawk, perched to descend upon its prey. Large glass eyes catch the light, scattering it back like a glittering silver warning to all who approach the town. Around it Jerry spots people working, dwarfed by its size. Merrick smiles at her touch, I was hoping you'd find it interesting... It really is quite unusual around here... Merrick leads her on, content just to keep walking. I'm afraid there's not much left to show until dinner. What do you think?


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See items 8 through 11 on the Party Knowledge thread.

[Chris1234]

"Well, I've had a simply amazing day. And do you know the best part of it?" Jerry pauses theatrically. "The company. Yes, you!"
She kisses him on the cheek, and if no one seems to be looking, gropes his bottom.
The woman giggles, "Thank you, my dear Merrick."
She's quiet for a while.

"Merrick?" Jerry says in a soft voice, "is there anything I can do for you? Or help you with? I sort of caught a hint that you might have something of your back, as it were, perhaps from the past. You can tell me."

After they wander round a bit more, she probes on something else, "So what can you tell me about..mists? Or is that better discussed indoors?"

In nothing else turns up, the priestess starts to get restless. I think it might be good to try and help the others hunt out some herbs. I'm quite good at that. And I hate to feel useless. What do you think?"

[TristenC]

Jerry gives Merrick a quick squeeze, producing a startled grunt and a bit of color from the man. He clears his throat, Happy to oblige... Yes, your company has made this humble town much more enjoyable. Umm.. what do you mean from my past?

After they walk a while her question about the mist arises, It's sort of... pervasive... In Sithicus, the entire country was bordered by it for years... those who ventured it would become lost and awaken near where there entered... eventually some were able to make their way clear into Kartakass or other places, and people from those lands came occasionally to Sithicus. There is a long pause, and he takes on a somber manner as it seems uncertain whether he will continue or not. Most times the mist is just precipitation... sometimes... people disappear into it... things... come from it... One simply never knows... he lets the conversation die out, but leads on back in the direction of the Wayfarer's Rest. Should we look for them at the inn, do you think?

[Chris1234]

"Well, I got the impression that you came here from Sithicus becasue something or other was a problem for you. I was just offering to help, that's all," expands Jerry. ""but if you don't want to talk to me about it, that's completely fine." She lapses into that silence which any husband knows means that it actually isn't fine at all.

After the pair walk a while and Merrick comments of the mist, the Mystran responds, "What sort of things, Merrick? It's important. It might save my life. Or that of others. But if you don't want to talk about it out in the open, that's ok, just promise you'll tell me when we're back in our room."

Jerry picks up her mood again, being joyful for finding her companion and the lovely day they've had together, "Yes, that's probably as good an starting place as any. But if they're not there, we can always go out into the countryside to look for herbs on our own, hmmm?" She smiles at him in a difficult to read way, and then adds, "Unless there's anything you can think of that we'd rather do together?" She smiles again, squeezes his arm whilst leaning into him, and raises her eyebrows quickly twice suggestively.

[TristenC]

Oh, that. No monumental or tragic event led to my leaving Sithicus. I simply... grew tired of the atmosphere there. Half-elves aren't so welcome most places, but here I can pose as a human with some minor success... and my mother was from Kartakass. A nostalgic look creeps over him, So much music here... she used to sing often... I don't remember much, but I recall that... his voice trails off as he loses himself in thought, but her insistence about the mist snaps him back.

I would tell you if I could, but it is mostly hearsay and legend. I myself have only experienced a... disorientation I suppose you'd call it. I tried to leave Sithicus on foot and found myself back after some hours... granted I'm not a skilled woodsman, and the path was difficult to see so I likely just got turned around...

I'm not sure gping out into the wild by ourselves would be wise... the wolves here are exceptionally bold and even attack in the open during the day on occasion... Jerry makes her other suggestion more clear, and waggles her eyebrows at him. His face flushes crimson, but he keeps a straight face for a change. Lady's choice. I've been leading us around all day...

[Chris1234]

Jerry nods in agreement, "And what a marvelous job you've done of it too."
She takes his arms and walk back towards the Wayfarer's Rest, perhaps at a slightly faster pace than the one that left at.

[TristenC]

Jerry and Merrick return to the inn where a few patrons are finishing their lunches.

[Ooc: sorry for the delays. Had an active weekend]