At Jameson's question Old Man Fish smiles, a somewhat disturbing sight with his new mouth, and chuckles. "If destruction is what you wish you will find I can supply without issue. I also possess a great number of debilitating spells that will allow our warriors to perform there jobs with ease and utility spells which may prove especially useful on an ocean voyage. " He pauses for a second before adding "and as you can see it will take more than falling in the ocean to stop me."

Jameson smiles. "Welcome aboard the Sea Dragon's crew, 'Old Man Fish' is it?"

"It is. Good to be aboard. Now if you'll excuse me a moment..." Old Fish takes a deep breath as his body reverts to it's previous form. "Surprisingly hard to move on land with a tail. I imagine this form will attract fewer eyes as well." He laughs again to himself and flags down Lug for a re-fill of his glass.

Seeing the tension in Fel regarding the perceived slight of Bronhild, Strom interjects toward Fel, "I have a dwarf warrior, tough as nails, who is always eager to test his skills if you prefer someone not vying for a crew slot." Strom turns to Bronhild. For you, I would offer up someone who uses magic to augment his combat prowess, if you are likewise interested. Unless I'm mistaken, Mr. Fisher is more interested in not having you directly engage each other."

Jameson nods quiet affirmation.

Strom now turns to Leana. "For you, miss, I offer someone you may find as a kindred spirit for sparring if you wish, though it's hard to say for sure. She is over there, against the wall, but I must warn you she tends to prefer the rigors of real combat over mock battle." Strom points to a human female with red hair, very muscular, wearing mithril chain mail and a broadsword, with a snow-white owl on her padded shoulder. Although you can see what looks like a component belt, there is no spell book.

Leana Toras

Leana nods to Strom. "I'd like that, thank you. Though I would like to know what kind of protections this arena will have when it comes to magic."

Strom scratches his head as he thinks. "I'm not really sure what protections there are, but it stands in the Southport Academy grounds for their practitioners, the Spellsword enclave uses it for this continent's Grand Melee, and any potentially lethal matches like the yearly Southport Arena Championships are watched over by the Chancellor of the Academy, Herself, and believe me she is more than capable of reversing any permanent death or injuries. The stands are far enough removed that no one is really at risk as long as you stay in the center." He shrugs.

Iso begins to speak to Strom. "I pray I needn't prove myself in such a manner. The power of bard's song to stir the heart and raise the spirit is immeasurable, and if you seek to measure it, I'm afraid I must disappoint you."

Jameson shakes his head and interrupts. "Don't worry Bard, if you have spells to cast, you are hired. Would you like to watch the fights, though?", he asks with a grin. "By the way, what is your name?"

"Iso", the gnome replies. "And I've little interest in watching such petty brawls. If the journey to Waterdeep is as perilous as you say, I shall have occasion to see them in a real battle soon enough."

Leana Toras

"Well then, I suppose I'll just have to do my best."

Leana walks over to the red-haired woman who seems to share her profession and extends a hand. "Name's Leana."

The woman returns the firm handshake and adds a warm smile. "Jasmine Borealis. I saw you at the enclave yesterday. Are you an associate passing through, or a new hireling of the enclave here in the city?"

Iso approaches old man fish. "You've a most curious talent, how did you come to possess it?"

Old Fish looks over the gnome before giving him a quick bow. "My talent is curious only by matter of geography. Where I am from my people are fairly well-known, if not exactly common. I am Hengeyokai - a shape shifter and one of the spirit folk." The old man smiles and sips from his glass content that his answer is sufficient.

"Passing through. And you?". Nea noticeably glowers at Jasmine's familiar.

Jasmine responds, "I live here in the city and work at the Drunken Lemming. I get so much adventuring as an employee of this Inn, I scarcely need to work anywhere else, and Strom lets me attend the Grand Melee when it's held so that I stay in good stead with the enclave. It works well for me. Say, I can't hear Strom from over here, so what is he volunteering me for, please?"

Jasmine's owl calmly preens its wing, clearly ignoring Nea.

Leana replies, "A sparring match between the two of us. Me and some of the others -" She indicates Fel, Bronhild, Old Man Fish, and Iso "are signing up for a tour on the Sea Dragon, and seeing how we fare in a fight's the best way for some of us to prove our worth."

Jasmine shakes her head. "That's generous of him... It goes without saying that I would be honored to spar with a fellow sister, but since this isn't the Grand Melee our actual deadly weapons are not required. What did you have in mind, full combat just like the Grand Melee or something a little less dangerous?"

Iso smiles. "Another tale added to my library", he says, tapping the side of his head with the tip of his finger. "I can never travel so long that the world runs out of ones to tell."

Fel Redstorm

Fel brightens at the mention of a dwarf. "Dwarf! Love those guys--though I ain't never met one tough as nails. Maybe tough as anvils--but just as hard headed." He raps his knuckles on his skull, loud enough to hear a hollow 'thump.' "Lots in common with me. I'll be more 'n happy to spar with the fella. And if you like, we can do a four-way with Leana and the redhead there..." His voice trails off, and his face becomes as red as his beard. "Er. Not that kind. Pelor pissin' in Nerull's knickers, I meant stabbin' not, you know..." he buries his face into his mug, drains it, and too forcefully slams it onto the bar, absent-mindedly tossing lug a gold coin. "Refills fer the group, if ya please."

Lug pours out another round of drinks for those near empty, and signals to the house bard. As the man comes over, he whispers into the human's ear. The bard nods and heads into a side hallway. A minute later, he emerges and nods to Lug.

Lug looks to Fel. "The dwarf accepted. Tomorrow morning, meet here at the bar, and come ready to spar. What weapon you prefer? Lug ensure right wood weapon at arena."