Dumbfounded, the old man replies sluggishly: "No offence taken..." He chews on the taste of his shattered world view for a moment before he continues "No festival, just market day. Firstbloom is in two weeks time though, so you arrive just in time to help the temple with preparations. Erastil knows Warder Kaimain needs help..."
"Once more, our thanks to you, venerable one," Tsukitaro says with a final bow of the head. "Shall we adjourn, fellow travellers?"
Ryder just shakes his head at the whole situation. I don't blame you. A goblin paladin.
"Hmm, you sound as if you don't necessarily care for the man."
Ferratal nods at the goblin and Aerys himself ready to walk when Kevos interupts. Is this true? Why would that be? he wonders aloud, scratching at his chin
The old man seems to bubble with energy as he starts to blurt out words, only barely containing himself. Apparently rumormongering is a solace in his old age: "Well, It's not as if I don't like him... It's just hard to respect a man when the man in question spends more time drinking than working. Especially when that man is, in both name and title, dedicated to Erastil. Some are starting to wonder if the dear Warder Kaimain might not be a priest in service of Cayden Cailean rather than Erastil. He certainly acts that way." As he finishes, he looks at each of you excitedly.
"I am not intimately familiar with the faith of Cayden Cailean, but is he not a worthy deity who champions the protection of the innocent and the overthrow of tyranny?" Tsukitaro asks. "You would be well-served either way, would you not?"
Kevos chuckles, and says, "Hah! Well, young Tsukitaro, I think it's more an issue of Erastil expecting one to be a respectable and responsible member of the community. You wouldn't want a nanny you hired spending more time partying in the basement than watching the kids."
He thinks to himself, Also, old Deadeye is a bit of a stick in the mud.
Ryder grunts. "Nothing wrong with enjoying a drink or two when you have the time, but you can't let it get in the way of your responsibilities. He that kind of man?" He inquires of the old man.
Nodding sagely to himself at Ryder Craw's words, the old man confirms: "Well, let's just say that his services have become somewhat... sporadic. He used to be such a well respected and free-spirited man. No one really knows why he changed. And so suddenly at that."
At the goblin's question he directs a respectful but rather succint answer: "He is not called "The Drunken Hero" for nothing. A hero, yes. But still drunk." It's clear that he thinks very little of the god.
"Not so good when yer supposed to be a pillar of the community. HA! Well, maybe he can learn something from our young goblin here! Never thought I'd say that. Well, we'll be off. Thanks for your help, maybe we can return the favor sometime."
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"No, not good. Not good at all." He noods sagely at Kevos's words and sees you off with a gruff smile "If you truly help Kaimain, consider us square. Good luck and goodbye."
You follow the old man's directions north, and true enough as you reach a crossroads you spot a sturdy stone temple.
Two lengthy stoneslab steps lead up to the wooden double doors at the entrance, one word etched deeply into the granite of each: Welcome and Home. The temple itself is a simple square building of stone, granite and hard woods, decorated only sparsely with antlers hanging over the door and windows. Next to the temple is a smaller building of weathered wood that smells of horse and wet dog, in front of which stands a small water trough with poles for tying up animals. From the equine and canine sounds coming from inside, you assume this to be the stables.
Tsukitaro ties up Donkey at the trough and you all proceed inside. The doors are heavy and creaking, but not locked. Inside stands only sturdy tables and stools on a floor covered by simple rugs. On the walls hang racks of common tools, and tools for their maintenance. At the far end from the entrance is a big hearth that serves more purposes than simply heating the temple in the winter. All of it seem just a little bit neglected; the rugs could use a beating, some of the tools have fallen from their racks, and judging by the accumulation of coal and soot the fireplace hasn't been cleaned for quite a while.
There's no sign of the cleric, but two doors on the right side of the temple, the side towards the stables, stand closed and locked. Knocking gives no response.
"Hmm. Nobody home it seems." Ryder slips around the building, taking a look around for any people or for any signs of where they might have gone. He also sees if they have horses in the stables.
Kevos looks around sneakily to make sure he isn't being observed by the locals, and nonchalantly activates his bracers. The transform into a set of masterwork thieve's tools and he examines the lock.
Ryder explores the vicinity and finds six horses lazing about drowsily inside the stables. Judging by the lack of horse feed, you guess the warder is down by the market square buying some.
Meanwhile, Kevos manages to pry open the locked door inside the temple. You open the door, and your nostrils are assaulted by the smell of sweet, fermenting fruit and alcohol. Besides the smell though, it seems to be a private bedchamber with a personal fermenting area. Incredibly, it's fairly well kept.
"Oi, I think that the man is off in town buying feed. We should wait for him to get back. Don't want to intrude on his priva..." He looks at Kevos breaking in. "Or that."
"Eh heh heh heh... oooh... smells amazing!"
"Don't move. I'll turn you into pin cushions if you do." A bear of a man stands in the double doors leading into the temple, bow drawn and arrow nocked. "Now I don't want to send you down the Hel road, but if you don't leave right now, I will." He lets out a soundly burp and looks at you in turn. You notice he is slightly cockeyed, and doesn't seem to notice the contradiction in his demands.
Ryder slowly raises his hands, trying not to look threatening. Not an easy feat for a scarred up giant of a man. "Easy now old man, let's just talk..."
Kevos raises his hands cautiously and speaks, "Oh my stars, no offense meant! We were sent to check on a man by the name of Warder Kaiman. There was no response at the door, and I noticed the smell of... fumes... and thought it would be prudent to investigate."
"Check on me? By who?" The mans anger abates visibly, although it seems to be replaced by confusion.
Kevos pauses a second, caught off guard by the sudden shift in the man's tone. "Err, oh, it was a Daniel Peterson fellow, from the Chthonian Chroniclers. Here, I was s'posed to show you this. Don't shoot, it's not a weapon." Cautiously, Kevos retrieves his wayfinder to show Kaiman.