Rise of the Runelord Plus Second Group (Inactive)

Game Master Shadow Bloodmoon

Upon returning to the Rusty Dragon, you immediately notice that the place is mostly empty, obviously due to recent events. Most of the chairs and tables are put up and a halfling woman is busily cleaning glasses behind the bar, humming a tune that every once in a while seems to tremble, as if a sort of fear is gripping her. There is no one else here. She notices as you walk in.

"I'm sorry friends, I've done my best to keep the place tidy until Ameiko's return from the festival, but after tonight, well..," she stutters a bit. "Sandpoint just can't seem to catch a break. If it weren't for you, I don't know what we would have done."

I'm assuming Nar'a knows the girl....

Nar'a busts into the Rusty Dragon in a rush, then calms upon seeing the girl.

"You've done well! Here let me help you." Nar'a says, grabbing some glasses and dishes and taking back behind the bar.

Cedric enters shortly after Nar'a walking in as he usally does. He begins helping clean the place up. "There is no need to thank us. We were just doing what anyone would do when the place they considered home is attack."

Zenovia Marilis returns to the Rusty Dragon in the evening not working deep into the night at the temple as she had already expended all her spells by then and concerned with her personal safety heads back to check on her things, making sure no filthy goblins broke into her room and pinched her things. Other than that she lays out her armor and equipment for the next day as from now on she'll be wearing it at almost all times considering the danger this town has shown. The goblins were a grave evil and she was willing to do her part to investigate the attack.

After getting her things sorted she heads downstairs to get a drink and a meal at the bar, rather parched after the day's events.

Kror wanders into the bar, looking around curiously.

Ah! Here we go. I suppose everyone's given up on the whole festival thing. I guess it's going to be more a quiet drink in the bar and clean your axe kind of night than a dance and drink until the sun comes up kind of night...

So. About that drink?

DM, this thread doesn't show up on my Campaign tab for some reason...

The older halfling woman smiles as all you come in. "Oh thank you, Nar'a and...friends. I will gladly get you that drink good dwarf, it seems you've earned it. Janderhoff Stout? Would anyone else like something? I can make something up real quick. Most of the food was at the festival though.." She trails off, waiting for any orders.

"My room wasn't disturbed perchance. I had a little project in there brewing. Ahh nothing dangerous of coures, well as long as no one drinks it that is." Cedric asks before he goes and checks it himself.

Zenovia hails the Barmaid over and says, "Greetings madame. It has been a long day for me with all these goblin problems about town. Could you get me today's special for a meal and a mug of fine mead. I am quite famished."

After she heads off she looks to Cedric and says, "Indeed, my room was also untouched. Which is good as my weapons and armor are now available to be used. I wish I could have done more during that Goblin Attack but I was in no condition to fight with a mere dagger and a dress to defend myself. But not to worry my friend, I will not be caught off guard again. On the morrow I will meet with the Mayor and do what I can to investigate these troubles."

After confirming his gear hasen't been disturbed Cedric returns to join the others. "It seems you were right my things were not disturbed. I am curious as to what the mayors wants to discuss as well. Goblin attacks aren't unusual but of this scale and being in town. Something is definitely not right."

Hong enters the inn, his pack of weapons and armor slung once more over his shoulder. He grins as he takes in the inn's common room and it's patronage. Then he heads over towards a table, slinging his gear under one of the chairs.

"Nothing like a filthy gobbo attack as an introduction to a town, eh?" he comments with a grin to anyone that is looking. Then he fishes out one of his remaining goldpieces and sets it on the bar as he walks over, sliding it over to the halfling woman, giving her a wink.

"Drinks for everyone, Cuz." he tells her, grinning. Then he looks about the room.

"Goblins are crawling over this area of the coast, but I don't remember them ever getting right into the center of town before."

After spending his healing on a child in need, Dacar enters the in time to hear a round. With a grim smile, he heads over to the lad. Well fought lad, I'll take your drink and then add a toast! Raising his mug, To the fallen, may their gods open their arms wide and embrace them. To the living, never forget the fallen for they died too soon!

With a practised skill he downs this drink and orders a bottle, heading to an open table.

Zenovia says in response to Dacar, "Indeed. We shan't not let the sorrows of this day keep us from moving forward."

She joins in a toast and takes a swig of mead from her mug.

Nar'a helps Bethana serve up drinks and food to the tired heroes, then she sits with them.

"I've only lived here for one year, but I can say thank you for coming to Sandpoint's aid." she shakes her head "It's strange, the goblins around here usually are only a nuisance, scavanging along the beach. This is different..."

Moving on to the next morning...

Bethana, the elderly halfling woman agrees. "This is different. They have never attacked with so many at once. Something must have set them off."

The rest of the night passes from conversation to rest, though sleep is hard to come by with thoughts of the goblin raid still fresh in everyone's mind. You do eventually fall asleep, and you are not sure what time later it is when a bright light pierces your vision and a voice is saying, "There is a messenger for you."

"Oh?"

Burma exits her room and goes to meet this messenger.

If it's a dwarf from the Five Kings Mountains, I'm not here.

Dacar heads to his room door, knowing that the buzzing is slow to leave his head. With a quick jerk he opens the door, forgetting that he has little more then his undergarments and a boot on. What do you ant, can't you see I'm sleeping in here!

Zenovia replies with celestial gibberish from the surprise but then calms down and gets out of bed. She then heads off to meet with the messenger.

As the lot of you head downstairs to meet with the messenger, you see Bethana already awake and making breakfast. "Ameiko said breakfast is on the house for you all, but to meet her at..."

She is cutoff by the messenger, "..the town hall. Where she is with the Mayor who would like you to hurry as you can. I can take you there directly." This messenger seems put off by the idea of you wasting time with breakfast.

Bethana gives the young man a curt nod as she forces bits of bacon into your hands and a spoonful of scrambled eggs into your mouths. "Heroes must eat before they go...heroing..", she says as she helps all of you get ready to follow the messenger.

When you are finished with breakfast and any morning rituals, the messenger hurriedly guides you to the town hall, bypassing the citizens of Sandpoint who are busying themselves cleaning up the mess from last night. The messenger's swiftness doesn't allow much time to look and see the extent of the damage, but the still curling smoke and smell of bodies is enough to remind you.

When you get to the town hall, a guard ushers you to a large meeting room with a long table and several chairs, some occupied by adventurers you met last night. Sheriff Hemlock is waiting there as well, but he stands near the door. "There is water there for your refreshment, the mayor should be along shortly."

Everyone back to the main thread...

Zenovia goes back to her room, puts on her armor and equipment. She eats breakfast and then heads off to the Town Hall and takes a seat waiting for the Mayor while drinking a glass of water.

After a rushed meal, Dacar follows Zenovia up to grab his gear before departing.

When you return to the Rusty Dragon, you find Bethana already preparing lunch. Some of the town is starting to return to normal, as you aren't the only ones here. Aldern shows you to a table and bids all of you to be seated. As you do, he begins to speak.

” Thank you all for agreeing to help me in this. My family has had an interest in the area, and it has fallen to me to pick up pieces that have been left for me. I plan on refurbishing the old manor and helping invest in Sandpoint. The object you have in your hands is only a piece of a larger puzzle I've been given. Before I go into detail, do you have questions?”

Thanks for this opportunity Kane is happy to be here.

Only that I would like a moment to study the object before we go, that is unless we're taking it with us?

Sativon arrives at the Rusty Dragon on the coat tails of Aldern, following Burma and Dacar. He surveys the surroundings, making a note of suitable exits, and any nooks or alcoves he might hide in, should that be necessary.

"We are indeed taking it with us. Wouldn't want it falling into the wrong hands," Aldern says with a wry smile.

As you are discussing the journey, Bethana serves lunch, a sort of sausage and potato dish with bread to go along with it. "Compliments of Ameiko Kaijitsu."

Alright let's go One can tell Kane is eager to go.

And everybody can see a little gnome running in the same direction.

Sorry, sorry. I'm late. I was busy with Big Ears and Hairry Harry. They're affraied after attack and i needed to calm them.

I thinks I saw you yesterday, during this........ moment.

As he says this word, he have a shudder of displeasure. As if he doesn't like that he remember.

Hee. In fact, I follow you, because I saw you going in this direction. What's happens?

You can see rings under his eyes.

When do we leave? Dacar smirks at Kane's impatience, but he himself feels the same.

Aldern smiles, eyebrow raising at the gnome. ” We leave in the morning, if you are all prepared. I have a ship in the port waiting for us. I'll give you plenty of time to purchase anything you might need.”

Sativon smiles a wicked grin. Purchase... yes, I should definitely take some time to wander the markets and purchase some things before we leave on a ship bound for adventure. He then looks around for the owner of the Rusty Dragon so he can procure lodging for the night, and get himself situated in his room. Bethana! Is the owner about? Or can I pay for lodging through you?

Bethana smiles, "Well, you're in luck my young kinsman. Ameiko was gracious enough to provide room and board for you and your friends for the rest of the week in thanks for helping to protect Sandpoint from the goblins."

Kane enjoys his welcome and is here to protect.

"I am going to resume my meditation. If anyone needs me... well, try not to."
Burma draws her mask from her backpack, along with a hammer and some nails. She starts to head out front door when she pauses.
"...but... if it's important, Sativon will probably be able to find me. He always seems to."

With that, she exits.

Burma proceeds to find the nearest tree that would be out-of-sight by passerby, hangs the mask on its trunk, and sits in front of it, once again contemplating agony.

Preparing spells, which I never did this morning.

Okay Burma, if we absolutely need you, I'll come find you. Sativon flashes her a whimsical smile as she heads out the door. He then turns and addresses Bethana again. Now if you could direct me to our rooms? I'll get myself set up, and maybe do a little strolling around the city to see if I can haggle some merchants out of their merchandise. Sativon finds his quarters, and does a quick check for available entrances and exits, including windows that are passable.

Bethana is only too happy to show all of you to your rooms for the night.
Unless you have any further questions for Aldern, he takes his leave and allows you the rest of the day to pick up supplies and whatever else you might want to do before you leave the next morning.

Kane has nothing else to do, so he will rest for the night and leave in the morning.

Burma returns to the inn at some point during dusk and promptly goes to sleep.

In the morning I prepare those same spells again

I'm giving everyone else til tomorrow to chime in or I'll just presume that everyone is ready and we'll move ahead.

The next morning, you are woken with the smell of Bethany's breakfast cooking and the sound of an argument in a strange language coming from downstairs.

When you arrive, you see Ameiko Kaijitsu, pretty dark-haired Tian owner of the Rusty Dragon, and an older man dressed in odd looking robes yelling at Ameiko. The other patrons are only watching the encounter, and only Bethany seems disturbed by it.

Yo, what is going on here, argueing and disturbance. What is the meaning of this. Kane however, does not shout or talk in a deep voice like one would expect those words to be said in. Instead he talks in a normal voice as if he were speaking to a customer at a fast food restaurant.

Burma takes a seat in the corner and ignores it. It isn't her affair and she wants nothing to do with it, unless it devolves into something that requires intervention.

Going to assume that everyone else is ignoring the altercation or we've lost them..

Ameiko pauses in her argument for the moment to answer Kane. "Nothing I can't handle, friend. My father and I are simply having a discussion on how to run MY business."

The man looks perturbed and in a huff, turns and storms out.

Ameiko looks at you again. "See? Handled. Now, what can I do for you guys? I heard you were all leaving again."

Yes, and we just need to be well prepared for wheatever comes our way.

Ameiko smiles. "As any adventurer should be. Tell me, " she pauses for a moment. "What do you know of that Aldern fellow?"

Kane says nothing more, he just heads to the next mission when everyone else is ready.