"Oh" The lady breaths a careful sigh of relief. "I did hear that you had found our missing druid and that Rima was being attended to."
She motions towards the center of town, "If you feel up to it, I know we all" many of the townspeople nod, "want to hear about how you defeated the dragon and what the villainous creature was up to."
"And...."
Farmer pauses for effect.
"There is lots of wine to be drank in the telling and the listening."
"There is lots of wine to be drank in the telling and the listening."
And the villagers rejoice!
And the villagers rejoice!
Farmer doesn't do a lot of the talking, but more than makes up for it with his share of drinking.
"我想我們到了龍的巢穴沒有太快," murmurs Pasara, a little nervously, to Aka.
Aka nods back in agreement, "我感覺好多了，如果Sigrit在這裡。"
...but more than makes up for it with his share of drinking.
Once more pressing matters are completed, in this Aka will likely join him. Probably more enthusiastically than would normally be wise.
The storytelling of Tula's crypt, the ancient monastery and the defeat of the dragon goes on for hours, with people insisting on hearing the best parts of the stories again and again. It is only in the wee hours of the morning that Aka finally gets to rejoin the remaining (very drunk) people.
In a departure from his normal anti-social behavior, Willem sticks with the group and the stories. He doesn't add much, except the occasional nod, squeak, or chuckle, but he's there, drinking and eating and apparently enjoying himself.
The storytelling of Tula's crypt, the ancient monastery and the defeat of the dragon goes on for hours, with people insisting on hearing the best parts of the stories again and again. It is only in the wee hours of the morning that Aka finally gets to rejoin the remaining (very drunk) people.
Aka does rejoin the party, but tries as much as possible to find a quiet spot in the shadows in the background and just listens and nurses her drink with an occasional smile. She looks somewhat tired.
Aka does rejoin the party, but tries as much as possible to find a quiet spot in the shadows in the background and just listens and nurses her drink with an occasional smile. She looks somewhat tired.
Seeing Aka return, Pasara wanders over to her during a lull in the storytelling.
"Everything go alright?" she asks quietly.
Seeing Aka return, Pasara wanders over to her during a lull in the storytelling.
"Everything go alright?" she asks quietly.
Aka was apparently oblivious to Pasara's approach and starts as she speaks, "Oh. Hi P'sara. Yeah. Yeah, everything went fine. She's fine. The babies are fine. I..." she hesitates before continuing, "I'm just not at all sure I want to have kids, you know? That...was not easy for her." she winces at certain recent memories.
Fenyx looks over to Maffei.
He nods to one of the back tables of the room as he gathers some food.
"Since we made it back here within the day I still have that spell to make a hut away from the crowd later. It's yours if you want it.
I'll be in the workshop in the morning."
Aka was apparently oblivious to Pasara's approach and starts as she speaks, "Oh. Hi P'sara. Yeah. Yeah, everything went fine. She's fine. The babies are fine. I..." she hesitates before continuing, "I'm just not at all sure I want to have kids, you know? That...was not easy for her." she winces at certain recent memories.
"'Babies'‽" exclaims Pasara. She covers her mouth quickly; she didn't mean to make that much noise. More quietly she continues. "'Babies'? As in 'more than one'?"
Fenyx looks over to Maffei.
He nods to one of the back tables of the room as he gathers some food."Since we made it back here within the day I still have that spell to make a hut away from the crowd later. It's yours if you want it.
I'll be in the workshop in the morning."
She moves slowly, staying to the flickering shadows as much as possible. As if she thinks that if she moves slowly none of the villagers will notice her presence. And for the most part it does seem to work - although it may be more the storytelling and Farmer's free-flowing contributions to the celebration.
Maffei ducks her head in appreciation at Fenyx's offer. "Thank you, wizard. I would enjoy being able to be away from the..." her motion either encompasses the people in the room, or all of humanity as a whole. "But enjoy your praise. You and yours did a great thing in destroying the dragon and the saving both the woman and the town."
Willem turns the pistol over in his hands. "Not bad," he says with no small sense of approval. "Keep your action sharp and your powder dry, understand?"
Bophre motions to a small bag (the outside of which looks newly sealed with oil) which looks like it might hold two shots worth of powder. A small smile, but one full of pride, "Ms. Delbin watched me as I was grinding and mixing everything, but she said I'd best have you doublecheck else I'd blow up my hand and it would be all her fault."
A pause, "Then she sat me down and made me drink some tea." The girl's nose scrunches a bit, as if she isn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
Meanwhile, the celebration (bolstered by some unexpected reserves provided by Xemne) continues on until the wee hours of the morning. Even if the guests of honor slip away.
"'Babies'‽" exclaims Pasara. She covers her mouth quickly; she didn't mean to make that much noise. More quietly she continues. "'Babies'? As in 'more than one'?"
"Yeah." she whispers back with a sparkle in her eyes and a worried smile, happy for Rima and her husband, but not sure if she should have said anything before the couple made their own announcement. "They got a twofer." her smile grows a little more. "Both a sweet little girl & a rambunctious baby boy. That girl did not seem like she was sure whether she wanted to come out and face the world or not." Aka's expression seems to say Pasara's reaction and her current feelings are already taking some of the harder edges off of the memories of Rima's recent ordeal in her mind's eye. "Guess I couldn't blame her too much once her brother started testing his lungs." she pauses looking off in the distance with a half-smile at the memory, "but once he finally got comfortable and settled down, she showed right up. Almost like he decided everything was okay after all and it was safe for her to come out." another pause "Which means I guess, maybe she'll always have an older brother to look out for her. ...a couple or three hours older, anyway."
Her teeth flash in a winsome smile over the edge of her mug. It seems she has gone back to sipping on cocoa instead of the harder drink she had planned when they first arrived back in Belhaim.
Akatsuki, looking over at the group, suddenly cocks her head with a thoughtful expression.
A hollow bang thunders through the tavern as a white plume of brimstone-smelling smoke roils up to the ceiling from a candle. Willem, nodding appreciatively, hands a small bag to Bophre Malak.
And if she does check the stables, she does find all the horses tended to - and George asleep in the hay above, a little dried stew still on his chin.
Bophre reverently takes the bag from Willem. Grinning the whole time like smiles are going to be outlawed.
Talia greets everyone with their favorite foods and a quick warning that Lady Devy is planning on holding a ceremony for the group around noon.
Just a bit before people have their fill, a tired, gaunt but brilliantly happy Azmur Kell comes in. He bows a little, awkward, but both his eyes and his words are filled with sincere appreciation. "I just wanted to come here and thank you both for saving my Rima and the wee ones she was carrying." His eyes move to each humanoid, meeting their eyes, "If it were not for all of you, we wouldn't now have our William-Fen and Pasaka."
"It isn't much, but Rima and I would like you have these things as a thank you for helping our two little ones when they needed it most," his voice drops a bit, "hopefully. Unless they hear stories and decide they want to be adventurers." He places a small bag on the table which later proves to have his jaunty red cap, a weather-worn but well oiled cloak and a ring.
And at noon, the entire town (even the quiet ones like Phedre Delbin who don't ever socialize) are all gathered at the town square.
The vast majority of them cheer when the group comes down the road headed for the (hastily) build platform on which Baroness Devy stands.
As the group goes by an old man who looks like he'd fall over if it weren't for the gnarled cane which supports him, slaps Willem on the back. "Bout time boy."
As the group goes by an old man who looks like he'd fall over if it weren't for the gnarled cane which supports him, slaps Willem on the back. "Bout time boy."
"More wolves to complain of, old man? Or are you content?" Willem grumps.
Akatsuki, looking over at the group, suddenly cocks her head with a thoughtful expression.
"Hey, Pasara? Don't suppose you've noticed if George is up and around somewhere, have you? I know it's late, but I've been kind of..preoccupied." another small, somewhat tired smile graces her lips momentarily.
Pasara thinks a moment before replying, "No, I don't think so. I mean, I haven't really been paying attention. I've been more marveling at how much booze Farmer can pack away in an evening."
"If it were not for all of you, we wouldn't now have our William-Fen and Pasaka."
Farmer chokes on whatever he's drinking at this point.
"You're a lucky man," he says to Azmur after regaining the power of speech.
"If it were not for all of you, we wouldn't now have our William-Fen and Pasaka."
Farmer chokes on whatever he's drinking at this point.
"You're a lucky man," he says to Azmur after regaining the power of speech.
Azmur smiles at Farmer when he speaks, the happiness looking unnatural on the normally dour face. "I really am."
As the group goes by an old man who looks like he'd fall over if it weren't for the gnarled cane which supports him, slaps Willem on the back. "Bout time boy.""More wolves to complain of, old man? Or are you content?" Willem grumps.
"Bah!" The old man complains, "Now all of the little gets in the house want to go out and hunt wolves and dragons. Gonna be pulling them out of the bog for weeks." Despite the complaint, the old man seems to have the tiniest of smiles hiding under the wrinkles.
Akatsuki glances over towards the group again then turns back to Pasara and smiles conspiratorially.
Pasara thinks a moment before replying, "No, I don't think so. I mean, I haven't really been paying attention. I've been more marveling at how much booze Farmer can pack away in an evening."
"Yeah. Do you think he's trying to pickle his organs?"
A hollow bang thunders through the tavern as a white plume of brimstone-smelling smoke roils up to the ceiling from a candle. Willem, nodding appreciatively, hands a small bag to Bophre Malak.
Aka abruptly sits straight in her seat and looks around the room in alarm...until she determines the cause of the explosion and gives Willem a brief sour yet amused look before turning her attention back to her cocoa.
Talia greets everyone with their favorite foods...
for which Aka thanks her enthusiastically and with a big hug when her arms are no longer full.
Just a bit before people have their fill, a tired, gaunt but brilliantly happy Azmur Kell comes in. He bows a little, awkward, but both his eyes and his words are filled with sincere appreciation. "I just wanted to come here and thank you both for saving my Rima and the wee ones she was carrying." His eyes move to each humanoid, meeting their eyes, "If it were not for all of you, we wouldn't now have our William-Fen and Pasaka."
Akatsuki let's out a small surprised pleasant intake of breath.
"Bah!" The old man complains, "Now all of the little gets in the house want to go out and hunt wolves and dragons. Gonna be pulling them out of the bog for weeks." Despite the complaint, the old man seems to have the tiniest of smiles hiding under the wrinkles.
Aka smiles happily. She is more than willing to assist with the bog pulling.
As the group finally makes its way through the throng of (mostly) well-wishers, Lady Devy motions for them all to join her up on the platform.
Once everyone does, the baroness turns to address the town of Belhaim. "These brave people came to Belhaim only a short time as strangers. They owed us nothing but rather than leave us to our own devices in our time of troubles, they instead they chose to become our champions."
She smiles at the group before turning again to the townsfolk, "They brought back those of us that we thought were lost to us. Saved us from the ravages of a dragon and ensured that our town can continue to prosper and grow."
She turns back to the group, addressing them now, "As such I am privileged to bestow on all of you the greatest honor that I am able."
Lady Devy continues to address the group, but her voice rises so that her words can be heard by all, "You have already proven that you have the spirit and honor that is expected by nobility, so I am pleased that I can give you the title you have already so richly earned."
She motions for each of you to come before her in turn, touching your shoulders with a heavy blade - old and well cared for.
"You came here as Farmer, a profession which your father held before you. Since you have been here, we have seen you become enmeshed in the flow of our people and rise to our defense. Rise now as Sir Farmer, lord of Taldor." A pause, "May your cup never run dry."
"You came here as a daughter of Taldor, Pasara Tanner. Your actions and bravery have done more than prove the value of your family to Taldor, but surpassed every obstacle put before you. Rise now, Lady Pasara and know that where ever you go, you are and will always be a noble of Taldor."
"You came here as Akatsuki no Yume, daughter of your family, defender of the innocent. Rise now and leave as Lady Akatsuki no Yume, noble of Taldor."
"You came here, Bakuu, as a unexpected stranger." She smiles at the feathered female, "A defender of shinies and information that also chose to defend this place. Rise now, Lady Bakuu, noble of Taldor." As Bakuu rises the baroness places a chain around the bird-woman's neck, a coin shined to a reflective gleam. "No matter where you travel, know that you will always be one of us."
The baroness inclines her head to Sigrit as the stout dwarf comes forward. "You came here Mother Arkose as a guardian of the dead, a protector of the unborn. You have served Belhaim beyond that which your vows to the Lady of Graves would require. You have healed and guided new life into the world. Rise, Lady Sigrit, and carry on with your mission."
"You came here Fenyx Spelljammer as a somewhat confused traveller from the north. Once here you threw yourself into the defense of this place, working to undo the harm that we had allowed to grown in this place. Please rise Sir Fenyx."
Finally she motions to Willem, "You came as a stranger, Black Willem, perhaps stranger than most, with your whiskers and your innovative weapon. Once here, every time you heard of a danger or problem you choose to be at the forefront of finding what you can do to make it better." She nods to the small ratkin as she knights him, "I am proud to say. Please rise Sir Willem, noble of Taldor."
When he can find the time to speak to the new parents, "Mr. Azmur and Lady Rima, how are you with the new little ones. Is there anything that you need that I may be of service?"
Fenyx will eventually spend the next 3 days crafting the short bow to give to the girl with a quiver of arrows (20).
3 days is the take 10 completion time for the bow. 82 sp progress per day.
When he can find the time to speak to the new parents, "Mr. Azmur and Lady Rima, how are you with the new little ones. Is there anything that you need that I may be of service?"
Fenyx sees Azmur a number of times, but it is a day or two before Rima is up and about. Each of the proud, but tired, parents carries a newly born person. At the question Azmur looks a little confused, but apparently Rima is adjusting to the sleep deprivation better than her husband because she smiles at the elf. "Thank you Fenyx, but you and your friends have already done the impossible for us."
She bumps Azmur with her should, "Besides Azmur already made me promise that we won't be visiting my parents until the little ones can handle the cold and rough of travel, so we should be safe and happily bored right here in Belhaim."
A slight pause, then the small woman leans up and kisses the elf on his cheek, "But we really appreciate the offer."
Fenyx will eventually spend the next 3 days crafting the short bow to give to the girl with a quiver of arrows (20).
When Fenyx presents the bow, Bophre thanks him and promises that she will use the bow to provide sustenance for her family in the form of things that scrounge in the woods and fens.
When he can find the time to speak to the new parents, "Mr. Azmur and Lady Rima, how are you with the new little ones. Is there anything that you need that I may be of service?"Fenyx sees Azmur a number of times, but it is a day or two before Rima is up and about. Each of the proud, but tired, parents carries a newly born person. At the question Azmur looks a little confused, but apparently Rima is adjusting to the sleep deprivation better than her husband because she smiles at the elf. "Thank you Fenyx, but you and your friends have already done the impossible for us."
She bumps Azmur with her should, "Besides Azmur already made me promise that we won't be visiting my parents until the little ones can handle the cold and rough of travel, so we should be safe and happily bored right here in Belhaim."
A slight pause, then the small woman leans up and kisses the elf on his cheek, "But we really appreciate the offer."
Fenyx thinks for a bit and takes his bidding.
Fenyx will buy 2 signet rings with trees in the design, a pouch, and the required regeants for 2 continual light spells.
He imbues the two rings with the continual light spell and places them in the pouch with 10 gp.
He returns to Azmur and Rima and presents the pouch to them.
"This should help you on your journeys. May you have safe travels and may your children grow with the strength that is in you and those you meet."
Fenyx bows and takes his leave.
Fenyx is out at least 120 gp + pouch cost.