Tatsu smiles at her new companions and their eagerness. "Just like that? But what shall we gather first? I was hoping master Thumpy here," and she points to the dwarf, "would have some sort of idea about the ironbloom mushrooms and if the clanholds to the north might have some to trade?"

"Or should we try the witch Ulizila first? I hear she is shrewd negotiator and will not be easy to bargain with. I don't know where she is, only she is in the forest somewhere. Which leaves us with the elderwood moss, which also is somewhere deep in the forest. So if we are going to the forest, we should talk to Kreed's man, Milon Rhodam, up at the Consortium Camp to the east of the village."

"I could make these decisions myself, but I would rather my companions had a say in what approach we take. I am smart enough to know that I don't know it all, and I don't have the pride to swing around, if you know what I mean."

"Hmmm... hey! Clovis! Know where we can get a map of the area?"

"Do I look like I know who has a map? Let's ask this Milhom guy. Or Jak. Guess he'd have a map or something."

"How about this Kreed guy? I heard he's rich. Maybe he has a map."

Clovis, Kidlat

"Get a grip Kidlat. He's the moron who kept screaming for taxes and eyeing up the girls. Him and his no-good, lumpen son. The only thing we're asking him for is his own death certificate."

Laz

"I hope it doesn't come to that. Kreed isn't the kind to fight fair. I really don't want to be fighting 30 or so lumberjacks or however many he can gather in a short period of time. I would prefer to avoid him if possible." Tatsu states.

"No so much a moron if he cares about his profit that much. Remember if the entire town is sick who will work his industries. Perhaps we can convince him it is in his interest to help us. What do you think?"

"I think he won't listen to a couple of carnie freaks. But he might listen to your pretty crush."

"Milady will surely charm his flinty heart." Kidlat grins.

"She wants to avoid him. She said so already. Unless the support we're offering is helping to change your mind," he adds for Tatsu's benefit.

"Or we can simply mount an expedition to Kreed's place. Hey, doesn't that Kreed guy have any relatives we can ask for help? Hopefully with a better disposition."

The dwarf watches on, trying hard to follow the lightning fast exchange between Kidlat and Clovis.

Kidlat notices Thumpy, "Any suggestions?"

"Um, I'll go with whatever."

Tatsu, repeating herself again asks Thumpy about the ironbloom mushrooms. "Thumpy, are you from the north? Are there clanholds there? Or are we expecting to go ruin-searching to find these mushrooms?"
Laz, does THumpy know about the dwarves or is he a distant dwarf?

as for the Kreed idea

She turns to the dynamic duo and exclaims, "I am not very good in social settings. I prefer combat to parlay, it's more straightforward. I don't have great speech making skills and I am afriad that bully Kreed will piss me off and I'll punch him in the nose. (I've done it before, boys with a wink) No, let's check the general store to see if they've got a map and if that runs dry, we'll check with the woodsman at the Camp and try to keep a low profile in the meanwhile." She points at Clovis in particular. "That means you, Clovis. I've enjoyed your antics so far but among those burly 'jacks, less funny, more business. Can you handle that? You, too, Kidlat."

oh yeah, she called you out, Clovis

Thumpy

As the newly formed party talk amongst themselves and head across to the general store, a voice calls out to Clovis and Kidlat. They turn and see a group of five children heading towards them. The first one a tall, lean girl, with auburn hair. She carries a crude club (mostly a thick tree branch). The second is tall, slightly muscular boy, the oldest of the five. He smiles and waves at the two carnies. With him walks a short, husky, blonde haired boy. He wears the clothes of an aristocrat or noble. Finally behind him the last two, a short, pale skinned boy, obviously the youngest; And a lean, red-headed boy, carrying a dagger.

They wave and walk up the group.

Lia, Ser

Clovis, Kidlat

Looking at Tatsu, the halfling just shrugs. "Whatever. Keep your hair on sweetcakes." It looks for a half second as if he might say more, but as the children approach he grins like a loon and turns to them. Oddly enough, Clovis does have people skills. +9 Diplomacy, not that its easy to tell.

"Good to see you. What's up?" He taps Tatsu on the arm. "Map source. If anyone knows anything, it's these guys." His wide smile just got wider.

Mikra returns the halfings smile. "We're going...", before the boy can even finish Jurin and Kimi have their hand over his mouth.

"Out!" Kimi bursts "Outside... on this glorious day". She smiles sheepishly. The others quickly nod their heads in agreement, as Jurin whispers to something to Mikra.

"We all saw you here, and were surprised you didn't leave with the rest of the carnival. Good thing you didn't the town would be boring with out atleast you two." She glances at Tatsu and the others. "So how are ya friends?"

"You know us, where Kidlat and I walk, excitement follows. These,"

Clovis gestures grandly

"are the basic building blocks of the all new, all fantastic Clovis and Kidlat Travelling Wonder Show! Sweetcakes is going to throw out undesirables, Thumpy will juggle for your amusement, Ser and Lia have mysterious powers and we,"

- he puts an arm around Kidlat,

"are our own special deluxe selves who you already know so well. Oh - and I'm lying."

He lets go of Kidlat and sits down. "Kimi, you guys are the real eyes and ears around here. Can you tell us some stuff? There's kind of a problem with illness we'd like to solve. Could really use your help."

"I'm not sure how much help we can be, plus we have to get moving soon, or well miss out on..." she quiets herself.

"So yeah, what was it again?"

Clovis and Kidlat Travelling Wonder Show, heh. Now there's the name of an adventure troupe if I ever heard one

Tatsu, at first offended by Clovis's obvious sexist remark, is smart enough to leave the talking to the talkers.

"Milady, please pardon my friend here. He's just excited... as always."

Thumpy tugs at Tatsu's elbow to get her attention.

"I've heard of those mushrooms. Never tried it. I could go up north to buy some, but that would take a few days."

Clovis looks at Tatsu and says seriously (by his standards), "Guess we'll get used to each other. You call me, I'll call you - why don't we call it quits? Lemme talk to the kids. They're up to something."

"Hi Kimi - don't run off just yet. We could really use some information." In a whisper he adds "What's the huge rush? Anything fun? Me and Kidlat are always up for a little sparkle in our lives."

Tatsu lets Clovis talk to the kids and turns aside to Thumpy. Quietly, she says to him, "We will have to, at some point, I think. We have to have some of those mushrooms. We'll wait to see what Clovis's little friends have to say and then plan accordingly."

"i don't think letting Clovis talk to the kids is a good idea," Lia says. "From what I've seen, he's more likely to get us in trouble then get information. Be prepared to run." ;)

Tatsu smiles at Lia's comment but responds, "No, give him a chance. He really is quite charming, beneath all the chaos."

"Hi Kimi - don't run off just yet. We could really use some information." In a whisper he adds "What's the huge rush? Anything fun? Me and Kidlat are always up for a little sparkle in our lives."

Clovis

While Clovis talks with the kids what are the rest of you up to? Still moving over to the general store?

Clovis instantly spits in his own palm and shakes hands with Kimi. "Me and secrets are old friends."

yeah, might as well. no sense scaring the kids into thinking we are trying to learn their business.

Tatsu leads the others to the shop.

Kimi and the others smile as lovis shakes. She moves closer to him and whispers...

Clovis

Entering the Goose'n'Gander the others see cases of lamp oil, bags of rice,vials of ink and many other items all over the store. Getting closer to the counter you see taxidermy nixies and a petrified pseudodragon.

"They're all the rage this season!" a gnome with hair the color of fall leaves jumps up onto a stool and points to the nixie.

"Uh, No, actually, we were looking for a map of the general area. Like one with neighboring communities or details of the mountains or the forest. We're interested in exploring those areas." Tatsu says. "Do you have anything like that?"

"General... area? Hmm lets see" he ducks under the counter and after a moment reappears.

He lays out two maps, "This one, pointing to the map on the right, is a very detailed map of the Andoran. This one though only has the local area on it" he says with a smile

Lia, Ser

Ser nudges lia who he notices to have a similar puzzled look on her face for a moment, "something about this seem weird to you? I can't place it but it feels strange." he looks to the others to judge their reactions

Clovis pulls a face

Kimi and other kids

Clovis

Kimi and other kids

Clovis

"Sorry Clovis we really have to go. If we don't get there these chickens will start crying"

"IM NOT A CHICKEN" Jurin shouts

The others start smiling. They say their goodbyes and head down the north road.

Kimi

*under his breath as the kids move away* "Bugger. Nearly worked."

He goes to find Kidlat at a run.

"Hey, Clovis, where've you been?!"

"Talking. Got an idea. Listen up."

Kidlat

"Count me in." A mischevious grin on Kidlat's face. "Should we tell the others? Milady Tatsu would probably enjoy a moonlit stroll."

Ser nudges lia who he notices to have a similar puzzled look on her face for a moment, "something about this seem weird to you? I can't place it but it feels strange." he looks to the others to judge their reactions

"Count me in." A mischevious grin on Kidlat's face. "Should we tell the others? Milady Tatsu would probably enjoy a moonlit stroll."

Clovis ambles over to talk to Lia and Ser.

"What've you got there? Anything useful?"

For Clovis

Kidlat