Aylmora discusses the Baretts' plight with Ameiko, and asks her friend to allow the family to stay at the Rusty Dragon if they have nowhere else to go. She also asks that Vaclav or Father Zantus heal Aeren Barett's wounded arm (remember, the goblin tried to chew the boy's arm off!).
Aylmora helps Ameiko and Bethana serve the large crowd gathered at the inn. She makes sure that her adventuring companions get all of the boar they can eat and winterdrop mead they can drink, while keeping a wary eye out for Lord Aldern Foxglove.
Aldern taxes Ameiko's patience to the limit in his insistence that Aylmora should be his guest and not a servant at the feast. She can see that his attention is wholly welcomed, and confides that she is relieved that he is leaving in the morning.
The one odd addition to the evening's guests is a small, bespectacled gnome who approaches Gornak ...
The gnome is Veznutt Parooh, who owns the 'book shop' The Way North (he hardly sells anything, but struck up a friendship with Quar).
"Good master Gornak," the flustered little gnome struggles to avoid being jostled by the crowd, and is a little intimidated by the size of the lad he addresses. "I wonder if I might prevail on you to call on me tomorrow morning, as early as you may? I have not heard from Master Quar and I understand you were one of his students. If so there is a matter I must bring to your attention."
Vaclav stays as long as th Baretts need him and shows up late to the Rusty Dragon. "Any of that boar left?"
When offered a beer he thinks long and hard before turning it down and asks for water instead. He sits quietly at the end of the table, watches his hunting companions, and will talk with anyone who approaches him.
The one odd addition to the evening's guests is a small, bespectacled gnome who approaches Gornak ...
** spoiler omitted **
What can I do to help you, Mister Parooh?"
Thanadros returns from the bar, with an armful of fresh meads, and plops one down in front of everyone (even Vaclav), including one at an empty spot at the table.
Aylmora, SIT, DRINK!... I make Toast! Thanadros then stands up, mead in hand... Ehem! May we feast, and drink for many nights to come! To many more good hunts... And many more dead goblins! Thanadros says, raising the glass high and banging it with all whom offer, then slaming it down.
The small gnome's first reply is lost in the din as many patrons drink to Thanadros' toast.
"Oh no, I know it wasn't yourself! He was investigating something ... some information brought by my house guest. Can you come to the Way North early tomorrow morning?"
The retiring little gnome retreats to the quietest corner of the common room, to Vaclav's table.
Another unusual figure enters the Rusty Dragon, Sheriff Hemlock. He looks unhappy as he negotiates the crowd toward the main knot of adventurers, clearly he is here for business not pleasure.
Seeing the sheriff enter the inn, Albrecht rises from his table and goes over to greet him. "Sheriff, how nice of you to join us," he says before notice the expression on his face. Sighing, Albrecht puts down his drink, "I take it that this is a business visit, isn't it?"
"Aye, it is," the Sheriff agrees. "Can you get young Gornak over here? I hate to spoil his night, but I need him right now."
"Hey everybody, I just talked to Mister Parooh, and he said that Mister Quar talked to a guest o' his and then went off to investigate something. He suggested I come by tomorrow morning and talk to his guest. You're all welcome to come along -- Mister Quar can use all the friends he can get, I reckon!"
Thanadros pokes Gornak a few times with his tankard. Once he has the big man's attention, he points with it towards the sheriff. He here for you... He then goes back to drinking... but he keeps an eye on what is going on.
Thanadros returns from the bar, with an armful of fresh meads, and plops one down in front of everyone (even Vaclav), including one at an empty spot at the table.Aylmora, SIT, DRINK!... I make Toast! Thanadros then stands up, mead in hand... Ehem! May we feast, and drink for many nights to come! To many more good hunts... And many more dead goblins! Thanadros says, raising the glass high and banging it with all whom offer, then slaming it down.
Vaclav picks up the mug and drains it in one go after Thanadros' toast. "Aye. That was what was missing. Thanks, Thanadros. And well said." He wipes his mouth with his sleeve and calls the waitress over for an ale.
....
The retiring little gnome retreats to the quietest corner of the common room, to Vaclav's table.....
"Well sit here and rest, good gnome. Let me buy you a drink." Vaclav motins the waitress over, drains his ale, and orders one for himself and the gnome. "Are you passing through, or do you live around here?"
"Oh I am local," the gnome winces as Gornak cheerfully announces their meeting the following morning. "I collect books and maps and other documents, and trade in them sometimes." He accepts a drink himself.
"By and large I keep to myself - I like Sandpoint because it is quiet and lacks the bustle of the city. Usually."
Gornak hustles over to the sheriff.
"What can I do for you, Sheriff? I'm glad to help however I can."
The sheriff looks unhappy.
"It's your Pa, son. He's had himself a skinful and he's making lives miserable down on the water front - he's already accosted a couple of ladies. Nothing violent yet, but the state he's in it won't be long. Can you come down and take him home so he can sleep it off?"
Thanadros buts into the conversation... Gornak's father bad drunk? Need help? He half giant too, or big full giant?
Gornak's father bad drunk? Need help? He half giant too, or big full giant?
"Gorvi's half orc, and not a bad sort when he's sober. Gornak here gets his size from his mother," the Sheriff supplies. "Truth is, if he decides to start a fight, he's strong enough that someone's going to get hurt and no-one wants that."
Gornak sighs. "Aw, dad... All right, I'll go down an drag him back to the junk yard."
Gornak gives his regards to the others and then moves off at a trot, looking for his father.
It doesn't take very long - Gorvi is busily making a pest of himself outside the Pixie's Kitten, where two of the three shoanti bouncers are barring his entry, mainly in respect of his being very drunk. They won't let him in, and he won't go away, and both are trying to intimidate each other. The impasse is resolved quickly when Gornak appears, and Gorvi (looking a bit ashamed of himself) suddenly pretends he wants nothing to do with the place.
"Wha' you doin' 'round h're shon," he slurs, "s'no' a moral place to be f'r a y'ng lad. Go're be c'ref'l, th'm w'm'n'll h've y're cash an' be g'ne b'mornin' ..." His expression turns very mournful.
"Aw Shelyn, wh'ya hate me sho mush?" he wails.
Gornak holds out his hands to his father. "Aw, c'mon pa. I know you're lonely; I get lonely too. But that's no reason to bother these nice ladies. If you want, you can come back when you've sobered up. Now why don't we go down to the dump and shoot at some rats, huh? You always like that."
Diplomacy:
Wonder how Gornak and Gornak father fairing... Thanadros thinks as he drains another ale.
"Y'r a goo' la' shon," Gorvi slurs ... and all but collapses into Gornak. Taking him home is thus rendered very easy.
Back at the Rusty Dragon, Mr Parooh excuses himself and leaves for the Way North.
Gornak gently lays his father in bed and then heads to bed himself.
At the Rusty Dragon:
Vaclav rises as Mr. Parooh takes his leave. "I'll send you off with this fine old marching song, sir." And he breaks into "One Hundred Leagues to Home." Some of the patrons down their drinks and head for the door; they know that each league has a verse and some have more. It is a rare performer that get through the entire ballad without needing a drink or two.
Perform
At the Rusty Dragon:
Vaclav rises as Mr. Parooh takes his leave. "I'll send you off with this fine old marching song, sir." And he breaks into "One Hundred Leagues to Home." Some of the patrons down their drinks and head for the door; they know that each league has a verse and some have more. It is a rare performer that get through the entire ballad without needing a drink or two.
Perform 1d20+2
Bahaha! You funny drunk! Keep singing. You can do it! Bahaha! Thanadros laughs between boar and mead.
Sitting back down after speaking with the Sheriff and saying his farewells to Gornak, Albrecht turns to Vaclav as he begins to belt out the drinking song. After thinking about it for a second he smiles, downs the remnants of his ale and stands up next to the singing priest and joins in as best h can, but it is quite evident that neither of the men are terribly great singers.
Bahaha! You good too, Fire-fist! You good, too!
When Albrecht joins, Vaclav smiles and sings louder. He takes advantage of the other man's voice to occasionally drop out of the singing for a verse and sip more ale.
After "100 Leagues" makes it home, he decides to bring it down a little with a fine old ballad, "The Maids of Cheliax" --
"I met a maid in Cheliax, but maid's are not for me.
Lucky that maids in Cheliax are rare as rare can be...."
Apparently incubi are teaching the girls in Cheliax a thing or two.
By the time "100 leagues" is over the tavern is starting to empty. As Vaclev starts his next song, Ameiko interrupts him with a last mug of ale.
"One for the road, Brother Vaclev," she offers it. "On the house, and take care along the way!"
"Whew, I thought that song would never end!" Aylmora mutters to Bethana as Ameiko interrupts Vaclev. "I've heard better caterwauling from the two toms that live out back! But I have to say that Brother Vaclev and Master Albrecht are nothing if not enthusiastic in their singing."
"I hope Gornak's okay, though..."
"Whew, I thought that song would never end!" Aylmora mutters to Bethana as Ameiko interrupts Vaclev. "I've heard better caterwauling from the two toms that live out back! But I have to say that Brother Vaclev and Master Albrecht are nothing if not enthusiastic in their singing."
"I hope Gornak's okay, though..."
Bah...ha...ha... Don't worry. Gornak strong, take good care of self. Thanadros Gets a few last laughs out, as the two men finish their song. He gets up to leave, but then stops to think for a moment.
I stay here tonight. He says as he turns towards Aylmora. How much I owe? He says, fingering his belt pouch clip waiting for an answer.
"Just two silver shillings," Ameiko replies with a laugh. "The meal was free, after all, and you paid up to the end of the week for your room. Get yourself off to bed, we don't have a party like this every night."
She bustles about with Bethana and Aylmora, tidying up the taproom as the many patrons gradually trickle away.
Thanadros pays and says his goodnights to everyone and then makes his way up to bed.
Interrupted in his singing by Ameiko handing Father Valclav another drink, Albrecht sighs and turns to his singing partner. "Well Father, I think it might be time for us to be heading back to the chapel. Come along now," he says as starts to help the tipsy priest back towards the chapel where the two of them are staying.
By the time "100 leagues" is over the tavern is starting to empty. As Vaclev starts his next song, Ameiko interrupts him with a last mug of ale.
"One for the road, Brother Vaclev," she offers it. "On the house, and take care along the way!"
Vaclav's expression droops, but he swoops up the ale. "It's sad when a party ends, but you know how to cushion the blow. Thank you, lass."
Interrupted in his singing by Ameiko handing Father Valclav another drink, Albrecht sighs and turns to his singing partner. "Well Father, I think it might be time for us to be heading back to the chapel. Come along now," he says as starts to help the tipsy priest back towards the chapel where the two of them are staying.
"Very well, then. A nice bed sounds nice." Vaclav throws an arm over the of closer Albrecht's shoulders. "Let's be off."
In the morning Thanadros awakens early, despite how much he drank the night before, and gets an early helping of breakfast.
Gornak wakes up early to check on his father. If the half-orc seems to be sleeping soundly, he leaves a note for him, does his meditations, eats some breakfast, and then heads into town to call on Mr. Parooh. First he drops by the inn to see how the rest of his new friends are doing after the previous day's excitement.
Gornak finds Bethana serving up boar sausages to Thanadros, who is looking distinctly unimpressed. No one else seems to be up just yet.
Stirred by his god's call, Vaclav wakes with the dawn. His head aches and the orange morning light is painful. He rolls back over and buries his head under the bolster. Just another hour's rest.
But the god is insistent and there is no rest to be found. He drags himself off the simple pallet and prostrates himself on the floor. Erastil, keeper of the hearth, defender of the home, provider for the family ...
An hour later he is dressed and looking for a bite to eat.
Gornak! Come Eat! Benthyana, another plate for Gornak! My treating! Thanadros says, obviously much more lively now that he has one of his friend to eat with.
"I guess I could have a little more breakfast," Gornak agrees, tearing into a sausage with gusto. "My pa should be out cold for a while, so I have plenty of time to go see Mister Parooh this morning. After, I'll drop by the inn and let you know what I found out about Mister Quar. I hope he's okay!" he adds with concern.
After a quick nosh, he heads on over to Mister Parooh's house and timidly knocks on the door.
Want Company? Thanadros says as Gornak heads to leave, It is quite obvious that Thanadros has nothing to do...
Aylmora heads down to the common room of the Rusty Dragon just as Gornak and Thanadros finish their breakfast.
"Did you say you were heading over to Master Parooh's?" the young woman asks. "Aunt Niska doesn't need me today, so I pretty much have the morning to myself. Mind if I come along too?"
"Sure, you can come along for the walk. I don't know what Mister Parooh wants to talk about; he was a little mysterious last night. Your guess is as good as mine."
OK, let us three go see this Pahrow man! He says as he gets up to leave with the others.
After waking and going through his morning rituals, Albrecht finds himself out of the church, walking the town, where he runs into his friends. "Care if I join you all? We are we headed?" he asks as he starts to follow along with the group.
At the knock on the door, the small gnome answers and seems a little taken aback by the number of visitors.
"My goodness, I wasn't expecting so many," he declares. "You had best all come in."
Mr Parooh, the small bespectacled gnome, opens his door with some consternation at so many guests.
"Oh, erm, I was not expecting so many of you," he stammers, "but please do come in. Perhaps it's just as well ..."
He ushers you into a cross between a parlour and a shop: books and scrolls are stacked everywhere on shelves or spread out across desks.
You have great many books... Thanadros mutters as he looks around the gnomes place.
Vaclav spends the first part of the morning attending pilgrims at the Cathedral.
"Hello, Mister Parooh. These are some of Quar's other friends; if you want them to leave, I'm sure they'd understand. They're just worried about him, too."