"What's up." Flint says to Brunar, his attention still entirely focused on the kobold.
"I need to uhhh... Go talk to a person..." He says absently, and without looking BAPs the dwarf's fist.
Impatient for his drink, he just picks up Kayne's mug of beer (And another person's if they aren't being inattentive) and walks toward Martin without another word.
Though he does have someone get the owners of the stolen mugs another round when they walk by.
Approaching Martin, Flint just stares at him for a while until there is a natural pause in the conversation around him. "Hiya! Want a drink? I'm Flint!" he says and holds out one of the stolen mugs to him.
Sandy blushes when Brunar winks at her.
As Flint attempts to disarm himself, and manages to wave his weapon toward Marvin, he is somewhat surprised by the Kobolds reaction.
Marvin draws a long rapier from his belt, holds it in the air and waves it about in exactly the same way that Flint is waving his scimitar, and then throwing his head back the Kobold shouts
Hazzar, a toast to the Fallen. May the Hills be forever free and blessed with bounty of Rebederak
When Brunar rises from his table, Gwendolyn, and a second female dwarf, rise as well and follow him to Kiril’s table. The second dwarf looks like she might be one of Morgrym’s retainers, but she has changed her attire.
Sandy begins to turn very red, as her slight blushing spreads all over her face and she whispers to Kiril
When she notices the other two dwarven women are with Brunar, her blushing ends, and her expression turns to a disapproving scowl.
A drink, to brave deeds and braver promises Marvin winks at Flint and then looks over his shoulder at the Dwarven women. He then whispers into Flint’s ear
A disheveled looking dwarf enters the hall, and immediately seems uncomfortable when anyone meets his glance. He strides in cautiously, while keeping a steady hand on small, squirming sack, strapped to his side. He appears to purposely keep his distance from the other dwarves as he approaches a staff member and asks for a meal.
The timid stranger, does his best to look relaxed, but clearly he seems out of his element.
A Kobold, Mortie, the Hall Monitor, and Door Guardian, sees Grinley looking about nervously and as he approaches a young Kobold female who is cleaning away soup bowls, Mortie approaches and greats the dwarf.
Hey, Ground Pounder, glad to see you found your way back to the hall, man, I told you, wandering around the outskirts of the hollow is dull and dangerous, but hey, sure, no worries, man. Sit over here in the corner and I'll make sure you get some soup and whatever you like to drink.
Kayne had almost immediately resumed reading his book after entering the hall, setting up at the table with the others. "One of those wine bottles, please," he orders. "Today is a day of some middling celebration."
As people move about the hall, Kayne does his best to stay focused, but there are distractions about--new dwarves, many kobolds, and whispered conversations he can't help but try to piece together.
Although he's sitting right next to her, Kayne misses Sandy's comment completely when an interesting bit of lore catches his eye in the book--and he has to move it away from a sloshed drink. "Gah! Be careful!" He hisses and shakes his head, and shifts in his chair just in time to catch Marvin's comment.
Hmm. Just like the lout here. At least I have this new treasure to occupy my time.
Kiril answers at his normal volume (loud), "What? He looked like a good one to drink with. Besides you look prettier than a Tarulle whore, don't worry so much! Brunar, you're coming with us right? There's f*%!ing...dead things, in there, that get up and stab you in the f&*+ing ribs! The more clerics the better, I say."
"Thanks Mortie. Yes, many dangers out there. There's no way I can do this by myself, and I can't afford to hire mercenaries." Grinley sighs, pauses a moment and then asks, "So what tonight's stew?"
After the handshake with Kiril, Brunar wipes his hand off. Then replies after Flint's fist bump, "Oh ... ok Flint ... nice to meet thee. Since you don't seem to be a dwarf by blud, you must be an honorary one? Talk to 'ee lator."
Brunar sees Sandy say something to Kiril but can't quite make it out. But he definitely does not miss her body language and introduces the two Dwarven women with him, "This lass to me right is Gwendolyn and I believe you know her since y'all are saving her fello's. And the lass to me left is Kristyd who just got out of a bad relationship." He bends over to Sandy and whispers;
Brunar is too focused on Sandy, Gwen, Krist, and Kiril, he does not notice the kobold's activity and of Grinley's entrance.
Brunar responds loudly to Kiril, "AYE! That is one of the reasons why I am here Kiril!" He then looks at Sandy with a smile, "And other things." He takes a sip of his wine while looking at Sandy.
Radishes!Mortie exclaims and gives a thumbs up. A favorite, and tonight with small golden potatoes, onion, and yellow mushrooms. Oh, and, dude, if you are looking for some folks to tag along with, them dwarves over there have been to the Palace a couple of times in the past couple of days. Benny told me so himself.
Hello again, Kayne, and wait, oh well, Kristyd says, as she is about to say hello to Flint, who has run off. She then gives Kiril a good look up and down, and asks Kayne, Where’s you pick up this big, strong, and from the looks of him, islander? You are from the islands of the Vayanguur’s, unless I am mistaken. And this lady, I don’t believe we’ve met either.
Kristyd moves closer to Sandy and holds out her hand, and when Sandy takes it, the dwarven girl pulls Sandy to her feet, and gives her a warm hug. When Kristyd releases Sandy, she reaches for Gwendolyn, and pulls her close so that the three dwarven women are standing shoulder to shoulder.
Hello, uff Sandy laughs as Krisyd hugs her around the shoulders. I am Siniglunde Bankks, of Cipenny, my friends call me Sandy. It's nice to meet you.
Good to know you name, Sandy, and I hope we can be good friends. We were just talking with Brunar here, we just met him today, and telling him about Kayne, and Flint, and, um, seems there was an elf, or two, and a gnome with them last night when we made camp together on the mountain. Suddenly Kristyd frowns, and bites her lip.
Oh, I'm so sorry, did you lose your other companions to the dangers in the mountain? She asks Kayne.
I hope not, Gwendolyn steps up next to Kristyd, Hello, again, Kayne, and hello, Kiril.
"Here here!" Flint says to his toast, then leans in and whispers back.
"Tell me about it." he says like a sailor contemplating a storm.
Flint turns to look at the conversation going on with the others, scanning the crowd and looking at the three dwavern women. His eyes narrow slightly at Brunar before turning back to Marvin.
"Amazing to know you're real! I bet you've got some great stories to tell. Maybe I could tell you one or two of my own? Got some time?"
"Hah, you've been around. Kiril Hoxha. Kayne and them broke me out of a damn cage in that palace! Then we saved Sandy here from some dead ones. Kristyd, right? F~!& it I probably won't remember," he chugs the rest of his mug and shouts for more.
"Just since I joined up we lost our elf thief, pretty one too. Shame." He wipes his mouth with a tattooed forearm, "And uh, Gwen? Nice to meet you all! May we spill blood together and feast upon the vanquished!" He toasts with his fresh mug, to no one in particular, and drinks.
Grinley's attention quickly becomes diverted when he hears Kiril loudly boast about killing some 'dead ones' in a palace.
The small dwarf approaches the hulking half-orc, and does his best to not look overly intimidated. "Pardon me sir. So sorry to disturb you sir, and your fine friends. Umm... I happened to hear you mention a palace you recently journeyed to... not that I was listen in to you... just happened to be walking by at the moment... but you also mentioned dead ones... perhaps did this palace have any association to the fanged type of undeads?"
Grinley tries not to make steady eye contact with Kiril, and appears ready to flinch if he makes any sudden movements.
Brunar pays for Kiril's drink, "Drink up me friend! When are ya settin' out again to mercy thee undead?"
Brunar looks at Grinley nods to him, "Well met! Nay, no distubance and relax me twitchy friend. There are tu many armed heroes aroun' here for anyon' to act like a fool."
Kayne looks up at the dwarf women, nods in recognition, and returns to his book. It seems peace and quiet are in short supply at Loamstone Hollow, though, as yet another dwarf approaches the table and begins asking questions. Without even glancing up this time, the warlock responds to Grinley's question. "Palace of the Vampire Queen, yes. Vampires known to have fangs, so I'm guessing that's what you mean. Sit down, have a drink why don't you, after all, everyone else is."
"Huh? No no! Don't apologize--drink!" He pulls Grinley forcibly to sit with the group and shoves a mug into his hand. "You want to join us? The more the merrier! We'll clear that foul place out."
In answer to Brunar, "As soon as these lot are ready, I didn't want to leave in the first place," He laughs, then winces, holding bandaged ribs.
"Thank you." Curiosity overcoming his insecurity, he graciously accepts the mug from Kiril.
"This palace I hear is a place of great evil... a place that is an abomination to the land. Its existence seems to be an affront to the nature itself. I'm not sure what role I can play, but certainly if you plan to return, I must answer the call to right the natural order and return the walking dead to their rightful place in the earth."
"Oh so sorry... my name is Grinley. Tis good to meet others with an interest in consecrating such a vile place."
"Consec...I'm just in it for the reward!" He laughs.
Brunar looks at Kiril's wound while laughing at his comment not wanting to leave the Palace, "I see ye 're injured and still hurtin' Kiril. Did Sandy patch ya up well? Brunar sits next to Sandy after cleaning a spot off the bench and table for him. "Aye, what reward are ya speakin' of Kiril? I have me rewards for bein' here and want to see if they overlap. If they do, I don't mind sharin' if y'all don't? He then looks to Grinley, "As for consecrating, it already is, it needs to be purified 'n' blessed."
"We all have our own rewards," Kayne comments, finally shutting his book. It seems the warlock has given up on gleaning more information from it in this atmosphere. "I believe master Kiril's preferred compensations were 'killing, eating, f*cking, and sleeping,' if my memory serves." He turns to the half-orc and one eye widens, suggesting a raised eyebrow under the darkness of his hat. "In any case, my rewards are treasures such as these--lost knowledge. Flint here is looking for some lost dwarves. There was mention of a princess at one point, but I'm guessing we'll happen upon her whether we're looking or not, if she's down there."
He puts the book in his bag and leans back, swirling his goblet of wine. "But tell me, dwarf, what is it brings you to the palace?"
Brunar nods and smiles at the f*cking comment, "Aye stranger, I'm also here to look for thee princess and other treasure, specifically coin. Course, if ther' is sum lost artifact ore knowledge, that will also be recovered or wrote down. And since I'm guessin' I can't search for thee by me lonesome, I be glaud to join ye all 'n' offer me axe 'n' me healin' services in return. And of course share in thee coin to be wun."
Brunar sees the Bar Wench, "Aye ma'am, bring thee table 5 gallons of Ale and 5 pitchers of wine. That shall be (2) gold and here ye go."
With more attention being focused on him, Grinley becomes a bit uncomfortable. "I am seeking... An innocent soul I am seeking. The maiden, Fumhardallyn. Family believes she was capture by the vile queen. I must find her. Her family wants her back. They have little money, so I offered to look into it."
Grinley pauses a moment to collect his thoughts. "If I could join you to find her, that would be most appreciated. I'll try not to get in your way, and I have little need of coins you find there."
Brunar spots one of the young female Kobolds* and calls for more ale and wine.
I’m sorry sir, the young female kobold smiles as she clears away a few empty soup bowls, but we are out of ale, have been for some time now, but we have a few casks of small beer still left in the larder. Our brew masters are waiting for delivery of the next harvest, and until then we wont have any ale, and we are running dangerously low on whiskey too! Oh, but we do have a few large bottles of vodka, we got from the Kobold traders who brought it down from Echo Peak Hollow, way off to the north. We save it for special celebrations, but I’ll ask Lorelei if she is willing to let some go. As to the wine, we’ve plenty.
I have a few more areas to show these young protectors of our Hollow Marvin says to Flint, and the nearby tunnels that lead away from our homes, and then I must consult with the Masters of the Hollow about matters concerning a dire situation at Green Hill Hollow, to the west of here. But, say, you seem like a bright and well travelled young man of your kind, why don’t you join us for a while. We would love to hear you tell us what you’ve seen, where you are from, and where you are going. Marvin slaps Flint on the back as he herds his charges out a side passageway
It grows late, and the Main Hall of the hovel begins to see more kobolds coming and going, as a few small parties of mixed male and female kobolds come down the stairs (they carry sacks filled with produce, of the wild variety, such as harvested wild asparagus, turnips, potatoes, apples, and raspberries) and occasionally a few kobolds go up the stairs carrying special leather straps designed to carry bundles of wood, and small axes (these must be off collecting firewood before it gets too late).
Lorelei appears at your table and smiles to see all of you getting acquainted, and then asks for Flint, when she learns he was seen leaving with Marvin, she nods approvingly, and places a parchment on the table
Looking at the parchment it appears to be a list of things the hovel needs.
Will all of you be staying tonight in the Hollow. I think the best place would be the old cellar of the church, it is the largest room we are not using at the moment, but it can be a little bit cold. I think it sits right above a natural underground river, and it’s always difficult to warm that place up to anything comfortable.
"Sounds great. Sign me up. Just a second."
Flint turns to the room, and shouts out toward the group of dwarves, Kiril and Kayne. "Hey you new dwarves gettin' chummy with my fightin' buddies. Don't think I've forgotten 'bout either of ya."
He points at them over squinted eyes. "I'll be gone for a bit, but If I find either of ya has roughed up either of them, you'll answer to me once I get back, got it?"
He points at his own eyes with two fingers, then back at Brunar. "The same goes fer the ladies."
Flint then goes off with Marvin.
Brunar looks at the Halfling strangely gives him the thumbs up for ok and leans over to Kiril and speaks to him in a low voice, "So what's up with yer halfling fello' in arms? Here we ar' in the midst of fellowship and he is warnin' me 'bout takin' a swing at ye?"
In response to Grinley, "Huh lotta rescuing going on. I'm here for some Princess, there's supposed to be a nice reward for her."
The big half-orc chuckles at Brunar's question, replying in his normal volume (loud). "He's an excitable lil' guy isn't he? I like him."
Brunar nods and also responds in the same volume, "Aye, he has a lot of spunk! Definitely seems to be a seasoned fello'! As for thee Princess, she does indeed have a healthy coin reward for her safe return!"
Grinley, tries to look comfortable around the crowd of people. He focuses more on listening to the table conversation rather than contribute. When some food arrives, Grinley will eat steadily while occasionally breaking off a few small pieces and giving them to a small snout that frequently pokes out from the top fold of large belt pouch he wears at his side.
"And land, from what I hear. Not gonna be as easy as I thought though...that place is f&%#ing awful."
Brunar thinks to himself, ::"Land would be nice for the church!":: then looks to Kiril, "Aye, I did not hear 'bout land but that would surely be nice! Never herd of ye place that housed the undead as bein' a happy place! Me ready to depart when yer Halfing-Dwarf returns."
It is a lively evening in Loamstone Hollow. The kobolds are delighted to have guests, and the main hall is kept warm, and supplied with hot soup and bread late into the evening.
Eventually it becomes necessary to find a place to bed down for the night, and Lorelei makes a few suggestions.
Lorelei will ask for a fee of twenty silver pieces for the use of any unoccupied room below the village for the night, and ask that you remove your “waste” using only the designated dump locations throughout the warren.
Flint will spend most of the night with Marvin, and when he finally does turn in for the night, he might have found a new purpose in life.
"Mm, it is rather awful," Kayne comments, taking a bottle of wine. "But it has its perks." He taps the cover of his tome and stands. "For now, I think I'll retire for the night, and see you in the morning?" He nods to the others and heads off.
After briefly asking around about accommodations, Kayne decides to settle on the temple crypt. He pays the kobold in charge the requested fee, with an extra five silver pieces thrown in for a personal request. "If the others start asking where I'm staying, lie. And take extra care of my mule. If I'm undisturbed tonight you'll get an extra five silver in the morning."
Kiril passes out in the first room he finds, on the ground.
Flint pays for a room in a cellar, then finds a dark room to lay down in. He hums to himself, feeling the slight buzz of the drink, and waggles his foot in time to the song in his head.
He lightly drums on his new instrument with a thumb as he drifts off.
After Kayne, Kiril, and Flint retire for the evening, Brunar puts the moves on Sandy. However if he knows nothing is possible, he pays for his spot in the underground to get some shut eye.
In the morning Sandy wakes up and moves close to her sleeping companion, saying
When we get back to Cipenny, when this is all done and we’ve rescued the king’s daughter, I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time with you. I’ve a few more years to go before I enter the Wallundoff, so Reverend Drogglespok won’t mind I’m sure, as long as the vows are taken as soon as we get home.