Reign of Winter (Inactive)

Game Master Just a Mort

'He give her what she wants, not truly knowing what she asks for.' Einar lets out a sigh, shrugging his shoulders. "Since you have zee blessing of your vaters, I will show you vat I can ven I can. But vor now let us enjoy zee firevorks, ya?" Looking at the rest of the people enjoying the quiet evening, Einar smiles and ask, "Now, tell me about your sister, Cadence, ya. Vat vas she like as a kleines Mädchen, a little girl?"

”Oh Cadence, as a little girl..” Beatrice beams. ”She was our first child, and the moment I held her, she had this special little place in my heart. I swear even as a baby she cried in tune.” Beatrice’s eyes grow distant as she reminisces the past.

”I think it must’ve been hard on her, growing up with so many sibs. Most other children would have gotten jealous, and fought for attention, but no, not our Cadence. She took it gracefully, helped me take care all her other sibs…and she was popular among the villagers too. Not a single mean bone in her body. Well, except for the occasion Thomas and his boys were bullying Dorja. She got Erlis to come along with her and sent them packing with their tails tucked beneath their legs. Figuratively speaking.”

”Yeah, that was a totally AWESOME brawl. Those pig-heads had it coming!” Erlis triumphantly punches her fist in the air. ”We showed them, didn’t we, sis?” She nudges Cadence.

She shares a secret wistful look with Alfred,”We always thought that she’d be the first to get married, but well, a travelling bard stopping by the Silver Stoat recognized her talent and then, next thing she was offered a scholarship to the Kith. We’d never stand between our children and their happiness, so even though we missed her terribly, we allowed her to spread her wings and fly.”She gives a sad smile. ”Help me take care of my girl on the road, ok?” She says, as she pets Einar on his shoulder.

"I appreciate your help back then, really, but did you two think of what might have happened if Ionnia started getting involved in your "brawl"?" Dorja interjects. "You two are crazy."

'so this is what a normal family looks like.' Einar smiles as he watches the banter back and forth between parents and children and then between sibling's. Nodding to Beatrice, "I vill attempt to help take care of deine Tochter, Cadence. I vill vatch over her better zan I do my own vamily."

Cadence turns as Einar suddenly shifts the storytelling to her.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

She raises an eyebrow and then smiles. So that's how it is. She relaxes a bit. Maybe she was finally getting to be able to read people, like she heard that many bards did. She grins at Erlis. "Yes, we showed them! And Dorlis, we are crazy."

She looks at Dorlis with concern. This was the sister that didn't yet know her true path, and the one most likely to stay here in Heldren. The staying here would not matter so much if Dorlis only knew what she wanted. Would she ever find a calling?

Cadence applauds for the fireworks. "Those are great, Freya! Spectacular!"

Then she picks up George and spins him around. "Later, I'll show you the dogs Crummock found. He's really great with animals. Crummock, have you decided what to name them?"

As Mr. Whiskers is watching the fireworks, he also ponders how Freya is doing it. No material components. She appears to be casting using the methods of a sorcerer. The glow may give an indication of her bloodline. I may have to talk with the parents, find out what training she has received.

"That's all we can ask for." Beatrice replies gratefully.She looks at Einar curiously when he mentions he will take care of Cadence better then his own family, and for a moment looks as if she would ask some questions, then decides not to.

"Ah, no brawls for me, thank you very much. I like living safely, as a prosperous merchant's wife."Dorja looks at Cadence, "By the way, did you know Justin and I intend to get married next month? We're planning on starting up a yarn spinning business, I spin well and his mother, Kethry, knows her dyes well. With a little collaboration between both families, we would be able to establish a new dyed wool yarn business. We'd be making it rich!" she annouces gleefully.

No, you won't be able to stay that long.

Encouraged by Cadence's words, Freya pipes out, "I can summon whirly-whirlies too!" Then she proceeds to summon four glowing balls of golden light that shake themselves to an unheard rhythm. The family bursts into applause.

At thr end of Freya's performance, Dorja kneels down and sits on her heels so she is at Freya's eye level, and asks Freya earnestly, "Would you like to provide the lighting and fireworks for dance party after the wedding?"

"No problem, Dorja,"Freya cheerfully agrees.

"Doggie? Where's doggie?" George looks around excitedly for the dogs.

Cadence's family retires after a night under the stars. George looks slightly dissapointed as he looks for doggies and fails to find them. The rest of the party makes their way to the Silver Stoat.

Cadence - you may choose to join them or go to the Silver Stoat.

Kale offers the party rooms, and Mr Whiskers gets a nice hot shower before he goes to bed.

The next morning dawns cloudy, with a hint of chill in the air, a stark contrast to the clear night before. The party has a choice of breakfasts : pancakes with maple syrup, topped with strawberries, or scrambled eggs with sausages, bacon and a french loaf.

The Silver Stoat is abuzz with rumors and there is a current of unease in the conversations...

You may open Spoilers up to the DC you rolled

Diplomacy - 'Take 10' = 19.

When the rest of the party arrives at the Silver Stoat, they find Crummock seated at a table near the fire, holding court with a small group of locals, as they trade stories.

He nods companionably when he spots the others.

"Och, there ye are! I was wonderin' what was taking ye so long..."

He then shares what he was learned.

"Apparently, it has been unseasonably cold for canol haf - there has even been snow in the Border Wood! Old Man Dansby lost half his crop to the frost, and a boy fell through some ice over a stream whilst chasing after a talking white stag. Apparently, a local hunter named Dryden Kepp Ahab saw a Great White Weasel Whale and went off to search for it - he hasn't been seen since. Lastly, there is supposed to be a group of rangers called the High Sentinels that keep a lid on bandit activity in the area, but they aren't doing a good job - apparently, a caravan was recently attacked, and a woman named Lady Argentea was kidnapped."

Cadence returns with her family, and sleeps in late, tired after the day's travels. When she wakes up the next morning, she is greeted with a cloudy sky carrying a bit of chill in the air.

Alfred, Erlis, Freya and Dorja are no where to be seen, with Alfred and Dorja going to mind the sheep, and Erlis gone fishing.

"Morning Cadence!"Beatrice greets Cadence, as she looks up from reciting the Three Billy Goats Gruff to an enthralled George. "I've just dropped Freya at Old Mother Thedora for her magic lessons, we just got back. There's some venison pie left over from last night."Beatrice gestures to the pie left on the table."Do you want me to help you heat it up?"

"Alfred and Dorja have gone to mind the sheep, and Erlis has gone fishing."

Cadence turns as Einar suddenly shifts the storytelling to her.

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

She raises an eyebrow and then smiles. So that's how it is. She relaxes a bit. Maybe she was finally getting to be able to read people, like she heard that many bards did.

so what do you want to know? History: There was a fire, his mother died, he accused his three older step brothers, they said it was an accident, he raged killed everyone, burned their houses to the ground. he was banished by the Earl as a 'kinslayer' plans to go back north kill the Earl and take his families land back.

How he feels: Still justifies his actions, sometimes wonders if the fire was an accident, loved mom and dad, hated half brothers and step mother and they hated him. Very confused by all the family stuff. He will watch over Cadence because she is a friend which means in his mind he values her more than he did his own family, or does since, you know, their dead.

How does Einar feel about Cadence? common you only rolled a 16, that's not high enough to tell how any man feels about a woman...it's complicated.

back in the Silver Stoat.
’Ah the refreshing smell of an honest tavern.’ Einar sits down near the fireplace and his friend Crummock, and orders a mead. He nods and listens as Crummock explains the unusual weather stories, quickly drinking the mead and ordering a second. ” Das ist gut Ich mag den Schnee, es erinnert mich an zu Hause.” Einar raises his stein to the snow, quaffing the mead in one long drink. Quickly ordering a third, when it arrives he stands and raises his Stein again, calling out “Nach Hause.” Slightly confused that no one responds he realizes that everyone else speak Taldain, so he lifts his stein again and calls out ”To Home”. After the appropriate response from the crowd. Einar drinks his Mead.

Not satisfied with the tingly feeling the mead has given him, Einar takes five gold pieces out of his pouch, to show he could afford the beverages. With a silly smile he orders.”I vould like a bottle of zee schnapps or zee Viskey or vatever you serve here resembling Grain liquor.” Once the bottle arrives he wraps he’s beefy mitts around the neck and proceeds to drink the entire contents, eventually falling into a drunken stupor there at the table. Eventually, instead of making it to his room, the will fall under the table and finish sleeping it off there.

In the morning.
’Why am I under a table?’Einar wakes up under the table, just barely remembering the night up to the ‘fireworks’ seeing the bottle still gripped in his hand, ’that would explain a lot.’ Wandering out the front door of the Stoat he dunks his head in the horsewatering trough, breaking the thin layer of ice on it. Pulling his head out, he looks around at the light dusting of snow. ’that’s odd, no one said anything about snow.’

Walking back into the dining room he sits back down at his table, fishing out more coins, ’my purse seems light, how much did I drink?’ and asks ” Darf ich bitte Eier und Wurst haben? Pardon me, May I have zome eggs and fried pig, however you serve it?”

Einar, Cadence does not need to know exactly how you feel. All she needs to know for now is that you find her attractive. A sixteen should be enough for that, but not deeper feelings or your family history. Einar has been rather attentive.
___

Cadence thanks her mother for the pie. "It looks perfect for breakfast though I can heat it up myself if you don't mind." She prestidigitates it and chats with her mom while she eats. After breakfast, she kisses her mother on the cheek. "Mom, I'm going to check on my friends and see how they've been settling in."

She helps introduce Crummock around as he visits with various people in town. "This is Crummock, one of my companions from the Caravan! He's very brave and stalwart!"

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Afterwards, she visits the tavern. "Want to go exploring with me? I'll be playing here later tonight, but I can show you all around the town. Maybe we can even let George play with the dogs."

Einar is given a dozen bottles of the Three Devils Ale and he finishes about half of them before he gets really smashed.

He has vague dreams of some golden anthropomorphic lion trying to stuff a mop in his face, but they soon pass and he goes back to passing out on the floor.

” Ah. You’re finally up.” Kale glares at him, irritated, with her hands on her hips. ” I’ve never seen anyone take a mop ter 'is bake, den roll de other way an' sleep loike wan dead.” She makes an exasperated noise, looking for a moment like she might want to bonk him with the broom in the corner. ” I’ve been wantin' ter clean dat patch av floor for donkey's years.”

” 'ere’s yisser breakfast.,” She says as she serves him his eggs, bacon and sausage pipping hot, with a French loaf. ” Please don’t sleep on de floor next time, de rooms are for guests. Or at laest if yer chucker, 'av de decency ter git up earlier.”

"If yer 'av a 'angover, please go an' clap Tessaraea an' don’t boke over me nice clean floors. oi tink you’ve jist set a new record on who can draink de most ales in a single noight." She chides at Einar as she shakes her head.

Humans have such huge rooms.

Waking up alone was one of the harder adjustments he had to make when leaving the warrens. It is one of the reasons he got a familiar, so there would be something friendly right there when he woke each day.

A new morning in a new town. After finishing with his morning tasks, Mr. Whiskers prepared his spells. Breakfast time was a good time to get that information, as people talked with each other about the previous day.

Casting his spell, he added a little bit of extra power to it in hopes of getting better information.

Cast Ears of the City, +1 CL from Arcane pool
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Lady Argentea Malassene? I guess she must be a local noble. I should see if I can find out more about this kidnapping.

After completing the spell, he gathered his things and went down stairs. Seeing Crummel, he joined the fellow at his table. After hearing his summary of events, all he could add is "Apparently the lady was returning home after breaking an engagement promise. I really don't know anything about her beyond what people are talking about now."

Looking at Crummel, he then says "I've been meaning to ask you, what is that language you speak? During combat you speak a different language and don't appear to understand us any longer."

Having just finished his breakfast, Mr. Whiskers wipes his mouth on the napkin and gladly accepts Cadence's offer. "That sounds quite nice, Cadence! Perhaps you can tell us some about the people who live around here as well."

"Your friends should be fine. Your uncle and Kale are nice sorts. They might find it a bit noisy there, though, since the Silver Stoat opens first thing in the morning." Beatrice replies.

"Oh Cadence, could you do me a favor? Help me pick Freya up later from Old Mother Thedora after lunch."

Crummock wonders whom this Crummel that Mr Whiskers is interrogating is... ;-)

"Och, well, we should probably be visiting the stables, to see if we can get some pony pack saddles fitted for the cappelthwaite."

After finishing breakfast, he will do exactly that.

The stable is next to the Silver Stoat. Sophia Imirras, a neatly groomed woman with short brunette hair greets the party cheerfully,”Hi there! Looking for a horse to ride across the countryside? Granted, its a little chilly this morning, but it'll soon warm up."

"It’s summer and the scenery will be wonderful! All those summer blossoms in bloom!” She then shows the party a fancy carriage, ”Or would you want to go on a vehicle? It’s more comfortable for long trips. I’ve got two carts, a wagon and this carriage available for hire.”

Sorry about that. Seems every name here sets off the spellchecker. :(

"After that should we try and find some more information about the missing lady?" Mr. Whiskers asks.

With Mom

"I'd love to pick up Freya, and to see Madame Theodora again!"

In the moment

"Hey, Sophia! We're looking for three pack saddles for our new doggie buddies." She turns to the group. "How do you guys feel about the names 'Tempo, Opus and Acapella'? With the way these guys howl, maybe they can be my backup singers." She scratches Acapella's ears affectionately.

Following up on Mr. Whisker's suggestion, she looks at the fancy carriages that Sophia was offering for rent. Too fancy for someplace like Heldren, unless one counted the nobles who came in for hunting trips. "Sophia, with carriages like these for rent... Did you rent any to that missing noblewoman we've heard so much about? If so... What was she like?"

spent too much time typing Einar's relationship views ;)
Having rinsed the taste of mop out of his mouth in the water trough, Einar appears properly embarrassed as he is chastised by Kale.

As Einar wolfs down his breakfast, he nods at Mister Whiskers and Crummock as they join him. As the two begin to talk, Einar, between bites, pointing toward the door with his fork, asks. "I assume zat zee snow is not az common at ziss time of year?"

when Cadence enters
Having finished his eggs, bacon, sausage and bread, Einar pushes his plate away from him, Standing he nods, "A little exploring vould clear my head." Looking sheepish he explains "Anscheinend hatte ich zu viel zu trinken letzte Nacht."

going with the party to the stables
Nodding his head in agreement with the idea of getting saddles, he shrugs his shoulders and smiles at Cadences joke "If zat is vat you vish, ya."

"Dogs...hmm most people use those further up north, but sure. Let me measure them." Sophia takes out a measuring tape and starts measuring Acapella, who is currently nuzzling into Cadence.

When she is done with all 3 dogs, she stands up, "I have some pony saddles that I can alter to fit them. I should be done by noon."

"Oh, you must be talking about Lady Argentea, right? She came with 2 carriages. All gilded in Taldan style. Came with her own entourage too. So horrible that she could be abducted just like that, under the watchful eyes of the High Sentinels."

I think Einar will want to have his croc hide boots and belt made here too

Once Sophia is done measuring the dogs for saddles he pulls out the albino caiman hide, holding it up he nods towards Crummock and asks "Could you make zee pair of boots for Herr Crummock and zee Gürtel, er belt for me? I Still have zee geld to pay" He then gives Sophia a sad sick little smile. 'I hope, I don't think I drank it all.'

"How interesting. How did you come by this hide? Looks like a crocodile, yet they usually don't come in white..." Her voice trails off.

"That'll be a gold piece per item, I should be able to have them ready by evening."She then takes measuring tape to measure Einar's dimensions, and his shoe size.

Einar shrugged and smiled nodded back at Cadence, "We got into an argument with it's master and she killed it with her guisarme!"

"Cadence, I didn't know you were such a proficient crocodile slayer!"Sophia says, she flashes Cadence a mischevious grin. "Oh the number of titles you have in town...diplomat, defender of the small, songbird...well, that's one more to the list!"

"Next time I find a crocodile in my backyard, I'll know who to call."

"Sorry, I'm not from around here." Mr. Whiskers says, twitching his nose. "Who are these High Sentinels and where might they be found? When did the lady get taken?"

'Does Cadence know about this missing lady? Why would we be seeing the sights if there is money to me made?... probably should word it differently, people to rescue... that sounds better.' Einar hands Sophia the hide, and looking to Mister Whiskers then to Cadence and Crummock, "Ya, tell us more about zis missing Mamsell, Is there some vay ve can help?"

Mister Whiskers, it's almost one o'clock in the morning!

"The High Sentinels are our border rangers. They have a lodge in Borderwoods, occasionally some of them would come to town for resupply, or just for a night of relaxation at the Silver Stoat." She tugs her chin with her thumb and index finger, "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen them for months already..."

"About Lady Argentea..three days ago, one of the hunters found a note with an arrow sticking out of it on our town's edge. It said, "Borderwood is ours. Don't venture there again if you want to see her alive." Stuck to the note was a lock of her curly brown hair, and a piece of cloth from her green dress. We've feared the worst." Sophia's bright mood dissolves away, replaced by a troubled expression.

”You might want to talk to the Mayor, Ionnia Teppen, about that.” She replies to Einar. ”She went out there with 10 guards…a formidable force around lands such as these to be sure.”Her eyebrows furrow.

”Our town barely has any kind of militia, we certainly don’t have the resources to send out a search party. Most of us have stayed clear of Borderwood ever since.”

Crummock frowns.

"Crivens! Upside-down seasons, bandits, and missing nobles; it certainly seems like summit has the town's collective sporran in a nut-cracker vice!"

He then grins.

"Fortunately, we have some experience with rescuing people..."

Crummock turns to the others.

"Wat d'ye reckon aboot us goin' an' seein' this mayor about whether we might be able to provide the solution to his wee bandit problem?"

ninja'd and editing ;)

three days ago, that's a life time ago, I'm afraid to guess what kind of shape she could be in...Nodding his head in agreement with Crummock, Einar turns to Sophia, "Danke, Fräulein," Turning to his companions, "Shall ve go speak to zee Bürgermeister, Crummock is correct. I fear zat vit a Dreitägigen Kopfstart...Pardon!! I mean a three day head start, zat she may all ready be beyond Rettung, er, rescuing."

Yeah better pause here, ROW is starting proper.

at any point in the conversation before they get to the Mayor's office.
'A note with an arrow stuck too it, archers, that could be a problem.' While they walk to the mayors office Einar points out. 'In zee tower ve had no need for Distanzwaffen, Pardon, distance veapons." Point to everyone's slings, including his own. "I don't know zat I vont to be exchanging Felsen für Pfeile, rocks for arrows, ya?" Asking the local, "Cadence vould anyvone be villing to loan us Armbrüste und Streit oder Bögen und Pfeile?"

"...or sell them?" Mr. Whiskers chimes in. Gesturing to himself, he adds "My needs are modest and I have most of the money from our last escapade."

Looking at Cadence, he suggests "It might be good to see if we can find you some better armor too."

"Alright, let's find me some armor. "

Does anyone have some recommendations? I'm used to lightly armored characters like bards, but apparently skalds have medium armor proficiency. What can one wear that won't encumber and slow me down too much?

Cadence looks at the others. "Only, um... I have no experience with this sort of thing. What do you recommend that I get?" She also bites her lip. "I promised to pick up Freya after lunch. Can we wait until then?"

"Alright, let's find me some armor. "

Does anyone have some recommendations? I'm used to lightly armored characters like bards, but apparently skalds have medium armor proficiency. What can one wear that won't encumber and slow me down too much?

Cadence looks at the others. "Only, um... I have no experience with this sort of thing. What do you recommend that I get?" She also bites her lip. "I promised to pick up Freya after lunch. Can we wait until then?"

chain shirt gives +4/+4 (of course you only have +2 dex) and it's still light, anything heavier will slow you down to 20 ft. your strength is enough to handle any of the med. armors. Breastplate (200gp)is preferred +6/+3, Scale (50 gp) which is what Einar is wearing is +5/+3 they both weight 30 lbs. the question becomes what they have available.

Einar shrugs, "Ve Vill need to see vat zey have available, ya"

This is the Smithy. The party hears the ring of a hammer on steel and gets a whiff of the smell of iron. Isker Euphram, a buff looking blonde haired middle aged man with blue eyes and a blacksmith’s apron, greets Cadence heartily, ”Hey Cadence, we haven’t seen you for so long! How’ve you been?”He turns to the rest of the party,”How may I help you today?”

"Oh armor? Come and look at the lot! Me and my daughter made them!" He gestures to a whole bunch of dummies. They are clad in the lightest armor to the heaviest, starting with padded armor, then leather, studded leather, chain shirt, armored coat, scale mail, chain mail and a breastplate.

"If you want weapons, I have them all on the racks." He proudly points to the weapon racks.

Anything from CRB for weapons. Armor is as per described.

'This is fine work, I will need to come here once we collect the reward for rescuing this lady, Boy I hope their offering a reward!' Einar points to the breastplate, "Zat is a vine example of a Brustplatte." He leans over to his companions, "I do not think zat we each have enough geld to purchase one each, but vee can chip in und buy it for Cadence, ya?"

after the drinking binge Einar has 68 gp to contribute also the chainmail (150 gp is +6/+2, which would max your dex.

Mr. Whiskers has about 100gp he could easily donate towards getting people better armor.

Mr. Whiskers goes over to the weapons racks, looking for crossbows his size. "In the past, I've managed to carry all my gear with me. If I am to carry a crossbow, I could no longer do that."

"If you think a breastplate would be good, let's get a breastplate." Cadence submits for the fitting. "Thank you for helping me pay for this. I could have never afforded it on my own!"

Iskar adjusts the straps of the armor in question, then hands it to Cadence."Good choice!" He compliments Cadence on her choice of armor."Sure, it might not look anything fancy, but it'll turn a blow, no doubt!"

The party after making their purchases, head to the Silver Stoat for lunch, of venison flank steak and roasted potatoes, a salad with balsamic vinegar and and cream of mushroom soup.

They then head to Old Mother Theodora's herbalist shoppe. Freya beams the moment she sees Cadence. "Mother Theodora has been teachung me about magic and herbs! Camomile for stomach aches, Mint for coughs..."She recites."I want to be a herbalist when I grow up!"

The small shop wooden smells of sandalwood and cinnamon. It is manned at the counter by an old woman wrapped up in colourful clothing and shawls of Varisian style, with only her wrinkled cheerful black eyes peeking out. She greets the party. ” Di spirits ave broad yuh here todeh. Wah ave yuh to aks of dem?” Behind the counter are shelves full of jars containing exotic herbs from foreign lands.

The ends of Mother Thedora's eyes crinkle up, almost as if she was smiling under the shawl, as she catches her pupils enthusiasm, and she gives Freya a warm glance.

Although tasty, the lunch is much too large for Mr. Whiskers. The portions here are more than even a halfling could eat! Not wanting insult the proprietors, he waits until they are both occupied elsewhere before whispering "Would anyone care for a portion of my steak? It is too much for one meal." He has already cut about a third of it off from the rest when making the offer.

Einar, given past experiences you would know he is offering the larger section. Anyone else, he tries to slip you 2/3s of his steak if you express interest.

Even giving some of it away, he feels like he is almost waddling when he leaves the tavern.

Entering the herbalist's shop, Mr. Whiskers sniffs and then grins. He starts looking around while Freya is talking with Cadence.

At the shopkeeper's words his head snaps in her direction and he takes a second look at her. Varisian! They usually hold proper respect for the harrow deck. His whiskers twitch a few times, and then he moves over to the counter.

"Pardon me, Madame Theodora. Do you give harrow readings?" he asks. He tries to keep his anticipation in check, but it is hard.

"Yea mi duh indeed." She takes out a well-used and well cared for harrow deck from a drawer beneath the counter. "Wah knowledge yuh seek?"

During the choosing, the subjects of the harrowing phrase the knowledge they seek in the form of a single question and decide which of the six abilities suits that question

Using info here

at the inn
'Foods not bad, they could use larger portions.' having finished his steak first he dumps the potato's and salad in with the soup and starts to shovel it down with his large wooden spoon. hearing Mister whiskers offer; reaching across the table, using his Kunia he stabbed the larger piece of meat nodding and taking a bite from it before he drops it on his plate. "Danke Herr Whiskers, Es ist gutes Steak ya" Making short work of Mister Whiskers piece of steak, Einar finishes the potato, green and soup mixture. Looking around for a hunk of bread to clean the bowl out with, but finding none, he scrapes the bowl out the best he can with his wooden spoon. Hoping for a little desert, Einar is the last to leave the table, quickly joining his rodent friend. "Ve are going to der Kräutersammler, zee herbalist? Vould she also have Torten, many fine pastries are baked vit herbs ya?"

at the herb shop
Einar like Mister Whiskers, sniffs around the shop, enjoying the smell but a little disappointed that there were no pies. Hearing Mister Whiskers ask about harrow cards; 'Oh it's one of those kinds of herbalists, I was hoping it was the type who made ingredients for cooking.' He hangs towards the back, not being fond of witches or wizards or the sort who play with harrowing cards. 'What are we waiting for, there's gold to be made, I mean people to rescue.'

At the inn

Meanander looks in astonishment at Einar as he finishes his own, as well as Mr Whiskers. "You're not only a big drinker, you're a big eater as well."He remarks at Einar. "The apple pie is still in the oven, please come back at tea time!"

Mr. Whiskers sits before the deck and thinks for a few minutes. As he thinks, his tail slowly swishes back and forth. Every once in a while, he crinkles his nose.

So many rumors of problems in this area. Please Irez, help me choose wisely what to start with. There is the boy who fell in the water, although I don't think there is anything I can do to help him. It is possible that Crummock could help the boy get over the sickness, I should suggest it to him. The Border Woods seem at the center of multiple problems: Lady Argentea Malassene's capture, the missing Sentinels, and the farmer near those woods. Then there are probably even more problems I don't know about. What can I do now to best help the community?

Finally, he asks his question. "I come from the warrens beneath the snow. My skills are varied. How may I best put my skills to use now so that the future is better for this community?"

I've given a past (skills already learned), am looking for the present (what to prioritize) to create a better future. I would say this is Wisdom for the attribute. Center row since it is present. Top because I want a Good future? Card number 2.