The Crucible of Freya (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

Well, my friend" Kevezyat says, taking a sip from her tankard "You appear to have awakened my friend's ire, a dangerous thing to do indeed. I believe the only remedy would be to unburden yourself upon us all of your dealings with these individuals you led into the Woods"

She shares a glance and small smile with Vhillish as she realizes she echoed his own statment with her own.

Astor never broke his stare but edged in a little closer and in a deep, strong voice he spoke one word to the halfling.

"Talk."

"Ok. Everything is as I told you, 'cept for one thing. The prism was maybe a little bit stolen. And I followed them into the wood to see what they were up to. I guess that's two things"

"Who did you steal the prism from? And what did you see in the woods?"

"A wise man said the truth will set you free. It will at least set you free from our attentions."
Sam fingers his wooden holy symbol casually.

Lannet slumps his shoulders.

"I lifted the gem off a passing merchant. He went on towards Bard's Gate without noticing it was gone. I sold it to the wizard and followed him and his friends into the Stirge Wood, but I turned back when they left the road and entered a part of the wood with thick cobwebs in the branches."

Damien gives the halfling a disgusted look, "Lost your nerve did you? Just as well, didn't happen to notice anything interesting about them before you gave up on your skulking? Now would be the time to be forthcoming lad."

"Lost my nerve? Fat chance. I just have better sense then some. You don't travel in that wood unless ya move quick enough to make the waystation before night falls. Anyone can tell ya that. Stirges ain't the half of it, they speak of spiders in that wood with the heads of wolves.

Anyway I hoped to see what that prismatic refractor looked like in action in a real wizard's hands but I never had the chance. Ya know I overheard the price that merchant was asking and I doubled it and the wizard didn't blink an eye, he just paid me. Still like to know what that thing was for, tell ya the truth."

Jerrid listens to the unfortunate Lannet, as he twirls a fork over the last piece of meat before skewering it.

The tasty morsel slides down, gone while wolf spiders are mentioned. That almost stops the deep gnome as he remembers the words of Shandril. "We are going into Stirge Woods with those spiders, aren't we? The priestess of Freya was right."

Damien grimaces, "Aye, I'd imagine we are..."

He spears Lannet with a hard stare, "And it seems we've found ourselves a guide no less."

Vhillish nods, then pats his arbalest with a smile;

"Leastways we know what to expect from the 8 legged howlers wot? Enemy won't get the jump on us this time by jingo!"

Astor looks to his shoulder to see his newly affixed short bow and remembers the last interaction he had with a spider. "I will be ready as well."

Sam siles.
"I guess you may still get to see it work! Welcome to the crew."

"I don't work with crews... boy."

Lannet says this last word with a knowing look.

The awkward silence is broken by the sound of Lauriel, Baran's female Lieutenant entering the Inn and asking Glarian the inn-keeper if she has seen Lannet.

Lannet immediately looks around for a place to hide.

Damien gives the halfling a cruel grin, "Maybe not, but I'd imagine you'd prefer to work with us for a time than have to sit around and answer the lady's questions, no?"

Just outside the common room you hear Glarian answering Lauriel.

"Not today Maam. Did you try the Cask and Flagon?"

Lannet dashes under a table cloth nonetheless.

Astor's first instinct was to reach and grab the halfling by his tunic and call him out. But the realization came to him that there might be more to this than he knows and they might need Lannet for their own uses. He decided to wait and see what might happen.

Damien raises an eyebrow as he hears Glarian cover for the halfling but otherwise seems content to wait until Lauriel moves on.

Sam jumps under the table too.
"I guess this as good a place as any to conclude Lannet. You come with us and you will learn some things, avoid some problems, and will definitely see some excitement!"

Janna excuses herself from the table (not wanting to further botch the whole situation)

looking for someoone that may be able to help her procure a room (or rooms) for the evening.

After asking Glarian to let her know if Lannet turns up, Lauriel leaves.

Glarian turns to Janna with a slightly embarrassed look.

"Of course. Rooms are 2gp per night and meals are 2sp."

Damien thumps on the top of the table, "She's gone son, now would you mind getting you half-sized ass out here and enlighten the rest of us as to what you think she wanted of you and why I shouldn't haul your sorry self out to her?"

Jerrid leaves.

After asking Glarian to let her know if Lannet turns up, Lauriel leaves.

Glarian turns to Janna with a slightly embarrassed look.

"Of course. Rooms are 2gp per night and meals are 2sp."

Janna takes a look about the room to see who among her group look like they need rooms.

How many rooms you got left? I might need them all

Janna places 20 gold on the counter to hopefully cover the expense.

It seems like the course of actions have been decided. Leoven doe snot really have much more to do, so he stay to hear what is lennet answer to Damien´s question.

Looking under the table at the hiding halfling, Kevezyat says "Well it would seem you have a friend in the innkeep, Lannet. And now you have friends in us as well, as we did not surrender you to fair Lauriel. As Damien says, only your words prevent our calling her back ."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Vhillish finishes cleaning his field cutlery and efficiently stores them in his overburdened (yep know I still have to sort out encumberance ;) pack.

The serjeant listens intently to the various exchanges that demand information, request accommodation and suggest supplication.

He adjusts his tunic collar afore rising with a bow;

"Ladies, Gentlemen and Officers. Please excuse me whilst I make a perimeter of the building... given the circumstances we find ourselves in, security remains paramount wot?"

Unless otherwise ordered or required, Vhillish will go check on the mascots (subtly feeding them some scraps from his meal) and make a perimeter check of the inn (arbalest loaded) & Dancing Lights engaged... Perception Check (if required): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Glarian takes the 20gp and gives Janna 8 room keys.

"This meal and your next are covered as well my dear."

Lannet comes out and goes to the window pulling back the blinds.

"Baran and Lauriel are always blaming me for one thing or another. I will lead you into the Stirge Wood, in exchange for your silence."

Vhillish finds the perimeter clear, but the cat is missing.

DM Only

Janna takes the keys, Thank you,

She turns and watches the party conclude the talks. then walks over.

she takes a seat (after the talks are concluded) and starts handing out the keys. Rooms are paid, as are tonight's meal and the morning meal

Looking about anyone seen Jerrid?

Damien shrugs, "I believe the Gnomes are out reconnoitering or some such. They'll be back soon enough."

He gratefully accepts the offered key with a nod, "Ma'am."

He turns back to Lannet, "What in particular are you being unfairly blamed for this time?"

Hearing Villish offer to check the perimeter, Astor speaks up, "I'll join you, no one should face whatever lurks in the dark alone." If Villish welcomes him, Astor walks along side, sword drawn, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

I thought it was a late lunch? Or am I mistaken?"

I've never been good at keeping track of all that... I'll just roll with whatever the DM says.

Vhillish nods, accepting the offer of assistance;

"Much appreciated Master Evistan... Eyes and ears open, although I may find time to tell you of the Battle of Burgenvale... one of the 33rd's finest hours..."

If given the chance Astor will be treated to an officious history lesson on the 33rd's actions and commendations :)

Checking back. Yeah the farm house was about 6 miles out from the village proper. 3 hours for you guys on foot. So this is lunchtime. 2pm?

Ok, then just scratch my lurking in the dark comment. Still wanting to accompany Villish irregardless.

"Yes... that's fascinating... you don't say..." Astor tries to be polite as the small soldier drones on and on about the fine details of every battle he could muster. Astor sighs and thinks to himself, How big is this perimeter...?

Kevezyat nods at the halfing "An adequate exchange, I think we have an agreement , Lannet." she says, looking to the others present for thier approval.

She says to Janna "While not necessary, your generosity is appreciated."

Kevezyat then waits expectantly for Lannet to answer Damien's last question.

I thought it was a late lunch? Or am I mistaken?"

Yup that's exactly right. Once work dies down I'm going to get in the habit of putting some time of day posts throughout the threads.

Lannet throws his hands in the air in an exasperated gesture.

"How should I know? I'm always the first one blamed. Anyway I'll need a room too, they'll never check the rooms here for me they know I can't afford it."

Sam speaks to Lannet:"If you want to hear about the 33rd, you can bunk with one of the soldiers. Otherwise, you can stay with me."

Sense motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Damien shrugs, clearly looking unconvinced, "Fair enough then. If Samduc will take you that's fine."

His gaze hardens on the halfling, "If you so much as think of trying to slip out in the night, you'll wish Lauriel had found you."

Leoven gets the feeling that Lannet has done plenty to earn his reputation but he really isn't sure why Lauriel is looking for him specifically this time.

I suppose I have nothign more to do until the next scene

Lannet pats his belly.

"I would like to retire to my room. I have some whittling to do!"

Outside.

DM Only

Damien nods but turns to Samduc, "In that case you'd best go with him."

so Janna paid for 8 rooms, who took a key and who did not. this way I know how much extra room Janna has. also I am assuming we plan on heading out in the morning? gives us a chance to recuperate some and determine a plan.