You arrive at the woodland shrine. As Mandoo saw the shrine, it is quite overgrown with foilage and trees. There are numerous bloodseakers hovering about their nest.
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Tyrion is leading the party carefully through a path between the trees with his bow drawn and ready. He is taking care to stay on the southern edge of the path, half-covered by trees.
When he sees the hive, he motions the location to the others, pausing just long enough to see if Quecksworth plans to treat us with one of his lilting tunes. He fires off 2 arrows in rapid succession aimed at the nearest bloodseeker hovering over the nest.
After firing his arrows, he attempts to hide within the trees at his well-covered location.
Quecksworth strums a few notes on his lute.
"The nest is all abuzz.
The blood flows through your vein.
Strike quickly. Strike true.
So, there, it'll remain."
As he sings, the bard draws his sling and slides a stone into it.
Quecksworth strums a few notes on his lute.
"The nest is all abuzz.
The blood flows through your vein.
Strike quickly. Strike true.
So, there, it'll remain."
As he sings, the bard draws his sling and slides a stone into it.
Tyrion is leading the party carefully through a path between the trees with his bow drawn and ready. He is taking care to stay on the southern edge of the path, half-covered by trees.
When he sees the hive, he motions the location to the others, pausing just long enough to see if Quecksworth plans to treat us with one of his lilting tunes. He fires off 2 arrows in rapid succession aimed at the nearest bloodseeker hovering over the nest before moving to cover.
After firing his arrows, he attempts to hide within the trees at his well-covered location.
Having surprised the giant insects, Tyrion lets loose an arrow, which strikes the nearest bloodseaker. It pierces its carapace. Mamilian blood and insect guts spill all around it as it crashes to the ground.
Mandoo moves forward rapidly until he is within range of the nearest bloodseeker, carefully timing his motion to avoid Tyrion's arrows. He then stops and throws two shuriken.
After Tyrion drops the nearest bloodseaker, Mandoo follows up with a shuriken at the next closest insect, piercing it in its thorax. As it falls to the ground dead, Mandoo lets loose another shuriken at the next nearest mosquito, which seperates the head from the body, killing the target.
piercing & drained 1 (until healed)
piercing
piercing
The bloodseakers swarm Mandoo! They attach themselves to Mandoo's clothing and skin and using their proboscis to begin draining blood. As the bloodseakers become more and bore engorged with Mandoo's blood, Mandoo himself starts feeling very lightheaded from the blood loss.
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Darr walks forward. "Let's get to work." He raises his hand up to his target while heat manifests in his gripped palm. "Produce Flame." A ball of flames sparks in his hand. Darr sidewinds his throw to the target south of Mandoo.
Even in his weakened state, Mandoo sees Darr wind up to throw his flame ball at the bloodseekers still attached to him. "Uh, oh", he thinks to himself, "I hope his aim is good". Just in case though, he turns his face away, adding ironically, "Still, I wouldn't want to ruin my good looks".
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Mandoo is really happy to see that everyone is such a good shot. The idea of getting scorched or impaled by stray missiles today was something he had planned on avoiding. It almost makes up for the fact that his life's blood is being drawn from his body by giant bugs and that he will soon be dead. "Some days are better than others", as Ajit used to day.
He'd originally throught to use his sword against the bloodseekers, but now that the creatures have attached themselves to him, using his hands to crush their anchored bodies seems like the better choice.
Quecksworth, pleased with his cover behind the warrior, continues his merry tune and releases a stone at the nearest bloodseeker.
He then retrieves another stone.
Darr walks forward. "Let's get to work." He raises his hand up to his target while heat manifests in his gripped palm. "Produce Flame." A ball of flames sparks in his hand. Darr sidewinds his throw to the target south of Mandoo.
Darr throws a of fire toward the flying bat-insect. It strikes and engulphs the small creature in a ball of fire. It detaches from Mandoo and falls to the ground.
Seeing the life drain out of Mandoo, Lizzo springs into action. He moves to get a clear line of sight, and fires two arrows at the little bastards (whichever give the best chances to hit!).
Lizzo's first arrow first clips a wing. The seccond arrow burries itself in the Bloodseaker's body. Fresh, undigested blood explodes under pressure as the Bloodseaker dies, covering Mandoo's clothes.
Mandoo is really happy to see that everyone is such a good shot. The idea of getting scorched or impaled by stray missiles today was something he had planned on avoiding. It almost makes up for the fact that his life's blood is being drawn from his body by giant bugs and that he will soon be dead. "Some days are better than others", as Ajit used to day.
He'd originally throught to use his sword against the bloodseekers, but now that the creatures have attached themselves to him, using his hands to crush their anchored bodies seems like the better choice.
Mandoo begins to chop away at the last remaining grappling insect. He slaps his hand down hard, slamming into the monster and destroying it. Mandoo's hands away thick with bloodseaker guts and his own blood.
With the local bloodseakers dead, you are free to examine the shrine and the bloodseaker nest. It appears that this was once a place to worship Gozrah.
The bloodseaker nest itself is still intact. In fact, there are numerous monster larva in the nest, and they are actively moving; they clearly can smell Mandoo's blood and are eager for a taste.
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Fresh, undigested blood explodes under pressure as the Bloodseaker dies, covering Mandoo's clothes.
Mandoo begins to chop away at the last remaining grappling insect. He slaps his hand down hard, slamming into the monster and destroying it. Mandoo's hands away thick with bloodseaker guts and his own blood.
Mandoo, still feeling a little weak, looks down at his hands and clothes, thinking, "Hmmm... I have a feeling these stains are going to be tough to remove". Shrugging in resignation, he scrapes off the worst of the blood and goo from his body and approaches the bloodseeker nest in the corner of the building.
He takes up his bo staff and pokes at the nest to make sure there aren't any more of the flying critters left. He then knocks it down from the corner and carefully kills off any remaining larvae he finds inside with whichever of his weapons is most convenient for the job. He makes an effort to avoid touching the larvae, or having them touch him.
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Tyrion is about to let loose a couple more arrows, as he watches the last bloodseeker fall to the ground. Instead, he rushes to Mandoo to administer some in-combat healing.
After the battle, Tyrion examines the shrine. In particular, he's especially focused on hidden entrances, cubbyholes, or traps.
He notices the symbols for Gozreh and turns to the druid, "Darr, you must know plenty about Gozreh. Is there anything peculiar here?" After glancing around at the nest that Mandoo is poking, he continues to Darr, "And any chance you have more of those flame balls to deal with this nest?"
He notices the symbols for Gozreh and turns to the druid, "Darr, you must know plenty about Gozreh. Is there anything peculiar here?" After glancing around at the nest that Mandoo is poking, he continues to Darr, "And any chance you have more of those flame balls to deal with this nest?"
The shrine is small and simple, and if it weren't for the Bloodseaker nest and the numerous tangled mass of moss and ivy growing around, would probably be a fairly nice place to worship. Most of the ornaments that mark it as a shrine to Gozreh looks to hung on the walls or standing on simple pedestals. The shrine could probably be reconsecrated to any other particular deity if one would invest the time to do so. Otherwise, there seems to be nothing particularly notable about the shrine.
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After destroying the nest and the remaining larvae, Mandoo does a quick look inside and around the shrine to make sure everything is clear and he didn't miss any of the creatures. He was already looking forward to seeing Delma's smile when they told her the bloodseekers had been cleared out.
Mandoo looks up at the sky to determine how much time is left before sundown.
Mandoo turns to Tyrion, "Want to see hill? Still time."
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Now that we're out of battle, Tyrion checks on Mandoo's bandages and nods. "You're most welcome. Yes, it looks like these ointments are especially effective against such beasts."
After looking around, Tyrion sits down against a tree. He pulls out a decanter from his pack, fills a mug, and takes a long drink. He holds up his decanter, looking around to the group. "Anyone care to join me?"
Mandoo turns to Tyrion, "Want to see hill? Still time."
Tyrion looks up and rises. "Definitely. But before we leave, maybe Quecksworth or Darr can Detect Magic to make sure we didn't miss anything." Tyrion first looks to the gnome and then to the half-orc to see what they think.
"Of course, Master Tyrion." Quecksworth responds, casting a spell and surveying the area.
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Thank you all for clearing the bloodseekers from this old place of worship
Lizzo says to Tyrion, and then turns to Darr.
"I will help clean up the ssshrine to your god."
He then proceeds to restore the shrine back to order so it can be used for worship by our druid.
Thank you, Lizzo.
Darr gets to work restoring the shrine as much as he can with the help of Lizzo. Taking down vines, scrubbing the walls, etc. When the shrine is decent he thanks Lizzo and then spends some time worshiping.
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Now that the bloodseekers are destroyed and there appears to be little of interest in the area, Mandoo starts getting a little antsy. Religion and deity worship in general are pretty lost on him, so he sees no reason to sacrifice any more of his afternoon workout to cleaning house.
When Quecksworth declares the absence of any magic nearby, Mandoo turns to Tyrion and says loudly enough for all to hear, "Mandoo go climb hill. We go?". He then looks around to see if anyone other than Tyrion shows any interest in coming along, and then heads down the path in the direction of Etran's Hill.
"Of course, Master Tyrion." Quecksworth responds, casting a spell and surveying the area.
After destroying the nest and the remaining larvae, Mandoo does a quick look inside and around the shrine to make sure everything is clear and he didn't miss any of the creatures. He was already looking forward to seeing Delma's smile when they told her the bloodseekers had been cleared out.
Mandoo looks up at the sky to determine how much time is left before sundown.
Mandoo turns to Tyrion, "Want to see hill? Still time."
Now that we're out of battle, Tyrion checks on Mandoo's bandages and nods. "You're most welcome. Yes, it looks like these ointments are especially effective against such beasts."
After looking around, Tyrion sits down against a tree. He pulls out a decanter from his pack, fills a mug, and takes a long drink. He holds up his decanter, looking around to the group. "Anyone care to join me?"
Mandoo turns to Tyrion, "Want to see hill? Still time."Tyrion looks up and rises. "Definitely. But before we leave, maybe Quecksworth or Darr can Detect Magic to make sure we didn't miss anything." Tyrion first looks to the gnome and then to the half-orc to see what they think.
After finding nothing particularly of value at the shrine, you continue along the path to the hill. Etran's Hill is covered in old stones and bits of burned debris. Burned down many, many years ago, the building's ruins now stands as a silent monument to a lost, dead family.
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Tyrion gazes in awe at the remains of Etran's long-forgotten home. He takes his time to look around and encourages others to do the same.
Before he begins, he turns to the gnome, "Quecksworth, are you willing to check for magic again, just so we can be thorough in this investigation?"
Tyrion starts moving stones and performs a careful search. He's focused on hidden entrances or dormant clues to further explain what happened here.
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Mandoo looks about the burned ruins of the building without much interest. He then looks up at the view of the surrounding area; turning in place to take it all in. For an instant, he is transported back to the mouth of Ajit's cave in the foothills of the Kodar Mountains looking out. The moment quickly passes. These idyllic green surroundings have little in common with the bleak desolation of the mountains he called home for so long. He misses his dead master Ajit, but not the old cave they had lived in.
To eradicate these unfamiliar feelings of nostalgia, Mandoo jogs up and down the hill several times to break a sweat before calling it a day on his workout. His throughts start drifting in the direction of the Feedmill and the pleasure he will have from seeing Delma again. A good night's sleep in a comfortable bed will also be very welcome.
Tyrion gazes in awe at the remains of Etran's long-forgotten home. He takes his time to look around and encourages others to do the same.
Before he begins, he turns to the gnome, "Quecksworth, are you willing to check for magic again, just so we can be thorough in this investigation?"
Quecksworth casts detect magic and makes a walk around the ruins, but finds no evidence of any magic in the area.
Tyrion starts moving stones and performs a careful search. He's focused on hidden entrances or dormant clues to further explain what happened here.
You arrive back at the Freedmill just after the sun sets over the horizon, and you find Bort waiting for you.
"Ah, finally, you're back!. Hmmm... Looks like you all got into another nasty fight with the local wildlife, especially you Mandoo. I think ya might want to get a change of clothes and wash yerself. I doubt you'll get Delma ta notice you if ya stink, wouldn't ya say? He laughs.
"While that's happening, why don't we head inside. I've ordered a table just for all of us, so I can repay ya all for the good work you did earlier killin those wolves an keeping my people safe."
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"... I think ya might want to get a change of clothes and wash yerself. I doubt you'll get Delma ta notice you if ya stink, wouldn't ya say? He laughs.
Mandoo blushes slightly at Bort's words. He hadn't thought his attraction to Delma was so obvious.
He looks down at his stained clothes and the dried bloody goo on his bare arms and hands; Mandoo can't help but agree with Bort's assessment. His sleeveless jerkin would probably never look the same again no matter how hard he tried to clean it. He sighs inwardly; at least he had a spare sleeved shirt in his pack he could use.
"Bort right. Mandoo go wash." Mandoo finds himself some relatively clean water to wash himself off as best he can and then changes into his spare shirt before joining the others in the Feedmill's dining room. It had been a long time since lunch and his stomach was starting to complain.
Quecksworth offers a few well-placed castings of prestidigitation to get the party ready and clean for the meal.
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Tyrion is about to pull Quecksworth aside and whisper to him, "I'm no expert on magic, but maybe you have a spell to help Mandoo look nice for Delma?" But as he's about to bring that up, good Quecksworth is way ahead of him with his offers of Prestidigitation.
Instead, Tyrion simply nods to Quecksworth and says, "Yes, please." He spends his extra time, from not having to wash up and change clothes, chatting with the bartender and refilling his mug.
After getting cleaned, you meet up with Bort inside the Freedmill, which is now packed with people. The mood is fairly festive inside. Delma is tending the bar tonight, while her staff is hustling abd bustling amongst the numerous farmers and town loacals who are spending their evening drinking and catching up with gossip.
Bort leads you to a booth in the tavern nearest to the "stage" a pile of crates neatly stacked together to create an (uneven) platform 3 ft high and 10 ft wide. The town's bard is singing on the stage right now, telling the story of how some brave heroes traveled throughout Varisia to slay the Runelord of Greed.
Shortly after taking y our seats, a comely young server approaches you.
"Hi. Bort! So these are your new favorite people then? Greetings! I'm Trin. Trin Sathern. I'll be your server this evening. Bort arranged for a feast for you this afternoon, so I hope you are looking forward to some good old fashioned cooking here!. In the meantime, what drinks can I get for you?" She hands the party a menu.
"Order whatever ya want!" Bort joyfully says. "Drinks are on me!"
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By the time Mandoo finds some water to wash with, he is surprised to discover that his clothes aren't all that dirty. In fact, they appear to be completely clean. There is no way he could have been mistaken about their irreparable condition earlier.
He narrows his eyes suspiciously and looks about his empty room before spitting out the word, "magic," as if it were an expletive. Thinking back, he suspects the funny little gnome called Quecksworth. Mandoo now vaguely recalls the strange bard moving his hands and whispering under his breath after they returned to the Feedmill.
Mandoo looks at his clothes again and his annoyance dissipates. He's pretty sure that Quecksworth meant no harm and was only trying to help his travelling companions clean up after a long day. He finishes up with his ablutions and makes himself as presentable as possible for the evening. He will have to remember to thank Quecksworth when he sees him next.
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Mandoo arrives at the bar in time to join Bort and the others as they make their way across the room to the booth next to the stage. He looks about the room surreptitiously and catches a glimpse of Delma tending the bar. His heart skips a beat at the sight of her loveliness.
When Trin appears, Mandoo is deep in thought and barely registers her presence. When asked what he'd like to order, he recovers and quickly checks the menu. Looking down the list, he sighs inwardly. What is a teetotaler to do in a world lubricated by alcohol? "Bog Grog for Mandoo. Leave out rum.", he finally orders.
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Sitting next to Mandoo in the booth, Tyrion leans over to the monk and says quietly, "When I was at the bar waiting for you guys to get cleaned up, I might have mentioned to Delma how effective you were with those bloodseekers, even as they swarmed you. She seemed impressed."
Upon hearing Tyrion's report, Mandoo tries with only slight success to keep his excitement from showing. "Delma impressed by Mandoo," he quietly repeats to himself with some elation, wishing he had been there to see her reaction in person.
The moment of exhilaration passes quickly and is replaced with a sense of turmoil. He frowns. "Now what do I do?", he thinks. His previous intimate experiences with women, being somewhat transactional in nature, had not prepared him for this moment. His feelings for Delma were something new and confusing.
His generally scarred appearance tended to repulse people, especially women. He was well used to seeing that initial look of distaste, quickly papered over with a neutral expression, and followed by excuses for removing themselves from his presence. He was used to making people around him feel uncomfortable and did not make a habit of seeking out the company of others.
He didn't care; other's opinions of him were usually of no importance to Mandoo. But that was not true with Delma. For some reason he couldn't understand, he very much cared what Delma thought of him, and he didn't want to see that brief look of revulsion on her face when she looked at him. The paralyzing fear to act that he felt with Delma was alien to him; he hoped it would pass quickly after they left the village in the morning.
Coming out of his brief reverie, he turns to Tyrion a little resignedly, "Thanks Tyrion."
Trin returns with your drinks, which for a small town out in the middle of nowhere, serves perfectly good liquor. As the half elven bard (named Flonk) tells his tales to anyone who would listen, you get more and more relaxed as the free-flowing alcohol kicks in. Eventually, Trin takes Delma's place at the bar, and Delma herself brings out the first dishes: some wild game with roasted turnips with a side of burnt seed cake. She then goes and happily sits next to Mandoo with a mug of Andoran Ale listening to the gossip and your stories.
Bort seems to be having a grand old time, and tells you of his days as a young pathfinder: In one tale, Bort was traveling through one of the high mountain roads in the Five Kings Mountains when his caravan was captured by a fire giant. As bort was being lowered into a kettle, he managed to trick the giant into using a rare plant called "frostbloom" in his soup, claiming it was quite spicy. When the giant tasted the broth, it froze his mouth shut, and Bort was able to escape with the rest of his party during the confusion. He even got a magic ring out of the giant's bag before escaping.
Eventually Delma congratulates you before heading back to the bar. "Thanks for your help clearing out those pests! I suppose all the farmers can rest a bit easier now that hose bugs are not preying on our livestock.
She runs her well caloused but warm fingers along your leg underneeth the tablecloth.
Delma gives a wink to Mandoo, before taking a final swig with her mug and walks back to the bar relieving Trin.
Trin immediately heads toward your table with a drink of her own and pulls up a chair. "So, I heard you are all pathfinders. I've never been outside of our town before. Can you me what it is like to live in a city?" she asks.
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"I only passed through on my journey's around many places. It's loud, there are many people there. I guess you can say it's not my cup of tea, but maybe you should visit? Maybe you will like it, but I warn you, not everyone is your friend." Kaneda tells Trin as he takes a huge gulp out of his drink. "GAH! That was much needed." Kaneda's face was bright red, gave away that he was starting to feel the drinks.
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"Tell me Tyrion why do you drink so much?"
Tyrion lifts his mug up in the air, as if in a toast, takes another sip, and responds, "My family is hard to deal with. Oddly enough, wine dulls the pain and helps me think clearly. So that's what I do. I drink, and I know things."
Turning to Trin, the halfling continues, "I've never spent much time in large cities, but smaller cities and villages, sure. There's always a lot happening and lots to do in bigger cities." Looking around, he adds, "And more restaurants, inns ... and taverns. In my line of work, there's also more crime to be investigated, which I expect you don't experience much here, do you?"
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Mandoo sips his herbed orange juice, only half listening to Flonk's tales and the conversation around him; his mind wandering back to long-passed events. He notices Delma bringing their dishes to the table and can't help himself from staring as she approaches.
Delma turns to Mandoo, looks him straight in the face, and smiles.
Mandoo thinks his heart just exploded in his chest; it is all he can do to grab his drink before it spills all over the table. The breath catches in his chest when she sits beside him with her ale. He can't believe his luck. Mandoo remains quiet and almost immobile while the others continue sharing their stories. It is enough for him to feel the warmth of her body sitting so near.
Eventually Delma congratulates you before heading back to the bar. "Thanks for your help clearing out those pests! I suppose all the farmers can rest a bit easier now that hose bugs are not preying on our livestock.
Mandoo leans towards Delma a little, catching the edge of an odd but pleasant scent coming from her hair. In a quiet voice, he says, "My pleasure. If Delma happy, Mandoo happy."
She runs her well caloused but warm fingers along your leg underneeth the tablecloth.
The touch of her hand on his leg is electrifying and immediately brings him to attention . Mandoo blushes a deep shade of red as she winks at him and heads back to the bar. Stunned, he sits and stares at her shapely behind heading away. It takes him a couple of moments to pull himself together and try to pretend that nothing happened. He looks around the table and breathes a sigh of relief; he doesn't think anyone noticed.
"What exactly did Tyrion tell her earlier?" He stops that line of thought short. As Ajit used to say to him, "When things are going your way, don't question why."
Mandoo bides his time so as to not appear too eager, but it takes all his willpower to remain in his seat and not follow Delma back to the bar.
Trin immediately heads toward your table with a drink of her own and pulls up a chair. "So, I heard you are all pathfinders. I've never been outside of our town before. Can you me what it is like to live in a city?" she asks.
In turn, Mandoo replies, "Only know Absalom. Trained at Grand Lodge. Mandoo not like big cities. Too many people."
Mandoo nurses his drink for a while more, listening to the conversation around him, but not really absorbing much of it. When he decides that a proper amount of time has passed, he drains the last of his juice in one gulp, stands and after casually stating, "Drink gone. Mandoo get more," heads off to the bar to order another from Delma.
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Tyrion lifts his mug up in the air, as if in a toast, takes another sip, and responds, "My family is hard to deal with. Oddly enough, wine dulls the pain and helps me think clearly. So that's what I do. I drink, and I know things."
"I see, then I raise my glass to you and your knowledge of things! Kaneda raises his glass and spills some of his drink.
"Ah the boy is off to see the bartender! Ask for more of whatever this is! Kaneda heads to the restroom in a his drunken stupor and almost trips on his own foot. "I will be back shortly" Kaneda didn't have that much alcohol but is already drunk because he has always been a lightweight.
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Mandoo works his way to the end of the bar and finds a stool to sit on where he can watch Delma working. His earlier paralyzing fear has vanished and he is eager to learn more about her. He watches her work for a while, and then catching her eye, beckons her over, waving his empty mug as a pretext.
When she approaches, Mandoo looks her in the eyes, smiles and asks, "Delma have favorite drink?" No matter what drink she specifies, Mando will say, "I will try one." Mandoo has not had a lot of experience with alcoholic beverages, but he's learned the hard way that drinking copious quantities of the stuff dulls his senses, slows his reflexes, and reduces his fighting effectiveness. One morning a couple of years ago, after a particularly long and eventful evening barhopping with a group of fellow trainees in Absalom, he swore to himself that he'd never touch the foul substance again. He's pretty much kept that promise over the years, but to cosy up to Delma he's willing to make a rare exception tonight.
"Delma live here whole life?"
"Delma like running Feedmill?"
"What Delma do when not working?"
"Delma like to travel?"
"Delma have family? Heard father is mayor."
Mandoo listens attentively to her answers, asking follow-up questions as necessary, and occasionally taking a sip from his drink.
Mandoo pauses slightly, blushes and looks down at his drink, "Delma have man friend?"
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Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a wash and change of clothes, Lizzo joins his companions at the feedmill.
”I’ll take a liquid ghossst.”, he says to the server. When he arrives with the ale Lizzo is fascinated with the pale green hue. after a sniff, then a sip, he says “delisssiousss!”
He notices Mandoo’s budding excitement talking to Delma, and attempts to keep a low profile in the bar. He sips, scans the crowd, and listens in on their conversation.
Turning to Trin, the halfling continues, "I've never spent much time in large cities, but smaller cities and villages, sure. There's always a lot happening and lots to do in bigger cities." Looking around, he adds, "And more restaurants, inns ... and taverns. In my line of work, there's also more crime to be investigated, which I expect you don't experience much here, do you?"
"No, it is pretty boring here Trin says. "I work around every night, and the best nights to work is when people like you or Bort come around, and I get to hear tales of life in the big city.
You and Trin talk a bit more, and she seems like a very plesant person, though seemingly eager to have a life somewhere else other than Freedmill. She excuses herself after a talking for a bit, saying she needs to go back to work.
"Delma live here whole life?"
"Delma like running Feedmill?"
"What Delma do when not working?"
"Delma like to travel?"
"Delma have family? Heard father is mayor."
Mandoo pauses slightly, blushes and looks down at his drink, "Delma have man friend?"
"Feedmill is home. Yes, I've been here all my life, outside of one time when Bort took me out to the capital to do a special purchase as a present for my dad. Home is where my and it is where my father is. How about you? You travel alot then?
...
Nowadays, I pretty much spend my time running either the business... or running the town as my father is too old for such things. Did you know that my father and I is related to Etran Bolmere? My family has been mayors of this town off and on for centuries! I don't know why the town prefers Fulsts as town leaders. It is almost like we are barons!
...
I do like to swim. There is a small lake downstream that I used to go to when I was a teenager. I'd go and skinnydip when no one was around. I do wish I had more time to go swimming though. She gets a mischevious look in her eye. "Maybe when we are not so busy we could go for a swim together there?" she teases.
Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a wash and change of clothes, Lizzo joins his companions at the feedmill.
”I’ll take a liquid ghossst.”, he says to the server. When he arrives with the ale Lizzo is fascinated with the pale green hue. after a sniff, then a sip, he says “delisssiousss!”
He notices Mandoo’s budding excitement talking to Delma, and attempts to keep a low profile in the bar. He sips, scans the crowd, and listens in on their conversation.
You overhear a lot of mundane gossip from the farmers. Apparently a new healthy calf was born on one farmer Joseph's farm yesterday, which for some reason is a very big deal for these humans. You also hear of some burly drunk named Hallod was told to go home earlier today, just before you got to the inn.
"I see, then I raise my glass to you and your knowledge of things! Kaneda raises his glass and spills some of his drink.
"Ah the boy is off to see the bartender! Ask for more of whatever this is! Kaneda heads to the restroom in a his drunken stupor and almost trips on his own foot. "I will be back shortly" Kaneda didn't have that much alcohol but is already drunk because he has always been a lightweight.
You go and get another glass of pesh brandy, before returning to Bort's table. As you return to your table, two things happen. First, desert arrives: a large bowl of sweet turnip porridge is set for Bort, while various fruits is cut and pealed for everyone else.
The second thing that happens is Trin seems to accidentally bump into Farmer Eallom, causing him to spill his ale all over himself. He starts yelling at poor Trin, and another server intercedes. Unfortunately he recieves a fist to his face for his troubles, knocking another drunken farmer into a table, causing the meal there to spill to other customers. Before long, a full blown tavern brawl begins.
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Trin immediately heads toward your table with a drink of her own and pulls up a chair. "So, I heard you are all pathfinders. I've never been outside of our town before. Can you me what it is like to live in a city?" she asks.
The town is always bustling and there's always something to do. I honestly can't keep up with hustle and bustle. Especially when you visit the merchant district. They have everything there... everything. Darr starts to stare into his past. Merchants everywhere, EVERYWHERE. They would shove furs, perfumes, and hats into Darr's face. Still staring and in a low melancholy voice, "...All I needed was some incense..."
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"Feedmill is home. Yes, I've been here all my life, outside of one time when Bort took me out to the capital to do a special purchase as a present for my dad. Home is where my and it is where my father is. How about you? You travel alot then?"
Mandoo replies, "Yes. Mandoo travels much for society. Sees many places. Fights many creatures. It is fun. It is fun most of time. Sometimes not. Sometimes Mandoo tired. Wants quiet place to rest. For a while. This town nice. Feedmill nice. Delma nice. Mandoo come back. See Delma again."
Mandoo blushes a little, pauses and takes a gulp of his drink to lubricate his parched throat. Mandoo hasn't spoken this much in one sitting in months, perhaps years, perhaps never. He is a little surprised by his own loquacity, but if it keeps Delma near, then it is worth it.
Nowadays, I pretty much spend my time running either the business... or running the town as my father is too old for such things. Did you know that my father and I is related to Etran Bolmere? My family has been mayors of this town off and on for centuries! I don't know why the town prefers Fulsts as town leaders. It is almost like we are barons!"
"Heard some from Bort. About Etran. About plaguestone. Not hear much. Went to hill earlier," Mandoo beckons in the general direction of Etran's Hill, "Not much left."
I do like to swim. There is a small lake downstream that I used to go to when I was a teenager. I'd go and skinnydip when no one was around. I do wish I had more time to go swimming though. She gets a mischevious look in her eye. "Maybe when we are not so busy we could go for a swim together there?" she teases.
At Delma's suggestion, visions of Mandoo and Delma swimming naked in a secluded lake come unbidden to his mind. His eyes glaze over for a second as he turns an even deeper shade of crimson. He looks down quickly to hide his reaction , and replies, "Mandoo would like that. Very much," before looking up again to see just how serious she was. He takes another hurried gulp from his mug.
Mandoo snaps out of his reverie and notices the brawl developing. He very much felt like joining in, if only to burn off some of the pent-up energy that his conversation with Delma had produced. But, this wasn't his fight... yet.
Mandoo remains at the bar, placing himself between the action and Delma. He glances over at Delma to gauge her reaction before deciding what to do.