Dart and Izumi manage to make a flimsy barricade, it will keep the door from opening by a strong wind or, say, a very small creature. At least for now.
Rooke takes a big swig from his gallon of ale. "Wow! That was intense! Too bad about my daggers. They're gone forever." The caydenite offers the others a drink from his ale.
I'll pass on the Ale... well... happy you came, but... errr... who are you?
The caydenite swipes his hand on his tabard and extends it to the tian lady. "Rooke Xandarian, cleric of Cayden Caliean, bartender and healer!"
She takes it.
Well in the spirit of cross faith cooperation, let's go get a drink and catch you up... Rusty Dragon anyone?
"INDEED!" Rooke smiles broadly. "And you can visit Lady Ameiko and eliminate her fears!"
"What fears? What's she afraid of?" Dolgrin turns around, wondering what's going on. "There's time for working and time for drinking. Now is not the latter!" I can't believe I just said that
"What fears? What's she afraid of?"
"Why the lady's fear of your dimise, Master Dwarf! The whole reason I was asked to come down here!"
"Well. We're fine, as you can see. You may tell her that." While the god of drinking and his followers should appeal to dwarves, Dolgrin thinks of them as too capricious.
"Or, you know, you join us get things done."
"What else is there to be done but get a nasty infection by staying down in these wretched caves?" Rooke sipped.
Dolgrin I cannot fail to agree with our new arrival. We are under equipped to deal with a demon, regardless of how small it is. Particularly flying ones...
The group makes its way back to the surface. The smell of the sea air is welcome and fresh in comparison with the summer heat from down below. As they make their way to the Rusty Dragon, the people have grown accustomed to their faces and don't turn around when they pass so much anymore.
Ameiko is just sending Sid off with a satisfied smile when she sees the group arriving. She smiles at them and says "Are you all right? I had a bad feeling... like there is something wrong under the town. That's why I asked Rooke to find you."
Good call... we're going to need holy water and crossbows. We're probably going to need to get some money together as well.
With Ameiko's confused look at Shinano's requests, Rooke holds up his hand and adds, "Best you don't know just yet. But believe us, you'll get the full story afterward. Don't wanna cause a panic."
Ameiko says "Well, I don't have those. You'll be able to find holy water with Father Zantus and crossbows in Savah's store." She seems more relieved that the group is well than worried about why they would need such things. It seems her recent endeavors left her jumpy.
"Do you think, they have cold-rion tipped crossbow bolts here?" Dolgrin asks Izumi. "Back at home, my brothers could quickly make some, but we do have the raw materials and equipment en masse, you know."
Good point... I have a few platinum coins so it will cover some but not all expenses. Is there a way we can make some coin around here? We may have to resort to using slings... I used to play with slinging as a child.
Ameiko says amiably "I can lend you some money. You have credit with me."
A child runs past the group on her way to retrieve a ball that was kicked too far. In the air, the smell of bacon can be felt coming from the Rusty Dragon kitchen, making it a pleasant smell in contrast with the tunnels.
As they are talking, Ameiko tries cleaning her nails. As focus is shifted to her hand, it is clear she likes to cook, as they are bandaged and have light burns in a few places. She either doesn't care to heal them magically or it happens too often for it to be viable.
The child smiles back closing her eyes and showing her missing teeth. She gets her back and goes back to her friends running.
Rooke puts 2 silvers on the bar and orders a tall mead. The cleric quickly gulps it down. Smacking his lips, Rooke says, "I'm ready. Let's go finish what we left off!"
Everyone's stomach starts to rumble at the smell of food in the air. They're sure Ameiko will serve them a free meal. Some people start getting into the tavern, all of them locals. They chat merrily, oblivious to the dangers in the tunnels below them.
Lets eat and talk strategy... we need slings, crossbows and holy water... and cold iron ammunition. Anything else? Any special enhancements?
"You had me at eat. We might as well fill ur stomach, while we're here. Can you get this stuff? I mean, you seem to know everyone in this town..."
Ha... no, just it's Small Tien community - Ameiko is our true expert. If she can be prevailed to either give a good word or do the shopping for us? We may get a discount .
Ameiko comments "I believe Savah's store has offered all of you a 10% discount on all items. It's the best place to buy weapons."
"Well, truth be told, I'm flat-busted", admits Rooke. "Most of my coin was spent getting here. Just enough for a couple drinks."
How much credit do we have with you Ameiko? Can it stretch to say... 150 gold coins? That's enough for a crossbow, some slings and Cold iron ammo and holy water...
Ameiko smiles at Izumi and says "I do remember my adventuring days and how expensive everything is. Give me a moment." She walks to the back of the tavern and many moments later, comes back with a pouch full of coins. She hands it to Izumi saying "I hope you won't make me go bankrupt."
There are exactly 150 gold pieces inside.
Ameiko has just become the Kaijitsu matriarch. She figures she won't go bankrupt so soon.
Izumi gives a more formal nod, almost a seated bow, as she receives the pouch.
She uses some spilled beer to write on the timber table...
Crossbow 35
Cold Iron Bolts 2
Slings 4 coppers
20 Cold Iron sling stones 2
Before discounts that's about 40 gold... Holy Water? Father Zanthus would probably give us the same sort of discount... we get three vials? 75 before discount...
She frowns doing the math... About 115 gold... with discount? Should leave us 46 gold for... well... whatever - thoughts?
"I like your style, lady." Dolgrin acknowledges the beer-writing and joins in in the calculations.
"A decent map makers kit should cost about 10 coins. Someone skilled with his hands and in geometry should make some rough drawings of the tunnels and underground structured we find. This would help future investigators find their way."
As they discuss, the children's ball rolls back to the tavern's entrance, and the same girl comes retrieve it, a little annoyed.
A moment... talk it over Dolgrin, and anything else that suits tunnels should be added.
She rises and approaches the girl, kneeling down next to her, and gives her one of her best smiles.
Whats the problem there little one? Only you to play ball with?
Izumi notices there are four other children outside waiting for the girl to come back with the ball. She says "Do you want to join, pretty lady?"
Live while the sun shines, or so it is written... very well. Keep the ball in the air with just your feet?
"That's it, lady!", the little girl says.
Her attempts are genuine but awkward... and just manages to keep the ball in the air.
The children cheer and laugh as Izumi struggles to play with her armor on. "Sid, you want to play?" the girl says as Sid runs by. He doesn't answer and they continue playing with Izumi.
The rest of the party comes looking at Izumi and her playing ball. "So. The, aehm, thing down under the glassworks. We're not going back there today, are we?"
He watches them play for a while and finally lays down his weapons. "Well then. Nobody shall spread any false stories about grimpy dwarves. Gimme that ball."
The children's jaws drop as Dolgrin manages to keep the ball in the air for a few kicks and returns it to them. "He's in my team!", says a boy. Another boy says "We're not playing teams, silly"
"I would prefer if the aforementioned ..item was taken care of today," Rooke begins, "but seeing how this isn't my town, I will abide by the group's majority."
The caydenite looks around The Rusty Dragon for any of his faith's iconography.
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"Oh, you're not leaving me out of the fun," Dart says with a smile. He then takes the ball, looks at the children with a practiced actor's level of feigned uncertainty and says, "So, like this?" and lets the ball drop and...
kciks it up, over his head, keeps it active with a heel kick as it goes behind him, leans forward and catches it behind his neck as he asks the children, "Where did it go? I don't see the ball anywhere."