"Well, let's keep some wildlife, Oren. And you're right, helpers would be useful. Perhaps not just goblins. So--no new dreams of Dahak and fire at the moment?"
"So far no. My last dream was of Voz and her collaborators. I haven't had any new dreams since then to tell me about what's on the other side."
Yasami walks along Voz for the journey, making sure she is not up to no good. "Stop with the looks, lady. Just like the rest of us, you reap what you sow. What would you do if we didn't come along, anyway? Starve to death?" She gives the librarian an inquisitive look. "But I'm willing to extend an olive branch. At least partially. Despite the fact that you were instrumental in almost killing at least one of us multiple times. Think about it while we walk?"
"Yes, yes indeed, do think about it. Because the offer may not be one that our whole team agrees on. You walking here at all may not be something this whole team agrees on. Breachill having jurisdiction over your crimes may not be something we agree on. Thank god the Hellknight is alive, maybe we can ask him! I can share with him all the laws you have broken, maybe invoke his ancestors, and see what the Hellknights would have done."
Cevs eyes narrow ... and his dagger shifts.
"Just kidding ... we all know what the Hellknights would have done."
"Because to be clear, I absolutely do NOT agree. I do not agree that you should be walking, and I do not agree that you should be breathing. You are more than a criminal, you are a villain of the very wrost kind, and there is no one in Breachill who can effectively suppress you, other than perhaps the High Priest. In Kyonin, you would already have been put down for crimes against magic and crimes against your heritage. In Isger, it could be that they simply need to understand that the danger you represent is greater than they can contain."
"For the moment, I will stay content to ensure that Isger and its smaller outlying communities are educated. My companions also. Because if they think that a portal which cannot work on its own is a threat, they should view you as the very fires of Dahak."
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"Well, Cev here expressed his opinion on this. And I appreciate the fact that he did. However, contrary to what you, Voz - or anyone else in this little companionship - may think, I don't actually enjoy killing. I like the duelling aspect of combat. Outsmarting someone and taking advantage of the situation and environment. That is something I like. The loss of life is always an unfortunate event in my opinion. Unless they are a direct threat that can not be stopped by other means. So tell me, Voz... Are you a direct threat right now? Will you grow horns again, if I put it to the vote and we agree to put you on 'probation'? There would be limitations to your freedoms, of course. I offer only one thing. A chance to redeem yourself."
Yasami looks at others. "As I said, I need to run this past you. I like to think we all have an equal say in the matter. As far as I am concerned, we have already beaten her, and can do so again. But, she might prove helpful down the road. Perhaps even trustworthy. Perhaps."
"Does that mercy apply to the little racist bastard as well then?" Dario asks, having quietly listened into the conversation between them. "The town's council will be the final arbiter, of course, but...I do think our words are going to hold weight. We could influence things if we wanted too."
"I'm not against...a chance. It does seem to be the Breachill way to care for your neighbor and straighten them out. Hell, Alak lives because you convinced them that he'd be more worthwhile alive then eaten. That says something." Dario mused, hands in his jacket before he tips his hat to another pedestrian walking the road who stares at this strange entourage.
"I don't like the idea of leaving hostile enemies alive. That includes Calmont as well as Voz. But neither is actively a threat right now, so I will hold off on hostility for the moment."
"I don't feel like I have enough information to make a correct decision. So for now, I will defer to the town council and the rest of you."
"WE are not killing anyone," Joran states adamantly. "WE are not THEM. That's what they would do but that's not what we do because that is NOT who we are. As Dario said, the town council will determine their fate. We did our part."
Caiten looks very thoughtful at Joran after he finishes his words, but Caiten says nothing.
"If we were going to kill Voz, we should've done it back at the cave, when we were fighting. Not now, when she's our prisoner and the seven of us could tear her apart like a pack of wolves. That would be murder, and I'm not a murderer. Now she deserves a trial and to face whatever justice Breachill decides fits her crimes. If that's death, then it is. If that's tossing her in the deepest darkest pit they can find and making sure she never gets out, then it is. And if they decide to give Voz a second chance by sending her in our custody to make sure that she actually turns over a new leaf, then it is. But I'm not in the business of becoming judge, jury, and executioner."
Smiling, Joran gives his fellow barbarian a mighty slap on the shoulder. "Well said, buddy!"
Dario nods softly along with what the others said. Breachill was a place of law and order, albeit a little more country than metropolitan. However, the big cities did not have the same level of community. With the matter seemingly decided, the gunslinger remained quiet and walked beside the captured wizard.
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"We need to understand Voz' motivations," says Lisi to Yasami and the group, "But by we I do mean the town council. Restorative justice is an ideal, but it is a tricky thing. I don't enjoy imprisoning people nor do I enjoy killing them. That being said, Voz has trained for years in the arts of raising the dead. Those acts go beyond a question of 'evil as ethics'; they actually taint the souls of creatures with planar quintessence that is fundamentally aligned as evil. It is possible to purge this quintessence through good acts, but it takes time."
He glances at Joran. "She has bad stuff stuck to her soul."
"Let me be clear, I only need to ensure that the punishment serves the crimes ... it isn't simply that they need to be put down, but elves do take a long view of things for obvious reasons."
Cev smirks a little at his thought ...
"If the little rodent scroll stealer could shelve books, couldn't he clear rocks? Could we not recommend that Calmont be indentured ... to the Bumblebrashers? Would it not be fitting if Calmont helped clear the path down to Alseta's Ring? I think so."
He smiles a little more broadly
"and I do need to present the head of the barghest to Kellen ... it's possible Voz could be indentured to Desna. How fitting would THAT be? For her to serve in the Dreamhouse. Healing magic is, after all, necromantic: maybe the High Priest can help Voz pay for her crimes."
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"The priests could watch her," says Lisi in agreement.
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I do not agree that you should be walking, and I do not agree that you should be breathing.
Voz stares at Cev coldly while he speaks, her eyes glaring daggers.
So tell me, Voz... Are you a direct threat right now? Will you grow horns again, if I put it to the vote and we agree to put you on 'probation'? There would be limitations to your freedoms, of course. I offer only one thing. A chance to redeem yourself."
Her icy gaze shifted to Yasami. "You've already thwarted me twice. I'm not foolish enough to pit myself against the lot of you a third time."
Hell, Alak lives because you convinced them that he'd be more worthwhile alive then eaten. That says something."
"Yes, well. We all make mistakes." Her wrath shifted to the hellknight who'd knocked her over and, in her mind, singlehandedly ruined everything.
As the conversation surrounding her fate continued, she held her chin high and strode along the road with the rest of you, but seemed to have nothing further to say for the moment.
You arrive at the town hall, which also houses the prison.
Caiten is quiet as they approach the town hall. Once they arrive, he turns to Lisi. "You are experienced in legal proceedings, correct? Maybe you should take charge of the process here. I'm quite certain I would make a mess of it."
Lisi shrugs. "I can try. The Town Council uses law more as 'guidelines', to be honest."
He speaks to the guards. "We've captured Voz Lirayne. We need to speak to the Council about her abilities and actions. She needs to be held and placed under trial."
He glances at Joran. "She has bad stuff stuck to her soul."
Joran walks over to the druid and pats him on the back and says, "Don't we all, buddy, don't we all."
The council is assembled in short order, and is ready to listen to what you have to say.
Dario, once the group arrives, gives the notes from Voz to Lisitsei to look over. It showcases Voz's disdain for her simpler neighbors but it also showcases her hatred of the Red Mantis, her fears of them, and her ultimate plans to use the stones to create a network of assassins to rival them.
Calmont was far simpler; an ignorant and hateful man that let things get out of proportion. Unstable magic was used to create a distraction without realizing what it could do and when push came to shove, he spared life rather than take it.
It was Dario's belief that the two could be put to better use serving the town than dying. Voz was a talented spellcaster and, given proper direction, could realize that the town she disliked so much could give her the shelter and safety. Calmont's hatred could be stopped by having him see how the goblins truly were; a chaotic but helpful and kind tribe trying to make the best of a dangerous situation.
Dario pushed for them to live; no use wasting tools that haven't broke yet.
He informs the council that it is their intention to help Renali return home and potentially lay claim to the citadel outside of town afterwards. Oren's prophecy still hung in the air and just because Voz was stopped didn't mean that Breachill's reckoning was prevented.
When the town council asks Caiten directly what he thinks should be done about Calmont and Voz, he replies,
"Calmont makes decisions based on hatred and greed. He also directly attacked the people of the town - putting the lives of several families in danger. If he is not executed, then he should at least be guarded closely."
"Voz is much more complicated. I do not fully understand her motivations, even after reading many of her writings. She is dangerous and would be difficult to imprison or guard sufficiently. However, she has not, as far as I can tell, directly attacked anyone in town. She set traps in her own home, and attacked us when we pursued her and fought with her guards. I am not fully familiar with the laws governing this land, but I don't expect that those actions warrant execution on their own. I think she would kill all of us if given the chance, but the law cannot punish people for what they want to do, but have not actually done. And the worst that she has done has been to hire known criminals, create undead monsters, and form conspiracies with unknown agents in other locations for an unknown purpose. Cutting her contact with these other parties and keeping her guarded and hopefully unable to cast spells may be all that we can legally do."
"I did not expect to find love on this journey, and yet, I love Breachill. For my love to be upheld, Breachill must be safe. I would ask that the Council petition the High Priest of Desna to take charge of this prisoner: Kellen is capable and mindful and will press her into service in every way possible. He can also watch over her in ways that no other jail keeper could. Added to that, he might reconnect her with what it means to be an elf or halfelf, and that would improve us all."
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Calmont was brought in from his cell, and he shared a few choice words in Voz's direction, but she didn't so much as look at him -- she just curled her upper lip as though smelling something unpleasant. Which might have been literal, as Calmont's hygiene had suffered somewhat in his confinement.
The Council listened as several of you stepped forward to speak. There was some discussion amongst them afterwards -- Jorsk in particular was wary of letting an arsonist have any slack whatsoever on his leash, Melma Ann was heavily in favor of showing Calmont kindness, suggesting the lack of such empathy is why he was pushed to what he'd done. The others were more balanced in their views, and in the end, it was Greta who spoke.
"A great deal can change in two weeks," she began calmly. "This town has always welcomed adventurers seeking to make a name for themselves. It has been decades since we were blessed with a real band of heroes. And the timing is quite fortuitous. A cult worshipping an evil dragon god, a barghest, not to mention the countless dangers you faced thanks to these two standing here."
Voz showed no reaction, Calmont muttered under his breath.
"If it weren't for you all, we might have lost dozens of people to the fire. We'd have lost the Bumblebrashers as our most unique neighbors, and if that monster had emerged from the caves...suffice to say, your words would carry weight here, even if they weren't as full of wisdom as they are."
"It is the decision of this council that Calmont Trenault will serve the next five years in prison. Each day he chooses to work alongside the Bumblebrashers in building new homes for themselves and working to maintain them will shave two days from his sentence, and should a time come when this council deems he has truly learned from his mistakes, the full remainder of his sentence may be commuted. He will be kept under close guard whenever he leaves his cell to assist the goblins."
Calmont scoffed at the notion. "You don't gotta worry about that, I'd rather rot in my cell."
Greta continued. "At the end of five years, should he persist in his vitriolic ways, he'll be given supplies enough to reach another town and banished from Breachill."
"Just fine with me, lady," he continued.
Greta motioned for the guards accompanying him to see him back to his cell. Then she turned to Voz.
"Voz Lirayne. As the others have said, most of your crimes were things you intended to do, and not things you actually did. Your most egregious acts were committed against the very people now advising you might be redeemed. Calmont made his thoughts clear to us all. Do you have anything you would like to say to this council?"
Voz just arched an eyebrow imperiously and kept her mouth shut.
"Very well. You will be held until such a time as we can work out the details of Kellen Carondil's guardianship of you, assuming he is willing to take on the responsibility. You'll be gagged, and your hands bound, until an alternative method of restricting your spellcasting can be found. Once Kellen is convinced you no longer pose a threat to the people of Breachill, you'll be granted your freedom."
Voz pursed her lips but held her silence. She was bound and gagged as ordered and taken into holding while arrangements were made.
With that, the council thanked you again and began to part ways. Voz was in the safest hands she could be placed in, for the time being. It's evening by this point, and the rest of the night is yours to do with as you please.
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"...that went about as well as can be expected," says Lisi as they leave the Council chambers.
"I don't think Voz will be freed anytime soon."
He crosses his arms. "We should head back to the Citadel tomorrow. I don't feel like waiting for sappers to clear that rubble and suggest we go the way we came. We can try to control the golem, and barring that, we disable it. Is there anything else to plan besides where to eat? I could use a bath as well."
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Caiten listens to the sentencing and nods. As Calmont is being led out of the room, he casts ◆ Message to whisper to him,
To Lisi he agrees. "Yes, going back through the caverns and dealing with the guardian there one way or the other would be a good plan. We can also take care of that Imp tomorrow on the way there."
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Dario took the time after the meeting to shake the hand of each of the council members, thanking them for their time and patronage. He gives a nod to the quiet elven woman as she is led away. With Calmont, he simply lifts his fingers like a pistol and pulls the trigger, mouthing the 'bang' as he did.
"I am in agreement with Lisi and if the druid's saying we need to bathe, then we definitely need to bathe. Tomorrow, we can clear out the rest of the citadel and give the Bumblebrashers their home again. I think they'll be quite excited to return back. We can talk with Warble too and see if they're okay working with us. They'll need some damn discipline but...we can get around to that." Dario said after returning to his fellows, stretching lightly as he did.
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"I have it on good authority that people just rub whale oil on their firearms and bodies in the Mana Wastes; here we use water, and a bit of vetiver soap; you can find it at 'Bits, although I can show you how to make it with deer tallow and lime," says Lisi, examining his still-spotless fingernails.
"My goodness! Even out of rat form, the man has teeth!" Dario says with a laugh and a grin. "Close enough to the holy oils, I would say. Never saw a whale before until I shipped out from Nex. I can handle my firearms just fine, Papa taught me the right ways."
As the talks goes on, Joran sneaks out, no longer interested in what happens to Voz and Calmont as he's confident in the Council to handle everything appropriately.
He makes his way to The Grace, to see that special lady of his. Walking in, "Hey, Trin!" he instantly calls out before catching sight of her. Quickly making his way over to her and bearing a big smile, he leans upon the bar before saying, "I've got good news, gorgeous. Alak's alive. We found him when we caught up to Voz." He goes through the tale of how it all played out. "And Voz and the others are with the town council, dealing with her and Calmont. All in a day's work for the Keledi. That's a term our little spider friend used. The Incorruptible. Champions. Or as we call ourselves: 'The Champions of Breachill'. Pretty great, huh?" He waggles his eyebrows, sporting a proud look.
Yasamina listened quietly at the trial. She had said her share beforehand, and this was not her place to talk. She watched Voz making grimaces throughout, and had to stop herself from laughing once or twice. Once the entire ordeal is over, she stands up, and walks out of the hall, waiting for rest.
"I needed some air, and a little quiet time." she smiles once everyone is outside. "Glad to see everyone made it out." She walks towards Alak and gives him a quick hug. "We thought you were done for." - she then scans everyone else.
"So- I think I've heard the word bath. And to that, I must say 'Yes, please!' Like right now. And then, I bet mister Stagram here would like to eat a whole half of a roasted piglet. So who wants to do that? We can discuss future plans with bellies that are not empty. Wouldn't want hungry thoughts now, would we?"
She walks towards Alak and gives him a quick hug. "We thought you were done for.
"Oh, um, actually--" Alak started to say, awkwardly, when she came closer to hug him, but he was unsuccessful at fending her off, and Yasami quickly surmised why he'd tried to -- the man had an aroma. Which reminded her, baths sounded like a great idea...
---------------------------------------------
Joran is the first one to the Grace, and Trin's smile could light up the room when she sees him. Her expression only increases When he delivers his news, and it becomes clear he is back to being 'Joran' with the group's success dispelling some of his previous self-doubt.
"The Champions of Breachill, hmm? Well, it's a bit on the nose, but you can't deny it's accurate. There have certainly been worse adventuring party names. Do you remember that band that came through when we were young, maybe ten or twelve years old? The ones that were going to fight a basilisk that had wandered into the foothills, and got themselves all turned to stone? What was it they called themselves again? Bah, I remember it was terrible but it's escaping me..."
As the rest of the Champions arrived, Trin quickly got to work. Soon, a table heaped with food sat before you all, and hot baths were drawn up in each of your quarters shortly thereafter. Word had gotten around about Voz being arrested, and the great barghest head had been seen as you came into town, and perhaps an hour after you arrive the Grace is packed near to bursting with townfolk eager to hear tales of your exploits. Trin pressed a few local teens into service for the evening, running food and drinks to people.
"Sorry, Joran, when I was that age, it was all about the Goblinblood Wars. I ran into the Greenskin Stalkers once or twice...I would have loved to have seen them as the Stoneskin Standers, but alas, no basilisks in view at the time."
Lisi is freshly cleaned and shines like a river gem. Guba looks freshly watered as well. The warglets are content to eat an enormous, mini-barghest-sized pile of mutton in the back room, as their table manners leave something to be desired and they tend to growl if someone approaches their food.
The druid smiles at his companions, but also looks around the room for a glimpse of Narine.
Lisi turned back around after seeking Narine and found her having seemingly appeared from thin air while he was turned away. She smiled. "I believe you said you'd be very hungry and thirsty when you returned? So while you were off making yourself presentable I helped Trin whip up some of your favorite." She revealed the dish she'd made for him.
Narine was not the best cook...a large part of why they always dined out. But it was clear Trin had a heavy hand in perfecting the dish.
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Back at the Wizard's Grace, Dario eats up the popularity that the they had amassed so far. The scarred man eagerly tells the tale of siege of the fort and the fierce battle therein; the numbers slightly exaggerated and the spectacle far more flashy than before. He eagerly tells the horrors of the abominable barghest, a fiend disguised as a goblin, and how the brave Alak risked his life for them all. It culminates with the death of the barghest and the quick battle to save their friend's life, the ingenuity of their party only matched by their sheer stubborness and incredible skill in battle. The drinks flow merrily and Dario, despite the fact that more danger laid tomorrow, partakes deeply of both good food and fine drink.
As the druid takes care of his little vegetable friend and the two young wargs, the drunken gunslinger wraps an arm around his shoulder and gives a wide grin to him.
"You know...where I'm from...elves and half-elves are rare. Especially ones with a quick tongue and a kind heart. W-W-We comes from different lands and different perspec...perspecks...thoughts, but I welcome that difference. I'm proud you're my friend Lisi, you rat bastard." Dario says with a cheeky grin, leaning on his friend for a moment before looking at the small compatriots. "You're doing a mighty fiiiiine job. That Narine lady cooked for you though? Hell...maybe I do need your soap." Clapping him gently on the back, Dario waved before falling back into the thick crowd with a drunken yet somehow graceful stagger.
"YOU!" Dario shouts as he moves through the tavern, eyes landing upon the fierce woman. He stumbles over, making his way towards her before falling into a seat. Smiling drunkeningly, he leans over and whispers conspiratorially.
"You know, when we first met, I had a crush on you. I had hoped...something...would work out...but I'm much happier, I think, with you as my friend. You promised to be my partner-in-crime here, stealing the hearts of ladies and men alike. Don-Don't think that I forgot." As he sits there, he catches sight of Alak across the way looking towards them and a wry grin spreads across his face. "Of course, you already started without me. S-s-so cunning, you are." His head drops back in the seat and there is the sound of a snore that erupts from him. As soon as she looks away longer than a minute though, the gunslinger has wandered off.
In the tavern, the mighty man would be collided into by Dario who was mid-sip of his beer. Stumbling but catching himself, he gives a big grin as he raises his cup to show not a drop had been spilt.
"Oren, my friend, we were worried about you. I-I realized that we never talked too much. I want to-to rectify that. You're a good man, a little more sensible of the two folks that have biceps the size of my head too. Tell me...tell me your story." Dario asks, leaning against a table either out of need or comfort. It was hard to tell which.
The gunslinger finds himself in the company of the party's champion, a crusader for an elven goddess. Settling in beside him, Dario watches the man for a moment before leaning in.
"Cev, I wanted you to know something. I appreciate you. I know you've done a lot to protect us, defend us, and probably saved our lives without us knowing. You marched up along the oaf's side at the fortress and never left his side. That takes courage. You're a hell of a man." Dario would lift his mug up and clumsily toast him before patting him on the back.
During the night, while Trin and Joran enjoyed each other's company, they would notice the stupid grin on Dario's face as he watched them. He walked over, grinning at the two of them before speaking.
"I was, I was thinking two things. First off, you two make a lovely couple. I was going to...uhh...shoot my shot at you Trin but, I kindly withdrew. Needed to give Joran a chance here, right?" The gunslinger teased, looking over at the mighty man beside him. Despite foolish decisions and with no shield upon him, Dario had seen him survive fights and wounds that even dwarves would pale from. To say he was impressed would be an understatement. "Secondly, I hope your children take after you Trin. You are both more handsome and more beautiful than Joran is and they deserve the best chances in the world." The gunslinger hiccuped a moment, tasting the alcohol on the back of his tongue as he looked at his cup. "Mmmm, switching to wine was bad."
The gunslinger finally found their strange, android friend and sat beside him and his poppet, a pipe in his hand as he took deep pulls and breathed out rings of smoke. "Papa taught me that. Dwarves and their damn lung capacity. Its why they're so wide." Dario says with a casual nod, looking back at his friend. "You two turned the tide. It wasn't as fancy as a crashing maul or the retort of a pistol, but it was you two who did it. These better arms, better armor, wars are won by the quality of their troops and the quality of their equipment. I-I want to learn so I can help. How to...make and twist runes together. Let me apprentice under you, you create like the forgemaster of the Hold do, friend."
As more and more people come in to the Wizard's Grace, Caiten says to Sulee, "I suppose I am expected to stay here for this meeting too."
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"Yes. At least for a while. I'm going to go mingle."
"Very well."
Caiten continues sitting at one of the tables off to the side.
"You two turned the tide. It wasn't as fancy as a crashing maul or the retort of a pistol, but it was you two who did it. These better arms, better armor, wars are won by the quality of their troops and the quality of their equipment. I-I want to learn so I can help. How to...make and twist runes together. Let me apprentice under you, you create like the forgemaster of the Hold do, friend."
"Certainly. I would be happy to work with you."
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"Good, good, you're a good man Caiten." Dario mumbled, petting the android for a moment and then really petting him. "It's so real..."
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Caiten looks increasingly uncomfortable as Dario continues touching him. "Um... Sulee??"
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Feeling Caiten's distress, Sulee flutters over.
*snort* Oh, Dario. Caiten isn't 'fully functional' in that regard, if you get my meaning."
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Dario looks absolutely fascinated at the android's hair. It was incredibly nice, despite the wear and tear that they went through. Sulee speaks up and Dario's eyes narrow for a moment before he looks back at Caiten.
"Oh, poor man. Well, if those spicy demons show up, I know who to put in front. Another drink for this man?" Dario calls out to one of the serving teens, patting the android on the back with a look of condolences.
"Broad beans with flame gill chanterelles, ground cherries and stinging nettles," exclaims Lisi with wonderment. "I think I only mentioned this dish once. There's a place in Umok that only serves the freshest foraged ingredients. The place is lit with jack-o-lantern mushrooms--you ah, didn't put any in this, did you? Because they're poisonous," says Lisi with a nervous chuckle as he pats around in his gear for antitoxin. He takes a deep sniff, partly to savor and partly to look for the aforementioned jack-o-lantern boletes. His eyes sparkle. "Narine. I owe you." He remains transfixed.
"Oh, and to you as well, Trini." He chuckles at the omission.
A little later, while supping heartily on the meal and enjoying a close chat with Narine, Joran, and Xandel (but mainly with Narine), he rises up to embrace Dario with a mixture of bemusement and sincerity.
"Willow bark tea for you, tomorrow, good sir, and the feeling is mutual. I'll hop on your shoulder any time as we rush headlong into foolish danger where mere mortals fear to tread," says the druid with a laugh.
Guba has been busy growing small white and purple flowers for Narine, who begins to weave them into a crown in her hair. Encouraged, Guba offers some to Joran as well.
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Joran is the first one to the Grace, and Trin's smile could light up the room when she sees him. Her expression only increases When he delivers his news, and it becomes clear he is back to being 'Joran' with the group's success dispelling some of his previous self-doubt.
"The Champions of Breachill, hmm? Well, it's a bit on the nose, but you can't deny it's accurate. There have certainly been worse adventuring party names. Do you remember that band that came through when we were young, maybe ten or twelve years old? The ones that were going to fight a basilisk that had wandered into the foothills, and got themselves all turned to stone? What was it they called themselves again? Bah, I remember it was terrible but it's escaping me..."
Joran thinks hard for a moment, chewing on the inside of his lip in thought. "I think they were called the 'Stone cold killers'. I think. Something with 'stone' in it for sure. They were probably called the 'Stoned cold killers' with what they were smoking. Unfortunately for them, they are now referred to as: 'Stone cold killed' regardless of what it was. But I guess they don't really care anymore." He winks, grinning.
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"Oh, um, actually--" Alak started to say, awkwardly, when she came closer to hug him, but he was unsuccessful at fending her off, and Yasami quickly surmised why he'd tried to -- the man had an aroma. Which reminded her, baths sounded like a great idea...
Yasamina doesn't seem to mind. "Not to worry. None of us are exactly a bucket of roses at the moment."
"ALL-RIGHT THEN! Hygiene, and feast!" she shouts with enthusiasm as she lets go, and heads off into the Wizard's Grace. She gestures for everyone remaining to follow. When she gets to the Grace, she finds Trinil, but waits for an opportune moment to step into the conversation between her and Joran. To make an order for the evening.
"Trinil, we will be celebrating tonight. Bad guys were caught, everyone is alive, the beast is dead. We need to gather our strength and misplace our wits overnight. I'm going to try to turn myself into something that doesn't smell and look like an orc on a month-long warpath, and will be back if you need help. Just get to it, please. You are making a lot of money tonight. And hopefully, a lot of broth."
Yasmaina looks at Joran, back to Trinil, back to Joran, and then to Trinil again. "When you're done- reuniting."
She turns around and raises her hand to wave as she walks away. "Andro dikhiben!"
She briskly moves into Shelyn's Smile, and to her room to make a bath. This will be a celebration after all. She should be presentable. She also knocks on Meebo's door. "Meebs! You work too much. We're celebrating tonight! At the Grace. Consider your gnomish cheeks officially invited. I'm going to clean myself up a bit and head over. I'll pick you up when done." Yasamina doesn't wait for a response - she announces her intentions and moves on.
Later in the evening, Yasamina picks up Meebo and the two of them walk over to the Grace. They make small talk, and when there is nobody around, Yasamina lowers her voice. "Meebs, That is basically what happened. But I need you to send a letter to Elias, stating that 'Yasamina managed to get tickets to the circus and will be seeing the performance soon.' Can you do that for me? I will have a more thorough report ready once that is done."
At the event, she retells the story to the people. Arguably, she embellished a little, but just a little. After all, nobody wants to hear about how Lisi tried to teach a barghest how to play chess while they all waited for the poison to kick in. Everyone wants to hear how the thing toppled over in pain. She jumps on a table and talks, dances, mimics the motions of weapons being drawn and used, of foes falling to the ground, and- mushrooms freezing over? Somehow...
She then sits down to answer questions they would have. And suddenly Dario shows up, with a request to deliver on a promise made a while ago. She snaps her fingers and smiles at him, but by the time she is done apologising to the present company, he is asleep. Not a moment later, she looks around the room, and back to Dario, and he is gone again.
She smiles again and excuses herself to find the black powder enthusiast. She picks up Alak on the way.
She leads both of them towards the bar, and turns them around so that they see the room. With Dario and Alak to each side, she puts her hand on their shoulders and looks at the crowd. "Alright, boys. Let's find some lovely company for you in here. Pick whoever you think you might not remember in the morning, and hate yourself for it. And Dario, I don't think Caiten swings that way, but- if that's your preference, I won't stop you from trying."
She smiles and orders six mugs of ale to get ready.
"Broad beans with flame gill chanterelles, ground cherries and stinging nettles," exclaims Lisi with wonderment. "I think I only mentioned this dish once. There's a place in Umok that only serves the freshest foraged ingredients. The place is lit with jack-o-lantern mushrooms--you ah, didn't put any in this, did you? Because they're poisonous," says Lisi with a nervous chuckle as he pats around in his gear for antitoxin. He takes a deep sniff, partly to savor and partly to look for the aforementioned jack-o-lantern boletes. His eyes sparkle. "Narine. I owe you." He remains transfixed.
A few of the locals with musical talent had formed a little impromptu band, and a jaunty tavern melody was struck, a few of the tables pushed aside to form a small space for dancing. "Are you accusing me, a woman more at home in the woods than in her house, of not knowing my mushrooms apart?" she asked him with an arched brow. "Now you do owe me. Come on. We're dancing, and I won't hear a complaint to the contrary." She all but pulled him with her.
She briskly moves into Shelyn's Smile, and to her room to make a bath. This will be a celebration after all. She should be presentable. She also knocks on Meebo's door. "Meebs! You work too much. We're celebrating tonight! At the Grace. Consider your gnomish cheeks officially invited. I'm going to clean myself up a bit and head over. I'll pick you up when done." Yasamina doesn't wait for a response - she announces her intentions and moves on.
Later in the evening, Yasamina picks up Meebo and the two of them walk over to the Grace. They make small talk, and when there is nobody around, Yasamina lowers her voice. "Meebs, That is basically what happened. But I need you to send a letter to Elias, stating that 'Yasamina managed to get tickets to the circus and will be seeing the performance soon.' Can you do that for me? I will have a more thorough report ready once that is done."
Meebo is all too happy to join in the festivities, and nods her understanding of Yasami's message. Her keen memory is what got her the position she's in and Yasami has no doubt she'll recall the message verbatim, even after a night of revelry. By the time they get back, the party has grown, and folks are finding spots to drink and eat outside as well as in.
She smiles again and excuses herself to find the black powder enthusiast. She picks up Alak on the way.
She leads both of them towards the bar, and turns them around so that they see the room. With Dario and Alak to each side, she puts her hand on their shoulders and looks at the crowd. "Alright, boys. Let's find some lovely company for you in here. Pick whoever you think you might not remember in the morning, and hate yourself for it. And Dario, I don't think Caiten swings that way, but- if that's your preference, I won't stop you from trying."
Alak smiled but made no move to begin hunting. "Tempting as the offer is, I think my body is already fairly self-loathing, after the past week. I don't think there's a woman in here more appealing than having my own bed tonight. Oh don't worry I'm not a complete wet blanket, I'm not going to sleep just yet, but I've got some recovering to do before I'll be up to entertaining guests." That was definitely the only reason he wasn't interested in Yasami wing-manning him, and he definitely wasn't stoically dying inside.
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Dario was happily wandering the bar, grinning at folks and enjoyably making a bit of a fool out of himself, when Yasami's arms came around his shoulder and the woman gestured for them to pick out a target. Dario looked around the room, looking for the most disinterested target, and then came to a terrible realization.
Most of them were staring back. Smiling even. He swore one even fluttered her eyelashes. Even a few of the men were giving him the eyes.
His scar deepened as his face began to redden, his lips growing dry and his throat tightening. His eyes began to bulge lightly as he stared around the room, his legs suddenly feeling heavy while his heart began to hammer in his chest.
"I...uhh...I...well...you see...umm..." Dario looked to his left where a hefty farmer was having a drink. He had to make a decision quickly.
"What the hell you say to me!?" He shouted to the man, breaking free from the encouraging arms of Yasami before throwing a hell of a left. The drunken man, stumbling back out of his seat, would thankfully charge and tackle Dario right out of the situation with an angry roar. There was hooting and hollering as the Wizard's Grace grew just that much rowdier than usual.
Dario was happily wandering the bar, grinning at folks and enjoyably making a bit of a fool out of himself, when Yasami's arms came around his shoulder and the woman gestured for them to pick out a target. Dario looked around the room, looking for the most disinterested target, and then came to a terrible realization.
Most of them were staring back. Smiling even. He swore one even fluttered her eyelashes. Even a few of the men were giving him the eyes.
His scar deepened as his face began to redden, his lips growing dry and his throat tightening. His eyes began to bulge lightly as he stared around the room, his legs suddenly feeling heavy while his heart began to hammer in his chest.
"I...uhh...I...well...you see...umm..." Dario looked to his left where a hefty farmer was having a drink. He had to make a decision quickly.
"What the hell you say to me!?" He shouted to the man, breaking free from the encouraging arms of Yasami before throwing a hell of a left. The drunken man, stumbling back out of his seat, would thankfully charge and tackle Dario right out of the situation with an angry roar. There was hooting and hollering as the Wizard's Grace grew just that much rowdier than usual.
Nevertheless, he persisted ... because as good as the mead was, and as lovely as some of the company was trying to be, the light of redemption was unsnuffed. The drunken man, the charge and tackle, a frown from the young champion, and a Glimpse of Redemption quelled the hooting & hollering quite quickly. The man "hesitated under the weight of sin as visions of redemption played in his mind’s eye" - and Cevendyll smiled again
"like an elf ... that is JUST not going to get old"
Cev smiles again and chuckles at his joke; it wasn't like there was an off switch, and a bar fight was, in fact, still a fight
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The farmer hesitated underneath that glimpse, thinking over his actions for a moment. Dario, on the ground, looked up with drunken eyes of compassion. The man waited that moment, looking at what that peaceful opportunity would provide.
Dario would kick him in the dick, a cheeky grin as he got up and got running drunkenly from the man as the celebration resumed.
Sulee calls over to Cev, "Next time Dario gets this sloshed, use your redemption on him instead."
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Yasamina mentally nudges Dario to find his mark. To her surprise, he turns towards the man to his left. And then she watches in horror as Dario shouts at the man and slams his gunpowder-burned fist into the man's face.
She looks at Alak. "I get the feeling you're not the only one who's- OWWWW!" - in an act of empathy, she hisses and reaches for her underbelly as Dario slams his boot into the man's groin and runs away. She moves three of the six ordered jugs from the bar and moves them next to Dario's victim. She leans over the farmer. "Are you okay? Here's something for the pain." she points towards the three jugs. "I'll go catch that drunk, okay? Can someone help this man, please? I'll go after Zuz.", she looks around the immediate vicinity.
Looking at Alak, she talks to him with a raised voice so he can hear her over the commotion. "Can you grab those three remaining jugs and come find us outside? I'll try to stop him. Maybe we can talk some sense into him."
With that said, she dashes off, dodging the crowd as she moves after Dario. Being the fastest runner in the group, she was confident she could catch up with the gunslinger, but he had a good head start. She runs outside the door, looks around, and sees Dario running away from the grace. Yasami sprints after him. "DARIO! STOP!", she shouts as she tries to catch up. Shortly after the gap is closed and an attempt to trip his legs is made. Dario jumps over.
"Tricky little weasel." Yasami mutters under her breath, then catches up again, and simply grabs him by the shoulder. She yanks back.