Crown of the Kobold King

Game Master Wandering Wastrel

22 ROVA (IX) 4707 AR

The sawdust (or 'dust in local parlance) is the first thing that visitors to Falcon's Hollow notice: it billows out from the Cutyard 24 hours a day, three shifts to a working day. The 'dust never stops, never settles for long, drawn away by the wind or brushed and swept up by countless mops and dusters, ground underfoot into the mud or billowed into the foam of the river. After a while, you just stop noticing it and learn to accept it, much as the townsfolk have (most of them, anyway) learned to live with and accept the iron-fisted rule of the brutal Kreed clan. A few old-timers might remember when there were three families that kept each other in check, but those days are gone and Thuldrin Kreed is the Lumber Consortium in this part of the world.

But, on this the daybreak of Autumn equinox, a marking-point for the turning of the seasons, when the longer days of the departed Summer will now surrender to the drawing-in of the night, there is perhaps a sense that something more is possible, that changes are afoot...

Although not all changes are for the better; or at least not right away.

As is her routine, Vyana is up and out just before the early morning shift change. With her cloak pulled tightly about her and her bow over her shoulder, she treks out into the periphery of the woods an arrow's flight deeper into the trees than the cutter teams.

This has always been her favorite part of the day. She spends the pre-dawn time searching for small game and any tracks of possible new threats to the cutters. Most mornings she meets Barlus a little after the sun comes up to exchange news and word of the happenings in the woods.

Lately, though, it's been a little awkward. She was hoping that they could go back to the friends that they were before and the older man has done his part in that regards, but she still sees him differently. The reason why she pushed so hard for something that she realizes she didn't really want still eludes her. Normally she'd talk about it with Siobhan, but for some reason that doesn't feel right either.

She moves between the trees, her thoughts swirling as much as the ever-present 'dust.

========
Vyana
========

The early morning after a heavy thunderstorm is a great time to be out in the forest: the leaves, still heavy with water, drip and rustle to form an almost continuous background noise; it's really soothing, like a whispered conversation where you can't quite catch the words. The ground underfoot is waterlogged, the recent prints still fresh and easy to distinguish: firefoot fennec, deer, rabbit... you're the only human(oid) out here, though. No sign of Barlus - it's been what, a week since you saw him? Maybe longer? You know he's been spending more time in town than usual the last month or so, cooped up in the temple with Cirthana Gensar. Whatever he's been discussing with her, he's kept to himself; even from you. More speculation to add to the whirl of 'dust-like thoughts that swirl around inside your head as you keep treading deeper into the woods...

...It's the noise (or rather, the lack of it) that brings you back to reality fast. Aside from the drip and splash as last night's rain drops through the leaves of the tree canopy and onto the ground, there's nothing: no chatter of squirrels, no rustling of branches where the deer move through, no rabbits scampering across the forest floor; nothing. Apart from a prickle between your shoulder blades that tells you you're being watched.

As you turn round, you can see (maybe ten, fifteen feet away from you) another set of fresh prints in the turf: wolf. Big one. Huge, in fact, maybe twice the normal size. The tracks run parallel to yours, going back some way; it must have picked up your scent when you passed by the cutter teams and decided to follow you. No sign of it now - the tracks lead off into the deep forest. It didn't attack you; but it could have done, and you'd not even noticed it was there. You can't even remember the last time wolves came this close to the edge of the forest.

You feel a trickle of cold sweat start to make its way down your spine.

========
Lucia
========

Soon, all too soon, you'll be leaving Jak's while it's still dark; but for now, the pale light of dawn and a washed-out sun (heavy storm last night by the look of it, although you didn't hear it over the noise and chatter of the taproom) still illuminate your path away from the tavern. The noise from the other end of town tells you that it's shift change at the Cutyard: there'll be a bunch of hungry folk on their way to the temple for the free breakfast Cirthana provides, so you'd best hurry if you want a table - although there's considerably less competition for space at the prayers afterwards.

As you make your way there, a slim shadow detaches itself from a nearby building, with a friendly smile. "Hi!" You recognise Jalene Artem, barkeep at the other tavern in town: the Sitting Duck. Rumour is she's a spy for Kreed, paid to keep an eye on the visitors who pass through that place and the town more generally. She gives you a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Got a moment? I know you're off to the temple, I'll walk with you?" She falls in step alongside you as you carry on, chattering harmlessly; but her eyes are busy watching your reactions. "So, thing is, I'd really like to talk to you about your singing, I know this is a bit cheeky but it would be great if you'd think about singing at ours instead? I know for a fact that I can beat any offer Jak wants to make, and money isn't everything is it, but it's nice to have, you know? Although, to be honest, I'm not sure that all your songs would work, you'd probably need to think a bit about what you're singing. And I'm pretty sure that you'd have a lot less time to spend at the temple." She turns to give you a smile - and there's absolutely no warning at all as her elbow snaps into your stomach with devastating precision, doubling you over and driving you to the ground.

It's nonlethal and (luckily for you) she pulled the punch; you're at 1 hp. This isn't intended as a fight so please don't roll any dice yourself, ok?

She reaches down to help you up, with seemingly genuine concern. "Are you ok, honey? That looked nasty, yeah? Knocked all the breath out of you? It's ok, take a few moments to recover and you'll be fine." She gives you another friendly smile, as though nothing has happened at all. "Anyway, have a think about what I said, OK? I'd love to have you safely on our side - in our tavern, I mean, and I'm not sure how much longer Jak can accommodate you. So don't be a stranger, you hear?"

With another smile, she walks away whistling a jaunty tune. You recognise it: it's one you composed yourself.

========
Siobhan
========

The watery light of dawn pushing through your curtain tells you two things: firstly that last night's storm has well and truly passed; and secondly that you have well and truly overslept past your usual time. The smell of cooking from below confirms it, normally you'd be up in time to help Cirthana and the other few volunteers to get the skillets out and cook up the hearty eggs and bacon and blood pudding that hungry working men and women (and the occasional goblin) need to replenish themselves after the night shift, or before they begin the morning shift.

It's not too difficult to guess why you overslept: the very slight colour in Savram's cheeks is a visible reminder of last night's drama. She lies nestled close against you, so still and her breathing so shallow that only the thready pulse in her neck reassures you that she is this side of Pharasma's veil. There's no sign of her waking up any time soon, barring outside intervention. But then last night took it out of her too, in its own way. You haven't used your power like that very often, and that's the first time you've seen its effects up quite so close.

The clatter from below increases in volume, telling you that the workers from the Cutyard have begun to arrive. Cirthana and the other volunteers are going to be very busy for quite some time, but at some point (surely) she is going to start wondering what is keeping you in bed this late? You've already missed dawn prayers, which is unusual these days. But then maybe she still holds out hope that your flirtation with Sarenrae is just a phase, and that you'll return to the Inheritor's light in your own time.

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Scupper
========

*Thump. Thump. Thump*

The consortium tenements by the Cutmill are built for goblins, which is to say out of the cheapest possible materials and with ceilings that are at most 4 feet high. Payday is thin and wiry, all muscles and sinew and fury, but getting to your makeshift lab requires contortions that do nothing to improve his temper, and he takes it out in part on the door. When you finally open it, he glares at you. "Took you long enough. You people should put in a bell, so I can get ya without having to come and get yer." He peers uneasily into the gloom, aware of a number of red eyes looking at him from half-open doors. Doors which shut hurriedly when he glares at them. "Back to your business! If I was here to make trouble, you'd know about it by now!"

He turns his attention back to you. He's not entirely sure how much goblins can understand of human languages, so he solves the "problem" by speaking more slowly and a bit louder. "You. Done a good job. The other day. With them injuries." He's clearly talking about the "workplace injuries" that were nothing of the kind. "Plus. You didn't. Say nothing. About it. Kept yer mouth shut, didn't yer! Gets noticed, that sort of thing. We like. Cooperative types." He shifts position; crouching down like this is not comfortable, and he almost never comes here if he can help it. The fact he's here suggests something is unusually troubling him. "So I'm getting. Fed up with hearing. About these stupid rumours. You've solved. Some problems for me. In the past. Help me with this one. And I'll reward yer. What do you. Say to that?"

You can't help noticing what he has failed to; namely that he hasn't specified what he wants you to actually do. The question is how to point that out in a way that doesn't make him feel stupid. Payday, like many men of limited intellect, does not appreciate having this pointed out to him.

The night before

Siobhan smiles, partly in relief, once she establishes that Savram is still breathing and slides out of bed. Her arm is much better, with only a pair of tiny white marks left from the night before so she runs through two or three quick stretches and pulls the shutters closed even more tightly so as not to disturb her guest.

That done the scent of bacon can no longer be denied and Siobhan pulls on her clothes, buckles her sword-belt to her side (Courage is still resting on her chest of drawers, but the belt is practical regardless) and heads downstairs.

"Good morning Mother, I'm sorry I'm late. Savram came over last night and we were up late talking." She waits for Cirthana's correction, should there be any, and then takes up position at the table to start serving as the workers file in.

She looks, probably in vain, for Vy - her friend has been distant of late and Siobhan is starting to worry about it. Of course the half-elf is more than capable of taking care of herself now, but still...

"Come on Vy, I miss you."

The fithght is over beffore it even starts - Lucia doesn't even have time to blink between Jalene's smile hitting her and Jalene hitting her, and thne what - helping her up? Like everythign is fine? Lucia takes deep, gasping breaths trying to force the air back into her lungs and by the time her eyes have stopped watering Jalene is walking away - whisting one of *her* songs. Insult to injury.

It wasn't a fight at all - it was a beating. And the message is clear - stop causing troulbe, or there's more where that came from. She puts a hand to where Jalene hit her, rubbing the bruise to try and stop the pain. Her legs are still wobbly but she manages to get walking again. By the time she reaches the temple, she's clearly upset but she manages to give the priestess a shaky smile. "So, a funny thing happend on my way over here."

Vyana heads back into the village and makes her way towards the temple. It wasn't because the presence of such a large, but stealthy predator has unnerved her, no. It was simply because she hadn't talked to Siobhan in a few days and she should catch up with her friend.

As the minstrel chats up the priestess, Vyana grabs a plate and grabs a helping of food from Siobhan. She's about to say 'Good Morning' when she notices the marks on the woman's arm. "Hey, what happened?" she asks, gesturing with a fork. "Something bite you? You should have it checked. Bites can turn nasty quick."

...use less of the Boom Powder mix the next time to better contain the explosion. Quirk's hand should be fine after a few days and we cleared the jam. But it'll take at least... Scupper sets down the porcupine quill pen he's using to take notes about a recent semi-successful experiment and dips his head at Payday Teedum.

"Good day to you Mister Teedum sir." He says as the man squeezes his broad body into the goblin warren. Scupper suppressed a grin as the man barely makes it through the final doorway and into the little goblin's 'shack.' The goblin's red eyes, flecked with motes of purple and gold, reflect Boss Teedum's belligerent features as the man let's out a breath, and his gut, and suggests a signalling system that most certainly wouldn't get implemented anytime soon. Or at least properly implemented anytime soon.

It is perhaps worth noting, that while in theory goblins have been accepted into most societies, trust was still a barrier on both sides. Here in Falcon's Hollow, that meant the clans still considered defense in how they lived every day. One such manifestation of this philosophy relevant to this particular moment, is how the tenement doors got increasingly narrower and shorter the deeper in one went. Thus the doors of the outer most halls and entrances were a good foot or more wider and taller than the doors in the inner most sanctums of the tenement. Few ever noticed and those who did simply blamed shoddy goblin construction techniques.

Returning his focus back to Payday, Scupper bobs his wide head up and down. Even goes so far as to make a half bow. "Why thank you mister Teedum, sir. You know I'm always glad to help as I can." He says giving the man a toothy smile. When the boss begins to holler about rumors and rewards Scupper's ears begin to quiver with both puzzlement and anticipation. He was getting a bit low on supplies, and a bit of Payday's coin would certainly be a boon to replenish his stores. But first he had to figure out what the longshank actually wanted. Rubbing his hand together in what Scupper hoped was a suitably greedy goblinesque sort of way he nods again.

"Oh...ohHO!" He exclaims, touching a finger to the end of his nose. "Sure...sure boss. Always happy to help you out. You know that. I've heard the same rumors about that breakfast at the temple." Scupper looks around checking in case anyone is listening and then leans in closer to Teedum. "Words is they actually put cow's milk in those pancakes they serve to folk." He says with a body shiver. "How disgusting! I mean, do you see where that stuff comes from!? What you want me to do? Blow up their cow? Poke holes in their buckets?"

Seeing the look on Teedum's face, Scupper is pretty certain that wasn't what Teedum was looking for, which was mostly the point. Although the thought of drinking cow's milk really did make his stomach do flip flops. His ears droop slightly and he looks at Teedum with concern.

"That not what you were thinkin' boss? Maybe poor Scupper hasn't heard the same rumors you have?" He says. "After all, not much time for talkin' on the job, right boss. Got to keep at it and keep the blades turning. Am I right boss? You tell ole Scupper, I not share it about. Keep it locked up tight and do right by you like always Mister Teedum, sir." He makes like locking a key across his lips and looks at Teedum, his eyes all serious and sober as he waits for the man to spill what he wants.

========
Alorea
========

There are some exceptions of course (there always are) but for the most part, the halflings in this town aren't directly associated with the lumber trade: like the goblins, they are generally considered too short and not strong enough (again, with some exceptions) to cut and haul the lumber; and while they might have the finesse and agility to work in the Cutyard, the noise and extreme danger to life and limb (not to mention the sawdust, which gets everywhere, it's even in your smallclothes, gods how do people live like this?!?) mean that they tend to seek out alternative livelihoods. That means most of the four dozen halflings live in the town, but toil almost endlessly in the fields beyond it, raising livestock and harvesting crops.

Interestingly, and also depressingly, this makes them in some ways more vulnerable to the wiles of the Consortium. If you fell a tree, or cut and stack a cord of lumber, you get paid then and there at the end of your shift; but agricultural wares are unprofitable until they're sold, and in Falcon's Hollow you can either sell at the High Market, with its restricted access and better prices, or the low market, where you compete with everyone else and the buyers haggle endlessly. The Kreeds control access to the High Market (taking first pick of what they like as a "tithe") and they play off the three major halfling families (the Wasslings, the Tarks, and the Hoffers) ruthlessly against one another, preventing any sort of cooperation and doling out access to the High Market according to their own whims.

In order to be able to help with any of the three families, you have to side with none; which is why you are staying in the tavern run by Jak, in order to try and assert some sort of neutral status. Jak is friendly enough, and there's a talented minstrel (at least, talented by the standards of a town this size) who plays most evenings, but it's not home and everything is the wrong size - except for the food portions of course.

Today you are taking breakfast late, as the storm last night rattled the shutters of your room, disturbing your concentration with its repeated, random iterations and making sleep almost impossible. You haven't had much to do with the humans in town, so it's something of a surprise when a friendly, attractive young woman pulls up a chair across from your table and sits down with a disarming smile. "You don't mind, I hope? I know you've been here for a while, but I haven't got round to introducing myself - I'm sorry about that, most of the newcomers stay at the other tavern, where I work. Anyway, Jalene Artem is the name and I like to think of myself as someone who keeps an eye out for visitors, makes sure they don't get into difficulties. As you've probably guessed by now, this is a working town and we don't get too many people here for a holiday." She gives another easy, friendly smile. "So, and I know this is probably considered prying in most places, but in a small town we do things differently and we like to know each other's business, I'm just going to come out and say it. Are you looking for work here? Because we're always looking for talented people. And if you're not looking for work, we're obviously happy you're here but it's a busy place and it's not for people who don't know what they're doing. I was talking to a friend of mine earlier today, good friend, good person, been here her whole life, and even she managed to get hurt. Not badly, thank the gods, but it could've been nasty. The noise, the people, the 'dust - all it takes is a moment of not properly thinking what you're doing and..."

She trails off, before flashing another charming smile. "Anyway, like I said, if you'd like to work here please do come and talk to me, we can show you the ropes, make sure you're ok. And if you're just passing through then I hope you leave with nothing but good memories of a hard-working mill town."

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Vyana
========

It must be your overactive imagination that lets you hear a faintly derisive chuckle as you flee the scene.

"Yes, run away, little girl. Run far, far away and don't ever come back..."

That's one hell of an imagination, though.

When you arrive at the temple, breakfast is just beginning to be served; there's no sign of Siobhan yet, which is very unusual, but Cirthana gives you a smile and a plate of hot food. "Hello dear, it's been a while, I'm glad to see you. How are you?"

You can practically see the thought bubble in the assessing look that she gives you: she's become a beautiful young woman, I can see why he found her impossible to turn down! Stupid of him, though. There are some things you just.don't.do.

Evidently, whatever Barlus has been up to during his time with Cirthana, he has confided fully in her.

Feel free to continue your conversation with Siobhan, I'm just trying to clarify that this conversation is separate from that. Hopefully it's not too confusing

========
Lucia
========

You arrive a little later than you intended, on shaky legs, but you are not too late for breakfast. A quick scan of the crowd shows a few people you know, including Vyana, but Cirthana's ward Siobhan is not around which is unusual. Cirthana is handing out plates loaded with hot food to people, and gives you a friendly (if slightly distracted) smile as you arrive; which changes immediately to a look of concern as her second glance sees your distress.

"Inheritor's Light! What happened to you? This way, this way." Gently taking your arm, she guides you away from the crowd into the secluded side-chapel, where you both take a seat. "I haven't seen you this upset in a long time, dear one. If you want to talk, I'm here to listen."

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Siobhan
========

There's no correction - Cirthana doesn't go in for that sort of thing, and you're now (at least in theory) a grown-up capable of making your own decisions - but your story does get a moment of scrutiny, especially as Cirthana knows for a fact that no visitors came by the front door last night. The scrutiny consists of a long, penetrating stare; whatever it was that Cirthana did with her life before arriving in Falcon's Hollow, it left her more than equal to the task of raising a young girl through adolescence and into adulthood.

"Just talking, was it, that left you too tired for dawn prayers?"

Her look - the sardonic raised eyebrow - is much, much more amused than stern. But no less penetrating for all that.

Feel free to continue your conversation with Vyana, I'm just trying to clarify that this conversation is separate from that. Hopefully it's not too confusing

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Scupper
========

Payday looks momentarily bewildered by your tangent. Cows?! What - no." He shakes his head in bemusement at the daft things goblins come up with. Good thing they got a smart guy like me looking out for them, who knows what they'd get up to otherwise.

"I'm talking about the..." He leans in, far closer than you might be comfortable with, lowering his voice to a hiss. "rumours about the wolves. If I hear one more story about the smart wolf that can set traps for people, I'm gonna brain them myself. But, I gotta do something, see? Can't have people refusing to work on account of some story."

He leans back, looking smug. "So I gotta plan, which is for you to get a few people together and go catch me that wolf. If it don't exist, then fine - but if it does, then I stuff it and put it up in the Cutyard! Yeah, we'll see who's gonna demand a pay raise when I put that thing up, glaring at 'em. They'll see that and think twice, for sure. You do that for me, bring me the pelt as proof, and you got my marker, man to ... goblin."

It's a typical Payday plan - it leaves others with the hard work while he accrues the rewards at minimal to no risk to himself; and if it doesn't work, the resources lost (i.e., you) are expendable. But the guy is honest within his own limitations: if he says he'll reward you, he means it. And he has enough status in this town that his gratitude is worth something all by itself.

Siobhan, who just doesn't lie (because that isn't something heroes do), turns away from the rest of the crowd and rolls up her sleeve. "She needed it Cirthana, I won't let one of my friends starve. That's why I overslept."

As the minstrel chats up the priestess, Vyana grabs a plate and grabs a helping of food from Siobhan. She's about to say 'Good Morning' when she notices the marks on the woman's arm. "Hey, what happened?" she asks, gesturing with a fork. "Something bite you? You should have it checked. Bites can turn nasty quick."

"It was only Sav." Siobhan replies, loading Vyana with extra bacon because she knows how much her friend likes it. "She's been biting herself again and she came over last night so I let her feed. But enough about me, how are you? I haven't seen you properly for ages!"

========
Siobhan
========

A minor correction: whatever it was that Lady Cirthana Gensar did with her life before arriving in Falcon's Hollow, it mostly left her more than equal to the task of raising a young girl through adolescence and into adulthood.

She looks at your arm in a momentary disbelief. "Siobhan Sable..." But this is not the time, and not the place. There are too many guests, and too much to do right now. "We'll talk later." She shakes her head wearily. "I would really have preferred it if you had told me it was sex. Now go and make yourself useful. And please tell Savram that she is welcome here day or night, but please use the front door rather than climb up the building."

Savram is utterly, irrationally terrified of Cirthana. No matter what you or Cirthana can say to her, she devoutly retains a morbid belief that it's only a matter of time before Cirthana picks up her holy symbol and blasts the dhampir into dust. Hence her asking you to pass on the message rather than welcoming Savram personally, as she would do any of your other guests.

Lucia takes a deep breath, wondering how she is possibly going to explain what jsut happened - and suprises herself by bursting into tears, which she hasn't done for a long time. It's some minutes before she can say anything at all, adn then when she does she tells Cirthana everything. "And I just - I didn't do anything! I've done some training, but it was - I was - I don't even know how she hit me that hard or that fast!"

She wipes her eyes. "I do know one thing though. She walked away singing one of my songs, and shes going to *pay* for that. And I'm not talkig about royalties."

"Ahhh...Haaaaa!" Scupper lets his eyes grow wide and nods his head with understanding. "Wolves are good at taking care of cows." He says scratching at something behind his ear. The goblin tilts his head to the side, watches a spider makes its way up the wall just behind Teedum's head. Scupper knew that some longshanks didn't like spiders. Why he'd once seen a big burly lumberman screech like a newborn at a little Red Leaper one day. Tiny for its kind, not much bigger than a fist. But that man sure did holler until Fizzle skewered it with her knife and tucked in her sack for that nights stew. Scupper didn't know if Payday felt that way about spiders or not. He didn't much care at the moment. So he turned his attention back to the boss.

"Sure, sure Mister Teedum. I'll see what I can do about the wolves." He says. He couldn't really see how showing folk an old wolf skin would make them not ask for a raise, but that wasn't his business. For that matter, if I skin the wolf, how is Teedum going to stuff it? Scupper mentally shrugs to himself. Probably some kind of 'boss' planning and thinking. The goblin was plenty content to stick to his potions and solutions. He'd really no interest is bossing folk. That was up to the chiefs and matrons.

"Skin the critter and bring you the pelt. Then you give out good gold and silver. Got it boss." He says with a toothy grin. "You...eh...need anything else Mister Teedum?" He asks, his eyes watching the spider which was now only a few fingerwidths from the top of Teedum's hunched head.

She looks at your arm in a momentary disbelief. "Siobhan Sable..." But this is not the time, and not the place. There are too many guests, and too much to do right now. "We'll talk later." She shakes her head wearily. "I would really have preferred it if you had told me it was sex."

"Mum!" Siobhan's outburst is entirely unfeigned, which might explain both the 'mum' and the fact that the volume is suddenly much higher. She doesn't yell beyond that single word but continues in an emphatic hushed whisper. "She's my friend mum! Why would I want to sleep with her like that?"

"It was only Sav." Siobhan replies, loading Vyana with extra bacon because she knows how much her friend likes it. "She's been biting herself again and she came over last night so I let her feed. But enough about me, how are you? I haven't seen you properly for ages!"

"Sav stayed over last night?" Vyana repeats with a slight narrowing of her eyes. "You shouldn't be feedin' her your blood. She needs to be able to survive on her own. I mean I guess if she's your girlfriend or ... or something then ... but I didn't think she was. Is ... is she?"

Hoping that the Siobhan drops questioning about what she's been up to because she's not ready to talk about that yet.

"Sav stayed over last night?" Vyana repeats with a slight narrowing of her eyes. "You shouldn't be feedin' her your blood. She needs to be able to survive on her own. I mean I guess if she's your girlfriend or ... or something then ... but I didn't think she was. Is ... is she?"

Hoping that the Siobhan drops questioning about what she's been up to because she's not ready to talk about that yet.

"Why does everyone think I'm sleeping with Sav?" Siobhan replies, clearly annoyed. "Alice Walker kissed me, once, and now I'm screwing Savram? Why? How? We're just friends, why is that so weird? It'd be like everyone thinking that I was sleeping with you Vy! We're friends, best friends - that doesn't mean we're sleeping together! That'd be weird... wouldn't it?"

She trails off for a moment and then the indignation makes another appearance. "And why shouldn't I feed her my blood? She can't help what she is and if you saw me starving in the street you'd feed me wouldn't you? She needs it and I can spare it, it's the right thing to do!"

Siobhan stops. Takes a deep breath. Holds it for a slow count of five, and releases.

"Sorry Vy. That wasn't fair. We were talking about you, weren't we? How are you?"

"If I saw you starving in the street, I'd teach you how to hunt, " Vyana mutters under her breath. "I've just been ... you know ... hunting and ... and stuff," she answers in a more normal - if evasive sounding - tone. "Nothing interesting at all."

"You want me to teach Sav how to hunt?" Von asks, although there's definitely a smile in her voice now. "If you say so," She adds. "I'm just glad to see you here again. I've missed you Vy. There have been some odd rumours recently, people keep saying they've seen shapes in the woods."

She reaches out to grab Vys hand for a moment. "You stay safe, yu hear me Vy? Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Vyana's face warms when the girl takes her hand. She nods and then leans in close so she's not overheard. "I saw tracks this morning. A wolf bigger'n anything I've seen before. I think it was following me. Something's going on out there, Von. Stay outta the woods, okay?"

She can't bring herself to mention the thought that it might have spoken to her. That was probably her imagination and even if it wasn't, no one would believe her.

After a moment, she reluctantly release Siobhan's hand.

Alorea had been in Falcon's Hollow for about a week now. She had come seeking news of her old friend, the dwarf Druingar Glintaxe, but she hadn't had any luck. Nobody had seen him in several years. The halfling had decided to stick around for a bit to do what she could to enhance the lot of her fellow halflings in town. Unfortunately, it turned out there wasn't much she could do. The whole system in Falcon's Hollow was stacked against the little people, and the halflings were the littlest people of all.

Despite being fatigued and bleary-eyed from the poor sleep the storm allowed her last night, Alorea eats heartily to quiet her rumbling stomach. She looks up warily as the human woman sits across from her. The red-haired halfling continues to munch and chew as she listens to the woman's pitch. When she's finished, Alorea wipes her mouth with a napkin.

"I appreciate the offer, but I must politely decline," she says. "I don't plan on staying too much longer, I'm afraid. The friend I'd hope to meet here must have moved on long ago. I'm a wanderer by nature, and soon enough, I'll heed Desna's call and hit the road once more."

========
Lucia
========

"Oh, you poor girl." Cirthana gives you a fierce hug that has immense restorative properties; you feel the bruises fade from your body and your spirit as she wraps you up in Iomedae's healing light. "I'm so sorry, I should have seen something like that coming: they dare not strike at me directly, so they attack my allies. It shows that what we're doing is having an effect, as I don't think they would act simply out of spite. Although if I were you, I would perhaps consider toning down some of the songs you're writing; or maybe sing them less often?"

She sits back and gives you a wry smile. "There's a difference between being effective and being provocative. As I've said to someone else recently, you have to know when to pick and choose your fights."

She cocks her head, as some mum-sense picks up a sound only she can hear. "That's Siobhan coming down the stairs; she's a little late up this morning and I do want to check that she's ok, it's unusual for her. Please feel free to stay here in the chapel as long as you wish. I'll make sure nobody disturbs you and I'll get Siobhan to make sure there's some food left when you're ready for it."

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Scupper
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It's very easy to look at Payden "Payday" Teedum and see nothing more than a violent, ignorant, pug-faced, mashed-nose thug; and that's mostly all there is to see. But it's not entirely all there is to see. Without taking his eyes off you, he deftly reaches up and plucks the spider out of the air in which it is dangling on its web; with a little flick of his fingers it lands (unharmed) on your lapel (or goblin equivalent).

There's a brief, dangerous silence of the I-know-that-you-know-that-I-know variety, before he gives a tight smile. "You people eat those things, I believe? Enjoy."

He shifts position, getting ready to turn around and take his leave of you. "Nothing else from you right now. Kill that wolf. Bring it to me."

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Siobhan
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"She's my friend mum! Why would I want to sleep with her like that?"

Cirthana very rarely gives away what she's thinking; but occasionally her younger charges (especially her adopted daughter) concern her enough that you can read the thoughts flash across her face. In this case, it's the default parental mix of guilt, worry, concern, and guilt. Does that mean she'll only sleep with someone she ISN'T friends with? - Did I talk to her about relationships too soon - Did I not talk with her enough? - Should I have let her read all those trashy novels? - What am I doing wrong?

Aloud, she only says "We'll talk more later. In the meantime, please make sure nobody disturbs Lucia while she's in the chapel, and make sure there's some food left for her when she comes out." She clearly wants to say more, but this is one of the busiest times of her day, and there are other people who need her attention. It can wait. She hopes. "We'll... talk later."

She walks off, clearly still worrying.

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Alorea
========

Jalene makes a sympathetic sound of commiseration. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." She gives you a flirtatious smile: "You certainly brighten up the town by being here! At least let me buy you breakfast."

She stands up, and waves to the barkeep to put it on her tab; and is just about to leave when a thought strikes her. "Your friend - did they live here, or were they visiting like you? I know most people who live here; and anyone who stayed at my bar, there's a good chance I'd remember them. Or the sheriff might be able to help you, if they left a forwarding address. What did you say their name was?"

"Druingar. Druingar Glintaxe. He is a dwarf," Alorea says to Jalene.

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Alorea
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Jalene brightens up quickly. "Oh, well that makes it easier! Not a lot of dwarves come through here, though there was some settlement over that way, before the volcano blew up like a thousand years ago, or whatever." She waves in the vague direction of the deep woods that lie beyond the town and sits back down, chewing absently on her lower lip while she tries to think.

"Huh. I don't remember the name, but maybe six, seven years ago?" She looks at you for confirmation, and grins. "I was a bit younger then, didn't run the bar but I used to run a few errands, make myself useful, you know? Did he look like..." She gives a rough description that matches, and another grin when you nod confirmation. "Ha. Knew it. Yep, he was definitely here. Asked a lot of questions, spoke to most of the old-timers, talked to the sheriff, wanted to read the town records, I think. That was the old sheriff, I mean, he's gone now but I bet there'll be some record there, they write everything down."

She gives directions to the office (of the "turn right, cross the street, then left" variety - it's a small town), before giving you another flirtatious smile. "Mind if I tag along? I'm kind of interested now, plus there's that whole cute face in distress thing you have going and I'm a bit of a sucker for that. Well, not in distress exactly, but in need of help, maybe?" She winks. "Or at least in need of a friend in town."

I'd have to roll a natural 20 to succeed at that Sense Motive, so not even going to bother. :)

Alorea's freckled face blushes slightly at Jalene's flirtatious comments. "Oh! Sure, you can come along. I appreciate your help." She quickly finishes her meal, then stands, stretches, and moves to accompany the taller woman to the sheriff's office.

Lucia feels a bit mutinous when Cirthana calls her a girl - she'll be 25 next year, OK year after next but still! She's not a kid like Siobhan or Vyan, she's a grown up. She's deeply grateful for the concern though, and the healing, and she hugs the priestess back in return. The other suggestion though - that she change her songs - makes her fell even *more* mutinous. "Music wants to be free" she mutters in reply.

When the priestess has gone, Lucia spends some time in thought on her own, which she doesn't do very much of. She looks at the candles glowing in the chapel, and the statue of Iomedeae looking stern and judgy and ready to do some smiting. Yeah? Well get too it, lady. There's no shortage of people in this town for you to get working on. I cna't do it all by myself, you know?

She plucks some of the strings on her lute, absently. She may only be talented by the standarts of this small town, but music is her thing and she enjoys it. She starts to play some more, giving voice to her thoughts about godesses and their inability to get off their butts and give some help.

"Oh Lady, won’t you help me, come to my defence?
My friends all want to quit the fight, I must make amends.
I’m so tired of just waitin’ – I can’t sit on the fence.
So Lady, won’t you help me, and come to my defence?"

Her voice echose nicely off the stone of the chapel and she nods. It's a start, it needs a few more verses but she's happy with what she's got so far.

^^^^^^^ This is genius. Have another Hero Point :)

Scupper's ears droop like wilted carrots when Teedum gives him the look. His little Adam's apple bobs up and down as he swallows and nods his head.

"Yes sir. Mister Teedum sir." He says unconsciously plucking the spider from the front of his patched tunic. "Us goblins, we know wolves. I'll start poking around right away. He'll be trouble for you no more." He says, his words following the big man out the skinny door.

His eyes drift back down to the thumb sized spider held deftly between his tiny fingers. With a shrug of his shoulders, he pops the thing in his mouth and lets it run around in there for a bit tickling his tongue before crunching down on the furry little arachnid. The squirt of spider juice is tangy and only slightly acidic as he swallows with a loug *gulp* and begins to gather a few things.

He hadn't seen Balrus for a while, but if anyone knew anything about wolves in the forest it would be him. Or maybe one of his students who were always spending time with the cranky old druid.

Gear in hand, he winds his way out of the tenement and heads off to search the best possible spots to find the druid.

========
Alorea
========

The good thing about all that rain last night is that it has (at least temporarily) washed the sawdust out of the air: soggy clumps of the stuff are strewn across the street, although it's only a matter of time until it all comes back, given that the lumberyard works day and night. Of course, the sawdust indoors is still dry, and it lifts into the air as Jalene opens the door to the sheriff's office (although you're the only one who seems to notice it). She gives a breezy smile: "Heya, Deldrin! Found someone who could use some help. You up for it?"

Apart from the three of you, the office is empty; a town like this only has a handful of deputies who are either out or off-duty right now. A small cell in the room opposite holds two slumbering drunks, currently sleeping off last night's carousing. The sheriff is burly half-elf, whose musculature suggests that he was a woodcutter before taking on a role in law-enforcement. His face is criss-crossed with scars, including a particularly prominent one that starts below one eye, continues across his nose and diagonally down across the opposite cheek.

He gives Jalene a long, unfriendly stare (which she weathers completely unfazed, her smile unwavering) before turning his attention to you. "Morning, miss. How can I help?"

Once you explain what you are looking for, he frowns slightly. "Hrm. That was before my time, but the previous sheriff took good notes. Come with me." Walking into the back room, he locates a couple of crates filled with paper and wrapped in oilskin. From the crackle they make when he opens them, they've been unread for some time. "Yes, here we go. 'Druingar Glintaxe, member of the Pathfinder Society, requested access to town records pertaining to Droskar's Crucible. None located, owing to the town being founded in 4573, long after the eruption of Droskar's Crag in 3980.' That seems to be it - no, there's a note added: 'despite lack of success, subject was reportedly determined to mount expedition to the Crag. Departed town 19 Arodus 4701. Reported missing 31 Arodus 4701 when rent on paid lodgings lapsed.'"

He looks up at you. "It seems the previous sheriff put up a reward for information on his whereabouts, 5 gold, he was a bit like that, didn't like loose ends. The reward still stands, but I have to tell you that if he went into those woods and didn't come out again there's a good chance he'll never be found. I'm sorry." He puts the box back on the shelf and politely ushers you out; he clearly has other things to do.

Back out in the street, Jalene looks a bit downcast, despite the bright sunshine. "Got to admit, hoped you'd get better news than that. Are you OK?"

Alorea is careful to avoid stepping in any of the clumps of wet sawdust with her bare feet. She notes the look Deldrin gives Jalene, then she politely states her request. Deldrin tells her of Druingar's disappearance.

She steps back out of the office and looks up at Jalene, letting out a little sigh. "I'm okay. I'd figured something must have gone wrong for all these years to have passed without word from Druingar, so the news is unwelcome, but not unexpected. Still, it's my responsibility to try to discover his final fate.

"It's unlikely he's still alive out there, but there's always a chance. And if not, perhaps I can find something of his to return to his ancestors to properly honor his spirit. He would have done the same for me."

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Lucia
========

The echoes of your song linger for a few moments in the solemn stonework of the chapel. The candles continue to burn. The statue of Iomedae continues to look stern and judgy. No smiting occurs.

From outside you hear the chatter of people and the smell of breakfast.

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Scupper
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Now you think about it, it's been a while (at least a week, maybe even longer) since you saw the hunter. He hasn't been selling pelts or game in the market, and he hasn't been in his usual spot by the fire in Jak's tavern. You don't know many of his students by sight, apart from the half-elf of course, she stands out in a crowd of humans.

Looks like you're going to have to ask people and hope they're willing to give you the time of day.

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Alorea
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Your words of determination get another smile from Jalene. "Cute and brave! It's a melting combination." She gives you a wink. "Look, I've got to go and get some shut-eye, I need my beauty sleep before I go back to work again; but if you wanna come by my tavern this evening, I could, maybe, get to know you a bit better?" She hesitates slightly. "It's... a bit more rowdy than Jak's, but if you're going on a quest for your friend it's not gonna be anything you can't handle."

Alorea favors Jalene with a winning smile. "Of course. I'll see you there tonight, then."

Leaving the chapel, Vyana heads back out of the village determined to locate her ... mentor. Yes, she reassured herself, he was still her mentor in spite of what happened.

Pulling her cloak tighter around her against the chill, she checks her bow and then sets off with a determined pace. There are a few places where she would normally be able to locate him, so she'll check each of those in turn. Maybe he knows something about the wolf.

Lucia's stomach gives a reminder that she hasn't eaten since last night, and the smell of breakfast does its work in getting her out of the chapel. Walking back outside, she blinks at the sunshine after the candleight of the stone church, and looks around. She spots Siobhan and Vyana having some sort of discussion but she can't tell how private it is - she's about to do that whole thing of hovering on the edge of their sight to see whether they want company or not when she sees Vyana head off looking purposeful.

Awkward moment over, she slides into the seat left by the ahlf-elf and gives Siobhan a smile. "Hello! Is there any food left?"

Scupper puffs out his cheeks as he considers his options for finding the druid. He glances out toward the distant tree line and quickly shakes his head at the notion of going out there on his own. He'd picked up enough woodscraft over the years to know that he was no woodsgoblin. Chances were greater that he'd get eaten by some giant critter verses finding the old druid or this wolf. Nope. Better to start in town and see if any of the 'respectable' folk knew anything. Now where would most folk be this early in the....oh drat. His nose wrinkles at the thought of all that cow's milk and those flatbreads dripping with sickly sweet syrup. No avoiding it. He'd a task to do, and he'd best do it or face Payday's wrath, which really was, most definitely, something to be avoided.

He pulls out a greasy, chemical stained hanky and blows dust from his wide nose. Stuffing the rag back in his pocket he ducks past the mill yard gate and heads off to the Temple of Iomendae and Lady Gensar's infamous breakfast hall.

"Of course!" Siobhan replies after a slight pause, blinking her eyes and refocusing on Lucia. "I saved you a plate, extra eggs because I know you like them."

The plate is lukewarm rather than hot, but it is plentifully filled with food and Siobhan hands it over and then leaves again, returning with a small cloth which she hands over without a word, accompanied by a dabbing gesture beneath her eye.

"You just need to let me know if I can help Lu." She says softly, without any more explanation.

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Alorea
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Jalene grins back at you. "Great! Then it's a date." She walks away jauntily.

Fast-forward to the bar, or is there something you want to do with the day?

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Scupper
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Luckily for you, it seems that pancakes (and worse, maple syrup!) won't have to feature in your future. As you approach the large stone temple, you see a familiar-looking pointy-eared longshanks walking away at a brisk pace, her cloak wrapped around her and her bow at her side. You know that she's one of the students that Barlus has taken under his wing and taught some of the ways of the forest. Maybe she knows something useful?

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Vyana
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Now you think about it, it's been a while (at least a week, maybe even longer) since you saw the hunter. He hasn't been selling pelts or game in the market, and he hasn't been in his usual spot by the fire in Jak's tavern. You could maybe go and talk to some of the other students that he trains, see if they know something; but do they know about you and him, do you want to risk them guessing and/or face their stares if it turns out they do know already?

As you ponder that, you see a vaguely familiar-looking goblin approaching the temple from the street opposite. You know that he hangs out with the herbalist Laurel, who occasionally asks Barlus to retrieve some herbs or other from the deeper woods; and didn't Barlus himself mention that a goblin had been pestering him for some woodcraft training? Maybe he knows something useful?

Alorea spends the day with the other halflings of Falcon's Hollow, doing her best to lighten their spirits and assist with their work. As evening approaches, she heads to Jalene's bar to meet with the charming woman.

Lucia gives Siobhan a tight smile. "Thanks." She'd hoped her face wwould be less blotchy by now, but aparently not. She wonders how much to say. "I got into it with Jalene, or rather she got into it with me, it wasnt much of a fight to be honest! I think someone is telling me to keep my head down, be less of a troublemaker." She scowls. "That seems to be your mum's advice, too. But my songs sing themselves, I can't stop the music. Nobody can."

She puts her head to one side, like she's listening to soemthing only she can hear. Which she is, in a way - few notes, a couple of words, the beginnings of something. Her fingers absently pluck a few notes on the strings of her lute. Do you hear the people sing? It trails off, for now. But that's fine. Shell'l get the rest of it in time.

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Alorea
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Jalene's description of The Sitting Duck tavern as "rowdy" is something of an understatement. The smell of fermented darkwood leaf hits you right in the sinuses as you walk through the door, swirling up some of the ever-present sawdust. The patrons are mostly off-duty woodcutters, back in town for a few days before heading back to the lumber camps. Men and women to whom physical risk means very little, they are engaged in raucous games of "knivsies" which looks to the unfamiliar eye like a gladiatorial bout, complete with shouting onlookers placing bets and roaring encouragement. At least the sawdust mops up the spilled blood.

Jalene's obviously been keeping one eye on the door for you, as a couple of seconds after you step in she gives a shrill whistle to attract your attention and waves you over to the far side of the room, away from the bar. Several booths with tables allow interested parties to meet and talk with a chance of actually hearing one another; they're all occupied but your date gives a friendly smile as she walks up and one table is hastily vacated for you both. Jalene slides along the trestle bench opposite you and waves for one of the wait-staff, who almost trips over his own feet as he rushes to comply. "Two pints of Ogre-Beater, and from a fresh cask," she instructs him sternly, before giving you her winning smile. "OK... this probably isn't what you're used to, but thanks for not running off. Cheers." She taps her tankard against yours. "So, tell me a bit about yourself?"

Alorea carefully navigates the tavern, trying to avoid the rowdier patrons. Fortunately, her small size allows her to dodge through the crowd without too much difficulty. She climbs up onto the bench beside Jalene and takes a sip from her tankard, wincing a bit at the strength of the alcohol inside.

"Sure. So, I was born in Varisia, where I grew up among a clan of nomads and devout followers of Desna. I took the teachings of the Song of the Spheres to heart, and once I came of age, I set off on my own on a pilgrimage across the world to visit sites holy to the goddess. I've wandered far and wide across Avistan, never staying in one place too long. And now my travels have brought me here."

She smiles at Jalene. "And you? Have you lived here in Falcon's Hollow all your life?"

"Hey, uh ..." Vyana begins as she closes the distance between herself and the goblin with long strides. And now she feels awkward because for the life of her she can't remember his name. She decides to press on regardless.

"You haven't, perchance, seen Barlus around, have you?" she asks, hoping that her embarrassment isn't evident on her face.

Lucia gives Siobhan a tight smile. "Thanks." She'd hoped her face wwould be less blotchy by now, but aparently not. She wonders how much to say. "I got into it with Jalene, or rather she got into it with me, it wasnt much of a fight to be honest! I think someone is telling me to keep my head down, be less of a troublemaker." She scowls. "That seems to be your mum's advice, too. But my songs sing themselves, I can't stop the music. Nobody can."

"Jalene?" Siobhan queries. This isn't the first time she's heard about the other woman being rather thuggish, but since the tavern keeper has taken care to never do it in front of her Siobhan has never stuck her nose in, careful of condemning someone on hearsay alone. "I've heard some talk about her before but she's never actually attacked someone that I know of... Do you want me to hang out with you today? I don't have any specific plans apart from doing the dishes here."

"Hey, uh ..." Vyana begins as she closes the distance between herself and the goblin with long strides. And now she feels awkward because for the life of her she can't remember his name. She decides to press on regardless.

"You haven't, perchance, seen Barlus around, have you?" she asks, hoping that her embarrassment isn't evident on her face.

The bright sun and the growing smell of pancakes and syrup has Scupper's his face scrunched and wrinkled like some elder Matron's as he approaches the temple. He is dressed in a tunic and trousers conjured together from patchworks of different brightly colored and patterns fabrics. Grease stains and chemical bleaching mar several areas. Over the cavalcade of stomach churning colors is a patchwork leather shirt, obviously repaired many times, and a shadow gray and green cloak, moth eaten hood thrown back, weighed down by a variety of glass, metal, and clay jars, tubes, bottles, and boxes.

Girding up his courage to face the overwhelming fumes of the temple breakfast, Scupper breathes a welcome sigh of relief when the Black Raven of Fate cackles in his direction and spares the little goblin.

Shading his eyes with his small hand, the tips of his ears perk upward happily as he offers the recognized half-elf student of Barlus a wide toothy grin.

"Many greetings." He says, his voice a bit higher pitched, like most goblin folk, but friendly and clearly happy at seeing Vyana. "It is a fine day, yes, yes, is it not." He says before shifting to the half-elf's rather surprising question.

His ears droop slightly as he realizes the search may take longer than expected if the druid's own apprentice was looking for him. He shakes his head.

"Sadly, I do not know where old Balrus is keeping himself. In a matter of fact, I was searching for him myself." He says, then waves a hand toward Vyana. "Or for your own good self, yes, yes, as one of his fine students."

He bows his head up and down. "I would ask a question of you, if not too much trouble? In return, yes, yes, I would help you find the misplaced Balrus?" His red-gold eyes stare up at Vyana awaiting her response before proceeding further.