GM Spazmodeus presents Rise of the Rune Lords

Game Master Spazmodeus

Sergyn's lack of knowledge on theater shows. He nods at Joanna, grinding his teeth.

Seeing how her response is affecting Sergyn, Joanna feels that she might have been too blunt.

"Forgive me, Mister Sergyn. I should have been a bit less blunt. Putting aside my own feelings at being seen as a hero or being a part of would feel like an effort at self-aggrandizement to me, I think a play about local heroes would be a good thing, but there's a lot of work that goes into putting such a production together and by the time we are ready to put on a play, it could be spring. On the other hand, I could ask Mister Drokkus if I could perform at the Sandpoint Theatre or even play at the Rusty Dragon or the White Deer and put something together by this evening." She smiles at him, hoping too take the sting from her early comments. "I hope that my observations aren't taken as criticism. If we had the time, I would love to be a part of such an endeavor," she says before her smile disappears. "Unfortunately, it seems that time is something we're going to be short on for at least a little while."

Sergyn is surprised at Joanna's diplomacy. He isn't sure how to respond, only that he should somehow apologize. He is not sure what for. He says "I am sorry, I don't know much about theater. I am just thinking what we could do to best comply with the sheriff here. Being seen is not my forte, so I thought a performance should do something for the town. Something improvised, maybe, in the streets? Or we could do a competition in the market among the farmers' children to see who better reenacts the heroic antics."

"There's no need for you to apologize, Mister Sergyn. Knowing Misteer Drokkus, I suspect that he's working on a play about our antics during the raid as we speak. You have some good ideas. Perhaps instead of a competition we just let the children play at being heroes," she muses before shaking her head.

"Apologies, I fear that I have allowed myself to become distracted from the topic at hand, which is what is expected of us."

Love the RP guys!

The Sheriff smiles and spread his hands, "I appreciate your caution and enthusiasm, but all I request is that you be seen. How you wish to achieve that...is up to you!"

He turn his head to regard proud Bulvarius, "You ask a pertinent question. No, you are not deputies, for that I think may constrain you. No, you are unofficial members of the guard, like our friend here, Shalelu. That frees you from many obligations that may prevent you from responding or acting on new information or threats. " he says, glancing to one side at the seated Mayor. She smiles and nods her approval.

He continues, "But that does not , as Miss Whitehall and Miss Eyre described, make you judge, jury and executioner. You have protected this town from a terrible threat....continue to do so."

He then sighs, give a look to Shalelu, who's been watching the discussion quietly, "Anything to add?" the Sheriff asks her. She shrugs, "No. I leave tonight, but first I would sup with these worthies. The rusty Dragon...at six bells. " she says, not really making it a question.

Then with a nod, she leaves the room .

Sherif Hemlock, then looks back at you , "Any more questions?"

Esgean took small steps away from the group, hoping the shadows would swallow her. Rejke pressed warm against her feet, but it wasn’t enough to steady the restless energy sparking in her limbs. She kept stealing glances at Shalelu. Couldn’t seem to help herself.

The elf had the bearing of the deep woods—unshaken, self-contained, sharp as a hawk. Esgean felt it in her body before she could name it: a tightening low in her belly, a heat that made her shift her weight. It unsettled her, that she wanted to watch the woman so closely, that she admired the way her hair caught the light, the curve of her mouth when she spoke little but meant much. It was like recognizing a storm on the horizon—terrifying and exciting all at once.

She felt a pang of something when Shalelu left the room, like two magnets being pulled apart. But then the promise. Six bells. Rusty Dragon. Tonight.

Her unease sharpened. "She wouldn’t be leaving if the woods were quiet," Esgean murmured to anyone listening. "I don't like the thought of the goblins moving unseen. They don't have the patience for it on their own."

Her words came slow, as though she wasn't sure if she ought to speak at all. She let her gaze drop, brushing the dried sprig of yarrow tied to her belt. "If Shalelu means to share what she's learned, better we hear it together than try to puzzle the pieces after."

She thought about asking the Sheriff about money or gear. These kinds of tasks usually involved that sort of thing. But she stopped herself at the last moment. She needed nothing. But then, before dismissal, she did think of one thing to ask for: "Might we have a letter bearing your mark, Sheriff, or that of the Mayor? Something that will identify our service, should there be any doubt. Something that could open a door otherwise closed to us."

Rejke gave a low chuff, as though to punctuate her words, and Esgean managed a faint, lopsided smile before letting the silence reclaim her.

Joanna bows to Shalelu as she accepts the invitation, even though there is little doubt about where she'll be this evening.

"I think Miss Esgean's suggestion is a wise one, even if we are not to act in any official capacity," Joanna says. She almost leaves it at that, but then a thought strikes her. As she continues on after a moment, the normally composed young woman looks significantly more antsy. "Um, Have you or Mayor Deverin talked to Uncle Darius about this?"

There's a knock on the heavy doors leading to the room, and the young woman that left earlier with her father steps tentatively into the room, looking as if she has just ran all the way through the courtyard and the keep.

"Sheriff, I..." She starts, as she leans on the door as she catches her breath. "You can count on me, too! I... I managed to get dad to let me stay a bit more and help out. After... After what happened, we... We figured I'd be more needed here."

As she finally looks around the room and sees the other people gathered around, she blushes and gives a polite nod to her cousin, the mayor. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you all, I... I'll just... I'll stand over here." With a sheepish look, Sara makes her way towards Joanna, and gives her cousin a small smile as she stands by her.

"Sara!" Joanna temporarily forgets all decorum and rushes to wrap her cousin up in a bear-hug. "Oh, I'm so glad to have you stay! I would have missed you terribly."

Then, remembering where she is and with whom she is meeting, she lets go and clears her throat as she stands next to Sara, her cheeks burning bright red.

"I beg your pardon," she says to the Sheriff, the mayor, and Shalelu.

Sergyn does think of something to ask, something that will tickle his need for revenge. He asks Shalelu "Do you see any group of goblins moving towards Sandpoint right now?"

He watches as the cousins meet. He thinks of his own cousins, who suddenly feel a deep family connection after his mother died and left a house behind. He scowls and looks away.

Shalelu pauses at the door at Sergyn's question, "Not at this time. I will answer and ask when we meet at the 'Dragon."

At Esgean suggestion, the Sheriff shakes his head for forgetting something, and opens and empties the contents of a small box on the table. A number of metallic pins, of diferent sized butteflies , spill out.

"Take one of these. If you present it to the quartermaster here at the Garrison, you can provision yourselves appropriately; arrows, a replacement for a broken weapon, that sort of thing. I'll expect these back once I've returned though. "

It's then that Sara makes her entrance, prompting a wry smile from the Sheriff and a wider one from the Mayor.

The Sheriff then declares, "Well, I must be off to prepare for my journey. I leave Sandpoint in your capable hands! ". He then stomps across the room and departs.

The Mayor stands and stride over to Sara to clasp her arms, "I'm glad you stayed!"

She then turns to the others, "If you have need of the councils aid while the Sheriff is gone, do not hesitate to ask. We will provide whatever aid we can. "

Then giving Sara's hands another squeeze, she too leaves the room.

Sergyn doesn't want to be the first to get up, but he's uncomfortable in the room, so he shifts in his seat. With nothing else to say, left with thoughts about legal procedures and no way to currently avenge his mother, the young mage's mind starts to wonder. He thinks he'll visit his old tutor, Brodert Quink.

Joanna nods at Mayor Deverin, but her attention is soon on the pins. She sorts through them to find the ones that match the others best.

"So, do we stick together until we meet with Shalelu this evening, or do we go about our separate ways until then," she asks.

Esgean had watched the exchange between the cousins with a curious little tilt of her head, her hand resting lightly on the scruff of Rejke's neck. The bobcat's ears twitched at the sound of joy in Joanna's voice, and Esgean could not help but soften, though she kept her expression guarded. There were bonds here—ties of kinship and duty—that she could sense even if she had no part in them.

"The butterflies are well chosen," she said at last, crouching to pick one from the table as if testing its weight in her palm. "Fragile-seeming, but they endure through storms and seasons. They will serve." She fastened the pin at her cloak's shoulder with surprising care, as though the little token deserved reverence.

She rose then, glancing first to Sara, then to Joanna. "I am glad you've stayed. Both of you. The land is shifting—something foul has nested in the gullies and the treelines. We will need hearts that are bound together, not scattered."

Rejke gave a low chuffing sound, and Esgean smirked faintly. "And sharp claws," she added, scratching the cat behind one ear.

Turning toward the door where the Sheriff had gone, she allowed herself a final murmur, pitched for no one in particular: "Capable hands, he says. May the wild watch over them, then."

It's currently 4 bell, so a couple of hours before the meet up with Shalelu. You can RP some stuff as you want or I can just hand wave and get right to it...."

Joanna nods at Esgean's comment, and says a quiet prayer to Shelyn to keep the sheriff and the town safe before deciding on which of the pins she'll take. It's the smallest and least well made of the bunch, but that doesn't matter to her. Someone had taken the time to make it, and she appreciates the attempt. Besides, it's a not so subtle reminder to herself to look for beauty in all things, even dark times.

"I think I should go back and grab my stuff from your house, Sara," she says. "At the very least I should probably get changed so Ameiko can have her gear and clothes back. Would you mind coming along, Esgean? I'd love to get to know you while we have the chance."

Sara picks out a pin for herself as well, and then nods at her cousin's suggestion.

"Sounds like a good idea. In fact, why don't you all come along?" She looks to each of their new companions in turn with a smile. "I, huh, kinda missed the introductions. And whatever the sheriff expects of us. So it'd be a good chance for you to fill me in on both! We won't take long, I promise!"

Sergyn is happy to leave the military building. He introduces himself to Sara "I'm Sergyn Falfer, born in Sandpoint, but I've spent the last 5 years in Magnimar training as a wizard. I've been spending the last few days at the Rusty Dragon, but I live a bit closer to the Glassworks in my family's home."

"Sergyn?!" Sara's eyes widen in recognition at his name. "Oh, wow, it's been so long, I didn't recognise you! How'd your studies go?" Her smile quickly falls, though, as she recalls Mrs. Falfer among the victims of the festival's attack.

She steps closer and touches his arm gently. "Oh... Oh, I'm sorry. I... I heard about your mother." she whispers. "Look, I don't care what the sheriff or my cousin Kendra asked you to do - if you need time, just tell me, and I'll talk it over with the mayor. And if there's anything I can do to help, just say so."

The young woman looks at Sergyn with a look of genuine concern and worry, her earlier cheerful playfullness completely gone.

Esgean nods to Joanna and smiles. Once departed she falls into step easily, Rejke brushing against her leg before slipping ahead, tail flicking. She doesn’t speak right away. She rarely does.

Life in Sandpoint has taught her to keep her own company. The loft above the tannery, cedar bark and salt in the blankets, herbs strung from the rafters — those things root her. She wakes to silence, barters her bundles of comfrey and ironroot in silence, walks the woods in silence. That rhythm comforts her. But it leaves her apart. Most days she tells herself that's enough.

And yet, here are these women, walking beside her. Their voices fill the air the way birdsong does on the safer paths of the forest — natural, expected, but never hers.

When introductions circle back to her, she offers the truth as plainly as she can.

"My name is Esgean. This is Rejke, my companion. I trade herbs, mostly. That is enough to keep. Until now."

Her words are simple, but the rest — the theater shadows, the unanswered questions, the quiet weight of absence — she keeps folded inside, where no one has asked. For now, it's enough to walk, to listen, and to wonder what kind of shape this company might take if she lets herself belong to it.

Sergyn obviously knows Sara. Her name alone is reason for him to know of her, but her friendship with Ameiko was something they shared. Sergyn never felt comfortable to talk to Sara given he's always felt detached from the aristocracy. Now she's talking to him as if they were old friends and he's not sure how to react.

He replies "It's nice to see you." His words are warm, but his tone is mechanical, as if he has been repeating these words too much recently. He adds "I trust you and your family are well." He is visibly making an effort to match her warmth, but it comes out as a bit phony. Sara remembers that Sergyn has always been awkward when trying to create rapport.

Perception DC 15 to hear what Sara says to Sergyn: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

"I guess that'll be fine. I shouldn't take too long," Joanna says at Sara's suggestion, though the chipper young woman's spirits dampen as she overhears what her cousin says to Sergyn. Unsure of what to say to him, the bard turns her attention to Esgean.

"How did you and Rejke meet? It's not often you see a bobcat walking around town at someone's side."

Esgean's shoulders ease, and her words come more freely now, warmed by Joanna’s persistence. Her hand finds its familiar place on Rejke's back, fingers working gently through his thick coat.

"I found him one summer when I was still a child. The rains had failed that year—streams ran to mud, berries withered on the vine, and the wood was quiet with hunger. He was just a scrap of a thing then, all bone and fire, snarling at me through the brush though he could barely stand. Half-starved, yes, but unbroken."

Her gaze softens, fixed on the bobcat at her side. "We chose each other that day. Later, I performed the rites—old words, old ways—and our bond was sealed. Not master and beast, but companions bound by something deeper."

Rejke stretches, his tufted ears flicking toward Joanna, amber eyes steady and curious. Esgean's faint smile returns, almost playful in its rarity.

"If you like," she adds, "he’ll take kindly to a scratch just here, behind the ears."

Forgot to react to Sara's offer.

Sergyn simply whispers back "Thank you, I actually need to do this."

Marbyn listens to Shalelu and the Sheriff, mostly, sort of. But her mind is occupied by other things. She surreptitiously watches the pair of elves in the room. Marbyn has seen elves before of course, but always in a 'passing on the street' sort of way. Given extra time for observation, she find them kind of fascinating, but draws no conclusions or speculations regarding them.

She selects a small butterfly pin to wear. Everyone seems really pleased with the idea of wearing the pins, like it's a great idea. Marbyn can't make the reasoning behind the pins line up though.

If the idea is for us to be around, out and about to be seen because that will keep people calm (for some reason), there's a presupposition there that people will be calm because they know who we are. The won't explain who we are if someone happens to not know.

Now, the letter or note idea made sense because it could explain who we are and what we can do and have an official seal or a signature or whatever on it. Nobody would need to know anything at all beforehand to understand the letter.

A butterfly pin doesn't tell anyone either of those things. We still have to explain we're wearing butterfly pins because we are well known(!!!). And the wearing the means we can do certain special things they can't, like deputies or rich people.

So, the pin needs to be explained to work, and the explanation is therefore believable because we have the pin we just explained. Seems like it doesn't work unless we're talking to very gullible people.

In fact, maybe I'll test this. On the first day I'll wear the butterfly pin. The day after I'll pin a leafy stalk on celery on. I'll tell people the celery means the same thing as the butterfly pin and see what happens...

Marbyn doesn't want to rain on anyone's parade, so she doesn't say anything about the glaring problems with the pins as a meaningful symbol of anything in particular. Maybe she's missing some key piece of knowledge about small towns that would clear of her confusion if she knew it. Or maybe people in small towns are more interested in being agreeable with each other than having good ideas?

Thinking about the pins eventually morphs into considering rustic people in general. Everyone in Sandpoint seems quite happy, despite a certain lack of many interesting things to do. They also seem to all know each other. Knowing bunches of people like that appeals to Marbyn. On the other hand, it would be easy to run out of new people to get to know pretty quickly. Then things would get boring again.

Especially if one considers that people probably only genuinely like only about 20% (optimistically) of the people they know. Without far more people to meet than a small town could supply, she'd be stuck not actually liking many people forever. It's possible rustic people a able to like more people overall than other people, but she doesn't really buy the notion. Marbyn figures she'd probably not be good at being a rustic person.

"Hey, are we supposed to be start wandering around and making people feel safe right this minute, or should we go get something to eat before we listen to Shalelu again?"

Loved the ramblings on the pin.

Sergyn does indeed find himself hungry and says "Well, I wouldn't mind a buddy to munch on some chicken."

Distracted by the tale of how Esgean and Rejke met, Joanna misses the conversation about getting something to eat.

Instead, she waits for Rejke's permission before giving him a good scritch behind his ears as Esgean had suggested. For a moment, Joanna can forget about goblin raids and the other things going on and just enjoy the feel of the bobcat's fur under her fingers.

** spoiler omitted **

Forgot to react to Sara's offer.

Sergyn simply whispers back "Thank you, I actually need to do this."

Sara gives Sergyn a knowing nod. "I understand. As long as you're sure. But don't feel pushed into doing anything. Just let me know if that changes. I'll help out any way I can."

She gives him a reassuring smile, and turns to the rest of the group, as the halfling woman suggests grabbing some food first.

"Well, we'll be heading to Ameiko's once Joanna gets her stuff from my house, so we can return the things she lent her. Might as well grab something to eat at the Rusty Dragon if you're hungry."

She then chuckles heartily as she sees Joanna pet Esgean's bobcat, and approaches the woman.

"You might want to watch out for my cousin... I'm not sure she'll be able to stop petting and cuddling your companion now that you've let her start!"

"Oh, right," Joanna says when Sara says where they are going and why. With manifest reluctance she stops petting Rejke and continues on towards the house that Sara and her family call home. After a few minutes, she comes out carrying the gear she borrowed from Ameiko in a neat bundle and wearing her own clothes and armor with the rest of her belongings in or strapped to her pack.

"Thank you for your patience. Hopefully we can get to the Dragon before anyone starves," the young woman jokes.

As Sergyn sits in the Rusty Dragon with the others to wait for Shalelu, he orders his usual half liter beer mug and some pork broth. Some bread and cheese as an entree.

He says "So you're the famous Joanna? I say famous because Tera talks about you a lot."

"Oh! I guess you're the Sergyn she told me about. Only good things, I promise," Joanna replies with a smile as the mention of Tera connects his name with the serious wizard's apprentice she'd heard about. "She had planned to come, but her sister gave birth the day before we were to leave and she stayed behind to help look after them. I'm sorry for not recognizing your name earlier. There's been--a lot going on over the past couple of days."

Her blue-gray eyes darken as she remembers the goblin raid that had ruined the festival. She shakes away the memories, but their ghosts linger in the depths of her eyes.

"Are you from Sandpoint? Tera wanted to ask, but ever found a way to bring it up."

Sergyn nods understandingly as Joanna explains about Tera. He replies drily "Yes, I was born here. I've come to... handle some things, then I'll be off back to Magnimar to continue my apprenticeship." He seems not very sure about his own words.

Changing the subject, he says "So, Tera did mention doing some pranks. I never paid much attention when she started on that. Were you involved in such... things?" He sounds like he doesn't approve of pranks.

"You've doomed yourself now," she says, voice soft but teasing. "He'll remember you gave him the good ear-scratch, and the next time we stop to rest he'll plant himself right in your lap whether you're ready or not." She dips her chin politely to Sara.

"And thank you. I don't mind sharing him—though he's far less wild about being unstuffed from a lap than he is about climbing into one."

Rejke flicks his tail, as though to punctuate her point, and Esgean ruffles the fur on his neck before standing to follow the others. "Come on, little lord. Let's not keep everyone from their supper."

Flipping these around to help things flow better. At least to me.

"You've doomed yourself now," she says, voice soft but teasing. "He'll remember you gave him the good ear-scratch, and the next time we stop to rest he'll plant himself right in your lap whether you're ready or not." She dips her chin politely to Sara.

"And thank you. I don't mind sharing him—though he's far less wild about being unstuffed from a lap than he is about climbing into one."

Rejke flicks his tail, as though to punctuate her point, and Esgean ruffles the fur on his neck before standing to follow the others. "Come on, little lord. Let's not keep everyone from their supper."

"I can think of worse fates," Joanna says with a giggle. "It's alright. I am stronger than I look."

Sergyn nods understandingly as Joanna explains about Tera. He replies drily "Yes, I was born here. I've come to... handle some things, then I'll be off back to Magnimar to continue my apprenticeship." He seems not very sure about his own words.

Joanna starts to ask something, but thinks better of it. She doesn't know Sergyn

Changing the subject, he says "So, Tera did mention doing some pranks. I never paid much attention when she started on that. Were you involved in such... things?" He sounds like he doesn't approve of pranks.

"Sometimes," Joanna answers. "Mostly it was helping with an illusion or providing a distraction. We never did anything that could cause any harm or damage. Just practical jokes that could make someone laugh or brighten their day. Though there was that one a few years ago--" she says before looking around.

Perception(Any Scarnettis or their servants around that Jo recognizes): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

As she looks around, she speaks quietly out of the corner of her mouth.

"How well do you like the Scarnettis?"

As the Heroes of Sandpoint enter, the regulars and other patrons , cheer and greet them warmly.

Ameiko emerges from the kitchen and smiles, waving all over to an empty table, "Shalelu asked for this table, her favorite, to be kept for your arrival! She'll be along soon , I'm sure. What'll you have?" she says, taking orders and giving hugs, or perhaps just a hand on the shoulder for those more reticent Looking at you Sergyn :)

She calls out to one of her helpers, who brings a few dusty bottles of wine, "Some fine elven wine from Shalelu's own collection! " she declares, before rushing off to tend to other patrons.

Sergyn replies to Joanna "I know they exist and their role in this town. Other than that, it's just another name to me." His voice doesn't show any emotion to the name Scarnetti, only disinterest.

The young man is glad to arrive in the Rusty Dragon. He smiles sincerely at Ameiko and says "Some chicken for me with those spicy baked potatoes. You know, the ones with rosemary and thyme." He awaits the wine with some interest and asks the others "What do you reckon Shalelu wants to talk about that she didn't want to mention in front of the sheriff?"

The Diamonda Scarnetti Incident
"Probably for the best," Joanna says quietly with a grimace. "I haven't really gotten to know the part of the family that lives here in Sandpoint, to be honest. Unfortunately I got to know Diamonda Scarnetti and her brother, both of the Magnimarian branch of the family, too well for my liking. Diamonda seems to hate me for whatever reason and did her best to make me miserable whenever we were at the same party. Tera and my younger sisters didn't like that, so they did something. I've never gotten the full story of what happened, but I do know they were involved. It was dreadfully embarrassing for Diamonda and her friends, and they stopped harassing me after they pulled that prank."

Ordering Food
Joanna greets Ameiko with a friendly hug and asks how Darius is doing before settling down at the indicated table. Hearing Sergyn's order, her eyes sparkle with anticipation.

"Oh, that sounds delicious! I'll have what Sergyn is having, please," she says with a beaming smile.

When the subject turns to why Shalelu would want to meet with them, Joanna shrugs.

"I haven't the foggiest idea. I've only met her a few times before today. She could just want to talk to us and get a better feel for who we are in a more relaxed setting. People tend to behave differently depending on who's around."

Esgean sat down, shoulders rounded, hand on the table. The wood was scarred, familiar. Rejke pressed against her shin under the bench, a steadying weight.

Ameiko's warmth, the clatter, the food smells—all of it felt too close. She lifted the elven wine, held it under her nose, and for a moment the room faded into the memory of a field in bloom. Then it was gone.

"Shalelu doesn't meet in taverns for nothing," she said. "If she avoided Hemlock, she wants clearer ears. Or stronger hands." Her words came slow, measured, like she was still trying them out.

She looked across at Joanna, who was still glowing from her story about Diamonda. Esgean let the corner of her mouth curl into the suggestion of a smile.

"People like that, I know the sort. Sometimes their spite turns on them, the way a trapped fox gnaws its own leg. Your sisters sound like they knew that."

Her gaze slipped back to the wine, the table, the door where Shalelu might walk in at any moment.

"Best eat while we can," she said quieter, almost to herself.

Sergyn is a bit awkward after hearing the Diamonda story. He says "Guess it was a good thing then." He changes the subject trying to keep his guard up "I hope Shalelu comes with a plan to ambush some goblins. You know give them a good beat up."

Realizing he may come off as a bully himself, he says "Or, you know, just a general plan to get them away from Sandpoint forever."

Joanna nods at Esgean's comment about her sisters, but her attention is on Sergyn. She doesn't know exactly how to move past the awkwardness growing between them and decides to try following his lead.

"I'm afraid that would require us killing them all, from what I've read about goblins," she says, then realizing Marbyn and Bulvarius haven't spoken much in the past little while, she turns to them. "What about you two? Any thoughts on why Shalelu wishes to talk to us here?"

Marbyn might not know Ameiko all that well, but she's not going to let the opportunity for a nice big hug pass her by. She stands atop the table's bench so she can get up to really get in their for a tight hug with Amieko, whether or not that's what Ameiko had in mind.

She orders whatever on the menu is most like pie, savory or sweet doesn't matter. When her meal is brought out and placed in front of her, Matbyn happily tucks in, letting the others chatter away while she concentrates on eating.

The way Marbyn sees it, and she will say so if specifically asked, is things will play out with the goblins and the making people feel safe and such as it will and worrying about it won't make a difference. Plans and intentions have a way of colliding with the future in such a way that the future also rolls right over plans and intentions. Better to keep an eye for what's really coming than to do a bunch of chin stroking over what to if bad guess #1 happens or if bad guess #2 happens instead.

As for the gossip, Marbyn keeps a ear bent to take it in, but she doesn't know the players involved. They seem mostly local so she has nothing to add.

As food is served and elven wine opened and drunk, other patrons swing by the table to
offer their thanks and admiration.

The door is suddenly flung open, and all in a rush enters Shalelu, pack on her back, as if
she were ready for the road.

She's definitely cleaner than she was as the Garrison, in fact, her hair was still wet.

With a grunt, she uncermoniously dumps her pack beside the table and reversing one of the chairs
sit. She nods, seeing the wine she chose open and being consumed, "Good...Mother always had good taste in wine!"

She catches the attention of one of the serving staff, holding up one finger. With a nod, the girl immediately turns and head back to the kitchen.

Shalelu looks about the table and nods again, "Good, you are all here. And I am here..." she pauses awkwardly, seemingly at a loss of what to say, "Maybe you have questions...."

Sergyn shifts in his seat as the elf sits. His mind is focused despite the wine and he asks "I do." he says, then continues immediately "What's the plan to rid Sandpoint of goblins forever?"

Esgean tries to hide her sense of awe, but she can't stop staring at Shalelu. When prompted for questions, Sergyn's is direct and sensible. She thinks of one of her own and asks, "They are organized; something or someone is driving them. Do you know who, or what that is?"

Joanna feels a bit surprised at how awkward Shalelu is around people. Gruffness, maybe even an air of aloofness, she expected, but not the kind of awkwardness she expects from her bookworm of a younger brother or Tera's next oldest sister.

Maybe she spends so much time out in the wilds she's not used to dealing with others like this. Maybe she'll come out of her shell if we can get her talking, Joanna thinks before noticing Esgean's starry-eyed stare and can't help smiling wryly. It seems someone's not the least bit bothered by our elven friend's social skills, at least.

After hearing Shalelu's answers to Sergyn's and Esgean's questions, Joanna posits one of her own.

"We're supposed to help keep an eye on things," she begins, "could you tell us more about the goblins and the leaders you know about? I hope we don't need to know, but if we do find ourselves in a fight against them again, it would be useful to know of anything we may exploit against them."

Shalelu seems relieved when the questions start to fly, her focus turning to Sergyn, then to Esgean and finally to Joanna.

She pauses as the wait staff settle a few large serving trays laden with Ameiko's signature Minkai-spiced game hens.

Without pause, Shalelu skewers one of the succulent fowl and proceeds to tear into it. Her mouth full of juicy, tender
meat, she points a drumstick at Sergen, "Impossible." she says, chewing, "The gobs will live anywhere they can hide,
and they breed like flies on shit. The best we can do is to try to keep their numbers in check."

The drumstick goes into her mouth and leaves a moment later bare of meat and sinew.

With a contented look on her face, Shalelu skewers another hen, indicating to everyone to dig in.

Her mouth and fingers glistening with fat, she continues, "Organized....yeah. Well , someone's trying to at least. Don't know
who...but it would have to be someone pretty powerful. You see," she says, holding up a hand, counting, " we've got 5 tribes
around here : The Birdcrunchers, along the western edge of the Devil's Platter...usually very not aggressive; The Licktoads to the south
in the Brinestump March....excellent swimmers; To the east, the Seven Tooth of Shank's Wood, they're the ones you'll find down on our
junkyard; way East are the Mosswood..the largest tribe, but generally held back by infighting; and finally, " she says, holding up all
four finger and thumb, "the Thistletop gobs, on the Nettlewood coast !"

She then closes her hand into a fist, "But all of these, despite sometimes growing a singular goblin leader, hmmm, about 6 or so of those
right now...they never come together. So, our time is exceptional."

Sergyn starts to look worried, as if the thoughts he had on killing goblins aren't as simple as he thought initially. He nibbles on a hen wing since he is not so fond of the Minkaian spices, but he needs something to help him focus.

Finally he says "So, it's a matter of finding this goblin leader, killing him... or her?" He was actually hoping the goblins would come to him so he can throw spells at them, he wasn't really expecting an investigation. He continues nibbling while lost in thought.

Joanna's upbringing as a noble scion shows in her impeccable table manners, granted the Rusty Dragon is hardly the most refined locale, but a childhood spent learning to be a proper lady isn't so easily tossed aside.

"You said there are six goblin leaders? Who are they," she asks. "My father told us that's important to know who you are dealing with in business and politics. I imagine it's not that different when dealing with a threat like this."