At the Foothills of Leng - GM Assembler's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Ari slows his horse to back up by Tot again. Why is she so shy? He wants to ask her all sorts of questions, about her family, her life, being a tiefling.... but knows not to. "Snap away! I get it from friends and neighbors all the time. I ask too many questions, mostly cause I'm just terribly curious about.... everything. But I'll do my best to not pester you."

"Nobles.... or people with lots of money, tend to think they can ask anything or pester anyone and not offend. Mostly people recognize it and just accept it. I do think he'll focus mostly on Garen. Aldern is human, and likely focuses first on other humans. If he's even noticed his eyes he might think it's from his God. I don't think you should worry about him. I doubt he's even noticed your freckles. I think they're kind of cute." He grins but looks away after the last statement, then glances back with a smile. "But just count me as the local kid. In a week I'll be invisible around town, just like most of my life."

Tot shakes her head when Erridon brushes off her apology, but can't get a word in before he continues on. She turns to ask the young man who she should worry about, only to stare in shock as he says he finds her freckles cute. For once, her tail is still as she tries to work her way through the shock, but can't before he turns back. She closes her mouth with a click and turns to star at the back of her horse's neck as her cheeks turn crimson.

"I-If you go a-a-a-around complimenting ever girl like that, I-I-I don't th-think you'll have to w-worry about being invisible," she says.

Erridon quietly chuckles and looks to the ground. "And... there I go again. Can't shut my mouth or think before I speak. I've embarrassed you. And all the girls near me know me, which is why I say I'm invisible. Nobody wants to be around someone that can't stop saying too much, or asking too many questions."

"If you don't mind, maybe I should stay back here so I don't say something stupid to Aldern. I'll try to stop talking, at least for a little bit."

As Erridon explains more about why he thinks he'll be invisible, Tot feels guilty. She hadn't meant to make him feel self-conscious about talking too much or asking too many questions. In fact, she is rather flattered he found anything about her cute.

"Um--A-Ari? I--I don't mind hearing you talk," she says, trying not to stutter too much. "Y-you're the first person who's ever said anything about me was even kind of cute," she admits as her blush deepens. "C-could you tell me more about Sandpoint a-and the people? S-so far I've only gotten a chance to know Ameiko and Bethana, and I don't even really know that much about them. I-if you want, I-I-I could tell you about some of the things I've seen while traveling Varisia. W-w-would that be fair?"

She looks up after asking her question, though it's clear she's nervous or even scared. Still, she's brave enough to at least look Erridon in the face as she waits for his answer.

Erridon had glanced away when he'd stopped talking. He looks back when Tot answers and smiles when she mentions not minding when he talked.

He glanced ahead again and obviously relaxed until she continued. When she asked about Sandpoint he almost interrupted her, but stopped and listened. His face as he looked sideways to her was blank, except for his eyes. If she was any good at reading them she'd know he was absolutely delighted! His grin would have split his face if that was something that actually happened. "Thank you!"

"Ah. I mean.... That's way more than fair. I'd probably talk about Sandpoint anyway. Sandpoint has been my home for all of my twenty years. I know a lot, well, some, I mean I guess a good amount about the history. But it kind of boring to most of the people. Anyway, mostly humans but most everybody is nice. Gotta be for trade I guess...."

"You know Ameiko already, so you already know the best inn in town. And Bethana, yeah. The sheriff is new, but you already heard that. We've got a really nice theater if you're into performing, or watching them. I'm not really into 'the arts' but sometimes they're fun to watch."

"And you saw the new temple. I'm not very religious.... don't tell my Mom. She'd be a bit upset, 'specially because of, things, with Sarenrae. I do hold her special of course, but I'm not a cleric or anything you know...."

"Zorlen's the only tiefling that I know. Other than you.... You are a tiefling, right? Sorry if I shouldn't ask. Have you ever been to Kaer Maga? I'd like to see it some day. We had a book about it a couple of years ago. I got to read it before Mom and Dad sold it.... Pretty much everything I know about places away from Sandpoint is from books. Zorlen was so lucky getting to travel!"

The more he chats the more he is relaxed, until the last where he asked questions. It's probably good that the horse is battle trained since he isn't paying much attention to where its going....

Izzy D sees the question is directed to Garen, so turns her attention to..oh, looks like Tot is getting some comfort from Ari. She looks instead at the others, "Looks like spears won't be needed. The Boar lives another day."

"I'm somewhat glad, to tell the truth. Don't think my magic would be particularly helpful in this hunt. This way I have a bit more time to learn how to shoot lightning from my fingertips, right?" Zorlen replies with a laugh. "To tell the truth, I was a bit jealous of your spell the other day, and how effective it was in bringing that fight to an end."

He smiles as he glances at Tot and Erridon chatting along as they ride at the back of the group. "Seems like those two are really getting along!" He says to Izzy as he subtly nods in their direction.

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 Yeah, I think Erridon would have to be dense as a lead brick not to pick up that something about mentioning Sarenrae has Tot bothered. Even a Nat-1 would succeed on that Sense Motive check.

Tot chuckles as Erridon lets his exuberance get the better of himself. As he talks, she feels that she couldn't really have found a better place to settle down and start over, not that she is that old given that even her great-grandmother barely looked middle-aged when she saw the great dame fifteen years ago. Tot herself only looks in her mid to late teens at most to human eyes, even though she's closer to thirty than she is to twenty.

Her smile disappears when Erridon mentions Sarenrae. She remembers a night in the woods outside of Pangolias, the screams and bloodshed as worshipers of the Dawnflower were mercilessly cut down or ripped apart. She looks away, but Erridon can see the shame in her expression before she can regain her composure. It's almost a relief when he moves on to asking her questions and talking about how he knew of places beyond Sandpoint.

She shakes her head when he apologizes for asking if she is a tiefling.

"Th-there's no need to apologize. I've been called much worse," she says with a wry chuckle. "I am one, though probably of a different bent from Zorlen," she gestures at her ash-pale skin and lack of horns. "And I've been to Kaer Maga a couple of times. It's an amazing city, unlike just about anywhere else I've ever been or heard of. I hardly believed my own eyes when I saw how huge the old structure it is in was. There's a whole lot of stories about what it was too, before becoming Kaer Maga, anyway."

Following Aldern's lead, the group make their way out of Sandpoint proper and into the sprawling quilt of rich yellow fields and green pastures that mark the Sandpoint Hinterlands, the vast expanse of fields studded with old farmhouses leaning like drunks in the wind which provide Sandpoint, and indeed settlements as far as Korvosa, with the much-needed foodstuffs that both king and commoner need to survive. Pulling ahead of the group, Aldern stops his horse short with the skill of a trained rider, sweeping his arm out in a dramatic gesture that encompasses the grand vista. "So, what do you think? Breadbasket of the Lost Coast, that's for sure!"

As the party continues on, Aldern pulls back from the front of the line to the middle, addressing the whole of the group. "It's actually lucky I was passing through here - or unlucky, depending on how you see it. I don't live in Sandpoint, you see - I was passing through from Magnimar, meeting with some tradesmen about some renovations on my old family home. The Foxgloves are an old family, you know - we've been in these parts since long before Sandpoint was even a dream in old Alamon Scarnetti's head. People always talk about the history of Sandpoint, but people have lived here much longer - I mean settlement, obviously, not just the Varisian nomads." He chuckles, pointing out a distant ring of stones surrounding a wide hole in the ground, like a blemish on the surface of the idyllic countryside, a decrepit cottage slumping in disrepair nearby. "That there's the Wisher's Well - it's got quite the story associated with it, you know!"

"Apparently, back when this place was all forest, some old homesteader found that ring of stones there, some giant's well or something, and decided to build his home nearby. His wife fell in and drowned; not quite sure how, it seems pretty hard to miss; but when he went down there to look for her, he found something - not sure on that, either - that told him it would grant his most dear wish - to reunite him with his wife - in exchange for something. Blood. For years afterwards, he waylaid travelers, explorers, nomads, more or less anyone who ventured into his part of the woods. He murdered them, then dumped their bodies into that well. According to the legend, when he killed his sevenfold seventh sacrifice, the beast of the Wisher's Well reached up from its dark slumber and pulled him down into the well, reuniting him with his wife in death."

The nobleman shudders at the story's gruesome conclusion. "Certainly a dark tale, wouldn't you say? When I was a boy, growing up with my aunt and uncle in Magnimar, I would come out here every so often, just to ride and take in the sights. My uncle's servants always warned me away from the Wisher's Well, though - they said that if I wasn't careful, the beast of the Well would reach up and drag me down to the depths, just like that rustic's wife all those years ago!"

"I'm somewhat glad, to tell the truth. Don't think my magic would be particularly helpful in this hunt. This way I have a bit more time to learn how to shoot lightning from my fingertips, right?" Zorlen replies with a laugh. "To tell the truth, I was a bit jealous of your spell the other day, and how effective it was in bringing that fight to an end."

He smiles as he glances at Tot and Erridon chatting along as they ride at the back of the group. "Seems like those two are really getting along!" He says to Izzy as he subtly nods in their direction.

"Jealous of me? My dear sir, bards TELL the stories, they rarely get to be the heroine of it," Her eyes twinkle "There are exceptions but I assure you, the term 'wizard' is evocative in every sense of the word. One day, if you wish it, and no horrible dooms hit you... you'll have power bardic magic can only dream off. Lightning from the fingertips, perhaps the ability to cross into other worlds with a few words. You'll be respected by dragons as much as any non dragon is, and have a great tower that is the talk of the town, with young children gazing up at it as they go by, intrigued and delightfully spooked, and a few hoping that he or she is the one you take for apprentice. You will have a proper beard by then." She says it as if she believes it.

And a nod "And yes, they seem to be."

....................

She enjoys the ride, of course, and listens to Aldern's story. She has enjoyed the view and the ride. It is not where she thought she'd end up, but she likes the territory here. It's got a nice mix of character, natural beauty, good folk, and ..history.

The nobleman shudders at the story's gruesome conclusion. "Certainly a dark tale, wouldn't you say? When I was a boy, growing up with my aunt and uncle in Magnimar, I would come out here every so often, just to ride and take in the sights. My uncle's servants always warned me away from the Wisher's Well, though - they said that if I wasn't careful, the beast of the Well would reach up and drag me down to the depths, just like that rustic's wife all those years ago!"

"A fine grisly tale, mi'lord," The gnome IS impressed, "Though I would be cautious of stirring up old sites. Some stories have a kernal of truth and danger in them."

Tot's horse nickers and shifts side to side as Aldern spins his yarn, but not enough to make life harder on even an inexperienced rider such as Tot. Still, the nobleman's tale of murder and sacrifice is too close to her own experience for Tot's mind not to bring up memories from the night she deserted the Unseen Servants of House Thrune. She could all too well imagine what it was like for those whose lives were being cut short.

Erridon notices Tot's reaction when he mentions Sarenrae but decides to not pursue it, at least for now.

He nods when she mentions her difference with Zorlen. "So, little differences, like human's hair or skin color. Doesn't change what's on the inside though does it? It's the mind and spirit that decides if a person is good or bad!" He snaps his mouth shut and glances to her, hoping he hadn't offended her with that statement. That was what his parents had taught him, but not everyone believed it.... He continues though when he realizes that she'd said that she'd been to Kaer Maga. His eyes go distant, "I can only imagine seeing Kaer Maga, for now anyway. The book.... Well, it wasn't a Pathfinder journal or any such. But it has some really good descriptions. It didn't have any references or citations to back up some of the statements. But it indicated that Kaer Maga was the name given by some strange creatures that were there before humans got there. And supposedly the city predates Thassilon? I know it's not really important, for much of anything, but I'd really like to know! That's part of why I'm so curious about Thassilon and why I learned the language."

Erridon listened to Aldern's tale. He'd heard it before, various versions mostly to scare local kids. Who in their right mind went near something with such a grisly tale? "I've heard several versions of the tale, all ending as a warning that even going near enough to glance in could have you attacked and drawn down to your death. Considering the remote location and possible dangers I'm surprised that nobody has thought to collapse it so no 'potential heroes' might fall in. It's supposedly very deep and a fall like that would kill just about anyone. And how long of a rope would be needed to rescue the victim? I'd say just keep away from it."

"I do agree though that it's beautiful out here. Thanks for asking us along."

Tot laughs when Erridon snaps his mouth closed and glances at her.

"No, I guess it doesn't change how we think and feel," she says her expression turning more thoughtful as she considers what that means for her. She realizes she's wool-gathering in time to hear the talkative young man talking about Kaer Maga, but before she can reply Aldern begins his little speech about how long his family has been in the area and the tale that so disquiets her.

When Erridon finishes his thoughts on the Wisher's Well and mentions how beautiful the scenery is, Tot looks up and out at what's around her. She'd seen many stunning vistas since setting out on her own two years ago. From the blasted Stroval Plateau to the mountains that rimmed the land of Varisa to the various ruins and monuments left by long dead civilizations, she has many sights that she's immortalized in her journal, but something about the simple, pastoral scene before her, of quiet farms and rolling hills, calls to her. She feels at peace, despite all of her worries. For the moment at least, she can imagine what it's like to live in a slow, quiet town where the biggest worries are small, mundane things, like what chores need to be done and when the harvest should start.

A quiet life, that was why she'd come, wasn't it? To find a place to call home?

Tot looks at Erridon and wonders if there might be something more that she wants.

Maybe, but he's got his eyes on the world beyond Sandpoint and its hinterlands. He's like a hawk looking to take flight and find its own nest. Besides, If he ever finds out the truth about who I am or what I've been a part of, I doubt he'd ever want to speak to me again.

That last thought wipes the smile from her face as her eyes look at the back of her horse's neck. That was the crux of the problem she'd have in any relationship, she realizes. Her blood is obviously tainted by a fiend's malign influence, and she can never let anyone past her walls to get to know who she really is. Even if they don't recoil in horror, she doesn't know if they could ever see her in the same way.

It has only been two days since she came here, yet it terrifies her that she could lose what she's already built up, meager as it is. She can't maintain a lie, she's no good at lying in the first place, but neither can she tell anyone the truth, can she? How would Ameiko react if she knew everything?

I'm tired of being alone, though. I want someplace to call home. I need people I can trust, but don't they have to trust me as well?

The questions keep roiling in her mind as she waits for Aldern to finish his ride around the countryside.

"It sounds to me like a place to be cleansed." Garen says turning his horse in the direction of the well and for a moment looking like he might ride toward it. "We'd need more gear if it is as deep as you say. A sizable unit with a couple of block and tackles to get men and equipment down into it. I'm sure we could kill whatever is in there." The paladin ponders. Then as if coming out of his reverie, "And yes, it is beautiful out here. It's always important to remember what it is one is fighting for."

"Indeed. And one must be ever vigilant - tragedy can struck even the most beautiful and peaceful of places... And not even due to evil influences or the like - sometimes it's just the whims of fate..." Zorlen looks thoughtfully to the distance for a bit, before snapping back to the conversation about the well.

"I'd say that's the point of the story, actually, in its many versions. To serve as a cautionary tale, warning people away from the well, which can be dangerous even if it is just a mundane one, as well as the dangers of the road, and of bargaining with evil forces beyond our control."

"Yes, I'm sure we could." Grod says, in response to Garen, subconsciously reaching over his shoulder to touch the handle of his axe.

Perhaps noticing the growing impatience of his erstwhile audience, Aldern turns back soon after showing them the Wisher's Well, returning to the Goblin Squash Stables as the sun creeps high in the sky.

As the group nears the simple stables, they spot Otis and Cy, seemingly in a deep argument with a member of the Sandpoint Militia. Drawing nearer, they catch the tail end of the guardsman's tirade. "...not know where they went? Lord Foxglove hired you, for Desna's sake!" Otis crosses his arms, jutting his bearded chin pugnaciously. "Hired us, told us he didn't need our help, and paid us anyway. Him and his pals are out somewhere - we don't know where, do we, Cy?" Seemingly unmoved from his position leaning against the hitching post, the lanky Eriksson brother adds his two copper pinch to the conversation. "Ayep. Don't know, don't give a damn." Spotting the eclectic group approaching, he nods in their direction, indicating their presence to the others. "...Still don't give a damn."

Leaving the Eriksson brothers to their own devices, the guard approaches the party. "Sorry to bother you, but Sheriff Hemlock insisted. He said there's some new news about the goblin raid - said that as the ones responsible for saving the town, you deserved to know. Naffer Vosk from the graveyard is there, and some hunter from out of town - I'd get there quick, if I was you."

"Don't blame Otis and Cy, they did their job even if the job was leave off," A smile, then she gets the news, and her smile lessens, but her interest rises, "We'll get there right away."

She says to her Pony, "Quickly Fab, the Game is afoot, or in your case, a hoof!"

”Lead the way man,” Garen says ready to be off. ”Lord Foxglove, thank you for your hospitality and your gracious gifts. Perhaps we will see you again after we have met with the sheriff.”

Tot tries to get her horse put up and slip back to the tavern without being noticed. Surely the others are the ones that the sheriff wishes to see, not some tiefling who only barely helped at all.

Feel free to drag Tot along.

As they approach the town Erridon moves the horse closer to Aldern. "Thank you sir. I enjoyed the ride. If we do mount a trip back out to check out Wisher's Well and you are still in the town, would you want to come along? We never know when we might need a hero like you along after all!"

As the group takes the horses to the stables Erridon tries to stay with Tot. Noticing that she is trying to separate from the group he moves along with her and touches her arm to get her attention. "That 'news' sounds ominous. I think the group could definitely use you along with us. After all, you are one of us!" With a (hopefully) charming smile he tries to guide her back to the group.

Zorlen nods gravely at Erridon's words as he sees him addressing Tot."I agree with Ari, Tot. I'm not buying this 'they deserve to know, because they saved the town'. We're clearly being called to a meeting, and our presence seems urgent, from the sound of it. If they just wanted to pass these 'news' along, they could have done so afterwards, or through our friend here." Zorlen gestures towards the guard that came looking for them, before carrying on.

"If the sheriff specifically requested our presence, I'm guessing they want to ask for our help, due to the way we handled ourselves against the goblins. And your help was invaluable in those fights. It'd be foolish not to have you along as well."

Another thing Erridon notices is that when Tot looks down to get off, her eyes swiftly go to looking at the ceiling. It takes her a moment to work up the courage to climb down. The young tiefling jumps when she feels Erridon's touch at her elbow. After turning to face Erridon as he and then Zorlen encourage her to come with them, she looks down and nods. It appears that her attempts to go unnoticed were in vain.

"A-alright. I'll go," she says softly.

Grod pats his horse on the head, uses a few castings of Create Water to put some in its trough, then heads in the general direction of the others. To a distant observer, he looks to be walking at a leisurely pace, but that's an illusion caused by his height. If he knew where the sheriff's office was, he'd have outpaced all of them by now. "Think they found the goblins' base or something?" he asks whoever's close.

Isidiana calls back to Grod "Possibly, could be a second wave and given the first that's enough to send terror through the town I am sure. I know we're new, but I like these people so far. Sandpointers seem to be overall nice. Nice humans are in short supply. We must keep them alive for future breeding of more nice humans."

Noticing Tot almost jump at his touch Ari quickly pulls his hand back. She must have been thinking about something important!

Once they start moving he tries to start a conversation. Nothing personal... so, "Um, Tot? I noticed during the fight that you are pretty good at fighting. I'm not bad with my rapier, but I can't wear armor while I fight or it would interfere with my spells. Kind of like Zorlen. He cast an armor spell on me so I wouldn't be so easily hurt. I wish I could cast that spell! But anyway. I was wondering, where did you learn? Do they train everyone there or is it special ones only, or did you have to pay a lot for it?"

He glances over at her, realizing that this might be a bad subject too, a question about her past....

Garen follows the man from horseback as if he is ready to ride forth upon the word of the sheriff.

Will(To not panic): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 HAHA! That's just perfect! Looks like I was wrong about nothing affecting that convo Tot wanted to have with Ameiko.

Tot freezes as Erridon asks her where she learned to fight. That was the exact question which she had hoped would never be asked of her. She trembles as she pales and grabs her arms. Her tail holds still as she takes a step back, then another. She shakes her head before running down a nearby alley without a word. Despite her small stature, she is a swift runner and is rounding another bend as she puts as much distance as she can between herself and the others.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Erridon is surprised when Tot runs off, down an alley, but reacts by jogging after her. She quickly out distances the young man and disappears around a corner. "Tot! Please stop. Whatever I said I'm sorry!"

He turns to follow but doesn't see her so he slows to a walk listening. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Hearing her but still not seeing Erridon stops. "Tot? I can hear you but not see you. I'm so sorry for upsetting you. I'm really wanting to be friends with you. I think you're cute, and smart, and very interesting. But I always ask stupid questions. Most of the girls here don't like me much too because I ask too many questions. Please don't run away! I want you to stay here and be my friend!" He wants to stop, just shut up and maybe let her come out but can't.... "Please! When I talk too much please just tell me to stop. It won't offend me. Nothing you could do or say will upset me. Please come out!"

Tot goes silent, save for a sniffle every now and then, as Erridon talks. She recognizes the pleading in his voice, the same kind of loneliness that had led to her wanting to find someplace to settle down and make her home. A long moment passes as she tries to think through what she should do, but her mind keeps going in a thousand different directions, like a kitten skittering around on ice.

She pokes her head out, eyes red from crying and still bright with tears. She can't bring herself to face Erridon, both from embarrassment and shame that she'd made him worry.

"I-It--It wasn't a stupid question," she says. "Y-you c-c-couldn't know. I-I-I-I j-just h-h-hoped that n-no one w-w-would ask."

Her head disappears as she slumps back behind the barrel. The question about trust comes back to her mind. She wants Erridon to trust her, but the thought of telling him even some of what she's been through has her frightened.

"I'm not smart, nor brave," she tells Erridon after taking a steadying breath. "I'm a coward. I'm a coward who runs away whenever I can, and if I was smart, I would have learned to be a better liar. I--I don't even try anymore. Everyone can see right through me."

Erridon stands quietly for several seconds. He is glad that she stopped running. ”Can I sit down beside you?” Unless she stops him he sits.

”You’re not a coward. You rushed in and fought those goblins like a real hero. And you didn’t have to, you don’t live here…. yet.” He glances at her hoping for a smile, or at least not a look of fear.

”And while it might not have been a stupid question, I shouldn’t have asked anything. You’ve been pretty clear that you don’t want to talk about yourself. I just have trouble stopping. PLEASE! Just tell me to stop! I won’t get upset.”

He looks directly at her again, holding her gaze unless she looks away. ”How about this instead? I’ll tell you something about me. Something that I don’t tell many other people. No pressure to you. Just for you to know something about me?”

He waits for an answer before saying anything else.

Though he can't see it, Tot nods when Erridon asks if he can sit next to her. The petite tiefling sits curled up in a ball, her knees pulled into her chest and her head laying on her arms. There's a look of shame and melancholy on her face as she listens to the young, inquisitive man.

"I--I'm afraid of heights," she says before letting out a wry chuckle. "Even just being up on that horse was terrifying when I looked down to get off. As for the goblins, I've more than enough reason to hate the loathsome wretches and want them dead."

She looks up and gives Erridon a shy smile.

"You're a very kind man, Ari, and I wouldn't feel right after you came after me to apologize if I didn't give something in return for learning something about you."

Not that I want to interrupt the scene between Tot and Erridon, but I figure I'd keep the rest of the conversation going as well for the rest of us :)

Despite the apparent seriousness of the situation, Zolren can't help but chuckle at Isidiana's comment about the "nice humans". As he's about to give his view on Grod's suggestion, Tot takes off, followed closely by Erridon.

"I don't know what that was about, but I'm guessing it's best if we leave those two alone for a bit. I'm sure Ari will be able to find us when they're ready."

"As for what's waiting for us at that meeting... It's though to say, but that's a good possibility, Master Grod. Have us go scout out their base, or even attack if we're confident we can take them on, without the sheriff having to spare members of the city guards and militia that might be necessary if there's another attack on the town. What I can't understand is how Naffer Vosk fits into all this... He's the one who tends to the boneyard. Why'd he be called to a meeting of this nature?"

Erridon accepts Tot’s words as acceptance of his offer. ”It’s my story, but it starts before I was born. I noticed earlier that it upset you when I mentioned Sarenrae. I won’t ask why, or anything else. But part of my story concerns her.” He touches her hand, hoping to not upset her.

”I’m twenty years old so not everyone considers me to be a man yet. Anyway, before I was born my parents were having a lot of trouble trying to have a baby. Mom prayed, really crying for help from the God she believes in. Well, she says that her prayers were directly answered. I wasn’t conceived the normal way. She says that Sarenrae gave me to her. I don’t really know of course cause I wasn’t born yet. So really, I’m not a regular human. I’m not special or anything, except to my parents. But that’s how I came to exist.”

”I hope that doesn’t sound too silly. Mom says that it’s totally true.. You can ask her if…. I mean when you meet her!?”

Tot blushes as he touches her hand. Her heart beats a little faster as notices how warm his fingers feel. The tiefling finds it a little harder to focus on what Erridon is saying, and it takes her a moment to realize his tale is finished.

"I--I wasn't upset because you mentioned Sarenrae. I don't know much about the gods. I--I was upset because of the events that hearing her name reminded me of." She hesitates a moment before uncurling and turning to face Erridon and timidly taking his hand in hers. "I--I w-would like to meet your mother. She sounds like a nice lady."

Erridon puts his other hand on top of her hands that were holding his. ”She’d love to meet you. But I think first we need to catch up with the group and find out why we’re needed again. But please don’t embarrass me by outrunning me again. That might make me look silly.” He stands and offers a hand to help her up. ”Or should I hold your hand to help me keep up with you ?” He smiles while saying this, but also holds her hand if she lets him.

Tot nods and takes Erridon's hand when he offers it to help her to her feet. She returns his smile with a shy one of her own as she holds his hand and doesn't let go as they walk back together.

Not that I want to interrupt the scene between Tot and Erridon, but I figure I'd keep the rest of the conversation going as well for the rest of us :)

Despite the apparent seriousness of the situation, Zolren can't help but chuckle at Isidiana's comment about the "nice humans". As he's about to give his view on Grod's suggestion, Tot takes off, followed closely by Erridon.

"I don't know what that was about, but I'm guessing it's best if we leave those two alone for a bit. I'm sure Ari will be able to find us when they're ready."

"She seems to have moments" Less mockery, more concern, "But yes, let's not crowd them."

"As for what's waiting for us at that meeting... It's though to say, but that's a good possibility, Master Grod. Have us go scout out their base, or even attack if we're confident we can take them on, without the sheriff having to spare members of the city guards and militia that might be necessary if there's another attack on the town. What I can't understand is how Naffer Vosk fits into all this... He's the one who tends to the boneyard. Why'd he be called to a meeting of this nature?"

"Good question, did the goblins vandalize it?" She is sure they will find out but she's curious NOW.

Happily strolling with Tot Erridon turns his mind to the task ahead . ”So, I wonder what has Naffer Vosk upset. I don’t think the sheriff would want us for vandalism in the graveyard. Maybe some goblins are holding a family crypt? I know they aren’t very smart, but that beats any level of stupidity that I can imagine….” Unsure he does speed his pace a little bit. He keeps holding Tot’s hand through.

Tot keeps up with Erridon's longer-legged stride. The others can see she's been crying, but now a smile spreads across her face as she giggles.

"Goblins are quite clever in some areas, but stupefyingly dimwitted in others. Hiding in a crypt would make perfect sense to them," she says.

Erridon chuckles at Tot's words. Seems he's doing a lot of that now.... "Well, if we find goblins hiding there, maybe we can hide their bodies inside forever!?!" He stumbles over a rock but is able to keep on his feet. "Maybe I need to focus more on my footing. I'm not rushing you am I? We do want to catch up with the group before they find out why we are called, right?"

"Bleh, no! They stink something awful when they die. I had to burn a set of clothes because of how bad the smell was and no amount of washing got rid of the stench," Tot says just before Erridon stumbles. After they both recover their footing, and Erridon asks if he's rushing her, Tot shakes her head.

"I'm fine. I'm used to having to keep up with people with longer legs than I have," she says. "I'm sorry for running off like that. I just--I just panicked," she admits, her cheeks burning duller with shame.

Erridon thinks while he walks along with Tot's hand in his. Why does he like her so much? He hardly knows anything about her. Is she 'good'? He thinks she is. He hopes that she is. He feels like she is. But.... He knows that he really doesn't have much experience determining if someone is good or not. And he doesn't have all that much experience with girls.... He glances at Tot and remembers, his first 'girlfriend'. Cindy. But they were just little kids. Cindy taught him, well, she taught him how not to kiss a girl. Shelly actually taught him the right way. But she was the first one to break up with him because he asked too many questions. And Alice. She taught him to take time and not always believe. That wasn't the lesson she planned to teach him, as she came to his mother and said she was carrying his baby! A lie of course as his mother asked him what they'd actually done together. Mom explained then how babies were 'made', and he hadn't done that with Alice! Turned out that Alice was with child, but the tusk that the boy had when he was born proved beyond anyone's doubt that it wasn't Ari's!

Erridon wonders even how old Tot is. She looks so young, and her fear makes her look even younger. He thought that she was a couple of years younger than him. But his experience there wasn't very reliable. He'd thought that the 'girl' Viera was a year or so older than him when she taught him about what Alice had pretended. She'd supposedly been visiting with her family from Magnimar. Later he'd learned that she had run off from her husband, in Magnamar, to 'have fun and adventure like she couldn't have at home.' Whatever that meant?

His naiveté knew no bounds, which was why he asked so many questions! Well, someday maybe he'd know the answers, at least to most of his questions....

"Well, you don't need to run off any more. No panic amongst friends! You've nothing to fear from any of us, especially me!" His smile is friendly and genuine. He does like her and plans to try and stop asking ANY questions of her.

A shadow passes over Tot's expression as Erridon tries to reassure her.

"I-it's not you nor the others I fear," she mumbles. Despite the darkening of her mood, she clings close to Erridon. Something about his presence seems to put her at ease, despite all of the questions he asks. She sighs, trying to stop her spiraling thoughts before they can start again.

"Still, it does mean a lot to me that you care about how I feel," Tot says more clearly. Her mood brightens as she looks up and gives Erridon a small smile of her own. "You're the first one to call me even kinda cute."

Erridon tightens his grip on Tot's hand and slows his stride to a halt. Turning to directly face her he smiles to hopefully keep her calm. He speaks at normal volume. "I just want you to know.... I know very little about you, and that's fine because your past is yours. But you have helped this town, my home, when you didn't have to. You have accepted me as a friend, even though I've foolishly scared you several times. Of course I care! And I think that you are cute, not just kinda cute. Kinda cute is a puppy that bites at your fingers cause it doesn't know better, or a baby that's actually all puckered up and ugly. You're, well I think full grown, and you have cute freckles, and a nice smile, and don't try to hide your fangs. They are part of you! I'd ask for a hug but don't want to worry you with that, or you break me in half cause you're stronger than me...."

He pauses and Tot can easily see that his smile is in his eyes too. "Now I've delayed us again, cause I wanted you to understand me better. But maybe now we should jog the rest of the way? Not a hard run though cause I still want to hold your hand?"

By the time Erridon asks her if they should jog, Tot's too flustered to talk. She just nods and lets Erridon set the pace.

Is--Is this what it's like to have friends, she asks herself. He thinks I'm cute, and--and I have no idea what to do! Her thoughts whirl as she jogs along behind Erridon and holding his hand.

"Where's this sheriff man? Are you going to run us all over town?" Garen asks of the guard.

Grod sees Erridon and Tot coming back toward the group, nods levelly to them, then returns his attention to Garen's questioning of the guard. Note to self: don't come between those two. Tot had caught his eye, but he'd learned long ago that interfering with other people's business was how you got an axe in your face. Learned from watching others rather than personal experience, thankfully.

Isidiana also looks about as Garen inquires. SHe's still getting used to the lay of sandpoint

Rejoining the group Erridon glances out in the cemetery for the Sheriff and Naffer Vosk. "There. Sheriff? We're here. What happened? More goblin trouble?"

He points the group toward the Sheriff.

Still feeling embarrassed about panicking and running off, Tot tries to hide behind Erridon as much as she can without letting go of his hand. When she sees Isidiana, she remembers asking the gnomish bard to keep her out of any stories or songs she told about what happened, for all the good it did. When she and Erridon get close to Izzy, Tot reaches out and gentle taps the gnome's shoulder with her free hand.

"Um, th-thanks for not mentioning me in your song," the tiefling says. "E-e-even if it seems like that was in vain."