Joe thinks 'So far as missing over half my shots goes towards capable.' At Gale's remark.  Though it probably helped he made the shots that mattered.

  "I do suppose our tendency towards hoods causes some difficulty distinguishing us from everything else that looks the same from the neck down."

Upon seeing the goblin waking and seeming to be OK for now, Timothius cracks a hopeful little smile. "Don't worry. You'll be OK." he reassures the goblin.

When Elric asks if Timothius is OK, he suddenly remembers he has a javelin sticking out of him. "Oh! Uh... ow?" he says, chuckling nervously before looking back at Elric. "I'll be OK soon as I remove this thing. It's more wedged in my armor than my actual chest, so it's not as bad as it looks." he says before wincing as he grabs the javelin to try yanking it out. "Some help pulling it out would be nice, though, I'm in a bad angle for that."

Timothius doesn't want to appear as a thief, but isn't sure how much he trusts the village either. But so far, the village seemed normal and according to the dwarf, the guy who stole it is unknown and the item was sold to him. Figuring it best to trust the law for now (Well he IS lawful good) and return what isn't his to where it was before he showed up, he offers the horn totem to the dwarf. But since he's busy having a javelin removed, he says, "Well here's your totem back... I'd stand and give it, but I'm kinda tied up at the moment." He does, however, make sure to stay with the goblin, knowing villagers can react quite fiercely against goblins. Especially ones who attack them.

Garwan strokes is beard and halfway reaches to take back the horn totem.

"On second thought," he thinks aloud, retracting his hand, "You four have more than earned this.  Please, keep it as my token of appreciation for your repelling the invasion.  Perhaps you'll sell it for something even better in your adventures, or perhaps you'll keep it as a reminder of an old Dwarf's gratitude.  Either way, it's yours to do with as you see fit."

His smile broadens.

"You're one tough customer!  Why, members of my own family would be pitching a fuss about getting shish kabobed!  I'd be honored if you'd grace me with your company at The Tankard!"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Fri 24 July 2009.

The leader of the Loudwater Patrol binds the Goblin Hexer with rope and remains quiet.  His face shows that he approves of both of the Dwarf's offers.

Elric moves to assist Timothius in the removal of the javelin while saying, “Before we return the totem, we probably should find out what it does. For all we know it could be used in a ritual to cloak the world in darkness. But if it is harmless, then I agree that it should be returned. If only to ease relations between the goblins and the villagers to insure there are no more attacks.”

"Return it to the goblins?" Gale asks in surprise.

She rubs her chin and thinks about it for a while.

"Well something tells me we're going to wind up having to confront more goblins one way or another in the near future, and choosing when could be to our advantage.  The horn totem could be a useful bargaining chip..."

She looks toward the now roped-up Cutters who surrendered.

"You two have been comparatively co-operative...  So what's so valuable about this horn totem that you and your allies were willing to risk lives over it?"

"Tell them nothing!" the Hexer commands, "Or you shall pay with y-fummagumma"

The Hexer is interrupted with the elderly elf's boot to his head.

The goblin cutters cringe and begin spilling all they "know" about the horn totem.

"It is a mighty weapon!" one says.

"An heirloom of great symbolic value!" the other adds.

"You can slay a giant with it!"

"But we only use it in religious festival."

"It gives the holder the strength of 10 goblins!"

"A historical artifact.  You can't put a price on art!"

The leader of the Loudwater Patrol looks very unconvinced.

"Gag them," he commands, "I'll listen to their lies later when I can conduct a proper interview."

He looks over at the heroes.

"As Garwan hinted, you have the thanks of all of Loudwater for your repelling this invasion.  Elric has made a very good point that this artifact is most likely key to something even more dangerous.  But you all need to recover from the battle, so for now we can set aside such concerns and relax and talk comfortably.  The Tankard would be a wonderful place to do just that if you like, and if the owner isn't willing to feed you in thanks, then Garwan and I shall cover the cost of the meal at least."

Garwan nods in agreement.

"I'll pitch in too!" Sunsteen adds, "It's the least I can do."

"It's but a few steps this way," Harrowleaf continues, "Do you need help getting there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Fri 24 July 2009.

Timothius blushes. He winces from the Hexer getting a boot-to-the-head, but nervously grins and nods to the words of the people around. To Garwan, he replies, "You humble me with your words... the honor is ours." he says, glancing around at his companions. "Thanks, Elric. And yes... I'll hold on to the horn since it's been entrusted to me. And I fully intend to return it to it's rightful owner when I know that is safe." he glances at Harrowleaf, but doesn't contradict him on whether the goblins are lying or not.

  Joe hopes to get in an answered question before gagging takes place.  "Just so we're clear, does it slay Giants in the traditional house punting size sense, or slay 'giants' by a size comparison to wielder sense?"

  A less important, but likely considered more sensible comment from Joe is "I'll be sure to only go for the average free meal, as opposed to springing for the sort that costs more than a room."

OOC Style: Seriously, you just barely edge out as it is with the Common food/drink vs common Room.  Common Meal and ale, 4 sp.  Common room, 5 Sp.  A Luxury Room is 2 Gp, while Fancy meal and fancy drink are 5 Gp.  Each.

Elric nods in agreement with Timothius' statement before glancing at Joe and tilting its head slightly as the warforged cleric wonders what the horn actually does. Elric figures that pondering about the horn is slightly less likely to lead to insanity than pondering about what Joe has said. Elric just can't understand why anyone would pay that more for food than for lodging.  Although Elric thinks that as a Warforged ones view of food is slightly different than for most other beings. After all Elric never really touches the stuff since Warforged don't feel hunger so the concept of someone wanting to spend a lot of money on food is a mystery to the Warforged Cleric.

The goblin cutters are stumped by Joe's question, but the shopkeeper isn't.

"The latter," Garwan answers, "According to the wizard who sold it to me, even a giant could find it useful if he were to get into a fight with an adult dragon, or anything else that out-sizes a giant for that matter."

The group is escorted to the Green Tankard Tavern, coincidentally the building that Gale introduced her companions in front of.  The tavern’s large common room holds a gregarious group that includes townspeople, riverboat folk, merchants, farmers, and now a few individuals wearing the badges of the Loudwater Patrol thanks to the excitement earlier.  A cheerful looking halfling approaches the group and introduces himself.

"Marsh Laval at your service, heroes!" he exclaims, "Welcome to the Green Tankard Tavern!  Please make yourselves comfortable!  May I take your orders?  Don't worry it's on the house, so feel free to indulge!"

Just then, the man who Timothius revived rushes in, spots Timothius, and kneels in front of him.

"I apologize that I didn't thank you properly earlier, sir," he says, sounding a little frightened, "But you have my deepest thanks for saving my life!  Bringing me back from the brink of death!  Gods be praised!  Especially the one who sent you!  Please tell me what I must do to repay you!"

An elegantly dressed half-elf woman steps in and grins in amusement at the commotion being raised by Timothius' new worshiper.  She walks over to Harrowleaf and laces her fingers with an authoritative air, as if expecting to be introduced.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:16, Sun 26 July 2009.

"Well," Captain Harrowleaf says, "I suppose some introductions are in order.  The man on the floor is Jay Pitt, a merchant.  I am Captain Harroleaf, leader of the Loudwater Patrol.  This is Lady Moonfire, the Mayor of our town.  This is Garwan, the proprietor of the curiosity shop from which the horn totem was taken.  And of course Marsh Laval has already introduced himself.  Everyone, it is my privilege to introduce the heroes who repelled today's goblin invaders: Gale, Timothius, Elric, and Joe."

People inside and outside the Tankard clap and cheer, clamoring to congratulate and praise the new town heroes.

During Harrowleaf's speech, Marsh Laval hurries to put a few tables and chairs together to accommodate the large group, then pulls out a chair for Lady Moonfire who sits.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Sun 26 July 2009.

Seizing the opportunity to show off, Gale waves her hand and a nearby chair which scooches out.  She sits herself down, letting go of her staff which just stands up where it is as if it grew out of the ground.  Some look less impressed than others.

"Well thank you for the warm welcome, everyone," she answers with a confident smile, "And since you're in such a generous mood, Mr. Laval, perhaps we could prevail upon you for lodging?  In either case, as Joe requested, I would love a humble meal.  Beef stew with garlic bread and fruit juice perhaps?"

She faces Lady Moonfire and Harrowleaf who by now has seated himself as has Garwan.

"I'm sure you have many questions you would like to ask us."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Sun 26 July 2009.

  The praising of the one that sent Timothius and the rest of them might not count as deity situational.  Then again, there were some rather confusing Gods according to what he'd paid attention to in passing.

  "Thanks." He comments, being thanked for shooting people was new.  Although usually there were not many around but those he'd be inclined to shoot in those situations so far.  "If what Gale is opting for is convenient, I may as well go for that too." He said as he took a seat, though his bow unfortunately still had to obey gravity leaning against his chair, even if his arrows didn’t seem to some days.

Timothius blushes from the attention. But he's very happy the person is so grateful. "Better you ran off than to make the help given in vain." he offers reassuringly towards the apology. He pulls out a chair for the man and offers to help him to his feet. "If you would like to join us, we were just about to eat. As for how you can repay me, I am not one to demand payment for doing what's right. But I am one to ask people to carry that torch. Spare kindness from no one. If you see anyone, even someone you hate, who needs rescuing, do what you can. If you are not capable, find someone who is and ask them to help."

He seats himself only when the subser- err... only when Jay seats himself. Then Timothius offers, "When a criminal gets off the hook, remember that he has not escaped the notice of the Platinum Dragon and will some day be made to pay for his crime. But that same criminal could come to you on his knees some day, pleading for you to save his only child. Even if the child will some day grow up to hate you and even kill you, you should rescue him."

Then, suddenly realizing something, Timothius looks at Captain Harrowleaf. "Forgive me, but... my companions and I have no idea where we are or if we are even in the world we came from. Thank Ioun we all speak the same language, but I'm not taking anything for granted... so... where are we?"

Although Elric sits down with the others, when the topic of food is brought up, the Warforged Cleric of Pelor politely says, “As a Warforged I do not hunger or thirst, however I am well aware that others do, if you wish to give a meal it would be better for one less fortunate to receive it.”

It is only when Timothius brings up the point that the group are strangers to these lands that Elric considers that these villagers might not know of Pelor, or Bahamut. However, Elric knows that now is not the time to ponder what these villagers do believe in. For now, Elric is content to know that they appear to follow a brighter path than those who dwell in darkness.

"It would be an honor, my illustrious guests!" Marsh Laval answers Gale and Joe.

"And a meal for the needy on your behalf shall be provided, sir," he answers Elric with a big smile.

In the eyes of this halfling, there's nothing more generous than giving up a meal to feed someone else, even if you don't need food - something he can't wrap his mind around.  As soon as everyone gives their orders, he hurries off to the kitchen door to shout out the "short-hand" at the cook.

"Two bossies in a bowl, B&B with Halitosis, hug a few!"

He hurries back to the table lest he miss anything interesting.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Tue 28 July 2009.

Timothius' new lapdog bows several times vowing to do as he asks, and accepts the shifter's offer to sit with him.

"Being answered as we speak," Lady Moonfire replies to Gale before facing Timothius.

"You are in the town of Loudwater, connecting the Sword Coast to all points Northeast by way of the Grayflow River."

She pauses to watch the heroes' faces and sees that Joe at least seems to recognize the mention of the Sword Coast, but the others don't.

"The continent of Faerûn ring a bell?  Toril?  Abeir?  The Feywild?"

She notices that the mention of the Feywild seems familiar to everyone and raises an eyebrow.

"Fascinating.  Well that leads me to my other question.  What are your histories?  Where are you from?  How did you wind up here?  What are your goals?  Let's start with you, Gale."

((OOC: From my research on gods and planes and planets and such, the Feywild would be one thing that would be familiar to everyone regardless of where you're from, and no one mentioned actively trying to hide such a thing from Lady Moonfire who as judge and jury of the town is very good at insight checks. ;p  ))
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Tue 28 July 2009.

Gale gathers that Lady Moonfire has been selected as town inquisitor by default.  Who would have guessed the mayor would wind up asking questions on behalf of the town?  She also guesses that at this point honesty is the best policy for minimizing suspicion from the locals.

"I'm from the Domain of Greyhawk which is located centrally in the Flanaess - the easternmost part of the continent of Oerik on the world of Oerth," Gale answers matter-of-factly, while presenting illusions to illustrate her story, "Apprenticed myself to a master wizard in the Free City when I was old enough to do so.  Nothing noteworthy happened to me till this morning when I woke to find myself in a mysterious dungeon that was full of traps and deadly monsters.  With the aid of my new found allies, who apparently were just as mysteriously transported there, I escaped that place only to be dropped off in an alley of this town.  I had just introduced myself and my friends to Mr. Sunsteen..."

She glances about the room, catches sight of him standing at the doorway, and waves.

"When the goblins attacked.  After a full day of fight-or-die in that dungeon...  My friends and I instinctively fought back.  Never mind the fact that the leader of the goblins introduced himself by murdering this fellow in cold blood."

She nods to Jay Pitt who nods vigorously in affirmation.

"So my goal is pretty straight-forward.  I want to find my way back home.  I suppose helping out others survive violent goblin attacks where needed while getting back home would be a given at this point."