It's summer.  Cold is not an issue, but you let your visitors in none-the-less.

Farden is the most heavily armed and armored of the trio. His armor and shield and his short, powerful build makes him look like a small walking fort.

He bows politely to Israth and murmurs a greeting, but seems otherwise content to let Holly do the talking.

"Thank you Israth." Holly says as she quickly moves inside. She had already instructed Moonlight to amuse himself while she was inside, and as she moved into the lodge she bows to the elders in the room, showing the respect she had been taught.

"You know Leon then?" Holly asks as they get comfortable. "He says that you might be interested in a proposal we have. It seems we need to visit Silvergate, and he suggested you might like to come with us." She wasn't trying to deliberately offend the elders, but as Israth had opened the door, she assumed he was open to being talked to directly, rather than asking his parents their permission. Looking him over, she saw someone who was comfortable in himself, and that on top of Leon's recommendation made the proposal more digestable from her point of view. Only Glumr was left of those she had grown up with in Volge. She knew she had little to fear from a Triplefang male, as they were taught tradition. However, being the only female was likely to be taxing.

Giselle wonders what's happening at the door that's keeping Israth's attention.  It was doubtful that it was trouble, but you never knew.  Patting her thigh she attracts the attention of her two hunting dogs, as she appears behind Israth to peer over his shoulder to the newcomers.

She nods politely to the new comers giving them curious looks, leaving the talking to Israth.  "Hello.", she says with a curt nod as they file in.

"He said that? That I might like to come with you? How... interesting." Israth commented, bringing his hand up to stroke his non-existent beard (it was more stubbly then anything actually). Looking over at his sister as she came up, he introduced them all in turn, filling her in to the situation. "My only concern is that it's late and I might be a little hasty to make such decisions. We have extra room here; why don't you three, er, four stay here for the night, and I can get you my answer in the morning? You won't get much traveling in tonight anyway, unless you can see in the dark." he chuckled.

Holly looked at the other two and then back at Israth, "Thank you Israth, we will accept your hospitality. I have a guide in the night, but as you say, we should let you make your decision in the light of day."

To Holly it was nice to be within a lodge of friendly faces again, and the night sky showed it was an auspicous meeting indeed. When she had an opportunity, she went outside to meet with Moonlight, and perform the required ritual of the new full moon. It was her moon really, the one that always linked to the special times in her life. So far it had not failed her. Leaving Moonlight to watch over the outside of the lodge, she returned to her friends, and looked forward to a quiet nights sleep.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:44, Wed 06 July 2011.

Giselle just manages to refrain from rolling her eyes.  She hated when Israth played with his chin fuzz as if it were a full grown beard.

"We have a stable for your horses if you'd like me to show you?", Giselle doesnt bother to see if any of them follow, she just leaves patting her thigh and making a kissing sound, that seems to attract her two dogs to follow her along out the door at a trot.

It was about time to give Tempest his feeding, and a good brushing and rub down so it worked out.

Glumr looks a little ragged.  He's beat, hurt, and bloodies, but still has an air of good spirits around him.  He's covered in a cloak made of dark woodland colors with a floppy hat to match.  This hangs around him, breaking up his lines to make him less noticeable in the wilds.

The cloak covers Glumr's leathers, which are worn in and also colored with earth tones and greens.  An exotic scimitar is on his hip and each boot has a throwing dagger strapped to the side.  On his back is his pack with a bow and quiver as well.  He's holding some rolled leaf in his teeth, sweet smoke wisping around his head.

Glumr flicks the smoke away before entering the dwelling.  Listening to everyone make introductions as Holly handles the interaction.

Glumr takes his hat off and speaks up "Aye... There's no need to rush and we could all use a good nights rest."  It's obvious that Glumr's comment is a statement on their current ragged condition.  "sleep on it and decide tomorrow.  But we could always use another good person to join us on our adventures.  On the way, I'll tell you about our journeys and what we've been working towards long term and maybe you'll decide to travel with us beyond silvergate."

Glumr answers Giselle as she walks out the door.  "Appreciated, the horses would welcome a night in your stable. I'll give you a hand once we're finished speaking with Israth."

OCC - Dont forget to update the cart as I took my potion back into my possession.

DM: It has already been updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:20, Tue 05 July 2011.

"Much appreciated." says Farden, as he leads his horse over to the stables.

"So, Giselle, was it? Are you a bard like Israth?" he asks, obviously making small talk.

"Bard?  No.  I do a honest days work for my meals.  I don't sing for them.", she comments no nonsense.

Giselle leads Farden out to a barn nearby.  Giselle, helps any who follows to get their mounts settled in on the barn.  She'll take a moment to show them where the stable feed and the water pump are located before tending to her own horse.  Samson and Delilah nip and play about nearby in the yard since they're not needed for anything pressing at the moment.

She's a little wary of the strangers.  It's not in her nature to be immediately trusting, though to be honest, theres little here anyone would really want.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Tue 05 July 2011.

Holly is glad that she can give the Dun a little attention, which of course soon brings Moonlight in for his fare share. When Holly ignores him, he surprises her and goes over to Giselle and nudges her, as if asking for something.

"Sorry Giselle, he gets a little frisky on the new full moon." Holly says before quickly finishing with the Dun. "I'll take him for a quick run, and he'll be fine." With that, Holly moves out into the grassland and whistles to Moonlight. Once out into the open, she runs alongside him, jumping onto his back a few times for the fun of it. Finally leaving Moonlight out in the night, she returns to the lodge, her duties done.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Wed 06 July 2011.

Since Farden followed Giselle outside, and Holly went to give attention to her horse, Glumr is left alone with Israth. "Let me take this moment to tell you about our current quest" Glumr says to him.

"The group of us have come a long way, meeting new faces and saying good by to others.  In these travels we've been tasked to return a songbook that was taken from the harpers.  Well not so much taken as it was given in a dupe.  The person who took it is named Jacob and I fear that my friends and I are no match for him.  We tried to best him and only escaped with our lives because he wanted us to.  Which is why our ragged appearance."  Glumr gestures to his numerous injuries.

"Since we cant best him, we are waiting for his sale of this song book so that we might take it from the merchants he is doing business with in Silvergate.  They are selling it to someone from the Empire and we are going to take the book once it leaves Jacob's possession.  That is why we need your help."

Glumr goes on "Flavious and Claudious are the merchants.  Claudious seems to be the more legitimate and public figure of the two, where Flavious does the secret deals behind closed doors.  We will know Flavious from his bodyguard.  The guard will have metal armor and a red cape and seem out of place.  Once they have the book they intend to sail it to the Empire on an Empire ship.  We need to get that book and return it to the harpers." Glumr takes a breath.  This is a lot of talking.

"If you help us, then you can accompany us on our true quest.  There is a book held by a proctor of a city and he will sell us a book that when we write our names in it, it will transform us into legends.  The book will empower us and record our deeds by magic until our deaths, where it is wiped clean and waits the next signature.  If we posses this book, it will add to our abilities and I think will give us the strength we need to help clear the lands from the goblin threat and keep our lands safe.  Think of all the good we can do by taking advantage of its powers.  This was told to me by the Champion of Goldenpoint after we saved his life.  Being who he is an a man of the church, I believe his word.  But that's a story for the road. I want to add that if you came with us you'd be an equal entitled to equal share. But that being said, we're pulling what we earn together so that we can purchase this artifact, so we intend to spend only on what we need for our travels.  Any items we may find"  Glumr gestures at his scimitar "would be split up as fairly and equally as we can.  Now I hope I've told you enough to convince you to come with us. Do you have any questions before you sleep on it?"

Listening to the odd-looking man's story, Israth nodded along with what he was saying, memorizing key parts for later retelling. He was, after all, a bard, and what were bards without stories to tell? "At the very least, my friend, this seems like a very interesting adventure that will produce many good tales to retell. In the morning, I will talk to my sister to see if she wants to join us, if I decide to go... which I likely will." he admits, looking at the bow on the wall that he used for hunting. It could be used for more... useful ends, as well, if one needed to. "She is quite handy with a sword, and has bested me more then once with wooden sparring weapons. I would hate to face her in real combat."

"Sounds good to me.  We can always use another sword and friend on the trails." Glumr nods in agreement.

Farden continues chatting to Giselle while Glumr and Holly jaw inside. "Most bards I know would claim singing and playing an instrument is hard work." he says with a slight smile.

"Show me callousous on thier hands, and dirt beneath their nails, and i might be inclined to concede agreement.", Giselle comments without looking away from her chore of brushing her horses coat.

"So I see you're an archer then?" Israth asks as he eyes the bow on Glumr's back. "I'm a bit of a bowmaker myself. Made that beauty over there by hand." he commented, pointing to a rather well treated bow hanging on the wall, which he walks towards and pulls off the wall. Smiling a little, he adds quietly, "Adventuring again will bring some excitement to this drab life I have been experiencing lately."

"oh, they get calluses all right. Especially the string players."

"I am.  I've played with a bow in youth, but I'm just beginning to polish my skills.  That is a nice bow.  Maybe someday I'll ask you to make me one. "  Glumr says with a wink.  "But it will be nice to have another archer around to discuss our skills and help each other improve.  And yes...  I do love adventuring.  I expect that the road will be my home more than Volge from now on.  I can't wait to see where the trails all lead."

"I grew up in the wilds around Volge and love being in the wilds much more than in a city or town.  It's much more peaceful out there.  I've been learning the ways of nature since I started traveling and have found that my spirit lies with Ehlonna.  What about you?  Do you follow a particular deity?  And how did you learn your skills?"  Glumr enjoys talking with Israth.  They seem to have a bit in common.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Wed 06 July 2011.

At some point everyone returns inside.  It sounds like Israth is interested in joining our heroes, but no one has really mentioned anything to Giselle yet.  We'll assume that Giselle's player knows the basics of what's going on already from playing Snow, so you can gloss over the details if you'd like.

After that are you planning to leave right away the next morning?
Do you want to show nathan the cottage site first?
Holly recovered her spells at some point this evening and can take whatever mix she'd like.  She can do some more healing.  She and Glumr are still injured. (both need 9 points of healing)
Do you need any supplies or equipment?  Don't worry about food or water.  Crim will supply those for free.
Is there anything you'd like to ask around town about?

If asked, Giselle will simply nod, and agree to come along.  She doesnt need too much convincing, especially if Israth has already been convinced.

I do not want to waste time, but leave first thing in the morning. As Farden says -

"It is possible Jacob is expecting us to follow and has more tricks up his sleeve. I don't care. I do NOT want to take on his customer.

Jacob and his stooges are a known quantity, and I would much rather go up against them. Jacob is a crook, we rob him no one will blink. If we rob his buyer, we will be ticking off an unknown government. I don't want some king or duke after me, do you?"

"Jacob beat us easy! Real easy Farden. I will not chase him. The buyer we might find easier target, and thats a possibility we should chase down before anything else. As to an empire hunting us, we are Triplefang. I always thought we feared no Empire!" Holly said vehermently, aware her traditional upbringing was coming to the fore.

"My mother and father were raiding the empire when I was still not born. Triplefang is our clan!" With that, Holly walks off to calm down. She had thought they had decided against trying to outwit Jacob and his gang. Whistling for Moonlight, she was pleased to see come over and nuzzle her. Taking out a well hidden apple, she fed him his treat, and wrapped her arms around his head as she felt herself gain control. Why was it that the new moon, her moon, made her feel like this sometimes...

"I agree with Holly... from talking with Leonardo and Elias, I think it would be much easier to get the book after it's changed possession.  And as for the kind or duke, dont forget this isnt property bought legally."  Glumr shrugs at Holly's dramatic exit.  "Either way, I need to show Nathan the spot for the cottage before we ride out.  I could also use some tending to these wounds.   Maybe I should head back to the shrine in the morning for another round of healing."  After a pause Glumr asks "You wouldn't have a spare pint of ale or two would you?"

Israth is, for once, at a loss for words. "Perhaps if I understood the scenario better, I would be able to intuit some advice. And that ale all depends on whether or not my father has drank it all. Let me go check." he states, heading out of the main room to go look for some beverages. Coming back, he's carrying a small tankard over his shoulder with a few mugs in his other hand, handing them out to whoever wants them. "Might as well have a drink before we go. It's home-brewed, so my apologies if it isn't the greatest draft you have ever had." he explains as he pours himself a cup and takes a rather hearty gulp of it.