Rennick shows the dwarven maulaxe and the shortsword.

The unmistakable sounds of someone angrily stomping down the stairs disturbs the tranquility of the inn's living area.

"What in blazes is all that blasted noise?! What kind of crazy people get up before noon?!"

And there in the doorframe stood Francis, having doubts on whether saving a place that woke to activity so early should have been saved.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:15, Fri 09 Mar 2018.

As Dorak studies the few weapons laid on the table, both the dwarven maulaxe and the shortsword, though finely crafted, are not magical...however the handaxe in Rennick belt glows

Nomerendal awoke, much earlier than he would have liked, but there was something that wouldn't let him sleep. He experienced strange dreams of huge, scaled monsters trying to swoop down and take him away, gigantic mushrooms blasting him with deadly spores, and inanimate objects suddenly coming to life and trying to bite the flesh from his bones...

With a groan, he hoisted himself to his feet and almost without thinking, started his routine. Shouldering his pack, and walking through the kitchen, he palmed a small loaf of fresh bread.

Seeing his companions gathering, the gnome slopped himself onto a tall stool and stuffed a hunk of bread into his mouth. "'ow'd e'ybo'y 'leep?"

Swallowing his bite, he addressed Arell. "What's wrong Arell? You almost look happy..."

Eldrin thanked Rennick for paying for his room the night before and then watched as the others looked over the weapons that they had found, he asked the others inquisitively, "You didn't find any darkwood bows, did you? I've heard tales of legend of the sturdyness and quality of the lumber here and hope to get one someday..."

Rennick points out that it was Arell who suggested paying for the newcomers' lodging out of the loot.
Rennick lives here in Falcon's Hollow and he merely suggested that one of you could share his room.

He then answers Eldrin: "No, we didn't find any bows at all. So, tell me, Eldrin, where do you come from? How did you get up
here, in the woods near Falcon's Hollow? I was born in Oregent, and I came here with a small group of adventurers who wanted to
explore ancient ruins. However, that plan didn't work out as all the others had to leave on some business of their own. I then decided
to accept work as a guard of the Lumber Consortium and wait till I would find another group of adventurers."

Dorak tells Rennick "The dwarven maulaxe and the short sword were both made by master craftsmen. But that handaxe on yer belt has an aura. It's magical, probably increasing your chance o' landing a blow."

Jarlene, the cute darkhaired barmaid who looks to have gypsy blood in her stopped by the table, hi. what'll it be? Ive been told that todays meal and drinks are on the house...a thank you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:43, Sat 10 Mar 2018.

In reply to Rennick Hitman (msg # 643):

Eldrin nodded to Rennick and said, "Right you are. Arell, thank you for sharing as well. Though I don't often require my own room for my reverie. Just a quiet corner where I can sit and be still for a few hours."

He looked around the room to gauge who might overhear his tale and then said, "I was born and raised in Iadara, the capital city of my people's land, Kyonin. Much changed for me a few winters ago and I found my homeland no longer felt a home to me. I have traveled these past few years and ended up in a city, Highhelm where I heard stories of the Darkwood forest and I decided I would see it for myself."

He paused and then asked, "You work for the Lumber Consortium? As a guard? To protect their supplies?"

Rennick answered: "You're from the North then, Eldrin. Quite a distance to travel to the Darkmoon Vale. Well, Oregent is much closer,
it's three or four days travel by foot from here, to the South.
You can even reach it by river from here, though it's a large detour and will take you much longer to travel.
As to my current job, yes, I help to protect the papermill at night and sometimes the cut yard or the Lumber Warehouse.
Can you tell me about Highhelm? I've never been there, but I heard it must be an impressive dwarven stronghold."

Having passed out all most as soon as she walked in the room. Fidget awakens early, baths and then dresses and heads down to the common room to see if the others have arrived yet.

"Ah! Good morning Cousin!" Nomerendal moved over to allow Fidget to sit by him. "I brought you some of my dear old mother's tea... she gathered and prepared it herself. I've not much left of it, but I assumed that after an adven... uh... adventure like we just had, well, perhaps you might like a bit of something familiar?" Nom handed her a very small, waxen pouch that contained a wonderful assortment of dried herbs.

"So... do any of you like to fish?" A lazy day beneath the big tree by the river sounded splendid to the little gnome. He scratched his head, wondering where he'd left his pole and tackle.

Francis had made his way among the others, now that he was already up an' all, but busied himself with feverosly scribbling and sketching in his notebook. The practical in-the-field test of his contraptions had proven very fruitful and revealing.

"I'd like some crombraiyon trim the fat, some toast, cut out the crust, and since you're offering, some sushi on the side." He told the barwench and Mom without looking up from his notes.

In reply to Rennick Hitman (msg # 647):

Eldrin smiled at the question, "Yes it is an impressive feat of dwarven ingenuity. I spent most of my time on the East End of the Ledge, looking over the Verduran Forest, maybe even these trees here, and Mount Kla. But I did venture into the Inner City a few times and marveled at the organization and planning required to build such neatly lined streets of dwellings, alehouses, and shops and the like."

He paused, "I heard tales of the Depths and the dangers and treasures that lurked there but I'd already made up my mind about visiting the Darkwood Forest..."

"I'm sure our dwarven friends wouldn't mind visiting Highhelm someday."

Dorak considers the group. Tarrack had said some of them lived in the Hollow. So he asks "are there any buildings in town that are empty? I've need of one to build a forge in. No proper temple to Torag can be without one, and I've a mind to practice me craft while I'm in town."

Jarlene looked at Francis like hed grown a 3rd eye...Waht did you ask for sir? I dont know any of this...well besides toast.

Then she answers Dorak. Well since Varianna passed away, her Locksmith shop is open, but its owned by Mr Kreed. She worked for him

Rennick says to Dorak: "Are you sure you want to start the blacksmith workplace right now?
There are a few issues which haven't been solved yet, e.g. who poisoned the well?
And: who nailed the fey creature to the tree in the forest? Dorak, wouldn't you like to solve these issues before setting up your workplace?"

"Oh, aye, I would. But if I can get me some of that darkwood, I could bang out a lighter 'heavy' shield for myself in a day or two. I'm thinking." Dorak answers.

Eldrin interjected, "Speaking of Darkwood. I've heard the bows made with the wood are of the highest quality and balance. Is there anywhere in town that sells them?"

You can see from the set of Arell's jaw that this is a question with a backstory.  One that he would very like to involve violence, but that's just not how the world works.

"Short answer is "no," longer answer is "maybe, if you kiss the right ass."  Think I'd be running around in shitty old scale mail if I had access to better stuff?"

Rennick answers: "kiss the right ass? That's not very helpful, Arell. The market here in this frontier town is controlled by the lumber consortium. So if you want to buy a darkwood bow, you have to get permission from the leading figures of the consortium. If you have a definite list of items you want to buy, we could write a letter requesting such an acquisition and add that we've done the town a service. Perhaps, maybe, they will grant your request, though that's not guaranteed in any way."

"Or... we could just go fishing. There's a great spot not far from here, a huge tree shades the bank and a few of the local human kids have hung ropes from a springy branch that one can swing on if the fish aren't biting and the sun is warm... I'd even offer to entertain you all at my place up the river if you're up for a hike. It's not much, you'd all have to sleep on the floor, but I think there are some supplies in the pantry..."

Nom seemed eager to be up and about. After the exhaustion had been dealt with from a good night's sleep, the horrors of the last few days was weighing upon his small heart. He wiggled in the seat next to Fidget... ironically.

"Maybe we can insult the Consortium tomorrow..."

Jarlene returns shortly with a platter of sweet rolls and meat pies. She hands Francis some dry toast with the edge taken off.

A pitcher of goats milk tops off what is served.

The discussion about what to divide see the group after the meal making it to the general store where they sell the majority of the gear they obtained. Only a few items are kept. Large amounts of coin are exchanged for lower weight gems of varying value.

Soon it's late afternoon and the band returns to The Sitting Duck.

Rennick speaks with a few fellow guards aBout the danger of the forest, asking them if they ever met a creature which tried to hinder the tree cutters. He tries to make them tell about any fights they may have had in the forest. He is especially interested in stories about sprites,satyrs or similar creatures.

In reply to Rennick Hitman (msg # 658):

At Rennick's suggestion, Eldrin nodded and said, "Does anyone else wish to add anything to the list? If not, I'll submit a request for a Darkwood Bow that has some extra tensile strength. A good fletcher and bowyer would know what I mean by that..."

OOC: I'll submit a request if need be :).