During your meeting, there was a visitor to the tavern who came asking the barkeep something almost inaudible, but the Barkeep did point in the direction of the group. The figure, a small and thin Kitsune man approached the table. He was well dressed, but also practically so for traveling on the road. He speaks softly, but with a gentle confidence as he introduced himself.

 "Greetings to you, my name is Vun Fain. I am a researcher at the Kingsport University. Are you truly the heroes that saved us all from the Dreadkin?"

Looking up and then down over the kitsune, noting the number of tails the speaker has. "Well met, Vun Fain. That was a long time ago but yes, that are we. At least most of us. We've gotten a few replacements and additions." he says to the furry newcomer. "Anything you need?" he asks.

Tribal princess. Swans. A swan that turned into Tauron. Everyone aged. Well some did that din't seem to get a explantion. Feelings that the bard can't understand. Now a fox. This just gets better and better. He is oddly quiet, tapping his guitar.

 Vun nodded politely, almost bowing to the group before speaking up again.

 "I will get to the point then. I have observed oddities in the weather lately that match records for when the trouble with the Dreadkin started many years ago. I am assuming you have all gathered here because you have noticed the same thing."

 Vun paused for a second before continuing.

"As you know, the Doomstone was shattered and the shards were gathered and stored in the royal Vault for safe keeping. I would like to visit those shards and study them to see if I can figure out why these anomalies seem to be beginning again. I would like to askyou to join me in this excursion, if you are interested."

20 years? Is it true? Perhaps going to do this with Vun would provide answers. Leaning back in his chair, the bard ponders. So many questions without answers-even his friends seemed to be not focused on Zall's words. Maybe they didn't know or perhaps he didn't believe them-but they are his friends "I will go. Perhaps to answer some of the questions." He glances at the others "That is if my friends will go with you."

I will come along if Alandria is going.  It is after all her that called me here.  Even if she did not intend to.

Tauron turns to Alandria and gives her one of his kind smiles.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Sat 11 Dec 2021.

"I had some suspicions myself and would love to know for sure whether calling all of us together again was justified. I'm in."

This just gets stranger and stranger every moment "So why is it a excursion when going to the vault seems simple?" Zall leans forwards. He probably noticed things with the weather but its not somethng he would put two and two together. They just killed the Dreadlord yesterday. Well in his eyes. Its rather confusing least to the android. He nods his head after Alandria speaks. Well he got three of them to go.

"Of course. It's a good place to start. I'm pleased that we're not the only ones that have noticed the signs. Now we just have to find out what they mean. If it's the same thing repeating and if so, find out what we did wrong so we can rectify the mistake and put an end to this menace, forever." Lorn says after some contemplation.

"It's an excursion because, my dear Zall, I don't think the shards are in the vault anymore. And I do believe that Mr. Fain has come to the same conclusion. He needs our past experience and authority in dealing with the shards to gain access to them. They wouldn't dare deny the people that put the shards in the vault in the first place to verify their continued presence and current state."

"Well, I meant any journey is potentially dangerous, but the Shards disappearing would certainly explain a lot. If they are still in the vault,then of course rigorous study would unveil the mystery in that way as well."

"I don't need a explanation of what a excursion is and I feel as if you are continually scolding me. I'm not a child and I thought we were friends. Apparently I was wrong in this after all we went through. And I do not need hand-holding. I think age has gotten the better of you, Lorn." Zall blurts out, feeling like everyone is treating him like a child. He's confused and everyone ignores it. And now this fox walks in asking for aid without knowledge of where they were but somehow ended up here? Shady. Very shady. He wants to apologize but he doesn't and expects to get yelled at. Why not? No one is telling him anything. 20 years? Fox. Swan. A child. A lot has changed but magic must be the culprit.

"Wouldn't the shards be well protected away from the world? Personally I would have them guarded. Yet you want use to go there but feel they aren't there so what is the point of it...?" He seems more curious and not very trusting of Fain. Heck they just met. Something about him though puzzles Zall "Despite our dealings with him, wouldn't it be smart to have several people and guards accompany us? Also how would you know we were all going to be here? Luck? Or something else?" Well he doesn't really trust the fox but if he gets along with him...a scholar can give him info on amazing songs. Tempting.

The bard leans back, grabbing his guitar "I'm not one to turn away from a adventure." Some many questions. No answers. And it seems getting them will take time-perhaps his friends don't know. And Lorn and Zaigan are losing their minds probably from the aging ray. Well to Zall that's why at least! Seems like luck has't befallen the bard the past few hours but it is needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Wed 15 Dec 2021.

Tauron looks thoughtfully at Zall.

Have you considered you may have gone to sleep.  Hibernated for 20 years.  Some creatures do such things.  Dragons are one I do know.  Only waking up when they need to.  Or in your case when the world needs you.  I think that maybe what happened to you.  Stories tell of hero's that disappear just weeks or months after the evil in the world has gone only to reappear years, decades or centuries later.  When the world needs them again.  If that is so then that makes you a great hero.

"Me? A hero? You got to be joking." A laugh comes from Zall. He then stops himself and looks rather puzzled "I went to sleep, woke up the next day...." Zall stops "Why would I hibernate for 20 years? That makes no sense. Maybe I got a spell cast on me. So really your stating I have a mission and once its done I will fall asleep and wake up years from now...." He seems more confused by this but contemplative "So maybe getting the Shards together may solve this..."

Tauron laugh.
Zall they call me a hero. He looks across to the swan who still looking very cross.
And not just in the elven - human world.  Your more hero than I will ever be.  Also why does everything in the world have to make sense.  One thing I have found is most of it does not.

"I am not a hero." The bard watches the druid, a stern look over his face. He plucks some strings and glances at the scholar waiting.

"I do not mean to be rude or interrupt, sirs, but I believe a lot of the public still believes you are heroes. I mean those alive to remember you that is. Anyway, we may go anything you desire, but I suspect you would want to wait til morning."

"I'll need my rest before we set out. I've walked for a few days and my bones aren't as strong as they were once. Tomorrow, if you agree, we need to go to the vault and request an audience." Lorn says as he stands up from his chair looking around the group.

"Of course get your rest. We can heard out in the morning. If I may ask sir, I am a bit of a healer. Would you like me to see what I could to ease your pain?"

Vun offered a bit of magic and medical knowledge to assist Lorn, if he wished it.

Tauron nods.
A good night sleep would help.  I have lots to sort out I think before we start out from here.

So much going on and not getting any answers, the bard stares at the guitar. He adjusts it for a moment and oddly for Zall he's pretty quiet. He glances up at times watching Lorn and Tauron converse before taking his ale and sipping it "I'll stay up for a bit. Probably got rooms here."

Xandra continues to keep her feet on the table and sitting in the chair, arms crossed behind her head.

"Meh, unless someone has a room for me, I'll just sleep here."

"You can bunk with me, as long as you do not mind children. He is a well-behaved baby."

 Alandria offered to share her room With the young woman.

With all that is going on with the android, he ponders something and puts down his ale. The bard looks over at Alandria "If you want I can watch the baby, give you a break." Did he really agree to that or said it? He's never had a baby, or held one. Or remembered being one which is strange.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:43, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

 When morning came, Vun was prepared to leave with the group whenever they were ready. Of course there was time for breakfast and anything like that. Once on the road, the trip seems mostly uneventful, even robbers along the road seem to be quiet. Then again, one might be reluctant to jump a pack of legendary heroes from 20 years ago.

 The capital was as bustling as one might imagine, especially during a time of peace. The palace was stunning in grandeur and shining in the sun with glory. It was a far cry from the state it was in when the world was in dire straights many years ago.

 Either recognizing the group or accepting the papers that Vun would present to them, the Guards let everyone in with no contest. The well-dressed Kitsune Scholar stopped before the royal vault after being allowed access to it. He turned to speak with the group.

"I don't think I have to remind you of this, but we are here only for the Doomstone Shards. We must not touch anything else inside the vault, understand?"

The bard keeps to himself, perhaps lost in thoughts but his guitar is right next to him. He occasionally does a song but oddly no words come from him. For the others its pretty odd and not uplifting but perhaps its something he does on instinct. With the others in tow, Zall is oddly behind them. Its hard to tell if what the kitsune speaks is clear-he's definatly a thief. He watches this odd kitsune for a moment and nods his head.