Lastergon places a pained hand to his forehead.

"The cultists," Calsia prompts patiently, ignoring Lastergon. "What do you think their motive is?"

"That be the kind of question ye ask when ye be bashing their skulls together, lassie. Normal folks will get nowhere to understanding their kind just by guessing," Dorin says, patting his axe comfortably.

"Thank you for that invaluable insight," Lastergon remarks dryly.

"Of the four of us, he is the one who has slain a vampire," Calsia points out with a cool glance at Lastergon.
This message was last updated by the player at 10:31, Tue 28 Feb 2023.

"Yes, so he claims," Lastergon replies, looking as though he is far more inclined to believe Vard's 'man of an unusual diet' recounting of the escapade.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Tue 28 Feb 2023.

"I doubt he would be the only human with an unusual diet in these parts if such is the quality of human food," Zaelinor sniffs.

Lastergon gives an appreciative snort at Zaelinor's comment, before frowning at the varim, seeming to realise that he did not express anything about unusual diets out loud.

Zaelinor appears to catch onto this fact at the same time himself, and seems to be hoping Lastergon will not put too much thought into just why it is that the varim may have done that.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:41, Tue 28 Feb 2023.

There is a soft knock on the door behind them at that moment as Dalgun sticks his head in.

"Beggin' ye pardon, mi'lords and lady, but I'm off to get a wink o' sleep. I've left a plate full o' oat cakes under a bowl on the counter downstairs should ye get a bit peckish in the middle'o the night. And there be blankets in the cupboard behind ye there should ye be feelin' chilly. It do be gettin' cold 'round this time o' the year. Anyways, I'll leave ye to it and trust that ye'll have a pleasant stay."

"Thank you, Dalgun," Calsia smiles warmly at the innkeeper, "You're the best."

"Oh, your ladyship is too kind, as always," Dalgun flushes as he waves a hand with a pleased grin.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:14, Wed 01 Mar 2023.

Lastergon sends the man a bland smile which he doesn't appear to be trying too hard to make look genuine.

Zaelinor sends him a sneer that isn't trying to be friendly at all.

Dorin grunts approvingly in the tone of someone who'll be raiding those oat cakes as well.

Lastergon waits until the barman's creaking footsteps have receded out of earshot before continuing.

"We should begin our investigation at the mayor's building tomorrow," he suggests. "He is clearly the official front of whatever is going on at these mines and seems to be the best place to start."

"I thought you had a quest of 'paramount importance' which took precedence over anything else?" Calsia shoots at the knight skeptically.

"I do," Lastergon replies, sending her back an unimpressed glance. "However this cult does appear to be up to something sinister and I should at least ascertain what threat they pose. Besides, they appear to be our best bet at locating your uncle, who is my best lead for my quest."

"Me axe be thinkin' it's the mines we'd be better off traipsing into, not the mayor's office, if it be answers we be seekin', laddie," Dorin says.

Lastergon's expression shifts from unimpressed to unconvinced as he turns his attention to Dorin. It does not seem to surprise him to learn that it is the dwarf's axe that does the thinking rather than his brain.

"I have no doubt that they are searching for something in the mines," he allows, "however we need to know just who and what we are dealing with, and questioning this mayor is likely to yield the answers we seek before we go rushing into anything."

"Ye be welcome to question him on yer own, if that be ya choice. For meself, I be thinking the fewer souls know what we be up to, the less chance their lot have of hiding it."

"I agree with Dorin," Calsia says firmly, crossing her arms. "We should head into the mines and see what is going on down there. Waltzing up the mayor and announcing our presence here is a bad idea."

"Most of these cultists are likely to be searching or guarding the mine," Lastergon persists. "They clearly have the town cowed so I doubt there will be many of them keeping watch. There may be a few guarding the mayor, but nothing like as many as will be in the mine."

"Like Dorin said, you are welcome to do whatever you want," Calsia shoots back evenly. "I'm going to the mines. And I'm sure that's where my uncle would have headed."

"You are, are you?" Lastergon mutters coolly. "What does our resident cult expert think?" he adds, clearly hoping for support of his course of action as he turns to Zaelinor.