While the whole group is wandering around town, you get a good sense of security here. The people are friendly and everything seems to be in order. The place is clean and well taken care of. You all feel safe here. Amara, Aliana and Twiggy took the main road to get to the top of the Hill where the Temple of Helm is located because they've been up all night and they're getting tired and this road is the easiest way up there. That's when they spot Byron, Kalliyan and Roenthelm walking down the hill. (Amara spots Vernon as well)

Except for Myarra at the Inn with Lorrik and his sisters, the group is back together again. It's around 9am-ish...

"Well well, where have you three been off to? We were in the Temple of Helm and Lord Dhelt didn't try and kill me."

Vernon's laugh is still pretty creepy.

Vernon is right, we did meet with Lord Dehlt.  So for the moment our major concerns for the Jamesons' are taken care of.  We also have some other news as well but that's for later when we aren't in the middle of the road.

"Then a good place to go would be the Inn. Myarra is there with Lorrik and his sisters."

"Ah, good. Because we did not gain an early audience. Let us return to the others, then."

The party makes it back to the Tavern/Inn with no problems. They find Myarra in the common room having a drink. She says the kids are upstairs in their room asleep.

"So, how'd it go?" Myarra asked.  "Mr. Fancypants can't help you is my bet."

You can be fairly sure she's had a couple of drinks so far.

"Pick a pocket to keep yourself fed and they'll throw you in a cell for a month.  But point out the Lord of the Manor is selling off the children of his servants to pay off his debts and suddenly there are all kinds of complications that prevent them from taking action.  You have to understand they'll say.

Bah!"

Byron chuckles at Myarra's comments.

Actually Lord Dhelt was more helpful to us than Centauri was to Lorrik.  No, he won't help us against Centauri as that would mean war.  For the moment he won't help us against the CoD unless we discover something we can't handle ourselves.  That is to be expected.  He's going to keep an eye on the Jamesons and some priests from his temple are actually talking to them now.

Byron teases Myarra some.

What ever you are drinking must be pretty strong for you to talk the way you are.  However, if your buying I'll have one with you.

"So," Myarra says with a smirk.  "There are complications.  Let me check here at the bottom of my mug and see if I'm surprised."   She downs the last inch of ale and stares into the container.  "Nope! Not surprised at all.

How about you fill my mug back to the top, and I'll check again?

Kalli, get some rope.  After I drink your boy-toy under the table, you'll need it to drag him up to his room.

Do it by his feet.  That way his head makes a nice thunking noise as you go up each stair."

I'm not getting falling down passed out drunk Myarra.  One is my limit today.  We got too much to do.

"So you got a chance to speak to him? Interesting. So did he give any indications as to what might make him want to act?"

Two things.  One the CoD openly moves against Triel.  Two we find the mine and it is more than we can deal with.  He won't openly go against Centauri right now.  War is a bad business and the peaceful citizens of both towns don't need one.

Myarra harrumphs, then waves for a refill of her mug.

"Kalli, your boyfriend is boring.

Alli!  How about you?  We can have a drinking game.  You ask me a question about literature, and when I get it wrong, I drink.  Then I'll ask you a question about opera.  When you get it wrong, you drink.  Sound fair?"

She lowers her voice.  "We have to stay inside the inn.  There's a dragon polymorphed into a water barrel watching the place."

Vernon just smiles at watching the drunk Myarra,

"Oh, please let her hold me ring right now." Vernon chuckled

Kali couldn't help but blush at Myarra's comment with a  shy smile. She looks at Byron with a smile. "He can be boring, but he has his moments."

She couldn't help but shake her head at Myarra and her drunken stupor. She was pleased that Byron was avoiding it himself. "War is always bad Byron...only  those in power benefit. The soldiers who are injured or die, the families. No...war is always bad."

In reply to Myarra (msg # 13):

Aliana blinked in confusion, and nodded with even more confusion
"Um...okay?  Sure?"
She looked around, wondering what had just happened

Byron whispers to Vernon

Vernon, she has issues from her past with the undead. I'm not going to make them worse.

Byron teases Myarra a little more.

How much have you had to drink already?

Byron lowers his voice some and it turns calm and serious.  The one has when real information and plans need to be shared and discussed as they deal with life and death.

How do you know there's one outside watching?

Byron's never had any reason to doubt her word, but this seems a little weird in that either Myarra is truly drunk and imagining things or she's pretending to be drunk in order to fool others.

OOC: Byron's money is on the pretending.

Byron pays for one round of drinks while we discuss what to do next.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:45, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

Myarra takes a large gulp of ale, wipes her lips with the back of her sleeve, and plunks her now (nearly) full mug down in front of her.

"I'll go firsht, oh Mashter of the Library Artchs.  What Comanchorian poet penned the 1076 classic: Ride of Lord Hallshic?" She peers suspiciously at Aliana for a second.  "Itch you, right?  Didst you always have a parrot?" She shakes her head and peers again.  "I'll givsht you a minute to shink about it before you trink.  And I want a popper trink.  None of that gensheel shipping nonschense."

She turns to Byron and blinks several times. "I've only had two," she tells him, counting on her fingers and holding up seven.  "Thist isht schome good schtuff they gotch here.  Better than that pischt in Treeel.

I know because he said: Hewwo beautful.  Thatch their give away, even when they're a waterbarrow.  I met a copper sonbisht in Daggerdale.  That washt his come on line.  Course he was chapchifted to look like an elfses, and he was really a wady dwagon, but I don't shuppose that matters when you're shcally.  Great Kissher.  Oh, schweet Hanawi's twits, great kissher.  When an elfs I mean.  I don't schwing to the shcally.  Not without a few more of trees, em I wight?" she laughs, taking another swing of her ale, and slaps Byron on the shoulder.  Then shakes her hand.

"Oww! Bit of advish: Never get pashionate with a chapchifter that can't conshuntrate.  She broke cha bed, the schwindo on her way out, and damn near me leg.  Schtill, great kissher.  Damn furshtrating night.  Worsht, she left me withst the bill.  Can't ever gost backs there again."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

Aliana stared at her winged friend, her eyes wide.  She pondered, both to see if she knew what Myarra was talking about, and if she could manage to translate "Drunkese"

Byron watched Myarra drinking and carefully listened to her speech.

He whispers to Kali.

Twiggy strolls in the tavern, glad to see everyone there, and hears Myarra talking in her drunk voice and giggle as it sounds vaguely familiar to thieves cant "But if the barrel do be a dragon that made passionate kisses to yous in the broken bed how did she know yous is you before taking flight through the window. I bet me gibbers to goblets her passionates be making you dizzy from the charms she left with ye."

Myarra peers blearly at Twiggy.  "Sshist folkch.  I tink Tiggy's dwunk.  His not makins sench."

She looks back at Aliana.  "Youse parrots gotch two headst, youse knows thach?"

She looks down at her mug.  "Shomeone's schteeling me booze!"

In reply to Myarra (msg # 22):

Sister Aliana nodded, somewhat thoughtfully
"Well, i DO enjoy talking to myself "

Kali, smiling at the nearness of Byron, nods at his words, and listening to Myarra, having never seen her this way, looked at her with a serious look (something strange for someone so small and diminutive)
"I think, Myarra, the faties have taken your drink. They feat you'll drink it all and there will be none left for the next few days."

She looked at Aliana and leaned in to whisper to her.

In reply to Kalliyan (msg # 24):

Aliana nodded to the druid, clearly fascinated.and almost hypnotized by the drunken antics and vocabulary acrobatics of her winged friend.

Amara didn't agree. War could be good. Certainly, it was not always, but it could be.

She was not amused with the drunkenness, nor with how everyone else was clearly amused with it.

"It's getting late. I'm going to rest." she announced. "It sounds like we should take off in the morning."

Byron smiles at Kali.

Will you be ok with the other girls for a while?  Roen, Twiggy Vernon and I are going to take a little walk.  I hope nobody is afraid of boats and water.

Twiggy winked at Myarra as he giggled "That dragon's charm spell should wear off by morning. So where we going to aquire a boat?"

Roen and I are going to inquire about passage on one to Scornubel.  You are going to stay out of trouble by coming with us.

Byron smiles at Twiggy in a way that suggests he can scout around the area where we are going for signs of the Cult and other trouble we want to avoid.

Twiggy hurrumphs "I am always out of trouble buy you may need looking after."

Byron grabs Twiggy's wrist as he tries to stick his hand in Byron's pocket and teases him some more.

You need to pay for your drinks with your own money.

"Nay, Byron. Boats be a bad idea right now. If an enemy be seein' you, they'll be waitin' fer ya at the end....with their friends."

Byron keeps a good eye on Twiggy as he whispers to Vernon.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:02, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

Twiggy just shrugs at Byron as he takes out some silver to pay for his drinks. "So did anyone find the Paladin Lord to make sure the Jamersons are safe?"

That was the first part of our talk, Twiggy.

A voice (not in any particular key) rises from the table:

"Oh give me a home, where the remorhaz roam,

and the behir and the axebeak all play.

One hopes naught is seen, of the damned thri-kreen,

and the desert sun bakes all the same."

Roen just shook his head in sadness at Myarra's state. People who got drunk probably had a bad life and drinking made the memories go away for a time. Walking up to Byron,

"I hope she doesn't cause a scene and her true identity doesn't appear. The guard will be called. If she wants to drink, she should have done so at the tower in Daak."

"Boats are faster, but as Vernon notes, more exposed," Amara stated. "In any case, we need to be ready for anything."

Aliana tried to harmonize with Myarra, though it proved difficult since she did not know that song

"Well, when we find me wife there and I'm laid to rest, you'll have to go through Triel to get to Soubar. You think you can take Nelson for me?"

I promise I will if he tries to ambush us again or does anything else that remotely resembles a threat to us or other innocents we encounter along the way.  I want to put an end to his tyranny on people like the Jameson's and Lorrik's family.

"I really don't mind how we get to Scornubel, but once we're done there, how are we getting to Soubar? Walk right through Triel with three children? I don't see anything good coming out of that."

Twiggy looks at the others "What if we went and retrieved Nolan, he can make us doorways to get where we are going quickly."

I don't know that there are any gates for Nolan to open for us to do that.  Besides, you know rough they are on us, I have no intention of subjecting the kids to that.

Kali listened intently to the discussion while maintaining an eye on Myarra. "The kids have been through enough, to make them face those monsters will be too much, even with us with them."

"We leaves the kidth here with Jameson.  They be safes.  We gost back to Treel.  We sit inst bar and talks about mines and cult.  Donst sez nose names.  Nose accuses.  Makes sssure everones hears us sost word ist spredsht.  Says we goest to mines toes frees slaves.  Then we goest to woods.  Waits for Centaurs to comes to us.  Bam! Sock! Pow! Weeeze defends us-self moist empha .. emphart ... hard."

Her speech maybe slurred, but if you can decode it, she almost sounds coherent.

"I will not participate in a plan to ambush and murder people. The only way I will be going back to Triel is with Lord Dhelt after we have given him proof that the mines are using slave labor for the Dragon Cult."

Byron puts his hand on Roen's shoulder and speaks softly to him.

Easy Roen.  Part of her plan is actually good.  The part I like will depend on Lorrik and the Jameson's cooperation for Lorrik and his sisters to stay here while we go to Scornubel and back.  It cuts down on the innocents being with us and should allow us to travel faster as we don't have to worry about them in case of any conflict.  I'm in agreement that we aren't going to go into Triel and start looking for trouble.  However, should any of the Centauri's attack us on the open road, well they take their chances in battle just as we do.

Amara listened, but didn't intercede at this point.

Twiggy giggles at Myarra's speech but likes her plan "How is it murder Roen? The only ones that come to attack us are ones who know that they have mines and are using slaves. This group can't claim ignorance of the fact."

No, Twiggy. Roen is right about that.  We don't need to deliberately start trouble in Treil or anywhere else for that matter.  We will get another crack at Nelson and his cronies as well as the CoD.  When we do, they will regret it.

"Mr. Fanshy Pansh paldin aint doin squat.  Aint hish problem. Aint hish landsh.  Only onesh whose canst protec Treel ish ush.

I canst sshtand bullies.  And I refushst to twalerate shwavery.

It shure aint murder if theyst coming to killsh ush in twa foresht.  They aint comin to invites ush to tea.  Itsh schimple to void our twap.  Dwon't be murdros thwugs.  But I'll schtill lets them stwike firsht.  I schware."

She bangs her now empty mug on the table then stares at it.  "Thatch goods schtuff.  Ish that shinnamon?"

"I think it's time for bed for certain of us," Amara said, looking at Myarra specifically. "We can finish making plans tomorrow."

"Are yous all gonna be heroes?" Vernon asked Twiggy, even though he couldn't hear him "Cuz, I agree with Roen there. You's can't be plannin' murder and be's a hero."

"The sexshy wizzerd is right." Myarra replies, turning her attention away from battle planning.  "Aliaaa ... Aleena ... sexshy libwarian, you wants ta go to bed now?" she says to Aliana, or possibly her parrot.

Sister Aliana looked at Myarra with a smile.
"I think some sleep sounds great.  We could share a room, perhaps tell ghost stories, perhaps?"

Myarra stumbles to her feet and over to her friend, leaning on her a little to keep balance.  "Schweep?  Oh, yesh, schweep. Thatch what I meant, youse know.  Schweep.

But ifs either of yoursh parrots meanshons ghosht, I'll schmak ta whittle headsh together sho hard they'll shee whittle wibwarians fwying aroundst tem." She shudders.  Even thinking of ghosts sends cold shivers along her alcohol-deadened nerves.

Kali places her hand on Myarra's.
"Yes....sleep time, and definatly NO ghost stories. Come Myarra....lets go up. You can tell me some more hilariously funny tales about Byron."

She stands up, struggling to help the woman up and to her room

Sister Aliana took Myarra's other side

Twiggy shrugged not wanting to argue the finer points of being an adventurer and how the majority of the time it involves killing.  Instead he let it go "So what is the plan forward then? We can go get supplies and transportation while some rest."

We definitely need to make sure we have enough supplies for where we go next.  First, we need to look at transportation to Scornubel.  Going on a passenger/freighter boat will probably be the fastest and safest way to get there and back.  Affording the boat may be the issue.  We don't want to split the party up.  That will be asking for trouble.

"Well, I don't have any money, so I can't afford to go on a boat ride. I could stay here with the kids while the rest of you go to Scornubel for Vernon. Remember, I have his bones that need to be buried."

"Someone will pay for you, Roenthelm. And yes, we all want to let Vernon rest in peace."

Myarra wraps her arms around her two friends shoulders.  "Kaali, hast I menshuned thats yuv gots reawy butiful whiskers?" She reaches up and pats the druid on the head. "Pwetty kitty," she says, giggling.

She allows her friends to take her off to bed. She's snoring before she's even fully horizontal.

Twiggy looks at Myarra "Rest easy and drink plenty of water to help with hangover. I always wondered if nuetralize poison would instantly sober you up? Back to buisness, let's go get a ship."

"Don't mean to sound ungrateful, but taking the river upstream to Scornubel is going to take several days. You'd be better off crossing the river and blazing a trail through the grass on the otherside to get to Scornubel. You all can walk faster than a river raft."

What about coming back from Scornubel?  I forgot it was upstream from here.

The party decides to relax this day and then ride to Scornubel in the morning. Myarra is already plastered drunk and sleeping it off in her room she's sharing with Amara and Aliana and Kalliyan. You visit Jameson and explain your plans and he says he'll watch the kids to make sure they don't get in trouble while the party is gone. You wander around town looking at the sights and enjoy yourselves and return to the Inn early to get some sleep so you can leave early the next morning for Scornubel.

You had a pleasant day and you sleep peacefully in your rooms.

You wake early and prepare to leave.

"I swear to Mystra; I didn't know the ale was loaded," Myarra whispers the next morning, drinking her third glass of water, not that it was making much headway against the desert that was her mouth.  The water barely had time to get across her tongue before it was absorbed.

"I've never had ale affect me like that.  I should have been able to have three or four without any problem."

She looks over at Aliana.  "Sweetie? Would you be a dear and cut my head off?  Please?"

Kali sat at Myarra's side with a little bit of a smug smile. "The ale wasn't as loaded as you think. Myarra, we had such a nice chat too. If Byron knew some if what you said, he would have advantage over you for once."

The straight faced druid patted her hand. "But don't fear from me....girls talk and all. Quite entertaining really."

She looked back at the tavern owner. "By the way, remember to apologise to the tavern owners niece...she was cleaning your vomit off the feeling for some of the morning"

It was clear Kali was enjoying herself a little bit

Byron has some breakfast and makes sure to sit as far away from Twiggy as he can so he can eat his breakfast in peace.  Byron smiles at the girls and speaks just loud enough for them to hear him.  You can tell from his smile and tone that he's amused by Myarra's position, but also sympathetic to it.

How's the hangover Myarra?

Twiggy took the better part of discretion and did not go out to cause mischief in the paladin town. Instead he bathed Fitz and prepared for the journey beforegoing to bed early.

In the morning he frowned at Byron for not wanting to sit close. Twiggy then ordered enough sweet fruit pastries to last the next couple of days on the ride and topped off his spirit flasks.

Amara, as usual, was quiet, as she enjoyed her breakfast.

In reply to Myarra (msg # 69):

Aliana pouted disapprovingly at Myarra.
"Now, now....if I cut off your head, I'll have to carry it around all day, and that would be exhausting.   How about a nice hangover cure?
I never tried it, but one of the guards back at the Oghman temple, the Sergeant at Arms, used to suggest a cure when his men drank too much.  "

She pondered to remember.
"It was a glass of warm beer, with a hair floating in it."

"Ugh! Who are you barbarians? What have you done with the kind and gentle fools I travel with?

Let's just get out of this hellhole.  I think I remember the road running along the river.  I'll be able to throw myself in and drown."

Byron speaks just loud enough so Myarra can hear him, but not so loud as to make her suffer in more pain from her hangover.

Maybe we will run into a band of orcs.  A good fight will help clear that hangover Myarra.

Kali, eating a piece of fruit speaks matter of factly. "Stop being so melodramatic Myarra, you sound like men when they drink too much....all sorry for themselves."

She looks at the woman taking a bite from a pear. "Besides, I'd never let you drown...i can move the water."

The druid couldn't help but smile, but she looked at Byron. "...and Byron dear, stop teasing the girl, or else you will find Raieylan will have a new pillow for the next week....you'll find it hard to breathe with a 400 pound panther lying on you."

Byron chuckles at Kali.  The group can tell Byron is teasing his friends and has no problem poking fun at himself either.

He already uses me as pillow.  I think you mean he will use me as a mattress.

She looks at Byron with a mischevious look in her eye. "Would you rather I turn you into a mouse and drop you in an owl hunting ground? Behave my dear...you've had Your fun"

You can tell she is teasing not only her, but you

Twiggy chuckles at the banter and orders some dried meat strips for Rai some treats later. Definately going to stick some strips in the back of Byrons armor at the buttocks. Twiggy chuckles some more at the thought as he slides Myarra some of the fruit pastrys "The sugar will give you a boost and help with the hangover."

"I'm a battle opera fan, Kali, melodrama is my life.   But I'm serious, a couple mugs of ale has never affected me like this.  I know my limits, and I stick to them.  A drunk warrior is a dead warrior.  Hell, I was so out of it last night, even Byron could have beaten me."

She rubs her temples and winces.  "Thanks," Myarra replies, taking one of the pastries when Twiggy offers them.

"A band of Orcs from here to Scornubel? Not gonna happen. But, bandits on the other hand...." Vernon said to Byron

Amara cocked her head at Myarra, "You're serious. Why would someone want to drug you? Was anyone with you? Perhaps purchased a first round for you?"

Kali was about to stir her more when she loomed into her friends eyes, realising her severity. The woman was truly conserned with what happened, and Kali's cheeky smile was replaced by a look of concern.

She didn't ask any questions....waiting for Myarra to answer Amara

Byron nods to Vernon.

Either way it can be a good cure for a hangover.

Twiggy pointed a half eaten biscuit at Amara as he chewed the preserve ladden bread "She did say a dragon was with her last night and polymorphed into a barrel after it jumped from the window. There are some charm spells that would enthrall you enough to make you seem drunk if the caster is ridiculously charasmatic, say like a dragon. I used to pour charm potions into nobles drinks at dinner parties when I pretended to be a waiter. They would be enthralled with each other making promises they knew they couldn't keep and I would just to enjoy the show. And the aftermath."

"Yes, I'm serious, although I don't remember any dragons, and I'm pretty sure I'd remember that, even if the rest of the evening is a blur.  Did I say it was pink?

Cause there was this annoying little pink, soap-bubblely sort of dragony looking thing just outside Shadowdale.  Annoying little creep.  Half the size of Twiggy, and ten times more annoying ... no offense Twiggy, but you know, when you're actually trying to be annoying, not when you're giving me pastries like a true and decent friend.

Anyway, I'd suggest if we come back here," she shudders, "nobody drinks alone.

If everyone is ready, we should get moving.  Fresh air would probably do me some good."

Amara narrowed her eyes at her friend, the blue glowing the more common drow-red for a moment.

You all wake up and have breakfast and tease Myarra about her hangover and confirm that it is indeed her after her strange ramblings. Lorrik lets Roenthelm borrow his horse as you all are packing for the trip to Scornubel. If things go as planned, you should arrive in 2 days (216 day). Food is cheap and you bring along enough to get you there and back and you can fish along the way in the river if you need to. It's getting warm already and the humidity next to the river will add to it. You all leave through the North gate and head down the road alongside the river at around 6am. Farmers are busy in their fields and there is already traffic coming into town. As you travel alongside the river, you see small craft going up and down the river, but you can see that you are easily outdistancing them on your horses. You travel all day without incident and make camp near the river to water the horses and replenish your skins. Some of you might even take a bath, if you wished. Guard shifts are set, but the night is uneventful.

The next day, you're early on the road again. At this pace, you should make it to Scornubel before evening meal. But, you're adventurers. Things never go as planned as Byron and Aliana hear screams to the West. They see a small farm. Then the rest of the party hears the screams. Byron and Aliana immediately stop their horses as they watch a HUGE snake cross the road, heading towards the river. This snake has to be well over 20 feet long! It also looks like it just ate something as you see the swelled area of its stomach...

Everyone please give me a Survival Check and/or Knowledge Nature Checks.

Main Game Map has been updated

Byron is too worried about the screams to realize what is really amiss.

OOC: 11:58, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Survival Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Sat 16 May 2020.

Vernon looked at the snake and seemed pretty excited about it.

"Look at the size O' that thing!"

Amara is glad that they make good progress on the trail.

She hears the screams and sees the snake...

Aliana was looking forward to getting back to Scornubel, having grown up there.  Perhaps she'd get the chance to check in with her temple library and say hello.

Then her thoughts were interrupted by the scream

OOC  :
17:18, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 29 using 1d20+14.  Survival .
17:18, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge nature

Kali walked on in silence with Raieylan at her side. When the scream was heard, she held herself at bay.

...until she saw the snake pass. Walking towards the front, she held her arm out. "Keep your distance....river snake. It's rare to see one of this size, but even the small ones hold poison."

She looked at the group worried. "This snake of This size could easily eat people or livestock. We must be careful."

Do you think it ate a person or an animal?

The concern for a person being very obvious in Byron's tone to the entire group.

"And might it still be alive if we cut it out?" Myarra asks.

Kali looked at the others with a mixture of horror and anger. "Myarra..  you will not harm a scale on that snake, or so Milekki help me, I'll turn you into a boat piglet and let the snake slowly digest you over a week!"

She looked at Byron. "I hope it was another animal but if not, I'll try talk to it to find a new hunting ground."

She looks at the others. "....but if you try and hurt that snake I will stand between you and it."

Byron looks back at Kali with a just as serious look.

If it tries to eat you I will kill it.

Myarra stares at Kalli in total disbelief.

"We don't know what it ate, Kalli.

I have no problem, in general, with a snake eating to survive.

But if that thing ate a child, and I can save that child, I will do so.  Life is hard choices.  And I choose the lives of children over the lives of snakes.

Would you be so protective of it if you found out it had eaten Raie?  If you had to choose one or the other.

But before any of us do anything we might regret, perhaps we should quickly find out what actually happened instead of letting our imaginations and fears get the better of us."

Roen stepped up front to take a look at the snake,

"Well, I know that snakes get a bit lethargic after they have fed. It take quite a bit of energy to do what they do. If you can talk to it Kali, you should do so before it goes into the water and the rest of us go see who is screaming. Probably a farmer."

Roen gets back on Lorrik's horse and starts riding towards the screaming noises.

"Let's split up - some deal with the snake - Kalli it seems - and some go see if there's more to the screaming to be dealt with.

And be careful - the snake's bite is venomous."

Having no particular ability with animals, she makes haste in the direction of the screams, with whomever might be joining her.

Kali spins on Myarra with anger in her eyes. "Do not put words in my mouth! People talk of killing a snake because they saw the size and I will defend it. If I saw it attack or eat a child I would intervene, I am not a monster, but I will not kill an animal on suspicions."

She stepped up to Myarra, despite her size. "If that snake tried to attack me, or Raie, I would defend, but first I would use my skills to send it elsewhere. If it is a natural born snake, I can talk to it, if it was created....a monstrosity,  I will fight it."

She looked back to where it came from. "Something like this is rare, and to kill such a beast..." she closed her eyes, then turned to the others.

"Find out what happened. But do not talk of killing something because of a sound."

<OOC: Druid rant!>

Myarra is unrepentant and her tone is equally cold, but it's not from anger.

"I didn't suggest killing it.

I have made no move towards it.  I haven't even drawn a weapon.

I simply asked if whatever it ate was already dead, or if it could be saved.

So don't you be putting words in my mouth.

Do you think for one second that I, of all people, would attack, never mind kill, anything just because of how it looks?"

"Byron, how bout yer girl does her thing and talks with it. You move closer and I can look inside? That will settle things quickly."

Kali's eyes are hard and cold for a moment, then they soften, a tear coming to her eye.

"Forgive me Myarra....i did not mean to imply that. It's just with animals people tend to attack first. I am very protective of animals...sometimes I feel I understand them better than people."

She bows her head with a sigh, then looms at her friend. "I don't question your motives or Morales.....just that of man at times. People see a beautiful creature like that as a monster when it is not..I know you know how that feels. You have neither drawn weapon or made a threat towards it...my anger was not justified and I am sorry."

She turns and looks where the snake slithered off, pondering her thoughts in silence.

Raieylan padded up to her side and bumped her.

Myarra lets out a sigh.  "I accept your apology, Kalli.  And I'm sorry if I came across in a way that was easy to mistake.

I have been known, a time or two, to let my anger get the better of my sense."

She gives the druid a smile.  "I'd offer you a hug, but we can't have Byron being distracted by lurid fantasies for the rest of the day."

Kali turned, a smile on her face despite the moisture at her eye. "I forget how different people are from animals...even the druids are more animal in behavior than their kind. Things are different for me."

She looked in particular to Byron, then back at Myarra. "Like a cub, I'm still learning." She shrugged as she patted Raieylan absently.

"And maybe save the hug for later....we want Byron focused. You know how easily he gets distracted."

Twiggy's eyes go wide seeing the snake and pulls Fitz back behind the others. That thing could eat Fitz and himself with no trouble.

05:41, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Surviva

Come on Kali.  Talk to it.  Vernon has a good idea as well.  I'll go with you for him to do his thing.  We won't harm it unless there is good cause to.

Byron smiles at the girls banter about him but doesn't say anything about it.

I'm going to follow you, but not too close as we don't want to spook it into attacking or running away.

Kali nods and begins following the path of the snake, thinking of what she would need for communicating with the snake.

Sister Aliana looked at her friends
"I might have a prayer to detect life, if Vernon is unsuccessful .  I mean, like if it's too dark to see, or something "

"Outside of a snake, a book is woman's best friend," Myarra quips.  "Inside of a snake, it's too dark to read."

Aliana grinned, but hid it behind her hand, because of the seriousness of the situation

Kalliyan quickly moves to catch up with the snake so she could cast a spell to be able to speak with it. This Snake is huge and she can tell that it's pretty old. The head of the snake is bigger than Byron's horse's head. It's moving slowly with a big lump in its belly from whatever it fed on. Byron is near her, which gives Vernon the opportunity to move in to look inside the snake. Roenthelm rides off with Amara to where the screaming is coming from, while the rest of the party looks on with wonder.


Main Map has been updated. (Be sure to press F5 to refresh, if necessary)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:28, Wed 20 May 2020.

Vernon looks inside the snake to see what it ate. When Byron sees him again, Vernon looks pleased that he could actually do something to help, instead of feeling sorry for himself.

"Tis a sheep the snake ate!"

Not being able to hear the ghost, Aliana stood nearby, her curing spells coming to mind, just in case.

It's ok.  He just had a sheep.  I'm sure the farmers are still extremely unhappy about that.  However, I'm not going to hold being hungry against the snake.  It would be the same as one of the big cats we hang out with having one for dinner.

Byron backs away carefully keeping an eye on the snake but sure he's just going to back where ever he has his nest.

Aliana bit her lip in thought.
"Can we convince the snake to move away from civilized areas?"

"Can't argue with an animals' right to eat," Myarra agrees.  "With the obvious exceptions, of course.

But there are a lot of farmers with a lot of chopping implements.  And I can't argue with a farmer's right to protect his home and livelihood, either.

This snake won't last long with them upset with it. It will be best for all if you're able to convince it to move to new hunting grounds."

Kali, ignoring the talking, spoke in an unknown hissing language.

Twiggy stays back away from the group and the snake in case it wants dessert.

The snake stops and looks at Kalliyan and hisses at her. The party that remained behind stare in wonder.

The druid winced, and looked towards the screams. "The snake bit someone. Go find them now. I will try send him away and then come cure them if Amara can't."

She then turns back to the snake, hissing.


She had a thought, then looked at the others. Are their any towers that need protection, away from people?"

That would be a better question for Nolan unless Myarra knows.  Aliana, I hope you know to neutralize poison.  You better hurry.

Byron motions for Aliana to go find the others and help them.

Aliana rushed after Byron

It doesn't take long for Roenthelm, Amara and the quickly approaching Aliana to spot the farm through the trees. They can see a woman screaming and trying to help a man on the ground while 2 kids, under the age of 5, are crying and watching off to the side. You hail the woman as you're approaching and she looks up and cries for help. She tells you that a big snake bit her husband.

Roenthelm, Amara and Aliana quickly check over the body and can see that the snake bit him on the leg. The man doesn't look good at all, but miraculously is still alive. It doesn't need a cleric/healer to be able to tell that this man has been poisoned by the snake bite....

----------

Byron, Kalliyan, Twiggy and Myarra are still by the giant snake while Kalliyan talks to it with her spell, her voice sounding slithery,

Kali frowns as she looks at the snake and then to the others. "He's a stubborn one." she says quietly, then turns to the snake.

Byron smiles at Kali.

Well, he fits right in with the group.  You can tell him so, but also tell him that his luck might run out sooner rather than later if he hangs out around here and keeps biting villagers.

"Roenthelm, Aliana, do either of you have antivenom or some other way to neutralize poison?" She didn't know a lot about healing, just what the average person did, but she knew one good way to get children to quiet down - get them to sleep.

So she said, "I'm going to help some people sleep so we can help," and then moved straight to chanting, casting sleep.

OoC: 4 HD people sleep, lost HD first - who should be the children

Aliana looked a bit aghast at putting the kids to sleep with magic, but didn't say anything.
She rushed to the farmer's side.
Examining the wound, she tried to determine if she needed a full miracle to neutralize the poison, or if something less powerful would suffice.
OOC: 21:38, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  healing

In other words, somebody better heal him or else he will die right in front of you and his wife...

The kids slowly move to the ground and then fall asleep.

---------------------

The snake hisses back,

Roen quickly casts a spell that will slow the poison so the man won't die.

"I'm slowing the poison. I can't stop it."

OOC: Slow Poison

Sister Aliana prayed to her god, casting her spell

OOC:  cast Neutralize poison

Kali hisses at the snake, nodding her head.


She looks at the others. "Lets catch up to the others....I've convinced him to hunt on the other side of the river."

She hurries to the others.

I hope he's going to be ok.  Some humans don't care that he's just an animal trying to survive, just as they are trying to survive and make a life for themselves.

Byron turns in the direction he heard the screaming coming from earlier and starts to head that way.

Twiggy was absently rolling two sling bullets in his hand, just in case the snake decided to attack but was glad when it didnt. Once Kali convinces the snake to move on the halfling sighs a breath of relief "Good job Kali. You are right Byron. Many times these outlying farms are carved out of the forest and people don't realize that this is still the wild animals home. I wonder how the othets are doing with whatever was screaming?"

The giant snake slithers into the water and is gone....

The rest of you travel to where you heard the screaming and when you arrive, you see Roenthelm and Aliana down on their knees helping a male farmer. He looks to be in his mid-20's. Amara is standing next to the wife, while the 2 children are on the ground. It looks like to you that the snake might have got them as you're riding up on the farm...

Roenthelm slows the poison and then Aliana neutralizes it with their spells. The color in the farmer's face returns to normal and he starts breathing much better, but he's still unconscious. The wife is still worrying and asking questions every 5 seconds while tears run down her cheeks.

When we get there and Byron sees the kids, he immediately heads to the closest one to check on it first before going to the other one.

Aliana examines the farmer to see if he needed more healing

Healing will be required because of the snake bite. Aliana rips the farmer's pants where he was bitten and there is a nasty bite mark from the fangs of the snake. The puncture holes are at least a foot apart.

Aliana, distracted by the seriousness of the situation, didn't realize she'd even ripped the farmer's pants down until she was staring at the massive wound.
Blushing only momentarily, she looked up
"This will take some very powerful healing.   Everyone stand back..."

She prayed to Oghma, beseeching him for healing
OOC:  casts Cure Serious Wounds

Kali, when approaching the farm looks at Raieylan. Almost like he can read her thoughts, he slinks into the brush, knowing he would scare the people.

The druid runs over to the woman's side, letting the priest do her work.

"The snake will not return. He will stay to the other side of the river."

"The kids are fine, just asleep, so that we can focus on helping him," Amara said when the others arrived.

Aliana cast the spell and the wounds disappear as the skin mends together and the blood starts flowing through the veins again. The farmer will live, but will require some time to rest to regain his strength. He should have died here, but has cheated death this day.

Byron wakes the kids when he realizes that Aliana has finished her spell casting.  Telling the kids that everything is fine.

Ok kids, the exceitement is over.  Your dad is going to be just fine.

Aliana rested agter her extended spellcasting

Twiggy takes out some candy for the kids and offers his flask to the farmer "We will see you home and safe. It will be a few days but you will get your strength back." Twiggy doesn't know what else to say, he knows how it is to live on the fringe of forests.

"Was anyone else hurt?" Amara asks the woman, displeased that the children were woken so soon when they didn't even know if there were more in need of help without children running around underfoot.

Byron smiles at Amara and shakes his head to let her know I've got them and they won't be a problem.

I've got them.  Don't worry Amara.

"No, just my husband. A giant snake bit him and ate one of our sheep." the young woman cried "But, there is no way we can ever repay you and thanks will never be enough."

Byron looks at the young woman.

We are travelling so we are happy to help where we can.  The snake should leave you and your farm alone now.  Kali has convinced it to hunt in another location.  Please don't go looking for it.  Your thanks is more than enough for us.

Byron reaches into his pack and finds his hard candy is gone.

Twiggy, I hope you gave the kids the last of my hard candy.  Cause you are going to be buying me some more in town.

Twiggy chuckles "They need it more than you. That armor is getting tight on you, but yes I will get some more." Twiggy does his best to cheer the kids up and lighten the mood to let the others look after the adults.

Byron teases Twiggy some more in return.

With your own money, not mine.  If I find anything else missing I'm going to turn you upside down and shake you and see what falls out.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Tue 26 May 2020.

"Is there anything else odd happening around here other than a giant snake?"

The farmer's wife responds to Amara,

"No, it's been pretty peaceful. We trade with people going up and down the river and we've never had any problems until now. I've never seen a snake that big before."

Twiggy gives the kids some hard candy, but they're really not old enough yet to really enjoy it. They do seem a lot better now that their mother isn't crying anymore.

The farm is a small one and the man's crop definitely smells of onions, but it's well taken care of except for the broken part of the fence where the snake got the sheep.

Twiggy watch the kids and don't let them get hurt.

Byron goes over to look at the damage to the fence and how easy it would be to fix with what is currently available and around the immediate area.

Amara nods. "Then we should be on our way."

Myarra joins Byron at the fence.  "I have an idea," she tells him.

"An awful idea.  I've had a wonderful, awful idea.  I don't even know who I am anymore.  Now, pick up the broken pieces and hold them in place."

Once Byron has done so, she casts Mending to repair the fence.  She can do so up to five times as needed.

Byron looks at Myarra when then they are done fixing the fence.

Thanks Myarra.  I wasn't expecting you to make this easier.

The small druid smiled at the woman, almost the size of her children herself. "The snake shouldn't bother you again. We had a word with it and it agreed to hunt on the other side of the river from now on."

She smiled, standing next to Byron.

She looked at the children with a smile. "Would you like to meet my friend? I promise he will not hurt you." She looked at the mother with a smile and nod, showing she meant what she said
This message was last edited by the player at 12:02, Thu 28 May 2020.

Twiggy takes out his recorder flute and plays a few songs for the children. It wasn't his best work, but neither his worst. The halfling even lets the kids blow on it if they want to.  Afterwards he picks up some rocks and starts juggling them but quickly stops thinking one of the kids might hurt themselves trying.

Once Kali comes over Twiggy gives the kids some dried beef strips to feed the panther.

The woman is amazed at the fence being magically repaired and then of Kalliyan telling her the snake will hunt on the other side of the river. She seems a bit worried when the big panther comes out of the bushes and wonders how Kalliyan can just pet the thing. Then she notes that everyone is wearing all sorts of expensive stuff and wear armor and carry swords and a Priestess just saved her Husband's life....she's starting to get really overwhelmed....

Sister Aliana approached the farmer's wife, trying to smile in a friendly and disarming way
"I'm so glad to be able to help your family, ma'am.   I remember my years of working in the Great Library of the Oghma Temple, where farmers much like yourself worked to put food on our table.  I'm so happy to be able to repay you"

The former librarian wasn't good with people, sadly, and it showed
OOC: 21:20, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  Diplomacy

Aliana, is it ok to move her husband?

Byron asks as he moves towards her husband.

We should get him inside and the lady as well as she looks like she's about to faint as well from all the excitement.

Byron looks at Twiggy and Kali.

It would be best that the kids go inside as well.

Twiggy nods and helps the lil ones inside.He is sure they have never dealt with this much excitement.

Amara felt there was way too much fuss over them. They had saved the man's life, and convinced the snake to retreat. That was good. Everything else was not of any need. "We should go."

"Agreed.  Happy to help out, but I think they can take it from here.  We do have a job to do."

"Byron, let's get this young man into their home so he can rest in his bed instead of his front yard."

Byron helps Roen carry the man into their home.

After the farmer is in his home, Roen is ready to leave. He feels good about the good deed the party did for this poor farmer and asks the party if they could donate some money to the farmers for his lost sheep.

"Think you all could donate some coin so the good farmer here can get another sheep?"

Twiggy chuckles at Roen "This is why you should not give away all of your stuff, others may be in need. However here is two golds, that should cover a nice one.  Let us be on our way now that a good deed has been done." Twiggy hands Roen two golds and hops on Fitz "I am going to scout the road ahead. We should be able to get several miles before it gets dark."

"I have taken a vow not to keep wealth. That's why I give it to the needy."

Roen then gives the gold coins to the farmer's wife.

"You have a nice day. Next time, if you see a snake that size, you should run away from it."

Roen is now ready to move on.

Amara does not offer any of her coin. These people were doing well. They showed no signs of slavery or malnutrition. Yes, a sheep was taken, but it was not the family's only sheep. And they had been able to save the man. Yes, they were poor peasants, but they were not in any real danger. Amara had seen far worse. If one gave to every poor person, soon they would be poor too. She reserved her money for those who needed help the most.

She was more than ready to go.

Kali watched on with the kids as they stare at Raieylan with wide eyes and open jaws. She nodded to the panther, who (rolling his eyes), lied down.

While the kids fauned over him, the panther looked on with loathing at the druid, who giggled at her friends discomfort.

When it was time to leave, the panther stood and started walking, slapping his tail into Kali, almost knocking her over. "Hey....careful old man!"

The panther snorted but didn't look back as he walked.

The druid looked at the wife. "Be at peace." she nodded to the woman and followed the panther.

The farmer's wife thanks the party profusely and says you're welcome any time. You head back to the road and ride North and you make it to Scornubel late afternoon of the 216 day with no problems. Aliana is happy to be back home, as is Vernon, who is anxious to see his wife again.

Please review Scornubel map
link to a message in this game

The party comes in from the South West road. You ride past the first set of buildings, which is a guard post. There are a pair of armed guards who watch the party come in, which is completely normal. Aliana explains that she lived at the temple in its walled complex and she is sure the party can stay there while visiting town.

Byron asks Vernon about leading the way once they are out of earshot of the guards.

Vernon, you want to lead the way to where you believe your wife is still living?

"Aye. Just up the road and make a left. I don't remember so many buildings being here though."

Vernon guides Byron up the street and to the area (marked on the map) where his wife's dress shop was supposed to be located. You arrive at the location and see an old sign (Nora's Tailoring), but the place looks abandoned. Twiggy walks up the steps and looks through the window, but it appears that this place has been sitting for a couple of years, at least.

Vernon walks up behind Twiggy and right through the wall inside the old dress shop and comes out several minutes later with a sad expression on his face.

"She's gone..."

Anyone around here that what know her who we could ask?

Though she'd also been gone from the town for a while, Aliana pondered local eldere and other knowledgable people

OOC: 18:12, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Local knowledge

"Ye could ask anyone from around this area, me guess? I honestly don't remember their names."

Byron starts to ask the locals if they know anything about Vernon's wifes whereabouts.  Being as polite as he can as he really hopes to help Vernon.

Aliana figures that asking the neighbors would be the best bet. This area is the "poor" side of town and they tend to stick together...

Sister Aliana tells the others that she'll canvass the neighborhood, asking around

She goes to the next door neighbor

"Did you see any notes or anything in there that might indicate where she went?" Amara asked Vernon.

The others were looking around the area - which was good. The other people who might most likely know would be others in the same or similar line of work. "I'll go see if I can find similar shops and ask around."

Twiggy gives a little sad smile to Vernon "Don't worry we will find her. Let's go ask around." Twiggy goes and talks with some kids, and loosens their tongues with candy, or any adults saying she was the best seamstresshe knew.

Refresh the dice log
06:38, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  Gather information

Roen just stayed with the horses while everyone went around asking questions. He had Vernon's bones in a big sack tied to the saddle of the horse and figured they could bury him in the local cemetery later on. Hopefully, Vernon's wife wasn't in there.

It doesn't take much time at all for Twiggy, Amara and Aliana to find various people around the area who knows what happened to Nora's Tailoring. Twiggy finds out that she moved away with her sister, but they don't know where. Amara finds out that she moved away with her sister and went South. Aliana finds an old lady who sells herbs who actually remembers Aliana when she was at the temple. She takes Aliana outside where Twiggy and Amara join them. You can see Nora's old shop from the covered store front of her herb shop. She sits down on a chair,

"Sweet Nora left with her sister a little over 2 years ago. She waited and waited for her scoundrel husband to return, but I'm pretty sure he ran off with another woman by now. He and his brother were a pair, I tell you. Always trying to con people out of their money. Vernon would do the con and his brother Alek would collect. Both of them were bad news. Never knew what Nora saw in him. Eliza finally convinced her that Vernon wasn't coming back, so they moved to Baldur's Gate."

Vernon doesn't say a word. He just looks at the ground in shame...

"People change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Tell us, then, how was she doing when you last saw her? Do you know if any of Vernon's family is still around?"

"The last time I saw her she seemed sad that she was moving, but her sister said it would be for the better. I agree. I have nothing good to say about Vernon or his brother. All Vernon had to do was lead an honest life and he couldn't even do that to save his wife. A part of me is sad for him. He doesn't know what he gave up."

The druid, at amara's side, took a look of pity. "Time and experience changes people. I think that in his heart, he knew that his past hurt her. All he can do is try make things right.

She looked at Amara. "We all make mistakes in our youth...some more than others. we just hope that each person gains the wisdom to rectify it before their time."

She places a hand on her shoulder. "We will find her."

Amara found Kalliyan's actions confusing, so ignored them for now. "And Vernon's family, are any of them still around?"

Myarra, having all the social graces of the bubonic plague, stays with Roenthelm and the horses.

Sister Aliana thanked the woman most profusely for the information, adding that if there was anything she could do to repay her, she was staying at the Oghma temple for the next day or so

Twiggy gave the kids a extra piece of candy and went with the older lady. He frowned as he learned that she has moved and once they got outside asked "Isn't there a spell that sends a message but you have to know the person. Apparently this woman did so we can see if we can cast it on her and get her to ask the wife what town she is in. South is a very big area and as much as I like Vernon, we need to be getting back to Nolan and our other tasks."

Sister Aliana nodded to Twiggy
"Perhaps we can hire a more mundane messenger, as well"

"Vernon wasn't from around here. Don't know where he's from. None of you are from around here, except for Aliana. Why are you all asking about Nora?"

Vernon has passed on and we want to return his things to his wife, Nora.

Byron replies politely.

The old lady's tone calms a lot after hearing about Vernon's passing.

"I'm not surprised that he's gone. May the gods have mercy on his soul. If she hasn't moved again, Nora and her sister should be in Baldur's Gate. Eliza got engaged with Lieutenant Liam Solvur, after he retired from the River Navy."

This Liam didn't happen to work with Pervis Centuari?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Fri 05 June 2020.

"Pervis Centauri is a shady individual. A lot of his men were crooks, in my opinion, and Liam was part of his crew before the captain retired...that was over 10 years ago, I believe. Liam and Durgen liked the same girl...if you want to call her that. Whore is more the word. But, Durgen couldn't stand up to Liam, so back to his studies he went. The school is on the other side of town here. Durgen is just as mean as his brother Nelson, but both of them combined don't even stand up to Ruben...."

It appears that the party has encountered the town's local gossip lady...

I know all about Nelson myself.  Have you heard anything else about who the Centauri's might be working with or for?

"Pervis works for himself and people work for him. It was that way when he was a Captain on his ship and I'm pretty sure it's that way now. I know he lives in luxury in Triel and his rotten son Durgen goes to visit him when he has time off from his studies."

Thank you for taking some time to speak with us.

I give her a silver piece for her time and trouble.

Twiggy nods at the elders help and asks "Do we want to use acsending spell just to be sure?"

The old lady pockets the silver with a smile,

"It was nothing, young man. Come back anytime."

She goes back into her shop.

It's around 4:30pm-ish.

I would suggest we find someplace to get some dinner.  I'm hungry and I'm tired of Twiggy helping himself to my snacks.

Byron says with a chuckle.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Wed 10 June 2020.

In reply to Byron Rockhead (msg # 209):

Aliana pondered Byron's suggestion, trying to remember any local eateries that might be better than the kitchens at the Oghma temple

OOC:  18:42, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Local knowledge

"Might I suggest finding a place to stay the night first? People might get a tad suspicious that I'm carrying around a bag of bones."

Twiggy chuckles "That is what you are worried about, look at our group. they will probably be mad if we didn't have a bunch of eccentric stuff we was carrying around."

Kali couldn't help but smile at twiggy's observation. "...not to mention a 300 pound panther walking around. But hey , someone holding some bones is kinda weird."

She giggles as she looks at roenthelm as she teases him a little

Aliana smiled innocently
'Perhaps we can say he's 'holding them for a friend'?  It's technically the truth, after all "

Twiggy chuckles "Holding a friend for a friend..."

"Ok, Ok, It's not pick on Roen day." Roen laughed "Let's look for a place to stay and then visit your Temple of Oghma, Aliana, to see about getting Vernon's bones buried."

Looking around, but not knowing where Vernon is,

"Assuming you want to be buried here, of course."

In reply to Roenthelm (msg # 216):

Aliana shrugged
"I'm sure I could arrange for us to stay at the temple, if ypu all would like?  I know that's not to everyone's taste, however"

"What do you want, Vernon?" Amara asks when they are away from the woman.

"Do what ye will with me bones. I care not. What the old crones says be true. I lied, cheated and stole, but never a murderer and I loved me wife and wanted the best for her. I paid me debts with me life, but please don't go out of ye way to give her me ring. I know where she be now. The Cult must be dealt with, so go deal with them and someday we go to Baldur's Gate."

If possible we will bury you here in town.  I will keep your ring with the promise to take it Baulder's Gate and hopefully find your wife and give her your ring.  You have, in my eyes, repented for your misdeeds in life.  When I find her, I will tell her how you have changed to become a better person.  I wish nothing but the best for you.

Byron says to Vernon before turning to look at Alianna.

Alianna can we bury him properly here in the town cemetary?  He deserves that from us for all of his help.

In reply to Byron Rockhead (msg # 220):

Aliana frowned in thought.
"I'll admit my duties were more about the library than the graveyard, but I can ask around.
OOC: 16:48, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 9 using 1d20+6.  local.

Amara nodded, "I, too, did things I was not proud of before I knew better. We will get her the ring, but if you are okay with us taking care of the Cult first, that is, I believe, the more time-pressing issue." She considered for a moment, "I am not certain, though, that burying you here will be enough to let you pass on... My understanding of ghosts is that their main yearning, what kept them from from passing on in the first place, must be resolved before they can cross over. So burying you here might just bind you as a ghost here instead of where you were."

She looked over to Aliana, "Is that right? I admit to not being an expert on the subject, but that was my understanding. Right?"

She turned to Vernon, "Is that what you want? Or would you rather remain with us until we get to Baulder's Gate?"

In reply to Amara (msg # 222):

Aliana nodded, tentatively
"That's generally true, though ghosts can vary as much as people, and occasionally be as inscrutable "

OOC :01:55, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 29 using 1d20+10.  Religion

Aliana, is it possible that Vernon's spirit is tied to his ring rather than his body? If so would that allow him to travel with us until we are able to make it to Baulder's Gate and hopefully find your wife to give her your ring.  No matter what happens I will make every effort to get there and search for your wife to give her the ring and let her know that you turned out to be a good guy.

Twiggy listened but didn't say anything, he didn't know what tied ghosts where. "You know it would be nice to tadd ke Vernon with us. I am a great sneak but he can not be seen my normal means and can help us destroy the Cults operation around here. Be something to tell his wife at least."

Kali listens to the conversation with a neutral look. "As helpful as he will be twiggy, it is not his place. It is his time to rest....to move on, and though our dealings with the cult are more urgent, when we can, we must help him."

She looks at the ring. "His help and his deeds with us speak volume of his character. His past is just that."

Aliana figured her best bet at an answer would be with her Temple itself. Father Malcolm would give her the answers she needed and also permission to stay at the Temple with guests.

"Much appreciated, me friend. Bury me bones here. I honestly don remember where I be born, but Scornubel be a good restin' place."



"I know where Nora be now, so just keep me ring safe and go fight the Cult. They be responsible for me death and I'd like to see some justice done. I cheated people out of coin in me past, but what Nelson be doing is cheatin' people out of life."



"I feel me ring, not me body. Me wife gave me that ring when we be married."

"We'll find a place here, then, for you to be buried," Amara replied, though she wondered what the consequences of such would be.

Twiggy sat and listened and then said "On to the Temple then. They should have some maps we can use."

Aliana guides the party though town and you can tell this riverside town is a bit different. There is a magic school that teaches students the magical arts and this town seems a bit cleaner, organized and more protected than your average town, even though there are no walls surrounding the place. Students wander though town in their robes doing their daily business before things close down for the night. Any magics the party wishes to purchase could be bought at the schools themselves. The profits go back into the school to help with education. Rumor has it that the magical Schools were the start of the town(106 years ago) and then everything else started to fill in with time.

Once at the Temple of Oghma, the building is like a bank vault. It could probably survive a siege. The walls (Yellow on Map) are 15 feet tall and 5 feet thick of solid granite. Rumor has it that the Wizardry school practiced their Stone Shape lessons to fortify the wall to make it a solid one piece wall with a thick Iron Gate to the South. Once through the gate, there are acolytes walking around outside, and inside, some are still doing work. The place looks like a giant library. Off to the side, there appears to be a discussion with 8 persons and Aliana identifies her mentor Father Malcolm...even though Aliana will probably be the Mentor now... He sees Aliana, smiles, excuses himself from the discussion and walks over to the party.

"Aliana, good to see you again. You're looking good. Haven't aged a day and I've ages years, it seems."

Sister Aliana smiled wryly, used to the jokes about their different ages.  One got that a lot as an elf around mostly humans
"Father Malcolm!!  It's absolutely wonderful to see you, my friend. Yes, it seems I've again lost track of time and forgotten to get older again.  A terrible habit, I'm afraid. "
She gestured to her friends, introducing them all.
"You mentioned when i left the temple that it would always have room for me and my friends.  I hope that offer is still open?
We'rein need a safe haven to rest, as well as a placeto get some information"

Byron quietly watches Aliana talk with Father Malcom.  Feeling Twiggy stick his hand into my belt pouch again he grabs Twiggy by his shirt color and gives him a firm but not painful jerk to make him let go.

Whispering to Twiggy.

Keep your hands to yourself around here.

"I had a friend who joined a church once." Myarra told the others conversationally.  "Best rogue I'd ever known.  Of course I was much younger, so the field wasn't that large.

Anyway, his plan was to burgle the place from the inside.  He spent six months pilfering small objects of great value.  They had stuff like that just lying around in the open.

He used to brag down at the tavern about how stupid they were.  All he had to do was put up with some idiotic lectures and he was free to rob them blind.

Then disaster struck and I never saw him again."

She sighed deeply.

"He became a paladin.  What a waste of life."

Twiggy frowned at Byron and feined being upset as he wispered back "You dropped something and I was just putting it back."

Chuckling at Myarra as Aliana talks "Such a waste, all those holy relics must have seeped into his soul."

Roen smiled when he looked around the library. The churches of Oghma collected alot and it was too bad that most people would never know even a pinch of the information in the building,

"Your friend stole from the church and the gods made him pay it back with his life. He should have known better to steal from a church. The Gods are always watching."

"Yes, yes, but only the common room is available for a group your size." Father Malcolm said as he counted the party members "I'll see that your horses are stabled, watered and fed."

Then he smiled at Aliana,

"It's good to see you again. Rumor has gone around about a group matching your descriptions that abducted a farmer's family for ransom money." Malcolm said "You'll have to tell me the true story about Triel."

Aliana's eyes blinked in surprise and confusion.
"This is news to me, certainly.   I'll definitely share with you what I know about our adventures.  We've run across some unscrupulous local lords who might be spreading those rumors, though."

Byron chuckles lightly.

Nelson, I wonder how he got his ego inflated untrue story spread so quickly.

Aliana cocked her head and narrowed her eyes in confusion
"Wait, sir...what was the name if the farmer?  "

"Durgan Centauri talks to his father all the time, I'm sure. He teaches at the Academy here in town and he spread the information to the city guard. I heard about it yesterday."



"Yeah, Triel is the wrong place to go unless you work for Centauri. His son Durgen comes in here with students and thinks he owns the place. I constantly have to tell him otherwise."



"I honestly don't recall. I had better things to listen to, but I do remember they had 2 sons."

Sister Aliana bit her lip apologetically
"I hope they won't cause any trouble for you while we're here?"

"There may be more of them than us, but the town supports us more than them. They would be very stupid to attack a temple in the middle of town, so don't worry. You all have your room and you and your friends are welcome anytime."

If they start to cause you trouble while we are here, we will do what we must to help you.

"I doubt there will be any trouble in town. Out of town is what I'm worried about for you." Father Malcolm said to Byron before turning to Aliana "I like having you around, but what brings you back to see this old man?"

The quiet sruid stayed quiet behind Byron and Aliana while they spoke to the man. As they offered rooms, she stepped forward.

"I have an unusual friend that many find...unnerving. But I assure he will mean you no harm. If you have a tree or two, he and I will sleep outside."

She heard the story of the farmer being kidnapped and she had a worried look.

She however looked at Father Malcolm. "Like Byron says...any trouble comes and we will help you protect your home."

"Father Malcolm?" Myarra begins, moving forward away from the safety of the horses.

"Greetings. I am Myarra. In addition to Kalliyan's friend, I am also someone that people find unnerving. I offer you the truth that I travel in disguise for this reason, but I also offer you my promise that I will be on my best behavior and cause no problems for you.

With Aliana as our witness I know that you'll pay no heed to these rumors.  But, to be forthright, we can assure you that they are, in fact, false, and can produce witnesses if needed.  We've already apprised Lord Dhelt of the truth of the goings-on in Triel.  It is true that he can not intervene, but at least we aren't worried about our reputations.  It is hard for dark conspiracies to thrive once you start shining light on them."

Twiggy ran his fingers down the books until he found one on halflings, written by a human, and then keeps fingering through it and absently chuckled at the ansers that the others gave Father Malcolm "Centari and his sons, along with other higher officials, are all members of the Cult of the Dragon who we found out has a silver mine run by orcs and slaves. We went to a tower to help a ghost friend find his bones when we ran afoul of Centari's gaurds and found out about the mines. The carpenter family we used to help us bruild scaffolds came with us because we feared for their safety and we set them up with the Paladin's. Furthermore, a kid we picked up on adventuring, Lorrick, lived in that town and we are helping them and his sisters resettle in another town.

If they are spreading rumors then we need to either leave this place or go free the human slaves at the mines and let them tell the truth about Centari and his involvement with the Cult.

Do you mi nd if I make edits to this book, humans look at other races as if we are human and fail to understand the deeper meaning of being a halfling. Twiggy holds up the book

"Here at the Temple of Oghma, everyone is welcome, as long as they don't cause trouble. We collect information on just about everything and everyone has access to this said information, be it Lord Centauri or Lord Dhelt. If you need special accommodations to sleep outside or to hide your identity, then it will be provided for you. The citizens of this town respect privacy and while you all are under my roof, you are under the protection of Oghma."

Father Malcolm looks at Twiggy with a smile,

"I have an acolyte that you can speak with that will take down your information. Getting first hand information from a Halfling will be quite helpful. Also, anything that anyone would like to share or edit would be a great help. I can show you to your quarters now and you are welcome to stay for supper, but you are adventurers and I wouldn't be upset if you decided to eat elsewhere. I would if I had the time."

Father Malcolm gives the tour of the Temple Library, outside where Kalliyan and Raieylan can enjoy the outdoors, and the larger room where you all can sleep in peace.

Sister Aliana nodded in agreement with her friends as they spoke, and also spoke quietly to Father Malcolm.
"We encountered a lost spirit, the ghost of a man who needed to be put to rest.  We were hoping to do that here, if it were okay with you?"

Amara remained quietly with the group, observing everything carefully.

I'll take the time to tell one of your fellows about our encounter with Lord Dhelt.  It was very interesting and informative.

Roen was pretty sure that he could help the church with information that he knew, but he was more interested in seeing Vernon get a proper burial. Perhaps someday, when things weren't so exciting, he'd come back here and spend a couple weeks here telling what he knew.

Twiggy nods at Father Malcolm "How often does Lord Centari's people use the temple?

The druid only nodded and gave a sharp whistle that echoed in the air. She stood by casually as the others discussed things.

After a time, Raieylan padded around the corner and came to stand next to Kali, sitting casually and kicking a paw

Byron looks over at the big cat and smiles at him.

"You are a Priestess of Oghma. If you think this person can be buried so they can rest in peace, then who am I to stop you? The townsfolk don't care, as long as it's decent and nothing in the graveyard is disturbed. But, if you need an actual answer, then YES. You can bury this person in the cemetery."



"Lord Centauri's people? The only person I know of that uses this temple's resources is Pervis' son Durgen. He's one of the instructors at the academy and he brings students here a couple times a week for their studies."



"You come find me when you wish to do so. I'll assign an acolyte to you."

A bell rings and Father Malcolm smiles,

"Off to dinner. Take my advice. Go out to eat."

The priest smiles, excuses himself and walks off for dinner.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Fri 03 July 2020.

Thank you for your time Father Malcom.  After dinner I shall seek you out to discuss my conversation with Lord Dhelt.

Byron turns to the others.

Father Malcom, is probably right about eating out.  As long as Twiggy keeps his hands out of my food that is.

"Then let us go explore the town to see what it has to offer. I have a feeling we will be coming back here someday. I want to take a look at this academy the father was talking about."

Sister Aliana looked troubled
"I know we are all capable folk, with experience defending ourselves, but perhaps it would be best if we sticked together while in town, at least in groups of two or threes.  Perhaps our enemies are more mischievous than threatening, but i suspect it would be wise to not let our guard down and become complacent"

Kali nods at the kindly priest and kneels beside Raieylan. "Stay here and stay out of sight...i don't want you scaring any of these priests to death."

The panther snorted and turned. Kali watched as the cat found a tree, climbed it and, pearching on a branch, layed down for a sleep.  She shook her head in disbelief. 'i wish i knew how he did that."she muttered to herself.

Kali looked at the others and nodded. "If not all as a group, then smaller groups as Alana has suggested." Kali put her arm through Byron's and smiled. "Come dear...you're buying me dinner." She looked at Myarra with a smile and wink.

Byron smiles at Kali as she takes his arm and replies both seriously and in a flirty way.

My pleasure Kali.

Twiggy chuckled at Kali thinking Byron was going to have enough coin to buy her dinner. Tossing up a coin purse and catching it in the air "Come on, first round is on me."

You obnoxious boy.  Give me that back.

Byron laughs as he grabs for Twiggy's hand with my coin bag.

Aliana hasn't been back to Scornubel for a couple years, but she figures that the city hasn't changed much since she's been gone. She knows a good tavern that serves pretty good food called the Purple Wyvern (Area 50 on Scornubel Map). You leave the horses stabled inside the Oghma temple grounds and walk down the street to get a feel for the place. Aliana tells you all about the people who lived here and there and before you know it, you're at the Tavern. The customers are mostly farmers and some shop keepers, but the service is great. They are serving river fish or pork. All come with veggies, fruits and breads and apple pie for desert. Drinks are extra.

Aliana is all smiles and warm words in the tavern, recognizing a few of the servers, and even a few patrons.
"I've always prefered the roast pork, they season it in  a way I've yet to see done anywhere else.  But I've also tried the grilled fish, and found it to be exceptional"

kali, walking arm in arm with Byron, looked on in the city, clutching his arm tight when clouds came near.

In the tavern, the druid ordered the fish, sitting beside Byron. She looked at Twiggy with narrowed eyes. "Behave yourself boys....in public."

Byron orders the fish as well and looks at Kali seriously.

Should I get your friend the roast pork to go?

Kali emiles and places a hand on his. "He can feed himself Byron. Remember, he isn't a pet, he's here because he chooses to be."

She takes a napkin and dabs her mouth. "...I'm starting to think you like him more than me byron."

No.  He's just starting to grow on me and so maybe I should take him a peace offering.

While they ate, Aliana enjoyed her meal with obvious pleasure. It was clear that she missed the cooking style of this particular tavern.  It wasn't the best cuisine that the party had ever had, probably, but it was comforting. After finishing, she was sipping her ale when a group of about a dozen children, led by a gangly young girl about 12, approached the table.  When Aliana noticed them, she smiled at them and nodded a hello. The girl spoke.

"You're Sister Farwalker, aren't you?  I recognize you from the last time you were here, a few seasons ago."

Aliana nodded.

"I'm just here for a visit while passing through I'm afraid, but I'm happy to be back."

The girl looked shy, all of a sudden, but also determined

"I was wondering, ma'am, if you weren't too busy, if you could tell us a story, like you used to.  Um, please?"

The elven priestess smiled warmly.

"It will have to be a short one, as we're very busy, but I think I remember a good one.  Let's move over to the far corner."

Aliana looked at her Traveling Companions.

"If you'll all excuse me, please, I used to tell stories now and then to the local children.  I guess they'd like to hear another.  I'll be back in a bit."

She got up and went with the throng of young people to the far corner of the tavern, and sat at a chair, while they all gathered round.   She proceeded to start telling a story to them all, with grand gestures and poetic words, to the delight of all.

As Aliana spoke in the far corner, the barmaid, a vibrant, middle aged woman whom Aliana had greeted by name as Leena (and had greeted with a hug), came to the table to refill the ale mugs. She smiled at them wryly.

"So...You're the friends of our Aliana, are you?  It's a pleasure to meet you all.  We were sorry to see Sister Farwalker leave.  She's....well, a bit of a legend around here."

She chuckled a little and shrugged.

"My great grandmother first told me the story about the elven foundling who'd been left on the steps of the Oghman temple, and ended up being raised by librarians and scholars.   She was working here when an elf girl came in one day, reading a book and wanting to celebrate her birthday away from the temple. While she was here, some of the local children were curious and started bothering her, but she responded by reading them the story from her book, about knights and dragons and such, and they were enchanted. She left to return to the temple and they never thought twice about it. Until she came back the next year, again on her birthday, her 'night on the town'. She again had the pork roast and read stories to some of the local children. Aliana came back every year, year after year, on the same day. Most of us are humans, growing old with new generations, but she stayed the same. It became a sort of tradition. A visit from her became a strange sort of holiday according to the local children.   Especially when it was time for their children to listen to the stories. Or their children's children. She was known to some as 'The Elf in the Library', or 'The Lady of the Books'. The Elven Storyteller who lived in the Oghman Library, to emerge once a year to visit the town.  Seems a bit silly, I suppose, in a town this size, but we're simple folk and love our traditions, especially one that we can depend on year after year. And her visits were even said by some to bring good luck. My father swears that the entire town was a bit luckier for a week or so after The Lady would visit. Well, I have to admit that it was sad day for us when one of the sages from the Oghman temple told us that Sister Aliana was feeling restless and wanted to explore the world. We didn't begrudge her, of course, but we'll miss having her visit. I'm just glad that my little ones got to hear her."

Leena looked again over at Aliana and shook her head with a rueful chuckle.
"The funny thing is, Sister Farwalker has no idea how much affect she's had on this town, and this tavern in particular. To her, it was just an occasional visit. To us, generations of us humans, it was something to tell our children about."

She nodded to the party, smiling.
"Hopefully she'll bring you as much luck as she's brought us.   If you need anything else, please let me know."

She left to tend to other customers.

Byron watches Aliana from the table the group is at.

She does appear to be a good story teller.

Myarra was enjoying herself.  Peaceful (for the most part) town, lack of drama, not much of a threat of assassination.  It was practically idyllic.

"Thank you, ma'am," she said politely to Leena while her mug was being refilled.  "Sister Farwalker is indeed a treasure.  We are blessed that she has chosen to travel with us.  But she does get a bit forgetful when it comes to time.  I'll try to remind her to keep her next date with the children."

Once woman had departed, she leaned back in her chair and sipped her ale.  She was going to make damn sure to control how much she had this time.

"No offense intended, Kalli, but I definitely like Raie more then Byron.  He doesn't clank, hardly smells, pulls his own weight.  What's not to like?"

Kali smiles at Myarra. "Not to mention he talks less. Though Byron does have a few gems of insight at times, he can offer these as well."

She did her best to hide her smile. "Raie has times  he smells worse that byron....someone has to educate that man on cleaning more often.  And unfortunately his eating habits are on par with the cat."

She couldn't stifle the giggle as she spoke.

Twiggy pulled out his bag of candy and went to sit cross legged with the children. He takes a pepermint stick out and passes the bag around as he listenes to Aliana.

Alaina smiled at.her friend but didn't stop the pace of her story

"I mean," Myarra opined, waving one hand lazily.  "It's hard for him to smell any better.  He sits around, stewing in that tin can all day.  I'm surprised steam doesn't whistle out around his neck.

And, of course Raie is constantly cleaning himself.  Although I supposed I'd have to stab out my eyes if Byron started licking himself all over."

Kali couldn't help but smile at Myarra's words    The druid took a bite of fish and finishing her mouthful, patted him on tbe arm.

"Don't worry dear...we will get your armor smelling less like a tin plate holding a old vulture carcase."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Sat 11 July 2020.

Byron replies half teasingly, half jokingly.

Haha.  I'm not as bad as Myarra says I am.  She's just jealous of my armor.

Byron turns to look over at Twiggy and Aliana and watch them.

So, the party is having a nice evening in town, eating food, drinking drinks and chatting with other patrons. There is dancing and a drunk farmer is escorted home. Typical night almost everywhere. Then a local bursts through the door to the tavern yelling at everyone !

"Monsters are in town!!"

Then he runs off. Patrons sitting enjoying themselves start to rise to look outside to see what the commotion is...

Just once, can we have a nice quiet evening in town without insanity?

Byron rushes out to door to see if he can see the trouble.

Roen follows Byron out the door,

"Monsters attacking a city? That seems strange. The town guard would've noticed long before anything got near here."

True, however, Scornubel is a bigger town than Triel or Soubar.  So word takes a little longer to get around my friend.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Sat 11 July 2020.

Aliana had finished her story, and was considering telling another, when the alarm was raised.  She looked at the children with grace seriousness
'Quickly, children!  Go hide in the back room!  Stay there until the adults say it's okay to leave!  We'll see what's going on "

She also got up and headed for the door

"I'm just having a drink," Myarra mutters.  She joins the others at the door, looking around the street for any sign of an official that might be able to shed some light on the subject.

"Remember, there's a town guard for a reason. They might not like strangers causing a ruckus, even if we're trying to help.  This isn't the wilds.

And there's always the chance that we're the monsters.  I wouldn't put it past the Centauris to start spreading lies."

That said, she starts looking around for an appropriate time and place to change her appearance.

Kali looked at the others as they reacted. Walking beside Myarra. "Does monster attacks happen often in bic cities like this?"

She walked beside the others curious as to what the monster is.

Byron smiles at Myarra as he teases her about a possible battle.

Myarra, if it is Centauri behind this I'll kick his backside for ruining my dinner.  Then I'm going to take the cost of a dinner for the whole town out of his hide.  Then I'm going to let you have some fun with what's left of his backside.

Amara is suspicious that this is to get them outside of the building. "Flicka, follow him," Amara whispers to her hummingbird. The hummingbird flits out of her robe/dress and follows the man to see if he really is going out among others or just stopped here.
She goes and hands a smokestick and tindertwig to the barkeep, who is most responsible, she judges, for everyone in town. "Keep the people safe. If monsters come, lighting this will form a screen of smoke to help evacuate people."
Then she went with the others outside to figure out what was going on.

Cautiously going outside just to see what was happening, the party indeed sees the man running back down the street telling people that monsters are in town. (Remember, the party is at location 50 on the Scornubel Map) The man is running "South" down the street calling for the guard BUT, when you look North, you see a group of people, perhaps 10, standing in the middle of the street with torches. It's around 7:45pm-ish and starting to get dark now, but the townsfolk are standing around something that is at least 2 feet taller than them. (That group is currently in the green section of the map on the road "North" of the party's location)

link to a message in this game

"I still say we should just wait and see if the guard can handle it.  Especially since we still don't know what it is."

Byron looks at Kali and Myarra and speaks to them.

Well, my dears, it is a good night for a short walk.  We don't have to get too close to them.  Just close enough to get a good look at them.

Byron then starts to walk down the road slowly trying to get a better look at the group.

You know if it is him (the male green we've dealt with before) or her (Satin) this might be bad for our health as well as their's.

Byron walks up the street to where the group of people are...farmers with one city guard...

Sister Aliana walked closer as well

"This is a bad idea," Myarra insists, but to nobody in particular.  She glances around to make sure no one is looking at her and shifts her features, taking on the appearance of an elven woman. 

She then moves up the road after the others, keeping a respectable distance behind them.

Amara heads out of the building and slips into the shadows, moving stealthily toward the group to see what is going on. Myarra might well be right, but they needed to determine if they needed to help - and she and Twiggy were the two with these skills.

Twiggy helps the kids into the back room and assures them all will be ok then goes outside. Without waiting on the others he sees the crowd and tells them "I am going to check this out, monsters dont "stroll" into town."

Byron chuckles lightly at Myarra's comment.

Of course this is a bad idea.  Life wouldn't be any fun without bad ideas.

"Remind me to tell you about the time I got the idea to rob the royal mail wagon that just happened to be carrying the army payroll ... and a dozen extra army regular guards."

Amara slips into the shadows once she's outside and Myarra changes form when she thinks nobody is looking. You all go outside and most of you can see the crowd. Byron is already walking up the street to see what's going on. The party thinks this might be a trap, but so far nothing has happened. It is very strange though. A person breaks off from the group gathered up the road and runs down the street headed into town. While jogging by, a citizen asks what what going on,

"A Bugbear claiming a bounty that Lord Orville posted..."

Byron chuckles at Myarra's story.

Hey now, you don't have to follow through on every bad idea.

Byron asks the one jogging by:

Bounty for what or who?

Kali, walking beside Byron, listened intently."A bugbear claiming a bounty." she looked at the others

Bugbears were usually evil by nature, but so were drow...and Amara was an exception.

Was this bugbear different?

She looked at the others. "What if he is sincere...his race may be evil but we know as well as anyone that means nothing." She was not a fan of bugbears in general, but knew the races were varied.

Amara continued to move forward, using the shadows as her cloak, so she could see and hear for herself.

"Indeed," Myarra replies to Kalli.

"And just who gets to determine who's a monster anyway?

And Byron, you usually don't know a good idea from a bad one until you suddenly and unambiguously know the difference.

Evening fellas. Is this your payroll? Yeah, I was just making sure it was secure.  See, all nice and safe right where it's supposed to be.  Wow, you all have spears?  Very shiny.  No, no, you don't all have to show them to me.  I'll just be off.  Grandmother's very ill you know. I was just on my way to bring her some soup.  Where's the soup?  Good question.  Must be around here somewhere.  No, no, there's no need for you all to get out of the wagon and surround me with your shiny spears."

The runner says something, but Byron didn't understand what he was saying as he ran off into town. The party moves closer, debating the nature of Bugbears as Amara hides in the shadows to get into a better position. She's at the last building going out of town and looks around the corner. Around 50 yards away, she can see the Bugbear talking to a city guard while her Hummingbird flies around.

"I already told you Sir. My name is Draast. I totally understand your trepidation. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't let someone like me into town either. But, as you can see, I have a bounty notice here for a Herrad Stallard from a Lord Tobias Orville in the town of Scornubel. I have said bounty alive and wish to claim my 500 gold reward. My men have him in a secure place, knowing how humans treat us humanoids. I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm here to get paid for services rendered."

Just by looking and listening to this Bugbear, the party can tell that this one is different. Very different.

Byron chuckles at Myarra.

Myarra, all my ideas are bad ideas.  You should know that from hanging out with me by now.

Byron looks over at the bugbear and speaks softly so only Myarra and Kali can hear.

Speaking of bad ideas.  Should we offer to help the bugbear claim his bounty?  Say as a delivery person.  We bring his bounty in and take his gold back to him.

"It's a horrible idea, Byron.  And I'm all in favor," Myarra agrees.

"You and I can go get the prisoner, and I'll stay behind to prove our good will while you bring him in and return with the money.

Hopefully that will satisfy everyone."

Leaving you with them sounds like a bad idea to me.  However, it would show good intentions on our part and in theory should satisfy them to make the agreement.  It would also give us a chance to make some new allies from an unexpected direction and perhaps get more information on the cult.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:02, Mon 13 July 2020.

"Of course this is a bad idea.  Life wouldn't be any fun without bad ideas," Myarra replies back.

"Just remember, I'm not in as much danger as they might think I am.  But as long as they play by the rules, they don't have to know that."

Byron gives Myarra a worried and hope this works out look.

Shall we go see if he will accept our offer to be of assistance then?

"Let's," Myarra replies.  "We can but offer.  It would be better if they'd just let him conduct his business, but long association with humans doesn't lead me to believe that's likely."

Kali was happy at the prospects that her friends were more inclined to help the bugbear (who appeared to be very different from his kind), than attack it.

The druid nodded, following the others to help the bugbear. "The people of the city won't be happy, but my heart tells me he is worth protecting"

Amara did not think it was a good plan, but she remained in the shadows, watching.

PM

Amara looks at the creature.

There's no need for senseless violence if it can be avoided.  The bugbear is in more danger from the townspeople than the guard.  If we can prevent some senseless violence it is a good thing, even if my plan is a bad one as my plans usually are.

Byron speaks up so those around can hear and hopes that both the townspeople and Draast will be willing to listen.

Excuse us folks.  Might we have a word with Draast alone.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:45, Tue 14 July 2020.

Twiggy shrugs and walks up to the bugbear holding his bag up "Would you like some candy? You are different from your kin, they normally try to kill you while they raid towns like this. So tell us why are you different or are you just wanting a bounty?" Twiggy sat there with a small smile on his face, actually curious, as he holds the bag of candy up to share.

Draast smiles down on Twiggy,

"I will have to decline, little one. Candy will rot your teeth. As for my kind, I'm still a Bugbear, but more intelligent and sophisticated than the ones you've probably encountered. I just choose to be a bit more civil, as do the rest of my group, but sometimes it can be difficult as most eyes see a Bugbear."

Byron knows that's not going to happen as the guard and several townsfolk voice their negative opinion on that idea,

"I'm sorry sir, but that ain't happenin'" the town guard said "One, I don't know you. Two, this is a bugbear. Three, the bounty Lord Orville put out has already upset several people and will surely upset more when they find out who's claimin' it."

Byron replies reasonably to the guard.

Just because Draast is a bugbear is no reason to treat him with such hostility.  He's clearly exercising restraint in the face of such hostility.  My friends and I have an offer for him, but if you aren't going to allow him to speak with us privately then you aren't being very fair to him or to us.  Surely you know Sister Aliana, who is with us.  We are willing to help him with his claim, but the choice is up to him.

Amara continued watching.

Aliana was clearly fascinated by the concept of a bugbear Adventurer (for a lack of a better word), and blinked in surprise at being included suddenly in the conversation
She looked quickly at the guard, smiling brightly
"This is a strange and unprecedented event, sir, i know.  A bugbear collecting a bounty on a... I'm guessing some kind of criminal? is a wonderfully novel idea, and I'd love to help if I can.    My Traveling Companions and I are quite skilled in such unusual situations, and we can provide some help if you'd like."

Myarra speaks in a pleasant tone to the guard.  "The fact that Draast is here and we are all having this conversation means that first, there is a legally offered bounty, second, Draast has the alleged criminal in his custody, and third, the city does not have a law specifically forbidding bugbears from collecting on legally offered bounties.

Which means that you are in a no-win situation.  If Draast collects, you say you'll have a problem. But if you forbid Draast from collecting, in defiance of the law, you definitely will have a problem.

But if we can speak to him, we might just be able to make the problem, if not go away, at least become far less of a problem for you.

Will you allow us to try to help you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Wed 15 July 2020.

Twiggy shrugged and popped a piece of candy in his mouth "Well that is truly interesting, I think it is a good start. It will be a hard road but it a good path, I met friendly, Moradin worshiping, farming ogres once in my travels who live a happy life. So what did this "criminal" do to get a bounty?"

"You're not understanding sir. I could care less if anyone claims a bounty. But this bounty has got the town all riled up and we were hoping nobody claimed it." the guard said to Byron before turning to the crowd "So please, don't argue with me. I'm following orders. You all know what happened, so please go back to your homes. There is nothing to see here."

In reply to Big Boss (msg # 326):

With as much respect as she could muster, Aliana spoke to the guard.
"My apologies, sir, but I just arrived back in town recently, and I don't think I'm informed on the latest news.  May I hear about this situation from you, if you please?"

OOC:


19:54, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  diplomac

"I haven't repented for my sins, little one. I still worship my god. I'm just more evolved than my lesser brethren physically and mentally. Raiding and murdering is for the simple-minded and their only use is to be used."

Fine,  you want to follow your orders.  Then follow them.

Byron replies to the guard a bit put off, then turns to Draast and speaks to him in a more sensible tone.

Draast,  lets a talk a short walk away from here.  I mean you no harm.  To prove it, I'll leave my weapons here with my friends.  You can keep yours.

Roen had seen intelligent humanoids before and they were more dangerous than the regular ones adventurers occasionally encountered on their journeys. But, they had a right to live as much as anyone else did and if they captured their bounty, they had the right to collect their reward.

"Draast has the right to collect his reward if the terms are met. Him being a Bugbear changes nothing. I just hope the culprit is still alive."

Twiggy nods "What else do you do besides bounty hunting, are you all mercanaries? Do you know anything about orcs with slaves at a silver mine, I can pay for information." Twiggy is still munching on a candy with a smile as he is fascinated talking to Draast, as he talks his speech does go faster as he is more excited "Don't worry about Byron with weapons, he is always lising stuff and would have forgot them anyway."

Amara continued watching from the shadows.

Kali stood by her friends side, hardly an intimidaing sight, but still standing with a firm look supporting Byron and Roenthelm.

PM

Amara nodded.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 23:39, Mon 20 July 2020.

PM

The city guard complains a bit, but since he can still see the 2 of you, he just waits for his reinforcements to arrive.

"Don't worry about little old me, young man." Draast said as he and Byron walked East "What would you like to talk about? I figure I still have a couple of minutes to chat before business begins."