It was a standard day for everyone. Farmers farmed. Smiths smithed. Store owners were closing up their stores, having done a normal day's business. And the local inn was lit up in contrast with the darkening evening sky.

A couple things set themselves apart as the evening began, however. This evening had a rather motley crew of oddballs at the inn; A kobold (kobolds usually keep to kobolds and don't mingle with outside races or outside towns unless they are invading), bold as you please, had come strolling in to the inn like it was normal.

The bartender, though surprised, decided not to make a big deal of it. After all, he had already seen a female shifter enter the inn. And here he thought seeing a dragonborn was going to be the highlight of his week.

A waitress goes to Mittens and asks, "...kin I get an'thin' for ye, ma'am?"

Meanwhile, the bartender is looking over the two lizard folk. Dagger, of course, can see there is a dragonborn, a fellow descendant of dragons, sitting at the bar. (Up to the player if Dagger noticed Mittens. She seems to be sitting off in a kind of "don't notice me" spot) "What kin I get fer ye?"

Right as he asks that, a sour-looking elderly man walks in with a little boy and has a seat, making sure the boy sits next to him and making sure to be near the entrance of the inn.

Mittens is wearing ethereal armor, looking rather epic and stuff.  http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net.../Spirit_of_Valor.JPG  Seated next to her is a little hodded person, face hidden by the hood and bandages.

"Greetings, citizen!" Mittens says to the waitress, "I am hungry for justice!  If there have been any wrongdoings in the region, I would know of it so the wrongs can be righted!"

  Rhagar did not notice hot justice on the menu, hopefully the hairy lady is accepting of alternative meals.  "Cold wine and a hot meal, please."  He glances over to the Kobold, glad that more socially acceptable yet hard drinking races means accommodations for short ones to be able to see over the bar counter.

  PS Dwarves are just hairy drunks.

Dagger looked to the bartender and gave a wide smile, being mindful of how the warm-blooded types tend not to care for a show of sharp, pointy teeth no matter how well cared for they are.  "Give me an ale please, and your finest.  I don't want some watered down barrel slosh first thing in the morrow if that's quite okay."  She looks up at the fellow reptillian and offered a smile, "I like my drinks strong."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:17, Tue 02 Dec 2014.

The elderly man who walked in glares over his shoulder towards the kobold. Then gets an evil smile and a glint in his eye before turning to Eli. "You hear that, boy?" he asks Eli quietly in a cold tone, "Sounds like someone has ordered what you're having tonight."

Eli cringes under his shoulders. "...p-please, dad... I don't like that stuff..."

The man frowns. "Nonsense. I'll make a drinker of you yet."

The elderly man walks over with Eli to the bar to watch intently what the bartender fetches for the kobold.

Meanwhile, the bartender does, in fact, mix up a pretty strong drink (And does the whole flipping glasses and such acrobatic entertainment). He can be seen mixing 1 shot of dark rum, 1 shot of white rum, 1 shot of spiced rum, ½ shot of apricot brandy, 1 dash sugar syrup, ½ shot lime juice, ½ shot pineapple juice. He then fills half a high ball glass with ice, pours all the ingredients into the glass and stirs it well and slams it in front of Dagger. "Here ye go, lass... the Zombie."

Even the elderly man raises an eyebrow and almost looks hesitant. But says, "I'd like one o' them Zombies too, bartender!"

The bartender nods. "Comin' up."

Meanwhile, the waitress looks down at Mittens with a chuckle and says, "Sorry, ma'am. We aren't the authorities in town, so we don't serve justice here. Just food an' drink. But iffin' yer lookin' for bad folk what to put faces-to-dirt with, I'm sure them adventuring dragonkin over there are likely to be able t' help ye out."

"You might be right," Mits says, eying the old man, "Though iff'n somm'n forces 'nother t' inbibe what don'ts wants ta, 'ole Mittens may hafta return the gesture t' th' forcer."

She heads over to the scaley types.  "Greetings!  Mittens is the name and adventure's the occupation!  You two happen to be adventurers?  If so what's say we team up!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:31, Tue 02 Dec 2014.

  Rhagar is pretty sure kids can handle that sort of drink right?  Can't be any worse than having hazardous saliva... Wait, that wasn't a thing for human children was it?

  At Mittens's approach, he asks "Why?  Looking to return the favor for whoever banged up your acquaintance's face?"

Dagger grins widely at the old man ordering a Zombie as well.  "Heh, think you can out drink me huh?"  She stands up in her chair and raises her glass on high.  To Mittens she hmms?  "Ah well not so much an adventurer as someone who does what she has to to make a living."   That said she looks to the old man once more, "WHenever you're ready there fella.  Just hope the kid isn't the one that has to babysit you all day once you've lost."

The old man chuckles as the drink gets served to him. "Oh no.. you misunderstand. The drink is for my boy here." He slides it to Eli. "Care to make a wager on who will win?"

Eli looks at the drink, looking scared. But slowly grabs the glass.

The man says, "Challenger takes the first drink?" pointing at Dagger.

"Less that and more revenge on the one who killed me and my sibs," Mittens answers Rhagar.

She nods to Dagger, "I'll keep that in mind should there be any adventures that come up with a promise of pay."

She looks over to the man and shakes her head.  She takes off the helm and glares at him with her ethereal, burning eyes.

"Let me speak plainly.  Force that kid to drink and I'll cram the glass down your throat.  We clear?"

  Oh, revenants, or something?  Yes, do make the lizardpeople stand out less.

  "So, at the moment you are just freelance revenge? Is it cultists?" He's got revenge experience with cultists.

  Admist the burning eyes, talks of revenge and glass meals, Rhagar wonders where his own order went... Though at this rate he probably would not have time to enjoy it.

Dagger paused, "What?  The kid?  Look I know he's bigger than me, but that doesn't mean he can handle this stuff.  You humans tend to be all frail and such during your hatchling stage."  She blinked a moment and smiled sweetly to Eli, "Ah, no offense.  It's just that this stuff's for us grown-ups to drink, so you won't have to drink that."    As for intimidating the old guy it looks like the ethereal clad one has that handled, so she just waits on the old man's reply.  And where is the dragonkin's food anyway?  They probally have to slow cook the food or something, that usually takes a while.

The bartender brings Rhagar's order. He was distracted by the craziness. It can't be helped.

The elderly man doesn't seem phased by Mittens' display. To normal people anyway. And even to Mittens and Dagger. But Rhagar barely catches the slight shift of pupil size in the man's eyes, indicating he's at least a little nervous, but hiding it well. The elderly man gives Mittens an evil smile. "And harm the boy's father in front of him? Clearly, we have a villain among us. Well your threats won't work on me, villain. My boy is not as fragile as he appears and will likely crush you under his heal before you can harm a hair on my head."

Eli watches Mittens, looking worried. "P-please... d-don't... hurt my dad. He's not forcing me to drink."

---

Old man's bluff: 16
Mitts insight: 14
Rhagar's insight: 20, lol
Dagger's insight: 12

Rhagar can figure this much: Old man is intimidated by Mittens, but is an experienced liar. He also actually believes what he's saying.

Eli's bluff: 16
Mitts insight: 19
Rhagar's insight: 16
Dagger's insight: 8

Mitts and Rhagar know Eli is lying (though doing a surprisingly good job, maybe because he was already scared) about not being forced to drink.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Tue 02 Dec 2014.

Mits shrugs and answers Rhagar without moving her eyes from the old man.  "Freelance, I guess.  I'm new to the whole being a ghost thing.  Though I know that I can't be killed.  Being dead already and all."

"I know you're fibbing to protect your dad, boy.  But his luck has run out.  It was only a matter of time before the bully met a meaner bully who'd put him in his place.  I promise you I won't kill him, though.  Heck, I won't even lay a finger on him if he cuts out his bullying."

  "Is there a practical purpose to causing deliberate organ failure in your son?  I suppose if you wanted him disposed of but claim you never laid a hand on him that would be one way, but when you make a big show of it everyone will remember you gave him the drink."

Dagger blinked as she looked between the others.  "Well.. if the hatchling human isn't being forced to drink..  Still feels wrong to me though."  A shrug, "Well can't let this drink go to waste regardless.  Bottoms up!"  She grinned before tilting her head back, opening her maw and gulping down her drink with such enthiusiasm, she doesn't notice she's leaning too far back until it's too late and she begins to fall over.

Eli is silent for the moment.

The old man answers Rhagar in a half-snobbish sneer with, "I already explained earlier that my son is developing immunities. This is for his good."

Eli says in a serious (if still nervous) tone, "Dad... if she's a ghost, there's not much I can do to protect you. I can't put her to sleep. I can't trip her; she'll just levitate. All I'd be able to do is temporarily move her somewhere."

The drink is strong enough to almost knock the kobold out on its own. The fact she fell off her chair actually helps her look like leaning back was what did it.

The old man eyes Mittens cautiously. "If you're so good at raising children, then he's yours for now. Eli? Stay with this lady until I come back for you."

Eli says, "Wh-what? Dad?"

And the man leaves.

(Dagger is still conscious, but will be taking some weird/arbitrary penalties and bonuses when combat starts)

Mits was beginning to course with lightning when Rhagar suggested the man was trying to kill the boy, but when he offloads the boy on her and takes off she just blink-blinks in stupid surprise.

"W...  Wow.  He means it.  He's actually coming back.  Likely going to tell a fib to the local clergy.  'There's some nasty evil ghost haunting the inn.  Chased me off!  You need to go bust that ghost before it devours someone's soul or something.'"

She glances at the kobold.

"Need a hand-up?"

To Eli she shrugs and gives a sheepish smile.  "Hello.  My name is Mittens!  I usually harass much more evil types.  Like dragons and their kobo...erm...  bandits!  But part of me has a soft spot for young'ns."

  While in theory Rhagar might have had the reflexes to try and catch Dagger, honestly he's paying more attention to his meal than preventing one fall only for the drunken short girl to probably topple over moments later.

  "I suppose an inn full of witnesses is a mere inconvenience to such people.  I also do not think the child's father put much thought into his actions either."  Clergy seems to hate it when he calls them paying him to kill people 'assassinations'.

  He looks over to the shortest human in the room, "Does he frequently declare ghosts your new mother?"

Dagger acks as she lands on her back, drink all gone by the time she manages to hear comments, "I'm okay!" She says to Mittens, "The room's kind of spinny though.. heh."  At the mention of dragons and their kobo bandits, the kobold points up at the ceiling, "Never join the Cult of Tiamatty-mat!  They're crazy!"

Eli looks up at Mittens and gives her an unsure look. He does look scared of her.

When Rhagar asks his question, Eli says, "No?"

Then looks towards Dagger. "Tiamat's evil... and so are her followers."

It's then that 4 orcs bust into the tavern. "EVERYONE DIE!"

Before much can happen, though, the heroes answer the orcs with a "nuh-uh! YOU die!" of their own.

Eli squeaks and points his staff at the entrance and a "puddle" of ice forms! Two of the orcs fall on their butts while two manage to keep their footing! One of the ones who fell, though, winds up encased in ice, taken out of the fight!

---

Icy Terrain v all. Hit raider and a minion. Miss the other two.
 dmg to raider: 7

Orc Raider HP: 46 - 7 = 39
One minion down

Mits flies over the bar and patrons and slashes at one of the orcs!

"Sorry.  Already dead.  So did a grumpy old human send you in here to kill us?  Or is this just a really random ambush?"

---

OOC: Doesn't provoke 'cause am conjuration.  Used a power that allows me to flank...  when it hits!  Darn.

  Rhagar finishes off his much more reasonable alchohol.  "Excuse me." He comments to the Tavern staff, as his small wings boost him behind the counter, then back over it at the other end (No reason to fly over other people's meals).

  The Draconian pulls the 'coin from behind someone's ear' trick on one of the orcs.  Except instead of a coin, it's a knife.  And instead of removing it, he's-you know what this comparison is just as mangled as that Orc's brain.  Because of the dagger.

OOC: Move: Baby wings are go!
Standard: Sly flourish to Drudge, Hits. Dead.

The leader of the orcs yells at Mittens in a primal scream! "THEN DIE AGAIN!" and whacks her so hard, even in death, she feels it and goes poof!

His blood-shot eyes widen at Rhagar. "YOU NEXT!"

---

Basic Melee v Mittens. Hit(27)!
 dmg: 11

Mittens conjuration HP: 10 - 11 = Poof

Dagger just wanted a nice, relaxing morning filled with fun for once.  No drama over her being a kobold, no rotten food thrown at her, no insults about her mother being a handbag, and certainly no death threats!  When the others spring into action, she does so as well.  She tries to focus through the haze of her Zombie drink long enough to scramble onto the bar's countertop, scamper over it while avoiding other patron's food as best as she can, land on some poor guy's lap before jumping into the fray.  She targets the Orc's leader first and foremost, "Hey!"  She smiles widely at the orc.  Not the nice and kind one she was giving earlier, but a wide ear to ear smile showing all of her sharp and pointy teeth. (Shrouded) "You ruined my morning funtime!!"  She shouts as she reaches up as if to grab the orc's neck despite not reaching it by any stretch of the imaginination, and squeezes her hand in a choking manner. (Force choke go!)

The orc to the south yells at the drunk kobold, "THIS MY FUNTIME!" and whacks her good!

---

Basic melee v Dagger. Hit(22)!
 dmg: 5

Dagger HP: 21 - 5 = 16

Eli's voice calls out in a pleading tone, "Nooo!" and he swings his staff to point it at Dagger! The staff fires a lightning bolt at Dagger, but it doesn't harm her. Instead, it coats her in electricity that zaps the orc for touching her! And he goes down.

---

Thundering Armor on Dagger! Thundering Armor v Drudge. Hit(17)!
 Dagger now has +1 AC

'Nother minion down.

Poof!  Mits reappears behind the orc.

"Nyah hah!  Thought you destroyed me!  You didn't!  Prophesied raightning strike!"

She punches the orc in the spine with a thunder punch!  Targets made of electricity appear over his weak points!

---

OOC: Allies deal extra 4 damage when they hit!

  Rhagar will consider the practical problems question of 'how to kill swiftly reappearing ghosts' later, in favor of the more practical question 'which glowing vital bit of orc should I stab?'.

  The draconian steps between the violent drunk and the no inside voice orc, and swipes his rapier across the remaining enemy's eyes.  The blinded Ravager swings wildly and misses as Rhagar boots him towards the door past Mittens (Who may or may not have tripped them) to bleed out on the street outside, instead of the floor of the tavern.

  "So, quick question.  Am I the only one in here not hurling some form of magic around like they are free samples?"

OOC: Move: shift.
Standard: repositioning strike, LOL melee vs will.  Overkill.

Dagger would've been a nice, happy drunk if not for the orcs!  As the raid leader is dispatched she peeks out from behind the larger lizard and shakes a fist at the orc, "And don't you come back!! Unless ya buy us all a big dinner and apologize, ya got that!"

Dagger suddenly feels her wounds close completely! "Good to see you're OK, ghosty lady... You OK, nice kobold lady?" Eli asks as he heads to her. He glances at Mittens. He is glad she's OK, but then he was sure she wouldn't STAY bamfed.

Mits giggles at the cute kobold's admonition.  She checks if the magically frozen orc was merely knocked out or if the kid actually killed somebody.  Either way, she stands akimbo, big grin on her face.

"You guys are awesome!  And quick answer: No.  I see several people here not flinging magic."

She points at the innocent bystander types.

  "He's too dead to apologize, but he might have enough gold on him to at least buy a few drinks"

  He looks over to ghost mom, "Well, good point I guess.  At least you seem more resilient than his previous parent... Where did your bandaged friend go during all this?"  He glances around.

That's right, the kobold got whacked a good one!  Curse you alcohol and your convienantly placed delayed reactions!  Though as soon as her calmed down state of mind registers she got hurt, she suddenly starts feeling better!  She blinks a few times before looking to Eli, "I'm fine, and you?"  She smiles sweetly, "If that was your magic thanks, you helped out a ton!  Not bad, for a hatchling."  The kobold giggles.

Eli blushes and turns all shy, sliding his foot and staring at the ground when Mittens calls him awesome. Compounded by the kobold telling him he's not bad for a hatchling.

Eli manages to answer Dagger, though, "I... c-can heal people with.. m-magic... yes."

"Thanks!  A thought occurs to Mittens.  What if those orcs ran into other townsfolk on their way to the inn?  There could be people out in the street dying.  Come, bandaged friend!  We must away and check that there aren't any people in need of healing!"

She rushes out in search of people to help, half worried the boy's dad is dead.  The lil hooded one peeks out from under the table it was hiding under and hurries to follow her out the door without a word.

  Rhagar sighs, but yes if they ignore more possible orcs they would just come into the tavern eventually and he'd have to stab them sooner or later.

  The Draconian does pay for his meal before he leaves, though.  Though we suspect a normal sized tip isn't considered good enough after leaving dead bodies behind (even if they were going to kill the bar owners, and customers).

Dagger awws at the reaction from Eli and goes over to give the hatchling a little nudge, "Come on, I bet we can use that great magic of yours to help other people if more of those nasty orcs are running around."  SHe grins, "Plus we can hang out some more!"  She pauses and makes sure to pay the bartender for her drink, twice it's cost actually since yeah, dead orc bodies on the floor..  Why couldn't they be giant chickens or pigs?  Roast bird or glazed hams would be awesome!  But nope, orcs.

Dagger's nudging seem to have a positive effect on Eli for the time being.

Some cursory searching later reveals the orcs hacked their way through about six people on their way to the tavern. Eli is only able to save two of them. The other four are too dead/beheaded/disemboweled/etc to be healed. None of the dead or injured were Eli's dad.

Eventually, there is nothing left the heroes can do and they find themselves back at the inn, where the bodies are already cleaned up. Speaking of, it should be noted, the two orcs Eli downed are quite alive and are taken by the local authorities. Eli is whimpering, sniffling, rubbing his nose and eyes because of the four dead.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Wed 03 Dec 2014.

Mits thinks better of trying to cheer the boy up with assurance about the Raven Queen not being all bad.  Her hooded companion helped with the heals at least.

"Well looks like I had me a hefty helping of justice after all.  Guess not it's pretty obvious I don't eat normal food.  Thanks for helping with the heroing, everyone.  So!  Introductions.  My name is Mittens.  This quiet friend of mine is named Rose.  May I ask your names?  You know.  To be official and stuff."

  Rhagar even got his old seat back, whoo!... What, aren't you supposed to look on the bright side?

  "I am Rhagar, I suppose you could call it justice." It is important to remember the difference between just and unjust stabbings.  The cops don't care so much if you do the former.

  He looks over to the short sad one,  "There are less people dead than otherwise.  Why are you still sad?"

Dagger reclaims her own seat beside the lager lizard type.  Though she keeps an eye on Eli, "I'm sorry.. but why are you sad?  Were they friends, or family?"  She frowns a bit, "I'm not sure how I should feel.  Humans have killed plenty of kobolds and rarely showed remorse about the lives of my kind lost."  Granted in most of those cases teh kobolds probally deserved it for being all eeeeevil.

Eli says, "My name is Eli."

Eli then looks at Rhagar. "People died at all. Do you not have any grieving customs where you come from as long as more people survive?"

Eli then looks at Dagger, "Other people being heartless shouldn't guide your heart. If you had died, I would be crying for you the same as I'm crying for those dead people out there."

Mits reaches to hug the boy.

"I'm glad you have the heart to feel so deeply for those people."

The lil hooded person heads over to hug him too.

"Any idea where your dad mighta gone?"

  "Where I grew up, the only local murder was one only I cared about.  You've already seen my grieving custom."

  Though Rhagar can admit, tiny mummy hugs might have been nice at the time.

Dagger nods as she listens to Eli's words.  It's true that not all humans are bad, and things like this can be rough on the hatchlings.  "That's sweet of you, really.  I suppose all we can do is be brave and strong for those who have passed on, face each day and challenge head on, right?"  She ponders a bit.  The boy's father did say he'd come back.  It wouldn't be possible that the father set this up, is it?  Humans don't do that kind of thing to their hatchlings, right?

Eli squeaks as he's hugged. His face turns red. "I... really don't know where he would go." he manages to answer. "We don't have a home. Always traveling."

He rubs his tears away and says, "Wherever he is, he's probably getting in as much trouble as possible without getting arrested."

Then looks at Rhagar. "Everyone has different customs, Rhagar. But I will cry for you if I find out you died. Nobody else will; and that in itself is sad."

He then looks at Dagger. "Thanks..." then back to Mittens and Rose. "And thanks for caring."

"You're welcome!" Mits answers, grinning and giving a thumbs-up.

"I remember hearing mention of wanting to be paid for work.  Granted this was a self-defense situation, but that doesn't mean there won't be a bounty for slaying villains and rescuing townsfolk.  Wunna go check?"

  It's sad because it's true.  Or would that be funny because it's true?  Hard to tell some days, even when talking about your own death.

  "That would be convenient if so, worth looking into.  Maybe they have gotten anything more than 'I'd rather die than say anything useful' out of the suriving orcs by now." Also to see if panicked townsfolk are suddenly more willing to throw money at looming problem now that there is a body count.

Dagger hmmed softly in thought.  At the mention of potential payment for makeing the badguys have a bad day, she perks up, "Oh!  Gold! Shiny coins!  Yes, let's see if there's some we can get for being awesome!"  She grins at Eli, "Ever have tacos before?  You can buy lots and lots of them with shiny coins and they taste the best!"

Eli headshakes to Dagger. "I... don't think I've had a taco before."

He then looks at Mittens. "...where? Are you planning to go to the martial's office?"

Mits nod-nods.  "Sounds like a likely place.  And you really should try tacos.  They taste...  I sure miss taste.  Anyhow.  Lead the way, powerful local boy."

She and her silent partner will follow Eli's directions.

  "But you were asking to eat justice earlier... Wait, right. Figure of speech."  OR WAS IT!?

  The taller scaled person shall follow along to check progress on interrogating green people and other such things.

Dagger looks up to Rhagar, "Do you suppose jus  tice is eaten with salsa or hot sauce?"  Is she joking?  Who can tell with the tiny lizard people?   She grins as she scampers ahead to walk with Eli, "Tacos are yummy!  They got this crunchy shell, and some kind of ground meaty stuff and cheese, and shredded up leafy stuff, and I like to put lots of hot sauce on mine, but not everyone likes that."

Eli goes back to his shy demeanor, eyes downcast as he leads the group (ironically) to the martial's office.

When the group gets there, the martial says, "Ah. You must be the bunch that bested the orcs. Thank you. Now how can I help you?"

"Or is it a question of how we can help you?" Mittens asks all heroic pose-like, "As you've apparently heard, we are powerful adventurers.  And having already defeated the orc invasion, we came her with a few things in mind.  One, if there was a reward for the defense of the town we would collect it to celebrate with a taco feast.  Two, we would see if there is immediate need for more orc bashing.  And three, we would ask if any orc confessed to the reason for the attack or any other useful information that would help us in our desire to help defend this town."

She considers for a moment.  "Also I would levy a complaint against this kid's dad before he goes and does so against me and heap slander and lies upon what really happened in the tavern."

  Rhagar wonders if Mittens is remembering the same one sided bar brawl as he is, but then technically one orc showing up was an 'invasion'.

  "Is there a minimum human age requirement for The Zombie?™ or is this an unrelated issue to poor parenting?"

Dagger looked up at the marshal, really her kind have to look up to almost every other race except maybe gnomes.  "Yeah what's up with that guy?  Does he have a record of trying to make his hatchling drink booze that'd put hair on an elephant-crab's back shell then leaving the hatchling off with strangers and running off to go do Bahamut knows what while orcs decide to try and make everyone's morning happy fun time be bad?"

The martial says, "Pretty much. Now one thing at a time. There is no posted reward for the orc invasion. That was sudden. However, I'm sure for defending their establishment, the inn will be happy to give you some food on the house. As for orc interrogation, they just keep saying "bashing humans is fun" and stuff like that."

Eli clenches his fists as his upset face continues staring at the ground.

The martial says, "As for this boy and his father? No clue. First I've seen this boy."

Eli says, "We travel."

Rose can't help itself and reaches to comfort-hug the boy.

"I see.  Thanks for the info!  Well we'll be off celebrating with tacos more than likely.  Should the town council be interested in hiring us, you'll know where to find us."

She looks at the others to make sure they're ready head out before doing so herself.

  "Normally if you told somebody 'I went back to the tavern three times in the last hour', they would expect you to have a drinking problem."  But it's still probably the best spot, inn rooms have less seats and less snack services.

Dagger conciders a moment.  "Maybe...  maybe your interrogations with the orc isn't going well because you're humans.  Maybe the orc would be more apt to give us some more useful info if he were questioned by someone of a race that is known to have um.. not nice relations with humans, as a whole."  The little lizard smiles as she looks to the marshal again, "Like say.. a kobold?"

Initially, the martial is offended. But he listens. And as Dagger continues to talk, he ohs and nods. "Makes sense. Worth a shot. But remember... the orc likely remembers he doesn't have good relations with you either, given that you guys defeated him."

The martial escorts the bunch to the holding cell and then leaves them alone with the orc.

Rose cuddles Eli some more.

Mits stands arms folded and silent.  She's learned that interrogations are not her thing and that it best to not say a word while the more charismatic types do their thing.

  "Don't worry Dagger, you can just take advantage of having even worse relations with them instead."  That made sense right?

Dagger follows along to the holding cell.  She looks to the other, "Just stay back here for now.  He's just one orc, I don't think he's going anywhere and I should be able to handle him, but just in case, it'd be nice to have some backup, you know?"

She then turns her attention to the orc.  This is actually the first hold cell type interrogation she tried but it was worth a shot.  She approached the orc and smiled sweetly as she did, "I hear those stuffy humans are being boring at you.  How about talking with little ol me, hmm? MAybe start with why you all attacked the town, of all days today and such?"

If Eli could glow from the blush he is projecting, he would.

The prisoner says in his gruff voice, "For fun. Any time would have done."

"I'd like to rip your soul out and feed it to a soul devourer for fun," Mittens comments, doing a poor job of hiding her disgust for the orc, "But I think maybe it would better to drag it to Corellon's realm to be used as a mannequin for elven fashion for all eternity."

  Rhagar facepalms,  "Look, this is getting nowhere.  If you have anything useful to tell about the how's and whys of rampaging through a town except 'we felt like it', I'll get you some expensive booze"  Wait, why is there a bluff roll?  Because it wouldn't be expensive booze at all muhahahaha oh man Rhagar is bad at being evil when it's not involving direct murder sometimes.

OOC: Rolled a 25 Bluff. "Totally gonna buy you a drink I swear".

Dagger stared intently at the orc, discerning if there was any other ulterior motives the little lizard could glean aside from mindless violence.  While she wasn't ignoring her fellows' words, she was simply focused on the orc.

After a bit her smile fades into a disapproving frown.  "All for fun huh?  That's a shame, it really is.  Orc are strong warriors, your fun could've been had just as easily without the loss of innocent lives.  It would seem that in this case the humans are just to do with you what they will.  I just hope you can glean some notion of remorse as you face the wrath of the families whose lives you've ruined."  She shook her head disdainly and went to the other, "Mindless violence never solves anything, it only creates more pain in a world already full of needless suffering."

(Insight roll, 1d20+5=24!)

The orc looked like he was ready to come up with some lie for Rhagar. When Dagger says her piece, he laughs! "Remorse? Remorse?! HAHAHAhahahaha!" the orc is about to get in tears for how hard he's laughing. "Poor kobold! Thinking I care! Even if I die from the humans' slow-motion laws, I killed 2 humans for the price of my 1 life! Nothing they do will balance the scales! Such is the might of the orcs!"

Eli hides his face in Rose, able to hear everything.

Rose cuddles Eli and comforts him.

"If not remorse then fear you shall know," Mittens snarls.

The form a spirit takes is a habit of mind.  For a moment Mittens overcomes this habit and morphs into a terrifying form which phases through the bars, latches onto the orc, then starts ripping bits of ectoplasm from his brain!  The orc only has time to gasp before it collapses in a catatonic state of horror.

Rose gently guides Eli out of the room.

---

Just wasted a daily on a helpless minion.  :x

  "Yes, if you kill for socially acceptable profit, you get to come back to town with the money and buy things with it instead of just shoving it in a cave somewhere."  Rhagar can't fault his math logic though, Two IS bigger than one!

  "Or the zombie ghost could eat your brains and why am I talking to you when you can't hear me your brains are leaking out on the floor."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Mon 08 Dec 2014.

Dagger would reply to the orc, but well that happened.  "Well I do hope he'll recover from that in time to face the humans' justice."  She sighs and shook her head again before leaving.  "Well I guess the good news is, there isn't some secret mass invasion plan."

The orc is indeed terrified. Too terrified to even scream. His lifeless form slumps to the ground.

Eli says, "How could anyone be so... un-caring? So evil? So... irresponsibly, unrepentantly, proud of their ugly, dark heart? And for what? Live for years and then throw it all away just to kill two people you don't know that had nothing to do with you?" his tears are because he's that angry now.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:25, Mon 08 Dec 2014.

Mits returns to looking more epic hero and a lot less raging dire weretiger ghost Frankenstein.  She follows Rose out of the room.

"Don't have an answer to that one.  But Dagger here is right about the bright side.  And I'm thinking tacos might help improve the mood a little more."

Rose guides Eli back toward the inn.

  Rhagar has an eloquent summation of life and morality  "Some people are just kind of assholes.".  Yup.

  "There are plenty of practical outlets for violent tendencies, too.  But I guess many just find that too much effort compared to impaling a farmer with his own pitchfork and making some related one liner."

Dagger sighs at Eli, "Who knows.  Orcs are known to be fighters, their culture is about the strongest and the fittest.  There are some that value honor and such, but meh.  And on top of that orcs and humans haven't exactally seen eye to eye in a very long time.  We kobolds have it a little bit easier I suppose.  Live in caves, dig tunnels and mine gems and such, worship dragons, torch crops and fields in offering to said dragons, try not to get pummeled by adventurers that inevitabally show up to get revenge for the lost crops..."  She hmmed, "I had a point with all that, what was it.."  She shrugged a bit, "Ah well, yeah I bet some yummy tacos will help lighten the mood!"

Eli just follows the group.

The martial was right; When the group order food, the innkeeper is more than happy to provide it "on the house". The place is getting crowded too because people want to meet these heroes.

  Through the magic of map token meta, Rhagar still ends up with his old bar stool from the last few trips, handy!  "No, I did not cough fire all over the orcs."  There wasn't time, and it would have been spitting liquid nitrogen, not fire, duh.

  "Yes, I know I have tiny wings.  You don't have any wings so they are still bigger than yours." wussy baby wings are totally better than not having any at all.  He can go up and down stairs faster than people who can't ignore difficult terrain whoo.

Mittens is more than happy to run interference for the nomming heroes, boasting extravagantly, though accurately, to the gathering crowd about their exploits.  Rose eats with the others in silence, exposing green lips to do so.

Dagger blinks at all the people gathered to meet them.  The kobold is of course all too happy to bask in the attention that doesn't involve mobs grabbing her and throwing her into garbage piles!  She scrambles onto the counter top to sit down so she can nom on tacos and address the people.

"It was pretty great, I mean even after I gulped down that zombie drink, when I saw the orcs being mean I scrambled and jumped in and did a force choke thing, and really the hatchling here was super awesome!  He did all sorts of healy and protection magic and made an orc frozen and the big two were all Grrr, arrg, take that mean orcs!"  The little lizard lady exclaimed while mock swinging in the air with a taco in both hands.

Eli slides his foot, but is sure to give Dagger a hug for her nice words. He then turns to Rose. "Why don'tchya talk, Rose?"

Meanwhile, the people are soaking up Mitts, Rhagar and Dagger's storytelling. Whoever he says "my wings are bigger" to laughs. Jolly-like, not fun-making like. Seems the people just love the heroes.

Mittens discovered something interesting about being a ghost: Guys who look like they would normally flirt with her, do not. She's a GHOST, people.

Granted, nobody flirts with the kobold either, but that is little surprise. Few humans get attracted to non-humans. Fewer get attracted to "monster" races such as kobolds and orcs. However, that doesn't stop the people from adoring her. Some lady even squees about how "cute" Dagger is.

  Rhagar was totally right about socially acceptable murder.  He gets to exercise his instinctual talent for killing, and then get gets free tacos instead of a lych mob, everybody wins!  Even the dead guy, because that orc's math is still solid.

  Rhagar knows Mittens is capable of physical contact, but so far that seems to consist mostly in causing injuries so encouraging somebody to try it could result in facemelting.

Rose leans over to whisper to Eli.  "I'm shy."

Mits laughs jovially with the townsfolk.  "You remind me of a certain kobold fighter I used to know in another lifetime.  She was cute and funny too."

She smiles challengingly at Rhagar, squints, grunts, and pops a pair of tiny cherub wings.

"Aww.  Well looks like yours are the biggest wings still."

Dagger certainly does enjoy the positive attention.  Ah good food, good company, good times.  This is what life is all about! She grins at Mittens, "Oh?  How many kobolds have you met?"  It's generally rare-ish for Kobolds like her to be out and about away from Kobold-ian territories it seems.

Eli ohs and nods to Rose. Then looks at Rhagar. "So what are you anyway... and where do you come from?"

He then pulls out a book and begins jotting down notes while licking his upper lip.

And yes, he'll be taking notes on what Mittens says also.

  Rhagar botches his wisdom check for giving information that may later be used against him (though we have no idea how).   "A natural born Draconian with some Dragonborn lineage, which I guess is why I don't bleed acid all over people who stab me.  I'm from *Insert generic nobody cares small town here*."

  Could be worse, he could be a brain eating ghost instead of a descendent (more like a family branch, than a family tree) of Tiamat cultists trying their hand at home grown corrupted dragon egg soldiers.

"Excluding violent encounters, two," Mittens answers Dagger, "Don't suppose you've met very many shifters.  I was the razorclaw variety if you're curious."

She looks at Eli's book in curiosity.  "May I peek over your shoulder?"

To Ragar she asks, "What's the difference between a Draconian and a Dragonborn outside acid blood?"

Dagger concidered, "Shifters?  Well if I have met any shifters before I didn't know that they were such."  She hmms, "Razorclaw variety eh?  Sounds like the pretty tough and serious type."  She blinks and peeks over at Eli, "Hmm?"

---

"Is this the place?  I think this is the place.  I'mma check it out!  Hello everybody~"  A cheerful, sing-songy voice is heard at the entrence of the tavern.  Those that look over can see standing and looking around excitedly, a young appearing harpy girl with short hair, clad in a kind of performer outfit.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Wed 10 Dec 2014.

Eli ohs? and says, "S-sure..."

The page he's on says "Draconian with Dragonborn lineage. Possible reason for not having acid blood." as the latest entry. But prior to that is an entry that says, "Kobolds can sometimes build a decent resistance to alcoholic beverages." and "Ghosts can kill you with fear. Note: Find a means to reduce or negate fear. Find ways to prevent ghosts from contact." The rest of the page is blank, as is the page next to it. Apparently, when Dagger started drinking, Eli must have been taking notes on a fresh page.

He ohs and says, "Actually, Longtooth shifters would be the tougher types, usually. Descended from werewolves. But Razorclaw are more oft the dexterous types; descended from weretigers.." his inner nerd had to inform.

His attention is, of course, grabbed by the harpy entering. The whole place quiets down within a couple seconds as they all start staring. The bartender says, "Well can't say you're the most unusual thing I've seen today at this point. But I honestly think there's some kind of competition for unusual today that nobody told me about."

  Rhagar's sole social skill trained is Bluff, but he doesn't think his bonus is high enough to put any positive spin on things, particularly with the neeeeeeeerd there to possibly correct him.

  "That is a good question Mittens."  one he completely neglects to answer not because he's avoiding it but because oh hey look it's a harpy.  "Hello.  What place exactly did you think this was?  Aside from a tavern, of course."

"What he said," Mits agrees with Eli, raising an eyebrow at his notes, "Ask me later, and I might be able to answer some of your questions, kiddo."

She smiles at the newcommer.  So cuuute!

"This is the place.  Of awesomeness!  Before you are the heroes of the town.  Rhagar, Dagger, Eli, and yours truely!  Mittens!  Welcome!  What's your name, she with the pleasant voice."

Dagger blinks as she spies upon the newcomer.  "A harpy!!"  She starts to throw what's in her hands at the harpy when she realizes her hands are full of tacos.  She pauses as she conciders acting upon instinctual spite against the feathered one, or keeping tacos to herself.  As if in answer, she stuffs the taco in one hand into her maw and reaches for another.

---

The harpy giggles softly at the reactions, really she's kind of used to it.  "Nice to meet you all!  My name's Kyokuu, I'm a singing bard!  I'm a harpy too but that's not important really.  I did hear there was a taco party here though and I had to come check it out!"

Eli would argue that what you are born as is pretty important. Even from a non-racist perspective. But then, depends on what constitutes import. "The taco party was mostly for the heroes... but if you want a taco, I could buy you one..."

The bartender says, "NONSENSE! I'll not have the heroes spend a single copper today! If you so desire for her to get a taco, then she will get a taco. On me."

Eli cringed, startled from the bartender's outburst. Then slowly nods. _"..ok.."

He then looks up at Mittens with a hopeful smile. "You'll teach me? Yay?"

  "See, she's a better parent already." Who you are born from is also supposedly important, but sometimes you get defectives who don't even come back to try and mooch free tacos off their son's reputation.

  While Rhagar would disapprove of wasting food, he could also appreciate a strong 'out of spite' reaction.  Spite is more powerful than The Force, after all.  Confirmed by watching five jedi botch force jumps and fall into electrified water while the noodle armed gunsmith nailed the Olympic leap.

Rose hides behind Eli.

"A song bird, huh?" Mits says with a wry smile, "Bet you never heard that one before.  Sarcasm!

"Anyway.  Was gunna offer you my share, but you're being thrown food without my intervention it seems.  I would like to hear a song when you're ready to sing, though."

She nods at lil Eli.  "Sure.  Just ask questions, and I'll answer if I can.  Don't know much about many things, but when it comes to monsters I'm a veritable encyclopedia."

Dagger decides to opt for the more peaceful path of not starting a fight with a harpy since currently she as friends and free food.  No need to risk losing that.  For now she just listens and watches the harpy warily as she noms.

---

Kyokuu chirps softly and smiles, "Oh!  I'd love to sing!"  She walks on over to the bar counter and rewards Eli's offer with a nice feathery hug!  "Awwww thankyou so much, you're such a sweety!"  She grins at the bartender, "And I'd be happy to pay.  By coin or by song."

Eli's face turns red almost immediately.

The bartender says, "Song it is! But don't sing on an empty stomach!" he hands Kyokuu a taco.

The people go quiet in anticipation of the oncoming song.

  Rhagar isn't too worried about the random stranger hugging someone else, it's not the wings that are the sharp part or a harpy, duh.

Rose slunk under a table when the harpy approached.

Mits wasn't born yesterday, so she's keeping a close eye out for hostility from the harpy.  But hugs aren't hostile, so she shrugs.

"Yeah.  After eating was what I was implying when I mentioned 'when she's ready.'"

Kyokuu awws at Eli's blushing and hugs again before carefully taking a taco up between the 'wrists' of her wings to nibble on, "Well okay!"  She chirps happily, "Mm what kind of song do you want to hear?"

One of the crowd immediately says, "One about the local heroes!"

Another says, "Can't expect her to just invent a song right here and now! How about just a song of hero-praise?"

Seems the crowd is definitely in hero-worship mode.

  "I would be perfectly fine with nice things about me being made up." it would be a short song, otherwise.

Short...  Like his wings!  Nyah hah!  >.>  <.<  I'm terrible.  But speaking of which...

"Looks like Ragar isn't the king of wing size any more.  So long as the song is pleasant, I'm fine with whatever."

I'll sing a song from my native land.  SCREEECH!  SCREEEAM!  Did I mention I was terrible?

Kyokuu totally has bigger wings than Rhagar, but he has arms with hands and fingers and opposable thumbs so.... yeah.

The harpy giggles and nods, munching a couple more tacos before singing The Hunter's Mark.

(Love this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOaCvz_kLFU )

Eli can't help but bob to the tune after a few verses.

The crowd, of course, eats it up and when Kyokuu is done singing, they all applaud!

Eli glances over to check on his companions and see how they each reacted.

  Rhagar liked the song, you can tell because he's actually smiling for once (well okay he was smiling when he stabbed that guy in the brain earlier).  The clapping helps too.

  "Well, that was pleasant."

Mittens nods and claps, looking impressed.

"Wow.  Nice.  So I was wondering about what the bartender commented earlier about today being 'weird day.'  What's everyone's story?  I'll give my own after everyone else goes."

Dagger can't help but be impressed by the song.  as for her story?  "Me?  Well I just came here cause I travel a lot, and wanted to drink and have a fun time."

---

Kyokuu giggles and gives a bow before nabbing another taco to nibble on.  "I'm a traveling bard.  I go to different places, sing songs of happyness and joy and hugs and fun stuffs!"

Eli goes to hide with Rose. "I'll only tell if Rose does." he says defensively.

The crowd does look intensely curious about the answers of the heroes to Mittens' question.

  "I came her to buy some lunch, ended up getting it.  I think you might be the only one who came here today hoping to find things to smash later."  Well, unless Mittens was also adept at nonviolent justice?

Rose shakes her head and puts her finger to her lips.

Mits huhs.  "So disparate collection of powerful individuals of diverse races converged upon this inn by coincidence.  Or perhaps providence.  Because it was just before a bunch of orcs decided to raid the place for fun.

"Well I was an adventurer of some repute.  Me and my sibs would travel about in search of wrongs to right.  We got killed for our troubles by powerful evil mastermind.  But mere death was not enough to stop our hunt for justice!  No!  Now even in our afterlife we do as we did in life.  Defend the defenseless.  Avenge the victims.  And so forth.  Didn't think this place needed but a little help maybe, but apparently much was needed and available."

She glances Eli's way.  "Beyond his rude dad who wanted to make him drink a zombie, I only know that this kid is quite talented in magic.  The kind that helped save many lives today."

Dagger hums softly, "Has to be coincidence.  I mean think of all the other taverns that gets all kinds of patrons of all shapes an sizes but don't become an orc stomping ground."  She shrugs, "I'm not complainin' mind you, made my day meeting all of you.  It's just that the only kind of providence that was ever taught to my tribe was serve the master dragon, or get eaten."

---

Kyokuu chirps softly at Mittens and grins, "Sounds like you've had an exciting journey full of adventures!  Care to share some stories?"

Eli loves where the discussion with Dagger is potentially going. But doubts it will go there. "Fate is the kind of thing people have been arguing about for as long as there have been societies. Some believe fate can not be avoided. Some believe that only parts of fate can be avoided, but not the bigger parts. Still others believe fate is completely shaped by mortals."

  Rhagar thinks fate depends on how closely you are holding to a module or campaign notes, really.  Wait, no, that's what his player thinks.

  "With or without fate, ridiculous coincidences happen all the time.  Though I suppose that is more likely than most expect when life is full of things that spit fire or ask the gods for dating advice."

"Considering how most gods' relationships don't end well, I would think it unwise to ask them for advise," Mits says, "But considering I went to the afterlife and back, it would be kinda silly for me to deny the reality of divine influence.  I'm of the middle ground camp.  Some events are beyond even the power of the gods to prevent such as the Dawn Wars.  Others even a baby has the power to control.  Such as the war between the backyard ant colony and the beetle.  The more power one has, the more influence over fate.  I aim to gather as much as I can to influence history for the better as much as possible.  For example, 'In the year 1271, the village of Summersville was ransacked by a tribe of orcs and completely destroyed' became '...was defended by a band of heroes.'"