OOC: Putting this up here to get everyone back to town to have some opportunities for roleplaying with anyone still around and eventually help bring in the new characters.

After raiding the dragon's hoard the heroes traced their path back through the dungeon picking up their rescued captives in toe. Along the way they swung by the pantry in the first level where it seemed the townsfolk they had captured were able to shake off their magical charm with the death of the cult leaders.

The farmers and townsfolk express their deepest gratitude although many of them have the signs of severe mental shock as they recollect the things they had done while under the dragon's spell. Together with what the party knows and what can be filled in by those captured and those charmed the heroes are able to piece together a rough idea of what happened.

What Happened
Rivug, the Destroyer of Minds, was a young dragon who in a act that was greatly at odds with normal dragon behavior, established a cult worshipping him as a god run by the necromancer Gareth. It is unclear if Gareth was truly a believer or if the two were just using one another. Along with Gareth came a group of bandits and outlaws that with guidance by Gareth and Rivug were able to replace the watch of the town. Over the past year "tragedies" have befallen various members of the town guard and the constable allowing "replacements" to be brought in. While that was happening the cult was slowly going through the outer farms, capturing entire families and charming those within to serve the cult. Anyone who resisted the charm spell was killed, food for either Rivug or the other monsters under Rivug's service.

By the time the heroes intervened half the town was under the cult's spell, including many of the councilors like Carroc (the wealthy farmer), Jago (blacksmith) and Morgouse (carpenter). Father Beledrone is also implicated although it is unclear if he was charmed or was a willing member of the cult. It seemed that really the only thing left standing in their way was Mayor Osric and Pinna (town wizard). If the kobolds hadn't gotten greedy and screwed things up by the end of the season there was a good chance that the town would be completely under Rivug's sway.

The cultists had initially planned on snatching the heroes in their sleep but Father Beledrone was worried that the group might be too capable to go quietly and it might expose the cult. Instead the plan was to pull back members of the cult that they suspected had been "outed" by Pinna and fortify their defenses. When the heroes first descended the stairs it was supposed to be the entire cult ready to ambush them but the guards who were supposed to be on watch, the constable's men, were notoriously lazy which is why instead of guarding the entrance they were drinking in their rooms. This let the heroes attack while Gareth and Rivug were oblivious until it was too late.

All the major cult leaders were accounted for (dragon, necromancer, constable) and the prisoners/townsfolk made mention that there was a tribe of orcs likely still in the dungeon but without the dragon's leadership they likely would pose little threat against the town. The same goes for any other evil creature that might still be lurking about. Without the direction and guidance of the cult it is likely they kill one another claiming territory in the dungeon and the dungeon is miles away from town so the consensus is that it is unlikely what remains poses any specific threat compared to any other threat from the forest or swamps.


OOC: Pausing here in case anyone has any other questions or anything else relating to the dungeon they would like to address

Yry is unhappy at hearing how badly the situation had gotten in Ashford. She hadn't stayed much in Ashford proper so it's not so hard to believe that it all happened without her knowledge, but it's sobering to know how close it came to totally being taken over by Rivug.

She wondered how often dragons would strike out with the ambition to enslave a humanoid population like this. Surely the ones that did so too early would meet similar ends as Rivug but perhaps there are villages, towns, or even nations out there secretly ruled by a dragon. Yry doesn't voice these fears or ask questions, however, and is instead just glad that a majority of the people were there against their will and were not responsible for their actions. It felt, mostly, like a victory.

"It will be long before there is a return to normalcy, but do not dwell on the actions compelled onto you. Rivug's magic was of the most vile sort and you all were victims," Yry says, looking in a direction that could either be towards Shalimar or the staff Shalimar claimed. Or perhaps in a direction he occupies in her mind, if he has already gone.

Returning back to Ashford was a mixture of excitement and dread. While those under Rivug's spell had snapped out of it with the death of the dragon the final tally was nearly a dozen locals had been killed and the survivors from the cult would have to deal with their actions.

The kind words of Yry and the others would help provide them with a bit of comfort but the dark days where the small town had come so close to oblivion would echo in the minds of the locals for generations to come.

Mayor Osric and Pinna, however, are two shining lights in the otherwise somber return.

Pinna comes running up as soon as the heroes are spotted on the return. She is running barefoot, such was her haste to greet them that she hadn't bothered to put on her shoes.

She ran and nearly tackled Alyssa with a giant hug before sharing it with Talia and Yry as well.

"Oh my gosh! You did it! I don't know what you did but you did it! I was speaking to Carroc when something had snapped and the old man suddenly confessed that he had been in service with a dark dragon! A dragon! Can you believe it! Here in Ashford!"

She broke off from her excitement with another round of hugs.

"I want to hear all about it, every last detail but you should go see the Mayor and get your reward before he conveniently forgets!"

Yry is quite glad to share a big hug with her friends, glad that Pinna was okay in Ashford on her own and recognizing that any of her companions could have died at several points in that delve into the darkness of the earth.

Yry dabs her eyes with her thumb and nods when Pinna suggests they go speak with the Mayor. "At risk of spoiling the story I will say that we can definitely believe it was a dragon."

After another hug, Yry nods and moves to go meet Mayor Osric with the others.

Talia was somber as they approached town, but Pinna's exuberance planted a smile on her face. He returned the hug herself and smiled at Yry's remark, "Oh, indeed. Yes, quite the story. Worth a tankard or two in the retelling. But, I've got to find mother..."

Talia's eyes grew distant as she spoke of her mother and she nodded at some internal decision. "There is much to be done yet, but Ashford is safe, for now. Meet at the inn this evening?" She looked the question at each of her companions then hurried off to find her mother and discuss the feelings she had been experiencing recently. She was still amazed that her pack was heavy with treasures, she had just battled a dragon, and she was still alive to see the daylight.

Was this what her mother had experienced in her youth?

Alyssa hadn't known what to expect when she got back to Ashford. She wasn't really thinking of much as the group made its way out of the tunnels and back to town with the rescued villagers. Pinna's embrace snapped the halfling out of her daze and in that moment Alyssa had a quiet cry knowing that they really did just save the town.

Pulling herself partly out of Pinna's arms Alyssa nodded in agreement with Yry. "Yes, there was a dragon. Though I don't think it was a very big one." And then to Talia, "Yes, tonight." and then let herself be enveloped again in Pinna's arms. "Where are your shoes?!"

OOC: Apologies for spinning things forward but I want to get the new characters back in

Over the next couple of weeks the Mayor insists on hosting the heroes. The heroes themselves quickly grow hoarse from telling and retelling their thrilling tales and it all culminates on at the second week when the Mayor has the town through the adventurers a giant feast to give them their final thanks for saving the town.

Unfortunately three of the heroes cannot make it. Glynnelis and Shalimar decide to take Arthua's body down to Spire Keep to see if a cleric there can't raise him from the dead after Father Beledrone disappeared following the death of the cult. Until a new priest could be brought in the town was left short on divine magic but they were hardy folks and such setbacks didn't dampen their spirts.

The mayor, quite deep in his cups, raises a toast to the heroes. Benches had been set up in the town square and a big bonfire lit when the sun had set. The smell of dozens of home baked dishes lined up in a row made everyone's stomaches grumble eagerly and the feasting could begin as soon as the mayor was done with his toast.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. It has been a long time since Ashford has gotten to celebrate local heroes. Not since Gaed the Confessor have we had a group for the bard to sing about but Talia and Alyssa and Yry... you have all stepped up and saved this town from the very brink of destruction. And to the mighty Orila, you might have been born far afield but I think I speak for everyone here saying that you are and forever will be a daughter of Ashford. Hear hear!"

The mayor raises his cup and the town raises theirs as well letting loose a mighty cheer for their heroes.

Talia's mother comes by making sure her daughter's cup of ale is filled to the brim.

"I couldn't be prouder of what you've accomplished. If we were still back in my tribe you would be bathed in the blood of your enemies and anointed as a berserker...but this is nice too."

She gives her daughter a big hug before going back to her seat.

Unfortunately both Alyssa and Yry's parents weren't in the village as they were busy with their brewery and tavern respectfully a few towns over but letters had been sent and received letting their daughters know how proud they were as well.

Pinna came by to give her cheer to the heroes. Always beaming with a smile that seemed to glow  in the dark she had been practically glued to the heroes since their arrival. When the party had talked about magical items she had offered her services in identifying the items they had found.

"I have some notes. Back at my shop I mean. I think I've figured out where that mace you found comes from. The one that breathed fire and has all that dragon carvings on it? I...huh..."

She suddenly looked up from the heroes and started staring at the treeline to the Rend. Following her gaze the others noted it as well, the telltale glow of a fire.

Soon confused shouts start to echo about the town square as some were curious and some were cautious about the sudden fire happening across the river.


OOC: I've uploaded a map of Ashford to Group 0. The feast is happening at A2 while the fire is across the river near the bridge.


Pinna looks back at the heroes with a worried look on her face.

"Do you think it's the cult? Maybe they weren't destroyed after all!"

Yry is interested to see what the magic items are, as she has magic but isn't really that knowledgeable about it she is always curious to find out more about other magic. Yry has the flair of an entertainer and has gotten into a bit of a routine when telling the story-- not that she feels particularly boastful about it but people are asking and so she may as well tell the story as best she can.

On the night of the feast, though, she is eating quite happily when Pinna points out the fire across the river. "I mean, I doubt the cult would announce themselves like that; maybe travelers? We should go see," she tells the others.

Orila had no trouble retelling the tale of how the group vanquished the dragon. With each telling, her story seems to expand how Arthua died to save the others - a true hero. She drank more and more with each story. She finally gasped and sobbed with the grief that overtook her....

---

Days later, Orila emerged from her drunken stupor. "What's that? There's a fire nearby?" She craned her head looking for the source of the fire that people were chattering abouts.

"Uh, that sounds... uh, nice?" Talia had been experiencing strange emotions of late and this was added to them. Part of her, the part that grew up a village girl in Ashford, recoiled at the thought of a literal bloodbath. Another, alien feeling part, hummed in pleasure at the compliment. Talia had been confused a lot rcently.

Though she had grown up in Ashford and her mother had lived here for the best part of two decades, sometimes she felt like the alien living among them. But after returning from the cult's base, she'd been lauded and treated like a hero. Free meals, free ale, and a heroes' welcome discomfited her entirely.

The cherry on the cake was this lavish party. She understood the need to celebrate the alleviation of a dark time, but the village seemed like it could hardly afford the luxury. Weren't they in for a dire time in the near future? Probably best to get what good things you could, she supposed.

She frowned at the fire and Pinna's words. Talia had been honest to the point of abrasive that there was work yet to be done in those caverns. Many things needed to be cleared out yet for the village to be safe. So, as the fire blazed and Yry suggested looking into it, Talia had already grabbed her halberd and was striding toward the bridge. She had been interested in hearing about the items as well. This was fouling her mod entirely.

On the other side of the bridge between the water and the forest edge a large fiery portal has thrust itself out of the ground. At least a story high the glow comes from the flames that ring it. The sense of magic and power coming from it is overwhelming, even from across the river.



Within the portal a large figure looms, covered in wicked armor it stands at least a dozen feet tall. Red eyes gleam from beneath its helm as it tosses something, what looks to be a small sack, through the portal before turning around.

As it departs the frame of view the portal starts to crumble and fall apart. The fires dissipate into smoke and the black stone that surrounded the portal starts to crumble into ash and blow away.

Before the eyes of the heroes (and a few of the braver townsfolk) the entire thing disappears into the wind leaving only a large scorch mark on the grass and a bundle wrapped in crimson cloth.

Orila stood in a defensive posterior as she watched the figure emerge from the portal of fire. She watched expecting a fight when the figure dropped a sack. She took a step forward as the figure left.

"What do you think that was all about?" Orila asked. She stepped forward and picked up the bag.

Angel heard the whoosh and felt the familiar heated kiss of the flames as the portal opened. She struggled helplessly inside the crimson sack in which she'd been stuffed and called out, her voice muffled by her cloth prison. "Come on, Jack! I said I was sor..." She never got to finish her apology as she was sent sailing through the portal... and suddenly forgot just about everything.

She blinked in confusion. Why am I falling? She asked herself just a heartbeat before she landed on the ground with a thud. She would have groaned aloud at the painful landing, if the wind hadn't been knocked out of her lungs. Still, she was at least thankful she didn't land on her wings... THAT would've hurt. Then she heard a voice somewhere beyond the crimson cloth that covered her and barely had time to shift and hide her wings before the cloth was pulled away.

"Hey!" She cried out, scrambling to her feet and snatching back the crimson cloth from the large, gray-skinned woman who had pulled it away. "Get your own!"

She was an elf woman with a coppery-red hair and striking amber eyes, and her attractive looks could easily turn heads. She was dressed in traveling clothes of an unusual cut and wore a finely-crafted, black leather cloak that seemed at odds with the more plain make of the rest of her clothing. She glared at the giant woman from whom she taken back the crimson cloth and then shifted her gaze to the others present. "Who are y'all?" She asked, and then glanced around at her surroundings. "And where am I?"

OOC: Not quite a bag, more something like a blanket that had been used as a makeshift sack... at least that's how I understood the DM's description. Anyways... here's Angel.  :) 

Talia let a long, slow, low whistle escape her mouth as she sighted the elf girl and then looked to the scorched ground, "Quite the entrance. Did ya piss daddy off?" Chuckling, Talia considered how she might have reacted a couple weeks before having faced off against undead, unholy priests, and dragons. A demon tossing an angel out of a fiery portal registered on that scale, "This is the village of Ashford in the Barony of Spire in the Kingdom of Tethyr. And who are you?"

Orila lifted her maul. "The question is who are you, why are you here." The goliath slowly lowered her maul. "And who was that?" She pointed to where the portal was a moment ago. She didn't like the idea that such a large creature was seemingly able to enter the area and disappear so quickly.

"Daddy?" The red-headed elf repeated, looking confused. "What's my father have to do with anything?" Even better, 'WHO' is my father? She added in her own thoughts and then mentally cringed as a cruel, wicked-looking face popped into her mind's eye. Yeah, let's not think about that again.

Her gaze followed where the human lady looked and the she-elf noticed, seemingly for the first time, that the ground at her feet was burned and scorched. "Holy Hells!" She swore, dancing quickly out of the area and then gave herself a once over to make sure she wasn't burned and scorched herself. "Geez! Is that the kinda welcome folk get in this Ashford place?" She asked the others indignantly. "You set the ground around them on fire?"

And then she gave the human woman who'd spoken a narrowed eyed look. "Nice try. I asked first."

OOC: in case you haven't noticed the Pink Italics are inner thoughts. And just for the sake of clarification -- NO, Angel does not appear to have wings, even hidden under her cloak.

Talia's smile grew wide, "It isn't a 'who asked first' sort of situation. Besides, it isn't like we didn't offer information, we told you where you are."

That said, Talia also lowered her weapon and adopted a more casual stance. She didn't suspect this was going to become hostile, but she was still very unsettled by the situation. "That big fiery area, that was your entrance, not our doing. See why we might be suspicious? Massive hellportal opens up next your quaint village mid-celebration, demony looking thing tosses out bags of elf like the rubbish, then everything is meant to go back to normal? Hardly..." Talia heaved a sigh and shrugged. She pointed to the forest, "Nearest castles that way. Don't get lost."

Yry, who had stayed back initially when she thought this was going to be a violent encounter, steps forward now.

"We're sorry for the initial superstition, but the circumstances in which you find yourself here has been dramatic for both parties, it seems. I am Yry Sweetwater, a daughter of these lands, and I can assure you that despite our readiness and wariness, we wish harm on no one without just provocation. Are you injured or.. thirsty?"

"Portal?" The elf woman echoed. "What portal?" She asked, turning to look behind her and then in a complete circle and spotting nothing even remotely resembling a portal. She turned back to the tall, dark-haired human and narrowed her eyes again. "And why would I set fire to the ground at my own feet? That just makes no sense... And what'd'ya mean 'who's that?" She asked the gray-skinned giant lady. "There's no one there!" She said, gesturing behind her at the empty air. She paused for a moment and then a knowing look crossed her face as all the other details the woman shared snapped into place. Ohhh, they just came from a 'CELEBRATION'; now I get it. "And do y'all often see demons and portals and other 'people', when you've been drinking?" She asked gently, albeit a bit directly, a pitying look on her pretty face. "I'm no expert about such things, but that might be something y'all wanna talk to someone about," she offered helpfully, trying her best to be sincere and keep the judgement out of her voice.

She pursed her lips, vexed by the other woman's abrupt dismissal. Wow, you try to help someone... When another human woman stepped forward and spoke. "Well met, Yry," the elf replied with a broad smile and a slight dip of her head. "I'm Angel... no wait," she quickly added, looking off into the distance and ticking her finger in the air as if she were doing sums in her head. "Yeah, Angel." I think. Why was it so hard to remember her own name? She remembered the gray-skinned giant lady pulling the red bedsheet off her... and not much more beyond that. She pushed her concerns over not being able to remember her past to the back of her head.

"Not like dying-of-thirst thirsty, but I could drink," Angel replied with a shrug and then her face brightened. "Hey, I just got that! Sweetwater. Offer of a drink. Clever!" Then her eyes went wide in surprised delight. "Oh! And ASH-ford. Y'all set fire to the ground in greeting. Kinda weird, but yeah, I'm starting to see the theme going on here." She then turned and addressed the first woman who'd spoken and then the gray-skinned giant lady in turn, a mischievous gleam in her bright honey-colored eyes. "And that must mean you're Miss Bad-Manners... and you're Miss Takes-Things."     
This message was last edited by the player at 09:39, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

Talia's face slowly flushed a complete scarlet only to turn apoplectic purple seconds later. Her knuckles went white on her halberd's haft. The insult to her person had her mouth snapping open to reply with fiery words.

Then Yry stepped in, civilly. Far too nice for Talia's standards. She relaxed visibly as the more charismatic woman said her piece. Talia then glared at the new woman dangerously. She rolled her shoulders and took a few deep breaths. She felt calming voices aiding in her efforts. Any other given day, Talia would have been welcoming and pleasant. But appearing in such a strange manner, remaining willingly oblivious to it, and then casting aspersions upon the very people you wanted help from was not a great first impression. She shifted her gaze to Yry, "Perhaps I was a bit aggressive. You will understand why. How are we to know she is not yet another of Rivug's minions? However, my temperance is being tested and I am at odds. Aid her as you wish, just keep her..." She gestured at the newcomer with her halberd's point, "...away from me." She then looked at the fallen woman and grit her teeth, "Well met. I hope you find what aid you need and move on... quickly."

With that said, Talia turned around and headed back across the bridge toward the square. She assured anyone she saw that it was just some strange elven woman in a bit of distress. She then thumped down on a stool near enough to her mother and drained a tankard of ale.

Alyssa had investigated the appearance of the fiery portal With the rest of her companions. The halfling stayed back, even behind Yry, unsure and visibly unsettled by the appearance of other worldly forces so close to Ashford.

Observing Orila's interactions with the late arrived guest and then Talia's reactions, Alyssa was afraid this meeting would come to blows. Good old Yry's cool, level head seemed to smooth things over. When Talia took her leave Alyssa followed her. Tugging at Talia's shirt sleeve as they headed back into Ashford she asked, "You want me to tell her this is Shit Creek?"

Pinna is standing on the bridge having followed along. After watching and listening for a bit she considers things and holds up a hand in caution.

"Talia's right, you know. Or could be I guess is the better way to put it. We don't know who she is or where she came from and with everything that's just happened maybe we should hold her. At least until we get some answers...maybe?"

Pinna looks over at Angel and the young woman's voice is soft and calm but with a touch of concern>

"Angel, is it? Why don't you tell us where you're from. Maybe we can help you get back there if you're lost or got kidnapped or something."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

Angel opened her mouth to reply and then shut it again. She got a confused, lost look on her face and then said in a quiet voice heavy with worry. "I-I can't remember."

Pinna's eyes go soft as she studies the elf and gives a nod.

"Oh...oh. Well we're kind of in the middle of celebrating something. Do you want to come with?"

She nods at Yry.

"We've got food and drink. You see those four..."

She points out the four other women with her.

"They just killed a dragon, can you believe that? Threatened the whole town its magic and they killed it right in its den!"

She seemed to take a shine to Angel almost immediately but then again Pinna was the sort that took a shine to everyone.

"I don't know..." Angel replied hesitantly. "She's awfully mad at me," she added, nodding to the retreating dark-haired woman. "And all I did was try to help her with her problem," she continued, sounding a bit sadly pensive. "Sometimes people just don't know they have a problem unless you just come right and tell them. I was just trying to help -- and did you see how she leveled the spear-thingy at me?! I thought she was gonna run me through!" She looked around to see who was close and then whispered a bit too loudly. "What if she starts drinking again?" 

Pinna just laughs at Angel's concerns.

"Oh that's just Talia. She killed a dragon, you know? I don't know if you heard but I heard she just killed a dragon."

A smile was creeping in on her face as she playfully kept repeating that phrase over and over again.

"So the thing is the half the town had gotten charmed and turned on the other half and a quite a few people died in the process so things are a bit...raw... at the moment. Time heals all wounds but don't worry. Talia is a blast once she gets wasted. Get some drinks in her and she'll be your best friend by the end of the night...probably."

Another playful grin and Pinna offered her hand to Angel to lead her into the village and towards the festivities.

Back at the festival the Mayor and the others await anxiously for news of an attack but when the fire goes out and there aren't screams of concern everyone slowly shifts their attention back to the festival. Townsfolk whisper about what all these dangers could mean but strong drink and good food are enough to get everyone back into the spirit of the night.

For the mayor's third toast he steps up once again with a big grin on his face. Given how many drinks he has had it is no wonder that he sways a bit in a small circle as he gives his speech.

"I would like to take the time to thank our wonderful traveling chef. When I hired him I wasn't sure what to expect but I think we can all agree that he has brought a certain flair to this party that Ashford has not seen for ages. Come on up Mordin! No...Morin? Oh I know Morren, yes of course. Morren everyone!"

He gestures towards the large man that has been diligently stirring soups and seasoning trays of meats and vegetables that everyone has been partaking of.

Large doesn't quite do the man justice, though his imposing stature is made a bit more amenable by the startled jolt with which he looks up from his formerly intense focus on his current culinary project, which is a very robust yet artistically tossed salad of vibrant yet balanced color.

He stands out of his hunched position and is in fact even taller, and awkwardly moves to the mayor as he was bid to. The mayor is of decently average height but this Morren fellow stands at least three entire feet taller. He must be over eight feet in height. If not for the goliath already in town, he would be quite startlingly large. His frame though is fairly lean but still quite muscular in a sheerly athletic sense and his sleeveless shirt shows off intricate tattoos on his arms, much like the accenting ones on his face.

"Um... I duneed any praise.", he speaks with a rough tone and an obvious giant accent. Equally obvious is his discomfort with public speaking, "This party is all 'bout tha' party tha'slew the dragon. An' this party is fer ya, the ones that suffered an cou' use a bit o' merry. Um... so... who... who ordered the salad?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

Talia ignored the chef as well as she ignored Angel's arrival and sat with Alyssa. The shorter woman's company was well welcomed and she filled her cup many times as she ate and celebrated. She did look around for Yry and Pinna from time to time. Mostly, recent events filled her thoughts and turned them dark as her cups drained.

Yeah Yeah, I heard you. Angel thought in annoyance at the bubbly woman's insistence that she pay attention to the fact that Talia -- which she guessed was Miss Bad-Manners -- had slain a dragon. I've done important stuff too! ... Just wish I could remember what they are... She mentally added, her lips suddenly tingling with the feeling one gets after a really good kiss. Did I kiss a dragon? ... Eww! She inwardly shivered and forced her wayward thoughts back to the conversation with the bubbly woman.

"Was that dragon, Rivug?" Angel asked, having perceptively caught the passing reference Miss Bad-Manners... Talia She corrected herself... made earlier and cleverly put two and two together. From the other things the bubbly woman said, it certainly sounded like an interesting story -- maybe when she felt more at ease she'd want to hear more. Right now safety was more Angel's primary concern. Two of these strangers had already leveled weapons at her and now the bubbly woman seemed to be changing tactics to try and draw her in with honey. Angel smelled a set-up... but she also caught the faintest whiff of food and her stomach growled loudly in response. Yep, there's a reason they always bait traps with food... She thought wryly as she reached out to take the bubbly woman's hand.

As the bubbly woman lead her by the hand into the village, Angel suddenly realized she didn't even know the bubbly woman's name. "This isn't some weird thing where we walk into the village hand in hand and now we're engaged or something, is it? 'Cause you're probably a lovely lady and all, but I'm not even sure I'm into girls... ummm... what's your name again?"         

"Oh yeah, of course."

The woman grins and bows.


"I'm Pinn! Local hedge wizard of...middling talent. The heroes up there are Talia, Yry, Orila and Alyssa. She's the halfling, the one you can barely see right now. Up there giving toasts is Mayor Osric..."

She starts pointing out people and listing off names one after another in a flurry.

Sitting with Talia, Alyssa continued to try to lift her friend's spirits, ".. and a group of gnomes would then be a 'shortage of gnomes!' Nothing? Well. I didn't want it to come to this but I'm going to have to drink you under the table. You brought this on your self."

The thought and the threat both left her mind when Major Osric called the chef to the front. Alyssa sat there transfixed as the tall man spoke, a little color rose into her cheeks. "He has a nice beard." Realizing she said that out loud Alyssa straitened in her seat too quickly knocking the tankards enough to send a small spray of ale onto the table.

Talia spit her ale out when the little halfling seemed to eye the firbolg, "Seriously Alyssa? He'd split you in half! Hell's bells, he might split me in half. Is your head screwed on straight?" She laughed good happily at her friend and slapped her back then refilled her cup. "Or maybe..." She raised her free hand with only the pinky up and wiggled it limply. She raised her eyebrow, raised her cup, and grinned broadly. Draining it she reached to refill it and accept Alyssa offer to drink until they dropped.

Angel didn't miss the fact that the bubbly woman -- Pinn, who was also a wizard it seemed. Yeah! Just my luck! -- had completed ignored her quip about holding hands. Yep, honeyed trap. She confirmed to herself. She took note of the names and faces Pinn pointed out along with the layout of the town and inwardly shrugged. Eh, there's worse places to spend a night or two in jail... Maybe? She'd feel along about things if she could just recall something specific about her past instead of all these vague impressions.

"So you said the dragon, Rivug, tried to take over the town and had fully half the folk under it's sway? Why? I mean it's a dragon. What's it want with a town? Once it takes over it's just gotta take care of said town or the whole effort was wasted -- and the finer points of running a town don't strike me as anywhere near the top of any dragon's I-Gotta-Do-This list."  As she spoke, they passed by a local vendor's stand and Angel reached out and snagged an apple without even bothering to try paying for it...

The man looked at Angel confused.

"Hey, the free food is over there!"

Angel halted before she'd taken a bite of the pilfered fruit and spun back around to face the agitated vendor. "Oh! I'm terribly sorry!" She said, a sheepish look on her innocent-looking face. "I certainly meant no offense. Here," she continued, holding back the apple for the man to take. But just as he reached for it, Angel fumbled the apple and it fell from her hands...

... and promptly disappeared! "What the...?!" Angel gasped, spinning around and looking for the lost fruit, her dark cloak flaring out slightly at the movement. "Where'd it go?!" She continued, frantically searching the ground and then looking up to the vendor with shocked mortification. "I swear it was right here! I..." She paused suddenly and gave the vendor a curious look. "Wait a minute... what's that?" She asked, reaching for the man and suddenly pulling a coin from his ear. She almost choked when she saw that it was a gold crown, having intended to only present him with a copper or at most a silver. She maintained her composure though and finished the act, flourishing her other hand and revealing the lost apple. She winked at the vendor and grinned as she held out the gold coin for him to take... probably the most he'd ever make from a single apple.

OOC: The DM and I worked this scene out in PM's, so please put to rest any concerns that I God-Moded an NPC.  :)

Yry frowned, watching the proceedings and waiting for the act with the applemonger to finish before answering. "He was young for a dragon. Adolescent with the intellect of a wyrm. Probably had a superiority complex and had access to mind enslaving magic, only wanted worship and adulation. I suppose the dragonlings who try to push their weight around too early don't make it to adulthood. Rivug certainly didn't."

Orila watched as Angel moved into the mist of the town's celebration. She didn't seem to be a threat. She leaned the maul against her shoulder and used his off-hand to grab another bite from the chef. "Morren, this is good meat. What's a salad?" She seemed quite pleased with the variety of meats at the table.

The rest of the evening was spent enjoying good food and company. Angel's feats of sleight of hand entertained the children while the heroes ate and drank to their hearts content. Morren meanwhile kept the platters full and everyone was waddling clutching their full stomachs by the end.

While Talia was able to go back to her home for the evening the rest of the heroes (and the new guests Angel and Morren) were given rooms at the Mayor's inn.

"Free of charge, in honor of the festivities" he said while heavily intoxicated, much to the chagrin of his much more sober wife.

The next morning the whole town seemed to emit a groan from their collective hangover and slowly folks started dragging themselves out of bed and back to their daily lives. Utterances of "someone block out the sun" or "the damn birds are too loud" are heard here and there.

Still things get back to normal, if an hour or two behind schedule and the town is once again as bustling as it can be with only about two hundred people living in the area.

The heroes (and guests) were flush with gold but there was very little to spend it on in Ashford. The town didn't have a weaponsmith or armorer so unless they needed cooking pots or nails there wasn't much for them at the smithy. Even Pinna's shop had little more than a few healing potions among the farm focused magics like cures for sick cows or powders to make crops grow larger.

Instead if asked everyone just shrugged and suggested going to Spire Keep which had become the central hub of trade in the region. It was only about two days ride there were plenty of rest stops on the way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:30, Mon 05 Oct 2020.

Talia walked slowly, gingerly, the next morning and constantly tried to keep the morning out of her eyes. Groaning, she regretted everything. She couldn't tell which was worse, the pounding headache or the twisting in her guts. Drinking too much was one thing, eating too much atop it was a whole new type of torture. Her mother had been no help with her chipper, high-toned greetings as she went about her business. If anything, there was a surplus of homes now but the elder Alden had managed to find work for her mason's skills.

To escape, she fled to the the Mayor's Inn to see her friends. Shopping, shopping would fix her problems. Her mother yelled at her about a proper breakfast as she fled.

When Angel was done entertaining -- making coins disappear and reappear out of ears and noses to the delight of children; causing the older folks to cringe and gasp by seeming to drive sticks through her arm, and even a couple of real-magic illusions once she borrowed a piece of wool yarn she had one of the little ones tie around her finger -- she graciously accepted the offer of a free room for the night. After all it was the least the villagers could do after not even tipping a single coin after her impromptu show. After a bit of angst and emotional soul-searching when she was by herself, Angel slept soundly through the night...



Due to her suspicions that the whole set up was an elaborate trap, Angel was one of the very few that woke without a hangover, having not over-indulged in the free-flowing drink to avoid having her wits compromised if she needed them. Plus it was really hard to do magic tricks while inebriated and she'd been kinda enjoying being the center of the attention, especially for the young ones. She felt she liked children in general, though she couldn't remember anything specific that lead her to believe that about herself. She did feel a several pounds heavier from stuffing herself with all the great food though and when she woke in the room the mayor lent her she groaned that her belly still felt full and not even a good night's sleep had been enough to relieve the pressure of her gluttony.

After dressing she made her way downstairs to look for some tea, or some other notably strong 'wake-me-up' drink that the villagers had. After finding what she looking for and mixing it with a generous supply of cream and honey -- which was all she could stand for breakfast on this grand morning-after -- she spotting Talia coming into Inn and looking like she assumed most of the folk in the little hamlet would. Talia had already made her desires about avoiding Angel's company quite clear and so the elf probably should've just held her tongue... but that was about as likely as the sun rising in the west.

"Morning Sunshine!" She greeted the human woman brightly. "Tea?" She offered, gesturing with her own cup...

The goliath woman emerged from her room. She was worse for wear, but forced a grin. "It's a fine day. But I guess the town is business as usual... no more celebrations?"

Orila wandered around the town for an hour. The people were trying to achieve normalcy. It was good for them. She found Angel and Talia, "Not much to do around here. But I heard about a city nearby. I'm planning on going there, spend some coin. Unless, we want to clear out the tunnels that we found. In fact, I think that's a very good idea. We should take some more bags to bring back more coins. Talia, what do you think about get ourselves together to go on a retrieval mission?" The goliath seemed eager for something.

The idea of going to a place to spend some coin -- with hopefully a better selection than this Ashford place had! -- sounded nice, but the thought of going to get MORE coin sounded even better. "Oh! I could help!" Angel offered brightly on hearing the large giant woman, (Orila if she remembered correctly), propose to Talia. "I'm pretty good with coins," she added with an impish grin, the gold piece suddenly spinning through her fingers emphasizing her point.

After a night engaging in talks of various subtleties of food with various people, Morren humbling accepted the offer of accommodations but was up bright and early to work in the inn's kitchen both to earn his keep and for his own entertainment. So, when the inn's cook comes out with a hot breakfast ready for each of the heroes and places it before them, it is in fact Morren, who talks to the group as a whole but more often more directly to Orila since she is of similar height.

"Thinkin' off headin' to the city of Spire Keep? Strange happenin's around that place. Some weird murders afoot. I'm sure a place that place would have more than just shops for you heroic types. If you could use some extra hands I'm headed that way myself. Lots of odd things happening these days. Dragons aflictin' towns, strange portals, an' the like. Lots of people that need a helpin' hand. WOuldn't mind helpin' you clear those tunnels out either. Wouldn't do to just leave such a place uncertain."

Alyssa had kept a low profile at the celebrations after her little slip of the beard. But she had sat by as Talia had her fill. The following morning she hurried out into the town to busy herself and to hopefully put the night before out of her mind (and by extension, other's as well).

Coming across Orila, Morren, and the new one she stopped to say hi. Nodding at Orila and the Morren's comments about Spire Keep the handling chimed in, "Spire Keep sound like as good a place as any to spend the coin. Yondalla knows we've already flooded Ashford's coffers! And I happen to know an excellent inn and even better brewer about halfway to Spire Keep! What do you think?"

Talia frowned deeply at the elven woman as she chimed in. Her mouth snapped open to make an ill-advised acidic comment when Orila arrived and Talia brightened. "I think celebration enough was had, Orila. At least, my aching head tells me so if not my overly stuffed belly." Slapping her gut she greeted her fellow warrior and then sat to chat. The suggestion of Spire Keep was met with a satisfied sound, "Yeah, there are some things I want to acquire. I've been training with Mother the last couple weeks. And... the other thing, too. I definitely want to clear out Rivug's caves of whatever is left down there, but I think it can wait just a bit. A week to Spire Keep and back isn't too much?" She looked the question at Orila then included Alyssa.

She frowned again when the massive cook invited himself to their table. Were they collecting strange people now. Still, yesterday's antics reared their head in her memory, so she tried to be more cordial. "Uh, yes, well..." Only acerbic thoughts were forming in her head though, so she chose silence. She looked to Alyssa for help. Why were all these strangers just butting their heads into affairs not their own? "Well, if you need to go that way, safety in numbers and all that..."

The suggestion of a night at Alyssa's family inn was a marvelous one. "Oh yes. But let's not repeat the infamous Lost Keg Caper this time!" She laughed deeply. She glanced out the side of her eye at Angel again and seemed disappointed the elf was still there. What they might be, Talia's thoughts were kept to herself.

"Well if there's some things that you want to acquire from Spire Keep, then we should do that." Orila suggested a course of action for the group. She looked at those gather to see if another suggestion was offered.

"We should be prepared." She took a somber tone, "Perhaps Arthua would still be with us if ..." Orila became silent... looked embarrassed and turned to Morren and grabbed some food.

"How about we check with the farmers here and see if they have any plans to take their produce to Spire Keep." While the others may have thought it was a smart business opportunity, Orila was hoping to get some square meals while traveling.

"Oh! A trip to Spire Keep!" Angel said brightly, apparently not caring one bit that she was inserting herself into the affairs or conversations of others. "That sounds fun! When are we leaving?"

Maybe it was strange, But Talia turned to Angel with a bright grin and nodded but then turned to Orila, "Perhaps on the morrow? Unless..." She looked to Alyssa, "Could we make it to your family's establishment yet this day? I could run home and pack by bag inside an hour in that case. Well, and let my mother know."

Alyssa gave a groan and shook her head at her friends mention of that fateful night. With a laugh she responded, "Talia, again, just because we ended up spending the night on the floor of my family's brewery's doesn't make it an inn. Yry's family owns the inn. Although I do think my parents have a corner reserved for you now..."

Angel blinked and appeared slightly taken aback by Talia's sudden change of attitude, but the copper-haired she-elf quickly recovered and flashed the human an equally bright grin. "Sure!" She said in reply and simply left it at that, content to listen to the others hash out the plans...