Robbar says. "The group over there at that table." He points. "Are heading off in the morning to fight some goblins that have been bothering folks around here. Their is always the Temple, its nearby, bunch of people seek the place out, but its been abandoned for years now. Every once in awhile some monsters will move in and try and claim it, but are run off. Its mainly how Burne and Rufus became so wealthy, and well known." he says.

"Have any of the goblin tribes around here been known to wear or paint a symbol of an elemental eye? Either way this does spell trouble, the two hundred and twenty second plane of Abyss' dread ruler is a subtle foe. Your lord fell with great honor if he managed to spit in her eye. He has gained much honor."
Yaotl lowers her head in respect to the two in front of her and then looks towards the table to her right. Openly studying the people there and is deciding how approach them.

It was late to be sure when the desert nomad opened the doors to the inn and was likely just as strange an arrival as Yaotl was earlier in the night.  He wore a mix of loose dark robes and light interior sashes with the cloth bound closely against the skin by thin leather strips in only a few places that would make the spear he walks in with easier to wield, and an unusual one it is with tips on both ends.  Upon his head is a bound shemagh keeping his dark hair under wraps. What is visible on his face is a series of tattoos uncovered by the facial hair he wears and the unlikely but characteristic violet eyes that say his ancestors were likely Suliose.  It was a sand bitten face and while not ugly could really could be called nothing more than ordinary.

This close it's also possible to see that partially hidden by the robes are sections of hard leather that likely provide a little protection.  One thin blade is slipped into a sheath built into his right leather bracer and a short sword in its sheath is strapped to his left thigh.  His leather pack, like his robes are well worn and bear signs of desert bleaching before the usual added dirt and grime yet it's clear he didn't walk here as over the same shoulder as the pack there were saddlebags.

Wearily he walked over to Ostler and pulled the tightly rolled letter from an inside pocket of some sort in the robes, "It has been a long ride my friend, I am Kossoth Zan and here to pay my respects.  If I may have some simple food and something to drink at the table right behind me to enjoy before I seek a bath or rest for the night it would be appreciated," his hand gently brushed his coinpurse and the well known sound of coins bumping into each other could be heard so the innkeeper would know he had coin to pay for it and wasn't a vagabond.

Korkas had finished his meal a short while ago and was now sharpening his blades upon a whetstone and cleaning them with a soft oiled rag afterwards, looking up from this process he watched the new stranger walk into the tavern "Getting some strange folks in here." he says to his table in his quiet, not so quiet, tone as he points with his knife towards the new arrival.

"Well, the only desert within a thousand miles is the Bright Desert south of Greyhawk.  I passed by there once."

Ranger's Table

Robbar gives the Olman women strange look. "Elemental Eye, that cult hasn't been in this area since the fall of the Temple." He says as he looks to Tomas. Tomas shakes his head in agreement. "The Goblins around here don't tend to associate with cults, its likely its just a tribe trying to strike out to survive. Goblins are voracious little creatures, no rhym or reason to do what they did. Its highly likely that the spellbook those folks are going to try and find has already been ripped to shreds. Goblins haven't shown any interest in books or words before, although it was strange for them to just knock him out and leave him alive. Maybe the goblins are being commanded by some force we've yet to see." Tomas says.

Over at the Bar

Ostler looks up as the newcomer walks into the Inn. "This was a night of unexpected visitors, welcome traveler, Our common room upstairs still has some beds, The Wench provides a key to a chest which you can store your items in, but no private rooms. If you'd like to use the bathhouse during your stay its out back. Vesta should have some of the lamb left, I'll let her know to get you a plate and some drink." he says. "No payment is needed, those here for her funeral need not worry about such things." he says.

Hollen had been quiet, and he was slowly drinking his ale while listening to the others formulate the plan. He was also listening to the conversation happening at his fellow Ranger's table. Looking back to the Dwarves and the two Mages. "Sorry I've been quiet, just contemplating things, I like the idea with the barrels and wagon and having the goblins come to us, but if we do that its likely we dispatch of just a small scout party and not the whole of their lair, if they have established one, Interrogating a goblin isn't the same as someone with intelligence they can be stubborn to the point we may not find out where their lair is. I can track them if I need too, a mixture of the two plans might work better. We wait for the goblins setting the ambush, we make sure we wound one or two of them, and allow them to escape, so I can better track them back to wherever they retreat too. This may allow us to find their lair."  he goes on to say. "Just an idea, either way It is getting late and if we plan on doing this in the morning, we should all get some sleep." he adds.

He nodded to Ostler, "Many thanks for the hospitality friend, the common room will be more than adequate." he took the key he was offered and made his way up the stairs to find the chest where he could place his pack and saddlebags in before coming back downstairs to sit at the table^Q21 he'd motioned to earlier.  There was no spot for his spear upstairs so for the moment he leaned it against the table and nodded his head to any of the other patrons that looked his way while speaking up towards Hollen's table, "Did I hear right there are some goblin problems nearby?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:37, Tue 21 May 2019.

"Perhaps they are just trying to thrive though it will be well to see and be certain. I thank you for your time, may honor guide you."

With that she stands up and walks over to (S25) noting each patron at the table individually before she reaches it.
"My name is Yaotl Chimalma and I would like to accompany your expedition tomorrow to examine the ruins and its small green inhabitants. I swear to my fore bearers  that I will make no trouble for you and fend for myself."
Belated she adds a smile to her introduction, though the effect is disconcertingly forced.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Tue 21 May 2019.

The dwarf thought it was interesting that some had been planning for tomorrow based on a single minute of information that Althiöf had been able to give before being severely interrupted.  There was still so much he had not been able to share.  These folks still had no idea at all where the wagon would be in the morning.

"Hiding in the casks might not be so easy, because they're filled with water.  It'll slow the wagon to the right speed of travel, and also the casks won't shake during the wagon's movement."

"Well then we empty one or two, or partially empty them." Korkas reasoned bluntly. He then nodded to Hollen "Not a bad pla" he stops in mid sentence to look up at Yaotl Ruins? What ruins? We don't know where these flee bitten snot bags are located at yet. Maybe ruins, maybe caves. If ye want to help ye can help, but I ain't promising you any ruins."

He looks back to Hollen "Good plan, injure a few and allow them to escape back to their lair. Then we can get all of them."

"Well, the casks will be quite heavy.  If you break any, you are personally liable.  If anything happens to the wagon, the group is liable."

"My pardon, I heard both of these things are of the North but I don't quite have my bearings here yet."
She then pulls up a free chair from the table and sits, listening quietly to the plannings of tomorrow.

Hollen adds. "From what Spugnoir said, they tore up a bunch of his items, its likely their is a trail that leads right back to wherever they are hiding, which is likely somewhere in Deklo Grove. We Ranger's don't go into the grove that often since its outside of the Gnarley Forest." he says.

"Hello, Yaotl.  Name's Althiöf."

Korkas looked over his shoulder to Kossuth Aye, goblin problem or two. We aim to fix it. 10 gold per head pays a decent bounty and we help out the town and it's travelers." Korkas looks back to Althiof "Them goblins ain't going to be nice to those barrels, likely have to replace a few anyways. Or fix em."

"The goblins won't be hurting the barrels.  They're going to steal the barrels for the alcohol.  That's what they just did recently.  That's why the wagon is a good idea.  They've already robbed the exact same supply."

Ostler calls out to the patrons remaining in the common room. "We're about to close up the Bar and food for the night, last call. We will be turning off the lamps in the common room in about an hour, or before if the majority of you go upstairs." he says. Vesta goes around and takes any last drink and food orders.

Kossoth had been quiet since he had been both listening as well as eating and drinking what Vesta had brought him.  A kindness that he paid with a smile in thanks to her.  He nodded to the information Korkas gave him, "If you need additional hands I am more than willing to help friend.  Helping this town is honoring Elkiar's long efforts in the area."

In reply to Althiof Morad (msg # 253):

"Ye haven't been in many fights have ye? Once the Fighting starts things break. It's a great lure as they have hit the wagons before. But we ain't letting them just take em. Things may end up broken." Korkas responds looking to Althiof with a shrug.

Korkas looks over to Kossoth "I see you got a pig sticker there, any good in a fight? May need all the help we can get."

He shrugged his shoulders a small frown touching his lips, "I am proficient enough.  My family are merchants that ply routes through the Bright Lands Desert."

In reply to Kossoth Zan (msg # 257):

"Got coin do they? You first born?" Korkas says with a bit of a grin, you're not entirely sure of he's serious or not.. "Ye want to stick some goblins, ye are welcome. We ain't choosey. I'm sure there is enough for everyone."

Upstairs Common Room

After a few others head up to the Common Room, Ostler decides its time to shut down the bar, Vesta goes around cleaning up and collecting any empty cups and plateware, and goes around and starts turning off the different lamps that have been illuminating the Inn. Ostler moves to the hearth and loads it with a good supply of wood from the nearby stack. The remaining patrons are encouraged to head upstairs for the night, Ostler goes and locks the main door, it doesn't look like the Inn of the Welcome Wench stays open all night long, likely because its run just by the family.

Upstairs the common room is already nice and warm, much warmer than the Inn downstairs. Nothing of your belongings look to have been disturbed, your chests are all still locked. A few snores can be heard from patrons that had already gotten upstairs before you. The Half-Orc in particular sounds like he has a breathing issue while sleeping. As you each settle, some in bed, some at the common table, which has an assortment of cheeses, and dry meats, and bread along with some cups of water and ale. Night has befallen, and the moons rays shined through the windows, the flickering of the lamp lights and the hearth made the room glow an orange color.

Feel free to continue your conversations, where they let off from downstairs.

Althiöf got down off his bed and knelt down next to his chest.  He spread out his cloak from prying eyes, likely to prevent anyone from knowing where he hid the key.  Once he had it open, the dwarf placed a plain stein within it and locked the chest tight.  He then returned to his bed.

Yaotl promises to repay the innkeepers with kindness later on when so many miles have not clung to the bottom of her soles. With a nod of affirming commitment she disrobes, clouds of dust wafting from her robes, and promptly falls into the bed greeting sleep with loud murmurings about some prophecy or another.