As you step out of Hexia's tent you realize you are definitely no longer in Smith's Gambit. Tents line the pathway before you as you walk towards the center and you see a chair almost entirely made up of furs with two chairs next to it, one on each side. People keep to the sides as some stare at you as you walk by.

Eithan took a deep breath and squared his shoulders as he made his way out to the center of the village, trying not to look deeply conscious of the stares of the people throughout the villagers.

He found a likely spot near the center of the village, relatively flat, and not too many stones - and a view of the three chairs, which seemed like they might get interesting later on.

After placing his burden down and taking a moment to look around - just in case someone would correct him on setting up camp in the wrong place - Eithan got to work. He knelt down, and etched out a circle on the soil before him, using it as a reference guide to re-summon his Unseen Servant, Drogo.

He went through the motions with his wand, and checking back to his book several times, trying to ignore the sensation of other people's eyes watching his every move. Why was doing magic in public always so much more embarassing than in private?

As Drogo returned into existence, Eithan commanded him to help, and together they began to lay out a tent.

As they went, Korbin landed on one of the tent supports, looked between Eithan and the invisible patch of air currently inhabited by Drogo, back to Eithan again, and cawed inquisitively?

"Hmm?" Eithan muttered absent mindedly as he tied off a line. "What do you mean, why didn't I do that before?"

Korbin cawed again, impatiently.

"Oh, helping out with the shop myself, and not having Drogo do it for me?" he said, pulling the canvas tight as Drogo held down the other side. "Isn't it obvious?"

Unimpressed, Korbin hopped around in a circle, and playfully pecked Eithan on the wrist.

Eithan chuckled, and took a pretend play-swipe at the bird, who fluttered off and perched atop another perch on the gradually assembling tent. "Fair enough. I wanted her to like us, Korbin. She could be an excellent person to know if we ever open a shop of our own - or maybe even a patron for future expeditions. She can also do magic that makes my head spin. Drogo is a wonderful assistant," he added quickly, nodding deferentially to the empty air, "but I don't see a mage with Hexia's abilities being impressed by my magical dabbling any time soon."

The tent finally coming together, Eithan stopped to take a stretch before continuing, and Korbin cawed impatiently. "That's just it. Now she knows my skill-set, she knows that I'm the kind of person to help those who help me, and that I'm not afraid to put my own hands to work to get something done than needs doing."

Korbin titled his head on the side, unimpressed. Eithan laughed again. "We can't all have your charming personality, Korbin. Some of us have to plan a little more carefully if we're going to make an important new friend, yes?"

The two-person now ready to use, Eithan and Drogo set up the bedroll and blanket inside, and stored the pack within.

"That's our bed for the night sorted. Now, Korbin - how about we go find out about dinner?"

Korbin cawed happily. It was the best news he'd heard since lunch.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

Hexia hurried along the line of tents until she reached where Eithan was then started to speak, "I nearly forgot, just a little something for your troubles, an appreciation for the work you did if you will." She took Eithan's hand and placed a scroll in it. "Hopefully these will help you some on your travels."

You also get 50xp for helping Hexia in her shop.

Eithan accepted the scroll graciously, and absently unrolled it. "That's very kind of you, Hex-" he stopped as the details hit him.  "My word! That's exactly something I've been looking to get hold of! Thank you very much!"

Eithan scratched Korbin under the chin. "You see, Korbin, oh ye of little faith?" Korbin accepted the chin scratch, but managed to convey grudging tolerance while doing it.

Eithan returned his attention to Hexia. "I'm tied up with an expedition I need to get under way right now, but I very much look forward to working with you in the future once I've established myself a little more," he said, with a gentle bow.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

"An expedition you say? What type and where to if you don't mind me asking?" Hexia's eyes lit up at the mention of an expedition.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 07:28, Tue 08 Dec 2020.

Eithan's grinned. He knew that look.

"A ruin, actually. Something that a colleague of mine and I were studying at the Great Library in Wuaden. She came on ahead of me to scout the location. I only arrived in town yesterday, and I've been recovering in town, and getting back Korbin here." The raven croaked his assent.

"That's why I'm heading back into Smith's Gambit tomorrow, in fact. I'm a capable traveler, but I'm under few illusions about myself. I'll need some capable companions to travel with me if I'm to meet up with her in one piece."

Eithan reached up, and scratched Korbin under the chin again. "It was another reason I was glad for the opportunity to meet with you. Darla mentioned that you had an interest in such things. Magic is grand, but archaeology is my profession, and it's always good to meet a potential future patron."

"You could say I'm already a patron, just not to you as of yet. I sent a group to go explore an area where some old ruins might be located here in the Rimewood. I have suspected they were here for quite a while, but thanks to my presence being required here have never gotten to go explore them myself. I suppose it only makes sense that others would eventually follow after my work."

Eithan's gaze turns distant as a moment as he looks up and to the left, snapping his fingers softly by his right ear in an effort to remember.

"Wait... Hexia... Hexia... Hexia H? H.I.? Are you H.I.?" he asked excitedly.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:45, Wed 09 Dec 2020.

"H.I. is how I sign my research and paperwork, after all those are my initials." She smiles at you.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Wed 09 Dec 2020.

"Then it was your research that put Gabriella and I on the right path. And of course it was - you're in the area, and you have an interest in local ruins. I should have connected the dots sooner."

From his perch atop the backpack, Korbin leaned down to gently peck Eithan on the head. He waved a hand up at the bird. "Yes, yes, alright. You've made your point."

Eithan turned back to Hexia. "Normally I wouldn't hesitate in asking for your blessing and to share our findings with you, we wouldn't even be here at all if not for your research.

"But I don't know what Gabriella is up to or what she's promised to anyone else. I don't make promises if I'm not sure I'm free to keep them. But if you'd be interested in giving me your approval and any advice or guidance on the area, it would be a privlege to share whatever knowledge I find with you to within the best of my ability."

Korbin gave a single reminding peck to the top of Eithan's head again. "Oh, yes, right. Was there anything about the ruins in particular you'd like me to look into should I manange to find my way there?"

"It's not a problem. I would love to get confirmation on what origins the ruins have as well as any story they tell like why they are abandoned, if they're there of course. Any information would be appreciated, anything to help fit the puzzle pieces together. I have my theories, but I need conclusive proof. The party I ready sent there already will hopefully be finding something to bring back to me. They are also supposed to be finding out what is causing there to be a different climate there as well."

"Certainly. Once I manage to get there, I'll see what I can do to get that information back to you. Of the party that left - what were their names and numbers? I'd like to be able to recognize them if and when I manage to find them."

"No problem. Wightvane, Alban, Elisar Moonraven, Malkus, Enialis Siannodel, and Izayah Hamadrell. As for numbers what do you mean?" Hexia gives you a puzzled look.

"Just curious if if they had more people with them; porters or diggers, that sort of thing, so that I'd know how big of a camp or dig site to expect. But Hamadrell, that's my colleague Gabriella's last name."

He rubbed his chin, mulling over his thoughts for a moment. "Could they be related, I wonder? She never mentioned that she had any family to me. I'm not sure what to make of these coincidences."

"Izayah has been looking for family. Perhaps she is it. Hopefully they are able to meet and find out their connection. As for diggers or anyone else, it's just them. No crew went with them."

Eithan nodded, and - suspicions having been put to rest, he fumbled around with the map case strapped to his back, as he muttered to himself, thinking out loud.

"Excellent, so that's a party of six, one of whom may be family to Gabriella, no subordinates. Scouting party then, not a full excavation. If I can catch them up there may still be something left to investigate, or at least make sure Gabriella is okay."

Having the map free, he returned his attention back to Hexia. "One last thing then: Tell me... Sorry, one moment," he said, arranging the map, in his hands. "Yes, is this the area you sent them to? Were Gabriella and I at all close?"

Hexia looked at the map where Eithan pointed then she nodded yes. "To the center of the Rimewood is where I sent them. You both were spot on following my research. Well done. The party I sent was also suppose to find out why, at the center of the Rimewood, was the land there untouched by the snow. From what I've been told it's just a big area with possibly some type of powerful magic shielding it from the cold."

"Untouched by the snow? Fascinating. But I wonder if it could be the other way around, and whatever power is keeping Rimewood in eternal frost is the one that is a barrier to something in the ruin?"

Korbin nipped the wizard on the ear, and Eithan shook his head clear.

"Exactly right, Korbin. We need data before we start speculating wildly."

He turned his attention back to Hexia once more, carefully rolling the map and returning it to its case without looking, with an ease born of countless of hours handling maps and scolls.

"Thank you so very much for your insight, Hexia - and for blazing a trail on the research. I very much hope I manage to find my way to this ruin and uncover something interesting for you there sometime soon."

"Sounds lovely and best of luck to you. I wish you safe travels and I hope you find what you're looking for." Hexia then turns to return to her tent for the remainder of of the evening until dinner.

Eithan went on about his business making sure his camp was set and as he did he was eventually approached by the chief of the village and his son. They introduced themselves as Chief Armand Amzi and Andre Amzi. They told him a little bit about the village and answered any questions he may have had. All the while during the talking food was being brought out and set on the wooden tables next to the thrones. When it came time to feast Eithan was offered to take the first bit of food for himself. As he approached the table a well cooked bore came into view as the main course followed by some root vegetables native to the Rimewood with berries as well. That night after all was settled, Eithan would go to bed and sleep comfortably, at least as comfortably as you can in a tent. When he awoke he found himself fully rested and ready for the day ahead. Drogo helped him gather his camp together as expected and then they were off ready to be on their way. He said his goodbyes to the chief & son, then went on to say his goodbyes to Hexia as he once again saw the magnificent portal open in the same spot as he had originally arrived in. With a deep breath, Eithan entered the portal and not a moment later found himself back in Smith's Gambit.

Chelsie leaves Hexia's shop and takes a stroll into the village, visibly unsure of where to go. She peers around at the tents, realizing that she didn't quite realize where she was headed when she went through that portal.

OOC: I'm perfectly happy to skip forward, spend the night here, go through the portal, and get back to Smith's Gambit, if that's fine. I had no further goal with the town, just checking out what I've come across.

No problem. Sorry it's taken us so long to post anything more. Let's just say that you were able to meet the Chief and his son. You were able to stay the night, enjoy the food of the Fierce Hearts (Roast Boar stuffed with roots), and wake up refreshed in the morning. You return to Hexia's Shop where you can post that you are entering her tent and going back thru the portal.

Having previously met the chief of this village, Chelsie decides to take point in leading her companions to their quest giver. When they find their way to him, she speaks up.

"Good morning. We're here to help you find out what's happened to your missing scouts. I'm not sure that you've had the chance to meet any of these fine folk—that's Carmen, Victor, Wendel, and Nutcracker."

The sight leaving the shop was not what he had expected, but Nutcracker liked the appearance of the tents making up the settlement as opposed to the hard, static buildings in the town. But a part of him figured this wouldn't last. This likely wasn't a nomadic group.

However, Chelsie seemed to be familiar with this place, so he decided it would be best to let her take the lead and stay quiet. He was good at that.

Aside from the occasional buzz from his new friends.

Having followed Chelsie's directions as she seems to know where to go, Victor gives the Chief a short but respectful bow, "I understand that time might be short, please tell us what we need to know so that we can aid you."

Chief Amzi is distracted for a moment by the blue bees swarming about Nutcracker, but then says, "Sorry. happy to meet you all. Yes, so our hunting grounds are about two days walk to the northwest, a day if you know the woods like Jebor. He lead our best hunters on a trip there, like he has done so every other week since we set our tents here to seek refuge from the Redfoot raids. Usually, they return within a week, but it has been two weeks now, and they have not returned! As long as Jebor leads them, I know they can't get lost, so I worry they were found by the Redfoot, or vicious predators driven into our territory by the carnage the Redfoot leave in their wake. Either way, we have few hunters, and even fewer warriors. I can give you a map to our hunting grounds, and if you will seek out sign of what happened to Jebor and the others, Hexia has agreed to part with items from her shop. If you also bring back enough food for two weeks, you will be welcome to stay in our tents until the hunters go out once more!"

Victor nods, "How many mouths are there to feed and how will we know Jebor when we find them?"

"What can you tell us about the redfoot? I've barely been here a few weeks and only just learning." asks Carmen. She waits for an answer, then also queries the aid from Hexia. "Let me make sure I heard correct...we can borrow some equipment from Hexia prior to our journey?" she asks. "That might make it much more likely for us to succeed. A wise choice."

If he were capable of facial expression, Nutcracker would have been grinning when the chief stared at his bees for a moment. He really felt like he had grown a lot in a very short amount of time. This place was full of potential to help him grow even more. Possibly just as fast.

At the mention of hungry mouths, he made a magical chant while touching the mistletoe recently attached to his bow and produced a full handful of golden-colored blackberries. "Food," he spoke in the chief's voice. It wasn't much, but these were potent berries that would help sustain almost a dozen people for an entire day.

OOC: Showing off by casting Goodberry to produce a full 10 of the magic berries in his hand.

Armand replies, "Our tribe has about 50 people, including the missing hunters."

About the Redfoot, he says, "You don't know of the Redfoot? Lucky you! They are a tribe who believe Rimewood belongs to goblins, and hobgoblins are the pinnacle of goblin perfection. If you are a hobgoblin, they offer you to join them. If you are a goblin, they force you to join them, and if you are neither... fight, or run and hide. We tried to fight, and that's why we have so few warriors. Thanks to Hexia, we can hide until new warriors are trained. Smith has also agreed to help, and I'm told he has allied with some goblin tribes who wish to fight back against the Redfoot, as well. So if you see any goblins out there, look for an emblem of a clawed red foot on their shields. If they don't have that, they may possibly be reasoned with. If they do? Fight, or run and hide..."

About the items, "You misunderstand. The magic items are a reward for finding out what happened to our hunters. Hexia's items are quite valuable, we can't risk you losing them out there when we may need to trade them for money to buy food from Smith."

To Nutcracker, "Thank you. This won't go far, but every little bit helps."

Nodding, Carmen was glad to hear the news of the redfoot tribe of goblins. "I'd heard rumours only, but it is good to hear there are goblins willing to negotiate and speak terms."

She heard the sad news about the aid from Hexia being withheld until they had completed their mission, but she understood the risks.

"They won't know what hit them. Wendel has quite a punchm and Victor is made of rocks." she says, emphasizing the talents of her team mates. "Chelsie and Nutcracker, well...I'm still working those ones out but they are skilled in their own rights." she added.

She makes ready her preparations, then departs with the others.

Victor frowns, "Good to know, hopefully your hunters haven't run afoul of the Red Foot."

Satisfied with the Chief's responses he raises his eyebrows questioningly to the others and gestures that they be on their way.

Cocking his head sideways in thought, Nutcracker repeated the gesture two more times and poured the plethora of 30 berries into the sack he had been carrying dangling from his backpack. After removing the waterskins and affixing them to his pack, he proffered the bag of rations and berries to the chief. "Food," he repeated again. Before the chief could make any protests he gestured to himself. "Nutcracker, a skilled hunter!" as if that were all of the explanation necessary.

His load now lightened a little, Nutcracker followed after the others to begin leading them to the hunting grounds.

OOC: Changing ooc and speech colors to be more unified with the rest.
Using up two remaining spells for two more Goodberry castings of 10 each. Unloaded the 10 rations in the sack with the chief; enough to feed 40 for a day.

"This will help immensely. Thank you, Nutcracker! Farewell, friends, and may the spirits of the Rimewood be with you." said the chief.
This message was last updated by the player at 19:20, Mon 05 Apr 2021.

Just before sunset, A powerfully built Dwarf walks up to the gates of Fierce Hearts Village.  This who were there when they first met might remember Brohm.  Across his broad shoulders is slung a largish deer, and a sack of herbs and mushrooms.  He signals the guard with a wave as he approaches.

The guard says, "Welcome, friend! My, looks like you've caught quite the meal! You should talk to the Chief before you head back to Smith's Gambit."

"A feast needs food.". He replied to the guards first statement, his derp voice like a friendly landslide.  "Where is the Chief?". He asks, as he steps through the gate.  That having been his intent before the guard spoke.  Once the guard gives him the information, he walks directly to the Chief.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Tue 20 Apr 2021.

The guard smiles, "If you don't see him around the training area, he's probably talking to Hexia."

Brohm heads to the training area, the spoils of his hunting resting easy on his broad shoulders.

As Brohm approached the training area he saw two young boys sparring, rather seriously I might add, and a few older soldiers standing around the grounds watching them. Look as he might, however, there was no sign of the Chief.

Brohm walks up to one of the older soldiers who are not busy.  "Do you know where the chief is?". He rumbles in a neutral voice.

"He's probably at the lady wizard's tent. He's there quite frequently." The soldier answers without hesitation when asked.

"Thank you.". Brohm rumbles, as he heads toward Hexias' tent.

As Brohm heads towards Hexia's tent you spot the Chief leaving her tent with a look of disappointment on his face.

"Evening". Brohm rumbles to the Chief.  "I've brought food for the feast.". As any true Dwarf, Brohm does not pry into the personal affairs of others.  If they felt like broaching it, they would.

"Ah yes." The chief shakes himself from his earlier distraction and turns to the dwarf, "And it is much appreciated." He smiles as he walks Brohm over to the large wooden table at the near center of the village. There sitting on the table looked like mostly roots, but no meat in sight. "As you see, you couldn't have come at a better time. We've been missing one of our hunting parties, but some from Smith's Gambit should already be on their trail. Hopefully that means they'll be back soon."

"If they do not return in a few days, I will go looking for them.". Brohm rumbles, refering to the search party, as well as the missing hunters.  It was still odd to him, these Goblins.  In the mountains of his ancestral home, Goblinoids and Dwarves had a long and bitter war between them.  A war that would only end when one side was annihilated.  The Dwarves were too strong, too smart, and too good in their craft for the Goblinoids to win.  The Goblinoids beef too quick for the Dwarves to win.  So it dragged on, the Dwarves keeping their borders mostly secure, and the Goblinoids loosing thousands in raids that gained them little to nothing.  Here though, were Goblins that acted with civility.  Perhaps even a second chance. A chance to change a history do blood-soaked that the ocean was a puddle beside it.  "Let them eat well tonight, and keep whatever is left.  I will return in a day or two, with further supplies.".  He thinks for a long moment, before speaking again.  "I passed two groups of Orcs on the last leg of my journey in.  There may be more."

Izayah came in to view of the village, slowly walking with a group of beings following behind him. His pace quickened a bit when the village came in to view. A smile lit up his face and he glanced back at his companions, "C'mon! We're almost there!"

Finishing up the journey, completing the mission, seeing Hexia again, all good things.

Walking along right behind Izayah, Malkus feels a renewed vigor as the scenery begins to look familiar. Before too long, the Fierce Hearts' village comes into view on the path ahead. Even though it had only been a handful of days, he is eager to be back, as he has plans to set in motion back at Smith's Gambit.

He travels with the rest to Hexia's shop to report back what they found.

As the group had finally reached the village, they could finally relax a bit and break formation. It was a short trip in truth, but it had felt like months with so many things happening along the way. Now they could collect their reward before heading back to the Gambit where Wightvane was looking forward to a little downtime, and a chance to earn some coin through Albans little crafting scheme.

As Izayah, Malkus, Wightvane, Alban, Enialis, Elisar, and Gabriella made their up to the village they were greeted by one of the guards, a male elf, "Welcome back. Your quest went well?"
Each of you, except Gabriella, remember this elf as you had met him on the way out start your journey. His name is Aaron.

Malkus greets Aaron warmly.

"Thank you; it's good to be back! We scouted the area that Hexia is interested in, and I'm certain we have information that Erret Smith will be happy to hear, as well.

What news from the village?"

Izayah smiled and gave a small wave to the elf that greeted them. "Hello again, I hope you fare well." He nodded. "We have returned alive, having overcome odds and  become slightly less poor, hopefully."

He chuckled a bit as he continued to walk. He continued to walk towards Hexia's shop.

"Indeed. We lost a hunting party of ours a little while ago, but the chief has already sent a team from Smith's Gambit after them. With any luck they'll have found them by now, safe, I hope. Other than that things seem to be going normally. The village is still well protected thanks to the lady wizard." Aaron looked over his shoulder back toward the center of the village for a moment. "Not too long ago another from Smith's Gambit made his way here and with quite the haul. He was carrying some fresh meat on his shoulders. We sent him on his way to see the chief."

"The one with the meat; he came in alone? We may need to talk to him after, to be sure everything's alright. Is there anything other news you've heard of recent happenings?"

Elisar trudged in with the others. Seeing civilisation again lifted his spirits, as he knew that soon he would be able to have a bath, find some clean clothes and enjoy a decent glass of wine, or two, and maybe even the company of a good woman, or two.

As they entered the village he spied some of the local children. He whipped out his viol and played a merry little tune, accompanied with the occasional shower of illusory sparks is a spectrum of bright colours.

But he didn’t dawdle, he was intent on finding Hexia and getting back to town with his reward.

Izayah's eyebrows shot upwards as his eyes widened. He glanced at Wightvane when they spoke up but didn't interrupt that.

But he spoke up afterwards. "You lost a huntin' party?" He frowned. "I hope they are well, an' the people sent after 'em find 'em just delayed or somethin'."

Malkus grimaces at Izayah. Going missing in the Rimewood is no joke, and a lot can go wrong in the perpetual winter.

"I imagine Smith's got this under control," he muses aloud. "If not, I'm sure he'll send us out after them. The sooner we get this squared away with Hexia the sooner we can speak with him about our new 'allies'"

He smiles at the elfish guard. "Stay warm, and hopefully your hunters come back sooner than later!"

Alban continues on with his companions and looking forward to being amongst familiar faces again.  As he floats by the elf Alban waves at him...

To Wightvane, Aaron answered, "Yes. He's with the chief now at the feast table. No other happenings to report."

To Izayah, Aaron nodded, "Yes hopefully that's all it is, of course they haven't been gone for long so hopefully nothing delays them to begin with."

To Malkus, Aaron smiled, "You as well friend and yes hopefully sooner than later."

Wightvane followed the others to see Hexia.

Elisar followed the others to find Hexia, keen to update her on what they had found.

(Something Public.)

Everyone going to Hexia's please move to that thread. You all reach her tent at about the same time.

Brohm returns to the village, several papers carefully packed in his backpack.

After the evenings feast, and a good rest, Brohm rise early to catch Hexias' portal.  Walking through, he found himself again in Smiths' Gambit.

As the expedition group is passes through the gate by the guards and arrives back in town, a bit worse for wear, but in decently high spirits, a buff blue man with silver hair equipped with battered leathers kneels in the middle of the icy city streets.

He seems to be addressing a small, feminine figure.

"Lady gnome... you are safely returned. My Sylvan Oath to you now ends... I, Tidelan Wavyrus, have succeeded in stopping you from any harm; as I swore to do. Now, my binds of True Honor return from you to my heart." As Tidelan spoke heavily, powerful gusts of steam escaping his frozen lips, a powerful pressure grew in the air. It was completely harmless, but a doubtless sensation nonetheless. Perhaps it was simply his own magic, but if anyone were around to Observe it, it is possible that they might sense Fey origin.

Once more, Tidelan repeated, almost as if reverently reciting verse, "My oath ends." and the genasi flashes pure white.

Then, in Farradi, "Vazo arvelico finas" and the barbarian flashes verdant green

Finally, in Primordial, "[Language unknown: U omnde str]" and the druid flashes a regal golden, that has for ages inspired reverence in allies, and despair in enemies.

The perhaps-magic seemingly passed, Tidelan gives a bright smile to the others in the grup and stands, before inquiring, "Shall we drink?"

He no longer seems to be paying the same close attention he has been to Galenna for the last few days. He's not really cold, but is now treating her like an acquaintance rather than the empress he had been treating her as.

For a man who values strength so much, even that bit of acknowledgement was something for someone with no combat talents (though exceptional at cartography!)

Verbannt shook his thick mane, and with a cracking of bones and a tearing of flesh stood tall. Where before had been the massive grey Direwolf, now there stood the hulking Bugbear. He stretched, and eyed the Genasi with an unreadable expression.

"Aye, friend, now we drink."

The word did not sound familiar on his tongue, but Tidelan had shared his heart's thoughts more than once on the journey. Verbannt would not shame the man for having done so. He had heard that the Clan he had once claimed was strange among Bugbears, for they found strength in many things that others of his race considered weakness.

"And then perhaps we go running with the wolves."

He grumbled amicably, moving towards the portal with easy strides.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:05, Tue 20 July 2021.

"Just about Tidelan. Your oath may have ended, but if you want your pay then you'll have to finish your contract getting back Smith with me. I suspect you'll be heading back to Smith's Gambit anyways so dropping by the town hall with me shouldn't be a problem. Then we can all get paid..." She cheers her last sentence then adds, "including me."

Tidelan beamed happily at Lukas' comments. He seemed a lot happier lately, as if he had grown truly content with life here among his friends and the rough landscape.

In response to Galenna, he just shrugged and said "Yes, there is no problem!"

Frankly, Tidelan had so much money at this point that he could easily live a quiet life. What mattered to him now was fighting with his comrades to grow stronger and strengthen their bonds.

He had finally met true friends, he had to be there to protect them, even if they would be safe on their lonesome. It would not do for him to be idle while they fought. It would be shameful not to fight side by side. This was how he felt.

"I pay for drinks, friends! Hahaha drinks!" the genasi exclaimed before stomping off carelessly into the snow and looking for a well-stocked tavern to ruin for everyone else for the night.

The funny thing is, Tidelan wasn't really much of a drinker. In fact, he probably wouldn't recognize half the alcohols nearby. The guy just wanted to have a good time, and this is how he figured friends did that. Absolutely fearless of hangovers, because he had no idea of their existence, the genasi roared raucously, disturbing the night.


This message was last edited by the player at 09:59, Tue 20 July 2021.

Santio, however, wasn’t finished with Galenna.    Until she/they had returned to Smith, he didn’t feel his job was done.
He held no judgement on Tidelan’s choice, but his own honour directed him as such.

However, if she seemed safe, and was willing to allow Santio some time, there was one store he wished to visit this evening, before bed.

Spark would have breathed a sigh of relief once the group was safely inside the village, except the warforged didn't need to breathe. He shared in the merry mood, however, and took up the offer of a drink, if not for the actual beverage then more for the social aspect of it.

"This was indeed a long journey, but hopefully the maps resulting from it will make travel in the parts safer and quicker."

The group reveled in the joy of being back in the safety of the village. As Santio asked Galenna about the shop he wanted to go visit she said, "Certainly, though the only shop I can think of here we'll be stopping by in the morning anyways. That is where the portal is after all."

Santio nodded.
What Galenna said was true ... and he could, indeed, wait until morning.

He didn't go drinking with his allies, though:   he stayed with/nearby Galenna (as his honour required, until the job was done).



But I'll begin the IC interaction for that next morning now ... to speed things alone

After returning from her trip to save the missing hunters, Carmen says goodbye to the Fierce Hearts village and thanks them for their hospitality. "If you need us again, we are only a portal trip away. I would be happy to have you visit my tavern, if you care for such things as alcohol and gaming." she says, recommending they stop by for a visit.

Then, she leaves through the portal at dawn.

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