The egg's hard boiled before pickling in the whiskey, it's not spoiled (OOC: can't say much about how much an insect would enjoy whiskey pickled eggs, or anyone else for that matter)

Pat says "I'd rather get on my way than go back to Mellus.  Fun as it was, I don't think it'd be the best place for convalescing, and it's pretty expensive.   I'd hate to continue on alone, I didn't think it would be this dangerous.  I'm headed to The Cones, if I stick around I can heal you up a bit every day until we're all hale, and maybe you could escort me as far as you're going in that direction?  There seems to be enough food here, and whatever the goblins were cooking."

"That seems to resolve all issues," Atak concedes.

"At least we won't run out of rations for the journey. I used to love pickled eggs. My aunt made some with hot peppers instead of whiskey once. It had me rolling on the floor in agony for an hour or two..."

"I could surely use a rest. Those goblin spears didn't pierce too deep, but the wounds sting. Hand me some of that whiskey, would ya, Doc?"

Angus takes a swig of whiskey from the jar, slopping some as the pickled eggs shift. He fishes one out and pops it whole in his mouth, giving a thumbs up as he chews it.

"I suppose the only question remaining is, do we set out on the journey now or spend the night here and start forth in the morning?" Atak asks the party. "I'm for starting now. There's too many dead goblins to haul out of the kitchen before we could make an overnight in that house comfortable."

Veryn starts packing up stuff to take for sale.

Pat says "We could stay in the barn, the animals will be all gone?  Well I guess the lizard and chicken-lizards.  It's mid afternoon already, we wouldn't get to The Cones until around midnight, I'd prefer to travel in the day - if there's more goblins, they do better at night.  I don't think there's anywhere to stay between here and there?  What say we enjoy our pickled eggs and eggnog in the barn and we leave in the morning?"

Veryn adds "You might want to drag the goblins out to the field, and burn them, a bunch of dead goblins stinking up the kitchen for however long it takes to get a buyer isn't going to help the sale price. Too bad I'm heading out." He gives a big grin.  He straps the last of the valuables on the brahmin and starts off toward the road.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:52, Mon 11 May 2020.

Atak waves goodbye to Veryn, then shakes his head and dismounts the lizard. "It's all true, but we should remember to eat a full meal before we light those goblin bodies on fire. Their smell will kill any appetite. And the smoke might draw in some other interested parties."

After the gruesome work of disposing of goblins, you rest the night.

(No natural healing unless a full day of rest BtB)

Fresh and/or pickled eggs for breakfast,  Pat heals Dr. Darien for 2, and Black Angus for 2 having determined them to be the most hurt. (OOC: rolled 2 1s!)

You continue your journey, the fields eventually giving way to more untamed lands, the road looks less used, it splits off, and you head north east.  Small quaint farms are sparse along the low hills, the buildings all circular, with cone-shaped stone roofs.  When you arrive in the village, you find a few larger structures have been made by overlapping round buildings and their roofs. Few people are about, and as many seems to be dwarves on the shorter side with particularly large noses as are human, with none of any other race to be seen.  There is only one place to stay, a small one named The Timid Inn, little more than a bed and breakfast with a few rooms run by a spinster. There's one larger building of possible interest besides the usual small shops one might find in a small village.  The Steaming Flagon Tavern.

Asking passerby's and making a brief inspection reveals the following about them:

The Timid Inn, a rather small hostelry for travelers who require a room for the night. Common Room 1s
Room $1 (3 available)
Fresh Grapple 1c
Grapple Jam, Toast, Eggs, and Grapple Juice 3c
Grapple Pie 1s
Grapple Wine 5c glass or 3s for a bottle.

Steaming Flagon, a combination steam bath and tavern where patrons
strip down to white terrycloth towels while drinking fermented sheep’s milk.
3sp Fermented sheep’s milk & 20 minute sauna.

Pat says "Oh a Sauna! We have those, I'll surely enjoy that!" and heads in to the Steaming Flagon.

"Fermented dairy?" He shudders. "No thanks."

(OOC What's everyone doing in The Cones? Bob & Black Angus especially as we haven't heard from you for a bit)

As you look around The Cones you note that everyone is wearing red conical hats, some have some fancy embroidery, or tassels etc. a couple have small downturned brims, but the majority of the hat is still red and recognizable as a cone.  A small woman runs up and says with high agitation "You must have a hat!  Don't you know the devil will take you if you don't wear one!" 

She points out a habidashary. You can buy anything from a red waxed paper hat for a copper to a very fancy felt hat for 100 gold, or ignore the risk.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:51, Mon 18 May 2020.

"I'm going to secure a room at the Timid Inn," Atak offers. "Then I'll see to finding a safe place for my mount to overnight." He makes for the Inn.

Bob's needs are simple, he looks to the Timid Inn, curious what a Grapple is.  He waits and eats in the common room.  He looks for a hat that fits his head.

Angus doesn't mind sharing space in the common room of the Timid Inn. But first he decides the steam bath sounds like it might be good for his wounds, to keep them from getting infected. "Fermented milk? Like yogurt with alcohol? I'm intrigued. Let's go, Pat!"

When the woman comes up and tells the party to get hats, Angus shrugs. "I've got a helmet, ma'am. Should be good enough, I'd think."


OOC: Sorry, just got out from under a mountain of essays to grade. :D

"What? Trade my certified Neovictorian tophat for one of these tinfoil party favors? PREPOSTEROUS! Away, you old hag!"

Bob's head is pretty weirdly shaped for humanoid heads but he finds a tiny novelty one with straps to tie on for 5 cp after some fussing from the proprietors.

Grapple turns out to be like an exceptionally juicy apple that tastes of grapes.

The Steaming Flagon is a good place to hang out for gossip, a bit of the area is explained by locals along with some rumors.  To the north is the grapple forest, the only place where the grapple trees grow.  They say it's monster infested because the grapple trees provide so much food.  No one claims the forest due to the monsters, but many brave the outskirts to collect grapples.  Things like chicken-wolves have been reported stalking the forest and have picked off and eaten the slowest of those who've strayed too far inside.  (Unfortunately this seems to be the general area where the vaults you were sent to find should be.)

There's barren hills to the north west where there's been some nuggets of an unusual blue metal found - this seems to pique Pat's interest, and after he asks after it, there's a curio shop that may have a piece.

There's an mixed forest to the north where a giant squirrel has scared off people.

There's a small lake to the west, fishing is good there.

They talk of The Cone Devil, which is described by different people differently, some say it's a devil cat-fish that comes out of the lake as big as a house, others say it's something like a giant bear with mange that breathes fire from the hills.  Another says it's made of smoke and makes strange cricket noises that raises itself from the dust each night.  No one's personally seen it but has distant friends or relatives that have.  All agree that the red cones that make up the buildings and people's hats make the devil ignore them.

The fermented sheep milk is a bit of an acquired taste, but it seems to be fairly potent which helps get past the cheese like smell after a couple rounds.

The woman fretting over hats takes offence and backs off to the Dr.'s rebuff with a gasp making her busybody retort "I never!"

The Timid Inn is run by a little old lady, The rooms feel much like a bed-and breakfast with an overabundance of embroidered pillows and quilts.  There's enough room for most of the party in the common-room on various couches and lounge-chairs, and even a couple recliners before a large fireplace.  She recommends the veterinarian to house your animals, only a block away, prices are reasonable, only a couple copper per night per animal.

"I'll take a room," Atak says, producing the required money. "Then, the veterinarian and then, dinner."

"I as well, if you please."

Atak will take his lizard to the veterinarian after checking in and depositing his things in the room. Once there he asks the professional, "Good day. I'll need lodging and care for this beautiful animal, and I'd be very grateful if you could share any information you know about them."

Since he's staying in the Common Room, and bathing at the sauna, Angus will ask around for more information about the giant squirrel -- just how big is 'giant' and what are its known habits?

Bob struts around in his little red hat, seemingly quite pleased with it.  "I has a hat." he tells anyone who listens.  He asks Atak if they are going to share a room again.

"And a fine hat it is," Atak confirms. Then, "Of course we are sharing a room, Bob. We of a kind should stick together."

"Squirrels bigger than you!  Bear sized at least, they'll cut you in half like a tree with those big shovel teeth, and the fly too." The old man who made a claim of giant squirrels says.

The evening is quiet, the next day you wake refreshed.  Pat gives out a couple more healing spells to Black Angus (6 healed) leaving them with only a bit of tenderness.

Pat says "I'll stay here and make sure we're all ship shape before I head off.  I don't suppose you'd be available for a job afterward?  I can't pay an awful lot, but I wouldn't mind an escort to the hills, I'd like to investigate the blue metal that comes from the hills."

(OOC: I can figure out how many days until everyone's healed if you want to stay here until then.)

((ooc: Atak's having a conversation with the veterinarian))

Angus thanks Pat for the healing. His wounds have nearly healed, with only a bit of red, tender skin over the former lacerations.

OOC: I'm only 1hp down, so if we rest here for a full day, I'm good to go.

"I'd rather be on our way, even if we bear slight wounds," Atak suggests. "This seems an odd community, and we are sure to get in trouble one way or another if we linger long."