Vala spent her own down time recovering from her injuries, enjoying tavern life and searching for an armoursmith to craft her a suit of plate armour.

The warrioress was in two minds about this; she'd never worn armour quite that heavy before and though she considered herself strong enough to do so she'd have to adapt her fighting style. On the other hand there was much to be said for being hit less.

One thing Vala wanted to make sure was that she still looked distinctive and not simply like some random knight or paladin. The Drakesbane blood ran strong in her veins and she intended to honour it.

Tanyl takes advantage of his guild membership to see the cost for certain spells.

Matthias has spent the past several weeks attending to his spiritual well-being and working through some inner doubts. With each day that has passed, the young cleric has grown more resolved to resuming his fledgling adventuring career in the hopes of doing Erathis' good works.

One morning, after completing his assigned duties and rituals, Matthias departs the temple and heads toward the inn where his companions had taken up residence. The young cleric walks with a bit more confidence now, eager to learn what sort of escapades they had most recently been on, and more to the point, what sort of prospects they presently had...

Sitting in the main-room of the Inn, Delta plucked away on her instrument, and practised a few tunes quietly in the corner.

On the assumption that Matthias arrives accosted, she will hail him down, and call her over to the table.

"Welcome, good father, let me buy you an ale!" She hails the person who is waiting the tables and orders an ale for the cleric, as well as another stack of pancakes for herself.

Matthias smiles and accepts Delta's offer while taking up a seat at the table.

"I trust you have been well," he says more than asks while eyeing the empty plate in front of the gnome.

Once the ale has arrived, the you cleric raises his mug to toast his companion, says "well met, again", and takes a healthy drink.

He relishes the taste for a moment and then places the mug back onto the table, perhaps a little more loudly than he had meant to. A little bit of ale spills over the edge of the mug and onto the table, which causes him to whince a little before finally poking fun at himself to cover up his embarassment. "Easy there," he chides.

Finally, the cleric settles in and offers a brief explanation of how he has passed the past few weeks, which he glosses over because, "I would imagine temple business is not really that interesting, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bore you..."

Then, he turns the conversation, "So, what have you been into of late?"

The little gnomes eyes light up at the question.

"Oh, we had the most amazing adventure! We traveled to the coast, where we discovered an ancient temple to a forgotten goddess."

With some little effort she created a small two-dimential image of the sea, and then the cave.

"We rescued two scholars who even now study the caves, as we managed to eliminate the quite foul smelling creatures who guarded it, and had attempted to sacrifice one of the men we were sent to save."

Her eyes had gone hazy as she strove to remember every detail.

"Tanyl, clever man that he is, even convinced a hobgoblin to aid us in our quest! There was a fearsome battle, in which Vala's blade snicker-snakked her way thru the monsters, monsters whose stench was enough to turn a mans stomach, ugh!"

She created a fairly decent image of a Troglodyte, though the odor is, perhaps luckily, beyond her abilities.

"When we were done we discovered a princess of the seas, one who resembled the statue of the goddess, but she was friendly. Again Tanyl proved invaluable, as he managed to make it possible for us to speak to her."

The image changes to that of the goddess. As much as she enjoyed the kiss between Vala and the Goddess, she did not share that part of the story, out of respect for her friends privacy.

"We released her to the sea, and returned the scholars to town. It was all quite amazing. Sadly something in the adventure prompted Janek to leave us. I suspect, based on nothing at all, that time in the caves made him pine for home. I hope that he is well."

The (third? Nay, fourth) plate of pancakes arrived, along with a small platter of cheese. Her pet rat scurried down Delta's sleeve to nibble on the delights, ans the Gnome dug in to the pancakes.

"We are currently taking a bit of a break, but hopefully when a new task arrives, you will be able to join us... if, however, your studies extend to forgotten theologies, you might come with me to visit the lost temple, I have plans to go visit the scholars again today."

Matthias listens on, his mind racing with wonderment at the amazing things Delta was relaying to him. Her accounting of their most recent adventure sounded a lot more exciting than crawling around in old tombs looking for graverobbers...

And to think he spent the last few weeks alternating between sulking, soul-searching, and attending to menial tasks around the temple. About the most exciting thing that happened to him was when Brother Umbert accidentally served the good, strong wine, resulting in that old pruneface, Father Hester, breaking out into a spirited rendition of the bawdy tavern song, Ladies of the Night, Light your Lamp for Me!

A good ten seconds passes after Delta has stopped speaking before Matthias snaps back to the present. "Wow..." is all he can manage to say, quite dumbly.

Then quickly, "Yes, yes. I would like that very much." Whether he was referring to the new task or visiting scholars was perhaps a bit unclear.

If no one else has joined them by the time she finishes her pancakes, Delta will head out to the site, taking Matthias along if he wishes.

ooc: housekeeping post, more IC post to come later today!

Delta's new musical instrument she finds is of medium quality and costs her 10gp.  If she wants to learn a new spell, please indicate which one and I'll let you know if the guild has it and its cost.

Tanyl finds that the guild has knock and invisibility scrolls for sale for 300gp each.   To put those into his spellbook, will cost 1d6 x 50gp to scribe them over (each).  He will also have to roll his INT check to be sure he can learn them.   Scribing them over destroys the scroll.

Vala can find plenty of plate mail versions of armor, all are much heavier and less attractive than her own current armor though they do offer slightly better protection.  Most are clearly made for men.   These generally cost 400gp's.

Each member of the group finds ways to pass the time, occasionally meeting up for drinks or meals.  Delta visits family and spends time with her pet rat and visits the Temple of Beltza Atarabi and the many scholars who are now studying it.  Tanyl spends time studying at the Guildhall, and practicing his craft. Vala, the most injured in the battle enjoys some hot baths as her body recovers, and she seeks out new and better armor.  Matthias, after weeks praying, studying, and working with his Brothers, begins to venture out and learns much of what the others have been up to.

In fact, just today he accompanies Delta to the Temple.  It is a full day's round trip so unless spending the night, leaves only a few hours to explore and meet with the scholars.  Delta explains to him that the lower level once housed a great deep pool of water where the "goddess" was held.  The scholars have drained it now and have cleaned the place up a lot.  It is much brighter and certainly none of the stench remains.  There are dozens of areas where they have begun to dig, layer by layer into the floors in hopes of discovering more artifacts.

Delta spends time catching up with Jimma and Bre'al, who both look at her as both a friend and hero.  As time wears down towards needing to begin the trip back to the city, Delta and Matthias are approached by scholar.  They both have noticed this smallish person near them several times during the day, small figure and head covered by robes, but didn't feel worried about it and let it go.

Now, the figure comes directly to them.  When the figure speaks, it is a woman's voice. And is whispered.

"If I wished it, how could and where could I meet with you, in town, in private"

Unless Matthias specifically wishes otherwise, she will suggest they spend one night there. She really enjoys her time there, and learning about the history of the place.

As a smallish person herself, Delta will attempt to identify the race of the person who approaches them. Succeed or fail, she will direct the person to The Hogs Head Tavern, as that has been the source of all their jobs, and she felt the least she could do was return business to those who send business her way.

"Tell them there you wish to hire the party of Delta, Matthias, Vala and Tanyl if you specifically wish to hire us."

Disappointed at her armour search Vala returned to her lodgings empty handed for a relaxing bath. Clearly she'd either have to find suitable armour, have if gifted or save up enough to have a true smith make some from scratch.

Tanyl quickly learns that fulfillment of his short-term desires will require two things: money, and more experience with the arcane arts.  So . . .

. . . it's back to the Hogs Head Tavern, to loiter and look for a suitable job.

It is a few days after Matthias and Delta return from their trip to visit the seaside Temple when the four adventurers receive a notice that someone has requested them at the Hogs Head Tavern, it is nearly lunchtime which works out pretty well.

On arriving, a smallish figure in a robe is easy to spot at a large table, they look out of place, though they do have a goblet of wine sitting before them.

Thar is hovering in the hallway but nods to you when you enter in that direction.

Assuming you join the person at the table, they take a long look at each of you before pulling back their hood.  Long blond hair tumbles out and around the most innocent and lovely face of a woman you've almost ever seen.  Green eyes, she appears youthful, and small, but not a girl, she might be in her twenties, just very petite. She takes a nervous drink of wine.

"Thank you, uh, what do you call your team...." She takes a deep breath and starts again, "I am Minnow, and I think my sister, and her sisters, might be in danger, and I've no clue what to do about it".

Vala glances at Delta and silently mouths the words: 'Wait, what do we call our team?'

Then she turns back to Minnow and smiles sympathetically, taking a seat as she does so. "I am Vala. Please tell us everything."

Minnow nods and takes another drink.

"I don't know if you know anything about twins, identical twins, but I am one.  My sister and I are like many twins, we can feel each others thoughts, occasionally.  Not magic like they teach but its there, always is.   As much as twins look alike, often, they find ways to be different, even opposites sometimes.  Where I gravitated towards study, towards the university, Guppy....yeah, Minnow and Guppy, my mom had a weird sense of humor...Guppy was drawn to the spiritual.  So much so, she became a Nun.  I haven't seen her in years, not since she took her vows, but I knew she was safe, happy, at peace.  I just could feel it.  Now though, I feel only fear and worry".

Here she lowers her voice. "The problems are many, I have little wealth to offer anyone to hire, would anyone investigate this based on my feelings, and, well, her sect is controversial at best. Many in town, and even in the church, may feel its just as well they never be heard from again.  Oh, and they will only allow women inside their walls, so I had find some strong group with women in it.  You see, they worship Ehlonna, Goddess of Creation, Fertility, and the Wilderness".

Those of you with some religious knowledge know Ehlonna, a Goddess, is not a recognized diety by many as her followers claim her as a Creator, which many believe to be Moradin, a God.  Elves, though by a slightly different name, also revere Ehlonna.

Tanyl nods at the mention of the "controversial" deity; it's a name he's he's heard before . . . from his parents . . . long ago . . .

Inwardly, he groans; this isn't the lucrative endeavor he was hoping for.  Still, maybe it involves little effort . . .

"Was she in a nunnery here in Stormhaven?"

Pondering group names, 'Delta Force' comes to mind, but doesn't leave her lips.

She listens to the tale of woe, but feels concerned about fighting a temple full of nuns. Rather than offering any aid, she turns to Matthias to see how he feels about this business.

As the discussion continues, Thar's serving girl comes over and asks if anyone wants drinks or lunch,  they have sliced meat, cheese and fruit plate, cold, and a hot rabbit stew.  They just got in a special order of blueberry cider as well that isn't even for sale yet.

Minnow almost chokes on her wine at Tanyl's question.

"Sadly, no.  It is in the wilderness, and quite hidden.  But, I hear adventurous folks sometimes need research done, uh, puzzles solved, items researched, that sort of thing. I am quite good at that, and have all the university libraries at my disposal, I could maybe be of use to you in that way?"

Tanyl has a contemplative look as Minnow suggests payment in the form of useful services.  The offer holds enough interest that he continues asking questions about the task she proposes.

"While I don't question that we have powerful women in the group, they're only half the group.  I don't suppose you have any thoughts on what the other half of us are to do?  Is this
'no men' rule strict?  Or is this all in the category of 'figure it out when we get there'?"

"I guess we could make you up to look like women," Delta suggests, as she orders a full platter from the server, especially the blueberry cider.

The thought strikes a cord in Delta's mind, and she absent-mindedly pulls out her loot and silently ponders a tune.

"I found my freedom... la la la de da..."

She isn't really interested in the job offer, the sound of little to no payment sours her enthusiasm.

"Could you perhaps offer service in finding us magical scrolls? I, for one, am willing to be paid in knowledge and information..."

Matthias had been listening intently to Minnow's tale, trying to make sense of it all. The woman's tale is compelling, up until she mentions the strange bit about her sister being a worshipper of Ehlonna. Strange solely because Matthias did not consider worship of benevolent forest goddess as cause for concern, regardless of whether she claimed to be a creator or not. Unless, something else was going on.

When there is a break in the conversation, he inquires: "Do you know anything of this convent? Its name? The Headmistress?"  He further relates it would be helpful to have any information she might have, so that he can make some inquiries at his temple.

He is not sold on the party attempting to infiltrate the convent through disguises, but won't rule out the idea out of hand. Really, he needed more information to go off of. Right now all they had were the worries of a sister.

"I'm sorry, I know so little, they are secretive. There was a time they were hunted as heretics.  I only know there is a saltmarsh up the coast, past where we found the temple, some days ride away.  The river that feeds it comes down from the mountains and if you follow the river, the monastery is in in those mountains...it's ah..."

As food and drinks arrive, the diminutive woman looks lost, her eyes are teared up but pride holds them back.

"I'm afraid I hear how crazy this all sounds, and I have wasted your time, I am sorry. I have little money of my own, but my sister gave me this once, she seemed to think it was valuable, I hope it repays your lunch and time".

Quick as she is small, she stands, lays something on the table and heads out the door.

Stunned by the abrupt departure, it takes a second to notice that laying on the table is a small white spiraled bone, a horn perhaps, only about 4 inches long.  It is very smooth and, well, seems to be the shed horn of a unicorn colt.

"Well, that was . . . different."