"I could eat" Lesstry said, his stomach actually choosing to growl at that exact moment.

"Chitterkit want visit library, but happy to wait if all hungry," he replied. As he spoke, he sent a mental message to Kukoku through their link. The owl took flight into the air, and began making lazy circles in the air. The familiar used its form's sharp eyes to keep watch from above.

OOC:

Chitterkit will have his familiar keep watch as they go to see if they have a tail. Owls have the Keen feature, so it rolls seeing and hearing perceptions at advantage.

13:38, Today: Chitterkit Snagglefang rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Kukoku-Perception (Keen).
13:38, Today: Chitterkit Snagglefang rolled 22 using 1d20+3.  Kukoku-Perception (Keen). <= Use this one
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Sat 22 July 2023.

Lyania smiled and nodded, though to her new friends, her eyes were less joyful than her laugh - it was clear she was cautious.

Along the busy streets the group would noticed a popular bar, "The Whispering Wyvern" that also doubled as an Inn. Nestled within the heart of the bustling metropolis, this Inn stands as a beacon of comfort and warmth for travelers and locals alike. As you approach, the aroma of hearty stews and freshly baked bread wafts through the air, inviting you in from the city's lively streets.

The two-story building is constructed from sturdy timber and stone. Its façade showcases exquisite wooden carvings depicting legendary creatures, including the eponymous wyvern, seemingly coming to life under the skilled hands of local artisans. Colorful banners and flower boxes adorn the windows, adding a touch of charm to the Inn's appearance.

Upon entering, you find yourself in a cozy and well-lit common area, bustling with chatter and laughter. The space is dominated by a large central hearth, surrounded by plush seating where patrons gather to share tales and camaraderie. The walls are adorned with paintings and tapestries depicting legendary adventures and epic battles.

To the left, there's a well-stocked bar counter where a friendly hobgoblin bartender stands, ready to serve. The bar shelves are filled with unique, locally brewed ales, wines, and spirits, including some concoctions exclusive to Jigow. The clink of glasses and jovial toasts create a lively ambiance.

To the right, an inviting dining area offers an array of delectable dishes. Orcish and goblin delicacies, as well as a fusion of native cuisines, are available, satisfying the palates of diverse guests. The aroma of roasted meats, spices, and freshly baked pastries fills the air, making it hard to resist indulging in a hearty meal.

Zaelys entered first into the Whispering Wyvern taking in the crowd that was assembled there. After looking around the inn briefly, she made her way directly to a table that could accommodate the complete number of her group and that was situated between multiple exits.

Zaelys noted the cautious looks of her travel companions but she wasn't sure how much trouble they might be in. This had to be a record however she noted to herself, barely a day in the company of her new friends and already there was a concern about a possible ambrush? Surely it must have been the talk of the vestige that caught the attention of some of the less ernest members of the Jigow's community.

"...so then I fired off three more, and they all went down. Record timing" Lesstry said as they entered, finishing off a fairly self aggrandizing tale of his shooting prowess. It was a ruse, Lesstry was trying to act normal. Hadn't they just left a tavern, or an inn, or a tavern inn fusion, an Invern? Or a Tavinn? Didn't matter, they were once again darkening the door of an establishment, under the guise of finding food stuffs, so he sate down at the table that Zaelys had for them and plopped down in the seat, making sure his holster did not fold beneath his coat for easy access, and put his feet up on another chair so as to sit back a bit more relaxed.

"...I am thinking something light, maybe just a flank of meat?"

Romeroz nodded and took out 6 gold coins and handing them to the publican of the Whispering Wyvern.  Romeroz also spoke closely to the hobgoblin.  "If you give my companions your finest, I'll be happy to double this."

Romeroz took a seat at the table facing both the door and the back, and he ordered for himself a murky stout from a local goblin brewhouse.  He'd often had this beer only when he could steal some, and it felt good to pay real coin for it instead.

Jazeryk forced himself to look interested in the lizardfolk's tale as they walked. though he truthfully knew very little about Lesstry, so he wasn't opposed to learning more of those whom he would be traveling with anyway. But mostly he was keeping his attention focused on around them while trying to not appear that he was doing so.

"Impressive!"

He looked around at the establishment they entered for a moment and followed slowly along after the others as they went to find a place to sit. He wasn't frail but he would need to not consume any more alcohol too fast lest he lose focus.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Fri 28 July 2023.

Lyania sat down, her smile gone as she was now her usual serious self - something unusual for a half elf. She nodded thanks at Romeroz's offer for a drink and listen to the lizardman's tale without reaction.

"Some food may help us before we leave - we may only have rations and what we find for a while." She looked over. "Believe it or not, the orcish pie is quite tasty - a little spicy, but the flavor is quite good." She looked at the goblin's area. "....but avoid the goblin's pudding - it may look like a sweet chocolate, but it isn't." She crinkled her nose at the sight of the desert on the goblin's side they call unbelievable sweet.

....it was unbelievable the called it edible.

She leaned into the bugbear. "Can you describe the goblin who followed us - i want to keep an eye out."

Romeroz put his drink down.  "I don't know.  Lesstry and Jazeryk both saw it.  Female goblin.  Keep an eye on the doors."

Romeroz, for his part, began to look around the room, trying to estimate where opponents would come from.  For his part, he knew that as long as his hands were ready he was never unarmed.  But he began to think about how to use the furniture to make obstructions should they be attacked in large groups.

Was this the legacy of his crime, finally coming due?

The hobgoblins came to the table to take the drink order of the group and then disappeared into the back with the food orders. As he completed the drinks, he double-checked the coins that he had received from Romeroz to ensure their authenticity, excite the hobgoblin redoubled his efforts, and made the best drinks that he was comparable of. With a burst of energy, he stepped back to the table to serve the drinks with a broad smile.

"Thank you. Your orders should be finished shortly"

Turning on his heel, the hobgoblin disappeared again into the back.

After a few moments, he returns with fresh spiced meats and delicious-smelling pastries so stunning that the other patrons pause to regard the table from their plush seating. The dull roar of the Wyvern calms somewhat before, on the other side of the inn, someone delivers the punchline to a lude joke, and laughter erupts again, and the crowd is shaken from its gobsmacked silence.


[OOC: A hour passes, and you may take the effects of a short rest. How long does the group wish to wait?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:23, Mon 31 July 2023.

Zaelys partook of one of the spicy, meat pastries as the group chatted. Where piecing and attentive eyes scanned the room while the group exchanged stories.

"Lessentry..you said your name was? How exactly those that thing work?" Zaelys said as she looked down briefly at the lizardfolk's hip and the unique armement that was holstered there.

"Lesstry, no 'n', or 'en'" Lesstry pondered how you would spell that pronunciation for a few more seconds, "...and these, well I load the bullets here" he pulled the firearm out of the holster with a twirl on his finger then flipped open the cylinder. He then emptied one of the bullets out into his hand and held it up for Zelys to see, "Each of these are metal with an explosive powder packed on the backside. Then when they are struck by this..." he pulled the hammer back, dropping the rest of the bullets into this free hand deftly, "It causes a spark that ignites the powder. That causes this front half of the bullet here to exit the barrel at a quick pace. Point, pull the trigger, bad guy falls"

Lyania ate a small meal of a pie with fruit, her eyes scanning for danger as the others spoke. She half listened to the lizard folk and his weapon. "So....like a hand crossbow but the arrow is replaced by a ball of steel."

She looked at him. "But the powder ignites? Sounds like a loud process." She shook her head. "Not ideal when you need some stealth."

Romeroz nodded.  "It is not quiet.  But if we need stealth, I can handle that."  Romeroz raised a hand as if to reach towards the pitcher, and in the death of a moment there was a silver-white blade of psychic energy projected from his open hand.  And then it was gone again just as quickly.

"My swords are just for show.  A bit of distraction.  When someone would think I am unprepared, they might let down their guard."

Romeroz smiled.  "Does anyone want more to drink?  The service here is very good."

Later, when the moment was right, Romeroz would slip the hobgoblin 7 more gold, one more than he had promised.  And when he did that, he would look a moment to look the man in the eye, and say, "I appreciate your treating them well.  We'll remember and come back when we can."

Lyania looked at the bugbear in new light, and smiled a half smile. "I'm not without some surprises myself, but here's not the place to show them."

In reply to Romeroz Gult (msg # 47):

The hobgoblin thanks Romeroz profusely. Through his profound praise, Romeroz learns that his name is Dalzun and that while a proud establishment, the Wvyern doesn't net much money. He ensures that the funds will be used to improve the "customer experience" of the inn and to repair a few legacy issues which have plagued the inn since its founding.

Jazeryk described the goblin that had been seen quietly when asked. He otherwise mostly sat back and kept his eyes and ears peeled. He people-watched, and wasn't pretending. He found the interactions of others interesting, especially outside of nobility and royalty.

When they started discussing what they could do, he gave a shrug. "My talents are, for the most part, not really hidden. I'm a cleric." He tilted his head slightly as he thought. "I suppose...I can also say, for those who stay within about thirty feet or so of me, I have the ability a few times a day to offer something that..." He searched for the right words, "bolsters health and the ability to stay in the fight."

"Chitterkit know magic," the Kobold said proudly while puffing his chest up, "And study to be sage. Can translate, change matter from one form to another, and help friends fight better or enemies fight worse with tricksy tricks.

"And Kukoku have sharp ears and eyes," he added while gesturing to the owl familiar on his shoulder, "And help cast spells. Kukoku look like owl, but really fey spirit."

Lesstry nodded along with Jazeryk's description of the goblin. "That's what I saw as well" he said briefly. Then as the topic of talents resumed he said, "I shoot and stab things...that's about it, no magic or anything"

Traveling along the twisting streets of Jigow, the group will discover a temple to the Luxon that some of the faithful of Jigow use for worship. The temple is also home to the faithful of Sarenrae, a budding faith in the world, and Kord, valued for his strength among the local population.

After the temple, the group finds themself making their way to the field office of the Aurora Watch. This wood-and-stone complex is a Dynasty Outpost; the rebellious folk of Jigow has nicknamed it "Helter Skelter" for the chaotic environment that the Kyrn officers often descend into when dealing with the ornery youngsters and not so-youngsters-of the town.

The complex consists of two main structures: a low wooden barracks that houses the guards of the Aurora Watch stationed in Jigow and a two-story stone dodecahedral building that is the residence of Durth Mirrimm a drow warrior who is the Taskhand of the Aurora Watch. Durth governs the settlement alongside the two clan elders, Colbu Kaz and Ushru.

Chitterkit would be able to discover a map of Jigow for about 5cp

After some suspicion, Durth will explain to Chitterkit that it will not be possible for anyone in Jigow to provide him with a map due to the military-sensitive operations within Bazzoxan as the Aurora Watch their battles legions of cunning demons.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:09, Mon 07 Aug 2023.

Jazeryk made a small donation to the temple when he entered. He made a prayer to the Luxon, making sure that his new bugbear friend realized he was welcomed to shadow and listen. He then talked to a priest if one was there, just idle chatter but sure to point out that Romeroz was interested in the faith and Jazeryk wanted to make sure any important questions were answered in the best way possible - as he knew he himself was less a priest and more of a...wanderer and explorer then theologian or scientist.

"Now, you see me give some gold, I'm sure. Don't worry about that. I'm a cleric, and it's something I try to do when I can and I'm able, but it's not a requirement, especially for those not of the faith or priesthood. Alright?" He smiled and then followed along to their next step.

[Private to GM: OOC: Marked off 10 gold for tithing/donating to the temple.]

Zaelys took a moment at the altar of Kord, knelling she prayed for strength and insight during her upcoming journey. Standing she flipped a coin upon the alter.

Lyania followed after Jazeryk, and when he donated, she flipped a gold coin in. She was not one for the gods herself but knew well the healing powers of priests - she was her own woman, but wise enough not to anger them.

When he spoke, she had a neutral expression. "Faith or not, these organization spend gold helping the worthy - the poor and homeless. I was once like them, so i have no issue in helping with that." She looked around the church and crossed her arms. "...even if my beliefs are vastly different." she muttered more to herself than anyone.

While the others tithed and prayed Lesstry stood outside, he never felt comfortable in places of worship, though he was struggling now because of these vestiges. He flipped a coin slowly across the scaly backside of his fingers, watching as the light glinted and danced across it's face as he conversed with himself inside his mind. Just because he would use that power if it became available to him, doesn't make him a hypocrite does it? So long as he used it for good it didn't matter where the power came from. He recoiled from his own logic, a subconscious sneer turning up the corner of his alligator like mouth. He was sure that was how all deals with devils started, good intentions. Better to remain neutral and do good with the talents and skills that you hone for yourself he thought.