Vailin had remained quiet through the cart trip, falling into a silent introspection.  When they arrived at the inn, he grabbed his pack, thanked the dwarf for her hospitality then followed Aelina into the inn.

OOC: Based on post order, I'm assuming Valik and Ayrron arrived and entered first.

The stairs wrapped around the trunk of the great vallenwood tree several times as it climbed, ending at a patio of sorts.  Several tables and chairs were set out here, all occupied.  The Inn was obviously doing a roaring trade, thought the mood seemed dour and sullen.  The heavy door swung open on well-oiled hinges as Valik and Ayrron entered, Goldmoon in tow, and the common room of the Inn revealed itself.  Bean-shaped, the room wrapped around the truck of the living tree, with a door set back near the trunk which lead into the kitchens.  Tables and chairs dotted the common room.  A stone fireplace sat in one corner, its weight supported by two of the largest branches of the great tree, and a large bucket of corded pine firewood sat to one side -- no resident of Solace would ever consider burning part of their vallenwoods.  More of the branches arced above to seamlessly blend with the rafters of the room, and a low-rise stage sat near the fireplace.

The conversation inside stopped for the briefest of seconds as the occupants assessed the newcomers.  There were some dark looks directed at Valik, and more than a few hands went to their belt pouches as Ayrron followed.

A plump and pretty barmaid with bright red hair shot past you carrying a tray of drinks as you stepped in, and called over her shoulder "Ahhh, be with you in a sec!"  She delivered the drinks on the tray in rapid order and hustled back to greet you.

"Welcome to the Inn of the Last Home.  Table for three?" she began, then stopped.  "Valik, is that you?  And little Ayrron?"  She looked around at the very full interior and shrugged.  "Sorry, looks like it's standing room at the bar--" she began.

"They can have my table," an old man with a bald head and a long white beard, stood up from his table and started hobbling towards the fire.  "I wish to warm my bones by the fire. Allow me to lean on your arm?" he directed at Goldmoon, who looked startled, but immediately fell into place.  "Of course, grandfather," she said.

The barmaid shrugged and pointed to the table.  "Better grab it fast before someone else does.  I'll be by in a moment to take your order, or if you don't want to wait, you can order at the bar."

A few minutes later, the door to the common room opened once more to admit Aelina and Vailin.  The half-elf and the warrior got the same cursory glances as their friends, but without the suspicion lacing the undertones.  Humans and half-elves were understood...

Ayrron walked up the steps of the trunk with a spring in his step - the inn was one of his favourite places in the town, not only for the drinks and food, but the social aspect. When Valik entered and he stepped in, he noticed the looks people gave him, and waved it off. “Ignore them big guy…they’re still sore you won that fight last time.” With the hands to the pouches, he ignored.

When the barmaid came and recognised them he smiled. “I know….it’s been what - two years since i was here last. I dunno about this big softie though.” When the old man gave up the table, he sat down quickly, looking at the barmaid. “Do you still serve that wolf boar stew? And some bread - and an ale as well”

He looked over at Goldmoon. “Goldie….don’t let that old fool start on a story - you’ll be there for a week. Cone and get yourself a meal.”

Valik took note of the dour faces and overall vibe of the common room, and wondered if it were not linked to the reason the patrolling Seekers. Whether it was because of them, or because of whatever had them here on patrol, that he could only guess. The dark looks directed at him were nothing new, he'd faced the same nearly everywhere he dared to step foot.

"They don't trust either of us from the look of it," he replied to Ayrron. Valik couldn't help but smile as Tika spoke to them without even the time to recognize their faces. Not that he could blame her after two years, she had certainly seen more faces than he had in that span of time. His smile grew on her return and realization.

The smile quickly faded, however, when the old man came and took Goldmoon's arm. His suspicious faded somewhat when she agreed and called him grandfather. Valik saw no family resemblance, but he'd seen enough places and cultures to think it was likely a reference to his age rather than any actual relation. He felt a bit proud of himself for having learned that bit, and remembered it as well. Still, he kept a close eye on the old man (and everyone else, for that matter), just in case.

When the door opened, Valik's head turned to see who it was. The smile returned as he saw Aelina and then Vailin step through. He smacked Ayrron's shoulder with the back of his hand, careful not to bowl the small man over, and pointed toward the door. "Together again." This smile was one of joy rather than amusement, and he looked over to Goldmoon hoping to get her attention and have her come meet their other friends as well.

The half-elf stopped a few steps inside the inn and closed her eyes, letting the din of the place she preferred in Solace enter her mind, a bardic exercise her mentor had taught her to quickly evaluate the atmosphere of a gathering place. And there was something off in the normally joyous tone of the Last Home. She frowned a little, before scanning the place, locating Valik, the goliath easy to spot. She had a look at the stage she had often occupied herself, not seeing anyone on it, before starting to move towards the table with her friend. "Vailin, come, our friend is there. Valik, you are still as montainous as my souvenirs... Oh, Ayrron you are here also, I am glad to see both of you! Did you order yet? I can't wait to hear about your last year!"

Ayrron looked at Valik and at his comment, waved his hand."Let them frown - this is a happy time." His smile doubled as his old friends came in and over to the table. "Ael.....ravishing as always. take a seat."

He looked over his shoulder at the woman who accompanied them. "Come....meet our friends." He frowned as he heard the old man start another of his stories.  "Gods man....you still telling that old tale? Leave the girl be, she's had a long road and needs a feed."

The kender came through the crowd (Again noting people closely watching their pouches) and looked at the man. "I promise if she is so inclined and needs a sleep, i'll send her over for one of your riveting tales, but for now, she needs to fill her belly Grandpa!"

She leads her over to the table. "Don't let him start on his tales....one time he spoke solidly all night until he fell asleep from sheer exaustion - and he never even finished!"

"Stories?" the old man brightened at the prospect.  "Why yes, I've got stories!  I've got stories the like which haven't been heard in hundreds of years!  Who wants to hear a story?"

Instantly, a gaggle of children appeared from some of the surrounding tables and virtually swarmed the stage, sitting down and getting ready to listen to the old man.  Ayrron took the opportunity to lead Goldmoon back to the table.

"Can you tell us a story about dragons?" one of the children piped up as the kender wove a path between tables to rejoin his friends, the plainswoman in tow.

"Dragons?  Why yes!  Have you ever heard the tale of Sir Huma Dragonsbane?"

"Huma of the lance?"

"The very one!  Sir Huma was a great knight, with the heart of a champion..." The old man's voice faded into the background as he wove his tale for the children.  Several of the Inn's other patrons listened on with interest, some with the ghosts of smiles, remembering their childhood days when they sat before a storyteller, perhaps in similar settings.  Some wore expressions of amusement, watching the children take in an evening free of worry.  Some wore scowls, as if the distraction was just one more annoyance in a series of them.  One man in the purple and gold-trimmed robes of a Seeker, deep in his cups, swore and muttered under his breath, but then called for more wine.

Tika bustled over to the table.  "All right," she said.  "Busier than we've been in a ten-day," she said, wiping her brow.  "What can I get y-- Aelina!  Vailin!"  She stopped for a moment, and shuffled around to get each of you a welcoming hug.  "It's been too long!  What brings you back to Solace?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Thu 16 Mar 2023.

The bard hugged the woman back, smiling broadly. "Tika, its been way too long, its good to see a friendly soul around. As for why I came back, I missed my friends, of course! Tell me, do you have someone scheduled on the scene today? I would love to offer the good people of Solace some new songs, for my usual pittance of a fee. They might enjoy it, is it just me or is there less smiles around since I've been here? " She glanced at the Seekers seated a few tables away before bringing her gaze back on Tika, trying to get the latest gossip.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Thu 16 Mar 2023.

Vailin returned the hug, a slight reddening of his cheeks evident.  When asked why he had returned he responded "Your charming hospitality of course."  In truth he wasn't fully sure why he had returned, not really.  To date things hadn't really gone as he'd planned.  He'd done a lot of work, valuable work really.  But had it moved him any further along in his plans?  Not really.

Valik was glad to be reunited with his friends, to see that they had all survived their trips to various parts of the world in search of truths, hoping against hope that they could find someone who could still commune with the old gods, capable of healing magics, or to find confirmation of the rumors of stirring evil and war. He was eager to share in the stories of everyone's findings, but...

Then there was also the issue of Goldmoon, of the goblin attack, and the Seekers patrolling the town. Things were certainly not as they should be here, and it was not quite the welcomed return he had been hoping for. His smile at being reunited quickly faded as his focus returned to the moment, "Tika, why are there Seeker patrols in town? What has happened here in our absence?"

"Problem and cause in the same place," Tika settled on hand on her hip, glancing over her shoulder momentarily at the drunk man in the seeker's robes.

"They've been around for ages, but lately they've... I don't know, they've just gotten a little aggressive.  Harassing innocent folk, sticking their noses in everyone's business."

Otik hurried past behind her with a plate food.  "No time for chit-chat girl," he admonished in a low tone.  "Got customers to serve, and Seeker coins spends as good anyone else's these days."

"I'll say what I like!" Tika shot back, "And the theocrat can go soak his head if he doesn't like it."  But she looked in the direction of the drunk man cautiously as she said it.  He didn't appear to have noticed, his eyes on the old man telling stories to the children.

"Now, what can I get you?  Spiced potatoes?  Sausage?  Gully dwarf stew?  Some flat bread?"

Ayrron listened with interest, though outwardly it’s didn’t seem like it. Having the seekers here made him feel ill at ease - he had a secret for as long time, and not everyone here knew the major part of it, let alone all of it.

The kender smiled at the woman. “I’m not too hungry tonight, so just the stew and flatbread thanks.”
He smiled at the others, indicating the woman. “This young lady is Goldmoon….a woman we found being harassed by some goblins on the road. She3 needed aq place, and we recommended here.” He looked at the elf. “You already know Valik, the smooth talking warrior. This handsome lad is Vailin - try not get them mixed up….they get upset by that. The beauitful ray of sunshine here is Aelina, a endless source of information.”

"Right away," Tika said.  "As for rooms, we've got a few in the upper branches available still.  They're almost always available these days, so there's no rush.  I'll be back with your food and you can tell me then."  She started to hurry away, then paused to look at Aelina.  "Stage is yours if you want, though I'd wait for the old man to finish.  Let the kids get home before you start singing Ya ya Ding Dong."

After all the orders were taken she hurried away, leaving you to converse amongst yourselves.  On the stage, the old man continued his tale.  "...Huma was lost in the dark wood.  For many days he travelled, trying to find a way out while his food supply dwindled.  He was near starvation when there appeared before him a white stag, pure as newfallen snow.  Huma drew his bow and aimed at the stag, seeing salvation in food at last."  The children gasped.

"He didn't kill it, did he?"

"He wanted to, so great was his hunger.  But his heart was greater still, and he could not bring himself to slay such a magnificent beast.  As he lowered his bow, the stag bounded off, then looked back, as if to say 'follow.'"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Fri 17 Mar 2023.

Ayrron rolled his eyes. “Ahh….the ‘stag’ story - one of his favourites.” he groaqned

The bard laughed a little when Ayrron introduced her to Goldmoon, a most intriguing name, and she smiled broadly. "I see you are still as flattering, you little charmer. You say you were attacked by goblins? That is certainly an interesting tale to listen to. Vailin and I were "inspected" by Seeker, looking for any long handled stick or wooden handled instrument, saying they are looking for a "holy artefact". I offered to detect magic, to help them out, but they didn't accept it. It almost came to a fight too, they were so narrow-minded. Tika, I will take a glass of wine with the sausage and potatoes, please. I will need energy if I am to perform tonight. "

Ayrron lost his smile at what Aelina spoke of in the inspection, a slight glance towards the woman, but recovered quickly and smiled. “You know me Ael….i love to talk - sometimes too much. But was to Goldmoon’s story, I’ll let here tell it as we don’t know much other than saving her from some goblins and a big hobgoblin who ran away faster than an rabbit in a fox warren”

He crossed his arms and looked at the others. “But first things first…a serious matter.” He frowned at the woman. “…have you put on a but of weight? Because you look a little more ‘voluptious’ than when i saw you last.” The kender had a grin on his face and twinkle of mischief in his eye.

Vailin was hungry and for once he had coin so ordered a hearty meal.  "The soldiers were doing their job.  Following constricting orders to the best of their ability.  Their frustration was no doubt enhanced by having to follow such rigourous orders.  I know I have been their exact position.  Everyone challenging you and you know many of them are right.  But it doesn't matter.  You have your orders."

It was the most Vailin had spoken most of the day and he surprised himself.  Maybe he was being too generous to the Seekers but he'd had too many incidents of having to follow orders he didn't agree with.

"Seekers?" Goldmoon asked in her accented common.  "What is it they seek?"

On the stage, the old man continued his story.  "For many days and nights, Huma followed the stag, his hunger and weakness growing with each step.  But Huma stood true to his heart and did not attack the beast.  Eventually, the stag lead Huma to his safety and his homeland, and he gave great thanks to the god Paladine, who had sent the stag as a guide."

"Paladine?" one of the children said dubiously.  "I've never heard of a god called Paladine.  Are you sure he's a real god?"

The old man's eye twinkled.  "He is indeed.  A very old god, from long ago, before man turned away from the gods."

At this point in time, Tika returned to the table, carrying a plate full of sizzling sausages and warm flat bread, with a block of salty white cheese on a smaller plate.  In the other hand she carried a bowl of stew.  Chunks of meat could be seen in the thick broth, with potatoes and carrot, and the smell of garlic and bongleberry wafted over the table as she set it down.  "Just a tick, and I'll be back with the potatoes and the wine."

The kender smiled as the food came, and at the old man's mention of Paladine, he frowned. He recognized the name, but couldn't place it. "Gods help me, if i have to ask him about that name later, he will NEVER stop talking"

"My da said that gods turned away from us, an' tha's why the Cataclysm happened," one of the other children -- this one a girl with dark hair done up in pigtails and a smattering of freckles across her nose -- said.

"How does he know then?" the old man countered, a little irritation creeping into his voice.  "Was he there?  Only the oldest of the elves could remember the day the fiery mountain fell upon Krynn, and most of those perished in the years that followed."

At this moment, Tika returned once more, this time bearing a tray loaded with small cubed and fried potatoes, drizzled with a pair of sauces -- one creamy white smelling strongly of garlic, and a smokey red sauce that tickled your noses, promising a delicious and pervasive heat to follow.  Otik's spiced fried potatoes were legendary around Solace, and the smell brought back memories.

Goldmoon, who had been quiet to this point, looked over at the stage and the children gathered round, a sad expression on her face.  Suddenly she sat upright.  "My staff," she said, seeing the weapon leaning against the fireplace.  Apparently she had left it behind when Ayrron "rescued" her from the old man.

Stories of the old gods had always fascinated Valik. Ogres believed in gods that differed from most of the other races, as theirs was a society based on powerful tyrants with near god-like power and authority over their people. Valik's family was not entirely of ogre origin, however, and those humans in his line had passed on stories and traditions of their own. Stories that included the gods of men, of dwarves, and others. When Valik had decided to break from his clan and forge a path of his own, it was the stories his mother had told him that inspired him to follow through and to keep pushing for a new place to call home, to start a new life for himself. He -

His thoughts were interrupted when Goldmoon pointed out the staff, and Valik rose and made for the fireplace, to retrieve it for her.

Vailin was not interested in the talk of gods.  He hadn't been raised in a very religious family.  He saw the 'old gods' as more history than anything else.  Two things peaked his interest though.  The mention of the Seekers and Goldmoon's staff.  His ears and eyes focused on both of these.

Valik got to his feet and moved, threading his bulk between the tightly packed chairs and tables until he reached the relatively open area closer to the stage.  The drunk man stood up.  "Blashphemy!" he cried, pointing a finger in the general direction of the old storyteller.  "Liesh!  I'll bring you before the counshil!"

After half a moment, he seemed become aware of Valik's presence, and he cranes his neck sideways and then up, leaning back against the table as he looked at the nearly eight foot tall goliath.  "Oh, you're a big one," he said stupidly.

Ayrron closed his eyes with a groan. "Even after all these years, trouble finds him more than it does me."

He stood up and looked at the drunk. "Leave him be - he's an old man telling stories to children!"

Valik looked down at the drunk, breathing a quick huff out through his nose to clear the smell of the man's breath from his nostrils. A bit of a burning sensation lingered, that only time would clear. Valik first considered ignoring the man's comment, but if the drunken fool was going to drag an old man before a council for telling stories, then perhaps a distraction would suit the situation better.

Valik glanced over at Ayrron and motioned his head toward the staff, hoping his agile little friend could wiggle through the crowd and get to Goldmoon's staff more easily than he had, while he dealt with the drowner.

He looked back to the drunken fool, "Bah, a story never hurt anybody. Here," Valid motioned for Tika to come over, "lets you and I have a drink, and I can tell you all about the view from up here."