What's the state of play at the moment, are we into 'downtime' or are we still in 'role playing' time.
I remain suspicious of the wifey in the tower - as part of my shopping for new clothes (or 'claes' as we say in Ulfen), is it possible to get measured for a new gown by whichever seamstress makes the Lady's clothes and get chatting with her?
Seneca orders an ale, waiting for everyone to arrive so that Taedric can share what he has learned.
that would be my delay. Things with the child and me slicing my thumb to the bone delayed Harlynn a bit. If anyone who as more free time wants to suggest gear go ahead. If not I will try and do my best to update tomorrow.
So, Seneca, have any plans for your share?
"Mmm, it seems we're a long way from making our homes safe again and getting to the bottom of things here. I think I'll acquire some equipment to help me with our challenges."
So no disturbing smell of death around her, no sudden outbursts of violent rage or glassy-eyed indifference to others...? I take it she's occasionally seen during daylight hours?
Needless to say, neither Aidan, Tkurzhan, nor Aidan's horse go dress shopping.
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The dressmaker does not seem to catch Elinors meaning... The Lady has no particular odor, is very kind, often pays above the value of the dress because, the dressmaker is a widow and the Lady always seems to know when she needs a little extra to get by. She has also never seen the woman by night.
As Abbas picks things up she takes them from his hands and places them down again. It takes moments for him to have touched everything in the shop. The stock levels are quite sparse.
I was assuming that the dressmaking trip was "later during downtime" rather than "while we're waiting to reassemble" - nothing much would get between Elinor and her well deserved ale. And she's going to make sure Abbas gets his well deserved ale as well.
Taedric rides back into the Inn, his expression somewhat tired as he looks for both his companions and someone to give him large quantities of mead.... with the mead being the more important of the two.
You look worried, chara veag, Aidan observes in half-gnomish.
Taedric nods, "Well, the Lady truly isn't well. Jagger may not be the nicest sort, but he wasn't stonewalling. Or, at least, not just stonewalling us."
He takes a pull from his mead and winces, Humans never make it right..., and waves his hand over it without thinking, prestidigitating the flavour to a richer, more spiced one, and then continues, "It seems she wore herself out casting a ritual to protect the Ear... the casting took much from her, though she assures me that she'll recover... and that she's better than she was when she cast it, which is rather worrisome."
He pauses and says, "I made a full report, of everything since we set back out to the hole -- I know not what happened to the animal messenger, but it seems that this was all news to her. She was pleased that we'd managed to find allies, and concerned about almost everything else. She seems to share my own feeling, that this feels a lot like what I grew up in, the start of a real siege and attack... though when I was a child, it was goblins rather than the dead.... of course, considering the goblin attack on the herbalist, I wouldn't necessarily discount those monsters as being part of all this."
He pauses for a moment, realizing the harshness that his tone took on as he finished, old hatreds never die..., and takes another pull of his mead before continuing. "She asked what our plan was, and I turned it back to her -- I told her that we have a more limited view, being the pieces on the board, and so we were more likely to react to things without having a more rich, strategic knowledge of what was going on -- a big concern if we assume that all of what's happening is truly under the direction of someone. She suggested a few priorities, and so I'm bringing those to the group so we can discuss them."
He sighs as a nagging thought occurs to him and says, "But before we do talk about those, I'll say that the lady thinks that finding other allies.. or keeping the ones we have.. is of critical importance... So much so that she's willing to work with the Hellknights... and, as someone who's seen war, I'm inclined to agree. Which isn't to say we don't stand up to them and betray what we hold dear to enlist their aid, just that we should aim to be a little more... strategic in our discussions. My own thoughts on how to overcome some of the antagonism would be to enlist their aid on those objectives that we know would most suit their own ideals... and offer our aid in similar situations. Further, I think that we might benefit from have Seneca speak to them when we do so... I would imagine they'll respect none of us more than the Chelish priest of Asmodeus.... Just something to think on."
He sighs and says, "The other thing that the Lady said, and I agree with, is that the situation out there has grown sufficiently grave that we're best to stay together as a group and maintain our strength. Which isn't to say that we can't scout ahead or be sane, but that splitting into smaller groups may be the death of us, now."
He finishes his mead and stands in the saddle, using his active fey magic to shoot a few sparks into the air to catch the attention of the bartender, and then points at his empty mug. He turns back and says, "First, there is a hermit outside the town walls named Levi -- and considering what happened to the herbalist, the Lady suggests we try to have him come into the protection of the city.... Having been at the herbalist's home, I'm inclined to agree with the idea."
He settles back into the saddle comfortably, and reaches forward to scratch the wolf between the ears as he continues, "Second, she suggests that we explore Gillamoor -- the timing of the rise of the bandits and the other strangeness seems far too close to be coincidental, and she hopes we can find some clues as to what's behind all this."
He smiles as the new cup is delivered and waves his hand over it to fix its flavour before taking another pull. He then looks up and says, "Beyond those suggestions, there are the goblins and orcs that have been sighted and active -- again, the timing implies that it's connected, especially the attack on the herbalist, but no proof -- we can enquire with the Lizardfolk to see how they fare and what they may have learned... and, finally, the farmstead we passed by in order to reach the Ear to deliver our messages."
Taedric raises the cup once more and then sets it down, looking back at the druid with a grim chuckle, "I bet you're wishing you hadn't asked now?"
I don't believe I did, he responds simply, while packing his horse.
The only thing that can't wait is that hermit. Let's get going.
Aidan is no-nonsense, but not demeaning or insistent. If someone disagrees, he'll certainly hear them out before telling them they're wrong.
Seneca scratches his chin, "I'm certain the Hellknights could help us...and perhaps the monastery too. The order of law would be very helpful in this chaos. But, I think you're right that we had better hurry to this hermit given the situation with the herbalist."
Hellknights have the manpower to go to Gillamoor, but may not accept it. They can help the farmsteads, though.
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Bryndyn nods as Taedric speaks.
I'm sure the Lizard folk will ultimately help in this, but I don't think they are our priority. I think Gillamoor is a priority. Let's make sure the Hellknights will go there before heading in another direction. As much as we respect the herbalist - one man does not outweigh ending this threat and I sense the start of that at least is in Gillamoor.
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For the sake of time several things have happened at once... The group gathering the treasure makes it to the inn. Shortly after the group that went to the tower arrives back. Harlynn arrives some 5 minutes after her group. Elinor and Abbas arrive several hours later. Taedric relays his news and the group decides on next steps. The group divies the loot and shops. The time is somewhere in the mid afternoon once all are ready. In the meantime, Enzo wants to know what you are going to do about Alam. You have all also heard a rumor that Darian Vysni is back from his errand. He is alone and does not seem to be well. He has not been seen and no one knows where he is if you ask.
Taedric chuckles at Aidan's statement, "Well, it was implied."
He then turns to the others, "I do think Gillamoor is worth going to, but I would say that it's worth making the detour to find Levi first. The Lady would not have mentioned him were he not important... and there is clearly something afoot. The mysteries of Gillamoor will not likely dry up if we're a day or two later."
Then off to Levi, it is!
"Yes, whatever we can do to get to the bottom of this quickly. The herbalist may help."
Seems like our actions have caught the attention of the Marelictor. Who is not a fan of any of you and gave me warning about the company I keep. Somehow I think he might be have had something to do with all the business at Gillamoor. The young conjurer says.
Taedric shakes his head and chuckles, "Aye, terrible us, saving the garrison and then rescuing the residents. You really should make better friends, Harlynn."
Narnel simply shakes his head.
Yeah, exactly what could his problem with us be?
Lack of a defined leader, breaking town laws, breaking quarantine, infringement of jurisdiction, letting an escaped prisoner walk back into town, fraternization with indigenous savages, Aidan says in a flat monotone.
Plus, I don't think he likes elves, he finishes.
Screw him, then. Those were all incidental necessities, based upon the exigency of our circumstances. I think it best that Harlynn and Seneca do all the talking with our Chelish hater, no?
"I'm game for that if you are Narnel," says Ellie to the first part of Narnel's astute observation. "But his not liking elves might discourage him. We'd both need a bath first though. And afterwards." She pauses and drinks. "I really hate fighting the draugr, I don't want to go back to Gillamoor if we don't have to. Orcs and goblins are much more my goblet of mead. But if there's some idiot still living on his own we really ought to fetch him and give him a good slapping for being so dense."
Yeah, Elie, our last visit to Gillamoor was none to my liking either.
I'll bet those people in Gillamoor wish they had lived on their own in the wild, Aidan says defensively.
Is that wise, Aidan asks Elinor, inclining his head to Neeki and Jess.
I'm against starting before dawn for all sorts of reasons. One of which being I can barely ride (especially in my brand new shiny full plate).
"No. It's not wise. But I recognise the look which says 'you'll have to tie me up to stop me', I've seen too many mirrors."
Aidan shrugs at Elinor, and continues packing.
How far, he asks Taedric.