"One usually ends up where one is meant to be." Artifex says, their tone light. "In common, I am called Artifex. I consider myself a collector of stories, and you all certainly appear to be extraordinary in your own right... I look forward to adding to my collection."
I hope to be able to join this group. I DM'd you my character stats and backstory in case you didn't want me to clutter this up. If you prefer I can add it all hear so the others can see.
Just a bit for others to reference: scrawny Halfling Rogue / future subclass undecided at the moment
Well, considering I'm cluttering it up myself all the time anyway LOL ...
..........
more seriously, though, I think I would like you to post the full application data; but not because I have any qualms about you or your character. I more want to set a standard procedure for people who apply to join after you to follow, and to be fair to all players by asking for the same kind of post from everyone. I'll quote the initial post about application details wanted here so you don't have to comb back through the rather long introductory posts at the beginning to find it:
If you are interested in signing up for this game, please post with:
Ability scores: (4d6, drop lowest; take standard array if you hate what you get)**
Character name:
Character class/subclass*:
(Background) Backstory:
* if decided
**(for those who don't already know how to do it, there's an icon that looks like a six sided die with three dots showing in the topic reply menu bar; when you click that it will give you a menu to add a dice roller to your post so that when you click "Post Reply" it will give you random numbers there as if you'd rolled the appropriate dice and applied the appropriate modifications. I've found that if you edit the post too much though, it will reroll those dice at some point when you click "post", and that flags the results in the message as having been potentially manipulated. If that happens message me with the original numbers if you remember and want to keep them, or just do a new post with new dice rollers that won't be flagged, and mention in the post why. An example of an ability score array of 4d6 drop lowest dice rollers: (in a post I deliberately edited often enough to be flagged):
151613121016
In your particular case, though, I have decided to accept your character, so all that remains is for you to write in how and when they make their appearance, express an interest in sharing this peculiar dish on the same expense account, and enjoy the subsequent madness ;)
The Black Rose took the clipboard and moved his chair closer to Artifex so that both of them could study it. "Is this blank or is it some sort of a contract?" he asked as he looked from Myrtea to Artifex. "I'm afraid my condition only allows me to read anything i can feel", "It must be carved, engraved, embossed or something similar" he elaborated.
Myrtea turns to speak to you directly. "I'm so sorry. The paper I gave you simply has the name of the account -- Mr. Leewamba's -- written at the top, and then the remainder of the sheet has horizontal lines for your names so I and Mr. Leewamba can address you with the proper courtesy when I introduce you. And also, ... " she lowers her voice and breathes into your ear, "there are certain local individuals Mr. Leewamba would prefer not to employ. I can see myself that none of you are them, and I will assure him of that, but the list of names in your own handwriting would also help. He has been a little ... pestered ... on the issue in the past, and he has asked that I do things this way as a precaution."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Artifex giggles, taking the clipboard. "I admire your caution The Black Rose. A contract unknowingly entered into is a dangerous thing, and not something easily escaped."
As they speak, Artifex writes *Iqua Ath'Trad* on the clipboard, and next to it writes *Artifex* in parenthesis. "You're welcome to show Mr. Leewamba my name, though I doubt they'll recognize it from anywhere."
Background: Tarton was possessed in his youth (9 years old) and was kept locked up for 5 years when the healers and other spellcasters couldn't remove the fiend. Durring the 5th year he escaped when he felt the food given to him was barely keeping him alive. It has been 6 years since his escape and he is now 20 and wanders the streets aimlessly stealing food to survive as he doesn't have a coin to his name.
Backstory: Tarton happened to steal an odd ice statuette on impulse and found that what had actually mysteriously attracted him to the object was the message within as the desire to keep it evaporated after reading the message. He dropped the statuette back in the pack he had picked it up from.
He made his way to Llandovian immediately following those he had almost stolen from. he waited until just after the sun had fully gone down then approached the Riverkin's Arms. Upon reading the notice and not being able to discern the name at the bottom he resolves himself to steal at least a bite of this laverbread and leek cawl and move on. What an odd way to advertise a meal, and a trick at that!? What possessed me to think this would help me? he thinks to himself. Stealing himself for the excitement that is going to soon transpire, he waits until he can hide in the shadow of a large patron and enters, sneaking his way to the feet of those at the bar.
Tarton is sneaking around the side of the bar as Myrtea is explaining about the tab. While she is distracted from explaining about the clip-board he grabs a bowl and helps himself to what is in the pots by the fire and digs in while sneaking back around the bar.
This is my first PbP so I hope I am not taking too many actions at once without a response. I will be driving most of the day tomorrow so I won't be able to respond until late evening for EST. So if you need to bot my PC to continue the story I appreciate your help.
"It's all good, my dear barkeep," said The Black Rose with a smile. "You have been a wonderful host this evening." As she whispered the last part, he nodded before turning to Artifex. "Indeed it is," The Black Rose grinned back before taking the clipboard and writing his own name on it. "I hope 'The Black Rose' will do. It is not my birth name, but it is a name giving to me by my farther, and it is what I go by these days. Please let me know if my birth name is needed," he said to Myrtea before giving the clipboard over to Erolith.
Sorry for the inadvertent dice rolls. I thought I had this figured out. How do you roll for perception?
So sorry I missed this! Especially because its something I ought to have explained to everyone. Once you've clicked the link to sign up for this campaign, your character sheets appear on the campaign management page I created. When I tested it out I was able to just click on the pertinent ability on one of the character sheets and it rolled that automatically and displayed it in the campaign log
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Sorry for the inadvertent dice rolls. I thought I had this figured out. How do you roll for perception?
So sorry I missed this! Especially because its something I ought to have explained to everyone. Once you've clicked the link to sign up for this campaign, your character sheets appear on the campaign management page I created. When I tested it out I was able to just click on the pertinent ability on one of the character sheets and it rolled that automatically and displayed it in the campaign log
Thank you! I just made a ton of rolls trying to figure it out.
Tarton was too concentrated on sneaking around to listen intently to the conversation taking place above him so missed the queue to look in the corner of the room. Everything he is wearing is dark brown so when not in sunlight it looks black or almost black. He sneaks in with the hood up to hide his face.
No need to apologize for a player coming in late. I really appreciate you letting me join and hope to not be a bother even though I am a newbie at PbP and new-ish to 5e (haven't played a rogue in 5e so may have questions). In case you wanted the perception check even though I said my character wasn't paying attention, I tried clicking the Perception ability but it didn't give any indication that a roll was made so I tried both clicking the number and the description (hope I didn't roll multiple times). in case that didn't work I rolled a d20 using the to DM option, no choice to add skill modifier so I'm not sure that is what you want.
Just found that by clicking the modifier in the Skills section rolls a die, not the senses or Ability sections. Sorry for the miss roll from the Ability section.
Erolith warily signs the clipboard before handing it back to Myrtea. “I am not sure what we just signed up for,” he exclaims as he scans the room.
"Well," she responds in a confidential voice as you hand the clipboard back, but speaking loudly enough that Artifex and The Black Rose are also included, "Mr. Leewamba has been looking for some time to hire a small group of individuals to seek out a certain item for him. I understand that it is more than his own personal interest involved, and that he is concerned that if this item is not found then Abyrstwyth and perhaps the entire region will be unprepared to defend itself against a threat that he foresees in the not too distant future.."
She sighs; you think you detect a note of irritation there, but definitely not directed at you; with perhaps a slight spice of irritation at herself that she allowed the first irritation to show at all. "Now, I have known Mr. Leewamba for many years. He may be a little eccentric in his theories at times, but he is quite rational. If he progresses from mere theory to being willing to actually take action and hire specialists to deal with the matter, I trust his judgement and I believe that the threat is real. Unfortunately, many of his fellow burghers treat the idea with ... derision. I can think of no more polite word to describe their attitude, and naturally Mr. Leewamba would prefer to avoid having to deal with any more. Being the only river gnome on the body, he has had to deal with more than enough already even before this came up. He wrote the notice on the door and asked me to take the names of those who respond to the point you have, only for that reason. You have not actually committed yourselves to anything by signing, except to meet Mr. Leewamba tonight and have him fill in the details of the job for you. You are absolutely free to either accept or decline at that point, and he will pay for what you have eaten and drunk so far in any case. Given that, I would be happy to return any coin you have given me so far, or to credit it to your tab if you want to start one for further purchases of food or drink. As for lodgings, Mr. Leewamba has also said he will pay for one night for any who take the job."
Tarton is sneaking around the side of the bar as Myrtea is explaining about the tab. While she is distracted from explaining about the clip-board he grabs a bowl and helps himself to what is in the pots by the fire and digs in while sneaking back around the bar.
As you turn away from the fire with your bowl, you hear a dry chuckle from the shadowy corner of the farthest bench. A slightly amused chuckle ... but not too much, Then a long, slender green and brown hand takes you by the shoulder and draws you over to the bench, and you find yourself looking deep into Glyn's eyes.
"Ordinarily we take a VERY dim view of attempted theft here, but we also take the circumstances into account. One: it was one bowl you took, not the whole bar. Two: you haven't tried anything like this here before. And three: ...," he pauses. "There's something about you I recognize better than you might think. A certain ... haunted look. Let's say, it brings back old memories." He pauses a moment more, tilting his head as if listening or thinking.
"It sounds like Mr. Leewamba has finally found some takers for his mission. They will probably need someone skilled in the shadow arts. as I like to call them. If you are willing to help, we can consider your meal," he gestures to the bowl, "and whatever you might care to have to wash it down, as part of the offer he has made. If this interests you, go to Myrtea and tell her I have recommended you to be added to the list. Otherwise, I will ask you to return the food you have taken and order whatever else you may wish to have -- and pay for -- from Myrtea. Openly."
As Tarton feels the hand on his thin shoulder he smiles to himself at the new possibilities of fun that have now presented themselves and allows himself to be led to a bench instead of trying to escape. He tries to look guilty and not excited as he listens to the old man. At the mention of not taking the whole bar, Tarton can't stop a large grin from showing on his face at the complement and already likes this guy. After hearing his third point, Tarton's jaw drops. Questions are bursting in his mind, but keeps them quiet until the man has finished speaking. All thought of trying to pick up a new trinket up from the man had vanished.
"You understand... There are so many questions I want to... No, I shouldn't, can't..." Tarton's smile starts to return as he says "Sorry, got lost in thought for a second. Thank you for being so understanding. You have very good eyes to catch me, or I'm not as skilled as I want to think. Yes, that is probably it, but there's no doubting you have sharp eyes. Yes, I still need to improve. But don't worry. Now that I know you, I won't try anything like that here again and not pay, even if you don't catch me, though that was my goal at first. I like to test myself and once I know someone I like to let them know what I'm about. Sometimes I have a hard time resisting the urge, but for friends it is easier to return or pay for what I... acquire.
So... the message in the statuette and on the door are not a hoax? Not being able to read the name on the notice was what spurred me to stop following the clues and to just steal a bite instead. Thank you again for being so lenient and understanding, more understanding than I would have thought possible. I look forward to hearing your stories. May I join you while I eat this laverbread and leek cawl? No, if a group is being gathered for something I should eat with them I guess. Well, I'll just have to come back and share a meal with you later when we have more time to talk. Sorry, I didn't catch your name. Who should I say has recommended me? I haven't a coin to my name at the moment to pay and would very much like to try this meal, and this mission."
I hope small edits are OK. I realized after reading the original post it sounded like Tarton was planning to pay the whole time when that was not true.
“Myrtea, please let Mr. Leewamba know that I accept his gracious offer to meet and stay at least one night per his wishes. I dare not speak for the others but I hope that they too will join me and get to know them better as we sort through this tale.”
Erolith glances towards the sneaky newcomer to try and determine if he appears friendly or not.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Erolith watches and listens intently to the actions and dialogue between the server and these strangers.
”Well met, travelers. It appears we have been brought together by a shared interest in a unique menu item. My name is Erolith Nightshade.”
"Indeed, it seems that way," The Black Rose responded as he gave Erolith his hand with a big smile on his face, "You may call me The Black Rose".
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Did two of ours players leave the campaign?
"One usually ends up where one is meant to be." Artifex says, their tone light. "In common, I am called Artifex. I consider myself a collector of stories, and you all certainly appear to be extraordinary in your own right... I look forward to adding to my collection."
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Is the clipboard blank?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope to be able to join this group. I DM'd you my character stats and backstory in case you didn't want me to clutter this up. If you prefer I can add it all hear so the others can see.
Just a bit for others to reference: scrawny Halfling Rogue / future subclass undecided at the moment
Thanks for the consideration.
Well, considering I'm cluttering it up myself all the time anyway LOL ...
..........
more seriously, though, I think I would like you to post the full application data; but not because I have any qualms about you or your character. I more want to set a standard procedure for people who apply to join after you to follow, and to be fair to all players by asking for the same kind of post from everyone. I'll quote the initial post about application details wanted here so you don't have to comb back through the rather long introductory posts at the beginning to find it:
In your particular case, though, I have decided to accept your character, so all that remains is for you to write in how and when they make their appearance, express an interest in sharing this peculiar dish on the same expense account, and enjoy the subsequent madness ;)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Myrtea turns to speak to you directly. "I'm so sorry. The paper I gave you simply has the name of the account -- Mr. Leewamba's -- written at the top, and then the remainder of the sheet has horizontal lines for your names so I and Mr. Leewamba can address you with the proper courtesy when I introduce you. And also, ... " she lowers her voice and breathes into your ear, "there are certain local individuals Mr. Leewamba would prefer not to employ. I can see myself that none of you are them, and I will assure him of that, but the list of names in your own handwriting would also help. He has been a little ... pestered ... on the issue in the past, and he has asked that I do things this way as a precaution."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Artifex giggles, taking the clipboard. "I admire your caution The Black Rose. A contract unknowingly entered into is a dangerous thing, and not something easily escaped."
As they speak, Artifex writes *Iqua Ath'Trad* on the clipboard, and next to it writes *Artifex* in parenthesis. "You're welcome to show Mr. Leewamba my name, though I doubt they'll recognize it from anywhere."
Name: Tarton Fleetfoot
Class: Rogue / Subclass: undecided
Background: Tarton was possessed in his youth (9 years old) and was kept locked up for 5 years when the healers and other spellcasters couldn't remove the fiend. Durring the 5th year he escaped when he felt the food given to him was barely keeping him alive. It has been 6 years since his escape and he is now 20 and wanders the streets aimlessly stealing food to survive as he doesn't have a coin to his name.
Backstory: Tarton happened to steal an odd ice statuette on impulse and found that what had actually mysteriously attracted him to the object was the message within as the desire to keep it evaporated after reading the message. He dropped the statuette back in the pack he had picked it up from.
He made his way to Llandovian immediately following those he had almost stolen from. he waited until just after the sun had fully gone down then approached the Riverkin's Arms. Upon reading the notice and not being able to discern the name at the bottom he resolves himself to steal at least a bite of this laverbread and leek cawl and move on. What an odd way to advertise a meal, and a trick at that!? What possessed me to think this would help me? he thinks to himself. Stealing himself for the excitement that is going to soon transpire, he waits until he can hide in the shadow of a large patron and enters, sneaking his way to the feet of those at the bar.
Tarton is sneaking around the side of the bar as Myrtea is explaining about the tab. While she is distracted from explaining about the clip-board he grabs a bowl and helps himself to what is in the pots by the fire and digs in while sneaking back around the bar.
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This is my first PbP so I hope I am not taking too many actions at once without a response. I will be driving most of the day tomorrow so I won't be able to respond until late evening for EST. So if you need to bot my PC to continue the story I appreciate your help.
"It's all good, my dear barkeep," said The Black Rose with a smile. "You have been a wonderful host this evening." As she whispered the last part, he nodded before turning to Artifex. "Indeed it is," The Black Rose grinned back before taking the clipboard and writing his own name on it. "I hope 'The Black Rose' will do. It is not my birth name, but it is a name giving to me by my farther, and it is what I go by these days. Please let me know if my birth name is needed," he said to Myrtea before giving the clipboard over to Erolith.
Erolith warily signs the clipboard before handing it back to Myrtea. “I am not sure what we just signed up for,” he exclaims as he scans the room.
So sorry I missed this! Especially because its something I ought to have explained to everyone. Once you've clicked the link to sign up for this campaign, your character sheets appear on the campaign management page I created. When I tested it out I was able to just click on the pertinent ability on one of the character sheets and it rolled that automatically and displayed it in the campaign log
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
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Thank you for the tip as I was wondering how rolling worked. I haven't seen a link to sign up for this campaign. Have I missed it somewhere?
Thank you! I just made a ton of rolls trying to figure it out.
Just saw that everyone else has posted their character so I am doing the same: www.dndbeyond.com/sheet-pdfs/badfishingdad75_102966144.pdf
No, just a sadly distracted DM who owes you deep apologies. Forgot I hadn't PMed you that link yet, you'll find it in your messages now
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Tarton was too concentrated on sneaking around to listen intently to the conversation taking place above him so missed the queue to look in the corner of the room. Everything he is wearing is dark brown so when not in sunlight it looks black or almost black. He sneaks in with the hood up to hide his face.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No need to apologize for a player coming in late. I really appreciate you letting me join and hope to not be a bother even though I am a newbie at PbP and new-ish to 5e (haven't played a rogue in 5e so may have questions). In case you wanted the perception check even though I said my character wasn't paying attention, I tried clicking the Perception ability but it didn't give any indication that a roll was made so I tried both clicking the number and the description (hope I didn't roll multiple times). in case that didn't work I rolled a d20 using the to DM option, no choice to add skill modifier so I'm not sure that is what you want.
Just found that by clicking the modifier in the Skills section rolls a die, not the senses or Ability sections. Sorry for the miss roll from the Ability section.
"Well," she responds in a confidential voice as you hand the clipboard back, but speaking loudly enough that Artifex and The Black Rose are also included, "Mr. Leewamba has been looking for some time to hire a small group of individuals to seek out a certain item for him. I understand that it is more than his own personal interest involved, and that he is concerned that if this item is not found then Abyrstwyth and perhaps the entire region will be unprepared to defend itself against a threat that he foresees in the not too distant future.."
She sighs; you think you detect a note of irritation there, but definitely not directed at you; with perhaps a slight spice of irritation at herself that she allowed the first irritation to show at all. "Now, I have known Mr. Leewamba for many years. He may be a little eccentric in his theories at times, but he is quite rational. If he progresses from mere theory to being willing to actually take action and hire specialists to deal with the matter, I trust his judgement and I believe that the threat is real. Unfortunately, many of his fellow burghers treat the idea with ... derision. I can think of no more polite word to describe their attitude, and naturally Mr. Leewamba would prefer to avoid having to deal with any more. Being the only river gnome on the body, he has had to deal with more than enough already even before this came up. He wrote the notice on the door and asked me to take the names of those who respond to the point you have, only for that reason. You have not actually committed yourselves to anything by signing, except to meet Mr. Leewamba tonight and have him fill in the details of the job for you. You are absolutely free to either accept or decline at that point, and he will pay for what you have eaten and drunk so far in any case. Given that, I would be happy to return any coin you have given me so far, or to credit it to your tab if you want to start one for further purchases of food or drink. As for lodgings, Mr. Leewamba has also said he will pay for one night for any who take the job."
As you turn away from the fire with your bowl, you hear a dry chuckle from the shadowy corner of the farthest bench. A slightly amused chuckle ... but not too much, Then a long, slender green and brown hand takes you by the shoulder and draws you over to the bench, and you find yourself looking deep into Glyn's eyes.
"Ordinarily we take a VERY dim view of attempted theft here, but we also take the circumstances into account. One: it was one bowl you took, not the whole bar. Two: you haven't tried anything like this here before. And three: ...," he pauses. "There's something about you I recognize better than you might think. A certain ... haunted look. Let's say, it brings back old memories." He pauses a moment more, tilting his head as if listening or thinking.
"It sounds like Mr. Leewamba has finally found some takers for his mission. They will probably need someone skilled in the shadow arts. as I like to call them. If you are willing to help, we can consider your meal," he gestures to the bowl, "and whatever you might care to have to wash it down, as part of the offer he has made. If this interests you, go to Myrtea and tell her I have recommended you to be added to the list. Otherwise, I will ask you to return the food you have taken and order whatever else you may wish to have -- and pay for -- from Myrtea. Openly."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
As Tarton feels the hand on his thin shoulder he smiles to himself at the new possibilities of fun that have now presented themselves and allows himself to be led to a bench instead of trying to escape. He tries to look guilty and not excited as he listens to the old man. At the mention of not taking the whole bar, Tarton can't stop a large grin from showing on his face at the complement and already likes this guy. After hearing his third point, Tarton's jaw drops. Questions are bursting in his mind, but keeps them quiet until the man has finished speaking. All thought of trying to pick up a new trinket up from the man had vanished.
"You understand... There are so many questions I want to... No, I shouldn't, can't..." Tarton's smile starts to return as he says "Sorry, got lost in thought for a second. Thank you for being so understanding. You have very good eyes to catch me, or I'm not as skilled as I want to think. Yes, that is probably it, but there's no doubting you have sharp eyes. Yes, I still need to improve. But don't worry. Now that I know you, I won't try anything like that here again and not pay, even if you don't catch me, though that was my goal at first. I like to test myself and once I know someone I like to let them know what I'm about. Sometimes I have a hard time resisting the urge, but for friends it is easier to return or pay for what I... acquire.
So... the message in the statuette and on the door are not a hoax? Not being able to read the name on the notice was what spurred me to stop following the clues and to just steal a bite instead. Thank you again for being so lenient and understanding, more understanding than I would have thought possible. I look forward to hearing your stories. May I join you while I eat this laverbread and leek cawl? No, if a group is being gathered for something I should eat with them I guess. Well, I'll just have to come back and share a meal with you later when we have more time to talk. Sorry, I didn't catch your name. Who should I say has recommended me? I haven't a coin to my name at the moment to pay and would very much like to try this meal, and this mission."
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I hope small edits are OK. I realized after reading the original post it sounded like Tarton was planning to pay the whole time when that was not true.
“Myrtea, please let Mr. Leewamba know that I accept his gracious offer to meet and stay at least one night per his wishes. I dare not speak for the others but I hope that they too will join me and get to know them better as we sort through this tale.”
Erolith glances towards the sneaky newcomer to try and determine if he appears friendly or not.