OOC: Once they arrive at the inn, Arutha will bid them farewell and head to the docks to look for the dwarven brothers. Just not sure if they are still headed  to the inn or not

"Not sure friend," says the half-orc blacksmith named Ooog to Gramdal. "In Baldur's Gate, everyone has a score to settle." He laughs.

Not 50 yards from the Wyrm's Gate, Arutha sees a wooden sign marking the entrance to the Elfsong Tavern. Your destination however is farther down the busy city street. Baldur's Gate is bustling with activity. Humans mostly inhabit this great city-state smack dab in the middle of the Sword Coast. A few Baldurians are huddled together gossiping about the events at the Wyrm's Gate. You see Flaming Fist soldiers walking around in pairs, looking for trouble. Trouble that might be started by the Guild, the black network of the city's underground. What you know of the Guild, the thieves are leaderless. Rise to power is just as swift as the fall.

Kaiylin holds Traever's hand tighter. "Be strong," she says.

"I am not weak," he replies. Kaiylin looks to Arutha. Have you any words of wisdom, her concerned expression asks.

Looking at the girl Arutha smiles and winks at her. "Walk with confidence little one. Don't be arrogant but act like you belong and most of the time people will automatically assume you do." He then lightly tapped her nose playfully. "And smile, if you smile the world will smile back at you."

Traever snarls at Arutha. "Easy for you. People don't hate you."

You sense the boy is hiding something behind his defensive attitude.

Looking at the boy Arutha shakes his head. "I have been hated in many places little one. When your business is war, you will be hated by the losers every time. You learn to eventually not allow others opinions to choose how you view yourself. Every man and woman stand and fall on their actions and choices. Not by what other think."

Cath snorts out loud in laughter.

"Ah Arutha, me thinks you have a noble view of life, tis harder than ye make it seem.  By me beard though there is truth in some of what ye say.  Blaze yer own path me says.  Find yer own happiness."

Kaiylin gives Arutha a quick wink in appreciation. She knows how hard it is for her son to be without her drow father, a man who left the Underdark for the surface world. But without a guide, Traever is stranded. And without his father he is alone; though she is his mother, Kaiylin is human.

Sarahlle giggles musically at Cath's remark.

As you move through the streets, the party recalls from its travels that Baldur’s Gate was not so safe a city a short time ago. The Chosen of Bhaal went on a murderous rampage, slaughtering Baldurians openly in the streets. He inspired others to follow his lead. It was a terrible time—those scars are still fresh in some corners of the city. Trust has been difficult to nurture, like stubborn weeds choking a flower garden.

But this is a new day and a new sunrise shines brighter than yesterday. The Purple Wyrm Inn is just up ahead.

Cath looks down at Sarahlle hearing her giggle and gives her a funny face.

"Ye be not laughing at me beard would ye little lass?" He chuckles at her.

"Mama, he's funny."

Traever's eyes twinkle with mischief. "Funny looking!" He howls with laughter and darts behind the group.

OOC: I love the Balder's Gate games reference!

Norvalor continues to walk with the group smiling at how Cath is bringing joy to the kids

Quote from Benmasque >>

OOC: I love the Balder's Gate games reference!

Of all the settings Ed Greenwood and his Table created in the Forgotten Realms, the city of Baldur's Gate is my favorite. You know, just in case that wasn't clear. LOL.

"Oh ho!" Cath makes a playful grab at the boy as he scampers away.

"Well me lady."  Speaking now to kaiylin. "The inn be right up ahead.  It be me hope we finds ye a safe landing here in the Gate."

"I'm counting on it, Cath," Kaiylin replies, smiling, bemused and inspired by her little boy who just moments ago was retreating behind a spell of darkness, now mirthful and dancing in the light. Even a spider must build its web in the daylight for food it captures at night.

Traever ducks away from Cath.

Make a Dexterity challenge, if you would. Traever rolls: 2

Arutha watches the boy and Cath with amusement before finally responding to Cath's earlier statement. "Cath, I grew up surrounded by death. Both of my family and my city. Either that would make me hard and bitter, like it did to many, or it would make me stronger and more determined. I decided to forge my own way and not to become hardened. Strong metal in a sword can take great strain and still come out on top. Hard metal will eventually shatter and often result in tragedy. I wanted to strong, not hard and as a result I have become more than I ever could have been otherwise."

Dexterity check: 9