Carl regards Grinna, tilting his head to the side, he says “Why do you have a frying pan in your hands? Who were you about to use that on? Or were you in the midst of going to get some eggs and bacon and just happened to have it in your hand? What is the source of the debate here… again I say, maybe we can help… Grinna, why dontcha just put that pan down for a minute. Do you have this map that you mention? I agree with Auriel here, it would help us a lot.”
Auriel's action has the intended effect, causing the room to fall immediately silent and some villagers to clear out of the space, nearly backing away to the wall. The firelight fading in and out of Sylyra's palm intensifies the atmosphere. Grinna, however, doesn't lose her bravado, snapping her fingers at the druid. "Quit it, keep that thing in your pocket. I'll thank you not to burn down my tavern," she says. Hupe pats the air and says, "Now, Grinna, he seems to have enough control over it, I think it's quite al--" He cuts his sentence short when his wife narrows her eyes in his direction.
"We heard that some of you were planning to enter the forest to search for that man, Graingle. That would be a mistake. A mistake that I sincerely hope your hermit has not made."
"Well then you heard correct, but we don't exactly know the situation. A few folk thought to go find Halvin before the fey found him. They went to a ranger first, Serelis Greenleaf - he's a half-elf that lives in the local area, acts as a guide - but he turned 'em down, and none too kindly...refused to help 'em, insisted they send anyone into the forest at their own peril. That was two tendays ago, and we've heard neither hide nor hair from them ever since," Grinna says. When asked about the map, she scratches the back of her head. "Sorry to say I don't know where that's at. Could be at Halvin's place, but it's probably with the folks who went to Serelis," she says.
“Why do you have a frying pan in your hands? Who were you about to use that on? Or were you in the midst of going to get some eggs and bacon and just happened to have it in your hand? What is the source of the debate here… again I say, maybe we can help… Grinna, why dontcha just put that pan down for a minute."
"The only eggs and bacon I'd be makin' would be from the skull of whichever fool thinks a little halfling woman like myself doesn't deserve to have a good skillet to defend herself with," Grinna winks. "Let's just say folks weren't listenin' well enough before I picked it up."
By this point, it's obvious to all that the villagers are giving Auriel and Sylyra a wide berth. Some have crowded around Carl and Grinna, but it's like Auriel has a protective barrier around him keeping anyone from being in proximity.
Sylyra gives Grinna a droll look before closing his fist around the flame hovering above it. Rolling his eyes, he puts his arm down and sighs loudly. He stands and moves to stand near Hex, his back toward the crowd. "It sounds like we need to find this ranger," he comments unnecessarily. Turning around, he raises his voice. "Which way to the ranger?" he says to the tavern in general. If no one answers right away, he snaps his fingers impatiently. "We don't have all day. Just point if you can't find your tongue."
The sudden silence acts like a healing touch in Auriel's mind, who closes his eyes for an instant and exhales relieved. The halberd he had been gripping tightly is now held by almost nothing but his right fingertips. The lighter the grip, the more effective the strike, he reminded himself. "Hold your weapon as you would hold a bird: strong enough so that it doesn't fly away, light enough so you don't squeeze it." . He used to be told that a lot during his first years of training and, clearly, he had been neglecting that during the last hours. And, similarly, it would surely be best if he softened his demeanor when addressing these people again.
The eladrin was about to speak to the halfling when, to his surprise, Sylyra decided to break his long silence. That made him turn to look from Grinna towards the wood elf. Speaking somewhat cautiously, as he isn't sure how the druid will react (will he fall silent for a whole day again?), he says: "Sásta do ghuth a chloisteáil arís. Ná bímis hasty, le do thoil. Lig dom cúpla ceist eile a chur"
With that, the black haired eladrin turns to Grinna again:
- I know that ranger - he says - And you say Serelis didn't want to help? - Auriel doesn't know what to make of this. Serelis had been the first name that popped into his mind after the party spoke with Millivent - We will definitely ask him about this. Anything else you can tell us? How many of your people went to speak to him?
Not missing that Grinna hasn't answered Carl's question, he backs the dwarf by asking again:
- And what were they not listening to exactly, Grinna? As my friend here says, we want to help in any way we can. And no one will gain anything if we depart in search for Serelis without all the information you might have that could help us.
The paladin pauses for a moment, and remembering how Grinna looked at him a moment ago, and how everyone in the room seems to be keeping away from both Sylyra and him, he adds:
- Do you perhaps think my elven companion and I fare from Greenhall? In case this puts your mind at ease, let me tell you that we are as outsiders to Greenhall as you Kabel's Hill people are.(OOC: I guess he truly believes that, right, @barty? In my mind this is not a lie. Otherwise I wouldn't say this!). We just want the pact between the Quivering Forest and Phlan be kept alive.
Sylvan:
"Glad to hear your voice again. Let's not be hasty, please. Let me ask a few more questions"
OOC: @barty a few questions: does it strike Auriel as strange that Serelis wouldn't want to help the townsfolk that went to him? Would this be his normal behaviour to Auriel's knowledge? Also, Sylyra has asked where to find him. Would Auriel know that? Though perhaps this doesn't really matter, as these people do.
Sylyra makes a face after Auriel turns back to address the crowd again. He puts his free hand on his hip, again showing his impatience. In the middle of the eladrin's incessant questioning, Hex hears Sylyra comment to himself, "Oh, and we need to ask about a reward." He chuckles. "Almost forgot that."
Hex is also slightly surprised as Sylyra speaks, but she tries to keep it hidden. "Seeing as Auriel knows the ranger, I think the missing woodcutter's home would be a better place to start searching, figure out why he wanted to go into the forest to begin with..." She sighs deeply as Sylyra begins to act impatient and rude. She debates with herself for a moment, whether to reprimand him or not. She did say she wouldn't put up with his behaviour anymore but after what happened on the journey to Kabel Hill, she wanted to give him space. In the end, she decides not to go back on her word, pushing herself off the wall and poking Sylyra somewhat harshly in his side. "There's no need to be rude, Sylyra. Respect goes a long way if you want to get information, even more so if you want a reward."
Hex is also slightly surprised as Sylyra speaks, but she tries to keep it hidden. "Seeing as Auriel knows the ranger, I think the missing woodcutter's home would be a better place to start searching, figure out why he wanted to go into the forest to begin with..."
Auriel nods to Hex, agreeing to her proposal.
Then he notices how the tiefling pushes Sylyra away and, though he doesn't hear anything, he intuits what the conversation is going to be about and is glad she's initiated it. The eladrin had already thought of asking her and Uragum - as they know Sylyra better - about what to do regarding the druid, so he hopes this serves as a first step... the party simply won't work well the way they are right now.
Putting this thought aside for the moment, Auriel looks at Grinna, awaiting her answers.
Sylyra looks down at Hex's finger, then back up at her face. He looks grumpy, but not angry. "Keep that thing to yourself," he warns, but there's no danger behind the tone of voice. "These idiots are a waste," he grumbles. "Mobs are always a waste." He turns toward the bar and raises his voice. "If you want information out of the halfling, bring her along, and let's go."
"We don't have all day. Just point if you can't find your tongue."
Grinna waves the skillet a bit and says, "Don't make me use this."
"Anything else you can tell us? How many of your people went to speak to him?"
"Well I don't know everyone who went, but I'd say there were about a half dozen in the group," Grinna answers.
"And what were they not listening to exactly, Grinna?"
"People are gettin' antsy and impatient," she says with another glance at Sylyra. "Some folks think we should send more of us into the forest, some folks think that's just gonna anger the fey even more, if they're even angry at all."
Her answer is followed by an interruption from a scruffy human villager, who hollers out, "T'was prolly dem damned faeries tha' killed my cows! Damn their eyes! Damn their wings!"
The man is thoroughly drunk, and his lamentations for a few of his prize cows are drowned out by the chuckles of other villagers. He looks obstinate at the response and replies, "Any of ya fools tha' don' believe me can come and take a look fer yerselves!"
"Do you perhaps think my elven companion and I fare from Greenhall? In case this puts your mind at ease, let me tell you that we are as outsiders to Greenhall as you Kabel's Hill people are. We just want the pact between the Quivering Forest and Phlan be kept alive."
"Well, people in these parts pay proper respect to the fey," a woman says in reply, bowing her head as she says so. "Can I buy you a drink, sirs?" she says to Auriel and Sylyra.
"Seeing as Auriel knows the ranger, I think the missing woodcutter's home would be a better place to start searching, figure out why he wanted to go into the forest to begin with..."
A number of villagers have crowded around the conversation by this point, and Grinna shoos the rabble away after Hex's thought. "Before you go sauntering off, let me cook you up a hot meal and get you a drink to clear the road and dust out of your mouths; free of charge if you're about to help us find some answers," she says. She shares a look with her husband, and Hupe nods at the glance, beginning to make a round around the room. Several villagers drop a few coins into a hat as he makes his way around.
(OOC: I guess he truly believes that, right, @barty? In my mind this is not a lie. Otherwise I wouldn't say this!).
OOC: I think that's completely up to Auriel!
OOC: @barty a few questions: does it strike Auriel as strange that Serelis wouldn't want to help the townsfolk that went to him? Would this be his normal behaviour to Auriel's knowledge? Also, Sylyra has asked where to find him. Would Auriel know that? Though perhaps this doesn't really matter, as these people do.
OOC: Auriel probably doesn't know Serelis well enough to know whether that's normal of him or not, but he certainly has never turned Auriel down in that fashion. Auriel would know generally where Serelis could be found, as he ranges near and in the Quivering Forest, but not an exact location yet.
Auriel nods as Grinna answers his questions. He seems satisfied with the answers so he simply turrns to look at his companions arching his eyebrows slightly in a clear invitation to ask anything else they might consider important.
- So, next stop: the woodcutter's house. - he says, nodding towards Hex, who proposed this course of action. The paladin seems to be ready to go, but then Grinna decides to offer them a hot meal and just at the mention of the word "hot" the eladrin's eyes spark. That sounded so good after all the walking, and the rain and heavy silence that had engulfed their way from Phlan to Kabel's Hill. He looked at Uragum, Hex and Carl with a silent "Gods, PLEASE, don't say no"reflected on his eyes, and added - That would be great, wouldn't it? - He didn't expect a positive response from Sylyra, but waited for his answer too, nonetheless.
As the woman approaches and offers Sylyra and him a drink, Auriel is startled for a moment. He doesn't really know what to say at first. He gets that these people want to stay out of trouble with the fey of the Forest and show them "proper respect", but to include Sylyra and him in this just because of their fey ancestry? That felt strange, specially for the eladrin, that had after all been born in the Realm of Faerie and for whom being surrounded by fey had been, well, his everyday life for more than a hundred years! The painful memory of the home he and his family had been banished from darkened his expression and Auriel had to make an effort to show a slight smile to the woman. While he didn't feel he deserved that show of respect just for being an elf, he wanted to thank her simply for being kind towards him. So he said:
- There is no need for that. But allow me to repay your kindness by inviting you instead. - After saying that, Auriel looks at Sylyra and says - Will you please join us? - He doesn't count on him accepting, but even so the paladin doesn't fail to try.
Regardless of Sylyra's answer, Auriel will invite the woman to a drink and chat a little with her about Kabel's Hill and their daily lives being so close to the Quivering Forest before returning to the group for dinner. (OOC: I'm assuming we'll stay for that dinner we've been invited to but if we don't then I guess Auriel will just buy her a drink and then leave with the rest. Whatever we choose to do, he does want to repay her kind gesture after this ugly couple of days).
At the offer of a free drink and then a free meal, Sylyra's stomach gives a hopeful gurgle, and he decides to accept. He joins Auriel to enjoy the ale and half listen to the eladrin's conversation with the woman.
Hex frowns as the drunken human mentions his livestock being killed. She says nothing for the moment but makes a note to herself to follow up on it. It may very well just be the ramblings of a drunkard but with the recent cult and dragon activities, one could never be too careful.
As the conversation begins to die down and Grinna offers the party a hot meal, Hex smiles. "I'm not one to turn down a free meal, especially in this weather."
While they wait for their meals to be cooked up, she leaves Auriel and Sylyra to converse with the woman who offered them a drink and goes to speak with some of the villagers, including the drunken human, inquiring into the matter of the killed livestock. "I would actually like to take a look at the bodies, if possible."
As they have their drinks the eladrin will introduce himself and ask the woman for her name. It'd feel rude not to do this. Then he'll mainly listen for anything she might want to share about the locals' relationship with the Forest up to the woodcutter issue arised. He's particulary interested in knowing whether they've actually ever seen any fey or if they are paying respect to some invisible presence that simply exists on the other side of the river. Auriel will ask this in a subtle way, not wanting to disturb this woman's beliefs in any way.
He's a bit of an eccentric hermit, used to come to town to sell his wood carvings but he stopped showing up about a month ago.
Auriel wonders if this hermit has been selling carvings made of wood from the Quivering Forest. While it may be impossible to discern from which region the wood really came, he's interested in knowing if Halvin Graingle ever let out that he used wood outsiders are not supposed to touch. Again, he'll ask this ... subtly.
As soon as Grinna informs that their dinner is ready he'll thank the woman for her time, excuse himself because they need to return to their companions (unless you want to interact, @ddp, of course!). When she leaves, and before rejoining the rest
Sylyra:
Auriel begins to stand up, but then changes his mind, sits again and says:
- I apologize for whatever it was that I said yesterday that upset you. I thought I was helping, but it seems I did the opposite. Just know that we are here for you. I am here for you. You only need to reach out.
Not wishing to press the matter further, the paladin stands up to return to the others.
Hupe brings the contents gathered in the hat over the the party while drinks are being served, and gives it a shake. "We've rounded up fifty gold pieces for you if you can find our missing villagers. Hope that'll be helpful for you," he says.
The woman who offered drinks to the elves says little, listening and bowing her head respectfully at times, offering little more than "Of course, sir" and "Yes sir" until questioned directly about whether she has seen any fey. "Oh no sir, but you don't have to see them to know they exist. They keep us safe but they'll take unruly children, the farmer who doesn't leave an offering from the year's first harvest, that sort of thing," she says. She doesn't know Halvin herself, but her eyes raise at the subtle notion of using wood from the forest. "Do you think that's where he went? He was taken for using forbidden wood?" she asks.
The drunken villager seems shocked that Hex has taken him seriously, and simply drools for a moment, his eyes running up and down the tiefling as if he isn't entirely convinced she is real. "Well...yeah, my farm's on tha outshkirts o' town. I can take ya there," he says.
OOC: Mostly humans, and some halflings comprise the patrons in the tavern.
Hex thinks for a moment, turning to look back towards the rest of the party before returning her attention back to the drunken human. "Hm... we'll be heading to the missing woodcutters home first. How about you just give us the directions to your farm and we'll head on over afterwards?"
Auriel offers Hupe an appreciative nod and quickly returns his attention to the woman, even though all the bowing and honorifics are making him feel a little unconfortable.
- Unruly children, you say?Has any child been missing lately, or any farmer failed to do their offering? - he asks, and regardig the woodcutters adds - We don't know that he has been taken yet. We may still find that he's simply left on his own accord - After overhearing Hex speaking to the drunken villager, Auriel leans a bit closer to the woman and asks - Do you know that man over there? Do you think the fey had something to do with his cows? We did see several cows on our way here but they seemed pretty healthy, same as the crops. Seems Kabel's Hill will have a bountiful harvest this year.
The paladin crosses eyes with Hex when she answers the drunk man, giving her an agreeing nod: they could definitely check that man's farm on the way to - or after checking - Halvin's house.
It doesn’t have to be said twice, once there is mention of a hot meal, Carl pulls up a chair at a table, smiling at Grinna. He notes the behavior toward Auriel and Sylyra, and he leans over to Hex saying, “Guess they aren’t so impressed by dwarves or tieflings here. Just elves get the “special treatment.” Hrmmph.” Then the food arrives and he dives in, his mood buoyed. “Sounds like we’re headin to Halvin’s house. Whenever you are ready..”.
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Carl regards Grinna, tilting his head to the side, he says “Why do you have a frying pan in your hands? Who were you about to use that on? Or were you in the midst of going to get some eggs and bacon and just happened to have it in your hand? What is the source of the debate here… again I say, maybe we can help… Grinna, why dontcha just put that pan down for a minute. Do you have this map that you mention? I agree with Auriel here, it would help us a lot.”
Auriel's action has the intended effect, causing the room to fall immediately silent and some villagers to clear out of the space, nearly backing away to the wall. The firelight fading in and out of Sylyra's palm intensifies the atmosphere. Grinna, however, doesn't lose her bravado, snapping her fingers at the druid. "Quit it, keep that thing in your pocket. I'll thank you not to burn down my tavern," she says. Hupe pats the air and says, "Now, Grinna, he seems to have enough control over it, I think it's quite al--" He cuts his sentence short when his wife narrows her eyes in his direction.
"Well then you heard correct, but we don't exactly know the situation. A few folk thought to go find Halvin before the fey found him. They went to a ranger first, Serelis Greenleaf - he's a half-elf that lives in the local area, acts as a guide - but he turned 'em down, and none too kindly...refused to help 'em, insisted they send anyone into the forest at their own peril. That was two tendays ago, and we've heard neither hide nor hair from them ever since," Grinna says. When asked about the map, she scratches the back of her head. "Sorry to say I don't know where that's at. Could be at Halvin's place, but it's probably with the folks who went to Serelis," she says.
"The only eggs and bacon I'd be makin' would be from the skull of whichever fool thinks a little halfling woman like myself doesn't deserve to have a good skillet to defend herself with," Grinna winks. "Let's just say folks weren't listenin' well enough before I picked it up."
By this point, it's obvious to all that the villagers are giving Auriel and Sylyra a wide berth. Some have crowded around Carl and Grinna, but it's like Auriel has a protective barrier around him keeping anyone from being in proximity.
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Sylyra gives Grinna a droll look before closing his fist around the flame hovering above it. Rolling his eyes, he puts his arm down and sighs loudly. He stands and moves to stand near Hex, his back toward the crowd. "It sounds like we need to find this ranger," he comments unnecessarily. Turning around, he raises his voice. "Which way to the ranger?" he says to the tavern in general. If no one answers right away, he snaps his fingers impatiently. "We don't have all day. Just point if you can't find your tongue."
The sudden silence acts like a healing touch in Auriel's mind, who closes his eyes for an instant and exhales relieved. The halberd he had been gripping tightly is now held by almost nothing but his right fingertips. The lighter the grip, the more effective the strike, he reminded himself. "Hold your weapon as you would hold a bird: strong enough so that it doesn't fly away, light enough so you don't squeeze it." . He used to be told that a lot during his first years of training and, clearly, he had been neglecting that during the last hours. And, similarly, it would surely be best if he softened his demeanor when addressing these people again.
The eladrin was about to speak to the halfling when, to his surprise, Sylyra decided to break his long silence. That made him turn to look from Grinna towards the wood elf. Speaking somewhat cautiously, as he isn't sure how the druid will react (will he fall silent for a whole day again?), he says: "Sásta do ghuth a chloisteáil arís. Ná bímis hasty, le do thoil. Lig dom cúpla ceist eile a chur"
With that, the black haired eladrin turns to Grinna again:
- I know that ranger - he says - And you say Serelis didn't want to help? - Auriel doesn't know what to make of this. Serelis had been the first name that popped into his mind after the party spoke with Millivent - We will definitely ask him about this. Anything else you can tell us? How many of your people went to speak to him?
Not missing that Grinna hasn't answered Carl's question, he backs the dwarf by asking again:
- And what were they not listening to exactly, Grinna? As my friend here says, we want to help in any way we can. And no one will gain anything if we depart in search for Serelis without all the information you might have that could help us.
The paladin pauses for a moment, and remembering how Grinna looked at him a moment ago, and how everyone in the room seems to be keeping away from both Sylyra and him, he adds:
- Do you perhaps think my elven companion and I fare from Greenhall? In case this puts your mind at ease, let me tell you that we are as outsiders to Greenhall as you Kabel's Hill people are. (OOC: I guess he truly believes that, right, @barty? In my mind this is not a lie. Otherwise I wouldn't say this!). We just want the pact between the Quivering Forest and Phlan be kept alive.
Sylvan:
"Glad to hear your voice again. Let's not be hasty, please. Let me ask a few more questions"
OOC: @barty a few questions: does it strike Auriel as strange that Serelis wouldn't want to help the townsfolk that went to him? Would this be his normal behaviour to Auriel's knowledge? Also, Sylyra has asked where to find him. Would Auriel know that? Though perhaps this doesn't really matter, as these people do.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
Sylyra makes a face after Auriel turns back to address the crowd again. He puts his free hand on his hip, again showing his impatience. In the middle of the eladrin's incessant questioning, Hex hears Sylyra comment to himself, "Oh, and we need to ask about a reward." He chuckles. "Almost forgot that."
Hex is also slightly surprised as Sylyra speaks, but she tries to keep it hidden. "Seeing as Auriel knows the ranger, I think the missing woodcutter's home would be a better place to start searching, figure out why he wanted to go into the forest to begin with..." She sighs deeply as Sylyra begins to act impatient and rude. She debates with herself for a moment, whether to reprimand him or not. She did say she wouldn't put up with his behaviour anymore but after what happened on the journey to Kabel Hill, she wanted to give him space. In the end, she decides not to go back on her word, pushing herself off the wall and poking Sylyra somewhat harshly in his side. "There's no need to be rude, Sylyra. Respect goes a long way if you want to get information, even more so if you want a reward."
Auriel nods to Hex, agreeing to her proposal.
Then he notices how the tiefling pushes Sylyra away and, though he doesn't hear anything, he intuits what the conversation is going to be about and is glad she's initiated it. The eladrin had already thought of asking her and Uragum - as they know Sylyra better - about what to do regarding the druid, so he hopes this serves as a first step... the party simply won't work well the way they are right now.
Putting this thought aside for the moment, Auriel looks at Grinna, awaiting her answers.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
Sylyra looks down at Hex's finger, then back up at her face. He looks grumpy, but not angry. "Keep that thing to yourself," he warns, but there's no danger behind the tone of voice. "These idiots are a waste," he grumbles. "Mobs are always a waste." He turns toward the bar and raises his voice. "If you want information out of the halfling, bring her along, and let's go."
Upon hearing Sylyra's words Auriel shakes his head in disappointment, but he says nothing and simply grips the halberd a little tighter.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
Hex rolls her eyes and then waves her hand in the direction of Grinna. "Ignore him, he's feeling a little grumpy today!"
Grinna waves the skillet a bit and says, "Don't make me use this."
"Well I don't know everyone who went, but I'd say there were about a half dozen in the group," Grinna answers.
"People are gettin' antsy and impatient," she says with another glance at Sylyra. "Some folks think we should send more of us into the forest, some folks think that's just gonna anger the fey even more, if they're even angry at all."
Her answer is followed by an interruption from a scruffy human villager, who hollers out, "T'was prolly dem damned faeries tha' killed my cows! Damn their eyes! Damn their wings!"
The man is thoroughly drunk, and his lamentations for a few of his prize cows are drowned out by the chuckles of other villagers. He looks obstinate at the response and replies, "Any of ya fools tha' don' believe me can come and take a look fer yerselves!"
"Well, people in these parts pay proper respect to the fey," a woman says in reply, bowing her head as she says so. "Can I buy you a drink, sirs?" she says to Auriel and Sylyra.
A number of villagers have crowded around the conversation by this point, and Grinna shoos the rabble away after Hex's thought. "Before you go sauntering off, let me cook you up a hot meal and get you a drink to clear the road and dust out of your mouths; free of charge if you're about to help us find some answers," she says. She shares a look with her husband, and Hupe nods at the glance, beginning to make a round around the room. Several villagers drop a few coins into a hat as he makes his way around.
OOC: I think that's completely up to Auriel!
OOC: Auriel probably doesn't know Serelis well enough to know whether that's normal of him or not, but he certainly has never turned Auriel down in that fashion. Auriel would know generally where Serelis could be found, as he ranges near and in the Quivering Forest, but not an exact location yet.
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Auriel nods as Grinna answers his questions. He seems satisfied with the answers so he simply turrns to look at his companions arching his eyebrows slightly in a clear invitation to ask anything else they might consider important.
- So, next stop: the woodcutter's house. - he says, nodding towards Hex, who proposed this course of action. The paladin seems to be ready to go, but then Grinna decides to offer them a hot meal and just at the mention of the word "hot" the eladrin's eyes spark. That sounded so good after all the walking, and the rain and heavy silence that had engulfed their way from Phlan to Kabel's Hill. He looked at Uragum, Hex and Carl with a silent "Gods, PLEASE, don't say no" reflected on his eyes, and added - That would be great, wouldn't it? - He didn't expect a positive response from Sylyra, but waited for his answer too, nonetheless.
As the woman approaches and offers Sylyra and him a drink, Auriel is startled for a moment. He doesn't really know what to say at first. He gets that these people want to stay out of trouble with the fey of the Forest and show them "proper respect", but to include Sylyra and him in this just because of their fey ancestry? That felt strange, specially for the eladrin, that had after all been born in the Realm of Faerie and for whom being surrounded by fey had been, well, his everyday life for more than a hundred years! The painful memory of the home he and his family had been banished from darkened his expression and Auriel had to make an effort to show a slight smile to the woman. While he didn't feel he deserved that show of respect just for being an elf, he wanted to thank her simply for being kind towards him. So he said:
- There is no need for that. But allow me to repay your kindness by inviting you instead. - After saying that, Auriel looks at Sylyra and says - Will you please join us? - He doesn't count on him accepting, but even so the paladin doesn't fail to try.
Regardless of Sylyra's answer, Auriel will invite the woman to a drink and chat a little with her about Kabel's Hill and their daily lives being so close to the Quivering Forest before returning to the group for dinner. (OOC: I'm assuming we'll stay for that dinner we've been invited to but if we don't then I guess Auriel will just buy her a drink and then leave with the rest. Whatever we choose to do, he does want to repay her kind gesture after this ugly couple of days).
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
At the offer of a free drink and then a free meal, Sylyra's stomach gives a hopeful gurgle, and he decides to accept. He joins Auriel to enjoy the ale and half listen to the eladrin's conversation with the woman.
Hex frowns as the drunken human mentions his livestock being killed. She says nothing for the moment but makes a note to herself to follow up on it. It may very well just be the ramblings of a drunkard but with the recent cult and dragon activities, one could never be too careful.
As the conversation begins to die down and Grinna offers the party a hot meal, Hex smiles. "I'm not one to turn down a free meal, especially in this weather."
While they wait for their meals to be cooked up, she leaves Auriel and Sylyra to converse with the woman who offered them a drink and goes to speak with some of the villagers, including the drunken human, inquiring into the matter of the killed livestock. "I would actually like to take a look at the bodies, if possible."
As they have their drinks the eladrin will introduce himself and ask the woman for her name. It'd feel rude not to do this. Then he'll mainly listen for anything she might want to share about the locals' relationship with the Forest up to the woodcutter issue arised. He's particulary interested in knowing whether they've actually ever seen any fey or if they are paying respect to some invisible presence that simply exists on the other side of the river. Auriel will ask this in a subtle way, not wanting to disturb this woman's beliefs in any way.
He'll also ask about:
Auriel wonders if this hermit has been selling carvings made of wood from the Quivering Forest. While it may be impossible to discern from which region the wood really came, he's interested in knowing if Halvin Graingle ever let out that he used wood outsiders are not supposed to touch. Again, he'll ask this ... subtly.
As soon as Grinna informs that their dinner is ready he'll thank the woman for her time, excuse himself because they need to return to their companions (unless you want to interact, @ddp, of course!). When she leaves, and before rejoining the rest
Sylyra:
Auriel begins to stand up, but then changes his mind, sits again and says:
- I apologize for whatever it was that I said yesterday that upset you. I thought I was helping, but it seems I did the opposite. Just know that we are here for you. I am here for you. You only need to reach out.
Not wishing to press the matter further, the paladin stands up to return to the others.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
@DM: What are the demographics of the tavern? I'm guessing no other elves, but am curious.
Hupe brings the contents gathered in the hat over the the party while drinks are being served, and gives it a shake. "We've rounded up fifty gold pieces for you if you can find our missing villagers. Hope that'll be helpful for you," he says.
The woman who offered drinks to the elves says little, listening and bowing her head respectfully at times, offering little more than "Of course, sir" and "Yes sir" until questioned directly about whether she has seen any fey. "Oh no sir, but you don't have to see them to know they exist. They keep us safe but they'll take unruly children, the farmer who doesn't leave an offering from the year's first harvest, that sort of thing," she says. She doesn't know Halvin herself, but her eyes raise at the subtle notion of using wood from the forest. "Do you think that's where he went? He was taken for using forbidden wood?" she asks.
The drunken villager seems shocked that Hex has taken him seriously, and simply drools for a moment, his eyes running up and down the tiefling as if he isn't entirely convinced she is real. "Well...yeah, my farm's on tha outshkirts o' town. I can take ya there," he says.
OOC: Mostly humans, and some halflings comprise the patrons in the tavern.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hex thinks for a moment, turning to look back towards the rest of the party before returning her attention back to the drunken human. "Hm... we'll be heading to the missing woodcutters home first. How about you just give us the directions to your farm and we'll head on over afterwards?"
Auriel offers Hupe an appreciative nod and quickly returns his attention to the woman, even though all the bowing and honorifics are making him feel a little unconfortable.
- Unruly children, you say? Has any child been missing lately, or any farmer failed to do their offering? - he asks, and regardig the woodcutters adds - We don't know that he has been taken yet. We may still find that he's simply left on his own accord - After overhearing Hex speaking to the drunken villager, Auriel leans a bit closer to the woman and asks - Do you know that man over there? Do you think the fey had something to do with his cows? We did see several cows on our way here but they seemed pretty healthy, same as the crops. Seems Kabel's Hill will have a bountiful harvest this year.
The paladin crosses eyes with Hex when she answers the drunk man, giving her an agreeing nod: they could definitely check that man's farm on the way to - or after checking - Halvin's house.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
It doesn’t have to be said twice, once there is mention of a hot meal, Carl pulls up a chair at a table, smiling at Grinna. He notes the behavior toward Auriel and Sylyra, and he leans over to Hex saying, “Guess they aren’t so impressed by dwarves or tieflings here. Just elves get the “special treatment.” Hrmmph.” Then the food arrives and he dives in, his mood buoyed. “Sounds like we’re headin to Halvin’s house. Whenever you are ready..”.