Vernon will have a mug of the Wind and Wolf Farmhouse ale. "I offered a Goblin a chance to surrender, but it drew its weapon, so I bashed it out of a hay loft with my mace. I'd call it my trusty mace, but I missed the Worg I attacked with it, and I haven't had a chance to use it on anything else..."

Osmord stirs from his silence. He finds the bustle of life within the city to be stifling having mostly stayed within the country and smaller settlements before now. He listens to the music and poetic creations of his companions, and nods in appreciation for their talent. All the time he is considering the question of their new friend.

"The last life I took, was also a wretched Orc. I put it to sleep." he cocks his head to one side remembering the hulking warrior disappearing beneath the water never to return, "A simple spell sleep, alas the orc was swimming. The nap was fatal...."

Zyllith pointedly refused to answer anything regarding her last kill to this bard. Instead she added more to the other topic of conversation, "Aye, seems Giant folk be stirrin' trouble. Heard them were droppin' boulders on towns an' stealin' big important stones. None idea or reason as ta' why."

Elion responds to Osmord's tale with intrigue. "Slipping beneath the surface while slumbering in a magical snooze. That horrid orc probably had no idea what befell him as he woke up in the on the other side. Imagine his surprise... What would he tell his god? Not that I pity the foul creature, the fewer orcs there are in the world, the better we'll all be."

To Zyllith, Elion responds, "That sounds like a very odd circumstance. I know nothing of giants, but what would propel them to suddenly attack small towns and steal from common folk?  This is a mystery indeed. Are you by chance investigating this strange occurrence, or are you merely intrigued by these rumors?"

In response, Zyllith nodded to Elion with a mischievous smirk on her face and simply said, "Aye"

The pale skinned elf responds to Zyllith's sly remark with a knowing nod. "You're not from around here... that much I know, but I won't pry. However, I will inquire as to where you are headed tomorrow, only so that I may know what to expect. And I promise I won't be a drag on you; in fact, I can even be of help in certain situations, and I'm quick enough to keep myself out of trouble."

Arisa (Again less cautious and more talkative than usual)  says, yet quietly so as not to be overheard  “we are on an errand to Goldenfields.  I don’t think we expect too much danger- it is considered a safe place and not a very dangerous road.  But we certainly appreciate any help you can provide.”

Belkas leans a little closer over the table to Elion and says, "We aren't investigating, but it seems to me that if an enormous castle filled with rock-lobbing giants is flying around the countryside, then someone should have seen it and know where it has gone, or where it came from. You say you don't know anything about giants, but do you know someone who would?"

Elion answers. "I do not know anyone who has knowledge of rock-lobbing giants who fly around in cloud castles... at least not firsthand knowledge. As you can see, I mostly hang around artists and poets... people who have probably made up such stories in their own minds,, but I don't think they're going to be the most reliable sources of accurate information."

"I am glad to accompany you to Goldenfields. I have never been there myself, so I look forward to the journey. It sounds like a very pastoral place. Not exactly one that would bring to mind epic tales of death and glory, but I'm betting that if I hang around you for any length of time, I'll find what I seek."

While they sit and talk Osmord slips out the golden holy symbol of Asmodeus he recovered from the abandoned hut back in Nightstone. He shows it to Elion.

"Before we leave here... I wish to sell this trinket. Where might we take it?"

Belkas gets up to stretch his legs. When Elion is talking to the others, behind his back Belkas casts Suggestion, hoping that the alcohol and good times have made Elion more susceptible.

Belkas leans over and says, "Tell us all the reasons you want to travel with us."

 _____

DC WIS 13

Elion's eyes perk up at he sight of the golden symbol that Osmord produces. He then gives you a knowing smile. "Now, that's a pretty piece. I don't know too much about holy items, but as it just so happens,  I do know a guy who might be interested to take that off your hands. I could take you to him... for a small finder's fee. Is that agreeable?"

When Belkas, casts his Suggestion spell, Elion picks up his glass of farmhouse ale and says with a slightly inebriated tone, "I told ya, I think my artistic muse would benefit greatly if I were in the company of some hearty adventurers, instead of plodding along on my own or tagging along with boring merchant caravans. Truth be told, I lived a bit of a sheltered life when I was younger, and just want to get out and see more of the world, especially the more exciting and brutal parts that were hidden from me by my uppity father and all the expensive nannies he sheltered me with."

"You say that you don't expect much danger on this errand o' yours, but I know better... if there's one thing that's true in this world, it's that sooner or later, all adventurers like you come face to face with death, whether it's their own or if they deal it to the monsters that they slay. I just want to see that up close... well, maybe not too close, although I ain't no spring chicken, I got a blade of my own, and I know how to use it if I have to, and I'm quicker than most regular folk if I need to duck out of the way."

"I want to be as good a poet as Berio, but I just don't have the experience to draw from like he's got... at least not yet. I guess what I'm saying is that I know I gotta pay my dues, and I see traveling with you folk as a stepping stone."

Osmord peers up at Belkas with a knowing smile. "I think he speaks true, and if he should be false... then death he shall find."

To Elion he replies, "We will share the gold. An equal split amongst us. Get us a good price." he gestures to all of the others and places the holy relic in front of the newcomer.

Elion perks up at Osmord's suggestion. "Tis a fair deal indeed! I could run over and see this fellow that I know right now and come back with our take while you all enjoy your food and drink. Is that acceptable?"

"I am pleased to meet a man with such a passion for his art. I do wonder if it is safe for you to wander the streets alone at this hour with valuables. Perhaps some, or all, of us should accompany you and provide protection."

Belkas looks at the others questioningly. 

Osmord shrugs, "A small test of trust... should answer our concerns no? I say let him go."

The tortle leans over and presses his thumb on Elions hand, using Prestidigitation he causes a small black skull to appear on the mans skin.

"You have one hour friend, then the mark will fade away. That would not be good." as he says the last he draws a finger across his throat to hint at the consequences. He then winks and motions for the fellow to be off. He then turns to Belkas and speaks in a friendly tone,

"If I own a dog, why then should I learn to bark? We need rest and food."

Elion watches curiously as Osmord puts the small skull mark on his hand, and then looks up at the turtle. "Whoa... you really are something else, man! I'd say you're just my cup 'o tea! I think I'm going to like traveling with you, and if you'll have it, perhaps you can teach me a few things."

"One hour... shouldn't need any more!"

With that, the pale skinned elf gets up, looks again at his hand, gives you another curious look, then grabs the symbol before rushing off, his black cloak flowing behind. While he's gone, the rest of you continue to partake in your food and drink, and watch as another duo gets up on stage, Ellen and Erky, as they're called; a tall brown haired human girl in her late teens, singing and humming ethereal melodies, while accompanied by a young male gnome who weaves complimentary themes around her voice with a shawm, a flared reeded wind instrument that resembles a cross between a recorder and an oboe. It's quite a pleasing combination, and the crowd seems to really like them.

Just after their set finishes, you look over an see Elion re-enter the tavern and confidently stride over to your table. Without a word, he sits down, reaches into his cloak pocket and pulls forth a small pouch, which he plops on the table with a soft "chink." When you inspect the bag, you find 75 gp inside. 

"Funny bloke tha' one." Zyllith said out loud after watching Elion walk away, "Might be makin' thin's interesting at least."

She enjoyed the performances along with everyone else in the group until the pale elf returned, after seeing the take he brought in she looked up at him with a playful smile, "Nice haul, mate. Might be I shoulda' come with, though. Coulda' got 90 bits outa tha' deal."

“Nice work” says Arisa.  “And I guess we can trust you. -at least 75 gold worth!”  

To Zyllith, Elion answers with a grin, "Well, maybe so, and maybe not, but you agreed to let me do the bargaining, and this is what I got."

He then raises his drink and says, "Here's to whatever adventures lie ahead, and hoping that death finds none of US too soon!"