Yes, our friend Emporious recently fell in battle. We are all a bit distraught still. 

Barbär does order the drinks as polite as possible, and distributes the stiens.

We may not look it, but we've been through very weird encounters here. Theres no telling what mysteries you can find here with so much information in one spot.

He raises a cup, 

To Emporious, of Altus!

Isa raises her cup, a single tear comes down her right cheek.

"To Emporious of Altus, may his soul find rest"

Hino’s cheeriness quickly fades when her teammates lament the loss of Emporious. I thought that wax and buffing worked those emotions outta me?! she thinks to herself.

She pouts when she sees Mav approach the table. Speaking a little too loudly for his apparent headache, “And you didn’t think to invite me, the Party Queen, to your little soirée?  You doth stabeth moi!”

She then raises an empty cup in the air to salute Emporious (as she doesn’t need to eat or drink, and liquor has no effect on her).

“Drink!  And live among the good!” Hino toasts. And then proceeds to hop her chair a little closer to Flynt. 

Flynt snaps his head around at the sound of the door. His hand instinctively falls to the hand crossbow at his hip. He relaxes as the tiefling crosses the room. A soft chuckle of empathy escapes his lips as Mavs head hits the bar.

"No worries friend been there myself a time or two." Flynt replies to Mav. 

Before he can introduce himself his eyes pop wide at Barbär's toast. "Wait did you say Emporious is dead?" The man slumps a bit at the news. "I was actually on my way to warn him that the man who cursed Altus escaped. Figured he might come here for revenge. Flynt McGraw by the way. Sheriff of Altus"

“It figures that Altus would appoint a handsome, strapping young man such as yourself to be their Sheriff!  But yeah, unfortunately, our friend and colleague Emporious was brutally murdered in our last mission. But by a bunch of hags, and not this cursed chap you’re looking for.”

Continuing, “Do you think this cursed soul is still lurking around here, ready to strike at any moment?”  Hino snuggles in closer to Flynt, as if she were looking for his protection. 

Very noble of you, Flynt. But im sorry to deliver such news, It was a hard fought battle. He may rest now. He did what he sought out to do, to save his people. Was Emporious a friend of yours? Any friend of his must be a decent person, he wasn't the most talkative, but very smart. Its not often you see folks on the road from the same town. 

Speaking of knowing people, where is Orvok? Have any of you seen him since he's had his petrification lifted? 

"Well I wouldn't worry too much about it little lady. I doubt he'll have the stones to show up but I'll stick around a couple days just in case." Flynt puts an arm around Hino and strokes her arm.  "Now that the curse is lifted things have quieted down a bit in Altus. I knew Emporious when we were pups. We used to run around the orchards together. He's been gone for sometime. Off learnin' the magical ways I was told. Altus will remember him always. Was a great service he did. So tell me more about these hags. Sounds likes justice needs to be served."

"Wait did you say Emporious is dead?" The man slumps a bit at the news. "I was actually on my way to warn him that the man who cursed Altus escaped. Figured he might come here for revenge. Flynt McGraw by the way. Sheriff of Altus....So tell me more about these hags. Sounds likes justice needs to be served."

Isa really didn't want to relive the terrifying thoughts that were floating around in her mind, she needed closure but that didn't seem to be in the cards for her especially with this new guy that just happen to show up looking for Emporious.  He's a Sheriff for god's sake, he's probably going to investigate Emporious's death and that would point fingers right at her....especially after she tried to save him but failed miserably possibly causing his ultimate demise.  She starts feeling a bit faint as her face turns pale from her thoughts running rampant.  She closes her eyes for a moment and tries to calm down and clear her head.  She is visibly a bit distraught.

"I am so sorry for your loss" she says quietly as she stares at the table "did you know him well?"

Noting Isa's pained expression Flynt responds softly, "Naw, not really. Not anymore anyway. But I can tell y'alls must have been through some stuff. Sorry for stirring up hard feelings. I won't press further. Though I would like to know more about the hags. Might be I can give you hand if you're plannin' on going after them."

"Please.... I can't.... don't make me relive that...." Isa mutters as she shakes her head and clenches her eyes shut "I just.... I can't." she puts her head in her hands "It's just too soon"

Actually my friend, we may seem capable, but we arent ready for that. The loss of Emporious showed us that. I vowed i would finish the hags off. I cant stand such evil being allowed to thrive. They took my friend. They will die. But now is not the time unfortunately. What training i have in the military guard tells me we need to study a bit more. Theres spells ive not yet been able to understand that could change tides with the help of the people before you. I care much for him, and when it comes time, you are more than welcome to join us in that fight. In fact you may join us on what ever we are doing next.

"Sure, I'll tag along. Looks like I'll be around for awhile anyway. Might as well make myself useful." says Flynt. "Where do we begin?'

“Well,” Hino adds, “we might need to figure out your sleeping arrangements, seeing that you’re planning on staying in town for a few days and all…” as she looks up to him, batting her eyelashes suggestively. “Wouldn’t want you getting cold and lonely amongst all these bookworms here…”

Orvok strides into the bar, head up and shoulders relaxed. He sees his friends sat with the stranger and walks over..

’How are you all?’ he asks, sounding more at peace than he’s been in some time.

"Well we'll walk that dog when the time comes." Flynt replies with a wink.  " Now if you don't mind I'm gonna walk around a bit and make sure my guy isn't here. Let me know if I can be of assistance."

Flynt stands up, grabs the brim of his hat and says, "Ladies." He gives a nod of recognition to Orvok then proceeds out of the bar. 

Mav realizes he's missing his bowler, and his jacket and cane and looks around, finally settling on the door he came out of and sighs.

"I will be right back...." and heads over to the door he came out of, takes one large breath and opens the door.

More bubbles, and bits of colored paper come out of the door when it opens along with the chorus of a rather bawdy song, and he disappears back in to the room.

Hino politely stands up when Flynt and Mav leave the table, but quickly settles back down, and motions to Orvok to grab a chair next to her.  "Orvok, buddy-ol-pal!  How's the beard hanging?"

Barbär starts waving Orvok over, Yes, please join us. How are you feeling friend? It is good to see you up and moving once again. And besides, theres just not enough dwarves around. He chuckles  also i believe we may have picked up yet another member. A type of law-man. You passed him on his way out when you were coming in.

The door once again opens, and Mav exits gracefully this time, wearing his bowler and his suitcoat, you can hear him thanking everyone for a lovely time as he backs out and closes the door behind him.  Then wanders back to the table , looking his usual dapper self.

"Ahh Orvok, there you are....how have you fared my friend."

Orvok sits down, making eye contact with each of you, and nodding solemnly to each in turn.

‘I have been communing with my god. Reaffirming my faith, and restoring my self-worth.’ he looks around to you all ‘The divine Clangeddin reminded me, that failure for those who survive only makes us stronger, makes us wiser. We may have failed in our choices, and lost Emporious as a result, but if we learn from that, we can move forwards, honouring the loss. We will return to avenge him, but only when we’re stronger, and better prepared, to end the tyranny. But first a drink…’ he beckons over a server who brings a round of drinks.

‘To Emporious, to wiser action, to the future…’