"Aye, the extra day would be advantageous. Especially if we be headed to the tavern" Gryrim nudges Kan in the thigh with his elbow and adds a wink for good measure. "Speaking of, now we've finished with the work" he turns to Alaestra "which way to the tap room young lady?"
Concern hovering in the Triboar Arms taproom makes Khessa as uncomfortable as the common folk there.
"All these people..." thinks the blonde arcane warrior, embracing them all with her blue eyes "Common people, simple people, who live together, work together... People with dreams... Simple but wonderful dreams, like a little luck, a peaceful life, a family... They don't deserve so much concern. I'd like to be able to reassure them somehow. But how?"
Suddenly, she has an idea: "Ev'alish, honey... I want to try to find out how well founded these people's concerns are. I think I'll go and see if Darathra Shendrel can speak with me and if she knows anything more specific. And while I am there, I will send Anator on an aerial patrol around the area. There are mostly plains around... since he can fly, he should be able to easily spot giants moving... if there are any. You do as you like," she pats him on his back "if you want, feel free to stay here and relax or book a room for tonight... or, if you prefer, come with me".
And with that, determined not to leave any stone unturned to find out more, Khessa goes out with the children from the inn and immediately instructs Anator: "Brother, I need you to help these people better, to understand if they are really in danger or not. I need you, who can fly, to scout the city surroundings from above. Take your time, take the whole afternoon. Fly in ever-widening circles and look for giants. People about as big as our friend Zephyros, that you got to know. As soon as you see giants, come back to me and tell me where you saw them and which direction they are moving. Thank you, my brother, that's one thing very important and I know I can count on you, as always! See you later".
As the bat sets out on its own reconnaissance mission, the tall adventurer asks for directions as to where she can find Darathra Shendrel and she, accompanied by Sarvin and Yondra, searches for her to ask for an audience.
Ev'alish ponders for a moment, nodding. "I desireth to assist the people of this town, mayhaps this Darathra Shendrel knows of ways we may be able to help."
He looks to Gryrim and Kan, who seem eager to rest. "I shalt accompany thee to find her, but first, let us take a moment of rest. A meal, a drink, and such. We hath traveled far to get here."
The dragonborn walks to the counter, paying for food and drink for everyone.
Kan nods appreciatively at Ev'alish. "I hate to whine, but Khessa tends to move at a much greater pace than I do. Swift to act. To dig in. To move on to the next step. I find I am a much more reticent person and more easily worn out than some. A drink. A meal I didn't have to make myself. A bath? A little comfort will carry me a lot further."
"But these folks, they are afraid. I still don't understand what we can do about all this, but I'm glad to be with you all, and if I can help even a little... It will be nice to find meaning there." He slurps at a drink and stares contentedly at the table.
As the rocks fly through the air toward the man, Ev’alish steps between them. The stones bounce harmlessly off his shining scales. He catches one, and regards the woman coldly. “And what, pray tell, justifies the attempted assault of an innocent man, hm? What quarrel doth thou have with us? - surely we art able to resolve this without throwing any more rocks.”
... as you turn and leave, you hear a scream. "You would dare to speak with those vile adventurers?!" An old woman is throwing rocks. ""Boo! Boo! Rubbish! Filth! Slime! Muck! Boo! Boo! Boo! " She turns on you. "Queen of Putrescence!" (Inspiration if you get this.)...
(OOC: great nschrock, yes, must be a citation from 'The Princess Bride'!)
"Why are you doing this?" Khessa asks, shocked by the woman's booing. But she does not come nearer, because she does not want to risk her children get struck by some thrown rock... plus Ev'alish is confronting the old woman already; the blonde arcane warrior simply awaits and listens, keeping Yondra and Sarvin behind herself.
"...ah."The dragonborn steps closer, dropping the pebble to the side. His voice is softer and lower. "Thou hath my condolenses for her. 'Tis unfortunate that she could not be saved. However... it sounds as though the adventurers charged with her rescue put up an attempt, at the very least, because they cared enough to try. Doth that not give people like them much worth, that they would do their best to save another from harm?"
"Truly, 'tis regrettable that the impression of people like us is a blight, rather than a boon. Know that we will do what we can to keep this town, and all others, safe, and help during the duration of our stay in return for the hospitality of thy town."
"My daughter was killed in Goldenfields, and the likes of you couldn't save her! You're worthless! What have you done to save people? You just eat our food and expect us to be grateful!" The woman shouts.
Khessa can no longer stay away, after what she hears: "Hey, I'm so sorry for what happened to you" she approaches, still holding Yondra and Sarvin by the hand. "What's your name? I'm Khessa and, see? I have children too. They are Yondra and Sarvin. And I know what would happen to my heart, if something bad happens to them. What was your daughter's name? Nobody will be able to give you back your daughter" says the tall arcane warrior "but we will at least make sure that no other woman suffers the same fate. We have just heard about the problems that have been in Goldenfield. We will go there. And after that, the giants won't give any more problems over there". She is about to leave to look for Darathra, but she stops and turns one last time: "One last thing, however, I would like to tell you. You can consider us worthless, for the fact that we do not always manage to do everything we want. It is your right, if you like. I'm in fact so wothless that I have not been even able to save one of my brothers from death. Or my family from slavery. But the Nightstone village, that I managed to save. And I learned a thing. I learned that a hero does what he can. Others, not even that. Don't give in to pain. Don't give in to hatred. Bitterness won't give you back your daughter. It will instead take away everything else too! It will take away other people. The pleasure of company. The pleasure of believing in something, of doing something you like... of living. Keep your heart open. It is the love that gives" and embraces her children. "I understand it. Don't forget it, please. And you too do what you can for the people you meet. Better that than stone them, believe me. Do it," her blue eyes sparkle with emotion and conviction together "and your daughter will live again in what you do. And when you, in the end of days, will meet again, she will smile with you and it will be as if you never left, because you always kept it with you".
"I'm so glad to hear you say that!" Khessa hugs the woman and kisses her on the cheeks "Very good! Those who never changes their mind... are only those who have none! Your life will be better, you'll see! And don't worry, I'm not here to tell tales; I'm here, with the help of my brave companions, like my beloved Ev'alish and..." puts an arm on the shoulders of the dragonborn, as he is close to her... then she looks around to see if Kan and Gryrim are there too, but she doesn't see them at the moment, so she continues "...and many others, to try to prevent the giants from causing trouble and, perhaps, one day, to stop them altogether. I will do everything possible to make this happen and the memory of people like you will give me strength and courage every time I feel like I'm about to fall. And since I would like to remember you... may I know your name?"
"Aye, the extra day would be advantageous. Especially if we be headed to the tavern" Gryrim nudges Kan in the thigh with his elbow and adds a wink for good measure. "Speaking of, now we've finished with the work" he turns to Alaestra "which way to the tap room young lady?"
Concern hovering in the Triboar Arms taproom makes Khessa as uncomfortable as the common folk there.
"All these people..." thinks the blonde arcane warrior, embracing them all with her blue eyes "Common people, simple people, who live together, work together... People with dreams... Simple but wonderful dreams, like a little luck, a peaceful life, a family... They don't deserve so much concern. I'd like to be able to reassure them somehow. But how?"
Suddenly, she has an idea: "Ev'alish, honey... I want to try to find out how well founded these people's concerns are. I think I'll go and see if Darathra Shendrel can speak with me and if she knows anything more specific. And while I am there, I will send Anator on an aerial patrol around the area. There are mostly plains around... since he can fly, he should be able to easily spot giants moving... if there are any. You do as you like," she pats him on his back "if you want, feel free to stay here and relax or book a room for tonight... or, if you prefer, come with me".
And with that, determined not to leave any stone unturned to find out more, Khessa goes out with the children from the inn and immediately instructs Anator: "Brother, I need you to help these people better, to understand if they are really in danger or not. I need you, who can fly, to scout the city surroundings from above. Take your time, take the whole afternoon. Fly in ever-widening circles and look for giants. People about as big as our friend Zephyros, that you got to know. As soon as you see giants, come back to me and tell me where you saw them and which direction they are moving. Thank you, my brother, that's one thing very important and I know I can count on you, as always! See you later".
As the bat sets out on its own reconnaissance mission, the tall adventurer asks for directions as to where she can find Darathra Shendrel and she, accompanied by Sarvin and Yondra, searches for her to ask for an audience.
Ev'alish ponders for a moment, nodding. "I desireth to assist the people of this town, mayhaps this Darathra Shendrel knows of ways we may be able to help."
He looks to Gryrim and Kan, who seem eager to rest. "I shalt accompany thee to find her, but first, let us take a moment of rest. A meal, a drink, and such. We hath traveled far to get here."
The dragonborn walks to the counter, paying for food and drink for everyone.
Kan nods appreciatively at Ev'alish. "I hate to whine, but Khessa tends to move at a much greater pace than I do. Swift to act. To dig in. To move on to the next step. I find I am a much more reticent person and more easily worn out than some. A drink. A meal I didn't have to make myself. A bath? A little comfort will carry me a lot further."
"But these folks, they are afraid. I still don't understand what we can do about all this, but I'm glad to be with you all, and if I can help even a little... It will be nice to find meaning there." He slurps at a drink and stares contentedly at the table.
Paladin - warforged - orange
As the rocks fly through the air toward the man, Ev’alish steps between them. The stones bounce harmlessly off his shining scales. He catches one, and regards the woman coldly. “And what, pray tell, justifies the attempted assault of an innocent man, hm? What quarrel doth thou have with us? - surely we art able to resolve this without throwing any more rocks.”
(tell Mr trump to leave princess buttercup alone! Lol)
Paladin - warforged - orange
(OOC: great nschrock, yes, must be a citation from 'The Princess Bride'!)
"Why are you doing this?" Khessa asks, shocked by the woman's booing. But she does not come nearer, because she does not want to risk her children get struck by some thrown rock... plus Ev'alish is confronting the old woman already; the blonde arcane warrior simply awaits and listens, keeping Yondra and Sarvin behind herself.
"...ah." The dragonborn steps closer, dropping the pebble to the side. His voice is softer and lower. "Thou hath my condolenses for her. 'Tis unfortunate that she could not be saved. However... it sounds as though the adventurers charged with her rescue put up an attempt, at the very least, because they cared enough to try. Doth that not give people like them much worth, that they would do their best to save another from harm?"
"Truly, 'tis regrettable that the impression of people like us is a blight, rather than a boon. Know that we will do what we can to keep this town, and all others, safe, and help during the duration of our stay in return for the hospitality of thy town."
Khessa can no longer stay away, after what she hears: "Hey, I'm so sorry for what happened to you" she approaches, still holding Yondra and Sarvin by the hand. "What's your name? I'm Khessa and, see? I have children too. They are Yondra and Sarvin. And I know what would happen to my heart, if something bad happens to them. What was your daughter's name? Nobody will be able to give you back your daughter" says the tall arcane warrior "but we will at least make sure that no other woman suffers the same fate. We have just heard about the problems that have been in Goldenfield. We will go there. And after that, the giants won't give any more problems over there".
She is about to leave to look for Darathra, but she stops and turns one last time: "One last thing, however, I would like to tell you. You can consider us worthless, for the fact that we do not always manage to do everything we want. It is your right, if you like. I'm in fact so wothless that I have not been even able to save one of my brothers from death. Or my family from slavery. But the Nightstone village, that I managed to save. And I learned a thing. I learned that a hero does what he can. Others, not even that. Don't give in to pain. Don't give in to hatred. Bitterness won't give you back your daughter. It will instead take away everything else too! It will take away other people. The pleasure of company. The pleasure of believing in something, of doing something you like... of living. Keep your heart open. It is the love that gives" and embraces her children. "I understand it. Don't forget it, please. And you too do what you can for the people you meet. Better that than stone them, believe me. Do it," her blue eyes sparkle with emotion and conviction together "and your daughter will live again in what you do. And when you, in the end of days, will meet again, she will smile with you and it will be as if you never left, because you always kept it with you".
Kan walks faster to avoid the uncomfortable situation
Paladin - warforged - orange
(Should I too? (no advantage, rp not nearly as good))
If needed: Persuasion: 6
Ok, let's try Persuasion: 5
(Where is a high cha warlock and/or sorcerer, when you need it? 😉)
"I'm so glad to hear you say that!" Khessa hugs the woman and kisses her on the cheeks "Very good! Those who never changes their mind... are only those who have none! Your life will be better, you'll see! And don't worry, I'm not here to tell tales; I'm here, with the help of my brave companions, like my beloved Ev'alish and..." puts an arm on the shoulders of the dragonborn, as he is close to her... then she looks around to see if Kan and Gryrim are there too, but she doesn't see them at the moment, so she continues "...and many others, to try to prevent the giants from causing trouble and, perhaps, one day, to stop them altogether. I will do everything possible to make this happen and the memory of people like you will give me strength and courage every time I feel like I'm about to fall. And since I would like to remember you... may I know your name?"
Ev'alish nods. "We shalt not fail thee. As we become stronger we will be able to keep thy town, and many others, safer, madam."
Once the woman gives her name and they part ways, the dragonborn continues onward as they go find Darathra Shendrel.
Kan is up ahead at this point doing his best to pretend he has no idea what's happening back with this woman.
Paladin - warforged - orange