"It is a shame Aalsan will journey with me no longer... I do not have many allies in this foreign place. But if you would accept me into your company, I would fight by your side. Packless wolves die quick when winter comes."

She then turns her attention to Crannoc. "My home? The Carafairn Frostlands. It is a cold, savage place. Full of hardy beasts and vicious monsters. There are a few pockets of civilization, but they mostly keep to themselves. My people are not hunters, plant man Crannoc. We are custodians. Inheritors. Protectors. We live in the far north of the continent in our city-fortress, the Halidom. There, goblinkind worships the Precursors and studies and preserves their relics with the hopes that one day we may unlock their secrets and follow them into the Light Beyond. My armor is based on their sacred designs, but there are many greater wonders within the ice-shielded Halidom. We do have strict orders in our society. The hierarchs, I suppose you would call them high priests or archbishops, steer the course of society and we follow. I left... because I am searching for someone. I have yet to find him. I will not return home until I do."

Kass seems to grow self-conscious and quickly changes the subject, clearing her throat. "Bronze warrior Miesha, I have technology that could give us further information on these items... a way to identify them, but I would require a component object to power my scanner. A pearl might do the trick, but I do not have such a thing."

     “All are welcome, as I see it,” Miesha says with a small, slightly distracted by the newly alive silver bird.  “I figure we’ll help where we see help is needed, investigate whatever strikes our fancy, and take on whatever jobs we can all agree upon…  if that’s agreeable.”

     Miesha then listens to Kass as she speaks of her home, finishing up breakfast as she does.  “A pearl?  Might be somewhere in town to purchase such a thing.  How many would you need?  If we cannot find for sale perhaps the Lonsvells would have such they could lend?”

Jasper's eyes go wide at the sight of the silver raven and he instinctively turns his shoulders in such a way as to try to hide such a thing from the general public at the Inn but soon realizes it is already too late and he probably should have done this in private.

"Ah, well hello.  What is your name, friend?"

Jasper - The raven opens its mouth and, in response, produces a sound that it has seemingly replicated. “Agor.”

"All are welcome..." Crannoc repeats Miesha's words, not really making a definitive statement but examining the words and finding that he approves.

He listens intently to Kass' account of her faraway homeland and people, of her reason for venturing out.  We all seek differently but we are all... welcome.

He will accept the scrolls with reverence if given, but his mouth drops open with wonder at the silver raven.  As if a creature of Temuth, yet not.  Made of rare metal instead of flesh and bone and feathers.  I wonder - does it fly free, or is it bound to Jasper, or whoever its... owner(?) is.

Crannoc - If you would like to understand more of Agor's life and sentience, you may make a Nature check.

Crannoc Nature check:  14 

Crannoc - This raven, Agor, is under the command of Jasper, the one who spoke its command word. It does not live free as you might believe a bird is meant to do. However, it does not seem upset by its lack of freedom, as it is not entirely the same as its living counterparts. It has a semblance of a mind, but not one that allows it to be dissatisfied with the life it has. It doesn’t seem entirely natural to you, but the concern you might have over the subjugation of a creature is somewhat eased by the knowledge that it lacks the mind of a true animal.

Crannoc thinks he understands and inclines his head slightly, as the willow bends before an unexpected wind.

"I think you have been honored with the service of this raven, Jasper.  It may help you and us, perhaps as a scout or messenger, if we all continue to hunt together, as I hope we do."

"Greetings Agor!  Let's get to know one another more outside, away from so many ears."

Jasper stands and looks to Maggwyn with a shrug.  "Yeah, yeah, ok, 'wizard' it is, at least of a sort.  Laugh about it and you'll still get the sword over a ball of fire or getting turned into a toad."

After taking a few steps away from the table towards the door Jasper drops his shoulders a bit and turns to Crannoc to say less than enthusiastically "you can come if you want to learn more about our new friend."

(OOC: Happy to chat with Agor or others for another couple of days until kqstark is back from vacation so Maggwyn can be involved in going to the Apothecary.)

(I have a quick moment… trying to keep up best I can)

Maggwyn’s eyes pop open as the raven transforms,”Well now, that’s something you don’t see everyday.  And ain’t that how it goes, the cat with the canary.”  She reaches forward and grabs some grub, nodding to Miesha in thanks.  As they had been discussing their next move, “I’m not one to stick with others, as Jasper knows, but the ritual yesterday - that concerns me,  If there is a way to discern more about that and see what we can do to help, I’m all for it.” She turns to Jasper, “Want to go check out that apothecary?” 

(Sorry, just saw the OCC - not sure what was going on.  Yeah, I won’t be around much… so sorry!)

Jasper raises a surprised eyebrow at Maggwyn when she expressed a desire to help with the cult.  Surely she wouldn't work for free...again.

If there is no other business with the party Jasper will step outside and ask Agor questions such as where he is from, how he was created and what his desires are.  Does he expect anything of Jasper when they are working together?  Does he have any particular talents?  If he is injured or somehow destroyed is it permanent or does he simply return to figurine form?

Crannoc simply inclines his head again, sensing that Jasper wants to talk privately with the raven and with Maggwyn.  And perhaps head to the apothecary they mentioned.  The feline's body language does not seem to invite further company and Crannoc does not wish to impose.

Big cats are best not intruded upon.

Jasper - The raven follows you outside obediently. It responds to each of your questions to the best of its ability, seemingly piecing together its speech from other sentences it has heard. “I travel about often, but I did so more in the past. My previous owner stopped adventuring and settled down here, since I’ve only carried messages a short distance. I do not have memory of my creation, but I have passed through many different hands on my way to serve you. My talents include: mimicry, recognizance, message delivery, and similar tasks. However, I was once used to help defeat a dragon. My combat skills are not extensive, but if I am damaged too severely I will revert to my Figurine Form and remain there for a short time. My only goal is, at this time, to serve and help you as best as I can.”

Crannoc, Kass, and Miesha - As you discuss where you might locate a pearl, Stira pipes up. “There’s an artisans’ center in town where they sell most good someone living in Aoswell could need. If you’re looking for something truly unique you could try the Apothecary. She always collects the oddest items.”

Crannoc looks at Miesha and Kass.

"Shall try the A...apothecary first?  It sounded as if that is where Jasper and Maggwyn are headed in any case.  If we find we need something more mundane or less ah... expensive, we can visit the art-artisan's center."  He tries to put up a good front as if "apothecary" and "artisan's center" are phrases familiar to him, but clearly stumbles on the words, sycamore seedling wobbling unsteadily on his shoulder.

     "We may as well walk about town a bit and see what it has to offer," Miesha suggests.  "The apothecary is as good a place to start as any."  Miesha gobbles up the last of her food and washes it down with the last of her drink, putting a couple extra silver upon the table for those who work at the establishment.  

     "And we have yet to decide on a plan of what to do next...  We know of this strange spot in the woods, was it?  Anyone else know where else we may be needed?  Or be able to earn an honest gold?" she asks, knowing it is a concern to some.

Jasper asks Agor "oh, who was your previous owner?"  "Will you tell me of your adventures with them some time, and of the defeat of the dragon?"

Jasper nods to Maggwyn that they should get moving to the apothecary and begins walking in that direction.

"Yes," Kass says to Crannoc, rising from her seat. "Let us go and acquire this pearl, then."

Exiting the Inn, the five of you head towards Birgon’s Apothecary. The dirt streets are filled with people in the final stages of their preparation for the envoy.

You enter the small wooden building labeled “Birgon’s Apothecary.” The interior smells of numerous plants, oils, and other concoctions. It is quite confronting at first, but once your senses have a moment to adapt it is less shocking. There are shelves on all walls, various plants hanging from the ceiling, a counter at the back of the space, and a door behind the counter.

Standing in the front room is the old dwarf woman you saw with Lord Sorlar at the celebration. She is tidying a shelf as you come in. “Welcome in, heroes! What can I do for you?” Her voice is lively despite its age and has a distinct rasp to it.

Crannoc of course inspects the plants hanging from the ceiling and anything else that appears to come from the natural world, using Telekinetic Mage Hand as necessary (gently) instead of touching anything himself.

He gives his odd bow to the dwarven woman.  "You have an intriguing shop my... lady, full of wonders from both Temuth's world and the world of cities.  I believe my companions are in search of an item?" (He looks at Kass and Miesha) "... perhaps more than one item.  Also I think during the feast last night, we were discussing with you the possibility of investigating the tablet we recovered from the cultists and gnolls yesterday in the Lonsvell abode?"