Savage Harvest- adventure thread

"Well, um, you know Luke that you met before, he knows a few tricks and has changed his appearance to play the role of a Lord Farquaad at this banquet, so the man sitting next to Irongrass is in fact Luke." Sasha explains to Loran in a lowered voice, then smiling innocently over at Lord Farquaad and Irongrass.

In between bites "I do hope I can see the tower and maybe read some of the books you have about the Brotherhood's history. I do love history"

Loran lowers his own voice in response. Poking at random glyphs he tries to get some food. Wouldnt make sense to show up but not eat. "But... He was? Aw forget it." Combat Training, Strange invitations to a fancy dinner, Magic Gnomes, Lord Farquaad? This routine Sheep Selling journey has certainly become something beyond his expectations. "Well i hope he gets... Whatever it is he wants out of that." Loran says with an even lower voice. His face red hot with embarrassment. ("I wanna go home...")

The night passes. You eat your fill of delicious food, have wonderful conversations and dance to well played music. The lady of the house gave a short speech welcoming the guests and thanking the staff and the apprentices for the quality event. She announced the festival and sale was an outstanding success, bringing in the largest profits seen in many years and leading to some new contacts and partnerships with neighboring towns and cities. And the last announcement was addressed to you all with a heartfelt thanks for the heroics of the other day, saving lives and discovering of a piece of ancient past no one knew was here. A place that will receive the scrutiny and restoration it deserves. As you are about to head back to your rooms there is no sign of Rikaria or any of the other apprentices as the people begin to file out of the hall. Gerty, while keeping her eye out nonchalantly for Rikaria, notices a rather tall man looking at her from a distance. He has long dirty blonde hair, no beard but large mutton chop sideburns. He realizes she has seen him and he quickly disappears into the crowd leaving

after realizing Rikaria is not going to show at this time, you all head back to your rooms for deeply restful sleep.

Sasha would eat quickly and then start to mingle around, sitting down in empty seats at other tables, starting conversatíons with anyone who would care to talk to her. As the dance begins she gets Aaron on the dance floor, seeing if she would improve on her dancing since rehearsal, dancing until her small feet ache, going for some more wine and some fresh air. If opportunity presents itself she would also make another appearance with her performance from yesterday at the Gilded Horseshoe, recounting the friends' heroics facing the terrifying Dibberdoo, making several illusions to enhance the performance. She is sorry to not see Rik as the place closes for the night but she would definitely also take a moonlight swim in the local pond before going to bed after a long and wonderful evening.

Luke ate his fill, some of Gerty’s, and Sasha’s leftover dessert, before stealing Will’s as he was parading around as Lord Farquad. He slept well and is waiting downstairs for his friends and new traveling companions

Aaron would take a similar path, though pressing the button for seconds and maybe even thirds if possible. Beyond that, the rest of the night would be a blur of drinking, dancing, and living up one of the highlights of his life up until this point. 

As Gerty notices the man, she continues to look for him once he disappears.  When she can't spot him again, she heads over to Loren, "Did you see a tall man with dirty blond hair and mutton chops?  I thought I saw you looking around, so thought I'd ask?  I don't know him, just an odd feeling."

Once the evening is done, she does the same and is ready bright and early in the morning to head to Mirabar.

Loran is lost in his own thoughts all night until Gerty questions him. "Oh? Um. No not at all. I feel like id notice someone like that... Ill keep an eye out for you though Gerty."

When Loran gets back to his room, he'll head straight to bed so he's ready for tommorows journey.

William collects his silver coins, hoping it was impressive enough for the Master Wizard. He has a nice dinner and chat away with the people at the table. He doesn't forget his friends and shows them the (iron) grass blade. Will has a bit too much wine and doesn't notice Luke stealing his leftover dessert. He was keeping an eye out for Rikaria, but as the party went one he completely forgot about her. William quickly falls asleep when his head hits the pillow. 

(Was Gerty the only one who saw the man?)

Come dawn, Aaron would get out of bed early and make his way home quickly to say his goodbyes. His mother would be up and out tending to the livestock well before he arrived. 

"Ma! I got good news! We sold every single horse and cow for a whopping 355 gold!"

His mother would be very happy and proud of him, hugging him and telling him she knew he would do well. She would give him 10% of the profit for his hard work (35.5g)

"And uh, I got some other news. Well you know Ma, I'm a grown boy now and I need to be making my own way in the world.."

He would see at this point, her happiness starting to fade a bit, uncertain as to what the next few words would be

"and as such, I'm joining that adventuring crew, and were heading off to Mirabar."

All happiness would fade from her face at this point, and the look of a concerned parent would stay for the remainder of his time there. Over the next hour, Aaron would go on to explain the importance of this to him, the riches he could bring home for them and the farm, and the need to grow up and live his life. She would rebuttal with the risks and dangers of adventuring, being out of Longsaddle being dangerous, but in the end she would come to understand his motivation and need. They would share a heartfelt goodbye, and then Aaron would gather his things.

"Before you go, Aaron - there is something your father wished you to have when you are ready. Though I'm not sure if that is now, Perhaps you will find out in the future. Here - take this." 

She hands him a necklace, at the end of it a strange looking amulet, carved in what appeared to be Ivory. Aaron would place it around his neck.

"Only your father new what its purpose was, you know how he is. I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough." She would say, crossing her arms and giving him a reassuring smirk. "Well go on then, get! Shake the dust off Longsaddle, and go find out what the world is all about. and be safe! Wear armor, and wield that axe like your life depends on it!"

As he leaves with his horse and cattle, he waves back at his mother - uncertain when he would see her again...

...Eventually, he would find himself outside of the inn, likely just as the others are making their way out. "Finally up, are you? Come on, we've got a long journey ahead of us. Daylights burnin'!" 

Over from the pens Sasha comes skipping and dancing in the morning sun, playing her small flute, leading a sizeable flock of sheep that seems to follow the merry tune of her flute. With the sheeps milling and bleating behind her Sasha stops and gives Aaron a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for dancing with me, I really enjoyed last night." She says with a warm smile. "So how did things go with your mother?" She asks curiously.

Luke rides Brownie over to Aaron and Sasha "Good morning to yas. The horses are all hitched to the wagons just need loadin.I am ready when everyone else is"

Aaron face goes red as he’s struck with nervous emotions, “I uuhhuh yeah Ma haha, yeah she’s good, yeah.” He smiles awkwardly tries to lean on the horse to look smooth but the horse moves away, causing him to stumble over a bit. He catches himself and stands up straight, smiling. 

William has a slow start but seems jovial enough. He take care of the bulls and oxen before he goes searching for his friends.

Sasha laughs warmly at the very suave Aaron, then turning to Luke and Will as they join them. "Morning boys, ready for new adventures?"

For sure! But... after all that happend... what if it gets boring now? What if there are no adventures, but just selling cheese and cows?

"Isn't that adventurous enough for you Will? Who knows what might happen at an auction." Sasha says with a soft laugh. "Don't worry, I can smell adventure coming our way, or is it just the smell of my friends here?" She says laughing again, as she pats one of the sheep that mills around her.

“You never know Will. A group of bandits could see us young farmers and think easy prey!”

Let's hope so!