Elthana watches on as Sam actually dumps the goliath in the well.
"Sam!! Just because we stunned and incapacitated him gives you no right to do that! I.. I have no words."
When Hog states he needs some help, Elthana runs over and moves him over solid ground. "I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened, I know this was just a demonstration."
Elthana drags the floating man back over solid ground then he waits a moment until she is clear, before dismissing the spell and crashing down onto his head, Hog lays on the frosty ground for a moment dazed and staring up at the clouds, "not technically dead though right, summonable creatures that come back and are the same creatures... they're not technically alive either, though I am sorry about them, and feel a while lot worse about Gewyn. Anyway the cold, the missiles and the levitate came from this staff, it also has some force spells, rat of enfeeblement, hold monster, globe of invulnerability,"he stands and casts that one on himself to demonstrate, and a shining 10ft bubble of blue arcanum envelops him. "Then we've also got things like fireball, a high level lightning bolt and a wall of force! This Staff is really my life's work! It's amazing, the cloak is also very very difficult to make and requires rare materials. And finally the wind was created by this little fan here, I could have kept that up for a full minute, and you'd have had to battle the force of the gust every time you would have wanted to attack me. Isn't that cool!"
Muir reappears from inside “I….helped Gewyn and brought him to. He took a nasty lump on the head when he was thrown by the cold spell. He will have a bad headache but otherwise he is fine. So what did I miss?”
"What are ya, a philosopher preacher type to expound on the truth of life and death or an enchanter, for shit's sake!" Sam grumbles.
"Are they truly alive? When they're here they eat and shit, play and nap, enjoy pats and dislike being hit by magic spells... How much more alive should they be? They're time here is limited enough, who're you to be deciding it's ok to take more away from them since you don't think they're alive enough? You want them studying literature? They're animals, do animal things... Bah!" Sam waves a hand dismissively at the whole topic. Stupid goliath won't ever understand what it means to be alive, he decides. Has his head too far stuck up his magic to give a damn about actual life.
"How's his shoulder pet?" Sam asks Muir sarcastically but doesn't really expect an answer. "Not much to miss out here. Hog was just giving us his final pitch, I think..."
Muir smiles “I did not address his invisible pet who could have spied on any of us, quite dishonest, because I felt it better if we all sat and discussed this. Final pitch? Excellent. I’m all ears”
"Philosophy? Nahhh, but you mentioned they were from an item, and I assumed their basis is a spell, that's all, and I apologised man, you always this grumpy? Could be the effects of a cursed item...Hang On, wait they shit!? Now THAT is interesting, and highly uncommon, I'd love to see the enchantment..." the Goliath stares off in the middle distance a moment trying to work something out in his head, before being brought back to reality and shaking his head as he stands up, "wha- final pitch? Oh uhh, well you've seen what I can make, ummm and yeah I'd love to see the room before I go, like I said you'd have access to my stuff for a discount and I can make custom requests, and if you want to use my bag to send me stuff to work with then it'll be easy and cheap for you, like 90% of the cost of the things I do is material, and adventurers come across rare materials all the time right? Uhhh what else, what else... oh I guess you'd get to chat with me whenever you like, that might be something some of you guys want... not all of you obviously, uhhhhh I also make a mean ass chilli... uhhh I'm out of ideas, is that a good pitch?"
"Half the room!" Sam calls out to Muir. "We're dividing it up 'tween the shopkeep and the housekeeper!" Sam then turns to Elthana and rolls his eyes as if to say "As if we'd take THAT guy!"
((Insert time jump to Later That Night here, where the new housemates are all gathered in the front room ready to discuss... Feel free to do stuff on either side of the time jump as needed.))
"So what we thinking? Hog or Marzana?" Sam asks, warm cider in hand and looking around to the others. "Both should bring about the same coin into the house. Both are offering us discounts on products and services but I suppose there is some debate on which is a better savings and deal. Then, of course, there is the question of who you want living here with us to work into the decision as well..."
"Marzana? Honestly, and no offense intended or such, but I found her a bit bland. Nice enough and all but not very interesting. Which, hell, that could be a plus or a minus to live with, I suppose. I don't imagine she'd be a problem in the house, more a quiet presence. Like an aged dog perhaps... Nice to have around but not a thrill."
"Hog though, really? Can you imagine trying to sleep as that guy clomps around the place, footsteps echoing and ceiling tiles falling down upon our heads? Personality wise I imagine a rock would be more interesting to talk to and he seems a bit reckless and cavalier..."
"Product wise, I would give the frequency edge to Marzana and her healing potions and such. Big impact edge would likely go to Hog. Each purchase his discount would save us far more coin but we would be buying from her far more often. He probably still wins in the long run though, maybe, though... If it's just coin we're interested then we should be trying to get a brothel in there..." Sam says with a smirk.
"We should also talk housekeepers, while we're all here. The best and the brightest are working for the Council types and making more than we're going to pay, to be sure, but I do have a couple candidates who are interested and willing to work for what we'll pay. These would be live ins who would keep the house clean and cook the meals and do the majority of house duties... Like shopping and... Hell, I don't know. And I don't particularly want to have to know."
"Adda and Edda. The twins. Truth is, they ain't never worked as housekeepers per se. They're twins. Kobolds. Truthfully I'm not sure if sisters, brothers or one of each. They're kobolds, who can tell, right? Anyway... Currently they're holed up in a dingy cellar room in a dingier Tangles dive bar. The owner there has them work the kitchen and clean up in exchange for allowing them that privilege. The food is decent, probably the only reason anyone goes to that dump. Cleaning... Well, only so clean that place will ever get without burning it down. And to lay it all on the table... rumor has it they're known to filch a coin or two that's not being watched. In fact I know a few who deliberately leave coins unwatched as Adda and Edda won't take no tips or charity or such. I'd like to give them a chance, maybe... See if they can rise to it or..." Sam shrugs and really has no more to say about the twins. "But there is two of them and they're willing to work the same price as we'd offer one."
"The other candidate is... perhaps a bit of an odd one as well. See, Roody... The thing you need know about Roody is that Roody can't win. This man just ain't never caught a break. Leastnot since the curse..." Sam says, mostly looking at his cider.
"At some point Roody got himself cursed. I don't know the whens or whys but... See, for a human, Roody has an awfully octopus head. Like full on octopus. And a bit of an odor. Fishy. Well, maybe octo*****? But man, he knows the job and full well can do it! He's done it upon all kind of ships. That's really what he does - He's a shipkeeper, I guess you'd call it. Does their food, swabs the decks and such... And the crews all loved him. Til the sea monsters done gone and put all sailors out of work... Since then he's had a tough time of it, ya know? Not many willing to even give him a chance. 'Cause the head. And the ocean scent. And..." Sam lowers his voice before adding "the random surges of wild magic when he's stressed..."
"But I have someone he's going to see... Maybe get the curse broken, yeah? If he's not seen her yet. Or maybe we could ask Marzana to take a look?"
"Anyway... Anyone else got thoughts on who to hire? For either position?"
Muir sits an listens to Sam, surprised the gaffer had that much to say "Well that was well thought out Sam. Let me start with Marzana. She brews potions and magical scrolls....Unimpressed and she needs space in my garden. That is a no. A space in my garden for potions...no that space will allow me and the other keepers to brew our own and aid the people of this town and us. I digress.....Hog is more useful....Capturing materials for him in his bag in order to make us powerful items to help us is a boon! Alas, as Sam has pointed out Hog might not make a great housemate. Perhaps we reopen the interviews to others? As you are all well aware, the Keepers are trying to do some good here. Why we plan on opening a garden to help feed the poor and keep the soil fertile, nature in balance in the last untouched place in town. However, if you prefer one of these two I vote for Hog. Gathering resources for him to make us powerful trinkets would be, as I said, a boon. With that said I do like the idea of a housekeeper, as Sam referred to them as....This is someone who will clean, cook and do things around the house for us? What a splendid idea. There is a retired Keeper who is old...older than Gore. He cannot roam and aid people from place to place, wood to wood. His name is Audubon. He is in need of a place to stay and as a retired Keeper he can cook and clean as we all have our own huts. Although he uhh has a bit of a natural musk to him and has a bit of an "herb" problem"Muir says sheepishly....elephantishly? "It was just a thought...."
Elthana takes a seat and looks over at Gewyn and asks, "Are you doing alright? You took quite a hit."
She then listens to Sam lay everything out and Muir's additions. "I don't have a lot to add. I don't feel we need to interview more shop keepers, I think Hog would make a good addition. For all the reasons already listed. As for him stomping around, I for one don't think we'll be spending a lot of nights here."She shrugs. "And I suppose if it is a big issue, I could move upstairs if you all would rather...." she trails off.
"As for the housekeeper, I'm not interested in the twins. I don't want to have to keep my things locked up or worried about sticky fingers, and I'm sure any shop keeper we house will feel the same way. As for Roody or Audubon? Either works for me."
“Upstairs, downstairs, no matter! He’ll be clomping the house down around our ears,” Sam grumbles quietly. Almost to himself.
“I truly suspect the wages would be plenty for the teins to keep their hands to themselves,” Sam answers. “I wouldn’t even suggest them if I didn’t. But… you are right that I cannot guarantee it..,” and after admitting such Sam finds his hands very interesting and looks down at them.
Vin makes sure that Gewyn is okay as well and once confirming that, he seems to focus on the question at hand. Who do they want in their new home? Truth be told, Vin was fine with any of them. He preferred the idea of a place to get food and hang out as well as a home but the stores seemed really good ideas too.
"I'm fine with either Marzana or Hog. Though, if I had to choose, I'd probably choose Marzana. She seems more reliable and healing potions are a must for most adventuring. Will definitely take advantage of that discount. Hogs stuff is amazing and Nef says he'd be better at guarding our home." The black dog gives a huff of contentment.
"As to the housekeepers? I'd love to give the kobolds a chance. Most of the time that's all someone needs. So, I'd vote for them as housekeepers and see if they can rise to the occasion. If not, we could always seek someone else later right?"
"Mmm," Gewyn mumbles, holding his head. "Sorry for passing out like that. Though it's weird. The last thing I remember is a surge of cold knocking me out, so why is it the side of my head that hurts?" He sits up and takes a few minutes to collect his thoughts and sort them into rows.
"Well... Between Marzana and Hog... The way I see it, we seem to have a habit of running into some peculiar items that don't always make their mysteries clear to us right away. That chest for example. I think the value of having someone in house with some expertise in that area pays for itself, even before considering what he can make for us. I vote Hog."
"And as for the housekeepers.... I agree with Vin and Sam on this one. The reason a streetkid is untrustworthy is usually because you can't know what to do with trust if no one's ever offered it. A little faith can make all the difference. I say we give them a chance."
As the morning interviews wind down and the decisions are made, Erriol Oakhand appears with a gaggle of dwarves each resembling him in some way and every single one of then sharing the same shade of firey hair.
The Oakhand family immediately set to work renovating the spaces that need renovating, building walls, moving in the requested furniture from the morning, the house becomes a buzz of activity and the courtyard outside becomes a frosty builders yard. Taking the request of the group, Erriol confirms that he will inform Hog of the decision and get any requested changes for the shop from him. Erriol also assures them that any work that needs doing will be done by the end of the day.
With that everyone leaves to start their first days downtime activities, Gewyn and vin head off toward the cavalcade with Neferox. Muir meets up with Jimmy and Goodall to view certain spots for druidic intervention and the assistance of the tangles, Sam head off to the forge to work on his own project and Elthana heads off though she stealths so that her direction is not observed by anyone.
By the end of the first night, Elthana and Sam do not return home.
Sam reminds Erriol that the one bedroom upstairs is being divided into two and suggests that each bedroom gave its own unique lock, if such isn’t in place already.
Before departing, Sam summons his third (and last) animal from his Bag of Tricks for the day - Boris, the Giant Boar. Sam sighs. He’s not in pleased but had had a job for one of the smaller critters, or had hoped to see Órga, it seems like it’s been forever since he’s seen his lion… Still, at least now he had a ride back to the forge…
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The others hear a loud smack followed by Gewyn yelping a bit
Elthana watches on as Sam actually dumps the goliath in the well.
"Sam!! Just because we stunned and incapacitated him gives you no right to do that! I.. I have no words."
When Hog states he needs some help, Elthana runs over and moves him over solid ground. "I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened, I know this was just a demonstration."
"No words? Dead animals! There's two!" Sam mutters in reply. "Hell, Gewyn may be dead, alls we know."
Elthana drags the floating man back over solid ground then he waits a moment until she is clear, before dismissing the spell and crashing down onto his head, Hog lays on the frosty ground for a moment dazed and staring up at the clouds, "not technically dead though right, summonable creatures that come back and are the same creatures... they're not technically alive either, though I am sorry about them, and feel a while lot worse about Gewyn. Anyway the cold, the missiles and the levitate came from this staff, it also has some force spells, rat of enfeeblement, hold monster, globe of invulnerability,"he stands and casts that one on himself to demonstrate, and a shining 10ft bubble of blue arcanum envelops him. "Then we've also got things like fireball, a high level lightning bolt and a wall of force! This Staff is really my life's work! It's amazing, the cloak is also very very difficult to make and requires rare materials. And finally the wind was created by this little fan here, I could have kept that up for a full minute, and you'd have had to battle the force of the gust every time you would have wanted to attack me. Isn't that cool!"
Muir reappears from inside “I….helped Gewyn and brought him to. He took a nasty lump on the head when he was thrown by the cold spell. He will have a bad headache but otherwise he is fine. So what did I miss?”
"What are ya, a philosopher preacher type to expound on the truth of life and death or an enchanter, for shit's sake!" Sam grumbles.
"Are they truly alive? When they're here they eat and shit, play and nap, enjoy pats and dislike being hit by magic spells... How much more alive should they be? They're time here is limited enough, who're you to be deciding it's ok to take more away from them since you don't think they're alive enough? You want them studying literature? They're animals, do animal things... Bah!" Sam waves a hand dismissively at the whole topic. Stupid goliath won't ever understand what it means to be alive, he decides. Has his head too far stuck up his magic to give a damn about actual life.
"How's his shoulder pet?" Sam asks Muir sarcastically but doesn't really expect an answer. "Not much to miss out here. Hog was just giving us his final pitch, I think..."
Muir smiles “I did not address his invisible pet who could have spied on any of us, quite dishonest, because I felt it better if we all sat and discussed this. Final pitch? Excellent. I’m all ears”
"Philosophy? Nahhh, but you mentioned they were from an item, and I assumed their basis is a spell, that's all, and I apologised man, you always this grumpy? Could be the effects of a cursed item...Hang On, wait they shit!? Now THAT is interesting, and highly uncommon, I'd love to see the enchantment..." the Goliath stares off in the middle distance a moment trying to work something out in his head, before being brought back to reality and shaking his head as he stands up, "wha- final pitch? Oh uhh, well you've seen what I can make, ummm and yeah I'd love to see the room before I go, like I said you'd have access to my stuff for a discount and I can make custom requests, and if you want to use my bag to send me stuff to work with then it'll be easy and cheap for you, like 90% of the cost of the things I do is material, and adventurers come across rare materials all the time right? Uhhh what else, what else... oh I guess you'd get to chat with me whenever you like, that might be something some of you guys want... not all of you obviously, uhhhhh I also make a mean ass chilli... uhhh I'm out of ideas, is that a good pitch?"
“Excellent and you’re not a gardener…wonderful. The room is this way then.” Muir doesn’t wait for the others and happily shows Hog the room
"Half the room!" Sam calls out to Muir. "We're dividing it up 'tween the shopkeep and the housekeeper!" Sam then turns to Elthana and rolls his eyes as if to say "As if we'd take THAT guy!"
((Insert time jump to Later That Night here, where the new housemates are all gathered in the front room ready to discuss... Feel free to do stuff on either side of the time jump as needed.))
"So what we thinking? Hog or Marzana?" Sam asks, warm cider in hand and looking around to the others. "Both should bring about the same coin into the house. Both are offering us discounts on products and services but I suppose there is some debate on which is a better savings and deal. Then, of course, there is the question of who you want living here with us to work into the decision as well..."
"Marzana? Honestly, and no offense intended or such, but I found her a bit bland. Nice enough and all but not very interesting. Which, hell, that could be a plus or a minus to live with, I suppose. I don't imagine she'd be a problem in the house, more a quiet presence. Like an aged dog perhaps... Nice to have around but not a thrill."
"Hog though, really? Can you imagine trying to sleep as that guy clomps around the place, footsteps echoing and ceiling tiles falling down upon our heads? Personality wise I imagine a rock would be more interesting to talk to and he seems a bit reckless and cavalier..."
"Product wise, I would give the frequency edge to Marzana and her healing potions and such. Big impact edge would likely go to Hog. Each purchase his discount would save us far more coin but we would be buying from her far more often. He probably still wins in the long run though, maybe, though... If it's just coin we're interested then we should be trying to get a brothel in there..." Sam says with a smirk.
"We should also talk housekeepers, while we're all here. The best and the brightest are working for the Council types and making more than we're going to pay, to be sure, but I do have a couple candidates who are interested and willing to work for what we'll pay. These would be live ins who would keep the house clean and cook the meals and do the majority of house duties... Like shopping and... Hell, I don't know. And I don't particularly want to have to know."
"Adda and Edda. The twins. Truth is, they ain't never worked as housekeepers per se. They're twins. Kobolds. Truthfully I'm not sure if sisters, brothers or one of each. They're kobolds, who can tell, right? Anyway... Currently they're holed up in a dingy cellar room in a dingier Tangles dive bar. The owner there has them work the kitchen and clean up in exchange for allowing them that privilege. The food is decent, probably the only reason anyone goes to that dump. Cleaning... Well, only so clean that place will ever get without burning it down. And to lay it all on the table... rumor has it they're known to filch a coin or two that's not being watched. In fact I know a few who deliberately leave coins unwatched as Adda and Edda won't take no tips or charity or such. I'd like to give them a chance, maybe... See if they can rise to it or..." Sam shrugs and really has no more to say about the twins. "But there is two of them and they're willing to work the same price as we'd offer one."
"The other candidate is... perhaps a bit of an odd one as well. See, Roody... The thing you need know about Roody is that Roody can't win. This man just ain't never caught a break. Leastnot since the curse..." Sam says, mostly looking at his cider.
"At some point Roody got himself cursed. I don't know the whens or whys but... See, for a human, Roody has an awfully octopus head. Like full on octopus. And a bit of an odor. Fishy. Well, maybe octo*****? But man, he knows the job and full well can do it! He's done it upon all kind of ships. That's really what he does - He's a shipkeeper, I guess you'd call it. Does their food, swabs the decks and such... And the crews all loved him. Til the sea monsters done gone and put all sailors out of work... Since then he's had a tough time of it, ya know? Not many willing to even give him a chance. 'Cause the head. And the ocean scent. And..." Sam lowers his voice before adding "the random surges of wild magic when he's stressed..."
"But I have someone he's going to see... Maybe get the curse broken, yeah? If he's not seen her yet. Or maybe we could ask Marzana to take a look?"
"Anyway... Anyone else got thoughts on who to hire? For either position?"
Muir sits an listens to Sam, surprised the gaffer had that much to say "Well that was well thought out Sam. Let me start with Marzana. She brews potions and magical scrolls....Unimpressed and she needs space in my garden. That is a no. A space in my garden for potions...no that space will allow me and the other keepers to brew our own and aid the people of this town and us. I digress.....Hog is more useful....Capturing materials for him in his bag in order to make us powerful items to help us is a boon! Alas, as Sam has pointed out Hog might not make a great housemate. Perhaps we reopen the interviews to others? As you are all well aware, the Keepers are trying to do some good here. Why we plan on opening a garden to help feed the poor and keep the soil fertile, nature in balance in the last untouched place in town. However, if you prefer one of these two I vote for Hog. Gathering resources for him to make us powerful trinkets would be, as I said, a boon. With that said I do like the idea of a housekeeper, as Sam referred to them as....This is someone who will clean, cook and do things around the house for us? What a splendid idea. There is a retired Keeper who is old...older than Gore. He cannot roam and aid people from place to place, wood to wood. His name is Audubon. He is in need of a place to stay and as a retired Keeper he can cook and clean as we all have our own huts. Although he uhh has a bit of a natural musk to him and has a bit of an "herb" problem" Muir says sheepishly....elephantishly? "It was just a thought...."
Elthana takes a seat and looks over at Gewyn and asks, "Are you doing alright? You took quite a hit."
She then listens to Sam lay everything out and Muir's additions. "I don't have a lot to add. I don't feel we need to interview more shop keepers, I think Hog would make a good addition. For all the reasons already listed. As for him stomping around, I for one don't think we'll be spending a lot of nights here." She shrugs. "And I suppose if it is a big issue, I could move upstairs if you all would rather...." she trails off.
"As for the housekeeper, I'm not interested in the twins. I don't want to have to keep my things locked up or worried about sticky fingers, and I'm sure any shop keeper we house will feel the same way. As for Roody or Audubon? Either works for me."
“Upstairs, downstairs, no matter! He’ll be clomping the house down around our ears,” Sam grumbles quietly. Almost to himself.
“I truly suspect the wages would be plenty for the teins to keep their hands to themselves,” Sam answers. “I wouldn’t even suggest them if I didn’t. But… you are right that I cannot guarantee it..,” and after admitting such Sam finds his hands very interesting and looks down at them.
Vin makes sure that Gewyn is okay as well and once confirming that, he seems to focus on the question at hand. Who do they want in their new home? Truth be told, Vin was fine with any of them. He preferred the idea of a place to get food and hang out as well as a home but the stores seemed really good ideas too.
"I'm fine with either Marzana or Hog. Though, if I had to choose, I'd probably choose Marzana. She seems more reliable and healing potions are a must for most adventuring. Will definitely take advantage of that discount. Hogs stuff is amazing and Nef says he'd be better at guarding our home." The black dog gives a huff of contentment.
"As to the housekeepers? I'd love to give the kobolds a chance. Most of the time that's all someone needs. So, I'd vote for them as housekeepers and see if they can rise to the occasion. If not, we could always seek someone else later right?"
“Damn straight! See? The kid has a head beyond his years!” Sam replies heartily. “Two for Marzana and two for the twins!”
Muir looks at and smiles at Gewyn "Well lad seems its up to you then...Marzana or Hog, Kobold or Audubon?"
“I mean sure, if you’re not worried about the Druids low key infiltrating and taking over the joint like the clerics did with Hokum,” Sam mutters.
"Mmm," Gewyn mumbles, holding his head. "Sorry for passing out like that. Though it's weird. The last thing I remember is a surge of cold knocking me out, so why is it the side of my head that hurts?" He sits up and takes a few minutes to collect his thoughts and sort them into rows.
"Well... Between Marzana and Hog... The way I see it, we seem to have a habit of running into some peculiar items that don't always make their mysteries clear to us right away. That chest for example. I think the value of having someone in house with some expertise in that area pays for itself, even before considering what he can make for us. I vote Hog."
"And as for the housekeepers.... I agree with Vin and Sam on this one. The reason a streetkid is untrustworthy is usually because you can't know what to do with trust if no one's ever offered it. A little faith can make all the difference. I say we give them a chance."
As the morning interviews wind down and the decisions are made, Erriol Oakhand appears with a gaggle of dwarves each resembling him in some way and every single one of then sharing the same shade of firey hair.
The Oakhand family immediately set to work renovating the spaces that need renovating, building walls, moving in the requested furniture from the morning, the house becomes a buzz of activity and the courtyard outside becomes a frosty builders yard. Taking the request of the group, Erriol confirms that he will inform Hog of the decision and get any requested changes for the shop from him. Erriol also assures them that any work that needs doing will be done by the end of the day.
With that everyone leaves to start their first days downtime activities, Gewyn and vin head off toward the cavalcade with Neferox. Muir meets up with Jimmy and Goodall to view certain spots for druidic intervention and the assistance of the tangles, Sam head off to the forge to work on his own project and Elthana heads off though she stealths so that her direction is not observed by anyone.
By the end of the first night, Elthana and Sam do not return home.
Sam reminds Erriol that the one bedroom upstairs is being divided into two and suggests that each bedroom gave its own unique lock, if such isn’t in place already.
Before departing, Sam summons his third (and last) animal from his Bag of Tricks for the day - Boris, the Giant Boar. Sam sighs. He’s not in pleased but had had a job for one of the smaller critters, or had hoped to see Órga, it seems like it’s been forever since he’s seen his lion… Still, at least now he had a ride back to the forge…