When Rook rummaged the room, he did find some goodies:

A bottle of ink, an ink pen, and 10 sheets of parchment. This will cover the first 10 spells you copy into your spell book! So basically, you get to copy 10 spells for free (provided you do spend the in-game time).

A component pouch with esoteric trinkets inside, including: ruby dust (50gp value), charcoal (15gp value), pearl (100gp value), holy water (100gp value)

A black handkerchief with golden threads sewn in. The golden threads hug the edges and form geometric shapes. It seems like a personal item of the wizard's.

"Oh," Quinn nods at Rook conspiratorially, "I'll believe anything these ladies say." It was supposed to sound smooth, Rook thinks, but it definitely came out a bit lamer than the guy intended. There was no delivery of that line that would have sounded cool. [Also he doesn't know them either LOL]

"Oh pardon me, my name is Filia," the elf woman bows her head. Filia smiles up at you. "Perhaps you'd care to join us for lunch-"

Yondral looks like he is about to blow his top again. He screams, "Get out and go away! Go! Get!" He seems to be shooing you all away. "Come back in an hour!" He directs to the ladies. "I still have your rooms, but I must access the damage in peace!"

Rook looks at Filia and stifles a laugh when Quinn delivers his 'line'. When she tells Rook her name he, not being particularly well versed in these situations either, the dragonborn says "nice to meet you Filia." "I'm Rook. Oh, I already said that, didn't I..." He shuffles his feet a bit, nervous.

When Yondral interrupts Rook exits quickly with the others but tries to keep eye contact with Filia "yes, lunch, we could, ah..." "How about we meet you on the village green in half an hour? Quinn and I will bring a picnic!"

"Sounds lovely-" Filia begins to smile, but is cut off suddenly by Elsa, the dark knight.

"In half an hour, you say... perhaps," she points a finger at you specifically, Rook, "you would honor me with a duel? I've not run into many of your kind... You have the blood of a mighty dragon flowing through your veins. I would like to see that power for myself." She crosses her arms with a self-satisfied smile. Filia lightly knocks on Elsa's head with a sigh. Filia looks to Rook and Quinn for forgiveness before ushering the other girls away, chiding Elsa the whole way.

Rook turns back to see Quinn... he is completely dejected looking. His shoulders are slumped, he is hunched over, and his arms just droop lifelessly from his body. You haven't seen him this upset since the time he learned what harpies are really like.

Rook starts to reply "oh, um, well.." and then turns to see Quinn. He then shouts "I don't know, I don't think I'd fair very well by myself." "Quinn here is the brave one, and always saves my scaley neck! See you in a half hour!"

Once the girls are gone Rook slaps Quinn on the shoulder and says "come on now Quinn, we have a date with THREE girls!" "Want to come to the farm and get supplies? Let's see, we'll need blankets, and a basket, and, um, maybe some fruit and cheese, oh and bread. Do we need water? Or wine! I bet Ma and Pa would be ok with me taking a little bit of wine now that I'm grown. What man goes to war but can't have wine anyhow, right? Oh, and we need my armor..."

"OH! And we need a vase and you could create some flowers to put in there! Ooh, don't do it until the girls see though. What girl wouldn't want a date who can conjure her up flowers!"

Rook sets out with haste to the farm and does everything he can to ensure that Quinn goes with him and that he boosts his friend's confidence for the upcoming date.

On the walk back for the date, Rook also confides in Quinn. He tells him that he has to take the wizard's things and go on a quest! He asks Quinn to keep it a secret, of course, and hints that he could use someone to watch his back but hopes Quinn will want to come on his own.

Quinn puffs up a bit when you mention the date. "That is something that is totally awesome. It's not totally even, but may the best man when the third." He smirks with his big nose on his face. It seems it doesn't take that much to cheer him up at all. "Wine, cheese -- what else could a girl ask for? All the ladies at church act like that's livin' large." It's really something to consider that he is the way he is when he's been raised by several women.

"Ehehe, yeah, I'll do that magic trick. And you, you have some spells figured out by now I'm sure! Anything fancy you could pull off? Which gal you lookin' to impress? I have my eye on that dark beauty... The level of cringe that comes out of her mouth is worth it."

Finally, when you ask him to join you... "Listen, Rook. We've been lifelong pals. Forever friends. I've always looked out for you, ya know? Like a big brother. What sorta big brother doesn't keep an eye out for his little brother? I'll be with you when you leave, I gotta make sure you stay out of trouble! Now then... where did you want to go?"

Rook, a bit embarrassed, replies "Filia seems nice." He laughs out loud when Quinn mentions the 'level of cringe'. "Haha, you'll have your hands full, but I think you're up to it!"

Regarding magic he says "well, ah, there's this..." He lights a small flame from his finger tips. "Or this..." He intentionally soils a corner of his clothing from dirt on the ground and then cleans it off with magic. "Ooh, and if it's cold, this..." He touches Quinn's shoulder and warms it like a winter blanket. "And maybe..." He waves a hand over Quinn's wrist and conjures a fancy diamond bracelet, but it disappears within seconds. "Well, maybe not..."

"Thanks big brother" replies the dragonborn regarding the quest. For now Rook is intent on going to the farm for all of his armor and adventuring gear along with the picnic supplies, but he does also start to fill Quinn in on their greater destination. "So you know how I've always had those dreams? And you know how gramps had the same pictures in his book and knew all about this Island, and the elder, and the temple, and the observatory too? Well, I'm, I mean WE'RE going! I have to do it for gramps... and for myself, I think. At least we have Enigma! As usual, don't tell anyone, not even your date! HA!"

Quinn snorts with the fancy diamond bracelet bit. "Oh yeah, you definitely should not do that one." He listens intently as Rook speaks about his dreams and the adventure they might embark on soon. His eyes are curious as he remembers those dreams of Rook. He follows up with, "I definitely won't tell, halflings' honor!" He crosses his fingers and puts them behind his back with a chuckle. Of course, he made the universal symbol of promising to break a promise, but that was just Quinn's weird way of saying 'see, I definitely won't break the promise because you caught me doing this.' He could be an oddball at times.

Back on the farm, Rook strolls up to his home. Right now, his mother and nan were probably home, but his father and other relatives would be out in the fields for certain. Rook, what does your house look like? Where do you enter? Is your mom or nan home?

(oops, almost missed this, sorry!)

Rook chuckles at Quinn and does not worry about being able to trust his buddy.

The duo approaches the farm where a very modest farm house has a newer, larger addition on the side and the barn has also clearly been vastly improved in recent years. It's still not fancy in any way, but there is much more space for the large dragonborn and his adoptive family. Rook had no skill in building and still really does not but had insisted that if he did all of the heavy lifting of felling trees, lifting logs, etc. his father merely only had to give him specific instructions on how to put it all together and then there would be plenty of space for the family.

Surely Mom and Nan would be home on this day whipping up a feast to share with family and friends later. Rook enters in a hurry, shows them some affection, mentions Quinn but says that they have a date and are going on an adventure too and have to gather items and get going right away! Rook tells Nan he could use some help deciding what girls would like for a picnic while looking for the best blanket to bring.

[tee hee no worries LOL]

In your whirlwind to get ready, your mother and nan give you a lot of sass and love. They remind you over and over to mind your manners, how to treat women, etc. You can tell they are really excited about the prospect of you going on a date. Nan seems suspicious that Quinn is joining you for this, but she doesn't push you. Instead, you see her glaring daggers at your friend -- who is somehow completely oblivious to her gaze!

"If it turns out she's the one, tell us! Bring her here! We always make loads." Your mother smiles brightly with a faint blush. "Oh, maybe I'll have a daughter soon..." 

After much to do and trying to escape this conversation with your elders, which of course featured you and Quinn standing further and further outside the door while your mother and nan kept having at it, you finally made it off your farmland and back to the village green. It isn't hard to spot the girls at all, they stick out like sore thumbs.

Elsa, the dark knight, seems to be practicing sword stances while Mirrian and Filia look onwards. Mirrian is clapping, while Filia looks a bit exasperated.

Quinn elbows you just long enough to note, "Don't forget, I have my eye set on that crazy chick."

"Maaaa-wwwwww-m" is Rooks' only reply when his mother gets to the point where she mentions potentially having a daughter soon.

Upon escaping Mom and Nan Rook comments to Quinn "well even a date with three girls can't be as awkward as THAT!"

Upon seeing Elsa practicing Rook encourages Quinn. "You know, you're pretty good with that staff of yours, especially when you enchant it first like you showed me. I bet she'd like a challenge!"

"Hello!" proclaims Rook as they arrive back on the village green with picnic supplies in hand. Rather than carry on about what they brought, etc. however he gently shoves Quinn out in front of him and nods at the best of the items they brought, hoping Quinn will speak up and take some credit for their efforts. While Rook is friendly to all his eyes eventually meet Filia's and he gives her a warm smile.

Of course, Rook's mother loves to tease! It gives her a lot of energy.

Quinn seems starstruck for once in his life when he watches Elsa's sword techniques. At Rook's suggestion, he gulps and nods. Suddenly, he becomes the way he usually is -- too confident for his own good. He runs his hand down his hair as he walks up to Elsa -- a human woman that towers over this halfling man -- and says coolly, "That's pretty cool, but you know what's cooler?"

"No, what?" Elsa grins at Quinn, holding her blade passively in one hand. Its such a huge sword, it must weigh a ton, but she holds it so easily in one hand. 

Quinn pulls loose his quarterstaff, which is somewhat taller than him, and runs a finger across it. It almost seems suggestive, but... to who? Either way, he has his wiggly eyebrow face on as a faint glow manifests from the staff as he chants, "Impetum Chauntea!" PHAOWM is the sound it makes as the power takes hold. 

"A spell to imbue power in a stick? That is really fascinating!" Elsa sheaths her sword and her smile grows wicked. "Come at me then. Let me see how much power your stick really has!"

Quinn blinks several times and is about to say something somewhat questionable, you think, but is interrupted by Elsa shouting, "HIT ME WITH YOUR ROD, LITTLE MAN!"

Filia, of course, was about to say hello back to Rook, but was interrupted by Elsa's inappropriate-sounding outburst. She casts a disappointed glare in Elsa's direction while Mirrian seems to stand up and get pumped for the fight, if you can call it such. After shouting at them all to stop being so foolish, she sheepishly turns to you, Rook, and smiles shyly, "Ahh, please forgive the... eccentric members of my party. They are delightful people -- usually! Elsa is full of vigor these days since she got her magic blade, you see."

As if on cue, you hear Elsa yelling once again as Quinn waps her across the armor with the stick. Despite getting this... quality time... with Elsa, he doesn't seem happy.

As Elsa taunts Quinn Rook looks on in a slight state of shock. When Filia speaks however his focus is completely on her once again. "Oh that's ok, Quinn's tougher than he looks and, ah, I'll try to lift his spirits after if this goes... poorly." He cringes a bit as he glances back at the duel but then tries to laugh about it a little with the charming elf. "I hope you like what we brought... oh, magic blade? Did you go on a great adventure for it? Does it have a special enchantment?" Rook starts to set out all of the food, drink, etc. that the boys brought.

"Oh yes, we had quite the grand adventure just recently!" Filia looks at the basket you brought, "Oh! Did you happen to bring a blanket? We actually spent quite a long time walking to get even this far..." As you set up the blanket, she will continue, "Our most recent excursion involved a would be necromancer and an undead circus. Would you be curious to hear about it? It was during a most precarious moment that our dear Elsa discovered some new powers in her blade."

Mirrian is the first to sit on the blanket once its laid out and holds her hands out, ready to accept any meal you might bestow upon her.

"Oh I'd love to hear about it!" Rook tries to sit on a small corner of the blanket despite his bulk to ensure there is plenty of room for Filia and the others, but mostly Filia. He smiles at Mirrian and presents her with some food options.

As he starts to focus on Filia's story he ponders anything he's read about curses, dark magic, etc. and wonders if anything is affecting Ela since she apparently is normally 'delightful'.

[Arcana check result: 7.]

Mirrian takes whatever the largest sandwich is and has no shame in devouring it as she watches Elsa annihilate your friend -- without really dealing a killing blow, of course. You settle in and listen to Filia as she regales you with the tale of the necromancer's circus.

Apparently, a wizard had gone mad in the Westwood, which is north of Amphail, which is north of Rassalantar, where you live right now. This wizard discovered a hidden scroll of animate dead and inscribed it into his book, defiling it. Amphail was to have a festival celebrating a local noble's birthday, but the circus they hired never came. That's when Filia and her companions happened to be passing by and stepped in to find the circus.

"We found hints they were attacked roadside and dragged off... we ended up finding a cavern with skeletons, but then when we reached the heart of it all. There was a lab of sorts... and..." Filia paused, her face showing both disgust and fear.

Mirrian suddenly joins the conversation, signing with her hands. Ahh, she hasn't spoken the whole time, so perhaps it is because she is mute. However, when you watch her hands, you understand the words somehow. She seems to be connecting to your minds with her own. You read her hands, which say:

Filia nearly shat herself when the zombie clown suddenly popped up in front of her! It was so fun-ny--

The elven woman grapples Mirrian and nuggies the halfling's head, but calmly adds, "I do not like clowns.... even when they are alive."

"Ah yes," Elsa joins in, throwing Quinn onto the blanket. He is alive, but probably not well. Technically, he should be fine, but his ego may have been dealt a lethal blow. "The clownomancer. My momentary archenemy. The fool thought a circus of zombies would overcome our might, but alas, it was doomed from the onset. When I saw dear Filia's ghost leave her body - " "It didn't." "I felt a power surge inside of me, and thusly, the blade that refused to obey called out to me to swing it!"

Elsa went zoom, psshh, kaboom! The zombie clown, the zombie acrobat, and the zombie bear with a funny hat all went down flat. Of course, yours truly helped.

"I did too! I wasn't just passed out the whole time!"

"Yes, you did aid greatly in the fight when the necromancer appeared behind us. Thankfully, he rerose the bear and not the clown."

[PS, you have no idea what Elsa means by her blade told her to swing it. That was your arcana fail. You as a player probably have a good guess though lol]

Rook listens intently to the story and gives Filia a small smile when Mirrian chimes in about the zombie clown.

He furrows his brow a bit while trying to understand what Elsa meant when describing that her blade called out to her.

"Wow, what an adventure! Zombie clown? Wow. But, what did you mean about a ghost leaving Filia's body? And where did your blade actually come from?"

Seeing Quinn land on the blanket Rook nudges him. "You have to hear this story. They saw a zombie clown! And a zombie bear! Here, have a sandwich. You'll feel better."

Quinn lays on the blanket in a daze. He stares up at the sky and his expression betrays a look of remorse -- regret that he tried to impress a battle junkie with his meager combat skills. He looks over at Rook and says, "All I get is a sandwich for my trouble... ahh..."

"Ah, her spirit, I believe Filia died for a moment, the shock of the zombie clown definitely disheartened her soul."

"No, I just fainted... for less than 20 seconds!"

"As for my blade," Elsa whirls it around showing off, "I could hear a voice speaking to me. It was the Darkeblade, my family's long lost heirloom. It whispered for me to swing my blade. You see Darkeblade was my great grandfather's most prized treasure, but the grandson of my great grandfather's archnemesis appeared and stole it right from under my nose..."

The guy was her-

Elsa elbows Mirrian hard enough the halfling can't finish her sentence.

"Ahem. As I was saying... My journey, my mission, is to recover Darkeblade. It calls to me... and even now it grants me power."

Filia leans in and whispers to Rook, "She's pretty vague about it, but I think its a talking sword of some kind."

"So this guy came in and stole your sword? What would you do to get it back?"

"Anything."

"Anything...?" Quinn... is thinking Quinn-like thoughts. 

Rook nudges Quinn a bit before he goes too far. "You'll get more than lunch, don't worry. Well fought."

"You all have quite the exciting lives. Where will you go next? Quinn and I don't often travel too far from here, but we were thinking of taking a short trip, at least."

(OOC: Would Rook have heard the specific term 'Darkeblade' in his studies?)

The Darkeblade is a bit of a legend. You have heard about it once before from the wizard. Mostly you recall that it was quite powerful, and it possibly helped some wielder an age ago destroy a dracolich... or was it that it helped its wielder destroy an entire city? Point is: you have heard of it before. Enigma might have more details about it within, you suspect.

"We go where the dark echoes beckon us..."

"What she means to say is that we sort of meander around looking for hints or clues about jobs."

Mirran nods emphatically with what  Filia says. Yeah, if we manage to find the Darkeblade or whatever, than that could be nice, but mostly we just want fame and fortune. Mostly fortune in my case!