Thrudor steps forward with help from his staff and takes the journal "Deliver this journal, tied and bound with no eyes on the message. I suppose that means our eyes as well." Thrudor looks at the others wondering. He places the journal in amongst his things 

Quote from KingOrc >>

"I will give you 20 GP each now for your journey." One of the king's bodyguards hands each of you a small sack of 20 GP.

 Cunning bows. "Thank you my lord, I'm sure this will make our preparations somewhat easier".
"May I ask if there is any real information from the North? I know from my travels that there are many rumours, but any confirmed information would be most helpful."

The king thinks for a moment. "Fetch me my scribe." He says to a guard near the door, who runs down the hall into a room. After a minute he comes back with a middle-aged human with curly blond hair. He bows, and asks, "My king, what do you need me for?" "These are my adventurers. The, uh..." It seems he doesn't know what a tiefling is. "The red one wants to know of the north."

"The north is a rather brutal land. Of course, it was a little cold in the north since people first settled on this island. But 2 years ago, the ice started spreading. Well, nobody cared much. Just an extra cold season. But when spring came to a close and the ice still spread, people became worried. The twilight waters, a large lake shaped like a thick letter C, became filled with researchers seeing if it would freeze over. It did not, but all other water did. A year ago in the summer, his majesty sent out adventurers to the north. They did not return. We are more careful now, and will not send you to the north yet. But we will in time. You are going to Cynthesia for supplies."

The sun is starting to go down. "Stay with me for dinner, if that is fine for you all. And don't feel that you need to accept just because I'm the king. I'll have you leave in the morning, and you'll need a good meal. We have roasted lamb glazed in honey, sweet potatoes, beet stew, mushroom stew, mushroom bread, sourdough bread, crinsetha cheese which is only made in this region, roast duck with spices, and fish stuffed with mashed fruit. For dessert, we have raspberry pie, blueberry pie, and... what's the name of that pie?" "Pumpkin?" "Yes, pumpkin. It doesn't grow around here. And seven jellies and pudding."

“What about the rumors?” Jak speaks up. He’s been mostly silent, thinking about what the others have said. “Whispers that one of the northern kings has been found dead. Tales of something attacking ships, and towns dying overnight. There has to be something to these. And what about the rest of the nobility? Have they done anything to try and address these?”

"I heard there was a monster in Shadowglass Sea. But why don't you join us for dinner, and we discuss rumors there? I'm sure there's a lot to see." A guard says.

The sun is setting, and the king leads you to a large dining room, with 3 tables fitting 40 people each. The king sits at the head of the middle table, and soldiers, nobles, and other guests are taking up 2/3 of the seats.

"So, someone was wondering about the winter rumors. No better way to get them then from the public."

A human soldier stands. "I heard that it was an ice dragon trying to expand its territory." Some nodding from the guests. A halfling in the corner laughs. "No, no. It a be a sea serpent. The sea's been feelin' a bit funny if ya ask me." "Nobody asked you. And the sea serpent can't expand on the land!" A cleric puts his hand on his heart. "The gods are angry with us! You must repent for your-" "Zip it, cleric. It's a dragon, I'm telling you. Thought I saw one the other day, I swear!" An elf with long white hair stands. "You saw a cloud, thoradin. Here's what I think. A powerful artifact of some sort has disturbed nature. An ice age is coming, and the artifact must be destroyed." People stop eating as they listen.

"This is all a rumor to get us to donate money to local governments. They keep it for themselves, not quests. These adventurers are fake!" Says a kobold with crimson scales and iron chain jewelry.  "It's all a lie. That lizard, devil's child, eladrin, and those eccentric men are fake!" The room erupts with complaints, a few men draw daggers just to be safe, and the king simply laughs as if this is entertainment.

Anasfyra swayed side to side as she listened to the king and his men speak of rumors, monsters, and deliveries.  The delivery part was a bit boring, but she understood that sometimes boring things had to happen for fun results to come to be, thanks to the requests of her patron. She wouldn’t complain. She’d been stuck in and around her family’s holdings so long, and now, adventure was literally a day away.  That may as well be the blink of an eye! She’d just let the upright lizard handle it.  

When the king mentioned food, Anasfyra grew excited, only to lose that excitement a moment later after remembering the quality of the food here.   She hadn’t mentioned it to anyone in the city save her attendants, but food here was so… boring.  She missed the meals from home.  

She focused back on the world around her when the room seemed to break out into argument.  She reveled in it for a moment, the chaos bringing a giggle to her lips.  Then, the small lizard man, smaller than her new companion, decided that Eladrin were fake!  Well, she’d have to disprove that.  She was very real, as were her handmaidens back in the new house.  

Standing, she walked over to the kobold in question and inclined her head in a shallow nod.  “Hello, little one.  I assure you, I am very real,” she smiled, “I am Ana, scion of House Silath’Nai of the noble Eladrin. We’ve been in the city for some time now, I’m disappointed you’ve missed us.”

“Heh,” Jak chuckles. “You presume so much with your words. That whatever it is that we are doin’ is nothing of note. That we won’t be fairly compensated for our work. Both of which are false. The king has given us a secret mission, one that you aren’t not privy to know. And our reward is a fair amount.”

“But you also decided to assume a lot about this group,” he continues as he stands at his seat, his voice suddenly becoming smooth. “And insult us as well. For instance, take me. What do you see when you look at my face and clothes? A ragged, old man barely getting by in the world? Someone who has had their time and ready to move on? A fool, even? Looks can be deceiving though.”

As he says this, Jak drops his Disguise Self. His hair turns from grey and dull to a braid of electric blue hair, resting on his chest. Jak’s face loses its wrinkles and grime, becoming a youthful and vibrant face. His ears become slight points, and his iris turn into orbs of striking sapphire. Jak’s once-dirty cloak becomes a flowing blue robe, and under it he wears fine clothes of blue and gold.

“You knew nothing about me, so let me tell you who I am. I am Jakus Galondel of the Galondel family, heir to House of the Blue Dragon, and most certainly not a ‘fake’. The blood of the Blue Dragon flows in my veins,” and as he says this, Jakus casts Minor Illusion and makes his hair crackle with electricity. “I hope that you think before you speak next time, as you may have no idea who you are addressing.” Jakus sits back down, and takes a long sip of wine.

The kobold looks intimidated for a moment but does not back down. He follows you as you sit down. "Look into my unblinking eyes." Although he accidentally blinks right after saying that. "I apologize for the disrespect, but I do not feel you are capable of performing a task of such magnitude. I am a noble from Kadsak. I live near this winter, I can tell you that nobody, save legendary wizards, can get rid of it! As I said this adventure of yours is a scam." The kobold creates a small flame in his hand. "Prove to me you're capable. Prove it!" A crowd starts to gather.

The queen arrives, looking very concerned about the conflict, while the king laughs at this 'harmless fun'. "Husband," The queen mutters, "Why must there be fights at every dinner?" "Free entertainment, that's why. Invite the disrespectful ones to dinner, and you can get interesting conflicts."

“Fine, you want power?” Jakus says. He lift his right hand, where blue scales encircle his palm, and casts Shatter, as well as Careful Spell to allow the people around the kobold to save (DC 13 CON save or take 15 thunder damage or half on save). Rolled damage in the game log

Around the kobold, plates shatter and glasses explode. Everyone hears a high-pitched ringing in their ears, but the kobold has it the worst.

Everything in the room stops as the kobold drops to the ground.

Saving throw: 19

Saving throw of 3. That was the worst saving throw I have ever seen in my life.

The kobold clutches his ear as he falls. He stops moving, unconscious but not dead. Medics carry him out of the room. The king begins clapping, and the rest of the room follows. People begin throwing silver coins at you.

2 kobolds pull off their dark robes to reveal battle armor. "Ah, so we have a showoff. Think you tough, half-elf?"

You may choose to resolve this, or fight them. If you choose to fight:

Kobold A Initiative: 10, 12 HP

Kobold B Initiative: 16, 4 HP

When Jakus stood and confronted the tiny lizard man as well, Anasfyra gave a quiet applause.  Then, she pranced a bit closer, taking in his new appearance before turning back to listen to the kobold’s challenge.  Immediately thinking about ways to meet said challenge, she was beaten to the punch by her new friend, who raised his palm towards the creature and began to cast.  

Not wanting to be caught in the crossfire, the Eladrin skipped and twirled, giggles trailing her movement.  When the spell took hold and shattered the plates nearby, those giggles turned less innocent, becoming reminiscent of a fey playing a prank.  Coming to a stop slightly behind and to the side of Jakus, Anasfyra leaned in a bit, whispering over his left shoulder.  

“Temper temper,” she quietly admonished, eyes sharp with malicious glee.  

“My quarrel is not with you,” Jakus says to the pair. “He insulted my family’s honor, and I defended myself. Let us resume this fine meal.” 

Persuasion: 13

One of the kobolds sits back down but doesn't eat. "A toast to the honor of Jakus!" The king shouts, raising his glass. Everyone but the kobolds follow.

Before the other sits down, he mutters in draconic, which he assumes you speak from your draconic bloodline. Those who speak draconic click the spoiler:

A dozen cooks come out with more food, and normal conversations continue. Those seated near Jakus seem quite interested in him. "So, how long have you been here?" A woman asks.

Thrudor sits and loudly sips his tea. He looks around at the others before speaking up "Is this customary? Bloodshed at dinners?

A guard laughs. A finely dressed dwarf takes a large bite of ham before responding. "We enjoy a good fight. Gladiator battles are popular here as well. Of course, our gladiators are voluntary, not forced to fight."