18  Survival

About how long till the rain hits?

As Skull and Sword’s rowdy environment hits him, a smile spreads across Hadrian’s face. This was his kind of place - rough, noisy tavern where the air is thick with the smell of spilled ale and the sound of raucous shouting and laughter. He feels at home here. These are the places where information flows freely, though chaotically. If they weren’t on a tour, he’d slip into a seat, ask for some brandy, and join a game or two, trying to pry patrons' mouths for any interesting tidbits about local happenings. But a quick glance at the sky shows gathering storm clouds, so he figures he can always come back another day. He makes a mental note to return, with another look at Frida Longhorn, the half-orc owner. She could be a valuable ally - or at least someone worth staying on the good side of.

Then, as they stop by Gilded Lily, Hadrian entertains the idea of performing on the stage. Though he’s not particularly musically inclined - or magically inclined, for that matter, he knows these kind of places attract a different clientele - those with secrets to spill or business to conduct quietly. “So,” He asks Emma, interested in watching one of those performances, perhaps catching a whisper of something useful amid the crowd. “Do they do open mic every night?”

They stop by the old fortified stone watchtower and the Chapel of Saint Ardenna as Emma points them out. Religious people, in Hadrian's experience, are often selfless and dedicated to their causes. Even if they aren’t devout themselves, they might still receive healing and guidance here. But then again, in a place as unpredictable and perilous as Drakkenheim, maybe everything has a price of its own.

“It’s about to rain soon. We better find some shelter if we don’t want to be caught in the hail,” Hadrian says, nodding towards the looming clouds. Then, gaze shifting to the map, he raises an eyebrow, pointing to Emma’s writing next to the Shrine of Old Gods and asks, “What’s this ‘Weird witch lady’?”

@Ka-Cha 

((a 7 :( ))

By sticking one of your hands out to feel the weather, you unfortunately can not. With the weathervane spinning on top of the totem pole of Caravan Court, you can see that the wind is coming in from the north.

@Hadrian

Emma smiles at you as you ask about the Open Mike Night, "Yeah! Do you want to perform? I've always wanted to do a skit there. I have one about the duck that went to the lemonade stand. You know Mike was the master of ceremonies before he went missing. I think he died. That was back when the star fell." She then starts blabbing to you about her one-person play. "It would go like- And the man said 'No! We don't have any grapes!'"

As you ask about the 'Weird witch lady' Emma scratches her neck and then looks at the sky.

"Um... well she's not so weird, but like she's weird weird to us. I don't know why they call her a witch. Some kids call my brother a 'witch' once. At least I think so I don't remember. I wasn't there." She rubs her elbows and Wormy crawls down from her shoulder onto her forearm. "They say she doesn't believe in the Sacred Flame, but instead in the 'old gods'."

"She says her shrine protects the village from dark times... I believe her. She helped my brother's friend.... She's ... nice." Emma digs her heels into the dirt.

"The more the merrier." says Tendilius of Dabbert joining him and Juniper at the farm.

At the Gilded Lily he listens on as Hadrian speaks. Though not one for singing himself usually, the vibe is infectious. Between Emma's youthful enthusiasm and Hadrian's query, even if for a different reason than the pirate-adin, he finds himself wanting to returning at some point.

In regards to the impending hail he says, "I believe we have open rooms at the Bark and Buzzard waiting for us, no?"

Wormy was taken with a serious nod, the druid's hand held delicately as he inched his way onto the offered perch. "Of course," She assured Emma, then gently transferred her new passenger to her shoulder, where he wriggled in between a fold of fabric as the tour continued.

She noted the Red Lion for future perusal, along with the temple- no doubt they'd make a visit, sooner or later. "Indeed," She replied to Tendilius, grateful to be out and away from the raucous tavern's energy. "I still need to pay for mine, but otherwise I believe we were squared away with the tavernkeep." The sky above was given a discerning glance, "Along with a warm meal... Shall we, then?"

Emma smiled as Juniper took the mantle of Wormy caretaker. She could see that Wormy was right at home within the fabric. They do say 'snug as a bug', and now she completely understood what that meant. 

Now that the storm clouds were coming, the sky darkened a bit. But the rain didn't wait for the clouds. Despite the area still being slightly midday sunny, the rain falls along anyways. The sunshower drizzle dampens the earth as some people on the street take cover. Others don't pay it any mind. "Wurm wedding." Emma comments. Her little hands fail to shield her from the incoming storm. The rain makes her curls stick to her face. Mulling over the coins in her hands, she switches them from one palm to another. She puts back Wormy on this time on Tendilius's hand. "I hope you enjoyed the tour!!!" And with that she takes cover and runs towards her smithy. The smithy is little more than a one-level log cabin with an overhanging thatched roof with some obvious need for patches and repair.

The storm moves in. The clouds peaking over just across the horizon, obscuring the early sunset. "Just an everyday in March." Eren tells you, spotting you guys as you rush past Caravan Court to take shelter in the Bark and Buzzard. The northerly winds howl.

Back at the Bark and Buzzard, Karin Altberg awaits you (not really, she was actually locking the doors when she heard you). The cartoonish sign overhead squeaks and wails from a rusty hinge and the billowing winds. "My, my my. Looks like you sillies got all caught up in the rain, didn't ya? How was the 'lil missy's tour? How bout it?" She shakes her head and hands you the keys of the room if you pay her. "Well, I guess it's about time for supper. You can join my and my family over on back."

You can hear the sound of two children squealing around the 'backyard' where the 'old tin can' was. "This is our 'siesta hour' and I'll be damned if some customer comes on riling in." 

"Since you're our guests, we'll leave you open a spot on the dining table just for the night. It looks about if the worst of the storm ain't 'till another... hmmm about an hour and a half." She points over on the horizon, "Them cloud's the slow-moving ones. Ever since, well, Drakkenheim, the weather's always been sort of funky." 

((I wanted to give you guys time before the big rains come in to really explore!))

Dabbert is glad to see Karin when they return to the Bark and Buzzard, and even gladder to be offered a hot meal.  He has a seat and begins eating as Karin speaks.  He enjoys the meal and is pulling at a hunk of bread when she mentions the oncoming storm.  The man who was once a soldier stops and listens to the rumble of distant thunder and knows that it won't be long.  Not long at all.  

"I uh..****y have interest in Crowe and Sons, and possibly the Skull and Sword for information.  What are the rest of us thinking?"

"Excuse please", says Ka-cha.  "Here is the coin for sharing a dwelling.  Is it possible to get the dinner with only meat?  MY people are obligate carnivores."

Tendilius takes Wormy with a bit of a perplexed look when Emma leaves. What... what I am supposed to do with a worm? he thinks.

He asks Karin a question, "That armor you've got there. Was it something you commissioned? An artifact from Drakkenheim? While not completely unheard, talking armors like that are exquisite finds. I dare it almost seemed to have a personality of sorts from what little I've seen of its interactions with Emma and from what I can hear of the kids outside."

He says to Dabbert's query, "It appears I may have to return an unexpected guest to someone." he says, gesturing to Wormy, "So a stop at Smithe and Crowe is fine by me. And information at the Skull and Sword certainly a welcome opportunity. Considering some of the prices I've seen in stores here, might be best to make plans for an expedition to see what we can find in the ruins sooner rather than later."

As Ka-Cha Khan makes his request Tendilius takes out his book to add another entry on his thri-keen page. Obligate carnivore. He asks the monk, "Do your kind have preferences? Taste-buds? Or are your meal-choices purely utility-oriented?"

Karin goes down to sit at the back. He husband comes from out of the bar and comes along out back with a hot steaming tray held with up stove gloves and in another hand, kitchen tongs. The kids, twins who look like mini-versions of their dad, hound him for food while kicking around a red ball. The dad has to zig-zag his way through before navigating his way down to place the tray.

Here, they have a sort of retractable awning that they just opened up. It keeps most of the backyard out of the way of rain. 

The backyard is brought alive with the smell of cooked lamb meat. 

"This old thing? Really?" She scoffs and smiles. Said thing lays limply flat on the side of the wooden wall. "Old Rattlecan was found in the ruins about on some time back... Some adventurer brought him back when the city became ground zero for it. He's magic alright, and a talker! But we got no real way to work it. Loves to shout 'em nonsense."

She scratches her neck and then stretches her arm. "I wish there was a way to turn him off. But there's not. Surprising, at least, he's good with the kids." Putting her hand to her mouth in an aside, "But I wouldn't hire him as a babysitter, though. Haha. But he does keep a good eye out on the kids. Won't let anybody touch 'em!" She swipes her hand across the table for emphasis.

"Feel free to check him out, alright. Everyone likes to take a swing at him. They often place bets!"

Looking over at Ka-Cha, she opens her eyes wide. 'Obligate' sure was a word. "Um, yeah no problem, honey. You can pick it out. Sorry, most of it is mushed together. We did save some of the bones for some stock too, if you... uh wanted. Hey hubby, can you get those alright." Her husband nods and goes inside to go them. "There is also a side of potato salad in the corner. And some baked beans for anyone who is any of them vegetarian folks."

She taps her glass with her index finger, squinting over at Dabbert. "... Say I- don't I know you from somewhere. I don't for- don't forget a face. No. You... you're Hansferd and Ilene's kid, right? The farmer boy. I- I remember you around town. Selling the eggs. ... My-" She looks at you with sad, warm eyes, "You've grown up so much." She reaches for your hand "That- that's why you're here, isn't it? .. You... know. You know, right?"

She exhales, catching the expression upon your face. "Rebecca a few years back went out looking for you out in the ruins. Right about when the war ended. I- I had assumed you'd had come back and maybe I'd had missed you or something." She looks away, and deeply inhales, then pushing up the glasses that were already on top of her head. "But, but now that you're here now. What happened? Have you heard from her?"

Juniper settled down for the prepared meal, exchanging the warm stew and hearty bread with the two gold she'd dug out of her pouch. "For my own room, as well," She explained as she slid it over, then tucked in amongst the hum of conversation. Her focus flitted from their innkeep to Dabbert with the recognition, the sympathy shining in the gaze unmarred by any notion of pity. 

Quote from VitusW >>

As Ka-Cha Khan makes his request Tendilius takes out his book to add another entry on his thri-keen page. Obligate carnivore. He asks the monk, "Do your kind have preferences? Taste-buds? Or are your meal-choices purely utility-oriented?"

Quote from SunDial365 >>

Looking over at Ka-Cha, she opens her eyes wide. 'Obligate' sure was a word. "Um, yeah no problem, honey. You can pick it out. Sorry, most of it is mushed together. We did save some of the bones for some stock too, if you... uh wanted. Hey hubby, can you get those alright." He husband nods and goes inside to go them. "

"Thank you" Ka-Cha says to the woman.  "No, we don't eat the bones, save for entertainment".  He makes sure the man gets the message before he gets the bones.  "We have preferences, taste-buds and utility.  It is said that our ancestors liked the taste of some of fey ancestry.   But among those with the gift of speaking with the mind, no sentient race is food.  

Whatever else happened, Dabbert missed it.  He heard Karin, was just about to answer that, yes, indeed, he was Hansferd and Ilene's kid and then there was a sound, an earsplitting whine in his ears that threatened to deafen him.  

"What?"  He said, his mouth as dry as a desert suddenly as he flushed, pale as a ghost.  He blinked, blinking back tears or dust or something, and reached a shaking hand for his drink.  "She did what?"  

He wet his lips.  He may as well have poured it on the ground for all the good it did.  The world began to spin and he felt faint.  

"What did you say?  What is it that I should know?  What?  What ruins?  What should I know?"  

His hand trembled so that his glass shuddered on the table as he sat it down, absolutely mortified at what Karin might say next...

Hadrian looks amused as Tendilius awkwardly takes Wormy in his hand. The half-elf looks perplexed, clearly unsure of what to do with the little worm. "Are you going to keep it?" Hadrian asks, mostly as teasing. 

"Thanks for the meal." He flashes a charming smile at Karin and her family as he slides two gold coins across the table. Settling into his seat, he looks around at the group. “Yeah, I’d like to go to the Skull and Sword. And the gnome guy I was talking to earlier mentioned a delirium dealer. Kinda want to know how to get my hands on some." He taps a finger on his chainmail chest piece, "Need to make some gold if you want an upgrade."

As Karin and Dabbert's exchange begins, Hadrian raises an eyebrow, wondering who this Rebecca is. The pale look on the soldier's face tells him she must be someone important. He keeps quiet, continues eating his meal, waiting to see where this is going. 

"Worms aren't exactly my field of study." replies Tendilius, more focused on trying to keep Wormy from getting lost. "You're welcome to hold him if you want." He adds, oblivious to Hadrian's teasing. But at the pirate's mentioning of a delerium dealer he gets excited, both with the inner loot-goblin inside himself too at the mentioning of upgrading gear and at the triggering of his inner scholar. "Delerium dealer? That would be mighty handy for securing our financial positions if we can sell some to him." A joyful look comes into his yes. "Plus weird rain. Delerium. Worms. Did you know glowworms have some minor magical properties? They're an acceptable component of dancing lights and larger worms have had fascinating traits not found in their smaller brethren. You know perhaps the worms of this area may themselves contain traces of delerium that have gotten intermixed with the soil. It might even explain the lack of crops!" His words are almost getting mumbled with his thoughts racing quicker than his mouth.

Turning to Ka-Cha Khan, worms on his mind and a sentient insectoid in front of him, "Fascinating to learn! How sensitive are those taste buds? And that rumor of your ancestors' tastes, are we talking more along the lines of animalistic fey such as blink dogs? Or were their tastes rumored to have been more... tabooo?"

But Dabbert's reaction to be asked about Rebecca, presumably a former sweetheart, grabs his attention. His cheery demeanor becomes stilled from the soldier's somber reaction. He listens on.

Quote from VitusW >>

...Turning to Ka-Cha Khan, worms on his mind and a sentient insectoid in front of him, "Fascinating to learn! How sensitive are those taste buds? And that rumor of your ancestors' tastes, are we talking more along the lines of animalistic fey such as blink dogs? Or were their tastes rumored to have been more... tabooo?"

 "Taboo", the Kreen replies.  "Though I suspect my ancestors were targeting those who could most afford it, Though even one would have been too great a price.  Let us leave this topic."

Karin took Hadrian's money and also Juniper's. The meal was for free, but she wouldn't say no to any coin. She took out keys from her pocket and handed it over to Juniper. "This one's three doors down and to the left."

Her husband, Holger, gets the message to not bring the bones and does not do so. Instead, he brings out some corn and cheese arepas and places them on the table. The children come and stuff their faces with them. "Mom! He's taking too much!" One cries. "I am not!" The first one kicks the ball harder at the second, who then grabs at his knee. "What did you do that for?!" Then he shoves the first with his hands. "Hey- boys! STOP FIGHTING!"

The two twins look down and kick the dirt. "Yes, mom." They go over to a puddle and start splashing their hands with some mud. Karin has a look her face that seems to convey 'I guess that's an improvement?'

"Sorry- uh what were we talking about? Oh? Worms. Yes, right. Soil's all a mess. Um that's most likely why the Chapel's garden is elevated. Hm. No one's really done a study on it. I've tried to make a real garden, but it sure wasn't no winner. Neither me or my husband had any green thumb. It died within a week."

She clasps her hands around her mouth. "No. Um. Oh no. Right. That wasn't what we were talking about. Dabbert, yes. I'm really sorry, but I haven't seen Rebecca since then. She came back once or twice or maybe three more times, but that was it. I think. Um what was it? Yes. It is 1,126 now. And the civil war... '19. Gosh, no it's been three years now. You see, we stopped getting the Post a long time ago since the star. Well maybe a few years after that, but about the two years since the war ended we got no more letters entirely. The Lanterns stopped funding and the Academy, you know how secretive they are, they wouldn't fund it either."

"Yes, she stopped by here you know, since my sister, Maria, used to babysit her- Maria left town by the way moved to Altberg- but no, not Rebecca. She said she stopped getting your letters and was worried sick. She thought maybe you had gone back in there once since she heard that your family had to sell the house. And of course there were no buyers. Who would want to buy a house in the middle of this wasteland? She thought maybe you had gone into debt and had went into the ruins yourself and to spare her the worry- no never do that. It never works- so she went in herself. And my, was she pretty good at it."

"She brought back a pretty stinking good haul of delirium. That kid's always been a skilled miner. Good to hand it to the girl, she knows how to hustle. Anywho, I- I actually haven't seen her since." She pats Dabbert's shoulder, "I'm sorry, kiddo. Last time she was here she was worried sick about her sister who went in too and gotten contaminated. She heard of this healer man, the 'pale one', who would help her because the one who she sold the delirium to scammed her. And nobody here in this town does anything for free."

"Anyways we did ran that stinkin' man out the village that one. Gotten one too many of them scammers. Good thing he was affiliated with no one, that's who."

The dinner seems to conclude there as it took long enough that the rest of the table had finished their meals. "Well, I do hope you each and every one of you enjoy your stay. This world's a tough place, but I'm sure you'll settle in just fine."

Ka-Cha leaves 2 gp at his seat as well.

Heiboros comes in from outside the tavern, sipping wet, and mutters the strange words, "Ridiculous glowing rabbit."

[OOC: my excuse for not wanting to read everything I missed is that Heiboros was temporarily gone.]