Badger: "Hello. We are less in need of sustenance as a chat with someone named Guldark in your employ."

Kristofferson orders an ale in hopes to smooth the transaction.

As Lumark fills K's ale, he shouts over his shoulder to a back room. "Goldie!"

After he serves the ale, he holds up a hand to indicate he'll be a minute and leaves to fetch Guldark.

After a beat, three male elves enter the tavern. They approach the half-elf and have gruff words with him. There's clear tension and aggression from the three elves towards the half-elf.

Badger watches the conflict. Are there any signs of danger to anyone or of evil? Insight: 18

Kristofferson sips his ale. He's however ready to intervene if it comes to that.

Ash waits impatiently for the bugbear.

Badger: it's clear that the three elves are bullying the more passive and meek half-elf. They all seem to know each other and they don't like the half-elf for unknown reasons. Should the half-elf stand up for himself, it could come to physical harm, but that seems unlikely and at the moment, there is no physical risk.

Badger steps forward. "Gentlemen. May I assist you in any way? If not, I recommend that you find a table away from him or find another establishment."

Ash circles to a better position in case something happens.

The three elves turn their attention to you, malice in their eyes.

The shortest one with pointy teeth sneers. "Look at this fool in a metal jacket. Thinks he's in a war."

The largest one is apparently the leader of the trio. "Why don't you three just get out of here?"

Badger is a bit taken aback that the three villagers increased the tension and aggression. Are they dangerous or really willing to fight a group of adventurers? Essentially how challenging would they be? Insight: 18

Badger: they are not adventurer-level threats; they appear to just be aggressive bullying commoners.

Just then, Lumark and Guldark emerge from a back room. Lumark looks annoyed that there's tension in the room and puts his hands on his hips.

The three elves look at Lumark then back to you. "We'll be seeing you around, punks." They leave.

Guldark goes to the half-elf, putting a comforting hand on his back. "You need to stand up for yourself, Joramir! You let them bully you now, they'll bully you the rest of your life!"

Joramir whines, "But Biflar is bigger than me."

Guldark continues. "Look at me. I was part of a goblin tribe and got bullied for not being as blood thirsty as the rest of 'em. I got out of there and made something of myself in a fine village like this."

Lumark clears his throat. "Goldie, these are the ones who wanted to see you." He then returns to the backroom.

Guldark turns his attention to you as the half-elf Joramir gathers his things and leaves.

Badger: "Guldark, we are new to town and came in via the carriage catapult. Unfortunately, we launched into the tree farm barn outside of and splashed some animating potion onto their trees. They asked us to tell you, as you apparently have some antidote?"

Guldark's face looks happy and welcoming, then confused, then alarmed. He mutters some welcoming words as he hurries to take off his apron and rush out, calling out to Lumark that he has to tend to an emergency.

Lumark returns to the counter.

Kristofferson turns his attention to Lumark. "We are on a mission to find a magic crystal. Are there any known magic locations or people who would know about such things in town?"

Ash: "And as you may have heard, we got past the force dome via a carriage catapult. Was that really the only way in, and how do we get out?"

Badger orders a wine and takes a seat at the counter.

Lumark looks confused and skeptical at the halflings' questions as he pours Badger's wine. "Ain't much in the way of magic around here, no. There's a short of crazy mage in the rundown mansion at the edge of town. Keeps to himself mostly. Maybe he knows what you're talking about. As for a force dome, I don't know what you're talking about."

Ash: "The force wall dome thing that encircles this town, I assume to keep the fey dangers out? We only found the catapult way past it, but now don't know how to leave. How do people leave this town?"

Kristofferson: "Thanks, we'll visit this mage. What is his name?"

Lumark: "When we want to leave, we just walk down the road. When we want to return, we just walk the other way up the road. Are you touched in the head, boy? Maybe you'll do well to talk to the crazy mage. Name is Derbrun, an old aasimir."

Badger, noticing the rising tension, gulps down his wine and stands. "We thank you for your hospitality and time." He leads the others out of the tavern. "Let's not antagonize every villager we meet. But something strange is definitely happening here."

Ash shakes his head. "We're stuck here!"

Kristofferson: "Maybe the mage knows about the crystal and a way out. Let's go." He leads the way.

As you walk the roads of the village in the general suggested direction towards the mage, you happen upon the half-elf Joramir standing just on the other side of the road. He is chatting with a young, pretty human female dressed in browns and greens with a vine necklace and a flower in her hair. She seems friendly, and he is clearly smitten with her. After she leaves the conversation to walk back towards the center of town, the half-elf watches her and steps backwards into the road where a cart is speeding forward. You have a moment to react, what do you do?

Kristofferson will try something (let me know if it doesn't work mechanically). He runs between Joramir and the cart, will channel his Ki, and use Deflect Missiles to reduce the damage taken by the rushing cart (by 18).

Ash will also rush in and push Joramir out of the way. Athletics: 7

Ash manages to shove the half-elf mostly out of the way and neither are hurt.

The cart smashes into the waiting Kristofferson, breaking into a dozen pieces, and K miraculously takes no damage.

The half-elf stands and brushes himself off, blushing and embarrassed. "Thanks," he says meekly.

Badger ensures he's okay and says, "We saw you back at Lu's. You are Joramir, correct? We are the Quote Unquote Fantastic, adventurers who fight for the bullied. Who were those bullies bothering you?"

Ash rolls his eyes. "Badger, we can't help every person in need. We're currently like five missions deep at the moment. Find the crystal to help Agatha to save Sildar to help Garaele to help Bramble. Joramir, pleased to meet you. You're welcome for saving your life just now. But we're busy and we'll be on our way now."

Kristofferson is picking splinters out of his cowl. "Joramir, do you know anything about this force dome around the village or how we'd be able to leave when we're ready to?"

Joramir replies, "That's Biflar and his cronies. They, uh, let me do some of their work at the mine." He turns to K. "I don't know what you mean by a force dome."