Anyone standing near Tymm at the mention of the scorpions will hear his stomach growl. After a good fight nothing is better than a good meal. And Tymm has yet to eat anything that he wouldn’t consider a good meal. As negotiations begin for room and board, Tymm recognizes he’d be wise to let the smarter members handle the haggling. His only job is to keep his growing hunger under control long enough for coin to exchange hands

Tenor listens to Richie and klaes, the ladies stay quiet, kerrifeem acting too important for this, aria being shy and hanging near tymm, and rellia looking around in awe.

"for lodging I recommend the glossy buck." He points to a ramshackle building that has seen better days, but that looks like the most prominent and nicest building around. "And if food is what you see. Ask for the daily special, I Believe it is kemmoran tynta. A rice dish with some nice spicy sauce and tough meat, in a bone broth. You'll find it is heart and good for the stomach and the soul." He chuckles rubbing his own belly and looking away for a second remembering. "I wish you luck on your journey wherever you may lead. News around says that creatures from the desert have been moving farther in. Passing the border now and then, taking villagers and such. If you find anything of that nature please come back to me with information. I am desperate to find out what is causing these disturbances" he clasps his hands together looking a little more desperate then his voice sounds.

Tenor barely gets the last syllable out before Tymm flashes a quick smile at Aria and marches for the Glossy Buck. The description of that daily special has him practically drooling

Klaes slips a silver coin to Tenor, and tips his top hat. (It is customary in Klaes homeland to tip for any service rendered.) "We thank you. As for the disturbances, we will surely keep your lovely village on our minds." He follows Tymm to the Glossy Buck as well.

"You all go ahead to the Glossy Buck. I wish to converse with Master Tenor, for a little longer, and you join you in a bit."

"My good sir, I would like to hear more about creatures from the desert have been moving farther in, taking villagers, if there's been a rise in activity by bandits, and the like. Has that been a problem for a while, or only recently? Has there been anyone who has survived such encounters, or those taken or missing, who have returned? If so, have they sought help in the aftermath, such as from a temple or other place? Have there been any, shall we say, less than scrupulous individuals that have been passing through, or having settled in the area? Any additional info could prove helpful in this situation."

After my chat with him, and any of the other leads, I hope to have some more information, so that I can try, this evening, to reach out to the spirits, in learning what's happening here. It's too much of a coincidence for this to happen, along the path of our mission for the star.

Again, for some reason, he thinks of the elf woman he's just met, and mentally quashes the images.

I have no time for such thoughts. Her kind aren't friendly to Shade Elves, even if only barely a half-breed.

You don't want to be judged, yet you judge.

Lady Serra? One of her retainers?

*silence*

I know I heard one of the spirits. I'm not mad over my losses...My own mission is too important for any such indulgences...Tymm, I hope this princess and you lead to something good.

tenor: "woah woah! so many questions! excuse me a moment while i gather my thoughts and divulge what you just said." he chuckles, then pulls in a breath and thinks a momoent.
finally "it has been recently, the last few days. since the star fell. most survive, the monsters dont seem to seek out for slaughter, they still have their primal instinct to hunt, but only to feed. they mostly stay away from us, but seem a little more viscous, and effective." he waves a hand "we dont believe in serra down here. we have built ourselves up. and we shall continue to thrive without the aid of gods." he nods a little "not many. but a few. some seek the star. some just regular travelers, such as yourselves. i dont have much else to give. but thank you for any help you can provide."

tenor blinks at the coin and mumbles "thank you..."

tymm and klaes arrive at the inn, aria and kerrifeem close behind. door seems to be nothing more then some swinging pieces of wood that are push to open. as they step inside the chatter dies down as everyone turns to watch the new arrivals. quickly things return to a rowdier scene as people see no threat. the bartender, a heavyset man with a nice sized beard and plump round nose puffing on a massive cigar, calls from the counter. "howdy fellars! what can i do for yall?"

"To start with, a daily special and a large mug of ale.  Quantity over quality if you get my meaning!" Tymm answers.  He turns to regard his friends, and almost as an after thought he adds, "And whatever they want.  Probably some rooms too for...", he starts counting on his fingers, "Eight I think?"

the bartender laughs "alright sonny whatever you say! you got 6 gold? cause thats the cost of the food and drink"

aria speaks up "ill pay for everything!" and pulls out a large bag of platinum. "six rooms will be fine."

the mans eyes bulge and his cigar drops at the sight of the coins "well i'll be!"

as the man and aria haggle on price. the man gives tymm his drink and food. the food smells even better then tenor described.
and when he sits down and takes a bite, it's even better then he ever could have dreamed. the faint spice, the warm rice, the broth. it all comes together into a mouthwatering dish that tymm devours, and before he knows it it's gone.

Understanding that their compatriots may have needs that they do not, 6 suffers the delay without protest. Staying with Richie to make sure no one is left behind.

Tymm finishes his meal and let’s put a respectable belch that could probably shake the walls of the inn. He realizes he’s still famished and could probably eat two or three more of those meals. But Aria’s buying so he’s trying to be courteous, so he refrains. With the sudden realization that he’s in the presence of a princess he immediately becomes flush with embarrassment and searches for anything that he can use to wipe the not inconsiderable amount of food off of his face. With nothing else for it he rips a strip of cloth from his cloak and cleans his face as best he can. And immediately pretends that none of that happened, although it was very obviously in view of all in the room…

By the time Klaes turned around and had started to walk towards the inn, he had already forgotten the empty promises he just made a second ago. He looks skeptically at the building, or whatever that is called. He looks around and without any other choice, he goes in with the other. "May I have a glass of bordeaux wine to go with my super my good man?" He tips his top hat towards Aria. "Since the lady over there is paying."

Richie decides to make his way to the inn.

"Oh, 6. Well, I suppose you wouldn't be in a rush to eat with the others. You also heard what Tenor said. A lot of the changes have happened since the star fell. Beasts seem a little more vicious, but as of yet, not intent on slaughter. Not really a lot of additional information to go on, and I'm not sure anyone else would have anything to report. Still, there seems to be something else in town. Do you feel like doing a little exploring of the town, after dark, since we're going to be here, for the night? Or maybe I'm being paranoid?"

Entering the inn as he talks, and after the patrons apparently follow a habit of scanning the newcomers, Richie sees the rest of party, and stops as his gaze falls again onto Rellia.

6 remains silent in response to Richies reconnaissance suggestion but just before Richie enters the tavern in he's alerted by  familiar clicking.

*click *click 

Many seek. We shouldn't delay.

the tavern continues to hum with minimal business. patrons arrive and leave, chatting about adventures and news, you all hear a little here and there about the monsters creeping into the land. but not much to go on.

everyone make a perception check for me.

Tymm Perception: 19

Klaes Perception: 19

(Did Klaes get his bordeux?)

"Huh? Oh, sorry 6. My mind wondered, briefly. You're probably right, in that we should go, as soon as we eat, and rest a little."

Perception: 10

Perception: 11

Nothing seems out of he ordinary as you sit down to converse.

Aria: "I got us some accomodations. It cost some but it works. Five rooms. Me, rellia, and kerrifeem can share. I was able to get enough rooms that only two of you would have to share."

Kerrifeem: "what do you mean. I count four." She recounts to be sure and nods with four fingers up "yeah. Four."

Rellia: "I saw the scale-blood walking off. I am not sure where he was going or what he was doing." She shrugs and sits on her drink, pointedly not looking at Richie.

Aria: "oh... Well In that case there is enough room for each of you!" She smiles cheerily and goes back to her stew, choking it down and drinking lots of water trying to rid herself of he intense spice. "H-hot... Hot..." She whispers.

"Rellia, after the ordeal, I'm curious as to how you're doing. When possible, after Healing someone, I try to follow up, to make sure there's not other issues." As he speaks, he does so, while focusing on his food, having made sure it was how he liked it, without burning. He also, very pointedly, though still remaining civil, turned down anything that had to do with scorpion.