“Well my dear Frostclaw, there’s the festival, opportunities abound to win some decent prizes perhaps a bit of coin.  Then of course the ladies love a festival and well, you know me. Ha, ha.  Lastly and mostly I look forward to any chance to get together with as close a friend as yourself, of course.  And perhaps some new acquaintances.”  He raises his glass to both at his table.

" 'Rooso Vermoose'..." Jorie takes a large mouthful and swallows. His face turns into a grimace, into a cough, then his eyes start watering.

"By the Gods, what an experience! Let me get the next bottle" offering his gold pouch to the server.

He turns back to the Duke, "You are most kind, thank you." He smiles at the newcomer to the table and introduces himself. "My name is Jorie Laeme"

Jorie turns to look at the Tabaxi, "That is indeed strange. The talking cats from where I'm from are cruel, impudent and completely unhelpful, that feline seems to be polite and respectful. I wonder if they would like to join us for some Vermoose?"

Jorie beckons for the Tabaxi to come over.

Figgles walks closer to the Eladrin and sniffs curiously at the drink. 

"No thank you to the drink, I have rather specific taste. Also, dearest, while I do share the appearance of your average cat, I can assure you that I am in fact a Tabaxi. The name is Figgles Von Worthington, " Figgles bows deep while removing his hat before standing straight again. A server comes by and places a glass of fragrant wine in front of him.

“From Deastok, and please, I am no child,” Theo says to Emory kindly but firm. “I’ll take a room and some food.” He quickly goes to his room, drops some things off, and heads back down. Seeing an empty chair, Theo walks over. “Mind if I take a seat? My name’s Theo.” he says with a smile, his eyes taking in the diverse group. Turning towards a servant, he asks, “Could you bring me some ale? And possibly some stew? It’s been a long journey for me.”

Jorie is elated when Theo sits with them. It's almost like he's back with his family, just with one missing.

He scans the room and sees the Dragonborn at the next table, something pushes him to ask them to join the group.

Jorie tries to get his head into the eye line of the Dragonborn, and says "Greetings fellow traveller, we are all eating and trying new drinks, would you care to join us?"

Nathan glances around the table remembering a teacher from his childhood, <look around younglings the faces you see today will be much less as we finish this academic year.  You see only the best make it to the end, the rest blow away as chaff from the grain.>
Nathan hated that teacher but they were right exactly half the class of 30 were dropped out or pulled before the years end.

He smiles and nods at each individual adding to the small talk keeping up appearances.

”Let’s make a pledge shall we?  All of us at this table. (hoping that Subis has joined us) Whatever challenges we face prizes we win we will encourage one another and each do our best, a toast to us.”  He lifts his glass and finishes his drink.

Figgles raises his wine to the toast before taking a sip. "Let us all be the dearest of friends from now on, yes?" He adds.

"Say, why don't we go around and share our classes? I am a Wizard of the school of Illusions. What might the rest of you be?" Figgles asks curiously as he looks around the group.

Xaos nods enthusiastically at Jorie at the mention of his talking cats. “That’s what I’m saying! I met a Tabaxi once. But he was like 8 feet tall and kind of a dick”

He turns back to Figgles with a smile. “But I don’t mean to offend.” As he continues speaking, Xaos grabs a knife from the table and his side plate, taking some portions of meat and cutting them into cat-sized chunks before sliding it over to Figgles. “It’s just that all of this…” He gestures to the room, indicating its size “was clearly not made with you in mind. And yet here you are, being anyway. I respect the hell out of that.”

Not wanting to make any more of a spectacle, he gratefully accepts the subject change from Hemsworth, raising his glass in the same toast, and looking around at the group forming at the table. He holds his hands up in an uncomfortable shrug and says “Oh a wizard? That’s impressive. But I’m just a simple sailor. Or, was. I’m not really sure what I am now.”

Recovering his smile after just a moment, he looks around again. “But we’re all here for the festival I take it?”

Theo raises his mug of ale with the others, and knocks it back. “Glad to meet some acquaintances before the festival began,” he says warmly.

Turning towards Figgles, he says, “I’m a blacksmith, but I also fight and design weapons. Mostly ranged weapons, especially guns. I’m hoping to try out two of my recent designs, which are more polished than some others that I have.” Theo lifts his Pepperbox to show the table. “This is similar to a pistol, but can fire six times before I have to reload it. The other one, I’ll hopefully show off later. It’s reaaaaaally fun,” Theo says with a sly grin.

Figgles is delighted at the enthusiastic curiosity he is greeted with. "Aye, I have come for the festival... and for knowledge, but that's another matter." He gratefully takes the proffered plate of meat and begins to eat. "You are but what you make of yourself, dear friend. Worry not, as I am certain your path will become clear soon." turning towards Theo, he adds, "I'd quite enjoy a show of your weapon designs. Say, are you any good at making them smaller, dearest? Trying one out myself would be really fun." Figgles has a gleam of ferocious glee at the mention of new creations. He has an air of mischievous curiosity about him, and seems very interested in causing mayhem for the fun of it.

Jorie lifts his mug to the Duke's toast. Downing it before coughing and spluttering again.

"I'd be honored Master Figgles. I've not been here very long, I've been living by myself for a time. I help people, guided by the gentle light of the Moonweaver."

Jorie nods at Xaos' question, "I received a sign to be at this place for the festival. Although, the reason is yet to be revealed."

Jorie is incredibly fascinated by the strange contraption Theo shows the group. 

"It starts six fires at the same time?"

Theo laughs at Figgles’ suggestion. “Not yet, I’m still working out all the kinks in them. Hopefully they’re working, but problems still arise.” To Jorie, he says, “Not six at once, I can shoot six times (one bullet at a time) before having to reload. Ooh wait, multiple bullets at the same time…” Theo quickly gets out a small journal and furiously starts to scribble.

Subis joins in and takes the pledge

Nathan listens as each conversation circles around the festival and who’s who, some he knows some he does not Jorie for instance is blunt, but Nathan suspects it covers for a deeper well of wisdom, eladrin after all can see centuries pass.  Master Figgles a wizard like himself, very interesting an exchange of arcana may help us both… Xaos Frostclaw a familiar face and a welcome one too, Theo appearances can be deceiving and that contraption he calls a pepper box firing bullets very interesting, then there is Subis a dragonborn but what lineage and discreet not much shared…

”Say there my dear Dragonborn, what’s your name if I may ask?  I can’t recall meeting many of your kind, do you hail from a noble line, no offense I’m just curious it’s said you are descended from the blood of dragons.  It’s an interesting study which I quite enjoy.”

Subis, realizing he is engaged in conversation, feels ready to reveal his name and his identity. He pulls down the hood and removes his mask. What you all see before you is a mixed race of Elf and Dragonblood (Dragonborn). In appearance, he takes after his elf mother mostly with his fathers silver scales replacing his hair. Silver scales accent his cool white elven skin on his arms and legs. He stands and assumes a more formal, military stance. and says:

"Sorry to be late to introductions. My name is Sargent Subis Shoxuacel, a member of the Whitestone Rifle Corps. It is a pleasure to meet you all."

Turning to Nathan, Subis' cool piercing blue eyes meeting your own. "Yes, my father has told me many stories of us descending from noble silver dragons. as for being noble. (he chuckles in a more draconic way) Far from it sir. My parents came to Whitestone as refugees. They were accepted into the community and even accepted me as I am." 

“A Sargent in the Whitestone Rifle Corps that sounds very prestigious.  I hope there is no military concern here,  Jigow is not what I would consider a strategic position.”

"Say, why don't we go around and share our classes? I am a Wizard of the school of Illusions. What might the rest of you be?" Figgles asks curiously as he looks around the group.

”Master Figgles, I too am a student of arcane studies, perhaps we can discuss a cooperative study of the arts.  A unique perspective is always welcome.”

As the evening progress into the late hour. There comes a bard who sings the song the Lost.

”You were then when I called, the light of Rudius led me to you. Oh Moonweaver lend me your hand to stop the Grumish Blade. However I tried till I became lost. May those whom remember me, have only lost memories”.

The Bugbear bars names Skybane, finishes his song. Grandma Emory makes her rounds the inn. Then says “Well soon be heroes, have a good night, the tap room is closed. Jigow’s night life is not here. However tomorrow will be long.” She then nods to staff who go about cleaning.

//what do want to do?

Nathan if possible will catch the bard after his performance with a gold piece in his hand,  “Skybane, a wonderful song!  Tell me is there a bit of lore with those lyrics.  Here also a gold for your gift of music and knowledge.”

When Emory announces closing time Nathan will head out for a bit to look up at the evening sky and get some fresh air…

-1gp

Skybane takes the gold and says “Yes, there is legend of hero from before the Calamity, that she fought the Betrayer gods because they killed her one true love.” He looks over at Grandma Emory and then bids Nathan a good night. 

Jorie would like to try to remember the name of the hero from the song.

History (or Religion, same mod): 10

Jorie seems to get more energised the later the evening progresses. He pays for the drinks and follows the Duke outside. 

Jorie looks up at Catha, unblinking, and says a quiet prayer. 

//OOC: DM let me know how much the evenings drinks cost and I'll deduct