Kulloda pauses on his way to the stable, looks at Drip and says "That good. You won't need share any gold we get."

He then continues, shaking his head at Elmer as he goes, out to the stable. Smiling that there are enough horses for them to use tomorrow, he settles into the clean hay and goes to sleep.

Togar is very interested in the fish that is brought to dinner, and he eats with gusto.  A lot of smacking and licking of lips, rapid clicking of the beak and he tilts his head up suddenly, you can see the piece move down his feathered neck.  When the time comes for the bill, he looks annoyed and bothered by the dickering over a few coins, the comments about work and so forth.  “Let me pay for it.  Hrrrmph.  I don’t know what all of the commotion is about.  We have much more important things to discuss.”  He brings out a knitted purse, woven with exquisite fabrics.  He stretches and extends his wings fully, going up to inspect the room and see if it is up to his standards.  

Bilgrim stands behind the desk completely confounded by the conversation that happens in front of him.  He's about to tell Hilda to go run and get the guards, even in this downpour as he was not about to feed these squalors if that is what was going on.

But as Elmer upends his coin purse, that renders him speechless.  He takes the 3 coins he requested, "Please, keep the rest.  If you all decide to stay longer you can pay more."  Togar starts taking out his coins and Bilgrim holds up his hand.  "Look good sir, I'll make sure Hilda makes a delicious breakfast for you all and a tip would be greatly appreciated at that time."

As Togar heads up to check out the rooms, he finds them spotless.  A bit barren, but not bad, all the necessities are accounted for.

Drip watches Kulloda go with a confused expression. “You dudes getting paid for this?” he asks, putting the pieces together.

Turning to Elmer he adds, ”I thought it was a punishment from your mom or whatever? You know… for murdering that dude in the forest or whatever? The dude you stole the armor from…?” Drip explains, hoping to refresh his memory.

     Anachain decides to make an early night of it and retires to her room shortly after dinner.  She decides some peace and quiet will do her wonders...

     In her room she connects with Myrth and sends her invisible familiar out into the storm...  They saw a copy of one page of the grandfather's journal, she would like to see the real thing and more of it, if possible.  Well she won't get a look at it personally, even if the little scamp can get into the home and sneak a peak Anachain herself is too far away to see through their eyes.  But the little devil is a smart one,  Or smart enough, anyway.  He'll be able to read the book and bring back any relevant information he finds...  So Myrth goes back to hobbitown and tries to sneak back into the home and find the journal and do some light reading while the family sleeps...  ((Note to self - take Voice of Chain Master next time ya get another invocation...))

     While waiting for her minion to return, Anachain wonders about this group she seems to be a part of.  Wonders just how she allowed that to happen.  She was used to dealing with children but these...  She shakes her head.  At least children can learn...  She also worries a bit about coins.  She really hasn't done that much of late.  She more or less relied upon the kindness of others but that was in the heart of the little domain she had created for herself - where everyone knew her and relied on her as much as she them.  If she is going to be treading out into the wider world she is going to need coin to do so...

((Let me know if you want stealth, investigation, perception or whatever rolls from Myrth?))

     In the morning Anachain is more than happy to wander down to the common room and wait for the others to awaken and arrive.  She's sure they will be loud and boisterous when they do.  In the meantime she'll enjoy the quiet and keep and eye out for ways to acquire some coin... Perhaps as they depart she'll spot an opportunity to take advantage of the chaos or such.  ((ie - if an opportunity presents itself as they are leaving (or shortly before) for her to pickpocket a different group of guests or such...))

The next morning Bilgrim was true to his word and there is quite a decent spread for breakfast.  The other two that were hanging by the fire last night are there as well, enjoying the fresh fruit, breads and meats that are laid upon the main table.  They don't see Mother Anachain in the corner for a moment and are surprised when they spy her as she is very quiet.

As the others stop down to breakfast, the woman of the couple walks over to Mother Anachain and in a soft voice, "Good morning.  I uh.. well, we uh.. we are taking a caravan to Rivermark, and well, last night it seemed some in your group was in need of money?  Talk of dishes and all that.. and we can see that you definitely have muscle in your group.  So we were wondering.. if you all were heading Southeast perchance you would want to accompany us?  We would pay you of course."  The woman is worrying a cloth in her hands, as she waits your answer.  She looks to be about middle aged, bronze colored skin with deep auburn hair.  Her clothes, and those of her companion, are clean but well worn.  "Oh, my name is Dimia, what's yours?"  she almost meets Anachains eyes at this last part, but not quite.

Kulloda come into the main room, picking straw out of his clothing as he does, and immediately sets into the food.

"Lots of horses out there," Kulloda says to the rest of the group between mouthfulls. "Don't have to walk."

He notices the woman talking to Anachain but sticks to eating rather than trying to find out what's going on.

Togar walks down the stairs, stretching his arms, testing his wingspan.  A yawn ensues.  He comes down to the main room and starts to listen to the discussion with Mother Anachain.  “Hired hands?  For a caravan?  How rich.  Okay, I’ll play along.  I can sight from above, take to the skies to scout, from time to time.  Perhaps earn a little spending money.”  Togar looks around the bar, interested in a morning snack.  He’ll wait for the others to come down and hear their thoughts about this..

     "Anachain," she responds to Dimia.  "Some used to call me Mother Anachain...  But that already seems like a past life..." She says the last bit distractedly as if talking of ages past instead of a couple of days ago.

     "But yes, we have many strengths in our group," she says coming back to the here and now.  "We could most definitely do such a job.  We are heading to Calimport, ourselves..."  She dusts her mind of the cobwebs she has over the geography portion and tries to figure out if the directions matched at all or not.  "But why would you be needing muscle and accompaniment? Are you expecting trouble for some reason?"

     As she asks this her eyes assess - Both the couple in front of her but her own companions as they make their way to the common room.  The woman, Dimia, and her companion are scrutinized to try to make out just who and what they were?  Merely monied travelers or was there more to them?  (Perception: 14)  Her own group she wonders how interested they would be in such a side job...  But she quickly dismisses this and decides the bulk of them would be happy to actually make coin as they traveled anyway... And if any didn't, well she had doubts about some of this group anyway...

     She smiles warmly at Togar as he comes in and is already accepting.  "Well, it seems you have hired at least one of us...  But the rest would surely like to hear the offer first.  What troubles are you expecting and how much are you paying?"

As Anachain does the talking, Elmer shovels food in his mouth, watching with wide, curious eyes.

The moment the words "The rest would surely like to hear the offer first..." Elmer raises his hand calls from behind, "I'll do it!" with his mouth full and continues eating.

Togar smiles at Elmer’s outburst, “Charming, see?  That’s the spirit!  Dear Mother, you have to just get into the spirit of the thing!”  Togar wears an owlin smirk on his face and then goes back to pecking away at his snack, taking in morning sustenance.  

Drip saunters into the inn, the salty scent of the sea clinging to him like a second skin. His damp skin and sandy feet leave a little trail behind him as he slouches into a chair. “You dudes missed some sweet waves,” he says, wiping his nose with the back of his hand, eyes scanning the room. “Now, where’s that breakfast?”

He grabs a plate and starts munching away without hesitation, barely registering what the others are saying until halfway through a mouthful. “Escort mission?” he echoes, smirking a little. “Sure, dude, whatever. But, like, real talk—how do you caravan dudes even know surfing is better over there?” He gives a lazy grin, looking around for a response.

Dimia claps her hands together in excitement.  "See!" she says turning to her companion, "I told you last night's storm was going to bring us good luck!  It brought us companions for our journey!"

Turning back to Anachain as she figures she would be the one to discuss matters with since she is the only one who asked questions.  "Calimport?  Well, Rivermark is on the way!  We won't even be putting you out of your way, how about that?  Well, trouble?  I mean, the road can always give you trouble, not that we are expecting anything.  How's 5 silver a day for each of you?  That should cover it, don't you think?"

Heading over to her companion, they whisper a bit then Dimia turns back to the group, "This is Galadher and we'll be ready to leave within the hour if you all are ready?  We can meet in the front of the Inn."

     Anachain looks around to the rest of the group with a "Well?" kind of expression on her face to see what everyone else thinks.  She herself already has all her things and is ready to leave.

Kulloda pauses in his eating and nods his agreement.

"Easier than steal horses," Kulloda says. "Ready go."

“Five silver?  A pittance.  Fine.  Whatever floats your boat.  Let’s be on our way, the sooner the better.  I feel like stretching my wings..”. Togar has had enough sustenance and he stands, giving a strange bow and starting to head to the door.

Drip quickly grabs whatever was left on Togar’s plate, giving a thumbs up, continuing to stuff his face.

Dimia and Galadher arrive at the front of the Blue Frog right at an hour's time in their caravan.  It looks like it was once glorious in it's day, but it has seen many miles and though it has been well taken care of, it looks it.  Dimia appears quite proud of it as their two horses bring it around.

"Oh good, you're all ready to go!  Well, there is room on top if your owl would like to perch up there, otherwise someone can squeeze in with Galadher inside if they need a break from walking, and there is the seat next to me with the horses.  But obviously, we're paying you to keep an eye out, so doing that is definitely priority!"  She smiles, but there is definitely an air of authority to her voice with this as she points areas out and discusses the situation.  "It is about a two week journey to Rivermark, so let's get a move on!"

Galadher nods to the group of you and climbs into the caravan as Dimia hops up to the seat and takes the reins.

Where are all of you going to be as travel commences?

At the mention of two weeks, Kulloda frowns. "Maybe steal horses better"

But when he sees the others appear on board with providing protection services, he decides to wait and see how things turn out.

He's never been a bandit, but assumes they would wait for the caravan to pass by before springing a trap. Kulloda follows the caravan from behind, scanning the sides of the road for an ambush.

Perception (20+3)= 23

Elmer will proudly march in front in his shiny armor, making himself a big fat target for any would-be attackers.

He'll greet every plant and animal the caravan encounters with a friendly smile and polite salutation, just the way his mother taught him. He'll also ask any animals he sees to kindly let him know if they're aware of any danger on the road ahead.