Quote from Hrothbert_Neruca >>

"Wait, There's a Party? Wow this towns mood changes faster than the flight of a bee! They go from all sad and miserable, to angry and fighting, to cheering some high on himself lunatic, to throwing a party all in a few seconds, Geez that's a lot all at once"
He sits on Barkly thinking for a moment "Hey Haz, Maybe you can get out of your shell, that armour of yours and your head a bit tonight."

Kasi catches up to the group now that Tekel is gone, and overhears Merkas.

"Santekh not have much cause to celebrate until now. This shipment bring hope to people. Kasi too old to stay out late, but you should go." Kasi smiles and lets out a wheezy laugh, tinged with a bit of sadness. She knows that a kobold wrecking the scene would be a bad look, and she has no interest in showing up to a dance party just to get mocked and bullied.

Quote from Hrothbert_Neruca >>

Watching the crowds disperse and cast looks over at their group he shifts on his seat to look over at Kasi "Hey Gramma, hop up, you're with us and you need to get the credit for the work you did as well. We're going to see Verhana at he office and make sure you get the protection of the council and if they don't give it to you we will make sure you get it ourselves. Also I need to return a flask to Bucky that I borrowed" Soon as Kasi is aboard Merkas moves over to where Verhana is "My Lady Verhana, We have business to finish, and I have a few other items of import that needs to be shared with you and the council"

"Come inside. Hastos, you may wait outside, as you were not part of the contract. Kasi, please wait outside as well. Your services were not included in the terms of the contract, and will have to be paid for out of the initial reward." She says, inviting the rest into her office. Once everyone enters, she sprays a perfume in the air to cover up the scent of horse and mud, and sets cloths over her chairs, clearly bothered by the smell and sight of Dawnbound's filth-and-sweat soaked attire. She reaches into her lockbox and pulls out the contract for you to sign, as well as a chest containing a hefty pile of Stl. She then grabs three coinpurses, and divides 120 Stl into three stacks of 40 Stl each, and places them into the coinpurses. Then she returns the chest to the lockbox, and seals it up with her key.

Once completed, she hands over the contract for you to sign, while keeping the coinpurses secured. "The money is yours once you sign. I apologize for the necessary security within the contract. But you have earned out trust, and the favor of Satekh's council with your successful return."

She pulls out some other forms from her desk, and places standard ink beside it. "These forms, if you wish to sign them, make you an official resident of Santekh, should you choose to stay. You'll be welcome to establish permanent lodgings, under the provision that you keep the true nature of our town secret, and you'll be able to request a location for your business, if you wish to do so. I believe Buckeran is interested in petitioning for you to have a mercenary guild as your sponser, and is waiting to discuss this matter with you. Of course, what you do in town is your own business, as long as you respect the peace within our walls, and don't cause conflict with the established authority here. But you seem to be a good lot, and I am confident there will be no trouble."

Merkas graciously receives the payment as he says in common (italics are thieves cant) “Lady Verhana we’re happy to have returned the supplies. There was so much that happened. We may have to tell you tonight at the Dancing Dwarf. You will be there? Some fun to clear today’s trouble from your mind and help you sleep in maybe. Santekh will be better off now, I think. It was a hard quest. Seems like we did good though. Glad you paying us not someone else. All this is hard work and working goes against why my sister and I started the treasure hunting, but this settlement and the war changed my outlook.” The kender watches for the reaction to his words as be continues in his usual verbal deluge “Kasi truly was instrumental in retrieving those crates and I hope that she be treated with as much respect as we are, as well let to the town council and guard know she is under our protection, Hastos too.” Still chattering as he pulls out a familiar quill to sign the paperwork “Never really been considered a citizen of anywhere, it’s kinda nice to have a place called home. Oh and yeah we hope to set up our own lodging and stuff, gonna need a place to keep Barkly for sure!”

Sera accepted the pouch of 40 steel pieces with a firm nod.

“Seems my fate is in Santech for the time being...” she said, half to herself. Then she threw a sideways glance at Verhenna, a teasing smirk on her lips. “And it’s not a geas keeping me here this time, right?” she looked at the contract and signed. making her a citizen.

Without waiting for an answer, she chuckled softly, the tension of the day finally starting to loosen from her shoulders.

“Well, for once, I’m going to wear something other than a stinking, battered chainmail...” she mused aloud, already wondering who in town might have a decent gown her size for sale. Her thoughts drifted to the bed she had almost gotten to earlier—so close, yet so far.

The idea of clean clothes and actual rest felt more precious than any treasure right now. 

"Then it is the issue with your Strider Merkas....like we need a place that not by accident burn down and some to keep watch over it so it not harm anyone...or eat something it should not....hmmmm" Sera would look at Verhanna again..." is it not a old temple of Paladine someplace here...or some other STONE structure?"

Quote from Hrothbert_Neruca >>

Merkas graciously receives the payment as he says in common (italics are thieves cant) “Lady Verhana we’re happy to have returned the supplies. There was so much that happened. We may have to tell you tonight at the Dancing Dwarf. You will be there? Some fun to clear today’s trouble from your mind and help you sleep in maybe. Santekh will be better off now, I think. It was a hard quest. Seems like we did good though. Glad you paying us not someone else. All this is hard work and working goes against why my sister and I started the treasure hunting, but this settlement and the war changed my outlook.” The kender watches for the reaction to his words as be continues in his usual verbal deluge “Kasi truly was instrumental in retrieving those crates and I hope that she be treated with as much respect as we are, as well let to the town council and guard know she is under our protection, Hastos too.” Still chattering as he pulls out a familiar quill to sign the paperwork “Never really been considered a citizen of anywhere, it’s kinda nice to have a place called home. Oh and yeah we hope to set up our own lodging and stuff, gonna need a place to keep Barkly for sure!”

 Verhanna Rolls Insight: 11

Verhanna's eyes open wide when she hears you speaking Theives' Cant. Then her eyes narrow as she listens to your words. She doesn't look like she's figured out the clues, but she is mulling it around in her mind as you sign your various contracts and take your pay.

Quote from Larskolstad >>

Sera accepted the pouch of 40 steel pieces with a firm nod.

“Seems my fate is in Santech for the time being...” she said, half to herself. Then she threw a sideways glance at Verhenna, a teasing smirk on her lips. “And it’s not a geas keeping me here this time, right?” she looked at the contract and signed. making her a citizen.

Without waiting for an answer, she chuckled softly, the tension of the day finally starting to loosen from her shoulders.

“Well, for once, I’m going to wear something other than a stinking, battered chainmail...” she mused aloud, already wondering who in town might have a decent gown her size for sale. Her thoughts drifted to the bed she had almost gotten to earlier—so close, yet so far.

The idea of clean clothes and actual rest felt more precious than any treasure right now. 

"Then it is the issue with your Strider Merkas....like we need a place that not by accident burn down and some to keep watch over it so it not harm anyone...or eat something it should not....hmmmm" Sera would look at Verhanna again..." is it not a old temple of Paladine someplace here...or some other STONE structure?"

Verhanna is lost in thought, chewing on a lock of hair, and barely reacts to the joke, grunting a simple "hm" when Sera laughs. She shakes her head when you start speaking about the Giant Strider, and refocuses her thoughts on the conversation at hand. "Stone structures... yes, the graveyard/holy grounds have abandoned mauseleums you could use temporarily, but there are those who wish to refurbish the structure when time permits, and I think they'd object to having to work around a creature like that. I'm afraid I don't know much that creature Merkas has tamed, but I presume that it breathes fire, based on the context. Perhaps you could rent it out to a blacksmith. Kasi has a small forge, but I doubt that structure could fit such a large creature. We have blacksmiths in town, but a proper forge won't be finished for a few more days. An endless supply of hot flame could coax a burgeoning smithy to tend your... mount... in relative safety until appropriate facilities can be made. Otherwise, I suggest talking to the Hachakee tribe, who frequently make camp in the wilderness at night, or seeing if Councilor Buckeran has any ideas. He seems to know much more about Striders than I do, and may be able to advise on matters of diet, grooming, and safe stabling."

She writes something down on a piece of paper while she's talking, covering her words as she does, then blows on the ink. Once it's dry, she folds it, and seals it from some special wax. Then she whispers into it in Thieves' Cant. You hear the name Merkas spoke, but that's all that anyone else can make out.

For those who can speak Theives' Cant:

Once it's sealed, she hands the note to Merkas. "Thank you for your signatures and enjoy the rest of your day. And please, try to wash up before coming into my office in the future."

As the group is settling business with Verhanna, Hastos stands outside, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. His eyes are closed as he leans his head back against the wall. If it weren’t for him standing, he could easily be mistaken for being fast asleep.

As he relaxes,  he focuses on his hearing. At first, the noises around him. Footsteps, the small talk of passers by. But he pushes his sense further into the background noise. The blend of murmuring and animal noises. To see if he can pick anything that might be interesting.

Sharn smiled as the rest of his group signed alongside him. A day of smiles, and he hoped that the statement would extend to the night as well, but there was no certainties.

"Verhanna, you may not enjoy dirt, or smell, or the soil that we stand on; but you shine bright as a star, distant and strong. I can only hope that the future bring us cleaner and brighter missions like the person giving them. I thank you, and I will thank you again. For directing us to the crossroads of the paths we follow."

Verhanna smiles and bows at the compliment. "Thank you Sharn. I wish prosperity on you and your new companions."

With that settled, she begins sorting her paperwork and filing it away fastidiously while you exit the building to find Hastos slumped against the wall with two copper pieces in his hand.

A feral looking elven woman with wild, curly hair is sitting on a sack about fifteen feet away, flicking pebbles out of boredom. She sees Sharn and winks at him. "Hey sugar. Long time no see." She says with a wink. She's resting her elbows on her knees, and there's a large battle axe resting at her side. Her smile turns into a tawdry pout. "Don't tell me you've been rollin' around in the mud with a new crowd. I was hoping you'd get dirty with me instead." There's mirth in her voice as she says it, but no malice. She rises to a stand, hooks her battle axe onto a loop behind her, and hoists the heavy sack onto her back. Then she struts past Dawnbound like she's walking a runway to head into Verhanna's office, stroking Sharn's beard as she walks past. "Maybe swing by my house later. I'll have something..." she leans in close to Sharn's ear "hot... ready for you. Don't wash up first, baby." She says suggestively, punctuated by a palatal click. Without waiting for a reply, her heavy boots clack on through the entrance. You hear her call out, "Verhanna! Baby-cakes! Looking sweet as ever! Got a new gift for you!" Then the door swings closed. Sharn recognizes her as the town bounty hunter and notorious flirt, Ororana.

Stepping outside Verhanna’s office, Sera almost stumbled into the path of a strikingly beautiful elf. The woman’s outfit left little to the imagination: high boots, a sleek leather leotard, and a neckline that plunged daringly low. She moved with the easy grace of someone who knew the effect she had.

Sera couldn’t help but marvel — and blush a little at the thought of ever wearing something so bold herself. The elf gave Sharn a playful smile and really undecent suggestions. Even tickled his beard before slipping past them and disappearing into Verhanna’s office.

Sera chuckled and clapped Sharn lightly on the back. "If you guys stop gaping, you can speak, you know. Nice girlfriend, Sharn!" she teased, enjoying getting a little revenge for the cave comment.

Hastos’ senses slowly return as he hears his companions exit Verhanna’s office, and as the Elf woman addresses Sharn. His eyes pop open as she gets to the “have something hot” part of her flirtation with Sharn. He stares ahead as if it gave them some kind of privacy, but the expression on his face clearly indicated the opposite.

He looks surprised as he realized there were a couple of coins in his hand, and pockets them quickly with a chuckle. He didn’t look at her Ororana as she walked by, but straightened up and joined the group as they gathered to get the story on Ororana. 

He does steal a glimpse in the direction of the halfling he heard a moment ago as he was letting his senses wander.

Sharn smiled and shook his head.

"Poor Ororana, she didn't understand the meaning of dirt before and she doesn't now. Nice lady though. Hard worker, great axe arm. Might be worth having a conversation with her later. She doesn't ask too much, her mind is active enough, but she knows things."

“Speaking of knowing things, Sharn.” Hastos interjects. “You happen to know the name of a small female halfling that goes around talking about conspiracies? In my meditation I heard her talking about the counsel being under the influence of a cult that’s underming the goals of the town. We might want to have a talk with her.”

"You sure Oronana doesn't know about dirt, Sharn? She does seem... filthy," Sera chuckled at the banter but let it rest as Hastos voiced his concerns about the council being infiltrated by those who wished to undermine it.

"I wouldn't be surprised," she said thoughtfully. "We should meet her. Maybe we can ask Handar and Glynnis to bring her to the party? There's supposed to be a gathering at the tavern later..." Sera paused, swaying slightly. "I need a gown — and some rest. My mind's getting dizzy."

With that, Sera excused herself and went in search of a proper gown — something nice, or at least as nice as could be found in Santech. After some searching, she came across a refugee willing to trade a set of salvaged clothes for a handful of steel coins. The dress was worn but well-kept, and with a little care, it would suit the evening perfectly.

Still holding the note Verhana had given him, Merkas’ eyes are wide as saucer dishes due to Ororanas comments, then nearly doubles over in laughter, gasping through the guffaws “Sharn…has…miss…tress! …Thought…only…stars…make…him…speech…less” The laughter continues a bit and subsides “Ouch, my sides hurt, Thanks Sharn I needed that” 

After Sharn and Sera have their brief exchange, Merkas’ ears perk up at Hastos’ question. “Hmm, you think that’s why we were set up on the crate mission, it sure felt like whoever set that whole contract intended us to fail in one way or another” Looking down at the note in his hand he say(Nat 20 +1 History check about the thieves code to open the note) “Oh! I have to get to Bucky, he asked me to bring some stuff back with me from this trip” 

Hastos laughs as Merkas and Sera have a go at Sharn, then notices Merkas eyeing the note in his hand.

”What is the note you have there, Merkas?”

Quote from Larskolstad >>

"You sure Oronana doesn't know about dirt, Sharn? She does seem... filthy," Sera chuckled at the banter but let it rest as Hastos voiced his concerns about the council being infiltrated by those who wished to undermine it.

"I wouldn't be surprised," she said thoughtfully. "We should meet her. Maybe we can ask Handar and Glynnis to bring her to the party? There's supposed to be a gathering at the tavern later..." Sera paused, swaying slightly. "I need a gown — and some rest. My mind's getting dizzy."

With that, Sera excused herself and went in search of a proper gown — something nice, or at least as nice as could be found in Santech. After some searching, she came across a refugee willing to trade a set of salvaged clothes for a handful of steel coins. The dress was worn but well-kept, and with a little care, it would suit the evening perfectly.

The refugee, a middle-aged human woman with greying streaks of dark, curly hair, thanks you for your custom and congratulates you on your success with the supplies. She pockets the coin and waves as you leave. By the time you are done with your transaction you can see that Hachakee workers are already handing out the first of the emergency rations.

When you get to The Laughing Dwarf, Glynnis and Handar aren't present. The building has a sign that reads, closed for business, but there's a note on the door for Dawnbound, written in Dwarvish, with instructions on where to find a key round back. When you make your way in, you see that the Dance Hall is decorated with candles and the stage has been prepared. The tables line the walls in preparation for a big dance, and the bar has been polished to a mirror shine. The note explains that special rations are being issued for the party, and Glynnis and Handar have gone off to hire servers and retreive the supplies.

*** OOC I have a meeting to attend in 5 minutes, and then I have company coming over, so this is as far as I can get for now. I'll post more when I get another chance, but it might not be until tomorrow ***

Sera was quite happy with her dark green gown. Thin bands of gold metal adorned the shoulders and hinted at armor, lending the dress a knightly feel she truly loved. It combined elegance with the proud display of a warrior — a style that felt perfectly her own.

Finding the Laughing Dwarf tavern quiet and empty, Sera could only feel relief. Finally, some peace.

She slipped into her room, the weariness catching up to her at last. She placed her sword within easy reach, sliding the hilt carefully under her pillow, then sank into bed. Wrapped in the comfort of her new gown and the familiar weight of steel nearby, Sera allowed herself to drift toward sleep at last.

Quote from MrUncleTio >>

“Speaking of knowing things, Sharn.” Hastos interjects. “You happen to know the name of a small female halfling that goes around talking about conspiracies? In my meditation I heard her talking about the counsel being under the influence of a cult that’s underming the goals of the town. We might want to have a talk with her.”

 "Oh, I remember her." Sharn said as he stroked his mustache. "Yes indeed, Amelista. Her heart is in the right place, but the stars haven't aligned for her in a long time. She's shrewd, and used to have political power prior to her arrival in Santekh, or so I've heard. Most consider her insane, but I believe her. Not that I have ever had a reason to speak with her, but perhaps she'll illuminate certain options."

Quote from MrUncleTio >>

Hastos’ senses slowly return as he hears his companions exit Verhanna’s office, and as the Elf woman addresses Sharn. His eyes pop open as she gets to the “have something hot” part of her flirtation with Sharn. He stares ahead as if it gave them some kind of privacy, but the expression on his face clearly indicated the opposite.

He looks surprised as he realized there were a couple of coins in his hand, and pockets them quickly with a chuckle. He didn’t look at her Ororana as she walked by, but straightened up and joined the group as they gathered to get the story on Ororana. 

He does steal a glimpse in the direction of the halfling he heard a moment ago as he was letting his senses wander.

Ororana definitely seemed to enjoy watching Hastos feel awkward, and didn't mind the shock on Sera's face either.

As you peer down the length of Santekh, you can see a small figure on a box pleading with the townsfolk to hear her. But most of them ignore her as they pass by. A few stand to listen to her and laugh, and some even try to pull her off her box. But she remains undaunted as she stubbornly tries to get her message across. A couple of Tekel's men strut up to her, pointing at the box, then gesturing for her to get down. You hear them order her to shut up and move along. She balls her fists in frustration, but does as she's bid and steps down after offering nearly enough angry retorts to convince the guards to deck her one. But she seems shrewd enough to know not to take it too far. She grabs her box and storms off back towards the residential district.

Quote from Larskolstad >>

Sera was quite happy with her dark green gown. Thin bands of gold metal adorned the shoulders and hinted at armor, lending the dress a knightly feel she truly loved. It combined elegance with the proud display of a warrior — a style that felt perfectly her own.

 

Finding the Laughing Dwarf tavern quiet and empty, Sera could only feel relief. Finally, some peace.

 

She slipped into her room, the weariness catching up to her at last. She placed her sword within easy reach, sliding the hilt carefully under her pillow, then sank into bed. Wrapped in the comfort of her new gown and the familiar weight of steel nearby, Sera allowed herself to drift toward sleep at last.

 There's a basin of cold water on a table in the corner of the room, instead of the usual heated sand, and a beautifully silver-framed mirror has been placed next to it with a note attached to it reading "To Sera, From Handar"

The noise of the workers outside is a pleasant hum that soothes like white noise, and you find sleep easily, and your dreams are powerfully vivid.

Larskolstad please roll a Religion, History, or Arcana check.

( got 4 on religion )

Sera sleeps. Handar is such a caring  daddy type...she smile and tell herself she repay his kindness she tell herself. Nice mirror. But it feels wrong to wash in the water. Why she get such luxury when the rest have none?  It looks drinkable so she place the bowl outside for some thirsty creature to find... She Then drifting to sleep.

Dreaming about better and peaceful times....

Hastos watches as the halfling storms off. He wants to chase after her, but damned if it hasn’t been a long day.

He turns to Sharn and Merkas. “What are your plans? Rest before the evening, or… something else?”