Sharn felt the weariness of the march to Santekh wash over him to the tune of Hastos' words. "Yes, should be good to rest indeed. The Dwarf awaits for us and Sera awaits for you, I think."
“Hmm, this?” Merkas responds yo Hastos question about the note saying eith mock confidence “I’m sure it’s just a receipt or something, Maybe a love letter!” The kender smiles knowingly. “See you tonight Sera“ He stays with Sharn and Hastos for a bit after Sera walks off. Watching the street around them. “Sure glad we got dome of that back. Real lucky to get it all.”
After a bit of people watching, relaxed for the moment s while neither enemy nor elements are attempting to harm him he rouses at Hasts question “Gotta go see Bucky now, hope he’s made it back to his place. Gotta give him a souvenir from our trip and see about how to house Barkly. I think she’s great but I wanna teach her real good and have her trust me. I’m off!” Skipping away, to the strider, Merkas grabs her reigns and starts of to Bucherans store. He can be heard as he moves off “See Barkly, that’s the Lady Verhanas place, she’s gorgeous but has committed herself to another, and her job, and that’s Kasis place, that’s where we helped her when some guys were beating her up, that’s the Dancing Dwarf, we’re staying there right now but soo….”His voice is drowned by the sounds of the street.
After exhausting his knowledge of Santekh he waits until he’s far enough from any listening ears before he looks down at the note saying first in Kenderspeak, then Thieves Cant, and finally Common the first rule “Never perform another thief's assigned task or “steal” jobs from another thief”and slowly opens the note.
To anyone but Merkas, the letter appears to be an invitation to the festivities tonight at The Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall featuring live music from Vix-sin writting over a watermark of Santekh's banner.
As Merkas and Hastos part ways, Hastos yells back at Merkas, “Oh, and you might want to check out one of larger Dwarven smithy guilds if you’re looking for a place to let Barkley earn her keep. They’re not happy with the accommodations and a fire breather like her might be just what they are looking for! They’re working on the fortifications for the town!”
Merkas looked back and waved in appreciation, and Hastos wandered back to the Dwarf to see if he could catch some rest before the evening started.
He makes his way back to the rooms and looks at Sera’s door weighing if it would be an intrusion to slip in a take a nap with her. He decides to risk it, and quietly opens the door (Stealth: 19 - Dis). He sees her sleeping quietly in the bed. He carefully removes his armor and places it up against the wall. Dressed in his tunic, he makes his way toward her bed. As he gets close, he sees the pommel of her sword sticking out from under her pillow. He pauses.
The shapes of her still form under the covers calls to him, but the pommel of her sword sends a different message. “This would be a pretty stupid way to die.” He says to himself. He spends an unreasonable amount of time pondering the pros and cons, but ultimately comes to his senses. This wasn’t any sort of invitation.
With a quiet sigh he walks over to the Multicolored chair in the corner and eases in. His axe within reach, he tilts his head back, closes his eyes and sleep overtakes him in a matter of moments.
Sera awoke slowly, the remnants of a strange dream still clinging to the edges of her thoughts. The room was dim and quiet, but she noticed something new — the shape of Hastos, slumped in the chair by the hearth, as if he'd slipped in quietly during the night.
A small, amused smile touched her lips.
The great Hastos, fearless in battle... but worrying over me? Silly elf.
She rose without a sound, padded over, and gently tugged at his arm. “You're welcome in my bed until I say otherwise,” she murmured, half teasing, half sincere.
With quiet insistence, she pulled him along and guided him beneath the covers. No protests allowed. Settling beside him, she rested her head against his chest, comforted by the steady strength of his arms wrapping around her. It felt safe. Warm. Unexpectedly good.
She tried to let sleep claim her again, but it was hard to ignore the nearness of him — the warmth of his body, the rhythm of his breath, and those lips that had always seemed just a little too tempting.
Shyness wasn’t a trait she usually expected from someone like Hastos. Still, if he wouldn't act, then she would.
With boldness born of affection and exhaustion, she leaned in — and kissed him.
Sera let her fingers glide across his chest, the silence between them thick with tension. Hastos had come here to watch over her, but now she watched him — the rise and fall of his breath, the curve of his lips, the quiet vulnerability of sleep softening his features.
She leaned in, kissed him gently — once, twice — and felt him stir beneath her. When his eyes fluttered open, confused, she hushed him with a smile.
“Still so brave in battle, yet so unsure here…” she murmured. “Let me show you.”
With quiet confidence, she slid down his body, letting her lips and hands explore the shape of him. When she found his manhood already responding to her touch, she paused only to savor his breathless reaction before she claimed him with her mouth — slowly, reverently, until his control began to slip.
When she rose again, eyes locked with his, she straddled him, the candlelight casting a soft glow over her nude and slim form. She guided his member into her with a steady hand, the moment stretching out between them, taut with heat and tension.
“Now,” she whispered, lowering herself onto him — taking him fully.
His breath hitched, his hands found her hips, and for a moment, there was only the rhythm of bodies, the creak of the bed as it bumped into the wall and the moans that slipped free despite themselves. She moved with purpose — claiming her prize — while he held her like something precious and fierce all at once. Soon she felt the wonderful climax came to them both. She forgot to be quiet, lost in the passion. She not care. She is not ashamed. Then she collaps on top of him. Smiling and sharing tender kisses and sweet words in the afterglow. Maybe now some rest will come before the party was to be. ....
Holding the note the Kender quietly releases it an as Barkly steps on it he chants “Have some heat!” The paper is consumed in flame as the bonfire ignites to warm the Strider and destroy the note
”Now, to Bucky’s!” Walking along, the joyful skip in his step lessened by the hews he’d just received. Getting to the collectors house he hitches Barkly to a post outside. “Now stay here and be good, we don’t want any of the wood burning up before we can find a place for you both warm and safe ok?” Patting his new friends neck one more time he heads to knock on the door, and heading inside “Hey Bucky? Got some questions for you. You said you knew some things about Barkly?” Spotting the psuedodragon “Hey Jade! We met another psuedodragon outside town, maybe you can have a friend!”
Sharn retired to his room in the Dancing Dwarf. He cast off his backpack and buried himself in clean bedsheets that no doubt Handar took great care in cleaning. Alone, Sharn's thoughts raced. Everything that had happened with the kobolds, his growth, the party they were about to enjoy; it had all been so sudden, and it all reminded him of the tragedy of a couple of years ago all too closely. He couldn't wash off the bad feeling crawling across his back, or perhaps it was regular dirt. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax. His friends had to enjoy themselves, before the passing of the next constellation. Pray it not be too soon.
Holding the note the Kender quietly releases it an as Barkly steps on it he chants “Have some heat!” The paper is consumed in flame as the bonfire ignites to warm the Strider and destroy the note
”Now, to Bucky’s!” Walking along, the joyful skip in his step lessened by the hews he’d just received. Getting to the collectors house he hitches Barkly to a post outside. “Now stay here and be good, we don’t want any of the wood burning up before we can find a place for you both warm and safe ok?” Patting his new friends neck one more time he heads to knock on the door, and heading inside “Hey Bucky? Got some questions for you. You said you knew some things about Barkly?” Spotting the psuedodragon “Hey Jade! We met another psuedodragon outside town, maybe you can have a friend!”
The Psuedodragon looks at you with an indignant glare, and sends you her emotional disfavor telepathically before scampering off into the treasures of the room. Buckeran laughs at the exchange. "I'm afraid you've offended her by getting her name wrong. She prefers to go by Jasper." Bucky puts his hands on his knees and turns towards where Jasper ran off. Then in baby talk, coos "Don't you my sweetie baby? Jasper? Be a good girl. Merkas didn't mean any harm. He's had a big day." Jasper responds with a tiny, squeaky roar from somewhere in the hoard.
Buckeran scoffs. "Jasper! Watch your tone," he scolds, still using his baby voice. He stands up and rubs his hands together. "Ah yes. Barkly... the Giant Strider I presume. I do know a few things about them. Though I'm no match for the the lore stored in Piruz's library, I'll help where I can. What do you wish to know?"
Sharn retired to his room in the Dancing Dwarf. He cast off his backpack and buried himself in clean bedsheets that no doubt Handar took great care in cleaning. Alone, Sharn's thoughts raced. Everything that had happened with the kobolds, his growth, the party they were about to enjoy; it had all been so sudden, and it all reminded him of the tragedy of a couple of years ago all too closely. He couldn't wash off the bad feeling crawling across his back, or perhaps it was regular dirt. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax. His friends had to enjoy themselves, before the passing of the next constellation. Pray it not be too soon.
Sleep comes slowly, but when the exhaustion finally hits, it takes you far away, drifting amongst galaxies. You see worlds beyond yours, the great wheel, and the gates between them... you see the wheel turn and how those gates are affected by that... creating breif portals between worlds and other planes of existence. When you awaken, you feel inspired by the dreams, and filled with a sense of wanderlust.
You can't remember the details of your dreams, but you remember it being quite beautiful and fascinating.
Slapping his forehead before dropping to his knees to look after familiar “Right, Sorry Jasper, I should have known that, can you forgive me my terrible mistake?” Pulling the socks he received from the wild psuedodragon as well as a Lapis Lazuli his from his pack. “Here, Jasper I received these in trade with the other psuedodragon outside town. And this I found in my travels.” He says as he places them down and gets up to reply to Buckeran and puling a case from his pack. “Right, now down to business, anything you can do to help Me find lodging and suitable feed for Barkly, the giant strider yes. Also here is your flask back with water from the Letni Inhelk cave, unfortunately the traps and things caused a cave in and I don’t think it will be easy to get back to it. I hope this can help the town a bunch, kinda like more of what Sera did with the rain today. I’m worried that some people are going to expect that all the time now though”
Slapping his forehead before dropping to his knees to look after familiar “Right, Sorry Jasper, I should have known that, can you forgive me my terrible mistake?” Pulling the socks he received from the wild psuedodragon as well as a Lapis Lazuli his from his pack. “Here, Jasper I received these in trade with the other psuedodragon outside town. And this I found in my travels.” He says as he places them down and gets up to reply to Buckeran and puling a case from his pack. “Right, now down to business, anything you can do to help Me find lodging and suitable feed for Barkly, the giant strider yes. Also here is your flask back with water from the Letni Inhelk cave, unfortunately the traps and things caused a cave in and I don’t think it will be easy to get back to it. I hope this can help the town a bunch, kinda like more of what Sera did with the rain today. I’m worried that some people are going to expect that all the time now though”
Jasper sneaks out from hiding and gingerly sniffs at the offering. You get the telepathic impression that she is pleased with your tribute as she bounds away to her nest high up on the shelves with her baubles.
You and Buckeran discuss Giant Strider lore for several hours, pouring through what limited info he has. You learn enough to control and care for Barkly properly and gain enough wisdom to feel confident you can keep her under control in town. Buckeran also suggests that a normal stable will be unacceptable. He'll needs a cave that can withstand extreme heat, as Giant Striders prefer to sleep in extremely hot climates. Even as hot as lava. While he has no such housing available in town, he knows a cave nearby, that (if it's cleared out and uninhabited) would suit her perfectly. He also agrees that there is a forge being built in town that may be willing to stable her if she's willing to keep their coals hot.
When you hand him the flask, the mood changes. Buckeran's face turns from one of giddy excitement, to reverent admiration. He swishes the water around in the vial and watches it glow. "Hmm... these properties fascinate me. I'll have to study them at a later time. A pity the cave collapsed. Water like this could sustain Santekh until we can end the drought permanently. I have a theory that the Letni Inhelk's cave was a verdant paradise, which is why they rarely left their home. Kobolds are generally scavengers, you see. Dependant on raids and hunting to feed their hordes. But Letni Inhelk are only known to us through the Hachakee, because one could live a stone's throw from their hideout and never see a single one for months... years even. Nothing for them out here in the wastelands. Nothing but war and famine. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Perhaps they deserved the benefit of the doubt. I don't know." He says as he puts the vial in its case and locks it in his desk. He looks at Merkas proudly.
"You've done well. And I have a reward for your efforts!" He holds his arms out wide. "Me!"
He stands there, grinning, for several seconds waiting for the awe of his gesture to set in. When it doesn't, he decides to explain further. "I've decided to become your investor. I already have the plans approved. They're just waiting for a signature from a representative of Dawnbound to sign for it!" His giddy laugh almost sounds maniacal as he pulls out a map of Santekh and jabs a stump of a finger at a ruined building on the map. "Here! Right on the edge of Headquarters. You'd be a quick walk to Piruz's library where you could seek lore, and not too far from the Residential District to seek private bounties!. And of course, I'm right here, with books filled with quests to keep you and your underlings busy constantly! You certainly won't suffer from a lack of quests, and your high visibility amongst the people will be a beacon of hope for them! I'll fund the whole thing, and we can work on a repayment plan. Look, look, look!" He jabbers excitedly as he pulls out blueprints of the structure.
"There are four domociles, a large kitchen and dining hall, a reception area to take bounty applications and for new recruits to offer their services, storage bays, and oh! Stables if you wish to keep horses! Of course, we can even hire a team to build a nice underground stone cave for Barkly to rest in. The roof is, unfortunately, still under construction, but that could be finished in a week. You could start settling in and picking out furniture decorations, and designed a banner. I know someone who makes the most beautiful tapestries! We could even have a painting made of the founding members hung up in the main hall! And, of course, as you earn more wealth, you can make add-ons to suit your needs further!"
See Bastion for more info. This structure counts as a Roomy Bastion with Basic Facilities. The walls are combination clay and wood. They're strong enough to resist sandstorms, but not reinforced for battle. The windows currently do not contain glass, and are instead shuttered. The door is made from thick cuts of cypress, and contain a small sliding panel to view the entrance before letting someone in. The roof is only partially repaired. The floors are a combination of stone and rotted wood, but the wood is being replaced with more clay-stone. The structure will be ready to move in 5-7 days. It will be unfurnished until you pick out some furniture for your chosen aesthetic. The aesthetic of Khur is inspired by ancient Persia, so a dining table could be expected to look something like this:
Buckeran's grin nearly takes in his ears as he leans forward to guage your reaction.
"What do you think, Merkas? Quite an offer on the table. Do you speak for Dawnbound, or do you wish to discuss this with your group first?"
Merkas has completed training and taming Barkly. You receive 100 XP for your efforts.
Hastos has a happy grin on his face—dazed, dreamy, like a man floating in the clouds. Sera chuckles to herself at the sight, warmth rising in her chest. But as she reaches for her clothes, a flicker of unease returns. That dream... blurry and distant, yet the image of the graveyard clings to her. Neglect, silence... something buried that should not be.
She exhales, firming her jaw. One thing at a time.
She dresses in something simpler than her armor but with a touch more grace than usual—a soft, sleeveless tunic of deep red that fits snug across her waist and hips, paired with a dark skirt slit slightly along one side for movement. It’s not flashy, but it clings just enough to hint at strength beneath the modest cut. She leaves her hair loose, brushed out into soft waves. Her sword hilt is strapped at her side—a quiet reminder of the warrior beneath the cloth.
Then she heads downstairs, hoping the celebrations in Santech won't be too grand. Maybe she’ll get a moment to find Handar, thank him for the mirror. And scold him for spoiling her.
The slack jawed look on Merkas’ face stays until the very end of Bucherans revelation. Still staring at the retired kender he finally says. “Yeah well thats really great, um, definitely need to talk with the others, I am not the leader I’m sure, so signing for things will be up to the group, Maybe Sharn would be best, he’s got he most thoughtful it seems though so he starts might say something different.” Looking over the plans, even including a space for Barkly, Merkas face splits with a grin; “But I am pretty sure they will agree depending on the terms of repayment.”
After discussing the various aspects of the hall and where different things should be stored, Merkas finally gains the courage to ask whats really got him bothered “So about that scythe, Bucky. We gave it to you for safe keeping because we didn’t think it was good for anyone to have. How did Tekel get it? Don’t tell me you sold it to him or gave it for rescuing you”
Hastos has a happy grin on his face—dazed, dreamy, like a man floating in the clouds. Sera chuckles to herself at the sight, warmth rising in her chest. But as she reaches for her clothes, a flicker of unease returns. That dream... blurry and distant, yet the image of the graveyard clings to her. Neglect, silence... something buried that should not be.
She exhales, firming her jaw. One thing at a time.
She dresses in something simpler than her armor but with a touch more grace than usual—a soft, sleeveless tunic of deep red that fits snug across her waist and hips, paired with a dark skirt slit slightly along one side for movement. It’s not flashy, but it clings just enough to hint at strength beneath the modest cut. She leaves her hair loose, brushed out into soft waves. Her sword hilt is strapped at her side—a quiet reminder of the warrior beneath the cloth.
Then she heads downstairs, hoping the celebrations in Santech won't be too grand. Maybe she’ll get a moment to find Handar, thank him for the mirror. And scold him for spoiling her.
You come down to see a host of workers, many of them you've seen at the refugee camp, huddled around Glynnis who is giving instructions on how to serve, and what not to tolerate. "This 'ere's me dance hall, not a brothel. No one touches me workers. If they get outta line, come to me 'er Handar, an' we'll see 'em out by their backsides. If patrons get rowdy, let one o' us know. Yer not 'ere to break up fights. Ye serve the food, the drinks, an' the smiles. If guests want a room, they're all booked up, so they'll 'aff ta find a bed elsewhere. Vix-Sin can get pretty loud. If ye need a break ta clear yer head, just let me know..."
She continues on with her instructions, then starts training them to hold mugs and trays at the same time. The workers take turns practicing to carry multiple trays and empty mugs.
Handar is clanging away in the kitchen, aided by another handful of workers, as they're trying to get the food and drinks prepped for tonight's event. The whole town is expected to be there, with only a few small exceptions, and the excitement is palpable.
The slack jawed look on Merkas’ face stays until the very end of Bucherans revelation. Still staring at the retired kender he finally says. “Yeah well thats really great, um, definitely need to talk with the others, I am not the leader I’m sure, so signing for things will be up to the group, Maybe Sharn would be best, he’s got he most thoughtful it seems though so he starts might say something different.” Looking over the plans, even including a space for Barkly, Merkas face splits with a grin; “But I am pretty sure they will agree depending on the terms of repayment.”
After discussing the various aspects of the hall and where different things should be stored, Merkas finally gains the courage to ask whats really got him bothered “So about that scythe, Bucky. We gave it to you for safe keeping because we didn’t think it was good for anyone to have. How did Tekel get it? Don’t tell me you sold it to him or gave it for rescuing you”
Bucky looks a little ashamed. "No, nothing like that. I guarded it well. Dimensional portals, wards to subdue its magical effects, mechanical locks, and magical alarms. I even slept here to keep an eye on it. As I explained earlier, I was attacked in the night. Somehow, one of Tekel's men knew how to get through all of my magical wards and locks. He clobbered me good. I barely escaped into my safe room. And while I hid there, he somehow knew how to get to the scythe. He stole it, and ran off with it. I called on the guards, and Tekel scattered his troops in search. Tekel himself found the theif and tried to take the scythe from him. There was a struggle, and Tekel was forced to slay his own man. But once he picked up the scythe, it immediately bonded to him. Now, he can't return it while he still draws breath."
The aging kender shrugs. "Not that he seems to mind. The two are a perfect pair. He may be the strongest warrior in all Santekh too, and well guarded by his troops, So aside from my office, it's the safest place for the scythe to be. Forgive me for my failure though. Had I switched on my brass guardians, they would've smashed the theif senseless. But their gears make quite a racket. I turned them off so I could get some sleep." He gestures to two brass statues standing at each corner of the wall by the door, with faceless heads and heavy round metal balls for hands. They appear to be clockwork by design. They currently are silent, and not switched on, but Buckeran goes over to one, opens a hatch, a turns a small crank until it caches. Gears begin to turn and the whole thing rattles and hisses. The statue adjusts its stance to readiness, shaking and clattering like an old jalopy. "Old Eberron tech. An early version of what they call Warforged. They're in an awful state of disrepair, but they're strong enough, if slow moving. But I can't seem to find anyone who can fix them. No one in this region is familiar with Eberron tech... especially a design as old as this one."
After the brief demonstration, he turns the crank back, and flips a switch. The automaton returns to its statuesque stance and hisses one last time.
"Oh! One more thing, before I must start getting ready for the party tonight. Have you thought about those jobs I offered you? I think the most important one is the dragon's lair. But I suspect it may be quite dangerous. A quicker solution may be to recover an extraplanar artifact from a spring near the Khalkist Mountains that can spray gallons upon gallons of water each day. It could really help with Santekh's irrigation and crops."
Sera stepped into the warmth of the kitchen, drawn by the smells of cooking and the low hum of voices. She moved quietly beside him, placing a hand on his back before wrapping her arms around his middle in a soft, affectionate hug.
"All this fuss for us?" she asked with a gentle smile, her voice warm in his ear. "I kind of feel bad… I’m not used to being cared for like this."
She watched him work, admiring the focus in his weathered hands, the way he moved with practiced ease. The urge to help sparked in her chest, but Tekel’s warning still lingered. She chose restraint, just this once.
With a quiet gesture, she pulled Handar slightly aside from the bustle. For a moment, it was just the two of them.
"The water to wash in—it was appreciated," she said softly, "but I gave it away. Someone else needed it more." Her eyes found his, lingering there a beat too long. "But the mirror you gave me..." Her voice softened, almost bashful. "I loved it."
Something in her gaze flickered—more than gratitude, something deeper, unspoken.
She stepped closer again, placing a hand gently on his chest before leaning in, pressing her cheek lightly to his shoulder. Her voice came quieter, warmer.
"Thank you for looking after me, Handar." A pause, breath caught between them. "You're always there, and that means more than I can say."
She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Handar blushes, and clears the lump in his throat. "Ah... lass. Ye made an old man so proud. An' ye deserve sumpin' nice in yer room, anyways. It weren't much, but I saw it in the market, an' it sorta reminded me o' Solamnia. Hoped it'd make ye feel at home." He wraps Sera in a big bear hug, not too tight, but close enough that you can hear his heart thump warmly in his barrel chest. Then he pulls Sera back to admire the mighty warrior and protector she'd become. "Yer father... he'd... he'd be s'damned proud o' ye too. If 'e were 'ere t'day ta see a whole town cheerin' what ye did, why he'd..." He doesn't finish the sentence as moisture pooled up around the rims of his eyes.
He sniffles and rubs his ruddy face, flushed with emotion and the heat of the kitchen, then laughs, a thick, rumbling laugh and cuffs you gently on the shoulder. "Besides... a mirror's just what ye need, girl. That dirty face o' yers. I'm guessin' Hastos has a thing fer lass's what smell o' horse and covered in scuffs n' dirt. HA! But, tonight's yer big night. Yer gonna want ta look yer best, ya know?"
Sera almost teared up at Handar’s kind words, the warmth in his voice melting through her like spring sun on frost. She looked away quickly, blinking fast.
Then she caught a faint whiff of herself.
"Darn..." she muttered, scrunching her nose. "Okay, I might need a shower."
She sniffed again, groaned a little, then sighed. "But it feels like such a waste of water... Gods, I’d rather pour it on a thirsty field." She elbowed Handar gently, grinning through the blush on her cheeks. "All this dirt I’ve collected might make great fertilizer anyway."
With a quick wink, she ducked away, leaving his chuckle behind as she climbed the stairs to the quiet upper room. She hadn’t used it much—the thick layer of dust on the old tin bathtub proved that. Sera paused, almost guilty. It felt... indulgent. Unnecessary.
But even Paladine would forgive a bit of magic to wash up before a celebration, right?
She knelt by the tub, whispering a short prayer. Her fingers glowed faint blue, and with a soft whoosh, clean water surged forth, filling the basin with shimmering ripples. The air turned warm with steam.
"There," she murmured, watching the water swirl. "Fast, clean, and no buckets."
(use create water level 1 ) She undressed quickly and stepped in, sighing as the warmth embraced her. Dust and sweat slid from her skin like old memories, and with each splash, she felt lighter, more herself again. Ready to face the night.
The festivities waited. But for now—just a moment of peace.
Hastos wakes up, the lamp in the room casting stark shadows amidst the warm light filling the room. Again staring blindingly at the exposed crossbeams in the celling. He feels the last remnants of her warmth next to him. He feels incredibly light laying there in the bed. Every fold of blanket, every lump of padding seems to conform perfectly to every surface of his body. He ponders going back to sleep in the perfect bliss. Alas, there are festivities tonight that require his presence.
”Ok, get up.” He tells himself. He gets up and uses his knife and the rather large mirror to shave. The knife makes a scraping noise as he dry shaves his face. After dressing back into his armor he runs his fingers through his hair and manages to get it in rather nice form. With a last check in the mirror, he leaves the room and heads down to the hall.
The aging kender shrugs. "Not that he seems to mind. The two are a perfect pair. He may be the strongest warrior in all Santekh too, and well guarded by his troops, So aside from my office, it's the safest place for the scythe to be
Oh! One more thing, before I must start getting ready for the party tonight. Have you thought about those jobs I offered you? I think the most important one is the dragon's lair. But I suspect it may be quite dangerous. A quicker solution may be to recover an extraplanar artifact from a spring near the Khalkist Mountains that can spray gallons upon gallons of water each day. It could really help with Santekh's irrigation and crops."
"Yeah, it's the perfect for each other part that concerns me, That thing was talking about making me powerful and stuff, can't member the exact words it said but it was going on about giving glory and stuff, and Tekel seems to be already focused on being popular. At least he really seems to hate it when someone else get attention instead of him. Must be really bugging him that the town is throwing a party for us and some of the others are betting on him or his crew creating some kind of scene. But I am really glad that you are ok. It is odd that someone would have enough knowledge to get through all your security" Looking Bucky over for a bit before continuing"The other quests, Yeah, as much as I like the thought of gold and treasure, I figure we need to get the water sorted out first in town because if we get a bunch of treasure but have no place to spend it what's the point, y'know? But gotta talk to the others too, cause yeah it's gotta be a group decision. You're coming to the party right? Oh and as we travel around I will keep an eye out for eberronians, never know might someone that has some knowledge of your brass bruisers here!"
Hastos wakes up, the lamp in the room casting stark shadows amidst the warm light filling the room. Again staring blindingly at the exposed crossbeams in the celling. He feels the last remnants of her warmth next to him. He feels incredibly light laying there in the bed. Every fold of blanket, every lump of padding seems to conform perfectly to every surface of his body. He ponders going back to sleep in the perfect bliss. Alas, there are festivities tonight that require his presence.
”Ok, get up.” He tells himself. He gets up and uses his knife and the rather large mirror to shave. The knife makes a scraping noise as he dry shaves his face. After dressing back into his armor he runs his fingers through his hair and manages to get it in rather nice form. With a last check in the mirror, he leaves the room and heads down to the hall.
You're interrupted on the way down by a deceptively strong hand pressed against your breastplate. It's Glynnis, and her expression is critical, but not angry. "Youngin. Do ya honestly think yer goin' ta this party lookin' like that?" She says, pulling the cape aside and tapping on your Dragon Army logo. "Ye managed ta get by wearin' the colors o' the enemy up ta now, but all eyes'r gonna be on ye an' yer crew. Tonight's more'en a celebration lad. This 'eres a stately matter. The council wants ta show that there's hope fer tha people, an' they can't do that with a constant reminder o' our oppressers emblazoned on that damned armor o' yers. If ye can't find sumpin' nice ta wear, I'll see what I got in me storage." She looks you up and down. "Prolly roomy enough to fit some armor underneath if ye feel ya' need it. Dwarven clothes got a bit more room in tha chest than elves need." She pats you on the shoulder and moves past you to check on Sharn... easily the filthiest of the group... Hill Dwarves always were. You can see she's nervous about the event going well. The Laughing Dwarf is about to become the premier location for celebration and comaraderie in Santekh, and she wants to represent.
The aging kender shrugs. "Not that he seems to mind. The two are a perfect pair. He may be the strongest warrior in all Santekh too, and well guarded by his troops, So aside from my office, it's the safest place for the scythe to be
Oh! One more thing, before I must start getting ready for the party tonight. Have you thought about those jobs I offered you? I think the most important one is the dragon's lair. But I suspect it may be quite dangerous. A quicker solution may be to recover an extraplanar artifact from a spring near the Khalkist Mountains that can spray gallons upon gallons of water each day. It could really help with Santekh's irrigation and crops."
"Yeah, it's the perfect for each other part that concerns me, That thing was talking about making me powerful and stuff, can't member the exact words it said but it was going on about giving glory and stuff, and Tekel seems to be already focused on being popular. At least he really seems to hate it when someone else get attention instead of him. Must be really bugging him that the town is throwing a party for us and some of the others are betting on him or his crew creating some kind of scene. But I am really glad that you are ok. It is odd that someone would have enough knowledge to get through all your security" Looking Bucky over for a bit before continuing"The other quests, Yeah, as much as I like the thought of gold and treasure, I figure we need to get the water sorted out first in town because if we get a bunch of treasure but have no place to spend it what's the point, y'know? But gotta talk to the others too, cause yeah it's gotta be a group decision. You're coming to the party right? Oh and as we travel around I will keep an eye out for eberronians, never know might someone that has some knowledge of your brass bruisers here!"
Buckeran turns his automatons on again, and escorts Merkas out of the room with Jasper on his shoulder. Once he locks up, he shakes Merkas's hand goodbye and heads towards his home to get ready for the party. Several hours have passed, and it's late afternoon. The sweltering sun pounds the dusty main road, but does nothing to dampen the spirits of the locals. The emergency rations have already been distributed, and the hospital is treating the sick and recovering-wounded with much better medicines. Rhyanna has left for the day, presumably to get ready for the evening's festivities, and the remaining, unemptied chests have been moved to a safe location to prevent theft.
You arrive at the Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall to discover that the door is locked, but the windows are open, revealing a full staff dressed in server uniforms practicing carrying trays filled with mugs, and having races to see who can get across the room the fastest without dropping anything. Handar is is busy in the kitchen alongside another worker, and they seem to be in high spirits. You don't see any members of your party, but a server notices you and unlocks the door for you. They're a goblinoid, but not quite goblin, with green skin and captivating seafoam green eyes. They've chosen a barmaid's uniform, with the logo of a laughing dwarf hoisting a mug crosstitched onto their corset, and soft leather boots that are heavily worn, but recently cleaned. "Hello, Merkas! The rest of your party is finishing getting ready upstairs. Your room is ready and there's water for a bath. We'll unlock the doors soon. Please come inside!" They say with an unpracticed bow. Their voice is strange and otherworldly, but gentle sounding... not the raspy squeakiness of a goblin. "My name is Sky. It's such an honor to meet you again," they say as you enter the room. "You escorted me, and a bunch of other refugees, through the desert. So you might not remember me. But to me, you were a life saver. I collapsed in the desert, and you brought me a cup of water. And your jokes always helped to lift our spirits!" They laugh, a short chuckle paired with a sincere smile. "I never got to thank you for that." They bow again. "Thank you so much."
*** At Sharn's Door ***
Sharn awakens to a loud rap on the door. Glynnis is calling you. "Sharn. Are ye up? We're about ta unlock the doors, an' I wanna make sure the guests o' honor are awake... an' uh... washed... fer the party." You notice there's water for a bath in your room, and some simple, but fresh, dwarven-made clothes hung up on a hook.
Hastos smiles a bit nervously. “It’s… it’s all I have.” He replies to Glynnis.
“I appreciate anything you have.” He adds appreciatively. . Clearly the thought of being surrounded by people and not going armored is unsettling to him. But in the spirit of not undoing all the progress they’ve made, Hastos leaves the armor in the room and dons the clothing Glynnis gives him.
Sharn felt the weariness of the march to Santekh wash over him to the tune of Hastos' words. "Yes, should be good to rest indeed. The Dwarf awaits for us and Sera awaits for you, I think."
“Hmm, this?” Merkas responds yo Hastos question about the note saying eith mock confidence “I’m sure it’s just a receipt or something, Maybe a love letter!” The kender smiles knowingly. “See you tonight Sera“ He stays with Sharn and Hastos for a bit after Sera walks off. Watching the street around them. “Sure glad we got dome of that back. Real lucky to get it all.”
After a bit of people watching, relaxed for the moment s while neither enemy nor elements are attempting to harm him he rouses at Hasts question “Gotta go see Bucky now, hope he’s made it back to his place. Gotta give him a souvenir from our trip and see about how to house Barkly. I think she’s great but I wanna teach her real good and have her trust me. I’m off!”
Skipping away, to the strider, Merkas grabs her reigns and starts of to Bucherans store. He can be heard as he moves off “See Barkly, that’s the Lady Verhanas place, she’s gorgeous but has committed herself to another, and her job, and that’s Kasis place, that’s where we helped her when some guys were beating her up, that’s the Dancing Dwarf, we’re staying there right now but soo….”His voice is drowned by the sounds of the street.
After exhausting his knowledge of Santekh he waits until he’s far enough from any listening ears before he looks down at the note saying first in Kenderspeak, then Thieves Cant, and finally Common the first rule “Never perform another thief's assigned task or “steal” jobs from another thief” and slowly opens the note.
Loyalty Begets Honour
To anyone but Merkas, the letter appears to be an invitation to the festivities tonight at The Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall featuring live music from Vix-sin writting over a watermark of Santekh's banner.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
As Merkas and Hastos part ways, Hastos yells back at Merkas, “Oh, and you might want to check out one of larger Dwarven smithy guilds if you’re looking for a place to let Barkley earn her keep. They’re not happy with the accommodations and a fire breather like her might be just what they are looking for! They’re working on the fortifications for the town!”
Merkas looked back and waved in appreciation, and Hastos wandered back to the Dwarf to see if he could catch some rest before the evening started.
He makes his way back to the rooms and looks at Sera’s door weighing if it would be an intrusion to slip in a take a nap with her. He decides to risk it, and quietly opens the door (Stealth: 19 - Dis). He sees her sleeping quietly in the bed. He carefully removes his armor and places it up against the wall. Dressed in his tunic, he makes his way toward her bed. As he gets close, he sees the pommel of her sword sticking out from under her pillow. He pauses.
The shapes of her still form under the covers calls to him, but the pommel of her sword sends a different message. “This would be a pretty stupid way to die.” He says to himself. He spends an unreasonable amount of time pondering the pros and cons, but ultimately comes to his senses. This wasn’t any sort of invitation.
With a quiet sigh he walks over to the Multicolored chair in the corner and eases in. His axe within reach, he tilts his head back, closes his eyes and sleep overtakes him in a matter of moments.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Sera awoke slowly, the remnants of a strange dream still clinging to the edges of her thoughts. The room was dim and quiet, but she noticed something new — the shape of Hastos, slumped in the chair by the hearth, as if he'd slipped in quietly during the night.
A small, amused smile touched her lips.
The great Hastos, fearless in battle... but worrying over me? Silly elf.
She rose without a sound, padded over, and gently tugged at his arm. “You're welcome in my bed until I say otherwise,” she murmured, half teasing, half sincere.
With quiet insistence, she pulled him along and guided him beneath the covers. No protests allowed. Settling beside him, she rested her head against his chest, comforted by the steady strength of his arms wrapping around her. It felt safe. Warm. Unexpectedly good.
She tried to let sleep claim her again, but it was hard to ignore the nearness of him — the warmth of his body, the rhythm of his breath, and those lips that had always seemed just a little too tempting.
Shyness wasn’t a trait she usually expected from someone like Hastos. Still, if he wouldn't act, then she would.
With boldness born of affection and exhaustion, she leaned in — and kissed him.
Sera let her fingers glide across his chest, the silence between them thick with tension. Hastos had come here to watch over her, but now she watched him — the rise and fall of his breath, the curve of his lips, the quiet vulnerability of sleep softening his features.
She leaned in, kissed him gently — once, twice — and felt him stir beneath her. When his eyes fluttered open, confused, she hushed him with a smile.
“Still so brave in battle, yet so unsure here…” she murmured. “Let me show you.”
With quiet confidence, she slid down his body, letting her lips and hands explore the shape of him. When she found his manhood already responding to her touch, she paused only to savor his breathless reaction before she claimed him with her mouth — slowly, reverently, until his control began to slip.
When she rose again, eyes locked with his, she straddled him, the candlelight casting a soft glow over her nude and slim form. She guided his member into her with a steady hand, the moment stretching out between them, taut with heat and tension.
“Now,” she whispered, lowering herself onto him — taking him fully.
His breath hitched, his hands found her hips, and for a moment, there was only the rhythm of bodies, the creak of the bed as it bumped into the wall and the moans that slipped free despite themselves. She moved with purpose — claiming her prize — while he held her like something precious and fierce all at once. Soon she felt the wonderful climax came to them both. She forgot to be quiet, lost in the passion. She not care. She is not ashamed. Then she collaps on top of him. Smiling and sharing tender kisses and sweet words in the afterglow. Maybe now some rest will come before the party was to be. ....
Holding the note the Kender quietly releases it an as Barkly steps on it he chants “Have some heat!” The paper is consumed in flame as the bonfire ignites to warm the Strider and destroy the note
”Now, to Bucky’s!” Walking along, the joyful skip in his step lessened by the hews he’d just received. Getting to the collectors house he hitches Barkly to a post outside. “Now stay here and be good, we don’t want any of the wood burning up before we can find a place for you both warm and safe ok?”
Patting his new friends neck one more time he heads to knock on the door, and heading inside “Hey Bucky? Got some questions for you. You said you knew some things about Barkly?” Spotting the psuedodragon “Hey Jade! We met another psuedodragon outside town, maybe you can have a friend!”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sharn retired to his room in the Dancing Dwarf. He cast off his backpack and buried himself in clean bedsheets that no doubt Handar took great care in cleaning. Alone, Sharn's thoughts raced. Everything that had happened with the kobolds, his growth, the party they were about to enjoy; it had all been so sudden, and it all reminded him of the tragedy of a couple of years ago all too closely. He couldn't wash off the bad feeling crawling across his back, or perhaps it was regular dirt. He took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax. His friends had to enjoy themselves, before the passing of the next constellation. Pray it not be too soon.
The Psuedodragon looks at you with an indignant glare, and sends you her emotional disfavor telepathically before scampering off into the treasures of the room. Buckeran laughs at the exchange. "I'm afraid you've offended her by getting her name wrong. She prefers to go by Jasper." Bucky puts his hands on his knees and turns towards where Jasper ran off. Then in baby talk, coos "Don't you my sweetie baby? Jasper? Be a good girl. Merkas didn't mean any harm. He's had a big day." Jasper responds with a tiny, squeaky roar from somewhere in the hoard.
Buckeran scoffs. "Jasper! Watch your tone," he scolds, still using his baby voice. He stands up and rubs his hands together. "Ah yes. Barkly... the Giant Strider I presume. I do know a few things about them. Though I'm no match for the the lore stored in Piruz's library, I'll help where I can. What do you wish to know?"
Sleep comes slowly, but when the exhaustion finally hits, it takes you far away, drifting amongst galaxies. You see worlds beyond yours, the great wheel, and the gates between them... you see the wheel turn and how those gates are affected by that... creating breif portals between worlds and other planes of existence. When you awaken, you feel inspired by the dreams, and filled with a sense of wanderlust.
You can't remember the details of your dreams, but you remember it being quite beautiful and fascinating.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
Slapping his forehead before dropping to his knees to look after familiar “Right, Sorry Jasper, I should have known that, can you forgive me my terrible mistake?” Pulling the socks he received from the wild psuedodragon as well as a Lapis Lazuli his from his pack. “Here, Jasper I received these in trade with the other psuedodragon outside town. And this I found in my travels.” He says as he places them down and gets up to reply to Buckeran and puling a case from his pack. “Right, now down to business, anything you can do to help Me find lodging and suitable feed for Barkly, the giant strider yes. Also here is your flask back with water from the Letni Inhelk cave, unfortunately the traps and things caused a cave in and I don’t think it will be easy to get back to it. I hope this can help the town a bunch, kinda like more of what Sera did with the rain today. I’m worried that some people are going to expect that all the time now though”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Jasper sneaks out from hiding and gingerly sniffs at the offering. You get the telepathic impression that she is pleased with your tribute as she bounds away to her nest high up on the shelves with her baubles.
You and Buckeran discuss Giant Strider lore for several hours, pouring through what limited info he has. You learn enough to control and care for Barkly properly and gain enough wisdom to feel confident you can keep her under control in town. Buckeran also suggests that a normal stable will be unacceptable. He'll needs a cave that can withstand extreme heat, as Giant Striders prefer to sleep in extremely hot climates. Even as hot as lava. While he has no such housing available in town, he knows a cave nearby, that (if it's cleared out and uninhabited) would suit her perfectly. He also agrees that there is a forge being built in town that may be willing to stable her if she's willing to keep their coals hot.
When you hand him the flask, the mood changes. Buckeran's face turns from one of giddy excitement, to reverent admiration. He swishes the water around in the vial and watches it glow. "Hmm... these properties fascinate me. I'll have to study them at a later time. A pity the cave collapsed. Water like this could sustain Santekh until we can end the drought permanently. I have a theory that the Letni Inhelk's cave was a verdant paradise, which is why they rarely left their home. Kobolds are generally scavengers, you see. Dependant on raids and hunting to feed their hordes. But Letni Inhelk are only known to us through the Hachakee, because one could live a stone's throw from their hideout and never see a single one for months... years even. Nothing for them out here in the wastelands. Nothing but war and famine. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Perhaps they deserved the benefit of the doubt. I don't know." He says as he puts the vial in its case and locks it in his desk. He looks at Merkas proudly.
"You've done well. And I have a reward for your efforts!" He holds his arms out wide. "Me!"
He stands there, grinning, for several seconds waiting for the awe of his gesture to set in. When it doesn't, he decides to explain further. "I've decided to become your investor. I already have the plans approved. They're just waiting for a signature from a representative of Dawnbound to sign for it!" His giddy laugh almost sounds maniacal as he pulls out a map of Santekh and jabs a stump of a finger at a ruined building on the map. "Here! Right on the edge of Headquarters. You'd be a quick walk to Piruz's library where you could seek lore, and not too far from the Residential District to seek private bounties!. And of course, I'm right here, with books filled with quests to keep you and your underlings busy constantly! You certainly won't suffer from a lack of quests, and your high visibility amongst the people will be a beacon of hope for them! I'll fund the whole thing, and we can work on a repayment plan. Look, look, look!" He jabbers excitedly as he pulls out blueprints of the structure.
"There are four domociles, a large kitchen and dining hall, a reception area to take bounty applications and for new recruits to offer their services, storage bays, and oh! Stables if you wish to keep horses! Of course, we can even hire a team to build a nice underground stone cave for Barkly to rest in. The roof is, unfortunately, still under construction, but that could be finished in a week. You could start settling in and picking out furniture decorations, and designed a banner. I know someone who makes the most beautiful tapestries! We could even have a painting made of the founding members hung up in the main hall! And, of course, as you earn more wealth, you can make add-ons to suit your needs further!"
See Bastion for more info. This structure counts as a Roomy Bastion with Basic Facilities. The walls are combination clay and wood. They're strong enough to resist sandstorms, but not reinforced for battle. The windows currently do not contain glass, and are instead shuttered. The door is made from thick cuts of cypress, and contain a small sliding panel to view the entrance before letting someone in. The roof is only partially repaired. The floors are a combination of stone and rotted wood, but the wood is being replaced with more clay-stone. The structure will be ready to move in 5-7 days. It will be unfurnished until you pick out some furniture for your chosen aesthetic. The aesthetic of Khur is inspired by ancient Persia, so a dining table could be expected to look something like this:
Buckeran's grin nearly takes in his ears as he leans forward to guage your reaction.
"What do you think, Merkas? Quite an offer on the table. Do you speak for Dawnbound, or do you wish to discuss this with your group first?"
Merkas has completed training and taming Barkly. You receive 100 XP for your efforts.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
Hastos has a happy grin on his face—dazed, dreamy, like a man floating in the clouds. Sera chuckles to herself at the sight, warmth rising in her chest. But as she reaches for her clothes, a flicker of unease returns. That dream... blurry and distant, yet the image of the graveyard clings to her. Neglect, silence... something buried that should not be.
She exhales, firming her jaw. One thing at a time.
She dresses in something simpler than her armor but with a touch more grace than usual—a soft, sleeveless tunic of deep red that fits snug across her waist and hips, paired with a dark skirt slit slightly along one side for movement. It’s not flashy, but it clings just enough to hint at strength beneath the modest cut. She leaves her hair loose, brushed out into soft waves. Her sword hilt is strapped at her side—a quiet reminder of the warrior beneath the cloth.
Then she heads downstairs, hoping the celebrations in Santech won't be too grand. Maybe she’ll get a moment to find Handar, thank him for the mirror. And scold him for spoiling her.
The slack jawed look on Merkas’ face stays until the very end of Bucherans revelation. Still staring at the retired kender he finally says. “Yeah well thats really great, um, definitely need to talk with the others, I am not the leader I’m sure, so signing for things will be up to the group, Maybe Sharn would be best, he’s got he most thoughtful it seems though so he starts might say something different.”
Looking over the plans, even including a space for Barkly, Merkas face splits with a grin; “But I am pretty sure they will agree depending on the terms of repayment.”
After discussing the various aspects of the hall and where different things should be stored, Merkas finally gains the courage to ask whats really got him bothered “So about that scythe, Bucky. We gave it to you for safe keeping because we didn’t think it was good for anyone to have. How did Tekel get it? Don’t tell me you sold it to him or gave it for rescuing you”
Loyalty Begets Honour
You come down to see a host of workers, many of them you've seen at the refugee camp, huddled around Glynnis who is giving instructions on how to serve, and what not to tolerate. "This 'ere's me dance hall, not a brothel. No one touches me workers. If they get outta line, come to me 'er Handar, an' we'll see 'em out by their backsides. If patrons get rowdy, let one o' us know. Yer not 'ere to break up fights. Ye serve the food, the drinks, an' the smiles. If guests want a room, they're all booked up, so they'll 'aff ta find a bed elsewhere. Vix-Sin can get pretty loud. If ye need a break ta clear yer head, just let me know..."
She continues on with her instructions, then starts training them to hold mugs and trays at the same time. The workers take turns practicing to carry multiple trays and empty mugs.
Handar is clanging away in the kitchen, aided by another handful of workers, as they're trying to get the food and drinks prepped for tonight's event. The whole town is expected to be there, with only a few small exceptions, and the excitement is palpable.
Bucky looks a little ashamed. "No, nothing like that. I guarded it well. Dimensional portals, wards to subdue its magical effects, mechanical locks, and magical alarms. I even slept here to keep an eye on it. As I explained earlier, I was attacked in the night. Somehow, one of Tekel's men knew how to get through all of my magical wards and locks. He clobbered me good. I barely escaped into my safe room. And while I hid there, he somehow knew how to get to the scythe. He stole it, and ran off with it. I called on the guards, and Tekel scattered his troops in search. Tekel himself found the theif and tried to take the scythe from him. There was a struggle, and Tekel was forced to slay his own man. But once he picked up the scythe, it immediately bonded to him. Now, he can't return it while he still draws breath."
The aging kender shrugs. "Not that he seems to mind. The two are a perfect pair. He may be the strongest warrior in all Santekh too, and well guarded by his troops, So aside from my office, it's the safest place for the scythe to be. Forgive me for my failure though. Had I switched on my brass guardians, they would've smashed the theif senseless. But their gears make quite a racket. I turned them off so I could get some sleep." He gestures to two brass statues standing at each corner of the wall by the door, with faceless heads and heavy round metal balls for hands. They appear to be clockwork by design. They currently are silent, and not switched on, but Buckeran goes over to one, opens a hatch, a turns a small crank until it caches. Gears begin to turn and the whole thing rattles and hisses. The statue adjusts its stance to readiness, shaking and clattering like an old jalopy. "Old Eberron tech. An early version of what they call Warforged. They're in an awful state of disrepair, but they're strong enough, if slow moving. But I can't seem to find anyone who can fix them. No one in this region is familiar with Eberron tech... especially a design as old as this one."
After the brief demonstration, he turns the crank back, and flips a switch. The automaton returns to its statuesque stance and hisses one last time.
"Oh! One more thing, before I must start getting ready for the party tonight. Have you thought about those jobs I offered you? I think the most important one is the dragon's lair. But I suspect it may be quite dangerous. A quicker solution may be to recover an extraplanar artifact from a spring near the Khalkist Mountains that can spray gallons upon gallons of water each day. It could really help with Santekh's irrigation and crops."
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
"Handar..."
Sera stepped into the warmth of the kitchen, drawn by the smells of cooking and the low hum of voices. She moved quietly beside him, placing a hand on his back before wrapping her arms around his middle in a soft, affectionate hug.
"All this fuss for us?" she asked with a gentle smile, her voice warm in his ear. "I kind of feel bad… I’m not used to being cared for like this."
She watched him work, admiring the focus in his weathered hands, the way he moved with practiced ease. The urge to help sparked in her chest, but Tekel’s warning still lingered. She chose restraint, just this once.
With a quiet gesture, she pulled Handar slightly aside from the bustle. For a moment, it was just the two of them.
"The water to wash in—it was appreciated," she said softly, "but I gave it away. Someone else needed it more." Her eyes found his, lingering there a beat too long. "But the mirror you gave me..." Her voice softened, almost bashful. "I loved it."
Something in her gaze flickered—more than gratitude, something deeper, unspoken.
She stepped closer again, placing a hand gently on his chest before leaning in, pressing her cheek lightly to his shoulder. Her voice came quieter, warmer.
"Thank you for looking after me, Handar." A pause, breath caught between them. "You're always there, and that means more than I can say."
She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Love you," she whispered
Handar blushes, and clears the lump in his throat. "Ah... lass. Ye made an old man so proud. An' ye deserve sumpin' nice in yer room, anyways. It weren't much, but I saw it in the market, an' it sorta reminded me o' Solamnia. Hoped it'd make ye feel at home." He wraps Sera in a big bear hug, not too tight, but close enough that you can hear his heart thump warmly in his barrel chest. Then he pulls Sera back to admire the mighty warrior and protector she'd become. "Yer father... he'd... he'd be s'damned proud o' ye too. If 'e were 'ere t'day ta see a whole town cheerin' what ye did, why he'd..." He doesn't finish the sentence as moisture pooled up around the rims of his eyes.
He sniffles and rubs his ruddy face, flushed with emotion and the heat of the kitchen, then laughs, a thick, rumbling laugh and cuffs you gently on the shoulder. "Besides... a mirror's just what ye need, girl. That dirty face o' yers. I'm guessin' Hastos has a thing fer lass's what smell o' horse and covered in scuffs n' dirt. HA! But, tonight's yer big night. Yer gonna want ta look yer best, ya know?"
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
Sera almost teared up at Handar’s kind words, the warmth in his voice melting through her like spring sun on frost. She looked away quickly, blinking fast.
Then she caught a faint whiff of herself.
"Darn..." she muttered, scrunching her nose. "Okay, I might need a shower."
She sniffed again, groaned a little, then sighed. "But it feels like such a waste of water... Gods, I’d rather pour it on a thirsty field." She elbowed Handar gently, grinning through the blush on her cheeks. "All this dirt I’ve collected might make great fertilizer anyway."
With a quick wink, she ducked away, leaving his chuckle behind as she climbed the stairs to the quiet upper room. She hadn’t used it much—the thick layer of dust on the old tin bathtub proved that. Sera paused, almost guilty. It felt... indulgent. Unnecessary.
But even Paladine would forgive a bit of magic to wash up before a celebration, right?
She knelt by the tub, whispering a short prayer. Her fingers glowed faint blue, and with a soft whoosh, clean water surged forth, filling the basin with shimmering ripples. The air turned warm with steam.
"There," she murmured, watching the water swirl. "Fast, clean, and no buckets."
(use create water level 1 )
She undressed quickly and stepped in, sighing as the warmth embraced her. Dust and sweat slid from her skin like old memories, and with each splash, she felt lighter, more herself again. Ready to face the night.
The festivities waited. But for now—just a moment of peace.
Hastos wakes up, the lamp in the room casting stark shadows amidst the warm light filling the room. Again staring blindingly at the exposed crossbeams in the celling. He feels the last remnants of her warmth next to him. He feels incredibly light laying there in the bed. Every fold of blanket, every lump of padding seems to conform perfectly to every surface of his body. He ponders going back to sleep in the perfect bliss. Alas, there are festivities tonight that require his presence.
”Ok, get up.” He tells himself. He gets up and uses his knife and the rather large mirror to shave. The knife makes a scraping noise as he dry shaves his face. After dressing back into his armor he runs his fingers through his hair and manages to get it in rather nice form. With a last check in the mirror, he leaves the room and heads down to the hall.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
"Yeah, it's the perfect for each other part that concerns me, That thing was talking about making me powerful and stuff, can't member the exact words it said but it was going on about giving glory and stuff, and Tekel seems to be already focused on being popular. At least he really seems to hate it when someone else get attention instead of him. Must be really bugging him that the town is throwing a party for us and some of the others are betting on him or his crew creating some kind of scene. But I am really glad that you are ok. It is odd that someone would have enough knowledge to get through all your security"
Looking Bucky over for a bit before continuing "The other quests, Yeah, as much as I like the thought of gold and treasure, I figure we need to get the water sorted out first in town because if we get a bunch of treasure but have no place to spend it what's the point, y'know? But gotta talk to the others too, cause yeah it's gotta be a group decision. You're coming to the party right? Oh and as we travel around I will keep an eye out for eberronians, never know might someone that has some knowledge of your brass bruisers here!"
Loyalty Begets Honour
You're interrupted on the way down by a deceptively strong hand pressed against your breastplate. It's Glynnis, and her expression is critical, but not angry. "Youngin. Do ya honestly think yer goin' ta this party lookin' like that?" She says, pulling the cape aside and tapping on your Dragon Army logo. "Ye managed ta get by wearin' the colors o' the enemy up ta now, but all eyes'r gonna be on ye an' yer crew. Tonight's more'en a celebration lad. This 'eres a stately matter. The council wants ta show that there's hope fer tha people, an' they can't do that with a constant reminder o' our oppressers emblazoned on that damned armor o' yers. If ye can't find sumpin' nice ta wear, I'll see what I got in me storage." She looks you up and down. "Prolly roomy enough to fit some armor underneath if ye feel ya' need it. Dwarven clothes got a bit more room in tha chest than elves need." She pats you on the shoulder and moves past you to check on Sharn... easily the filthiest of the group... Hill Dwarves always were. You can see she's nervous about the event going well. The Laughing Dwarf is about to become the premier location for celebration and comaraderie in Santekh, and she wants to represent.
Buckeran turns his automatons on again, and escorts Merkas out of the room with Jasper on his shoulder. Once he locks up, he shakes Merkas's hand goodbye and heads towards his home to get ready for the party. Several hours have passed, and it's late afternoon. The sweltering sun pounds the dusty main road, but does nothing to dampen the spirits of the locals. The emergency rations have already been distributed, and the hospital is treating the sick and recovering-wounded with much better medicines. Rhyanna has left for the day, presumably to get ready for the evening's festivities, and the remaining, unemptied chests have been moved to a safe location to prevent theft.
You arrive at the Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall to discover that the door is locked, but the windows are open, revealing a full staff dressed in server uniforms practicing carrying trays filled with mugs, and having races to see who can get across the room the fastest without dropping anything. Handar is is busy in the kitchen alongside another worker, and they seem to be in high spirits. You don't see any members of your party, but a server notices you and unlocks the door for you. They're a goblinoid, but not quite goblin, with green skin and captivating seafoam green eyes. They've chosen a barmaid's uniform, with the logo of a laughing dwarf hoisting a mug crosstitched onto their corset, and soft leather boots that are heavily worn, but recently cleaned. "Hello, Merkas! The rest of your party is finishing getting ready upstairs. Your room is ready and there's water for a bath. We'll unlock the doors soon. Please come inside!" They say with an unpracticed bow. Their voice is strange and otherworldly, but gentle sounding... not the raspy squeakiness of a goblin. "My name is Sky. It's such an honor to meet you again," they say as you enter the room. "You escorted me, and a bunch of other refugees, through the desert. So you might not remember me. But to me, you were a life saver. I collapsed in the desert, and you brought me a cup of water. And your jokes always helped to lift our spirits!" They laugh, a short chuckle paired with a sincere smile. "I never got to thank you for that." They bow again. "Thank you so much."
*** At Sharn's Door ***
Sharn awakens to a loud rap on the door. Glynnis is calling you. "Sharn. Are ye up? We're about ta unlock the doors, an' I wanna make sure the guests o' honor are awake... an' uh... washed... fer the party." You notice there's water for a bath in your room, and some simple, but fresh, dwarven-made clothes hung up on a hook.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
Hastos smiles a bit nervously. “It’s… it’s all I have.” He replies to Glynnis.
“I appreciate anything you have.” He adds appreciatively. . Clearly the thought of being surrounded by people and not going armored is unsettling to him. But in the spirit of not undoing all the progress they’ve made, Hastos leaves the armor in the room and dons the clothing Glynnis gives him.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread