Sharn remained seated. The good people of Santekh deserved to shake their worries off, while shaking their bodies. He, however, kept his eyes on Tekel and Terth. Not that he thought that they would do something foolish during the jovial occasion. Now that Sharn had time to cool off his emotions, he felt it right to exchange a few words with the young man, if his second was there then all the better. Yet despite himself, Sharn realized he was tapping his own foot to the beat of the music, and that his smile was effortlessly jovial and warm.
Kristryd strolls up to you with another cup of water and a smile. "Ye seem lost in thought, Sharn. Not the partyin' type?"
After the last steps of her graceful traditional dance with Ryhanna, Sera gave the tanned elfs hands a warm squeeze. “Thank you,” she whispered, breathless but smiling, her cheeks flushed with exertion and pride. The dance had come so naturally, as if the rhythm lived in her bones all along.
Letting go, Sera gave the dance floor a parting glance and stepped aside to allow others to take their turn in the glow of music and laughter. The party was alive now, throbbing with warmth and celebration.
She wandered along the edges, letting her eyes take in the sights—and quickly spotted her companions. Even the more reclusive Dawnbound seemed to be enjoying themselves. At the hearth, Hastos stood exactly where she’d left him, though now he was far from alone.
Sera blinked.
There was Ororana—draped in a barely-tere veil of sweat-dampened fabric, clinging to every curve. Her sheer silks shimmered like riverwater under moonlight, and she leaned in close to Hastos, one hand already on his arm, laughing at something only they could hear.
Sera gave a small chuckle and shook her head. “Maybe she’ll loosen him up,” she muttered to herself with amusement.
Turning away before she stared too long, she searched the crowd and quickly found Kristryn weaving through dancers with a tray of drinks balanced in one hand. Sera flagged her down with a grin.
“Something sweeter this time?” she asked.
She glanced across the room. Tekel seemed content, engaged in quiet conversation, though the glint of his wicked scythe where it leaned against the wall still made her spine tingle. The thing gave off an eerie presence, like it was watching her even at rest.
Pushing the thought aside, Sera found an empty chair near the edge of the hall and settled into it with a relieved sigh. Waiting for her Ale. her gown clung comfortably, and the ale warmed her from within.
She took a slow look around the room, eyes drifting over faces—some familiar, some new. A few glanced her way. A few smiled. And a few held their gaze a little longer than was strictly polite.
Sera raised an eyebrow, her lipscurling into a small, daring smile.
After the last steps of her graceful traditional dance with Ryhanna, Sera gave the tanned elfs hands a warm squeeze. “Thank you,” she whispered, breathless but smiling, her cheeks flushed with exertion and pride. The dance had come so naturally, as if the rhythm lived in her bones all along.
Letting go, Sera gave the dance floor a parting glance and stepped aside to allow others to take their turn in the glow of music and laughter. The party was alive now, throbbing with warmth and celebration.
She wandered along the edges, letting her eyes take in the sights—and quickly spotted her companions. Even the more reclusive Dawnbound seemed to be enjoying themselves. At the hearth, Hastos stood exactly where she’d left him, though now he was far from alone.
Sera blinked.
There was Ororana—draped in a barely-tere veil of sweat-dampened fabric, clinging to every curve. Her sheer silks shimmered like riverwater under moonlight, and she leaned in close to Hastos, one hand already on his arm, laughing at something only they could hear.
Sera gave a small chuckle and shook her head. “Maybe she’ll loosen him up,” she muttered to herself with amusement.
Turning away before she stared too long, she searched the crowd and quickly found Kristryn weaving through dancers with a tray of drinks balanced in one hand. Sera flagged her down with a grin.
“Something sweeter this time?” she asked.
She glanced across the room. Tekel seemed content, engaged in quiet conversation, though the glint of his wicked scythe where it leaned against the wall still made her spine tingle. The thing gave off an eerie presence, like it was watching her even at rest.
Pushing the thought aside, Sera found an empty chair near the edge of the hall and settled into it with a relieved sigh. Waiting for her Ale. her gown clung comfortably, and the ale warmed her from within.
She took a slow look around the room, eyes drifting over faces—some familiar, some new. A few glanced her way. A few smiled. And a few held their gaze a little longer than was strictly polite.
Sera raised an eyebrow, her lipscurling into a small, daring smile.
Perhaps it was time to flirt a little.....
You feel something bump into your thigh and hear a squeak. "OOF!" A kender woman with silvery hair tumbles to the ground, splayed out in an awkward X. Her plate of food skids across the ground and gets kicked away by shuffling feet. She lifts her head and groans... more about her ruined meal than anything else. Her eyes are a crystalline blue, framing an upturned nose and lips that curve into a natural smile. Her face reminds you of a feminie version of Tekel, if he wore glamorous makeup. She rolls over onto her back to see what slammed into her with wide, bewildered eyes. "Oh!" she says, startled to see a guest of honor. "I'm so sorry!" She laughs, embarrased. Her voice is high-pithced and just as silvery as her hair.
Sharn remained seated. The good people of Santekh deserved to shake their worries off, while shaking their bodies. He, however, kept his eyes on Tekel and Terth. Not that he thought that they would do something foolish during the jovial occasion. Now that Sharn had time to cool off his emotions, he felt it right to exchange a few words with the young man, if his second was there then all the better. Yet despite himself, Sharn realized he was tapping his own foot to the beat of the music, and that his smile was effortlessly jovial and warm.
Kristryd strolls up to you with another cup of water and a smile. "Ye seem lost in thought, Sharn. Not the partyin' type?"
Sharn gladly accepted the cup. "Thank you Kristryd. I'm afraid I haven't been the partying type for some time now. The joy of the young, some would say." He chuckled. "But it warms my heart to see Santekh like this, so jovial, so happy. See, even those working their feet off seem to be having a good time. To feel the ground rumble so, is like hearing the wounds made by evil finally mending themselves. You should enjoy yourself as well, make this a night to remember. From where I sit, I will make sure to remember it for the rest of my days."
Sera barely had time to turn when something small and soft bumped right into her side. A silver-haired kender girl went sprawling backward, her plate hitting the floor with a loud clatter, food flying in every direction.
“Oh! That was... totally my fault,” Sera blurted out, crouching immediately to help. “These boots—uh—have no sense of direction.”
She gently helped the kender girl up, brushing dust from her sleeves, and gave a nervous little laugh. “I—um—I meant to say something charming here... something about silver hair and stars, maybe?”
She paused, clearly flustered, then knelt again to pick up bits of scattered food.
“I overheard a bard once say silver hair was like moonlight tangled in dreams... or something,” she muttered, cheeks pinking. “But that sounded a lot cooler when he said it.”
Sera handed back the salvaged plate with an awkward smile. “Anyway, it’s... really pretty. The hair, I mean. Not the mess. Sorry again.”
She rose to her feet, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and letting out a breath. “I’m not great at this. I’m more used to swords than silver tongues.”
With a small shrug and an honest smile, she added, “Hope your evening gets better from here. Let me know if I can help.” ( persuasion flirt....hope she like me roll 21)
Sharn remained seated. The good people of Santekh deserved to shake their worries off, while shaking their bodies. He, however, kept his eyes on Tekel and Terth. Not that he thought that they would do something foolish during the jovial occasion. Now that Sharn had time to cool off his emotions, he felt it right to exchange a few words with the young man, if his second was there then all the better. Yet despite himself, Sharn realized he was tapping his own foot to the beat of the music, and that his smile was effortlessly jovial and warm.
Kristryd strolls up to you with another cup of water and a smile. "Ye seem lost in thought, Sharn. Not the partyin' type?"
Sharn gladly accepted the cup. "Thank you Kristryd. I'm afraid I haven't been the partying type for some time now. The joy of the young, some would say." He chuckled. "But it warms my heart to see Santekh like this, so jovial, so happy. See, even those working their feet off seem to be having a good time. To feel the ground rumble so, is like hearing the wounds made by evil finally mending themselves. You should enjoy yourself as well, make this a night to remember. From where I sit, I will make sure to remember it for the rest of my days."
Krystryd smiles warmly. "I'll dance other days. T'day, I'm glad ta be workin' indoors an' outta tha hot sun. T'day is the day, we honor yerself and yers. How'd ye like ta do that, Sharn? Ye any good at throwing darts?"
Sera barely had time to turn when something small and soft bumped right into her side. A silver-haired kender girl went sprawling backward, her plate hitting the floor with a loud clatter, food flying in every direction.
“Oh! That was... totally my fault,” Sera blurted out, crouching immediately to help. “These boots—uh—have no sense of direction.”
She gently helped the kender girl up, brushing dust from her sleeves, and gave a nervous little laugh. “I—um—I meant to say something charming here... something about silver hair and stars, maybe?”
She paused, clearly flustered, then knelt again to pick up bits of scattered food.
“I overheard a bard once say silver hair was like moonlight tangled in dreams... or something,” she muttered, cheeks pinking. “But that sounded a lot cooler when he said it.”
Sera handed back the salvaged plate with an awkward smile. “Anyway, it’s... really pretty. The hair, I mean. Not the mess. Sorry again.”
She rose to her feet, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and letting out a breath. “I’m not great at this. I’m more used to swords than silver tongues.”
With a small shrug and an honest smile, she added, “Hope your evening gets better from here. Let me know if I can help.” ( persuasion flirt....hope she like me roll 21)
You hoist her off the ground like it's nothing, almost lifting her completely into the air, and a laugh escapes her lips accidentally as she swoons at your strength. A 3'6, she's a tiny thing compared to you, and her arms and legs are slender, unhardened by a rigourous life. Her light spirit suggests that she's been sheltered... perhaps even overprotected. She plays with her hair and smiles wide when you compliment it. "Thank you!" she squeaks. "I grew it myself!" Her laughter jingles like cystal glasses in a toast. "My brother says it's because we descend from a dragon or something. I dunno. My mom had silver hair too. I'm more convinced I got it from her." Her lilt on the word brother indicates she doesn't like him much, and the fact that she's on the opposite side of the dance hall from him would support the theory.
A server comes by and takes the plate from her, and she curtsies with a polite thank you, and another apology. She drops a handful of gold on the tray for the trouble. "You're very pretty too. And I love your dress! It moves so well! You were dancing with Rhyanna eariler, right? I couldn't see much over the crowds, but everyone keeps saying your a rival for her on the dance floor." She covers her mouth and giggles mischeivously at the prospect of Rhyanna being overshadowed. "I'd like to know if that's true." She curtsies low, letting the split of her clingy dress reveal a bit of thigh. "Care to dance?"
When the silver-haired kender asked for a dance, Sera nodded with a surprised but warm smile—only remembering to speak once she'd already taken the girl's small, delicate hand.
“Of course. I'd be honored,” she said, her voice just a touch breathless.
They made their way to the dancefloor, and Sera was acutely aware of how mismatched they looked—her tall, armored form beside the much smaller kender. For a brief second, the thought crossed her mind that it might be easier to just lift her and spin... but instead, she tried to follow the same graceful steps she'd used with Ryhanna earlier.
Only this time, things didn’t go quite as smoothly. ( performance 4)
Sera nearly stepped on her partner's foot—twice—and stumbled out of rhythm. She laughed, a little flushed, and murmured as they moved, “Aaws, I swear it was just one drink. Maybe it’s the lighting... or the company. You’re kind of dazzling, and it’s throwing off my footwork.”
She gave the kender an apologetic but playful smile. “Maybe we try something with fewer steps and more... spinning?” Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she added, “Or we ditch the dance entirely and go find the best sweets this place can offer? I hear sugar works better than rhythm.”
Sharn laughed heartily holding his belly. "Not too good I'm afraid, but I'd be happy if you could teach this old dog a new trick."
Sharn allowed himself to be guided to the dart board. His reflexes were good, but his aim was shabby. The point of being a hand to hand combatant were to avoid aiming past his reach. Still, he allowed his hand to be guided by Krystryd, (Rolled an 8 dexterity to throw darts) who trounced him at the game. It was a handily defeat, but one that had him laughing and clapping after each throw.
As Hastos scans the room, he notices that others seemed perplexed as they looked at him. He remembered that his face was still locked into “Resting Elf Face”. It was fortunate that Ororana showed up, it was just the excuse he needed to shift his expression, and her appearance ensured he wouldn’t need to fake any of it. He smiled broadly as she started up the conversation.
She asked about the scowl. Hastos chuckled. “Oh, lost in thought.” He swishes the brew around in the glass and takes another drink. “The last time we were enjoying ourselves in this room some lunatic tried to cut us down…” Hastos directed Ororana eyes over to the scythe with a subtle nod and a glance “… with that weapon.”
The second round came and Hastos saluted Ororana with the glass as she downed the whole thing. He looked surprised as this wasn’t usually the “down the hatch” type of drink. “The goblin blood?” He laughed. “Sorry, I know that’s a long outdated term. Oh I picked up a taste for this… ages ago. I take it you did, too?” He says with a laugh. He glances around at the faces that previously seemed converted and they appear to have relaxed and were back to enjoying the night.
When the silver-haired kender asked for a dance, Sera nodded with a surprised but warm smile—only remembering to speak once she'd already taken the girl's small, delicate hand.
“Of course. I'd be honored,” she said, her voice just a touch breathless.
They made their way to the dancefloor, and Sera was acutely aware of how mismatched they looked—her tall, armored form beside the much smaller kender. For a brief second, the thought crossed her mind that it might be easier to just lift her and spin... but instead, she tried to follow the same graceful steps she'd used with Ryhanna earlier.
Only this time, things didn’t go quite as smoothly. ( performance 4)
Sera nearly stepped on her partner's foot—twice—and stumbled out of rhythm. She laughed, a little flushed, and murmured as they moved, “Aaws, I swear it was just one drink. Maybe it’s the lighting... or the company. You’re kind of dazzling, and it’s throwing off my footwork.”
She gave the kender an apologetic but playful smile. “Maybe we try something with fewer steps and more... spinning?” Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she added, “Or we ditch the dance entirely and go find the best sweets this place can offer? I hear sugar works better than rhythm.”
The girl smiles kindly. "You know, this isn't my type of dance. Kender perform something more... bouncy!" She starts jumping up and down, and spinning wildly as the music picks up to something more punk again. Laughing and bouncing wildly, she holds her hands high in the air! The dance is graceless baltering, but it's simple and fun to do.
"The name's Amber. I run the gem shop in town!" She shouts over the music. "You should come by some time! Brighten my day, ya know?"
Sharn laughed heartily holding his belly. "Not too good I'm afraid, but I'd be happy if you could teach this old dog a new trick."
Sharn allowed himself to be guided to the dart board. His reflexes were good, but his aim was shabby. The point of being a hand to hand combatant were to avoid aiming past his reach. Still, he allowed his hand to be guided by Krystryd, (Rolled an 8 dexterity to throw darts) who trounced him at the game. It was a handily defeat, but one that had him laughing and clapping after each throw.
After the first round is over, Krystryd smiles and curtsies low, holding her skirt out wide with her hands as she dips. "Yer gonna wanna practice. There's a dart throwin' competition later, an' prizes ta be had. Here... I'll help ye." She hands you four new darts and adjusts your stance. "Line the shot up and keep yer elbow steady. Release when ye' can point yer finger at the target. Now try again."
cheapjoke123 I've temporarily given you 4 darts. You get a +5 to your throw because Monks are proficient with darts.
As Hastos scans the room, he notices that others seemed perplexed as they looked at him. He remembered that his face was still locked into “Resting Elf Face”. It was fortunate that Ororana showed up, it was just the excuse he needed to shift his expression, and her appearance ensured he wouldn’t need to fake any of it. He smiled broadly as she started up the conversation.
She asked about the scowl. Hastos chuckled. “Oh, lost in thought.” He swishes the brew around in the glass and takes another drink. “The last time we were enjoying ourselves in this room some lunatic tried to cut us down…” Hastos directed Ororana eyes over to the scythe with a subtle nod and a glance “… with that weapon.”
The second round came and Hastos saluted Ororana with the glass as she downed the whole thing. He looked surprised as this wasn’t usually the “down the hatch” type of drink. “The goblin blood?” He laughed. “Sorry, I know that’s a long outdated term. Oh I picked up a taste for this… ages ago. I take it you did, too?” He says with a laugh. He glances around at the faces that previously seemed converted and they appear to have relaxed and were back to enjoying the night.
Ororana laughs again. "No, I can't say I have. I prefer whiskey or gin. But if Hastos wants to drink Thudrud, then I'm drinking with him." She slams back the next drink and follows it up with a "Whoo!It smells like rotten beef and tastes just as bad." She glances back at Tekel, standing proud near Verhanna with that bleaming scythe strapped to his back. "Shiny tool. And he's carrying a scythe too." She says with a laugh. "I never liked that guy... all icing no cake. He's tried recruiting me several times, but I don't care for his type. I don't care about the war, or his ridiculous crusade on dragons and kobolds and shit. I'm here to collect bounties. And Santekh pays top dollar for Dragon Army sergeants. Well... their heads anyway. I heard about your attack. I was away on business when it happened. But Amelista swears it was some red-cloaked cult." She washes the taste out of her mouth with a shot of gin. "Wanna see something weird? I'm sure the party can spare 5 minutes without you." She bops her head over toward the front door, her eyes sparkling with mischeif.
Hastos stares at her for a moment. His smile somehow transforming into something a bit less genuine before returning to it previous state.
”Weird, huh?” He laughs. “Lucky me!” He says disingenuously as he scans the room before turning back to Ororana, his smile softening and his eyes betraying a small amount of sadness as they stare deeply into hers. “I’ve seen enough *weird* for several lifetimes.” He glances at his mug and sets the rest of it on the hearth.
“It was a good idea though.” He says, again smiling genuinely. “Indulge me, what was the plan?”
Bouncing around with Amber turned out to be much easier than dancing. The rhythm was wild, chaotic—just like the kender—and Sera found herself laughing despite feeling out of place.
Eventually, she stopped to catch her breath, cheeks flushed from movement and embarrassment. “Nice to meet you, Amber,” she said, offering a genuine smile. “I’m Sera... the new folk hero, apparently.” She glanced around at the crowd, her smile faltering. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Tekel took all the glory. This—” she gestured vaguely at the music and lights “—this isn’t really my style.”
She tried to stay upbeat, giving Amber a friendly nod. “I’ll definitely bring those gems by your shop to be cut. You’ve got an eye, I can tell.”
Sera stood awkwardly for a moment, feeling clumsy and out of place again as Amber twirled away in a flurry of motion and excitement. After a while of trying to party on bravely—smiling, nodding, sipping at her drink—she finally gave a quiet excuse " Amber..I need some air..and a moment to recover" she gave her a warm smile hoping she follow and slipped out the back door.
The cool air outside hit her face like a balm. Sera took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The stars overhead didn’t expect her to be charming or graceful. She leaned against the wall, gathering herself.
As he moves around the crowd he works on sowing some rumours, he figures in the crowd he can work in some positive words about Kasi and the Letni Inhelk, trying to shift some of the sentiment in the crowd away from the genocidal fervour that was happening earlier. (Persuasion - 21, Deceptsion - 24 Wasn't sure which would be more appropriate as he's trying to change attitudes with the truth not lies)
Merkas is happily, and disrcetely checking through peoples pockets and has a thought. He twirls around looking for any of his companions, spotting Hastos he points at him and casts message, using the noise of the place to cover up his low speech
"Haz, I just had a terrible thought, If everyone is here then the cult people could be causing trouble, I'm going to check it out"
After he speeds past Sharn, and taps the dwarf on the shoulder and whisper in his ear "I'm worried there may be something happening in town, wanna help me check?"
Barely waiting for a response Merkas, moves through the crowd to the back door, nearly hitting Sera with it on the way"Oh Perfect! Sera! If you were some sort of conspiracy group trying to discredit this settlement and cause chaos and strife, when would be a good time to cause some mischief? Tonight RIght?! With most everyone the town trusts here in this place the rest of the place is practically free for the taking. I'm going to check around, see if I can't see anything odd, I'll report back. Already mention it to Hastos and Sharn"
Merkas bumped into her in the backyard and she heard what he was about to do...Just as the laughter from inside reached another peak, Merkas’ words echoed in Sera’s mind—“Trouble.”
The dream came back in a flash: a graveyard cloaked in fog, tombstones leaning like drunken sentinels, and something about pulling the weeds before the rot spread. It hadn't made sense then. But now, it clawed at her spine with quiet urgency.
Sera turned her head toward the tavern windows. Music, warmth, people—safety. And yet, her gaze darkened. Glynnis would probably scold her for ducking out of her own celebration, but she couldn't ignore the knot twisting in her gut.
“Wait a minute…” she muttered under her breath.
With a glance around to make sure no one was watching, Sera dragged two empty barrels from the corner of the courtyard and stacked them. The setup wobbled dangerously. Still, she set her foot on the first barrel, then the second, and—with a prayer to Paladine and a good bit of reckless faith—grabbed for the tavern wall to start climbing toward her window.
She might fall. But sitting still? That felt like the real risk.
( ahtletics to climb 18 ) Sera was strong, and without her armor weighing her down, the climb was easy. She hauled herself up onto the windowsill, slipping inside her room like a shadow. Her gear waited in the corner, half-forgotten in the rush to look presentable earlier. With a quiet grunt, she grabbed her armor and shield and eased them out the window, letting them drop onto the soft dirt below.
"I hate leaving my own party," she muttered to herself, peeking back toward the door and the distant hum of celebration. "But they’re having a good time… and this feels more important."
She looked down at Merkas from the window. A flicker of hesitation passed over her face. Then, she spoke. “I had a dream. Too real to just be sleep. Something about the graveyard. The dead not resting. It felt like... a warning. About something that shouldn’t be growing there.”
Sliding back down the barrels, she crouched low, using them as cover while she hurriedly strapped on her armor. The leather creaked around her shoulders, the familiar weight grounding her nerves.
"So if there’s trouble brewing—maybe that’s where it starts."
Once fully dressed, Sera gave Merkas a firm nod and reached for her shield.
Right! I’ll let Haz and Sharn know where we’re headed” pulling the door open a crack he points to Sharn and Hastos in turn, casting message each time, saying the same thing to both “Sera and I are taking a side to the graveyard, she had a dream there was trouble there, take a back road in case we miss something along the way, don’t want anyone seeing us approaching”
After closing the door quietly he nods to the Paladin, grim determination dominating his usually cheerful eyes. “Here’s hoping this is just paranoia if not that it can quiet things down around here”
Hastos stares at her for a moment. His smile somehow transforming into something a bit less genuine before returning to it previous state.
”Weird, huh?” He laughs. “Lucky me!” He says disingenuously as he scans the room before turning back to Ororana, his smile softening and his eyes betraying a small amount of sadness as they stare deeply into hers. “I’ve seen enough *weird* for several lifetimes.” He glances at his mug and sets the rest of it on the hearth.
“It was a good idea though.” He says, again smiling genuinely. “Indulge me, what was the plan?”
Ororana pouts a little. "I dunno. Parties don't seem to be your style. I bet you're more comfortable in the battlefield than a dancefloor. I thought I'd show you something that my pique your interest. I don't spend a lot of time in town. But sometimes, at night, people go into the cemetary and just... disappear. I swear, they pass by a certain tombstone and *pop* gone. Out of curiosity, I followed them once, but after they vanished, I couldn't figure it out. I don't think people are disappearing. The town's small enough for someone to have noticed that by now. Thought you'd want to see the ghosts of Santekh." She wriggles her fingers and makes an "ooo" sound. Her eyes flash mischeivously. "I generally keep my nose out of other people's business. But this has me scratching my head."
While she's talking, Merkas's words into your mind....
Amber doesn't immediately notice that Sera has left, she's so busy bouncing and twirling. Laughing, she reaches out for Sera's hand, and finds only emptiness. "Oh," her voice lost in the din of the crowd and uproarous music. "Ok, bye..." She heads off to find another server to bring her some food, then sits down to wait for her meal.
Sera followed Merkas beneath the stars, the distant thrum of music and laughter from the tavern fading behind them. The night air was cool, sharp with the scent of desert stone and distant herbs. Her thoughts, however, drifted—not to danger or tactics, but to a silver-haired kender girl with bright eyes and too much charm.
She sighed. “Didn’t even get to follow up on that... from dancing to graveyards. Typical.”
After a moment of silence, she blurted out, “Hey, Merkas… how do you impress a kender girl?” She glanced over at him, half-embarrassed, half-curious. “I mean—not in a tactical way. Just… you know. As a person.”
She cleared her throat and tried to refocus. “Anyway. When we get there—should we go in quietly? Or light things up so we can spot whatever’s off?”
Right! I’ll let Haz and Sharn know where we’re headed” pulling the door open a crack he points to Sharn and Hastos in turn, casting message each time, saying the same thing to both “Sera and I are taking a side to the graveyard, she had a dream there was trouble there, take a back road in case we miss something along the way, don’t want anyone seeing us approaching”
After closing the door quietly he nods to the Paladin, grim determination dominating his usually cheerful eyes. “Here’s hoping this is just paranoia if not that it can quiet things down around here”
Sharn clutched his new darts and smiled. He hurried out the door to catch up to his companions just in time to catch Sera's last question.
"Is any of us good at being unseen? I feel like we haven't had much success with that."
He then looked down, noticing that he was still wearing his clean party clothes. Then he shrugged. Glynnis would hopefully forgive him, after a stern talk.
Sera is glad Sharn joins up...she hopes Hastos at least gets a wild dance in the bed and some fun while they lurk in the graveyard. She envy him a bit.
" I belive I might be a bit more silent this time..." she refers to her bulky armor. Knowing a spell Enhance ability could help her sneaking. ( if sneak is the choosen option Sera gets 14 on stealth using Enhanced ability. I cannot post more now)
"Ohhh shit." Hastos blurts out as Merkas' message played in his head. "Whhhyyy???" He muttered in a whisper as he grabs the braids on the sides of his head.
Ororanas voice trails off in confusion.
"I mean, oh shit, that does sound weird." He says absently as he scans the room for the team. "Amelista, huh? How long has this cemetery thing been going on?"
(Edit:) Hastos tries desperately to pay attention to Ororana, but his mind is full of thoughts bouncing back and forth. Why would they leave this hugely extravagant party put together for us at great cost to this town? If this was urgent, Merkas didn’t indicate that. Where the hell is Sharn, did he leave, too? I’m not even dressed for this shit!
Hastos puts his finger up between he and Ororana. “Hold that thought.” He says and dashes out to the back to try and intercept the group before they take off to the graveyard.
Kristryd strolls up to you with another cup of water and a smile. "Ye seem lost in thought, Sharn. Not the partyin' type?"
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
After the last steps of her graceful traditional dance with Ryhanna, Sera gave the tanned elfs hands a warm squeeze. “Thank you,” she whispered, breathless but smiling, her cheeks flushed with exertion and pride. The dance had come so naturally, as if the rhythm lived in her bones all along.
Letting go, Sera gave the dance floor a parting glance and stepped aside to allow others to take their turn in the glow of music and laughter. The party was alive now, throbbing with warmth and celebration.
She wandered along the edges, letting her eyes take in the sights—and quickly spotted her companions. Even the more reclusive Dawnbound seemed to be enjoying themselves. At the hearth, Hastos stood exactly where she’d left him, though now he was far from alone.
Sera blinked.
There was Ororana—draped in a barely-tere veil of sweat-dampened fabric, clinging to every curve. Her sheer silks shimmered like riverwater under moonlight, and she leaned in close to Hastos, one hand already on his arm, laughing at something only they could hear.
Sera gave a small chuckle and shook her head. “Maybe she’ll loosen him up,” she muttered to herself with amusement.
Turning away before she stared too long, she searched the crowd and quickly found Kristryn weaving through dancers with a tray of drinks balanced in one hand. Sera flagged her down with a grin.
“Something sweeter this time?” she asked.
She glanced across the room. Tekel seemed content, engaged in quiet conversation, though the glint of his wicked scythe where it leaned against the wall still made her spine tingle. The thing gave off an eerie presence, like it was watching her even at rest.
Pushing the thought aside, Sera found an empty chair near the edge of the hall and settled into it with a relieved sigh. Waiting for her Ale. her gown clung comfortably, and the ale warmed her from within.
She took a slow look around the room, eyes drifting over faces—some familiar, some new. A few glanced her way. A few smiled. And a few held their gaze a little longer than was strictly polite.
Sera raised an eyebrow, her lipscurling into a small, daring smile.
Perhaps it was time to flirt a little.....
You feel something bump into your thigh and hear a squeak. "OOF!" A kender woman with silvery hair tumbles to the ground, splayed out in an awkward X. Her plate of food skids across the ground and gets kicked away by shuffling feet. She lifts her head and groans... more about her ruined meal than anything else. Her eyes are a crystalline blue, framing an upturned nose and lips that curve into a natural smile. Her face reminds you of a feminie version of Tekel, if he wore glamorous makeup. She rolls over onto her back to see what slammed into her with wide, bewildered eyes. "Oh!" she says, startled to see a guest of honor. "I'm so sorry!" She laughs, embarrased. Her voice is high-pithced and just as silvery as her hair.
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
Sharn gladly accepted the cup. "Thank you Kristryd. I'm afraid I haven't been the partying type for some time now. The joy of the young, some would say." He chuckled. "But it warms my heart to see Santekh like this, so jovial, so happy. See, even those working their feet off seem to be having a good time. To feel the ground rumble so, is like hearing the wounds made by evil finally mending themselves. You should enjoy yourself as well, make this a night to remember. From where I sit, I will make sure to remember it for the rest of my days."
Sera barely had time to turn when something small and soft bumped right into her side. A silver-haired kender girl went sprawling backward, her plate hitting the floor with a loud clatter, food flying in every direction.
“Oh! That was... totally my fault,” Sera blurted out, crouching immediately to help. “These boots—uh—have no sense of direction.”
She gently helped the kender girl up, brushing dust from her sleeves, and gave a nervous little laugh. “I—um—I meant to say something charming here... something about silver hair and stars, maybe?”
She paused, clearly flustered, then knelt again to pick up bits of scattered food.
“I overheard a bard once say silver hair was like moonlight tangled in dreams... or something,” she muttered, cheeks pinking. “But that sounded a lot cooler when he said it.”
Sera handed back the salvaged plate with an awkward smile. “Anyway, it’s... really pretty. The hair, I mean. Not the mess. Sorry again.”
She rose to her feet, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and letting out a breath. “I’m not great at this. I’m more used to swords than silver tongues.”
With a small shrug and an honest smile, she added, “Hope your evening gets better from here. Let me know if I can help.” ( persuasion flirt....hope she like me roll 21)
Krystryd smiles warmly. "I'll dance other days. T'day, I'm glad ta be workin' indoors an' outta tha hot sun. T'day is the day, we honor yerself and yers. How'd ye like ta do that, Sharn? Ye any good at throwing darts?"
You hoist her off the ground like it's nothing, almost lifting her completely into the air, and a laugh escapes her lips accidentally as she swoons at your strength. A 3'6, she's a tiny thing compared to you, and her arms and legs are slender, unhardened by a rigourous life. Her light spirit suggests that she's been sheltered... perhaps even overprotected. She plays with her hair and smiles wide when you compliment it. "Thank you!" she squeaks. "I grew it myself!" Her laughter jingles like cystal glasses in a toast. "My brother says it's because we descend from a dragon or something. I dunno. My mom had silver hair too. I'm more convinced I got it from her." Her lilt on the word brother indicates she doesn't like him much, and the fact that she's on the opposite side of the dance hall from him would support the theory.
A server comes by and takes the plate from her, and she curtsies with a polite thank you, and another apology. She drops a handful of gold on the tray for the trouble. "You're very pretty too. And I love your dress! It moves so well! You were dancing with Rhyanna eariler, right? I couldn't see much over the crowds, but everyone keeps saying your a rival for her on the dance floor." She covers her mouth and giggles mischeivously at the prospect of Rhyanna being overshadowed. "I'd like to know if that's true." She curtsies low, letting the split of her clingy dress reveal a bit of thigh. "Care to dance?"
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
When the silver-haired kender asked for a dance, Sera nodded with a surprised but warm smile—only remembering to speak once she'd already taken the girl's small, delicate hand.
“Of course. I'd be honored,” she said, her voice just a touch breathless.
They made their way to the dancefloor, and Sera was acutely aware of how mismatched they looked—her tall, armored form beside the much smaller kender. For a brief second, the thought crossed her mind that it might be easier to just lift her and spin... but instead, she tried to follow the same graceful steps she'd used with Ryhanna earlier.
Only this time, things didn’t go quite as smoothly. ( performance 4)
Sera nearly stepped on her partner's foot—twice—and stumbled out of rhythm. She laughed, a little flushed, and murmured as they moved, “Aaws, I swear it was just one drink. Maybe it’s the lighting... or the company. You’re kind of dazzling, and it’s throwing off my footwork.”
She gave the kender an apologetic but playful smile. “Maybe we try something with fewer steps and more... spinning?” Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she added, “Or we ditch the dance entirely and go find the best sweets this place can offer? I hear sugar works better than rhythm.”
Sharn laughed heartily holding his belly. "Not too good I'm afraid, but I'd be happy if you could teach this old dog a new trick."
Sharn allowed himself to be guided to the dart board. His reflexes were good, but his aim was shabby. The point of being a hand to hand combatant were to avoid aiming past his reach. Still, he allowed his hand to be guided by Krystryd, (Rolled an 8 dexterity to throw darts) who trounced him at the game. It was a handily defeat, but one that had him laughing and clapping after each throw.
As Hastos scans the room, he notices that others seemed perplexed as they looked at him. He remembered that his face was still locked into “Resting Elf Face”. It was fortunate that Ororana showed up, it was just the excuse he needed to shift his expression, and her appearance ensured he wouldn’t need to fake any of it. He smiled broadly as she started up the conversation.
She asked about the scowl. Hastos chuckled. “Oh, lost in thought.” He swishes the brew around in the glass and takes another drink. “The last time we were enjoying ourselves in this room some lunatic tried to cut us down…” Hastos directed Ororana eyes over to the scythe with a subtle nod and a glance “… with that weapon.”
The second round came and Hastos saluted Ororana with the glass as she downed the whole thing. He looked surprised as this wasn’t usually the “down the hatch” type of drink. “The goblin blood?” He laughed. “Sorry, I know that’s a long outdated term. Oh I picked up a taste for this… ages ago. I take it you did, too?” He says with a laugh. He glances around at the faces that previously seemed converted and they appear to have relaxed and were back to enjoying the night.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
The girl smiles kindly. "You know, this isn't my type of dance. Kender perform something more... bouncy!" She starts jumping up and down, and spinning wildly as the music picks up to something more punk again. Laughing and bouncing wildly, she holds her hands high in the air! The dance is graceless baltering, but it's simple and fun to do.
"The name's Amber. I run the gem shop in town!" She shouts over the music. "You should come by some time! Brighten my day, ya know?"
After the first round is over, Krystryd smiles and curtsies low, holding her skirt out wide with her hands as she dips. "Yer gonna wanna practice. There's a dart throwin' competition later, an' prizes ta be had. Here... I'll help ye." She hands you four new darts and adjusts your stance. "Line the shot up and keep yer elbow steady. Release when ye' can point yer finger at the target. Now try again."
cheapjoke123 I've temporarily given you 4 darts. You get a +5 to your throw because Monks are proficient with darts.
Ororana laughs again. "No, I can't say I have. I prefer whiskey or gin. But if Hastos wants to drink Thudrud, then I'm drinking with him." She slams back the next drink and follows it up with a "Whoo! It smells like rotten beef and tastes just as bad." She glances back at Tekel, standing proud near Verhanna with that bleaming scythe strapped to his back. "Shiny tool. And he's carrying a scythe too." She says with a laugh. "I never liked that guy... all icing no cake. He's tried recruiting me several times, but I don't care for his type. I don't care about the war, or his ridiculous crusade on dragons and kobolds and shit. I'm here to collect bounties. And Santekh pays top dollar for Dragon Army sergeants. Well... their heads anyway. I heard about your attack. I was away on business when it happened. But Amelista swears it was some red-cloaked cult." She washes the taste out of her mouth with a shot of gin. "Wanna see something weird? I'm sure the party can spare 5 minutes without you." She bops her head over toward the front door, her eyes sparkling with mischeif.
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 stares at her for a moment. His smile somehow transforming into something a bit less genuine before returning to it previous state.
”Weird, huh?” He laughs. “Lucky me!” He says disingenuously as he scans the room before turning back to Ororana, his smile softening and his eyes betraying a small amount of sadness as they stare deeply into hers. “I’ve seen enough *weird* for several lifetimes.” He glances at his mug and sets the rest of it on the hearth.
“It was a good idea though.” He says, again smiling genuinely. “Indulge me, what was the plan?”
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Bouncing around with Amber turned out to be much easier than dancing. The rhythm was wild, chaotic—just like the kender—and Sera found herself laughing despite feeling out of place.
Eventually, she stopped to catch her breath, cheeks flushed from movement and embarrassment. “Nice to meet you, Amber,” she said, offering a genuine smile. “I’m Sera... the new folk hero, apparently.” She glanced around at the crowd, her smile faltering. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Tekel took all the glory. This—” she gestured vaguely at the music and lights “—this isn’t really my style.”
She tried to stay upbeat, giving Amber a friendly nod. “I’ll definitely bring those gems by your shop to be cut. You’ve got an eye, I can tell.”
Sera stood awkwardly for a moment, feeling clumsy and out of place again as Amber twirled away in a flurry of motion and excitement. After a while of trying to party on bravely—smiling, nodding, sipping at her drink—she finally gave a quiet excuse " Amber..I need some air..and a moment to recover" she gave her a warm smile hoping she follow and slipped out the back door.
The cool air outside hit her face like a balm. Sera took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The stars overhead didn’t expect her to be charming or graceful. She leaned against the wall, gathering herself.
As he moves around the crowd he works on sowing some rumours, he figures in the crowd he can work in some positive words about Kasi and the Letni Inhelk, trying to shift some of the sentiment in the crowd away from the genocidal fervour that was happening earlier. (Persuasion - 21, Deceptsion - 24 Wasn't sure which would be more appropriate as he's trying to change attitudes with the truth not lies)
Merkas is happily, and disrcetely checking through peoples pockets and has a thought. He twirls around looking for any of his companions, spotting Hastos he points at him and casts message, using the noise of the place to cover up his low speech
"Haz, I just had a terrible thought, If everyone is here then the cult people could be causing trouble, I'm going to check it out"
After he speeds past Sharn, and taps the dwarf on the shoulder and whisper in his ear "I'm worried there may be something happening in town, wanna help me check?"
Barely waiting for a response Merkas, moves through the crowd to the back door, nearly hitting Sera with it on the way "Oh Perfect! Sera! If you were some sort of conspiracy group trying to discredit this settlement and cause chaos and strife, when would be a good time to cause some mischief? Tonight RIght?! With most everyone the town trusts here in this place the rest of the place is practically free for the taking. I'm going to check around, see if I can't see anything odd, I'll report back. Already mention it to Hastos and Sharn"
Loyalty Begets Honour
Merkas bumped into her in the backyard and she heard what he was about to do...Just as the laughter from inside reached another peak, Merkas’ words echoed in Sera’s mind—“Trouble.”
The dream came back in a flash: a graveyard cloaked in fog, tombstones leaning like drunken sentinels, and something about pulling the weeds before the rot spread. It hadn't made sense then. But now, it clawed at her spine with quiet urgency.
Sera turned her head toward the tavern windows. Music, warmth, people—safety. And yet, her gaze darkened. Glynnis would probably scold her for ducking out of her own celebration, but she couldn't ignore the knot twisting in her gut.
“Wait a minute…” she muttered under her breath.
With a glance around to make sure no one was watching, Sera dragged two empty barrels from the corner of the courtyard and stacked them. The setup wobbled dangerously. Still, she set her foot on the first barrel, then the second, and—with a prayer to Paladine and a good bit of reckless faith—grabbed for the tavern wall to start climbing toward her window.
She might fall. But sitting still? That felt like the real risk.
( ahtletics to climb 18 ) Sera was strong, and without her armor weighing her down, the climb was easy. She hauled herself up onto the windowsill, slipping inside her room like a shadow. Her gear waited in the corner, half-forgotten in the rush to look presentable earlier. With a quiet grunt, she grabbed her armor and shield and eased them out the window, letting them drop onto the soft dirt below.
"I hate leaving my own party," she muttered to herself, peeking back toward the door and the distant hum of celebration. "But they’re having a good time… and this feels more important."
She looked down at Merkas from the window. A flicker of hesitation passed over her face. Then, she spoke. “I had a dream. Too real to just be sleep. Something about the graveyard. The dead not resting. It felt like... a warning. About something that shouldn’t be growing there.”
Sliding back down the barrels, she crouched low, using them as cover while she hurriedly strapped on her armor. The leather creaked around her shoulders, the familiar weight grounding her nerves.
"So if there’s trouble brewing—maybe that’s where it starts."
Once fully dressed, Sera gave Merkas a firm nod and reached for her shield.
“Lead the way.”
Right! I’ll let Haz and Sharn know where we’re headed” pulling the door open a crack he points to Sharn and Hastos in turn, casting message each time, saying the same thing to both “Sera and I are taking a side to the graveyard, she had a dream there was trouble there, take a back road in case we miss something along the way, don’t want anyone seeing us approaching”
After closing the door quietly he nods to the Paladin, grim determination dominating his usually cheerful eyes.
“Here’s hoping this is just paranoia if not that it can quiet things down around here”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Ororana pouts a little. "I dunno. Parties don't seem to be your style. I bet you're more comfortable in the battlefield than a dancefloor. I thought I'd show you something that my pique your interest. I don't spend a lot of time in town. But sometimes, at night, people go into the cemetary and just... disappear. I swear, they pass by a certain tombstone and *pop* gone. Out of curiosity, I followed them once, but after they vanished, I couldn't figure it out. I don't think people are disappearing. The town's small enough for someone to have noticed that by now. Thought you'd want to see the ghosts of Santekh." She wriggles her fingers and makes an "ooo" sound. Her eyes flash mischeivously. "I generally keep my nose out of other people's business. But this has me scratching my head."
While she's talking, Merkas's words into your mind....
Amber doesn't immediately notice that Sera has left, she's so busy bouncing and twirling. Laughing, she reaches out for Sera's hand, and finds only emptiness. "Oh," her voice lost in the din of the crowd and uproarous music. "Ok, bye..." She heads off to find another server to bring her some food, then sits down to wait for her meal.
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 followed Merkas beneath the stars, the distant thrum of music and laughter from the tavern fading behind them. The night air was cool, sharp with the scent of desert stone and distant herbs. Her thoughts, however, drifted—not to danger or tactics, but to a silver-haired kender girl with bright eyes and too much charm.
She sighed. “Didn’t even get to follow up on that... from dancing to graveyards. Typical.”
After a moment of silence, she blurted out, “Hey, Merkas… how do you impress a kender girl?” She glanced over at him, half-embarrassed, half-curious. “I mean—not in a tactical way. Just… you know. As a person.”
She cleared her throat and tried to refocus. “Anyway. When we get there—should we go in quietly? Or light things up so we can spot whatever’s off?”
Sharn clutched his new darts and smiled. He hurried out the door to catch up to his companions just in time to catch Sera's last question.
"Is any of us good at being unseen? I feel like we haven't had much success with that."
He then looked down, noticing that he was still wearing his clean party clothes. Then he shrugged. Glynnis would hopefully forgive him, after a stern talk.
Sera is glad Sharn joins up...she hopes Hastos at least gets a wild dance in the bed and some fun while they lurk in the graveyard. She envy him a bit.
" I belive I might be a bit more silent this time..." she refers to her bulky armor. Knowing a spell Enhance ability could help her sneaking. ( if sneak is the choosen option Sera gets 14 on stealth using Enhanced ability. I cannot post more now)
"Ohhh shit." Hastos blurts out as Merkas' message played in his head. "Whhhyyy???" He muttered in a whisper as he grabs the braids on the sides of his head.
Ororanas voice trails off in confusion.
"I mean, oh shit, that does sound weird." He says absently as he scans the room for the team. "Amelista, huh? How long has this cemetery thing been going on?"
(Edit:) Hastos tries desperately to pay attention to Ororana, but his mind is full of thoughts bouncing back and forth. Why would they leave this hugely extravagant party put together for us at great cost to this town? If this was urgent, Merkas didn’t indicate that. Where the hell is Sharn, did he leave, too? I’m not even dressed for this shit!
Hastos puts his finger up between he and Ororana. “Hold that thought.” He says and dashes out to the back to try and intercept the group before they take off to the graveyard.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread