More Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [IC][2024 rules][1]

A little quieter than the others, Pev lingers at the back. Thought not … shy, in service to his gregarious god, Pev has always struggled a little to overcome his natural reserve and play up the wit and wisdom with which he was worshipfully endowed in front of new faces. 

Still, jolly, warm, and sunny: if not for the doomed sailor’s undeath, he might almost feel his portentous dreams had been intended for somewhere else. 

When Paddy palms the copper to Mumpo, the kobold's eyes nearly pop out of his head. He compares the new coin to the one he's already been clutching, bites it to test its worth, then gives the rogue an excited grin. He leans in close and whispers in excited Draconic: "Yes, yes! Mumpo hears things. Mumpo thinks there is many coins hidden in the belly of the broken ship up north. But the water is cold... and Mumpo not allowed to go there." He looks down for a moment, suddenly forlorn, then scurries back into the crowd before anyone else can hear.

Tarak listens to the flurry of introductions with an easy-going smile, although Varnoth's expression remains hard as stone. 

"Elder Runara is the leader of our little community, yes," the man turns his attention to Valeria. "She's a teacher and a guide here. The island is small, but its shape can change a bit depending on the tides."

Tarik then looks towards Lothia. "Oh, when I say people come here for an end to their journey, I don't mean they come to stay in the ground," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is a place of peace. People come here to end the person they were... to leave their scars, their burdens, and their old lives behind, so they can begin a new journey as someone else. It's a place for turning the page."

As he says this, he glances at Varnoth, who catches his gaze with a look that is hard to read. (Lothia, feel free to give me an Insight Check)

Vernoth then turns her milky, blind eye towards Dev. As Dev locks eyes with her, he notices she doesn't turn away from his gaze. While she remains gruff, there is a flicker of something - not quite warmth, but a spark of intellectual life -- when he mentions "warrior to warrior." She seems like a woman who has spent a long time thinking about the "why" of her scars, not just the "how."
She looks at Dev's axe, then down at her prosthetic leg. "My 'hurts', you say?" She stands taller, lifting her chin with a veteran's iron pride. "This was a small price to pay when many of my friends traded much more." 
Dev, as you look at this woman and her gruff demeanour, her name finally rings a bell. You've heard tales of the legendary General Varnoth Wender, who led the Azure Wolves mercenary company -- a mighty force in the east about a decade ago. 

Before the conversation can continue, the low, resonant hum of the bronze gong echoes through the plaza. The kobolds go silent instantly, parting away as a figure emerges from the temple's farthest side.

She is an elderly human woman with weathered brown skin, white hair in tight braids, and kindly hazel eyes, dressed in a simple white robe. She smiles as she draws near and extends her arms in greeting. Her gaze lingers on Pev for a moment with a look of deep recognition, as if she has seen him in a dream as clearly as he has seen the island.
“Welcome to Dragon’s Rest, brave adventurers,” she says, her voice rich and calm. “I saw you bravely fight the drowned below on the beach. My name is Runara and I thank you on behalf of all of us for protecting our cloister. May Bahamut’s guidance lead you to whatever you seek.”

 Lothia appeared to still look skeptical at Tarak, and even canted her head ever so slightly at the exchange of looks between the pair of humans soon after. But regardless of what is read in the moment, her expression visibly brightens with curiosity sensing a tale behind the veteran's words. Yet somewhat to her dismay and confusion, the sound of a gong has the goliath searching the plaza for the source, before her gaze falls on the new arrival. Lothia almost immediately tenses up at the sight. But then a moment a later, there's a soft sigh of relief and words muttered in some guttural tongue. "Looks like ya'll found yer Runara?" She says after to Paddy, giving the dragonborn a sidelong grin.

(OOC: Natural 20 from Lothia for a flat 20 on that insight)

Valeria hadn't quite come here to reinvent herself, but turning a page in her life was adequate enough she thinks, nodding to the man's words with a friendly smile.

"Greetings Runara, thank you for seeing us, I am Valeria. The drowned were quite tenacious but we did give them all proper rest in the end." The red-haired sorceress says with a polite bow to the elderly human in the simple white robe. "We would be grateful for Bahamut's guidance, particularly regarding anything worth exploring on this island. Perhaps there are other inconveniances that we could rid it from to protect your cloister?"


(Another persuasion check if relevant: 6 :-P)

Pev waits his turn once Runara appears. The look on her face on seeing him was not subtle, not to him, who always watches from the corner of his eye to see how his jokes are received, to see if they are in good humour or if his delivery is too strong or too weak, to be a good comedian, to make sure other’s are bolstered by his words, not belittled. 

Even on a non-Gnomish face, he feels he is not beyond gleaning insight. 

When he steps up to Runara, he bows and clangs one knuckle against his brass hat. 

“Well met Runara, may laughter come easily and be shared widely.” As he stands he looks to see how she responds, to see what she looks toward, what she cares for and to try to understand where her priorities lie. 

Insight: 18

Devizes stares at Varnoth after her response.  It almost seems rude, but it's not.  A mote of realisation begins to form in his mind.  "Yer friends suffered more than hurts," he nods.  "They gave their lives."  It's a statement, not a question, but one that is softly spoken with a compassion that belies his gruff outward appearance.  Suddenly that mote of realisation becomes reality and his eyes widen.  He drops to one knee and bows his head in deference.  "General Wender.  I ain't never thought that...." 

He clears his throat and looks up calmly.  "It be an honour to meet ye,, General.  Those that took yer friends, ye helped them pay the toll for the ferryman, I ain't got no doubt"

Dev, the moment you utter the name General Wender, a heavy silence falls over the plaza. Varnoth stiffens, her hand tightening into a fist. For a second, her milky eye flashes with a sharp, dangerous light, and you can see the old General returning to the surface. But as you drop to one knee, her demeanor softens.

"That's all a ghost story now, soldier," she says, her voice low but not unkind. "There are no Generals here… not anymore. But if you have an interest in the history of such things, or the weight of the choices that lead to them... perhaps we can talk later. Now rise." She offers a steady, calloused hand to help you up, showing a spark of genuine respect for your own veteran status.

Lothia, you see right through the exchange between Tarak and Varnoth. There is a deep, unspoken bond there, not just of friendship, but of shared burden. A gold hangman's noose is worked into the design of his tattoos. Paddy may recognise it as a symbol associated with the Gilded Gallows, a thieves’ guild that operates in a country far to the southeast called Elturgard.
There is a flicker of exhaustion in his eyes that matches the gruff woman’s eyes. Despite his clothes being stained with plant juice and soil, Lothia realises Tarak isn't just a gardener – he is someone who has turned the page just like he described, and he is clearly helping Varnoth do the same.

Pev, as you study Runara, you sense that her recognition of you is genuine, rather than just polite. She looks at you as if she's been waiting for you to arrive. You sense she cares deeply for the kobolds and the peace of this isle, but there is a shadow of concern behind her eyes that suggest she knows that peace might be fleeting.

Runara steps forward, her smile widening as she addresses Valeria. "You are modest, Valeria. The drowned are a growing blight, and you did a great service to this island. As for exploration..."

She looks out over the cliffs towards the shimmering sea. "Bahamut's guidance often comes through those willing to act. This cloister is a place of peace, but shadows are stretching from the edges of the isle. The drowned you fought are but one sign.”
Varnoth nods grimly. "Just a few days ago there was another – a ship suddenly veered off course and crashed into the rocks to the north. These drowned ones must have come from there."
Tarak rubs his neck. "How many have there been now in the past few months. Six? Seven?"
"Too many," Runara responds softly. She turns back to the group, her gaze warm. "You have travelled far and fought well. Let us provide you with a meal and a place to wash away the salt. If you need it, you can rest in one of our monastic dwellings below, and we can speak of the 'inconveniences' you mentioned when you are ready. There is much to be done if you are willing to stay."

"We'd be most grateful for your generous hospitality." The young red-haired sorceress says with a friendly smile and then another polite bow. Admittedly she could do with a rest to regain her arcane power, but she already looked forward to investigate that wreck which might hold both exciting dangers and pleasant rewards. Not quite a dragon's hoard but still quite worthy of their attention. She had taken some notice to the interactions with the two humans but decided to not try to delve deeper into their reasons for coming here. If this was a place to reinvent yourself then she would not be the one to bring up their past, everyone deserved a second chance for a good life. 

 "Now /that/ would be appreciated, mam! I ain't stranger getting wet now, but at some point the sogginess just needs to go." Lothia makes some offhanded gesture as shooing away an errant fly. Then, with a smile she gives a gentle bow to Runara. "And you truly have our sincere thanks for the hospitality." At that, she looks on expectantly, eager to fill her belly with food and heart and mind full of whatever stories might yet be told at the dinner table.

(How organised is the faith here? Is it very loose or is it very strictly monastic? Should we be expecting prayers and a rigid schedule for the others here and would Pev know?)

Pev, your years as an acolyte tell you this is no rigid cathedral. The faith here is simple: Justice, Protection, and Honor. There are no 4:00 AM bells or prayers. Instead, Runara treats the kobolds as absolute equals which is a rare sight in the stiff temples of the mainland. You sense a deep, unspoken rule of non-violence here, which explains why no one carries a blade.

Seeing you are happy to stay, Tarak rolls up his sleeves. "I should get back to the kitchen then and prepare something for our guests."

He gestures in the direction you came from, towards the building with the long dining table. "Come, sit. I'll bring out some ale and wine while the pots get to boiling. It's honest food, and I promise the stew won't be half bad."

Some of the kobolds announce they'd join you along with Varnoth, while a few volunteer to sweep the dust off the available rooms for the magnificent new guests. Runara tells you you can find her in the library (the only building cut into the cliff with an actual door, located just next to the dining hall) unless you have more questions in which case she might join you in the dining hall too.

Valeria would give Tarak and the others smiles of sincere gratitude and find a seat at the long dining table, leaning back and relaxing while casually playing with magical fire between her slender hands, thinking about the excitement that awaited her. "So, we're checking out that shipwreck later right?" She says, looking around at her new companions. "We could be like an adventuring party. Perhaps we should even have a name for oursleves?"

Dev rises from his knee and nods at Varnoth respectfully.  "Ye be sure I will not mention it again, but to share tales, that be something I would enjoy, if ye are agreeable."  He grins.  "It ain't nothing I ever expected here neither."  At the mention of food he brightens a little, and is reminded of just how long it had been since the last meal.

Runara catches his attention, and he gives her a small bow before she leaves.  "Yer hospitality is well appreciated, and I thank ye."  He rubs at an arm, brushing away some crusted salt off his clothing.  "And washin' away this 'ere salt would be bliss!" 

His face turns slightly more serious at Valeria's words and he nods in agreement.  "I ain't good with makin' names, but we done good on that there beach together.  Any more of them drownded sailors around?  'Tis a good idea to check that wreck."

"Ain't no one else on this 'ere island than youse?" he asks.  "Other than them drownded sailors?"

Pev listens closely as Dev asks his questions about the other inhabitants of the island. He follows along as the ebullient kobolds draw them along to the dining hall, hoping for decent home-cooked fare. 

“I wouldn’t be against a bath or a shower or some way of cleaning myself of this salt water too.”

 Lothia cannot help but smirk a little at the kobolds announcement. 'Cute little buggers... when they're not trying to rob you' She idly thought. But, even with a thoroughly occupied mind over future prospects, Lothia took care to stay away from the edges of the path near the cliffside once again as the group made their way to the dining hall. Only then did she appear to relax once more. If there had been a hearth in the dining room, then she'd take the closest seat to warm up by it after making sure to light it up.

"Forming an adventuring party, eh? Mind if I join you darlings then? I'm quite handy with a staff, and know a bit of magisk that can be naught be a boon to most endeavors. It's certainly has served me well enough, 'specially where it comes to conversing with beasts." Lothia mentions. "But if you prefer not my company beyond this evening, then no skin off my teeth, as the Orcs say." She adds, then shrugs. "But, if the plan is to face more of Umberlee's playthings, an extra hand couldn't hurt now could it?"  She then looks to one of the kobolds that joined them, and had one of their number been the one that talked to her before, she'd motion them over and ask, "That reminds me, I never quite got your name?"

"Join us? I think you already did great Lothia, and I don't think anyone here doubts your prowess in battle, of course you should be a part of the adventuring company." The red-haired sorceress proclaims with a friendly smile.

Varnoth watches Valeria's flames for a moment before answering Dev. "Just us and the kobolds. We also share the island with some mushroom-folk also known as Myconids down in the sea caves. They keep to themselves, mostly. Those 'drowned' are the only uninvited guests we've seen. There have been a rising number of them in the last few months, more than the entire time I've been here. There have been a lot of ship wrecks in the past few months too, it's probably where they are all coming from" Her expression shows her distaste. "Only a few days ago another ship suddenly veered off course and crashed into the rocks. I watched it with my own eyes from the cliff."

Tarak laughs as he sets a steaming pot of vegetable pottage and several mugs of ale on the table. "A bath? We have large wash-tubs in the winch house halfway down the path. Myla, can you make sure our guests can refresh themselves?"

One of the kobolds who joined you jumps to her feet. Unlike the others, she has a pair of leathery wings that look scarred but healed, and tiny goggles perched on her head. She rubs her hands in excitement. "'Course! Myla has just the tool for the job!"

Before she dashes out, she spins on her heel. "And I can fix things! All things!"

The kobold smitten with Lothia beams at her question. "Me Rix! I help with the temple and clean the big statue. You very tall, very strong. Like a mountain with hair!"

Tarak sets the pot at the centre of the table and begins pouring stew into wooden bowls for everyone. "Yes, yes, the myconids… although they've been quiet recently," he grimaces, his easy-going tone dipping into concern for a moment.

"How do you mean quiet? Did they use to come here and now they don't?" The red-haired sorceress asks with curious eyes. "Do you think something has happened to them that is connected to the drowned?"

As Valeria asks her questions, Pev smiles at Myla. It would perhaps be rude to leave to wash now as the food arrives. 

As Valeria asks questions about the grander topics, Pev’s interests turn more personal. 

“Have you always lived on the island Myla? I can see perhaps it is not always as peaceful as it now appears,” and he looks at her scarred wings softly, inquisitively, but without pushing. 

 It is only for but a moment, but the group could've sworn Lothia appeared taken aback by Valeria's declaration, only to play things off with a chuckle and "True!" before the goliath turned her attention elsewhere. She nearly bursts into full blown bought of laughter over Rix, but restrained herself to a snort and chuckles. "If you really wanna see a mountain with hair darling, you aughta find yourself a bugbear. Although, I almost guarantee it will not be as pleasant an encounter!" She said, then offered him a hand. 

"Not sure if you caught it before, but my name is Lothia, and I must say you've done good work with those statues. Why if I didn't know any better, I'd swear one could see their own reflection in the stone!" She claims, albeit more quietly now as to avoid disturbing the other ongoing conversations at the table. Exchanges she was very much keeping an ear out for as well, even as she appeared otherwise occupied chatting with Rix and absentmindedly digging into her stew now and then.