Adventure in Dan-thurás

By the time Lethira reaches the Copper Kettle, Cairdell has settled into the evening. Light eminates from the windows, and a scent of fresh bread and smoked meats lingers out front like an open invitation to enter. Inside, the din of conversation provides a background soundtrack with the sound of laughter here, a low murmur there, as the innkeeper keeps her patrons in possion of ale with practiced ease. When the door opens, the room shifts just slightly. Not enough to interrupt anything. Just enough. “…that’s her....” “....from the river—” “…Keeper…” The words pass quietly between tables, more observation than judgment. Lethira doesn’t react. If she hears, she doesn’t show it. Her attention moves through the room before settling on something familiar, and she crosses toward a nearby table where two traders sit, their conversation trailing off as she approaches. She pauses beside them, offering a small, easy smile. “You’ve been keeping well.” One of them nods, a touch too quick. “Ah—yes. Yes, we have. The river’s been...” “....moving,” she finishes. “Good.” She lingers a moment longer, inclining her head in quiet acknowledgment before stepping away. “Enjoy your evening.” She moves on, the exchange politly at its end. Lethira finds her place within the room as though she’s always belonged there, warm, composed, easy to approach, yet never lingering longer than needed. For a moment, she lets the rhythm of the tavern carry on around her, and then, her gaze shifts, briefly, toward the east, where the river runs.

Back at the Copper Kettle...

Tozer studies Kayn and then repeats Kayn's words, "Messing with our Goliath friend... I see. An attempt to be funny."

He then shrugs his shoulders and taking a cue from the invitation offered by Orien, Tozer says, "Yes, let us sit and eat and drink together then. Orien of the shadow, Mia of the crystal, and...(motioning toward Kayn)...man of funny remarks."

Quote from Man_of_Dust >>

Back at the Copper Kettle...

Tozer studies Kayn and then repeats Kayn's words, "Messing with our Goliath friend... I see. An attempt to be funny."

He then shrugs his shoulders and taking a cue from the invitation offered by Orien, Tozer says, "Yes, let us sit and eat and drink together then. Orien of the shadow, Mia of the crystal, and...(motioning toward Kayn)...man of funny remarks."

 

 Mia laughs. “It’s my spellcasting focus. I have a couple of them.”

(Happy Dragon): A tall, spare man with black hair with a tinge of gray slides a handful of foaming mugs down the length of the table where Flins is seated; with the smoothness of experience, one mug slides and stops in front of each person at the table. 

“Getting used to your land-legs, eh, sailor?” The man hails Flins. He recognizes your accent as that of the old salts down near Delamar, and apparently assumes you’re a sailor. His own accent has a slight country drawl, but it’s not a pronounced one, like that of some of your friends. “This backwater town might not look like much, but there’s money and work to be had, if you know what I mean.”

Quote from MrDicestone55 >>

(Happy Dragon): A tall, spare man with black hair with a tinge of gray slides a handful of foaming mugs down the length of the table where Flins is seated; with the smoothness of experience, one mug slides and stops in front of each person at the table. 

“Getting used to your land-legs, eh, sailor?” The man hails Flins. He recognizes your accent as that of the old salts down near Delamar, and apparently assumes you’re a sailor. His own accent has a slight country drawl, but it’s not a pronounced one, like that of some of your friends. “This backwater town might not look like much, but there’s money and work to be had, if you know what I mean.”

 *Lol*

*Hey DM, am I related to Evelyn? We share literally pretty much the same features based on the respective descriptions.*

Quote from MrDicestone55 >>

(Happy Dragon): A tall, spare man with black hair with a tinge of gray slides a handful of foaming mugs down the length of the table where Flins is seated; with the smoothness of experience, one mug slides and stops in front of each person at the table. 

“Getting used to your land-legs, eh, sailor?” The man hails Flins. He recognizes your accent as that of the old salts down near Delamar, and apparently assumes you’re a sailor. His own accent has a slight country drawl, but it’s not a pronounced one, like that of some of your friends. “This backwater town might not look like much, but there’s money and work to be had, if you know what I mean.”

"There's always work for a hired sword" flins replied calmly 

(Copper Kettle): Evelyn sets a tray of jugs and a stack of glasses on the table in front of Mia, Orien, and the others (I assume everyone save Flins are at the same table or nearby). “Aye, the north be a bit cold for you?” She hails Mia and Tozer. “Or were ye missing the sunshine? There’s plenty to be had here, I tell you.” 

She turned to Orien’s raw sculpture of Tozen, and tells him, “That be a right purty stone-person you got there. Don’t let Fonkin see it; he might try to enchant it or something,” she adds with a chuckle.

She turns to look at Kayn, “A friend o’ yours?” She asks him, referring to Kayn and Tozen’s banter. 

Without skipping a beat, she turns to Lethira and says in a more serious tone, “River say anything to you? I sure hope that ain’t an omen of things to come,” she adds cryptically.

(Both taverns): Despite the jovial nature in both establishments, there is also a quiet unease among the patrons as their minds are occupied with forebodings, trying to conceal it with food, drinks, and merriment.

Quote from MrDicestone55 >>

(Both taverns): Despite the jovial nature in both establishments, there is also a quiet unease among the patrons as their minds are occupied with forebodings, trying to conceal it with food, drinks, and merriment.

 Flin flicked a coin at the bartender and says "Tell me the most recent news in the region."

Lethira settles as the warmth and noise of the Copper Kettle continues around her before her attention drifts, toward a table where conversation has already begun to take shape. She doesn’t stand out at first glance, and that seems intentional. Her dark hair rests loosely at her shoulders, her expression is open but measured, and her clothing, well-worn leathers beneath a muted cloak, favors function over display. There’s a quiet ease to her, not looking for attention but tends to hold it all the same.She watches for a moment, not intruding, simply listening to the introductions, a few mis-steps, and the quiet adjustments that follow. Just people navigating the awkwardness of strangers developing rapport with one another. She moves towards them, arriving at the edge of the table. Her gaze passes between them, light and observant, Mia turning her crystal focus between her fingers, Orien steady in his work, Tozer direct and unfiltered, Kayn's deliberate edge. “You’ve settled quicker than most,” she says, her tone warm, easy. “That’s usually a good sign.” A small smile follows. “I’m Lethira.” She acknowledges each of them in turn before adding, as though it’s the simplest thing, “Mind if I sit?”

*I don’t believe so; Mia is an alpine wood elf, while Evelyn’s mother was a southern autumn elf. It’s probable that Mia was also born in autumn, but the north and south elves have some variation. That said, Mia could well be the exception among her people.*

(Happy Dragon): “Thank you, kind sir.” He sighs before continuing. “Life’s been good; the gnolls haven’t been as nasty as they usually are, but there have been… other problems,” he said, with a knowing glance at Flins’ drinking companions. From smattering of other conversations, Flins has gleamed that the man before him is the Happy Dragon’s proprietor, Scandal Merriweather. Why his name is such is not apparent; he is a full-blooded human, with no sign of an infernal lineage; from your experience, humans typically don’t wear such a moniker as a main name.

Kayn shrugs. “Sure, whatever. I’m not exactly in charge here, but these guys don’t seem very suited to be in charge either.” He grins and takes a large sip of his ale, downing the last bits of it. He walks over to the bar to grab another drink, and returns a few moments later. “I’m Kayn. From around these parts. Actually, I do a lot of traveling, so maybe not from around these parts? Just born around here.” He sighs. “Ah, I let my enthusiasm get ahead of me. Hello, new friends.” He says this all quite slyly, as if conversation is simply a game to him. A game he doesn’t necessarily care about winning, but an entertaining game. 

Quote from MrDicestone55 >>

(Happy Dragon): “Thank you, kind sir.” He sighs before continuing. “Life’s been good; the gnolls haven’t been as nasty as they usually are, but there have been… other problems,” he said, with a knowing glance at Flins’ drinking companions. From smattering of other conversations, Flins has gleamed that the man before him is the Happy Dragon’s proprietor, Scandal Merriweather. Why his name is such is not apparent; he is a full-blooded human, with no sign of an infernal lineage; from your experience, humans typically don’t wear such a moniker as a main name.

 "interesting may I inquire as to what the other problems you mentioned are?" Flins asked

Quote from MrDicestone55 >>

*I don’t believe so; Mia is an alpine wood elf, while Evelyn’s mother was a southern autumn elf. It’s probable that Mia was also born in autumn, but the north and south elves have some variation. That said, Mia could well be the exception among her people.*

 She was definitely born in Autumn, and she is a bit of an exception. Her family has only been there for A couple of generations before the attack.

Quote from MrDicestone55 >>

(Copper Kettle): Evelyn sets a tray of jugs and a stack of glasses on the table in front of Mia, Orien, and the others (I assume everyone save Flins are at the same table or nearby). “Aye, the north be a bit cold for you?” She hails Mia and Tozer. “Or were ye missing the sunshine? There’s plenty to be had here, I tell you.” 

She turned to Orien’s raw sculpture of Tozen, and tells him, “That be a right purty stone-person you got there. Don’t let Fonkin see it; he might try to enchant it or something,” she adds with a chuckle.

She turns to look at Kayn, “A friend o’ yours?” She asks him, referring to Kayn and Tozen’s banter. 

Without skipping a beat, she turns to Lethira and says in a more serious tone, “River say anything to you? I sure hope that ain’t an omen of things to come,” she adds cryptically.

 “I’m from the north. My family hails from here, though.”

Quote from Naiya_Varma >>

Lethira settles as the warmth and noise of the Copper Kettle continues around her before her attention drifts, toward a table where conversation has already begun to take shape. She doesn’t stand out at first glance, and that seems intentional. Her dark hair rests loosely at her shoulders, her expression is open but measured, and her clothing, well-worn leathers beneath a muted cloak, favors function over display. There’s a quiet ease to her, not looking for attention but tends to hold it all the same.She watches for a moment, not intruding, simply listening to the introductions, a few mis-steps, and the quiet adjustments that follow. Just people navigating the awkwardness of strangers developing rapport with one another. She moves towards them, arriving at the edge of the table. Her gaze passes between them, light and observant, Mia turning her crystal focus between her fingers, Orien steady in his work, Tozer direct and unfiltered, Kayn's deliberate edge. “You’ve settled quicker than most,” she says, her tone warm, easy. “That’s usually a good sign.” A small smile follows. “I’m Lethira.” She acknowledges each of them in turn before adding, as though it’s the simplest thing, “Mind if I sit?”

 “Not at all!” Mia makes room on the bench next to her.

Quote from 50thAltOfBananer >>

Kayn shrugs. “Sure, whatever. I’m not exactly in charge here, but these guys don’t seem very suited to be in charge either.” He grins and takes a large sip of his ale, downing the last bits of it. He walks over to the bar to grab another drink, and returns a few moments later. “I’m Kayn. From around these parts. Actually, I do a lot of traveling, so maybe not from around these parts? Just born around here.” He sighs. “Ah, I let my enthusiasm get ahead of me. Hello, new friends.” He says this all quite slyly, as if conversation is simply a game to him. A game he doesn’t necessarily care about winning, but an entertaining game. 

 “Hello, Kayn.” This is possibly the first time you’ve seen Mia even the slightest bit hostile to someone. She has a very icy tone as she says this.

“Thank you,” Lethira says, settling into the space beside Mia with quiet ease, as though the seat had always been hers to take. “Kayn,” she repeats, letting the name rest a moment. “That’s enough. You don’t need to sort roles and responsibilities out just yet.” A small smile touches her expression, gentle, understanding, and gone just as quickly as it appeared. Her attention shifts briefly between the others at the table before returning to him. “You travel,” she says, not quite asking. “That usually means you notice more than most.” She pauses, giving the thought a moment to settle. “Has anything here caught your attention?”