(OOC @pokepaladdy: I'm not sure I understood what Drazzim is picking up and placing on a table. A light? There is no Wisp body, if that's what you meant. Or did your mean his axes?)

Surruk the scout walks over to Schuyler's body and picks up his Heward's Handy Spice Pouch. She then slowly walks towards Andmarir drops the memento on his chest, as he lies on the floor. "Here, I think you should keep this. May you never forget that life is but a flicker." She has a solemn but caring smile on her face. She then quietly goes walking around the room, collecting whatever arrows she had shot that could still be used without much tending to.

A few random faces begin to emerge from behind broken tables, or piles of chairs, and even from under the stage. It would seem that some of the surviving patrons never mustered the courage to fight, nor the guile to flee, choosing instead to cower. They seem lost, relieved, and uncertain about what to do next. Nonetheless, most begin to make their way outside.

Buhrell holds tight to the mason jar enclosing the magical fang. At about the same height as him, she looks at Utar's eyes and says "Not much more than what I have already shared, but here's what I can offer. First, I believe this to be the fang of a dragon, and if the lightning is any indication, probably a very old blue dragon at that. Second, there is no doubt that this fang has been cursed by some foul magic. I shall be taking it to my superiors within the Emerald Enclave for further observation and potential destruction. A balance must be restored. Finally, as you might have already deduced, Surruk is one of the Enclave's scouts. I was not alone in this."

Both Buhrell and Surruk then prepare to leave. As they do, Surruk comes to the table where Drazzim is sitting and places a not-too-large but still bursting coin purse. "Here is the gold Buhrell promised you. I know this may feel wrong given the circumstances, but a lot more casualties were avoided thanks to your support tonight. You deserve every single one of the 175gp in there." Despite placing it near Drazzim, you can all tell she aimed her words towards all seven of you. Buhrell then piggybacks on Surruk's words adding "I heard you mentioning the Welcomers earlier, and you are right to be weary of them, but not at the cost of ignoring the Labor Guilds here in town. We have been keeping an eye on the guilds lately. They have been gaining more and more power in the city recently, and it might be a good idea to watch out for them in the coming weeks and months." She then points over her shoulder to a female dwarf appearing from behind the bar counter. Some of you recognize her as being the lady who was having a "date" with the Lightning's first victim. "She'd know more, I'd bet."

With a heavy sigh, Madame Freona silently begins to pour all of you a glass of one of her top-shelf cognac bottles. She ignores whether you want it or not. She pours it, and forces it into your hand. Once you all have a glass, she finally speaks. "To those who have lost their lives at the Tea Kettle ce soir." She drinks her shot of cognac, as do the Emerald Enclave's ladies. The Madame then adds "Je suis désolé, but I'm afraid you will all have to find another place to spend the night tonight" She then goes back behind the bar and disappears into the backrooms.

Andmarir feels up top Surruk as she drops the punch on his chest,  with a bit of a surprise. Then nods to her words and then starts to slowly get up. He too starts to gather his arrows that could be salvageable and puts them away. 

When he hears that Surruk is with the Enclave, he nods to himself. So he got played in a way but it's alright. He walks over to the bar and takes a drink in hand and waits until the toast comes. 

He looks towards the female dwarf then,  raising a brow. " Yes,  what do you know about everything? " Now very curious. 

At the mention of finding another place to sleep he looks around. " Any other places that are recommended? "

Utar gladly takes the glass, raising it, "To the fallen." And drains it.

Standing he goes over to the dwarven lady, giving a purposefully unsettling smile, and trying to use his height to loom over her. "I'd start talking if I were you girlie."

Intimidation - 21

Madame Freona says to Andmarir: "I would avoid the dockside inn named The Bitter Blade. There is nothing there but marins salés. And you won't find rooms at Nat Wyler's Bell, since it is just a dirty dive bar in the poorer part of the vieille ville. Other than that, any other inn could do as long as vous revenez tous ici once this has all passed. I'd say take your pick from The Laughing Goblin or the The Cracked Crown. If you want something more chahuteur, there's always the festhall at The Velvet Doublet."

The dwarven lady then cowers a bit from Utar's approach. She might be frightened but her older-than-expected face still looks proud and her words are measured. "My name is Yanna Hammerbound, one of the High Smelters of The Ironhanded. We are the Ironworkers' Guild of Phlan." She then adjusts a seat at the bar and grabs the closest bottle within reach without Madame Freona's permission. "That one over there is... well... was Trett, an old merchant acquaintance of mine. He said he had an item he wanted to sell to our guild. Something that would change the way we work, something about heating and working metal more easily than in a forge.. I should know it was too good to be true." She then pauses and continues drinking, hoping that whatever she has shared is enough to satisfy your curiosity (OOC: If it isn't, you'll need to roll another skill check, your choice which one. You can do it with advantage since Andmarir is sort of helping).

Utar narrows his eyes, not trusting the dwarven lady just yet. "Is that all that fang could be used for, we've seen first hand how destructive it is." 

He rights a nearby chair and sits, giving her a hard stare. "Lots of trouble in Phlan lately, are you sure your guild wasnt buying itself some protection?"

Intimidation - 16

(The bodies of the people killed by the will-o-wisps)

Graxx will rise from his table and go to Madame Freona, "Madame Freona, is there a Tempurian Temple or a place where the followers of Tempus gather in Phlan?"

Utar and Andmarir continue to pry for information. Yanna complies: "Aye, everyone needs protection in this town, but I'd be lying if I said that's what I was looking for tonight. Trett reached out saying he bought something from a traveling band, and that its magic would be a great asset to the guild. I was not aware of the nature of the magic within that fang, and it looks like neither was he. He paid the price for trying to deal in unknown magic if you ask me, and I don't want any of that Lightning near me ever again." She then pauses expecting to be left alone and decides to share a bit further hoping to buy her peace "I don’t know much else about either Trett or the fang, aside from it coming from a blue dragon that supposedly once lived in the Quivering Forest. That's what Trett said anyhow." With that, she finishes the bottle she clearly doesn't plan to pay for and starts to motion as if she is about to leave. "Thank you for stopping that thing before it got to me too. Have a good evening, whoever you lot are." (OOC: Unless one of you stop her, Yanna is now leaving the Tea Kettle).

Buhrell joins Surruk, both now standing next to the table where Drazzim is sitting. Neya is just a few feet away. The half-orc than says to both of you: "I once heard a folktale about a group of people who used to worship a blue dragon within the Quivering Forest. They had a strange way of praying, if I recall. They'd stand outside almost motionless, as if waiting for something. They'd hold hands and form a circle, keeping their eyes closed. I don't remember the full tale but the manner of their prayer always stuck out to me... That's the only other time I have ever heard of a blue dragon." Surruk then places a hand on Buhrell’s shoulder, and nods. "Yes, it is time to go. The cursed fang shouldn't be out in the open any longer than it needs to." (OOC: Unless one of you stop them, both Buhrell and Surruk will also now leave the Tea Kettle).

Madame Freona answers Graxx: "I am afraid that there is no temple dedicated to Tempus in this city. Lathander and Kelemvor are the popular divinités in town, as once was Bane. You can find petits shrines to other gods too, like Umberlee, Torm, Auril, and I think Amaunator as well. But worry not, à l'intérieur of the Tea Kettle you can talk to any god you want. If you want to do so, I ask that you be brief though. It's about time we all call it a night, don't you think?"

While these conversations are going on, Rag collects his diamond back from Marfaen.

Neya drinks her glass.

"Take care. I'll be sure to notify my clan regarding your concerns about the Labor Guilds. A change in behavior like this is sure to make the goings-on in Phlan and the surrounding area a very high priority, if not top. Not to mention that this area has evidently been the center of multiple incidents; as far as I know, this is the most public of them." She looks around, observing Drazzim put bodies on the tables, "The sudden escalation tonight is disturbing..."

Drazzim looks to Neya. "Yeah? Well get used to it, there's been crud like this happening all over these parts of late." He places the arms over the chests of the deceased. "I may not be a holy boy, but Clangeddon watch over ye 'til yer god comes an' collects you."

Graxx to Madame Freona, "Thank you, Madame.  I appreciate the kindness you have shown me and the shelter you have provided.  I know what I must do."

Graxx will walk around the Tea Kettle looking for and collecting his Handaxe's that were previously thrown.

Does he notice anything on the floor of interest that someone may have dropped in the chaos?

Investigation:  17

Neya replies to Drazzim, "You misunderstand, I'm less concerned about my own safety as I am about the safety of innocent bystanders. It is becoming evident that the powers behind this incident seem to be no longer interested in keeping their activities clandestine."

Utar stays sitting and lets Yanna go, quickly stands and calls out. "Buhrell. Surruk. Wait."

Going over to them, Utar extends a forearm in thanks, "It was lucky you both were here tonight. How did you know that something would happen here? What do you know about what's happening here in Phlan?"

Marfaen goes a little more silent after the battle is over, sure, he portrayed himself as an introvert from start, but even then, he was surprisingly talkative, which doesn't quite sound true anymore.

He eventually responds something with a nod. When Rag tries to take his gem, he is first spooked, in fact, but then he gives a small smile as a form of thanking for the borrowed item and then hands it. But mostly he keeps a silent stance, not exactly dazed, just quiet and reflective.

Deciding the conversation wouldn't be including him for a bit of time, he takes his book, sits on one of the chairs, and starts reading it like nothing had happened.

Buhrell stops and turns, first signaling to Surruk that she'll be right out. As she shakes Utar's forearm, both Surruk and Yanna make their way out of the Tea Kettle, separately. Buhrell than says to Utar: "Ah yes, apologies, I did not mean to leave without proper goodbyes to each and everyone of you. Surruk, on the other hand, is more of a quite one." Her face then turns a bit sterner, "I'm afraid the Emerald Enclave does not know too much about the recent happenings in Phlan. We usually stay outside the city, observing from afar and trying to interpret any signals of natural imbalance. The Enclave has been trying to convince the city leaders to form a more representative assembly to govern, but so far our efforts have been ignored. But that is neither here nor there."

Refocusing her words, she then adds "We heard about this dangerous item from one of our messengers, who overheard a traveling band bragging about how they had swindled a merchant into grossly overpaying for some arcane oddity. I became worried once he said that the previous carrier of the item seemed meek and diseased, as if his life was slowly being drained from him. I knew them the item was cursed somehow, but it all makes better sense. We then contacted The People of the Silent Wood in order to recruit some help in finding this item. I did not want to risk letting it slip. I am glad we put an end to it quickly." 

She then concludes: "As for Phlan overall, like I said, we are mostly observers. Our messengers say the Labor Guilds have become more vocal of lately, trying to vie for power. They also mention the Welcomers and their recent increase in shadowy activity. The only thing keeping them down are the Black Fist, but those lads are just as bad if you ask me. They've grown bolder since their leader became the Lord Regent.  But I am sure I am not telling you anything you did not already know. Apologies for not being more informative. Well, have a good night. She then turns to Neya and says: "Thank your superiors for sending such a capable group to help us. I was not expecting such a large number of you here when I came down with that silly playing card on my pocket. Anyhow, farewell." The female half-orc then finally follows Surruk outside.

Madame Freona then begins making her round, collecting the dirty glasses you all just used to drink a shot of cognac with her. This is a clear yet polite sign that she wants you all to leave. She has had quite a difficult night.

Graxx rises clearly still troubled.  "It is time to move on.  The Laughing Goblin sounds like as good of a place as any.  I will check both there and The Cracked Crown to see if I can find you all again. I have to go sort some stuff out.  Be safe."

Graxx does not wait for any loot to be distributed.  With a nod, he departs the Tea Kettle.

Neya gets up from her seat, "Thank you for you hospitality, madame. I hope we meet again under happier circumstances."

With a wave, she takes her leave.

Hearing all that is needed to hear. " Thank you all for the help and this night. Not something I had hoped for but you just can't have what you asked for. Thank you,  looks like I'll be heading to the Laughing Goblin,  get some drinks in me and then a good rest. " With that,  he turns and starts to head out the door. 

Yanna, Surruk, Buhrell and all other survivors have now left the Tea Kettle. With Graxx, Neya, and Andmarir following close behind, Madame Freona begins closing the inn/tavern and preparing for the eventual and inevitable arrival of the authorities. She is not nervous, she has done this many a time before.

(OOC: The monetary reward comes out to be 25gp per PC. I'll assume you have taken your portion unless you explicitly say you haven't, like Graxx did. His portion is either being left behind for later pickup, distributed among the other six PCs, or foregone. @Grx, please specify which option you meant. If distributed among others, that'd be 29gp for each of the other six PCs instead, with a spare coin left behind for Madame Freona, I'll assume).

(OOC @Everyone: Please keep an eye open for my next few posts. They will contain bookkeeping details).

THIS BRINGS US TO THE END OF EPISODE 4

BOOKKEEPING (1/3)

EARNED EXPERIENCE POINTS:

Combat experience
-- Will-o'-Wisp: 450xp(x2)......................900
Subtotal:.......................................900

Plot experience
-- Investigating magic items (8 out of 9):......800
-- Capturing the Lightning:.....................550
-- Madame Freona and daughters survived:........200
Subtotal:......................................1550

Total XP earned by the party:..................2450
-- per PC:......................................350

 Please go ahead and add 350 XP to each of your characters. This should be enough to level everyone up. Welcome to 3rd level!