Estellen walks over to the Aarakocra, recognizing it from his studies.
"Aarakocra! We all believed your race to have been wiped out? How did you survive? If you have come to protect the forests again, I regret that I have something else I must deal with at present but I will pledge my services to the preservation of your kind once I am done."
Violet glances over at those who remain in the in and sighs, collapsing in a chair, physically exhausted. "Regardless of what happens. I'm gonna take a nap, nearly dying is a literal pain in the back."
"I may move a bit slow, but I am...not that old," Doc says, responding to Quilqwen.
He then sees Violet slouched in a chair, walking over to her before putting one of his claws on her shoulder. "You fought well, friend. Glad you were here with us." Doc casts Cure Wounds at 1st level: 7
"The raiders that attacked my people also used the words "Ezeek-Karash", but what it means, I do not know." Edra mulls it over for a moment longer before shaking her head. She always thought it to be a battle cry of sorts, but now she wasn't so sure. They had a clue, at least, and it was the closest she'd been to finding answers since starting her journey.
She tucks the scroll away for safekeeping and watches as Quilqwen performs his ritual. "Perhaps tomorrow we can ask the people what they know about this... "L". For now... we help those who are left and gather our strength."
Violet is put off by Doc suddenly touching her and makes a motion to puch him, but restrains herself upon noticing her own wounds beginning to regenerate. Noting how the turtle-man's spell didn't repair her clothes, she quickly casts Mending and repairs it herself.
To Doc, "Thanks. Name's Violet."
Hearing Edra's words, Violet raises an eyebrow, though it it somewhat hidden behind her hood. However, she doesn't voice any complaints at being non-voluntarily volunteered to help these people. After all, not like she really had much of a plan to do anything else. Casting a annoyed glance at the now awake guards, she scoffs, "Don't suppose you want those there stooges to keep watch. They must be, oh so tired, after putting their lives at stake just now." Her eyes show sarcastic/mock surprise, as she pulls a hand up to the mask covering her mouth. "Oh! That's right! They didn't."
As people were speaking to him Quilqwen would have stopped to answer. His words came slowly and had many pauses, though it might have just been the nature of his speech. He would have continued any conversation so as not to be rude but would leave when attention was no longer on him to care for the dead as described before.
Turning slowly to Estelllen, Quilqwen dips down in what might be called a bow. His legs folding somewhat underneath, wings spreading slightly, and averting his gaze down. The feathers on his head and neck ruffle and stand out a bit. "It is to your people, and their gift of Blackthorn to which I owe my survival master elf. I should be the one pledging my service to you. After all the Elves have done a much better job protecting the forests than my people were able to do."
On hearing Doc's words Quilqwen's feather fall back into place. "I am sorry....Doc. I meant no offence. My words did not refer to your age but to the wisdom in your words."
As soon as Quilqwen is done seeing to the dead he renters the inn and being quite hungry goes to get a plate of food. If there are any fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, or seeds he will take a large portion of those but will also take small bits of any cooked foods left out as well. Approaching the pitchers he pauses for a moment then fills a glass with gravy. He will sit with the group he fought alongside and start with tasting the small bits of unusual foods. He only takes small bites of any cooked meat or vegetables placing them aside. Any bread like food he will eat quickly after tasting. He takes a small cautious sip of the gravy. You hear a small trill from him as the feather on his neck and head ruffle and then he gulps down the rest going back for another glass. He will then eat what ever fresh fare he had found while speaking with the others and drinking his gravy.
Estellen stands around for a bit, pondering the Aarakocra's existence, before eventually going back inside and taking a small cup of water. "Barkeep, does this happen often? Who controls these orcs and goblins?"
The barkeep is still visibly shaken, taking a moment to register that he’s being talked to. “We’d heard there’d been attacks on some of the small settlements but… but they were small… How were there so many!… I mean we’ve got a watch! (term for police/guards) Mercenaries! How’d this even happen!... How?” He sits down hard on a stool behind the bar, a slightly glassy eyed expression on his face.
Shortly afterwards a small figure bursts in. A little over 3ft tall, this Gnome is clearly a blacksmith. He’s still wearing his apron and holding a smithing hammer in his hand. He swings it around as if he’s forgotten it’s still in his hand. This is the same person you saw keeping 4 goblins at bay as you left the inn during the fight. “Gaeryn! Rayna! Are you here? Has anyone seen them!?” You see him going up to people that he seems to know, frantically searching for these people or answers. He almost takes a few people out with his wild swings, but everyone manages to avoid it, if only just.
When the barkeep mentions mercenaries, Estellen gives a snort of derision. "Having mercenaries like these is probably one of the reasons you got attacked in the first place. They're just dead weight"
As the Gnome comes in and begins shouting, "Fear not, me and these other folk who helped defend will shortly go to retrieve those who were taken. Please, if you would, sit down and have a drink to calm your nerves. There is a chance that the ones you are looking for are merely hiding and you will find them in but a moment."
After saying this, Estellen will cast mage hand and use it to bring a glass of strong liquor over to the gnome.
Edra can feel a familiar pang of guilt grip her as she listens to the barkeep speak. She offers the man a sympathetic look, hesitant to speak as if she can't find the right words, until she says softly, "I am... sorry, truly. This is a terrible thing that has happened here. Is there anything you," she pauses to glance at the mercenaries and the other patrons in the room, "or any of you may know that could prove helpful? A name for this "L" or what meaning "Ezeek-Karash" holds?"
Her focus shifts to the Gnome as he bursts in and begins shouting. With hands raised in a gesture of peace, she slowly approaches him, careful to avoid the swing of his hammer. "Calm yourself, friend, before you hurt someone." She keeps her tone gentle as she speaks, hoping to calm him before there's an accident. "Where did you last see... Gaeryn and Rayna, was it?"
As those that saved him move to help him he downs the offered drink. He then answers Quilqwen “err… small. Like me. But red hair, like the setting sun. Gaeryn’s is short, like mine. And Rayna’s is long, down to her shoulders. Normal clothes.” (None that Quilqwen has cared for match that description)
Then towards Edra, “They were in the forge with me when… some goblins came through the door so I chased them out… and when I went back they…weren't there... They're only 30 and they're missing!”
(Orcs often use Goblins and lesser races as slaves/cannon fodder/couriers/warriors. You have no knowledge of battle cries.)
"Be at ease friend. Your loved ones were not among the slain I tended to tonight." Quilqwen pauses taking in the rest of what was said. "Sit, tells us tales of Gaeryn's and Rayna's long lives. In the morning, at first light, we shall hunt down these...goblins and retrieve all those taken."
As the others have talked amongst themselves, Doc has been mumbling to himself the entire time, "Ezeek...Karash...Ezeek...Karash...where have...I heard this before? Ezeek...Karash...." After some time passes, Doc loudly interjects, "EZEEK-KARASH! YES, OF COURSE!" he yells. "Ezeek-Karash is a god of both violence and treachery. We may...be dealing with a cult here."
He then turns to the Gnome smithy, asking, "Wait...what is YOUR name, Gnome?"
Estellen is, unsurprisingly, disgusted by the mention of a cult. "Of course, the savages have a cult. Why am I not surprised?"
He then begins to cast alarm as a ritual on the area outside the inn such that the spell forms a thin perimeter around the inn. It's a mental alarm and no creature that is currently in the room will set it off.
After he is done he addresses everyone in the room, "I suggest you all stay here tonight, where it is safest. If nothing else will be happening tonight, then I will take a quick rest in my room. Be sure to wake me before you all leave."
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Estellen walks over to the Aarakocra, recognizing it from his studies.
"Aarakocra! We all believed your race to have been wiped out? How did you survive? If you have come to protect the forests again, I regret that I have something else I must deal with at present but I will pledge my services to the preservation of your kind once I am done."
Violet glances over at those who remain in the in and sighs, collapsing in a chair, physically exhausted. "Regardless of what happens. I'm gonna take a nap, nearly dying is a literal pain in the back."
DOC
"I may move a bit slow, but I am...not that old," Doc says, responding to Quilqwen.
He then sees Violet slouched in a chair, walking over to her before putting one of his claws on her shoulder. "You fought well, friend. Glad you were here with us." Doc casts Cure Wounds at 1st level: 7
"The raiders that attacked my people also used the words "Ezeek-Karash", but what it means, I do not know." Edra mulls it over for a moment longer before shaking her head. She always thought it to be a battle cry of sorts, but now she wasn't so sure. They had a clue, at least, and it was the closest she'd been to finding answers since starting her journey.
She tucks the scroll away for safekeeping and watches as Quilqwen performs his ritual. "Perhaps tomorrow we can ask the people what they know about this... "L". For now... we help those who are left and gather our strength."
Violet is put off by Doc suddenly touching her and makes a motion to puch him, but restrains herself upon noticing her own wounds beginning to regenerate. Noting how the turtle-man's spell didn't repair her clothes, she quickly casts Mending and repairs it herself.
To Doc, "Thanks. Name's Violet."
Hearing Edra's words, Violet raises an eyebrow, though it it somewhat hidden behind her hood. However, she doesn't voice any complaints at being non-voluntarily volunteered to help these people. After all, not like she really had much of a plan to do anything else. Casting a annoyed glance at the now awake guards, she scoffs, "Don't suppose you want those there stooges to keep watch. They must be, oh so tired, after putting their lives at stake just now." Her eyes show sarcastic/mock surprise, as she pulls a hand up to the mask covering her mouth. "Oh! That's right! They didn't."
As people were speaking to him Quilqwen would have stopped to answer. His words came slowly and had many pauses, though it might have just been the nature of his speech. He would have continued any conversation so as not to be rude but would leave when attention was no longer on him to care for the dead as described before.
Turning slowly to Estelllen, Quilqwen dips down in what might be called a bow. His legs folding somewhat underneath, wings spreading slightly, and averting his gaze down. The feathers on his head and neck ruffle and stand out a bit. "It is to your people, and their gift of Blackthorn to which I owe my survival master elf. I should be the one pledging my service to you. After all the Elves have done a much better job protecting the forests than my people were able to do."
On hearing Doc's words Quilqwen's feather fall back into place. "I am sorry....Doc. I meant no offence. My words did not refer to your age but to the wisdom in your words."
DOC
Doc nods to Violet, then turns to Quilqwen. "No offense taken, my friend," he says, "but we do need to figure out how to proceed."
Doc looks to the guards and attempts to gauge if any of them know anything more than they're letting on. Insight: 9
(they are mercenaries not guards by the way. You have not yet seen any guards [possibly 1 on your way in some time ago])
DOC
(OOC: Okay. Revision: Insight check on the mercenaries to see whether any of them seem a bit...off? Whether any of them seem to be hiding anything)
As soon as Quilqwen is done seeing to the dead he renters the inn and being quite hungry goes to get a plate of food. If there are any fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, or seeds he will take a large portion of those but will also take small bits of any cooked foods left out as well. Approaching the pitchers he pauses for a moment then fills a glass with gravy. He will sit with the group he fought alongside and start with tasting the small bits of unusual foods. He only takes small bites of any cooked meat or vegetables placing them aside. Any bread like food he will eat quickly after tasting. He takes a small cautious sip of the gravy. You hear a small trill from him as the feather on his neck and head ruffle and then he gulps down the rest going back for another glass. He will then eat what ever fresh fare he had found while speaking with the others and drinking his gravy.
Estellen stands around for a bit, pondering the Aarakocra's existence, before eventually going back inside and taking a small cup of water. "Barkeep, does this happen often? Who controls these orcs and goblins?"
The barkeep is still visibly shaken, taking a moment to register that he’s being talked to. “We’d heard there’d been attacks on some of the small settlements but… but they were small… How were there so many!… I mean we’ve got a watch! (term for police/guards) Mercenaries! How’d this even happen!... How?” He sits down hard on a stool behind the bar, a slightly glassy eyed expression on his face.
Shortly afterwards a small figure bursts in. A little over 3ft tall, this Gnome is clearly a blacksmith. He’s still wearing his apron and holding a smithing hammer in his hand. He swings it around as if he’s forgotten it’s still in his hand. This is the same person you saw keeping 4 goblins at bay as you left the inn during the fight. “Gaeryn! Rayna! Are you here? Has anyone seen them!?” You see him going up to people that he seems to know, frantically searching for these people or answers. He almost takes a few people out with his wild swings, but everyone manages to avoid it, if only just.
When the barkeep mentions mercenaries, Estellen gives a snort of derision. "Having mercenaries like these is probably one of the reasons you got attacked in the first place. They're just dead weight"
As the Gnome comes in and begins shouting, "Fear not, me and these other folk who helped defend will shortly go to retrieve those who were taken. Please, if you would, sit down and have a drink to calm your nerves. There is a chance that the ones you are looking for are merely hiding and you will find them in but a moment."
After saying this, Estellen will cast mage hand and use it to bring a glass of strong liquor over to the gnome.
Guessing he is searching for loved ones Quilqwen aproaches “Perhaps I can help. Can you describe the ones you are looking for?”
Do the descriptions match any of the dead he cared for?
Edra can feel a familiar pang of guilt grip her as she listens to the barkeep speak. She offers the man a sympathetic look, hesitant to speak as if she can't find the right words, until she says softly, "I am... sorry, truly. This is a terrible thing that has happened here. Is there anything you," she pauses to glance at the mercenaries and the other patrons in the room, "or any of you may know that could prove helpful? A name for this "L" or what meaning "Ezeek-Karash" holds?"
Her focus shifts to the Gnome as he bursts in and begins shouting. With hands raised in a gesture of peace, she slowly approaches him, careful to avoid the swing of his hammer. "Calm yourself, friend, before you hurt someone." She keeps her tone gentle as she speaks, hoping to calm him before there's an accident. "Where did you last see... Gaeryn and Rayna, was it?"
(Does Estellen have any knowledge of Orc/Goblin battlecries? Or of past instances of Goblins and Orcs working together?)
History: 18
(All of my rolls are garbage today wtf)
As those that saved him move to help him he downs the offered drink. He then answers Quilqwen “err… small. Like me. But red hair, like the setting sun. Gaeryn’s is short, like mine. And Rayna’s is long, down to her shoulders. Normal clothes.” (None that Quilqwen has cared for match that description)
Then towards Edra, “They were in the forge with me when… some goblins came through the door so I chased them out… and when I went back they…weren't there... They're only 30 and they're missing!”
(Orcs often use Goblins and lesser races as slaves/cannon fodder/couriers/warriors. You have no knowledge of battle cries.)
"Be at ease friend. Your loved ones were not among the slain I tended to tonight." Quilqwen pauses taking in the rest of what was said. "Sit, tells us tales of Gaeryn's and Rayna's long lives. In the morning, at first light, we shall hunt down these...goblins and retrieve all those taken."
DOC
As the others have talked amongst themselves, Doc has been mumbling to himself the entire time, "Ezeek...Karash...Ezeek...Karash...where have...I heard this before? Ezeek...Karash...." After some time passes, Doc loudly interjects, "EZEEK-KARASH! YES, OF COURSE!" he yells. "Ezeek-Karash is a god of both violence and treachery. We may...be dealing with a cult here."
He then turns to the Gnome smithy, asking, "Wait...what is YOUR name, Gnome?"
Estellen is, unsurprisingly, disgusted by the mention of a cult. "Of course, the savages have a cult. Why am I not surprised?"
He then begins to cast alarm as a ritual on the area outside the inn such that the spell forms a thin perimeter around the inn. It's a mental alarm and no creature that is currently in the room will set it off.
After he is done he addresses everyone in the room, "I suggest you all stay here tonight, where it is safest. If nothing else will be happening tonight, then I will take a quick rest in my room. Be sure to wake me before you all leave."