"Ah, surely not! I am aghast to have joined your tale too late sir, for it sounds like I have missed the big reveal!" Landrae speaks generally into the small crowd, moving to such an angle that she can keep the elf in boots in her peripheral vision whilst speaking to the dwarf. "Mayhap some refreshments for your throat and you could join me to tell that tale again?" Thrusting the tankard into the dwarf's hand, somewhat over-enthusiastically.

Jack's call is timed perfectly, and Landrae waves back motioning the dwarf towards the table. "My friend and I are always keen on a good tale, come join us. I am Landrae, what name should call you by?"

Landrae would like to see if the elf has any outwards reaction. (Perception: 10)

The elf shakes his head in disgust and ignores you. The dwarf, who introduces himself as Hosvi, accepts Landrae's offer and joins her and Jack at the table. He begins his tale from the beginning. "It was a rainy night, two, three nights ago- I cannot tell. The moon was full, and I was making my way to The Bloody Thorn after watching a performance at The Empyrean Pavilion. Then I saw it, silhouetted in the moonlight, scrabbling at the window of Fosa's laboratory." Hosvi's hands shake violently, spilling ale onto the table. " It was a bloated, scabbed monstrosity, the like of which I hope I never see again. That's when I ran. " He takes a swig from his mug and falls silent, staring at nothing.

Elron nods to the three adventurers still at the original table. "Then we have come to an agreement. I will rejoin you here at exactly 6:00 this evening. Do not be late." With that he stands and waddles out of the inn, presumably to secure an audience with Lady Ardudd when she returns to town.

"That sounds most terrifying Hosvi." Landrae sees the ale spilling and steadies the dwarf's hand, "Truly, to still be racking your body with fearful tremors two days hence that you would spill an offered drink, it must have disturbed you greatly. Perhaps you could tell us a little more about that evening, and about Fosa's laboratory? We are freshly into town and still unfamiliar with the local facilities."

Kai moves over to the table with Landrae, listening closely, he says only, "An unnatural creature, surely."

Duncan will head over to the innkeeper (the Dwarf with the dagger?) "Well friend, your mead has put us in a good mood, it appears this town will prove interesting. Have you rooms available for the night? Ah, and you may call me Duncan. You are...?"

Elber struggles a bit with Elron's habit of referring to time as the tinkering gnomes do with their timepieces, but determines it's just about noon now and they would meet in the evening so there should be plenty of time to find some trouble... or to keep the others out of trouble. For now, he keeps watch over their collected backpacks as the group scurries about the tavern. (Intelligence 13)

Hosvi stares into the contents of his mug. "Aye, unnatural is the word for it. Fosa is an alchemist, but more than that most of the residents of Thithladroth have no knowledge. He rarely leaves his laboratory, which is situated in the slums."

"Svorga" the innkeeper replies shortly, intent on cleaning out a mug with a dirty rag. "Rooms are in the back, five silvers a night for food and lodging, three silvers for lodging only."

Elber keeps a watchful eye on his parties' packs, and no patrons dare approach.

"Here in the slums you say? Surely Alais of the watch would be concerned of such a potential danger within her city... Or does her vigil not extend to the poor of the slums? Tell us Hosvi, would you be willing to guide us there? If we were to solve this mystery, and allow you to put these fears to rest, then surely that might be worth some of your time... Perhaps even some coin?" 

Persuasion: 6

Landrae turns to address Jack and Kai quietly, "I am of a mind to make a trip to see this Fosa before we head out on our other business, since it is so local, and mayhap we can pick up some more information or make contact with your ilk, Jack, whilst we are in that part of town?"

Ugh, that was a brutal roll. Fingers crossed it isn't needed 🤔

Hosvi shakes his head vigorously. "I'll not go back there for all the gold in the world." He mutters.

"Ah, that is a shame Hosvi, but I understand how such a trauma can leave scars on a man." Landrae pauses to take an overly long drink as she drains her tankard, then continues, "You say that you passed by Fosa's laboratory on the way from a show at the Pavillion. Do you recall which show it was? Then perhaps if you could give us directions, should you remember the route you took that night, it would help us to retrace your steps to get to this laboratory?" Landrae pauses briefly,  her lips biting down on a finger tip and a quick look of indecision on her face, then she blurts out with none of her usual eloquence, "And after that, you simply must tell me about this cloak, it is simply fabulous!"

“No one here knows me so I doubt we will get any help from the good folks of a similar skill set.” He whispers in Landrae’s ear “and lets keep that skill set a secret from people we meet please.”

”You can draw us a map” he says to the dwarf. “I was thinking of seeing more of this nice lil town at some point anyways. You can also let us know where not to go if you don’t mind. There are always some places in every town where visitors are not welcome.”

Also Jack never leaves his pack unattended, it will always be on his person in public. He knows how easy it is to ‘lose’ something. 

Noting Landrae's aside, Kai addresses Hosvi, "Fear is natural.  It is nature's warning.  It prepares the body for action.  The senses become keen, the heart and muscles prepare.  For the deer, it prepares its best defense speed and agility in eluding the danger.  In the wolf, it prepares for battle to protect its home.  Yes, fear is natural and right.  But what should the bear do when it is faced with the unnatural?  I shall tell you, the wolf retreats, calls upon the pack and in bravery returns to investigate.  Mayhap, the wisdom of the pack is to fight, mayhap it is to avoid. My good friend is offering us as your pack, how far can your courage take you, good dwarf."     

Persuasion: 11

Hosvi sighs deeply. "I will lead you as far as the slums, but no further."

OOC: As much as I like the role playing I am ready to kinda move this adventure forward a bit. No offense intended :)

If you guys want to continue, I don’t mind one bit. I will just be the quiet one for a while

Landrae pats Hosvi on the shoulder, nodding her appreciation to Kai and letting it show she is more than a little impressed with the weight of the words from her quietest companion.

"You are brave Hosvi. Do not weigh down your troubled thoughts with my mundane questions just now, I shall speak more to you as we walk. For now, take a moment here to finish your refreshment, and take a bite to eat to fortify yourself. My friends and I must adjourn temporarily to speak to other fellows who came into town with us and whenst we return, would you then take us to the slums?"

"Jack, Kai, I will go and order our courageous guide a warm meal, are either of you in need of further refreshment?

Landrae will leave everyone at the table, order a meal for Hosvi from the bar, and another drink for herself plus any requested.

@Duncan, if you are still at the bar, Landrae offers you a beverage and relays the information to you, mentions the gambling halfling that Duncan saw earlier but then suggests we gather everyone to work out a course of action as the day wears on.

((OOC I will dig out the menu when I am off mobile and can look back to copy it)).

Hosvi consumes his food with astonishing veracity and speed before leaning back in his chair and picking at his teeth with a toothpick. "I'm ready when you are." He says, a touch of fear in his voice.

Insight Check on Hosvi, just want to make sure this doesn’t feel like a set up. 17

Elber is ready to get into trouble.

Kai lays a supportive hand on Hosvi's troubled shoulder.  "We shall attempt to lay this trouble to rest, then you may have peaceful dreams and know that others who do not even know your name owe you their safety."

Kai checks his equipment, and follows along.