Lost Mines Gr-A

Paavu visibly relaxes his posture, but kept up the stern expression while regarding the Kenku. Fool him once, shame on them. Fool him six times, and well, shame definitely on him! Or so he thought while eyeing the bird(wo?)man. He cannot help but regard Lark with a like look of suspicion after the 'ugliest' comment. Yet whatever offense might've been taken there the Goliath brushes off with a snort, as he found a seat once more nearby to listen and observe. He passes on any offer of drink, wishing to have a straight head for future talks of business.

"A castle, apparently." Paavu speaks up in answer to Burgee. "And Orcs too. And probably other stuff. Strange smelling white haired man try to fool Paavu before leave. But Paavu's eyes too sharp to not catch hints of great worry." Paavu nods to himself. "Real question is which do first? Orcs most straight forward, this one thinks. But little green knows more things? Or little flower, perhaps?" He asked, looking between Lark and Rose each.

(As a reminder/side note for Lark. Salazar left you two pouches for redistributing (or keeping, if you so choose) for upfront hiring help. The spoilers below is for you until shared:)

Rose turns to regard Paavu before considering his point. "Hmm...well if I understand this correctly,  an ally of Sildars and Salazars Employer is being held somewhere? And whatever or whoever has taken up residence at this castle knows where? I admit I'm not completely sure of the details, but if someone's life is in danger we should do what we can to rescue him. That said I hate to leave Orcs to run free. They will only become a more pressing danger if left alone, but I suppose we should handle the more immediate task. Besides, if we are taking over this job for Sir Salazar, I suppose that makes his employer our employer, and it wouldn't do to let him rot in cage somewhere." Rose shrugs and draws her hammer, turning to Lark she says. "Up to you friend, just point me at the baddies and Kneecapper and I can do the rest!" Rose, with an excited look on her face, gives Kneecapper a mock swing before stowing it.

Responding to Larks call for another round, and shouting back It was just paid for by your friend there, so thank him! or her? he adds the last part in what he hoped would be a non-offensive manner as the Kenku's gender was only further obfuscated by the multilingual and multitonal voices. The three barmaids in the back rush out to deliver the liquid. It smells even more aromatic than the ale had before. Clearly this was of better quality than what had been served before. And as Lark made his comments about the gathered, Harbin couldn't help but laugh despite himself, not caring if the others heard but still only muttering balls of steel, that one... (dc 10)

Soon the food is brought around to everyone in the 'party' harbin saying the expense was free to those who had been here prior to the bears delivery, which does make him flash an apologetic look towards Burgee that said "I hope you can understand..'

The rest of the patrons taking their own dishes out, leaving the group with only themselves and the workers of the establishment, the sweet smell of seasoned food, and special ale filling the area. Despite the lack of celebration, the air of joy still clung to the atmosphere. The fire crackling warmly, abating any cold from outside, which Burgee would note, had gotten much worse in the last day as winter finally had truly set in.

(Anyone drinking the ale must make a DC 14 CON save or become drunk. Any rolls lower than 3 you black out.)

Rose doesn't drink the Ale for now, and instead will simply eat. If any of her friends drink she will try her best to make sure they don't do anything to crazy while drunk or embarrass themselves. If someone gets black out drunk she'll try to get them up to a room and will watch over them while they sleep it off.

Paavu grimaced and began rubbing his knee at the mention of any kneecaping. Whether he hears... (Perception: 5) Toblin's comment or not, the goliath more than happily focused on the distraction that was more ale for the table. Which, after some hesitation, the Goliath finally caves in on drinking. As he did so however, the group may notice some of the runes placed on his armor had a faint shimmer to them. "... The castle would be more difficult." Paavu said at some point during the celebratory meal. "But, sooner we see captured soul safe, the better. Paavu saw no Orcs camped right outside town. So, not full horde. Mean town itself is safe. Not same for road. But, in Paavu's experience, that is easier fix and gives us time." He smirks.

"If we set out, it should be next morn. Today we eat. Make merry. And gather supplies." He looks over the trio. "More thicker clothing, Paavu thinks. For you at least. Outdoors feels more like Summer to me, but know small folk not share opinion."

Con Save of DC 14: 15.

Lark will, foolishly, drink some of the ale. Caught up in the revelry of the atmosphere. (CON SVT vs DC 14: 9)  

"Mebbe Thish wasnt shush a gre..good thinking afterall." Lark begins to stumble over the words. "I agree with the bigbuy.. gigbuy..with the big guy. Souls and clothes. Bost are important. I see'll you alls in the sun." Lark will mostly unsuccessfully navigate to a place where he can sleep this off. 

(CON DC14: 9)

Burgee takes a large drink of the ale with a grin, and his sailors voice comes to full tilt,  "Aye, if there be a soul in need, 'tis the best place to start." He lifts his mug up again, "But those deeds be best left for the mornin'. Especially if the ale be flowing!" Burgee turned and looked at Paavu. "What say mate? Think you could stand another?" And with that, Burgee emptied his tankard and looked for another. "May be a while before we have another meal this fine."

Paavu shakes his head at the duo, but chuckles to himself. "Paavu should know better when light weights involved." He states. Although in spite of the good mood, he stays wary around Burgee. Enough to at least keep a casual eye for any roaming hands after coin. Although after only a minute of drunken wavering, Paavu eventually shakes his head and says to Rose, "You help Birdman to room? Make sure he turn in safe?" He asked of her, yet remained ready in rejection to do the job. Of course he'll grudgingly ask Toblen where that room might be, as well as if there yet was another for him to stay in. 

Lark eventually meanders up the stairs, whether by mistake or intent. Drunken from the fine Dwarvish Ale he had just consumed, and wanders into one of the bedrooms, climbing his way into a bed, and swiftly passing out. Tolben looking up when asked, and simply nodding Two gold per night. Should have atleast one room left near the back end. he says, procuring a key that would unlock a single room within the place. being cordial enough with Paavu.

"The castle it is then!" Rose says excitedly. "And some extra furs wouldn't hurt, though I'm more worried if it snows it might be taller than me." Rose laughs at the thought despite being aware that it could happen. When Lark seemed to be ready Rose helped him up to his room before coming back to join the other. When asked to do the same for Burgee Rose nods her head and assists him as well. Rose finally returns returns back as Paavu asks about a room. Hearing the bit about "one left" she remembers she hadn't actually rented a room, having fallen asleep in the common room with the others the night prior. "Ah..well this is rather embarrassing. Tolben, I don't suppose you have some other space you'd be willing to rent out where I might rest for the night? I dont need much in the way of comfort or space. Ah and I believe I still owe you for the night prior yes? Here you are. Let no one say I don't pay my way." Rose places two gold on the counter for the prior night. If Tolben has space he is willing to rent Rose gladly pays his asking price. Regardless of his answer Rose will head outside after dark and stand near the entrance. Only staying out for a moment to quietly thank Selûne for her guidance thus far. After a few moments of enjoying the cold night air Rose will return to warm up by the fire before either retiring for the night or trying to figure out where to stay as the case may be.

Burgee, having grown up sailing, had one too many, too many times before, and so he allowed himself down that path yet again. Thank goodness he seemed to be amongst decent folk. As Rose helped him to his room he pulled his head together enough to wish her good night, "Very fine of you to help me up lass. I fear I've gone a bit too far again tonight. I'm thankful for your kind deed this eve. May the gods bless you." He manages this, though a bit slurred as they make it to the room, and he continues on, even after Rose has left him, to thank her, wish her well, talk about small folk doing great deeds, and other drunkard ramblings until his eyes are so heavy an uneasy sleep finally overtakes him.

Paavu hardly even hesitates before Tolben has a chance to answer Rose. "She can use the room. Paavu ask if stable stall available for resting. My kind hardly bothered by your winters anyways. And... Paavu pay same price if need." He offers, though through half-lidded eyes in that moment is at least measuring Toblen's character in that moment. He then looks to Rose and said with a bit mirth in his voice, "Would normally offer just share room. But Paavu know you lowlanders too much of worry woads about that sort of thing." 

Rose looks up at Paavu with a big smile. "Share the room it is then. You get the bed. As I said I dont need much space or comfort so I shan't hear any arguement on the matter. Now up you go. Seems like we have a bit of adventure ahead of us so everyone needs their sleep." And with that settled Rose will head up after Paavu and find a corner to curl up in before going to sleep.

Paavu grunts. "Little flower is as stubborn as old friend. Expected this, Paavu should've. Again, the next thing Paavu knows--" He cuts off there, blushing and suddenly unable to look Rose. He will put down his two gold as well, if Toblen insists upon it for even a shared room. Once in the room, Paavu starts to go through his usual ritual, but stops short on removing the padded underlining and heads to bed. As soon as Rose finds a corner to settle up in, she either has to duck or find herself sudden buried under the covers from the bed. By the time she looks up, the culprit has his back to her, pretending to have immediately fell asleep. 

More or less everyone heads to their respective rooms in the latter half of the afternoon. Some sleeping off their inability to hold Dwarvish Ale, others preparing to rest for the journey ahead. Tolben didn't charge for the shared room as that would simply seem like a proper fleecing. The warmth of the fire was spread throughout the inn via tiny rock vents that leaked the head into each. While only abating the cold slightly, it was enough to keep people from being 'afraid to leave their sheets.'

Customers came and went, feasting on what remained of the souffle. Others disappointed by the lodgings lack of vacancy. The night settled in calmly as more snow fell, adding to the sea of white outside. The wind picking up, and howling it's woes softly, mournfully. Sildar tucked away in the townmasters hall, while Droop slept by the fire. Harbin hard at work planning, and preparing, scuttling about, sweating despite the slight chill. Eventually Tolben tucking in for the night, and closing up shop. The hours pass as the town fall asleep. The moon shining brightly in the windows as if Selune was blessing the champions she had chosen, kissing everyone with her light.

Hours pass again.. and eventually, you all wake up, calmly as if guided to do so, though no true compulsion is felt. The time is the early morning, everyone having slept overlong, and far into the A.M. the sun has risen, and folks are starting to get their businesses running once more. Shops and stalls opening, or families preparing their duties for the day. Salazar likely flusteredly assisting in the townmasters hall.

(since all exp has already been given, no exp is gained on this rest)

Age and experience usually kept Paavu from sleeping more than a very fixed amount. So, when he rose the next morning at peace and late, the comfort feeling lasts for but seconds before he shoots up in bed, searching for a weapon while scanning the room. Eventually finding his flail, the Goliath sits there for a while, sweating profusely and looking frantically at any remote shadow in the room. If not initially awoken by his scrambling already, Rose may have rose just in time to see hints of the earlier fervor in his eyes begin to die down.

Whether she does or not, a nonetheless disturbed Paavu donned his gear after some time, and immediately went down to the common room for breakfast. He also asks Tolben or any available staff about where he might purchase some decent hunting knives in town. Aside from that he eats in silence, awaiting for the other team members to be ready for shopping and Ad-ven-tuuuree~

Somewhere in town, a flustered Aasimar is probably busy trying to help a Townmaster explain to a certain Goblin the finer points of being a secretary.... with mixed results... at best.

Rose's eyes shoot open at the disturbance but she remains still and looks around the room. To her, even the darkest shadows seemed as though it were bathed in moonlight. Not seeing any obvious cause for alarm, Rose assumed something else must have roused the Goliath from his slumber. Some dream perhaps or something else. Regardless he seemed to calming himself down, and so she pretended to remain asleep until he had started to put on his armor. Then, with an overly loud yawn, Rose finally stirs from her nest of blankets. "Good morning Paavu! I hope you slept well. No lingering headaches or the like from last night I trust?" Regardless of whether or not he answered Rose would stretch, giving her back a series of much needed cracks, and dawn her armor before following Paavu downstairs and see about getting some breakfast before heading out.

In epic fashion, Lark is the last to leave the relative safety of sleep. In this case, safety meant not having to be exposed to the after effects of the Dwarvish ale. As one eyelid, cracks open, sending jolts of pain through his head, Lark immediately wishes he hadn't.  After taking overly long to gather his equipment, he slowly pads his way down stairs into the tap room. 

"By the gods. I've woken in the Demonweb pits. This is what torment feels like. A pox on the house of the short monster that invented that bedeviled liquid." He saunters over and takes a seat next to the group. "I hope somewhere in my "inspired" state last eve, I said nothing foolish. And If I did, I hope someone had the decency to commit it to paper?" Lark laughs, and immediately regrets it. "Oww."

After listening to whatever stories were to be shared, Lark agrees that a bit of shopping should be in order. 

(nothing to reply to but i'm keeping an eye out!)

Paavu's only answer to Rose had been a long look in her direction followed eventually by a noncommital grunt as he returned to donning his armor. If he had taken notice to her over the top awakening before they joined the others, the goliath either didn't show it or cared all too much.

"A priestess could mend that, Paavu believes. Seen done years and years ago. Though soldiers got a quiet a tongue lashing, Paavu recalls." Paavu chuckled, though not quite as enthusiastic upon initially seeing the goblin's state. "And no worries, little green. Paavu saw no reason to waste paper. Memory good enough." At that, a smug grin blooms as he adds, "Paavu learned much of little green though. Not realized he loved halflings so much. Paavu tried to give pointers, but not sure if they be remembered by little green. Want Paavu to write those down?" He asked with a smile in his voice.

Deception: 22 vs anyone's insight.

Once all had eaten their fill, Paavu makes mention of seeing what he thought to be a forge on his way into town. "Thinking of head there first with what little coin Paavu has from last job. Get new hunting knife. Oh! But curious. Does little green or little rose know of provisioners in town? Maybe Paavu go with there first."