Rose, still in her huddle, sighs at Gundren continues insults. Three hundred years looking for a map and he doesn't make a fake copy? Get the real one secured in a magic chest? Or even a normal chest? Just keeps in his pocket and let's himself get captured by Goblins. She whispers to the group before leaving the huddle. Rose walks up to the two Cucks and stands boldly in their faces (or as close as she could reasonably get anyway)

Let's all calm down here now. The map will be returned. You waste your time worrying about it. We will prepare for a longer journey this time and leave at first light. Your drow thinks she can hide from the light but we will show her how wrong she is. And if your fairytale still exists then we shall find it for you as well. Now unless you have anything of useful to contribute to this conversation besides insults speak now or let us go and prepare.

A grin comes over Burgee's face as Rose lays out her retort quite elegantly. Well done lass, he thinks to himself as he nods along. "Agreed!" he says with gusto, "Unless there's more to be told, we now know the challenge before us and there's ale here that seems in need of a cup and stomachs in need of a fillin'" And with that, he finishes off what's left in his mug and walks over to take another pull at the keg and comes back to the table.

"Now, where were we on the accoutin'?" he asks. "There may yet be some shoppin' to do. 'Twas a cold trek last time we were about."

Gundren and Sildar merely sigh like two people who feel like they're dealing with ingrates who don't understand the gravity of a situation. Both of them taking their own personal portions of bread and a mug to fill. Though Sildar seems to be about to head out. Indeed Stella, don't worry about it. blue man there had an outburst. Apparently him and Halia are havign a lovers quarrel or somehting. to which Stella's cheeks flushed ever so slightly. A-ah.. I see. Well the food will be ready momentarily.

That is fine. I've lingered in Phandalin far longer than I intended to already, at the request of the scholar. Now that they are back, I have fulfilled my end of the promise. I need to prepare to leave now. And Uh.. Paavu. Don't worry about my armor. You can keep it. I'll get an upgrade when I reach the towers. But I appreciate you bringing it back, but I'm no longer in a mood to reward you at the moment.

Stella looked at Sildar with a look of confusion. She had never see him act that way, whatever the reason, she realized she had stayed overlong after being told it was all-right, so, she hastily left through the servants entrance, a flush on her face at the revelation that Cirrus was dating Halia of all people! or atleast that was the thought going through her mind for now.

Gundren grunting and saying Farewell Sildar. I'll see ye when ye return. I'll wait here for our heroes to return. ANd nay, we have nothing else that you don't already know to tell ye, so go, get to yer shopping.

Taking Cirrus' lack of an immediate reaction as a result of shock, the Goliath left things there. That aside, Paavu pretended to not have heard any whispers. However, the damage was already done with him, if albeit indirectly, still playing enough of a part to likely be grouped with the rest. Rather than show his disappointment or try to ease tensions, the giant -- if only in name and size alone -- nodded understanding to Sildar. "Then Paavu take sell of armor as reward enough. But before go, you /will/ take blade back."

It takes an awkward few seconds, but eventually Paavu undoes the sheathed blade from his back and holds it out to Sildar. On it's hilt was the crest of the Lord's Alliance(or so the player recalled). "Even if warrior possess other marks of station, one's blade should not be discarded so wilfully. Not while it still bears an edge, and the warrior the will to use it.Or so old teacher once taught Paavu." If Sildar seems hesitant or looks about ready to refuse, the insistent goliath rose up to slightly more forcefully shove the covered side into the man's chest. "Take.What you do after is your business. But do not dishonor self or it, after it has faithfully served you."

With the matter settled as far as the blade's return done, and with Gundren's dismissal, Paavu packs together the armor, whistles sharply for Yue's attention to follow, and heads out for Lioncoaster's with the strange staff of Lark the Almighty in hand.

(It's late at the time of this posting, but I'll have a least together later today to shortcut his purchases.)

Cirrus stares at his stone for a few more moments before slumping back into his seat. He says nothing more, save for something he whispers to himself in Auran:

(Click the spoiler if your character understands Auran)

(Cut out that last sentence of my previous post so that this one would make sense.)

As Paavu is readying to leave, seeing Cirrus still seated and muttering to himself, the Goliath snorts and makes his way over. Age dictated that he drag over a chair as necessary before seating down from across Cirrus, if not next to.

"Look at Paavu." He intones. If Cirrus did not look up within a few seconds, the Goliath growled as he reached out to grab Cirrus by the chin, and forceful raise the genasi's head, holding it in place in his iron grip. "Why does little blue harm themselves by wallowing here? You will not obtain what you wish by doing so. If you care so deeply, then act. Regardless of whatever troubles life has thrown at you, so long as you /do/ live, you have the choice to make your wishes come true." Paavu waits a moment to let the words sink in before letting go. "Or do you think you are helping those left behind this way?"

Rose just rolled her eyes at the two as Sildar walked out. Clearly they didn't understand, that if their fate was to find this mine then they would. If it was for the Drow to find and use for evil, then they would. Fate could not be changed so why worry about it. Fools. She thought to herself but she decided not to worry about it too much. Instead she walked over to join Paavu and Cirrus, having seen the genasi to be clearly troubled.The big guy is right you know, wallowing won't do you much good. If you have troubles you can share them with us, after all, we are a team now. 

Sildar grunts when accosted by Paavu about his weapon. Looking at it with a sigh. You seem to be mistaking me with a knight, or some clansman who thinks a single weapon is some precious, unreplaceable tool. A tool is just a tool. No matter what it is. The only factor that matters is it's craftsmanship. Werre that blade enchanted or some relic of ancient power, I would wholeheartedly agree with you on it's value, but it is mundane. However if you will not let this matter go I will take it back if only to placate you and perhaps save some money later. 

Taking the weapon, before proceeding out.

Cirrus appears to be taking in what you are saying to him. "You know here I was thinking that the gods were playing some kind of cruel trick on me, but they are benevolent. They have truly have blessed this world." He picks up his cup of brandy, lifts it to his lips, then stops before drinking any and places it back on the table.

"By removing me from it."

"I never realized what a plague I was upon Faerun. Those villagers, dead because of me; that young boy, orphaned practically by my hand; Stella lost her arm, her livelihood , because of me. This is the gods' punishment for me. To witness the perfection of a world in which I was never born." He pauses for a few moments, as if absorbing his own words. He then stands up, apparently ready to go now. He appears to be back to his normal, cheery self (not that any of you would know what he's normally like). Giving both of you a small bow, he responds "While I realize it will likely bring you nothing but misfortune, if you will have me, I will follow. Because I would like to be anywhere except this town right now." As he follows the group from behind he says, almost jokingly, "with my luck, the mine probably will  fall into the wrong hands. I've ruined one world, time to ruin this one, I suppose!" His outward behavior and tone of voice suggest that he is upbeat and energetic but his words prove that there is nothing genuine behind his positivity.

Before Pep Talk...

"It has more value than you give it credit for. If not to you, then to one you may find yourself passing it on to for a time. Perhaps someday you learn this. Perhaps not, and die for it. But you will take it and have chance to reflect and grow stronger for this." And so it was that he did insist upon the taking of the blade. For even if it was destined to be pawned off, at least it was not abandoned out of hand. Not while it could still be useful. 

Afterwards...

Paavu scowled, and turned his head away as if to spit off to the side. He only just catches himself upon noting he near spat Yue. Still, the goliath appeared miffed, needing not much insight to recognize the true state of Cirrus. Not when his own in his youth had matched it for a long time. Ultimately it is with a tried sigh that he sat up again, and lead the way outside on a course for Lioncoster's shop, and then Barthen's soon after. "... No world is perfect. None." He stated along the way, and without so much as a glance in Cirrus' direction.

"And none can make it so. Not us mortals. Not the denizens of the Nine. Not even the gods... And that is good. A perfect world is terrible and disgusting place. No room for growth means you mine as well be walking corpse." He finally looks back to Cirrus. "You will learn same lesson as Paavu. It does not end with failures. The suffering will /always/ be there... But, this is part of life. Part of needed challenge to truly live and be thankful for all gifts given." He states sternly. "If you care about these others you speak of, you will continue to fight. To grow. To suffer, and perhaps never make up for failures. But, at least you did not fail them in the one way that truly matters in end of days... You did not give up, and perhaps someday, you will make it so that the same misfortune not plague them. Do not believe, Paavu? Then don't. Just live, and you come to see truth of things." Unless provoked to speak again, the Goliath is silent for the remainder the trip; speaking only as much as was needed to purchase and sell off items as they went along.

(I'm still editing to fit my list of purchases/things sold, but figure I'd post at least this much to react to)

Rose didn't have a lot to add, afterall Paavu put it quite well. Surprisingly so she thought. But she give Cirrus a concerned look and offered a few words of her own. Cirrus, whatever happened before happened because it had to happen that way. You've been brought here by some, frankly rather strange magic of some sort. I'm not sure I entirely understand it, but clearly you were needed here and now.  Though I admit it's all rather strange. And it's not as though you weren't born, Gundren said he knew your mother and she has a little one. Maybe...maybe you exist twice? It's certainly something worth looking into at somepoint, and we would gladly help you. For now though we should see to it that the drow don't get too far ahead.

With that Rose wanders off the Coster with Paavu and the others. She wasn't really sure what to say to the Bard, as this was unlike anything she has ever dealt with before and involves magics of a nature far more powerful than her own. She just had to trust that whatever reason Selûne had for pulling him from whatever existence came from that is was neccessary. Rose would keep an eye on Cirrus throughout most of the day out of sheer worry for him.

Once she gets to the Coster she would be sure to purchase the following.

funnily enough, both Cirrus and Paavu are thinking “if he only knew what I have seen...” about each other.

cirrus will offer rose one of the four books he has in his backpack so she won’t have to spend her money.

As the crowd begins to stir, Burgee hears Cirrus mumble. He pauses for a moment as Paavu and Rose explain to the newcomer that life isn't quite as straightforward as any expect. It has a way of throwing challenges at us all. But as the others begin to make their way to the providers. But as they begin out, Burgee walks by Cirrus. He nods up towards Paavu and Rose, "Those two are quite right, you cannot let the fate of the world weigh on heavy on you. But..." Burgee pauses a moment and then touches Cirrus on the arm. Burgee looks at his arms, then directly into Cirrus' eyes before speaking in the language of the sky, "I don't know this Herman. But he is correct, the gods can be cruel." His staff taps softly on the floor as a small gust of wind encircles the two momentarily. He gets a small grin as he feels the wind flowing through his body and his feathers fluttering just a touch. "But it is also with their help that we can overcome the evil set upon us." As the wind dissipates, Burgee gives a chuckle and slaps Cirrus on the back before dropping back to the common of a sailor, "So chin up mate! May be ya 'ere for good reason. Now let's catch the others!" 

As he catches up to Rose and Paavu, he asks if mounts may come in handy. "I've a few things may be useful, but seems speed is the key here tracking that Drow."

At the shop...

Cirrus says in his mind “I know why I am here. To act as a captive audience to my own misdeeds, nothing more.” But after hearing those three speeches, there now a small seed of doubt in that belief. Small as it may be, it was there none the less.

(Just an addendum to my previous list being re-posted for simplicity sake. These purchases/sells are to be taken from the various shops throughout phandalin, including visiting traders if need be)

OOC: Food!... What did we use last time out? I had 10, will purchase back up to 15 but not sure how many consumed?  So buying 10? So...

(Oh, that's a good point I'd like to buy 6 ration boxes.)

(And also he's gonna sell his old leather armor. I'm gonna assume I get half what it costs since it's used.)

Throughout the shopping spree, Paavu lingers at times to ask first Barthen and whoever ran the Lioncoster shop politely if they knew anything or one in town that might have details on Thundertree. By the end of the spree, he either directs the group accordingly, or -- after much internal debate -- grudgingly seek out the tavern owner of the Stonehill Inn about possible residents with connections to the locale.

If need be in the final one's case, he'd even drop 10 gold. More than the average traveler's can spend freely without risk of going destitute.

"So big guy," Burgee prompts Paavu, "what is it that brought you to Phandalin in the first place?"  Burgee tries to get the hulk to open up a bit as the begin packing and getting the animals ready for travel.  Burgee reaches out to pat the horse on the neck. He's cautious, but very intrigued. "I've never ridden a horse," he adds.  "Do you have much experience with such fine beasts?"