"Well seeing as he said the noon tomorrow part earlier this evening I would say later today," Elra replies. Vincent leaps off her shoulder and flies up to one of the rafters of the stable and sits there, looking at the party curiously. "Oh, sorry I haven't gotten much time to spread his wings lately," she explains.

When Fae approaches the meeting she receives a sincere welcome from Sildar as he bows to her a bit.  "And you, my friend.  Do not apologize for your quiet nature.  I am glad to have you here to help keep an eye on those who speak too much, in fact.  I have need of your help in Phandalin, but we will see how the first leg of our journey plays out for now."  He bows his head once more and politely holds his hand out toward the ladder.

Gundren replies "aha, it pays to know the right people in this world, my friends" with regard to how he found out about the cave.  "Or at least find treasure where others just see a pile of old relics, eh?!"

"Yes, well, as Sildar is so fond of reminding me every second of the day, we must keep quiet about this for now.  Many with ill intentions would want the Forge for themselves." 

When Ethan inquires about the finer points Gundren chuckles and answers "yes, I figured you would be most intrigued."  "You'll see, you'll see, but yes it should be as amazing as the legends say!"

Gundren nods regarding the confirming that yes he actually does mean noon today, not that it is so early the next morning.

When Tarja mentions Gundren's brothers warning of trouble in Phandalin he just looks at her curiously, perhaps a bit confused.  His hand seems to unconsciously go to his pocket for a second and feel for what is there before Gundren returns to the rest of the conversation to wrap things up.  "Ah, yes, well, if that is all, it is quite late, er, ah, early that is.  Perhaps you will all join me for breakfast?  No need to rise early tomorrow, ah, meaning today.  Rest up and save your strength for the road ahead, eh?"

As Zeke hears the meeting wrapping up above him, he steps out of the stables and makes a quick sweep of the surrounds. 

Slipping off his hood, Zeke shrugs his shield from it's shoulder mount down into position on his fist and draws his weapon - shaking out the heavy chopping blade into a full-sized pole arm-like weapon.  These two archo-mechanical artifacts are the only legacy of his time serving the temple.  Constant reminders of his loss and his commitment to making sure it never happens again. 

Rising to his full height, he stands just outside the stable's exit and waits for each of his colleagues to exit.  As Ethan steps out, Zeke falls in behind and follows him into the Inn as they settle in for the evening.  'You should get some sleep tonight my friend, you'll need your rest for our journey tomorrow' 

After he’s sure Elra and Ethan have settled themselves in for the evening, Zeke retires to his own room.  He lowers himself onto the floor, back straight, legs folded under him. Once settled, he slips quickly into a meditative state,  retracing the various life-signs of his new companions, committing each of them to memory. Once he’s confident he knows them well enough to identify each of them in the depths of his battle trance, Zeke rises off the floor, moves the bed against the door and props himself up in the interior corner to doze off while watching the window for any sign of an intruder. 

"Breakfast around 10 zen? I definitely could use some more sleep."

Maxie descends the ladder and returns to his room.

Zeke and Sildar keep a careful watch but the biggest threat they perceive are a few drunk patrons stumbling out of the tavern around the corner and out of sight from the open side of the stables.  Sildar seems to be appreciative of a like minded member of the newly formed group.

Fae would give Sildar and Zeke a respectful bow, appreciating their attentiveness as she leaves the stables. She did feel at ease knowing they were near by. Once she’s turned away from them, she’d flip her hood back up over her head and tuck her hands into her sleeves as she follows the others into the inn. She’d make her way to her respective room for the night.

Ethan's eye light up at Tarja's confirmation that the forge was one that could be used to forge with magic.

"Hah, heading north has turned out to be a great decision! I was tossing up whether to come this way or head to Baldur's Gate, but this is fantastic."

"Now I will get to test my designs, earn some much needed money, and explore a long lost magical forge. It's everything I could hope for, and I have interesting companions for it all to!"

Ethan is lost in thought and imagination, as he leaves the stable, letting Zeke help direct him back to his room.

"Ah? Oh yes good idea, thank you Zeke. You are very kind to look out for me, I'm really lucky to have met you on the way here."

"This is going to be a great adventure."

Ethan heads into his room, this time leaving his equipment packed away, and heads to bed, dreaming of the possibilities a magical forge could enable.

Later that morning, at about 10 the group can find Maxie at the same table they sat at last night. He is absolutely shoveling breakfast into his mouth in anticipation of road rations in the days ahead.

Fae would wake up early to prepare herself for the day ahead. She'd take a look in the mirror to see a sleepy bed-headed version of herself staring back at her. With a groan she'd rub the sleep out of her eyes and just tie her hair up in a messy bun before straightening up her clothes. Fae would unpack all her belongings on her bed and take inventory. She wanted to make sure she had everything she needed before packing it all away neatly. As usual, she'd throw her hood up before heading downstairs.

She'd notice Maxie already sitting there at the table, obviously enjoying his breakfast. Her stomach growled at the smell of a cooked meal. "Bonjour Maxie." Fae would throw an awkward wave his way before she'd make her way to the counter. She'd place her own order for breakfast and join him at the table.

Maxie smiles as best he can with his cheeks full and waggles his eyebrows and fingers at Fae in return.

Tarja takes her time getting ready for the trip. The chance of finding her ancestor's great work is both exiting and worrisome. Will the power heal the land, or corrupt it further? She's always felt the power of the hills and mountains - is this her sign that she's ready to channel it?

She comes down to breakfast just before 10.

Mornin', all! Good to catch some good cookin' before the trip! On the road, it might be all goodberrys for a few days! Unless Gundren intends to travel like a rich merchant, attracting every bandit between here and Phandalin!

At least I can ensure our lookout has some guidance. Sildar might appreciate it!

In between bites:

"We should continue being vague about details of our expedition in front of ozzers. We nevair know 'oo may be listening."

Ethan wakes well rested thanks to Zeke's guidance. He dons his armour and equipment and heads down stairs for breakfast.

"Hmmmm, that smells wonderful. Morning everyone."

Ethan heads over and orders breakfast before sitting with his friends.

"How's everyone, excited to get going?"

Ethan gets stuck into the meal brought to him. At Tarja's comments, Ethan asks,

"What's a goodberry and why only goodberrys, don't you have travel rations?"

"I myself, have a reflavouring option, so my travel ration can taste a little nicer."

Ethan pats his pocket-watch like device.

"So you know these lands well Tarja? You can point out where to keep an eye out to help the lookout?"

 At Maxie's warning, Ethan leans forward conspiratorially and the tries to sneak looks at anyone else in the room.

"Are we in danger?"

"Dangair? Non. At least, I don't zink so. It is more that Monsieur Rockseeker is worried word of 'is discovery will reach zee ears of 'is competitors."

Elra wakes up and takes her time getting ready, pulling her hair up into a bun and trying on the armor the priests at her temple had given her when she declared her intentions to go out and explore the world. She picks up her shield and looks to Vincent. "How do I look?" she asks, laughing at his unblinking eyes. He takes off and lands on her shoulder. She pats him on the head and goes out to meet with the rest of the party.

Sitting down with the rest of them, she joins in the conversation, "I'm looking forward to eating travel rations, I want to know why everyone doesn't like them so much. As for people listening in on our conversation, I'm sure that we're too late for that part. Bit of a strange question though," Elra pauses and gestures to her armor. "Did I put this armor on correctly?"

Maxie flags down a passing server.

"Zee lady will 'ave a piece of shoe leazer boiled in last night's stale ale and salted wizzin an inch of becoming seawatair."

He winks at Elra.

"Zee buckles and straps all appear to be in zee correct places."

At Maxie's words Ethan relaxes,

"Oh right, ok so we can talk, but no details on the, "thing", got ya."

Ethan smiles as Elra joins the group,

"Yeah, your armour looks right to me. Nice designs, is that because of Oghma?"

Ethan remembers something and turns to Maxie,

"Hey Maxie, I just remembered, I've been meaning to ask you something."

"When we were travelling here, one night when I was working on my gear, I had my magic detection device on, and I noticed that you were covered head to foot with an illusion aura."

"I was busy and didn't get round to asking you, was that because you are an illusionist or do you have enchanted clothes?"

"Because if it is enchanted clothes, then you've been holding out on me, I wanna see something like that."

Maxie freezes, a bite of food halfway to his mouth.

Anyone who cares to may now make an Investigation check. DC 13.

If you succeed:

 Elra shrugs her shoulders, "He looks fine to me. And ya," Elra turns to Ethan, "the priests at my temple had it made for me when I decided to go out and explore the world."

Vincent makes a go for her food and she snaps her fingers. Vincent disappears from the table like he was never there. "Sorry, he's a little antsy right now. I'm going to let him take a nap somewhere he can't be bothered."

Tarja clarifies for Ethan.

When I'm out alone in the wilds, I can create nourishing berries to stay full. They're quite good, though I do carry some travel rations as well. As much for animals as for me, really. Always nice to have a treat with you if you run into a hungry wolf.

I'm somewhat familiar with the forests and hills around Phandalin, though most of the time I'm not in such a hurry to get somewhere, and I don't tend to be on the road with a big group. I put my faith in the wilds, and at times I can extend its blessings to my companions as well.

Tarja looks over at Maxie, to see if he's going to speak up again about saying too much:

Investigation: 20