"Yes, I obviously do speak Draconic, but what about my talents are you aware of? Beyond my ability to create wonderful melodies, of course. I am also curious about all of your talents as well."

"What other talents of yours require mentioning?  Your music has not only beauty, but power. I know from Cade Overhill's ballad that you were able to charm Gnolls.  Gnolls take a great deal of charming, and I'm afraid none of the rest of us have much charm to speak of. A brilliant bard is an asset to any venture."

"As for us? Rosri, here, is a most accomplished rogue and spy, and yet one of the most honorable people of my acquaintance. Roscoe is strong, loyal, and has immense courage--he took down a mind-flayer while most of us were incapacitated. Ozymandias is a mighty and powerful and kind-hearted warlock...with, er, a bit of patron trouble that he needs our help with at the moment. Elixisys is another sort of warlock, and a veteran of the Secret Service. We have not yet seen him in battle, but he certainly gives the impression of being dependable and competent, and his familiar, though an impertinent rascal, makes a very useful scout. And I, er, grow plants and talk to animals."

"You are aware that we intend to rescue the hero, Sir Pebbles the Brave. There has been another development to that mission. A direwolf in humanoid form has been terrorizing the mountains lately. We fear that the magic sweater which gave Sir Pebbles his humanoid form has been stolen and applied to this villainous creature. So, we not only need to find our friend--probably in his simple dog form--but defeat the wolf and take possession of the sweater."

"Ah yes, I did manage to temporarily render two gnolls no longer hostile to us for a time in our bid to rescue a family of Dwarves, as well as Captain Seleth, we later discovered. I also speak Dwarvish if you require aid in that way as well. Do not think the ability to quickly make plants grow or speak to wildlife should be taken lightly. They are extraordinary talents, ones I do not possess myself.

Saerirra turns to Ozymandias with concern.

"From the tone of Edeleth's voice I imagine this.... patron is unwelcome? I do not wish to disrupt or denounce one's faith, naturally."

Looking to Roscoe and Rosri, Saerirra nods.

"Being strong of arm or adept at keeping yourself hidden are both very useful talents in their own right. Not everything can be solved with a spell, much as I would like that to be the case. Thankfully I have yet to require the use of my rapier."

Turning to Saerira, Zyman explains: "Contract negotiations can be tricky… At least this time around, I understand the terms of the agreement."

Rosri is glad to see such an amazing show before leaving for the battlefield. It might be the last chance he has to witness something like this. The brief stop at the theater eases his mind and take his thoughts off the grim future and gives him time to collect himself.  

“Wow Miss Saerirra! That was an amazing performance! I could never stand before an audience like you do!” Rosri exclaim and clap his hands.

“Did you guys see that man just now? He painted a door on the wall and opened it. I wonder just who he is.” Rosri thinks of going over there to inspect the painting. Maybe he was an enemy? But he quickly forgets about it and return to his friends. 

“I’m glad we could witness you perform before heading in to battle. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that you are an inspiration.” He smile at Saerirra. 

Elixisys smiles at Edeleth's description, especially of Chernobog. "I would not call myself a warlock but I understand the confusion. I learned my talents over the years through study of the arcane rather than finding a patron. While Zyman and I can do many of the same things we arrived at these ends by different paths. I would mostly call myself a spy, with a bit of arcane flair." He then draws his hand down in front of his body, changing into a taller version of Rosri. 

Saerirra curtsies.

"I am grateful that I inspire you, but I am also happy to simply be able to put a smile on your face."

Turning to Zyman once again.

"I have yet had a contract put in front of me, but I understand that you should read every word carefully and look for any possible double meanings. I too have a patron, though I think it were obvious." 

Saerirra gestures to the holy symbol of Meryn hanging from her neck below the shard.

Turning to face Elixisys.

"I too studied the arcane for years to hone my craft."

Saerirra casts Mage Hand and has the hand dance and float just above everyone's heads.

"A rudimentary spell to be sure, but even so, it fascinates me greatly. I did not take to the sword like my parents had."

"Then it seems you would be even more helpful than I supposed," Edeleth says. "If you and Uther agree to accompany us, then, we wait only upon your convenience to depart...and that of the Air Force, naturally. You and your companions flew with the eagles on a previous mission, did you not?  What did you think of it?"

"Oh it was wonderful to fly! Unfortunately my eagle was struck down when the enemy chose to focus an entire volley of arrows against me. I was spared, but my eagle was not so lucky. Please, tell me what you know of this Wrathmaw Keep and those who dwell within."

"Well, er...since its exact location has been a secret, we don't have too much concrete information--yet," Edeleth confessed. "It is most likely full of black and red and possibly green Dragonborn, along with their gnoll and kobold minions. Our information and precise plans probably ought to be discussed in a less public place...though a crowd like this certainly covers the noise of a conversation, it also makes it impossible to ascertain precisely who might be listening."

"That's true. Perhaps we should meet at the hall? There is far too much to discuss in any place but the most private and secure. And the hall is the best one I know. I do not have any sort of spell to create pockets for us to reside in."

"I'm working on that one but it will still be a bit before I can work that trick. I'll tell Chernobog to watch out behind us as we go, just in case someone doesn't like our teaming up." 

Chernobog perception: 12

"I appreciate the aid of your familiar friend. A beautiful animal." 

Saerirra meets fans and shakes hands as she walks with Uther and her new allies. If nothing happens from here til they arrive in the tavern, Saerirra will wash up with a quick bath before meeting everyone in Gavin's secret hall.

Edeleth will also take the time on the way in to introduce Elixisys to Gavin Mc Kullick, tavern owner and the founder of the Knights of the Hanging Chicken.

"A pleasure to meet you Gavin. I've heard a great many things about your very interesting establishment here. And about the activities you have so generously funded in service of the Alliance. Thank you for that." He then follows the rest in to the hall. "So this is where the magic really happens eh. Interesting." 

"Yes, Gavin had prepared this hidden hall for us to gather, feast, rest, whatever we needed. It hasn't seen much use, busy as we are, but it is a comfortable place to be."

Freshened up, Saerirra joins the large group at the large table.

"Now that we are here, please tell myself and Uther of the Keep and its inhabitants. It was my understanding that the dragon clans had taken residence in Pinekeep. Apparently they have fled. Either that or their morale had dropped considerably after I had easily struck down their leader, Artarxes of the Red Clan. But I recall that friend we had fought during the holidays had mentioned another pulling the strings."

Edeleth tries to organize his thoughts. He has become used to speaking for his companions by now, but still hesitates to make group statements which not everyone might agree with. "Yes, well, in a nutshell, Pinekeep is the Dwarf town that the Red Lord's forces seized, and as far as I am aware, they are still occupying it. Wrathmaw Keep is the hidden headquarters from which the invading army emanated, and where we believe their prisoners are being held. At the moment, the enemy forces must be somewhat divided, as they are holding Pinekeep against the Dwarf army, while it's unlikely they have abandoned their main stronghold."

"Our friend Gaston, a dwarf scout who we worked with on the last mission, stayed in the wilderness observing the enemy when the rest of us returned to Three Peaks to warn the Jarl about a discovered plot to blow up important buildings in the city. He believes he has deduced the location of Wrathmaw keep."

"We are not planning to take the keep itself, at least not at first. Though many of Sir Pebbles's followers have offered to join us, there are not enough eagles to being everyone in a single trip, and we are looking at them more as backup if our plan fails, or a bulwark to retreat to if we are pursued.  What we hope to do is to tunnel under the keep, release the prisoners, and possibly replace them with a large stockpile of explosives which we have liberated from the enemy forces."

"Hmm...yes they must be divided, for if they have enough forces to keep both Pinekeep and Wrathmaw efficiently defended at once.... well it will be a lengthy war indeed. So you intend to detonate explosives to bring the keep to rubble? How many will be placing and arming them, do you know?"

"I am afraid we have not planned that far ahead. When I last saw the explosives, they were still in the cavern where the enemy hid them. The original door is now sealed, and we left a tunnel from there to the Dwarf army camp.  If the dwarves have had time, they may have moved those barrels to their camp. Or Captain Shatterstone may have left them where they are, and set a guard on them.  Or they might have lobbed them all into Pinekeep with catapults, who knows?"

"I see. Have any other options been discussed for once we find Wrathmaw's location? I apologise for the continued questions, but it seems your group have had more luck in gaining info on the enemy. I would also like to know all of your personal thoughts, your level of stake in this war. I can't imagine all of you are here as mere sellswords and battlemages. My stake is based on my people's history."