Adventures in Esyldien - Campaign Thread

Sora reacts quickly and sidesteps the familiar before it can land the charged attack. For a moment she gets ready to hit back but holds off calling out her complaint at Moira, "Hey! That's no fair! These guys are way too cute to fight. You can't seriously expect me to hit these adorable little guys do you?"

Nemeia watches the encounter and laughs. "You can do it, Sora!," she offers in a cheer. 

While the playful tavern shenanigans continue, over at the Thief's Respite, the caravan leader Gerald is clearly glad to see Witt is alive and well. Although perhaps not as comfortable with the hugging he's receiving as a result.

"Witt! I'm glad ye come back in one piece. Tho' we might have ta leave ya'. Sure am glad it didn'ea come ta that!" Gerald bellowed through his massive beard. While he plays the part of the stoic manager well, he still joins in with the others from the caravan enjoying Witt's tales of harrowing adventures against the bullywugs that attacked them.

While this continues for some time, the storytelling is cut short by the appearance of a sudden guest.

"I do apologize for interrupting." The sturdy form of the Guard Captain Audreyn spoke out as she stood over the table where the rest of the caravan members had gathered around Witt and Gerald, "I've been asked to retrieve Mr. Witt here. Elder Mathais wanted to thank you and your friends personally." 

I, um, oh, I suppose, says Witt nervously.  That is to say, thank you very much.  It's just me here at the moment; I think everyone else is shopping in town or perhaps at the other tavern.  You know, the... um... other one.  

He will go with the guard captain.

Moira

The three of them stop darting around and chitter at each other for a moment then turn as one and run up to Sora. Just as she thinks they are about to attack they start giving her cuddles instead. Climbing up and all over her happily squeaking away and booping her on the nose. Moira laughs and calls out "I guess you're safe....this time." 

And thinks to herself 'Good choice. It would be embarrassing to to be beaten by something so cute.'

Sora just laughed and played with the adorable familiars, not having any clue as to Moira's thoughts. She was happy just petting them as they danced around her, "I get to have fun with cute animals, so I call it a win!"

“It was all kinds of weird out there. Honestly didn’t expect something like that happening around Greymeadow. Anyway, I came to see if the dagger is done. And if you need any help with your business.”, she leans on a wall of the construction, making sure not to speak too loud. She slowly taps her foot on the floor, feeling pat few days finally weigh on her. She could almost feel the soft bed, and the warmth of the tavern. She almost forgot the cold cage and the rough whip. Always almost. She felt the slightest tingle of scars across her way, and rubbed her face with these thoughts away, listening to what Mary has to say.

Mary's eyes go wide for a moment as if just remembering that important detail, "Oh yes! Of course. You're here for your dagger. Not to worry, it's complete. I do hope you'll be happy with it." She spoke a bit self-consciously as she walked hurriedly over to the back of the shop where she grabbed something from a rear shelf. She came back soon after holding something wrapped in a red colored cloth. Unwrapping the cloth before 9, she showed her the completed dagger she had purchased. It was clearly well made even at a simple glance, with the snake tooth forming the spine of the blade and a meticulously constructed metal blade surrounding it, secured in place and with a solid handle wrapped with the snake's tongue in order to form a leathery textured grip. It was, in simple terms, impressive.

9 carefully took hold of the handle, waving the dagger around in brief motions. She nodded to herself, “Great work, really! Natural, beautiful, functional most of all. Very well crafted. Thank you! I’ll be at the tavern if you need anything”, 9 extends her hand to Mary, leaving for the tavern shortly after, with her newly acquired dagger placed near her torso for quick and easy removal.  

Mary was clearly grateful by 9's reaction and shook her hand eagerly, and probably a bit too forcefully in her excitement. She waved away as 9 headed out before speaking up with one last thing, "Oh! Before I forget, be sure to let your friend know that I still have her leather here. I went ahead and pulled it out and let it dry throughout the day so it's ready to work on or store for a later project. She's welcome to pick it up as soon as she's able to."

From there 9 would make her way to the Waning Lure to find the rest of the group generally making a mess of things. With Sora playing gleefully, and loudly, with Moira's familiars, while she and Nemeia encouraged the chaos along. 

The rabble rousing didn't last much longer as everyone else in the tavern became quiet, looking up at the entrance. Standing there was the Head Priest Mathais, simply watching humbly with a smile on his face as he walked in slowly. "Oh please continue. I don't wish to interrupt the celebrations, we certainly all have good reasons for it. In fact I might be able to add to them." As if to make his point, it was at this time that Witt and the Guard Captain Audreyn came walking up to the tavern behind him.

Moira

With the sudden shift in mood Moira looks up and sees the Priest. Immediately she starts trying to coral the familiars and calm them down, regretting letting them get so worked up she finds the little devils are a bit difficult to settle.

Nemeia looks to the doorway and the new guest. She didn't quite know how to react so she mirrored the other patrons in silence. She stands and moves to Moira seeking the safety of her companion. 

Ah, here's everyone, says Witt chirpily.  Gosh, I was worried that they might get into a bar brawl, but it looks like everyone's just standing around playing a game of statues.  He whispers to the Guard Captain; We shouldn't interrupt them until they've finished the game.  

The priest chuckles as he looks over the people staring back at him. "No need to be so stiff, I share in your celebrations after all." He smiled at everyone as he moved to allow everyone else inside the tavern. "Now that everyone's here I can say a few things. Naturally we can't thank you enough for all you did for our town. It was a most alarming and harrowing attack that brought this all upon us. And not only were you able to thwart those who assaulted our loving humble town, but you even went out of your way to return what was taken from us. Truly you all deserve to be rewarded for your efforts. Cheers to the adventurer heroes!" Raising his hands to cheer as he called out for cheers, most of the people in the tavern eagerly joined in with ale in their hands, clearly he had done an excellent job of expressing everyone's sentiments, or at least inspired everyone else to join in regardless.

"Now before you ask, I must say that I would love to provide you some manner of direct reward for your efforts, specifically coins that I'm certain you would appreciate. I am, sadly, ashamed that I cannot provide you what you've earned directly. We remain a small and humble town, and we must keep what little gold we have to help reconstruct any damage we've sustained in the prior attack. However, if I might suggest, I do have a solution you should find to you liking. I've gone ahead and written up a writ declaring the results of your noble actions, along with a request that you be properly compensated for your heroic actions from the royal treasury itself if need be. You need only present this document to Tarrin Castle to request your reward. After all, it is the responsibility of the Kingdom's army to protect the people against such an attack, it seems only fair that they pay you for the work you've completed in their place." Walking over the the massive oversized bar, he reaches into his robe and pulls out a rolled parchment, presenting it to the gathered crowd as he speaks. He then sets the parchment down on the bar surface and looks back over at each member of the party before adding, "I need only write down one last piece of information to complete my request."

"If you may, what is the name of your adventuring group?"

Witt looks blankly at the fellow.  Um, do we have a name?  We can have, I guess, if you like.  He looks at the others for ideas, as he definitely has none.

Sora stood in the awkward silence for as long as she could stand, which wasn't long at all, before blurting out, "Yeah, we don't have a name yet. So how about leave that blank for now,  maybe we can fill it in later?" She walked up near where Mathais stood, leaning against the bar, before asking, "Also, just outa' curiosity, how much gold we talking about here?"

Mathais gave Sora a reassuring smirk, "I'm afraid you'll have to take that up with the royal court when you arrive. For the time being I'll leave the writ as is per your request. You can fill in the details later if you desire." He hands the rolled up parchment to Sora with a warm smile. "Once again, I cannot thank you enough for all you've done for this town, may the great dragon bless your travels. Now if you'll excuse me. As much as I would love to join you in your continued celebration, there are matters of rebuilding the damaged homes that I must attend to." He begins walking towards the door before turning around and adding, "Oh and be sure not to lose that, if you care for your reward of course." With a polite bow and a smile he turned back around and walked out of the tavern, leaving the rest to continue enjoying themselves. 

Well, he was... nice.  says Witt.  Oh, oh, does this mean you're all coming to Tarrin Castle?  That's absolutely wonderful.  He's almost jumping up and down with happiness.  It was so much fun to go on an adventure with you.  I was afraid we would have to split up now, because our caravan is going to Tarrin Castle and I didn't expect you would all want to come along, but now there's an invitation to go.  You will all come, won't you?  He looks hopefully at the other four.

A smile spreads across Nemeia's face as the shock of it all settles. "Well that was unexpected," she says with a bit of excitement. "I haven't seen the castle before so I would love to go. I'm sure my studies would be more fruitful toward more scholarly towns."

"Well sure, I'd LOVE to go!" Sora said with a wide grin on her face, "Not only do I like getting paid for a job done, but there's something I wanted to check out in that direction anyway."