Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

Tabesha'l stretches and gracefully smothers a yawn.

" I do agree with thy idea of spending the night here, Thuniviel. I, for one, could very much do with a warm bath ! Would thee think Master Kalazorn hath such luxury available ? It doeth seemeth a tad far-fetched, I surmise. As far as the X on yon map, we couldst make some research on said-subject whilst we art in the city of Triboar: indeed, a little care and prior investigation on the dangers of yonder mountains shan't go amiss, I'd wager ?"

She seems to be lost in thought for a moment then adds, almost to herself: " I do wish we could help milk cow Petunia with new lodgings. Yet I'm afraid even my humble arcane gifts would fail to raise a new barn overnight..."

Connak mumbles, "I'd say Petunia can sleep in your room, but you'd talk so much her milk would go sour..."

Tabesha'l's face freezes as she hears the wood elf's comment. 

" Thrandanre enteythiel onyva'rê, shanondraeth. Yeruin onanshar, cannathal aan' Adreh (*) ..."  she says calmly, her eyes fixed on Connak.

(*) -( translated from elven in spoiler )-

Vaxis glowers at both Connak and Tabesha'l. While not versed in Elven, he can only imagine from the tone that this was about to devolve.

He, however, says nothing.

Connak bows at Tabesha'l and goes to find himself a comfy spot to meditate.

Big Al comes back down the stairs and immediately picks up on the tense vibe that had settled upon the room. Unlike earlier when his five guests were quietly absorbed in their own orbits, he now finds them quietly glaring at each other. “Well, I think we’ve all had quite enough of the world for one day,” he quips. “Beds are clean,” he continues, then looking at Tabesha’l “and there’s a single suite adjacent to the office for you mi’lady, but I’m afraid the closest you’ll get to a bathtub is that pigfish pond out yonder,”

”And for you good sir orcslayer,” now directing his attention to Ando, “your letter of introduction. There is no formal guide service in Triboar, but the taverns and outfitters are usually spilling over with them. See if you can find one named Mordecai Fartheen...human, late-fifties, favors a tavern named The Talking Troll. Maybe take just the half-orc inside with you.” 

“If you need me, I’ll be lodging for the night out front with Petunia...I’d never get over it if she survived those damn orcs only to become the main course at a wolves’ dinner party...”

The party whiles away the remaining hours reflecting on the journey thus far and the journey ahead. What secrets would Triboar reveal? Who is the author of the map and what is the significance of the X? How many more orcs would fall upon the settlements and homesteads of the Triboar Trail? And where is the dragon whose appearance in the skies over Phandalin set them on their path...

END OF ADVENTURING DAY

Early the next morning, the aroma of coffee and breakfast cooking drifts up the stairs to roust the party from their slumber. As they make their preparations and find their way downstairs, they find Big Al busy in the kitchen readying a meal for his guests.

Vaxis comes down early in the morning, his daily prayers to Bahamut concluded. He assists with the preparation, and sets the table for everyone.

Minsys comes in from outside, having slept in the ruins of the barn by the horses.  He hooks a thumb pointing outside.  "I took the horses out by the orchard tied them off with some rope found in the barn.  Wont do much to keep them there if they really want to leave but figured it got grass and fruit so should be...  wait is that breakfast," he finishes saying as he recognizes the small.  He drops whatever he was doing and heads to the table for food.

TO VAXIS: “Ah, many thanks Sir Vaxis...and how is the blessed of Bahamut this fine morn? Ye look well rested lad...much needed after the beating we took yesterday.” Big Al hands Vaxis a glass of Petunia’s buttermilk. “Have you a shot of this...it’s the finest milk you’ll find anywhere. That cow is worth a dragon’s hoard, I tell you!”

TO MINSYS: “You seem to be pretty handy with the animals, son...those horses are more wild than tame, but they took to you like newborn pups! Why don’t you take them with you to Triboar...they can ease your load on the way. What’s even better is that I bought them from Karnveller’s Happy Horse Ranch in Triboar...the appearance of your support for local businesses may help ease you into the social network there as well.”

As the others make their way downstairs, they find Minsys and Vaxis sitting around the dinning room as Big Al recounts stories from his days as Triboar’s sheriff.  

Connak will enter the dining room/kitchen and as he eats, he'll wait for an opening to ask Big Al about the road to Triboar.  Dangers, things to look out for.  Proper scout questions.

At the offer of the gift Minsys nearly chokes on the food he was chewing.  He coughs a bit, pounds his chest and says, "Kind offer, if you insist yes but selling them could get your farm running again."

Vaxis smiles wide.

"Another day is blessed by The Great Platinum Wyrm. I think I speak for all of us when I say we are having thanks for your hospitality."

He takes a drink of the milk and a look of bliss comes over him.

"This is having deliciousness. Thank you!"

As Tabesha'l makes her way downstairs to join the others for breakfast, she looks a little pale and drawn: obviously she's spent most of the night studying her new magic grimoire. She barely notices her surroundings, opening the leather-bound book again at the breakfast table while mumbling some of the incantations under her breath. Something in there seems to be capturing her complete attention...

"Friend Tabesha'l, are you alright?", says Vaxis with an overtone of concern in his voice.

Big Al advises Connak to be watchful mostly for bandits and hostile barbarian tribes, but explains that most of the path from the ranch to Triboar was open grassland making it much easier to spot approaching danger, unless of course such danger was magically hidden.

To Minsys, Big Al explains that the cost of reopening the farm for business was not so much the issue as was his ability to recruit new ranch hands, seeing that he was somewhat stuck in place watching the farm and it’s singular, yet remarkable dairy cow.

"I won't dishonor the gift and accept.  They will be cared for.  Do they have names?" asks Minsys.  He will then spend a few minutes talking about the finer details about the horses to better help him.  Things such as temperament, quirks, training and the likes.

“No, no names...unless you count ‘dammit’ and ‘get back here’ or ‘don’t eat that’ as names...they don’t answer to those monikers anyhow, at least not for me. It’s about 60 miles to Triboar, so unless you intend to ride 2-to-a-horse, it ought to take you about two-and-a-half days to make it there, assuming you don’t run into any trouble along the way. Be sure to fill your canteens at the well before you go.”

Big Al makes his way around to each of the party members to look them square in the eye and shake their hand. “I can’t thank you folks enough for the kindness you have done for me. You’ve always got a place to sleep and a hot meal waiting for you here at Butterskull Ranch!”

(OOC: Tabesha’l, please make your Portent rolls in a post below or edit your last post, either option is fine.)

Connak makes sure everyone has full canteens, then begins scouting the path to Triboar.

Perception check: 14

Stealth check: 18

Once again Minsys thanks Big Al again and comments about seeing if there was any salvageable grain or saddle/tack.  If so he will pull what he can out for the mans cow and take just enough to get to Triboar.  With all that finally accomplished, he would lead the horses after the others.