Harmony had heard the elder saying that they would be better to investigate underwater and how they can establish a secure perimeter around their home, knowing the cause now. She would have followed to the guesthouse, hearing that they could stay for longer if they want to stand guard and see the severity of this. But then Abraxas mentioned that tomorrow they should return to the man and get back to exploring Turmeather. She nodded back, knowing that they still had a bigger purpose to fulfill after all. "Thank you and we are glad that we could be of help to you all." Harmony would have said back to the elder, smiling. Then if everyone else is ready to do so, she would take a long rest as well.

Garu shrugs, “I guess if it teaches us more about what is driving this on the part of the Branchari, count me in. I could just use some sleep. Don’t suppose there is a bar nearby?”

DM Screen:

The elder returns to the guesthouse as Garu finishes her sentiment. "I'm afraid we have no tavern. Hard to drink under the water, you see," he chuckles, "But I did bring you something to drink."

"My people have rounded up what they can to thank you for help. We do not receive much assistance from those outside our little village, and when we do they are often less kind than you have been. Here...in addition to the 500 gold piece reward that we agreed with the Order of Skogyr, there are also 100 silver pieces and 200 electrum pieces in this pouch. These gemstones come from our guard captain - according to him, they are more useful as more than just trade goods. Lastly, for refreshment, these are bottles of pineapple juice, our only export that does not come from the sea," he explains, setting the items down before you.

OOC: Split evenly, each character has received 166 gp, 66 ep, and 33 sp.

Left to claim are 2 gp, 2 ep, 1 sp, 2 agate gemstones, and 2 bottles of pineapple juice.

The reward has put Garu over her carrying capacity. She will need to shed some inventory weight before leaving the village.

"Thank you kindly," Abraxas says to the elder. "While you don't have any bars, do you have libraries or bookstores?" After listening to the elder, he'll turn towards Harmony and Garu. "Do you mind If I take a pineapple juice? I'm willing to give up the gemstones and the 2 gp, 2 ep, 1 sp for it."

If there are bookstores or a library, Abraxas will invite the others to go with him to explore them. If not, he will enter the guest house and take a long rest.

OOC: i've added the reward to my character sheet.

Harmony listened to the elder, very surprised by all of the extra rewards he is giving them, nodding. "Wow, really? This is so much, thank you very much. We're just glad to have helped." she said back, thinking about what she wanted as she heard Abraxas. "Yeah, that's fine. Garu, you can choose what you want next and I'll take what is left." she had said back with a smile.

Garu smirks, laying her bedding aside to make room in her pack for her coinage. “Harmony, my friend, please take the juice. The juice I am looking for is a bit stronger.”

OOC: Sorry about that Abraxas, I added the rewards but apparently they didn't take.

The elder chuckles to Abraxas, "I apologize, friend. Books are not our strong suit either; the humid air here is not good for them, and our wet hands wouldn't treat them kindly either."

The late night festivities wrapped up, you fall asleep easily, waking up when the late afternoon sun is already in the sky. The Wysto village is quiet, with most of the fishers out working for the day, but there are still a few Wysto men and women working about the village, and some children playing in the waters near the shore.

OOC: I've added a pineapple juice to Abraxas's inventory.

Still to be claimed are 2 gp, 2 ep, 1 sp, 2 agate gemstones, and 1 bottle of pineapple juice.

Character sheets have been updated with the benefits of a long rest.

 "Ahem," Abraxas says. "Does anyone remember how we get back? I think the spot was guarded and not far outside this village?" Abraxas, assuming he is correct, will start walking out of the town in the direction they arrived.

Harmony had heard Garu, nodding back. "Alright, thank you." she said back, taking the pineapple juice, agate gemstones, and the 2 gp, 2 ep, 1 sp. The next day, she yawned and got ready for another day as per usual. Then she had heard Abraxas, thinking. "Yeah, I believe it was guarded and nearby." Harmony would have said back, following him as well.

OOC: Added the remaining reward to Harmony's inventory.

Abraxas Survival: 22

After the first hour, Abraxas gets the party pointed in the correct direction, returning to the guard tower where only a teleportation circle separates you from a return to Lyrikav. The panda-like guards seem as bored as the day you arrived, offering only "Afternoon," and allowing you to pass through to the circle.

As you step in, the scene around you changes to the stuffy climate of the cellar of the Order of Skogyr. Abraxas immediately feels the relief of regular atmosphere, regaining his balance within minutes.

OOC: Abraxas's DEX and CON modifiers have been restored.

Abraxas inhales deeply and exhales slowly. He seems much more stable on his feet. "I'm worried about the books down the hall," he says. "We might also wee what we can discover about the place we will be exploring. It seems many adventurers go there and fail to return." He'll start down the hall, back to the room with the man with glasses.

The Order of Skogyr is bustling again this afternoon. The stack of books that had been tidied up by Abraxas before leaving are still tidied, but underneath a new pile of open, scattered books and journals. Next to them, Benedict is wiping down his glasses and speaking hastily to an elf that is not dressed like the scribes, acolytes, and other members of the order that are rushing about.

As the three of you crest the steps to this scene, Benedict points you out to the elf.

The copper-skinned, raven-haired wood elf looks intently at the three individuals who have just ascended the steps. Quickly realizing his steady gaze would likely be unwelcome, Simeon offers a warm smile and a nod of his head to indicate his benign intent toward the tiefling, tabaxi, and half-elf.

A faded brown cloak partially hides the elf's studded leather armor and shortsword, and a small shield and longbow are slung across his back. He approaches the three adventurers and speaks softly, "Greetings. I am Simeon Gray, and I have been told that a few heroes are among us here in Lyrikav. May I assume you are they?"

"You may," Abraxas says. "I am Abraxas Onassis. These are my allies, Harmony, Garu, Mro Jus Bir and Mro Jus Bur. I'm sure they will all introduce themselves."

He turns long enough to protect one of the books Benedict has left open by closing it, then listens to the introductions.

Garu, her orange eyes gleaming in contrast to her silver coat,  smiles and reaches out her hand to greet him. “So nice to meet you”, exclaims the Kitsune with a symbol on her chest of an Ankh in the sun held up by a red eagle with its wings.

”May Tylyn’s light shine upon you”, she says with a gleam in her eye.

Harmony was happy that they made it back to the guard tower, seeing the panda-like guards again as she waved and said goodbye to them before they went into the circle, now back at the Order. She followed everyone out of the cellar and down the hall to where Benedict was talking with an elf, pointing them out. The elf then introduced himself as Simeon and assumed that they are the heroes he's heard about, nodding back. Abraxas introduced himself, giving their names as Garu had also introduced herself as well. "Hello! I'm Harmony! It's very nice to meet you Simeon!" Harmony would have cheerfully said with a big smile as she happily held out her hand for him to shake too. Simeon would see see a young female tiefling with lilac-colored eyes, baby pink skin, long pink hair, and what looks to be small curled horns painted white. Today she went for a cutesy look as she is wearing a super frilly yellow dress with a lot of different stuff going on and all in pastel colors like the fluffy striped bows with sparkly stars in the centers along the skirt and on her collar, wearing white gloves with fluffy pink and purple material, even wearing a matching hat that had a fluffy striped bow with a sparkly star in the center as well.

(OCC: This is what her hair color, length, and style is. Her horns are like Jester's from Critical Role as well, but painted white.)

 "Abraxas, hello," responds Simeon before turning his attention to the kitsuné and the tiefling. "Garu...Harmony..." He repeats their names as he shakes their hands, "...the honor is mine."

Then, to the group as a whole, he says, "Allow me to explain my intrusion. I have heard of your victory over the ice basilisk and, of course, your arrival in this city. Unfortunately, Rikirta has been nearly devoid of creatures of valor for many years, and our recent history leads me to believe this is cause for concern. And today it seems I might have the opportunity to align myself with a few like-minded individuals. As presumptuous as this may be, I could not rest until I made the attempt to speak with you."

((OOC: I'm unclear on the identities/roles of Mro Jus Bir and Mro Jus Bur, if they are indeed present.))

Alongside Abraxas, Garu and Harmony are a Nekomata man dressed in colorful clothing, and a Kitsune warrior. The Nekomata bows low. "Hello to you, Simeon Gray. My name is Mro Jus Bir, and this is my close and personal friend Mro Jus Bur," he says in the rich accent of a foreign bard. The Kitsune only offers a nod, saying, "I am his bodyguard."

Mro Jus Bir gestures emphatically with his hands as he speaks, "You have indeed found creatures of valor. I have witnessed it myself over the last days. We are bound for the citadel of Turmaether, to unlock its mysteries. I am simply here to chronicle this journey. Should you wish to accompany us toward such danger, perhaps you will find yourself in my song as well. The tale does suddenly find itself one hero poorer since Aisha asked us to carry on without her for the time, but of course the decision is not mine to make."

For Simeon:

"Ah, of course," responds Simeon as he bows toward Mro Jus Bir in return. "Turmaether is it? I see..." His voice trails off as he wonders whose "decision" it is to make. 

Abraxas has a long scholar's robe, faded brown. From each shoulder to the opposite hip he wears two large leather book bags. Black ink spots his hands.

"I can only speak for myself," he says. He has been studying Simeon. "But given the rumors of Turmaether, the more that are with us going in, the more are likely to come out." He glances at Harmony and Garu. "Another ally will almost certainly not hurt us."