The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

While Balassar speaks to Hatta and Gunit, Silent stays at the bar to answer the barkeep's questions. 

Like he said, sounds like the powder keg finally blew, although we ain't got much more knowledge than you folks. As for dark elves... I'd keep an eye out, but I reckon they'll have their hands full at the borders or trying to sneak into bigger cities. Feedin' your families might be a bigger issue if you ask me. Looked like prices of goods were gettin' hiked up in Felderwin, and your village's farmers might start gettin' conscripted. 

"Thank you Silent for the round." Alton raises his drink towards Silent and listens to the discussion between him and the barkeep.

Balassar, Gunit the Herder looks at  you.  Giants.  Big bastards.  Took my sheep.  That's the end of the tale.  He takes a long drink and wipes his mouth with his sleeve.  What's your name, son?  Adventuring type, is it?

Silent, the barkeep frowns back at you.  'Conscripted'.  That's an ugly word, and won't sit well round these parts.  Almost as bad as, and she leans in close and whispers, 'taxes'.  But don't you worry.  Nobody remembers Rilt for serious business.  That's the way of things.

Balassar just looks at Gunit “Names Balassar and yeah my friends and I heard about your issue and would like to help. What kind of giants we talking about exactly?”

Alton takes a drink from his mug, "I don't know, having giants or some such taking peoples livestock sounds pretty serious to me. I mean, that is their lively hood and a lot of work goes into raising animals and farming. I'm no stranger to that line of work, and I know how hard and time consuming that work is."

Heh.  Big ones, Gunit replies to Balassar.  Sorry, lad, I don't know much about giants.  They were big and dangerous and I ran before I got a real good look up close, if you know what I mean.  I can tell you where, if you like.  He gives you directions to his home, about half a day's walk from the village where you are.  I reckon they could've caught me and ate me up if they'd've wanted.  Dunno what that means, but that's the truth of it.

Alton and Silent, the innkeeper nods but then turns to deal with another customer.  As she does so, a middle-aged halfling woman enters and gets something of a welcome from the patrons, a mix of greetings, laughs and a few friendly insults.  That'll be herself then, the innkeeper states before raising her voice to call over the crowd:  Hatta, there's a bunch of lads here wanting to have a cosy chat with you.  She indicates Alton and Silent, and the halfling woman approaches, puts her hands on her hips, and waits for you to speak.

Silent raises his mug in greeting and takes a swig. We're here to fix your sheep problem. Or your giant problem. Or both. 

That's good.  But if you're talking to Gunit, then by now you know as much as me.  Giants chased him off his land, and you can believe it for truth.  As to why... she looks you up and down.  We don't know.  There are giants in the hills.  There have been contacts in the past, years ago.  They steer clear of us, and we don't bother them.  Dunno why this has happened now.  She smiles suddenly.  Do let me know when you find out.

Silent turns to Alton. What d'you think, should we should just waltz into these hills and have a little chat? If they're pissed off at these folks I ain't sure if they'd take too kindly to us. 

Alton thinks for a moment before replying, "Well, I don't know much about giants other than most people talk about how dumb they are. I suppose it wouldn't hurt just to talk with them and see what is going on. But, lets do some more investigating today and make a plan tomorrow." Alton turns to Hatta, "What were the previous contacts like? Is this a similar situation as before?"

Hatta raises her eyebrows at Silent's words.  Speak giant, do you?  Don't know anyone round here who does, I'm afraid.  When I was a young lass, there was an old woman who told the tale of a pair of lost children up in the mountains, and giants brought them home safe and sound.  Also of a giant who would trade food for gems dug up in the mountains, but if that happened, it was before my time.  People see a giant from afar once every few years but... they keep themselves to themselves, and we do the same.

Silent scratches his beard, brow furrowed. Good point... without a translator, I'd bet my armour we'd end up coming to blows if we meet any giants. I have some treasure that they might be willin' to barter for, but that won't help us figure out why they took your sheep in the first place.

Turning back to Alton, Silent agrees with his plan to hold off on making plans until tomorrow. Maybe we should give this Gunit's house the ol' once-over? See if we can find any traces of the sheep thieves. 

Balassar just nods "Fair" he says taking a quick sip of his drink "The location would be useful for us to start looking. Wouldn't happen to have any bait we could purchase off you to lure them out would ya? Hopefully make our job at finding them easier."

Bait?  Like... a sheep?  Dunno how much is left of my herd, but... you can get one in the village, I guess.

(If you want to buy a sheep, you can do so fairly easily from several people in Rilt - it will cost two gold pieces.)

"Well, at least the first part is settled. Do you guys want to head out and take a look at Gunit's then while we still have some time today?" Alton asks the group.

Yeah, let's have a snoop around the place. Silent will leave the tavern and head for Gunit's with the others whenever everyone is ready to go. 

It's late afternoon, and Gunit's house is half a day's walk from here.  Are you setting off now?  You would need to travel at night, or camp during the journey.  Or will you stay the night in the Tall Tale?

Balassar just thanks him for the information and stands up walking back to the other. He sits and finishes his drink ordering another “Apparently they like sheep. Could use one for bait.”

Silent votes to stay the night and visit Gunit's first thing tomorrow. He'll order another drink with Balassar and will do his best to drink everyone under the table, inevitable hangover be damned. 

So you will drink, then rest at the tavern, then procure a sheep in the morning and set off?

If so, please confirm.  You can deduct one silver each for a room, five coppers for a meal (optional), and two gold for each sheep you buy.