Anakis' pet mouse partially comes out of her sleeve onto her open hand as she secretly shows the serving girl. "This is Custard". Her mouse's tan fur is surprisingly clean given her background, and Custard twitches his nose at the serving girl before darting back into Anakis' sleeve.

Upon hearing Rowan's statement that the militia are hiring to rid the bog of its dangers, she says "Can I help too?"

as Aluzira is finishing one of her songs Torrent askes to speak for a moment.  Before hearing her answer, he begins his speech.  She listens closely to what everone is saying and puts her panflute back at her side.  She smiles as Tarek offers to join.  "Excuse me." she says to Torrent.  'I'm not the best fighter, but perhaps I could still be of some help, may I join you?"

Ulben pokes his head out the kitchen door and says, "I'm not a fighter at all, but I could use some coin, and you might need a cook." As Ulben turns around to go back into the kitchen he hits the pot he is carrying, knocking it out of his hand and some of the liquids to splash out.  As he bends over to pick it up he knocks over a mug of mead into the pot, Ulben not noticing, picks up the pot and goes back into the kitchen.  The sauce that comes from the pot is at a perfect level of sweetness.

Tarek, take a point of Inspiration for trusting Pelor to guide your actions.

"Ooh! 'e's so cute!" squeals the serving girl, petting Custard on the head. "Don't let 'orace see 'im. I could get in trouble, lettin' you 'ave 'im in 'ere. But take this to feed 'im," she says, offering Anakis a handful of chopped celery and breadcrumbs.

Horace stands by as first Tarek, then Fluin, Anakis, Aluzira, and Ulben offer to join Torrent's cause. He picks up on what Rowan has said about the militia hiring adventurers. "You see," he says, addressing the crowd, "you have nothing to fear. Steps are being taken to keep the bog in check just as they always have been, and frankly, this is Lord Guernot's problem to deal with, not ours. In his wisdom, he has hired these brave souls to deal with any extraordinary threats which may lurk on our borders. You people of Keld Wood can rest assured that you can continue on undisturbed in your lives of comfort and commerce!"

The tradespeople and their families stand to applaud what seemed to them to be a sensible speech. "Hear, hear!" a few of them shout. As they begin to mill around again, it's easy to get bumped or jostled, especially for some of the larger members of the group.

"Aluzira," Horace says, turning to the minstrel on the stage behind him, "I hate to see you go and hope you'll grace us with your presence here at the Magenta Angels again before too long. Remember, you will always have a home here."

Horace then turns to speak with Torrent. "As you know from our previous conversations on the matter, friend Torrent, I share your interest in the natural world. Whenever I have time away from running this tavern, I love to walk out beyond the walls and through the farmlands to the edge of the Clouded Bog. Over the years, I've seen the damage grow, and I fear that time may be running out. I therefore applaud your efforts and urge you to quick action. Where will you begin your quest?"

After speaking with Torrent, Horace passes by Nazcan as he goes to return to his place behind the bar to serve the throng of visitors. "I suppose, priest, you'll return to your temple to be surrounded and comforted by your idols?" he scoffs. You notice that the decorations on the inside of his tavern are devoid of any pictorial representations.

Stopping by to check on the kitchen, Horace samples the sauce that Ulben has made. "Remarkable!" he exclaims. "You don't need to cook for this rabble," he says to the half-elf, referring to the party that's in the process of assembling. "If you need some coin, I'll hire you to cook here. What's the militia offering to pay you? I'll double it!"

Rowan will cut into Horace and Ulben's exchange
"Dear cousin Ulben, might I have a word?"
Rowan will try and guide Ulben to a far corner of the room before turning to him and speaking in hushed tones STEALTH: 5
"Ulben, I need your help. The lord's militia has countless times refused my request to hire adventurers, citing it as a (air quotes) "Waste of resources". But I really believe that if we can show some results to the Militia Captain, they will change their minds. My problem is that there isn't currently any money to pay adventurers with. What should I do?

Nazcan did not know that Horace was being sarcastic looking at him with his anger held within him "I doubt I ever meet Tiamat, but my hope is to be a true dragon... someday. For now, this huge size will do." His neck begins hurting from looking down all this time making him rub his the back of his neck from the discomfort. 

"Thank you, I will."  Says Aluzira. "It's been a pleasure to play here."  She adds with a smile.  She steps down of the stage and tries to see where everyone is gathering, doing her best not to run into anyone.

"Cousin, I'm low on coin, but I am looking for my wife, Thea, I am scarried that she may be in trouble.  And if he is going to pay more, don't you think I might find her in town more likely?"

Tarek beckons to Nazcan to join him and his new group. "We are going to need as many... uh... able-bodied people as possible," looking up (literally) into his eyes. "You would suit us very well." Then, after a long pause to let him reflect on the decision, Tarek changes the subject: "I am sure that you and I have a lot to learn about each other's deities. I have spent many long years in the temple, but I have never come across a worshipper of Tiamat. Tell me more."

"Well, Tiamat is very wicked, giving praise and blessings for our mischief and crimes, I praised only for mischief, --crime is really not my thing--. Her powers are beyond what us mortal dragons could bleave, my town thinks powers can make dragonborn into true dragons, I prey each day, in hopes of being one someday, though this size do for now." It is just then he realizes what he said about joining "Oh, yes, I guess I can join you group"

"Let us take this out of here." Fluin suggests as the crowd bumps them from all sides.  "We can regroup outside and discuss what exactly your plans are for this group."

Torrent beams at the large crowd that assembles around him.  He looks at Aluzira and says "Of course you're welcome.  We need all the help we can get!  Plus, we djinnborn need to look out for one another."  He winks at her.  

As Horace pulls Torrent aside, Torrent responds, saying "Well, I think we'll start by going to try to take out the giant toads.  That's been enough of a pain in the Lord's side that he may start commissioning us.  After that, we can start trying to take out the threats we've seen until we can find out why they're being born in the first place."

Anakis pockets the crumbs from the serving girl and quickly hides Custard away. Seeing Rowan move to a corner with Ulben, she will attempt to keep out of sight, but within earshot so she can overhear the conversation - afterall, Rowan is the only one that's really spoken to her and she's not sure why she's been so nice to Anakis. 
Stealth : 8

A;uzira smiles "Thank you!" she says, before Torrent is pulled away.

Rowan winces, I'll make a deal with you Ulben. If you help me get this adventuring party started, I promise you I will use my resources at the militia to help you track down your missing wife. Deal? She holds her hand out to shake.

Provided he agrees she will turn back and take stock of the rest of the adventurers who volunteered and will get on to the stage raising up her hand to gain their attention.
Pardon me, if you were interested in joining an expedition to take on some of the more dangerous threats surrounding Ekuepool, Please follow me back to my apartment near the barracks.
Keeping her hand raised, very much like a tour guide, she will walk, pausing at the bar to leave 5 silver for the barkeep. She will turn around to try and spot Anakis, Tiefling girl?
Hoping the girl spots her, she will continue to lead the group back to her apartment to discuss an expedition.
Rowan's apartment is a cramped one room studio-like space within the barracks. It has a short ceiling, one bed, a very small fireplace with a chain to hang a pot over and a cheery circular window looking out over the bog. she has a very short coffee table to serve as her dining space with a few straw cushions.

Ulben tries to shake Rowan's hand but misses, and spins in a circle 2 times, and is only stopped by catching Rowan's hand, for a hand shake.

Fluin shrugs and follows Rowan out.

Tarek takes a few minutes to finish his ale, thanks the barkeeper, and meets Rowan outside. "I'll just go back to the temple and pack my things real quick, I'll meet you there."

Anakis follows along at the rear of the group. She inquisitively looks at each of the party that walk before her, trying to ascertain anything she can from each of them. 
Having overhead Ulben, she looks with sadness at him over the loss of his wife but not with total understanding as Anakis has not lost anyone close to her before. 

Nazcan follows Tarek mindlessly, hoping to finish a prayer he had earlier